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Florida PTA e-News
December 2021
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Happy December! Wow, time is really flying by. As we begin to close out this year, I would like to ask each of you to take some time for reflection. Reflect on all that you have accomplished so far this year. Or even the items we have not, and how we will adjust our course and continue to make an impact. Now, you might still be thinking, "Jen, you are crazy!" We do not feel like we have accomplished half of what we are used to. Well, to that I will say this: yes you have! We must take the time to recognize and celebrate everything our PTA has been able to achieve, the good with the not-so-good. Taking time to celebrate the small wins and the big ones, will help lead us to a more positive reflection of our accomplishments. It is true that our meetings, events, programs, fundraisers, and membership, are still not what we are accustomed to, and that is OKAY. Every day we will continue to do the work and move forward. Give yourselves and your team credit for what you have been able to do and learn. Our children are counting on us, and I am glad we have wonderful volunteers like you working to make a difference for all children. Thank you for being you and giving your time, talents, and treasures to help make every child's potential a reality.
Many of us have begun to celebrate the holidays, and we take this time to be with family and friends, let's also remember to practice self-care. It is important to take the time we all need, to rest, refresh, and recharge over the winter break. Let's come back in January reenergized to finish our school year strong!
Here are some ways that Florida PTA continues to connect with and support our leaders and members:
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Get Engaged Wednesdays: join us for a variety of topics to educate, engage and empower you. If you have missed a session you can find them all on our website.
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Peers for Presidents: monthly chat sessions. These are sessions for Presidents to network and share.
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How Do You PTA Today? Leadership Summits: these are virtual and the next Summits are coming in February and March.
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LegCon: our annual Advocacy event coming in January. Registration is now open. (learn more below)
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The Reflections virtual event: coming April 23, 2022, will celebrate our Arts in Education program.
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Leadership Convention: coming July 21-24, 2022 at the OMNI ChampionsGate Resort. Planning is underway and we are looking forward to finding our paths. #FindYourPath (learn more below)
Florida PTA will continue to be here for you, together, making a difference every day. Our children and communities need us now more than ever.
Please note the state office will be closed from December 20 - January 3, 2022.
From my family to yours, Happy Holidays!
May all the love, joy, and blessings of the season be with you now, and throughout the year.
Jennifer "Jen" Martinez
President | Florida PTA
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Join us for our LegCon 2022 - January 30-February 1. In-person registrations are almost full but we have unlimited space for virtual attendees!
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Schedule:
January 30: Meet & Greet Dessert Reception
January 31: Workshops and advocacy training
February 1: Tour the Capitol and meet with legislators
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Leadership Convention 2022
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Florida PTA Leadership Convention
July 21-24, 2022
The Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate
The resort is located at:
1500 Masters Boulevard, Championsgate, FL 33896
Due to the location and popular demand of this resort, hotel reservations are now open so members attending can reserve their room(s).
Click this link to the Florida PTA special hotel pricing page.
Please use the link to make reservations to ensure your PTA discounted room pricing. Booking through the resort online or directly with the resort you might not receive the discounted pricing.
There are no funds needed at the time of booking.
Reserve your room(s) now to ensure you have a room onsite.
Average room prices will range from $159-$309, depending on size, location, and style. You can arrive early or extend your stay with the reduced rates depending on
room type and availability
Parking is free for those staying at the resort and for anyone that lives close and choses to drive over daily.
The resort fee has been reduced to $9 and when you book your hotel room it will be reflected in the pricing.
All workshops, ticketed events, exhibitors and General Meetings will be in one building located within just steps of each other.
This hotel has ELEVATORS and lots of restrooms!
We know that sounds silly, but it is a refreshing change of pace for us.
Stay tuned for more details and information!
We look forward to seeing you there!
#FindYourPath
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We are looking towards our future and want to take you along the path of PTA with us! One of the most exciting paths YOU can take begins with the FIRST step of planning for your PTA to attend the 2022 Florida PTA Leadership Convention in Orlando July 21-24, 2022, at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate.
This step includes making sure you have this Convention written into your budget as training. Next, you need to encourage your board and members to make the commitment NOW to attend as this is an event you do not want to miss. These are the most important steps you can take on your path for your PTA, as there is so much offered at our Convention. Last year we had 83 workshops, four General Meetings, and a great selection of hands-on training opportunities, which engaged, inspired, and empowered PTA members to be more effective leaders and advocates.
Stay on the path, and we'll SEE YOU THERE!
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Call for 2022 Leadership Convention Workshops
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Do you have a workshop that you would like to see and/or offer at Leadership Convention? If so, please click the link below to complete the Google Form “Call For Workshops and Presenters” for our 2022 Leadership Convention.
If you have any questions please email Maxine Lewers, Vice President for Leadership Development at [email protected]
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Two lucky local units have the chance of winning one free registration to the 2022 Leadership Convention! All local units who are FULLY COMPLIANT by December 15th will be automatically entered into the drawing. Best of luck!
You must have:
- Audit completed
- Bylaws updated
- Dues paid
- IRS 990 filed
- New & Returning Officers Form submitted
If you have questions about your local unit's compliance, please don't hesitate to reach out to your county council president, your region representative, or the state office.
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Spotlight On...Devon-Aire K-8 PTSA
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Devon-Aire K-8 PTSA (Miami-Dade County)! We are so proud of their Membership efforts! Way to go!
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After each Census, the Florida Legislature redraws the districts from which Florida voters elect their state representatives, state senators, and members of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Redistricting is the redrawing of congressional and state legislative districts to adjust for uneven growth rates in different parts of the state. Districts determine which voters participate in which elections. Congressional districts, which are set by act of the Legislature and approved by the Governor.
Reapportionment is the redistribution of seats in the United States House of Representatives among the 50 states, based on the census. Each state gets at least one seat. Effective with elections in 2022 Florida gets 28 representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives, an increase of one from last decade. Two U.S. Senators represent the entire state.
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Membership Has Its Benefits!
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There are many benefits of becoming a PTA/PTSA Member. But many times we look at the “What do I get out of being a PTA/PTSA Member?”
While National PTA offers discounts to Members, It’s great to come up with benefits at your Local Unit!
Here are some Ideas that you may find beneficial:
- Create Partnerships within your local community that will benefit your PTA/PTSA Members.
- Offer Membership Perks to Families for Free Entry or Discounted Entry to PTA/PTSA hosted events.
- Give PTSA Student Members a discount on School Events.
- Host a School Wide Incentive and/or Class Incentives for reaching a Membership Goal.
- Provide the Teachers and Staff within your school a sign for their door to proudly display that they are PTA/PTSA Members.
- Offer Grants to the Teachers and Staff for Joining.
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National PTA Notes From The Backpack
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Our Culture is More than a Holiday
From people who mispronounce your child’s name to teachers who expect them to explain your family’s holiday traditions to the class, your child may be struggling with the pressure to represent an entire culture. Actress and author Sheetal Sheth joins our hosts to offer her advice. Listen now. Click here for a direct link to the National PTA webpage.
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LifeChanger of the Year Award
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Know a K-12 educator going above and beyond? Nominate them for the LifeChanger of the Year Award by Dec. 31st. All school and district employees are eligible to receive awards up to $10,000. This holiday season, LifeChanger of the Year will also send your nominee a congratulatory certificate and poster, holiday card with a personalized message from you, and a $25 donation to an education nonprofit in their name. Learn more and make your free, simple nomination here: https://bit.ly/3y2kopS
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The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse Advisory Board (MEPICAB) was created in 1996 to address issues dealing with Florida's missing children. The MEPICAB is a diverse mix of law enforcement officials, victims' parents, government agencies, missing children non-profit organizations, and community members interested in missing children issues.
Click here for the MEPICAB Newsletter
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Mark your calendar for these upcoming Florida PTA Dates. Watch for more details about each event as the date comes closer.
1/11/22: Florida Legislature begins
1/14/22: Reflections due to the state
1/30-2/1/22: Legislative Conference and Capitol Visits, Tallahassee, Hybrid event, limited in-person attendance
1/30-2/4/22: Children's Week in Tallahassee
2/1/22: Scholarship Applications Due
2/17/22: Founder's Day
2/19/22: Leadership Summit (virtual)
3/12/22: Leadership Summit (virtual)
4/23/22: Student Reflections Celebration (virtual)
6/14-6/19/22: National PTA Convention with the Legislative Conference, National Harbor, Maryland
**7/21-7/24/22: Florida PTA Leadership Convention, Orlando, Florida (new dates and location!)
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We look forward to seeing you throughout the year at our various events, whether in-person or virtual, there is sure to be something for everyone! If you have any questions about any of the events, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at: [email protected]
This upcoming year is also an election year for Florida PTA. If you're interested in being nominated for an elected officer position for the 2022-2024 term, please click this link for detailed information!
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Follow us on social media!
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ShopPTA.com sells official PTA and PTSA logo apparel, membership items, awards, gifts and more. All products are offered through each of the participating State PTA organizations. Visit shoppta.com for all your PTA needs!
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