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Florida PTA e-News
May 2022
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Happy May Everyone!
Wow, I simply cannot believe it is May. I feel like this school year flew by. May brings us so many feelings and events. As the school year comes to an end and elections take place and our PTA boards start to turnover, please take a moment and celebrate all that you have accomplished this year. Remember that you said YES during a very challenging time with so much going on. You continued to do the work and move the mission. We have a lot to be proud of. We increased Membership, we increased engagement and participation in events both in-person and virtual. Way to go!
May also brings us many school celebrations like Staff Appreciation, School Nurses, Principals, and Volunteers. Schools and families will have moving on ceremonies, proms, high school, and college graduations along with school events. it is a busy time for sure! Enjoy these moments! I am enjoying watching many of them through social media, thank you for sharing.
The Florida PTA Leadership Convention Committee is hard at work getting ready for our 2022 Leadership Convention. We hope you will join us, in person! With over 75 workshops, networking opportunities, exhibitors, Resource Fair, Awards Luncheon, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Luncheon, PTAs Got Talent, and more, there is sure to be something for everyone! We have a new location and format this year and will have 5 (five) General Meetings. We will be presenting 2 Resolutions, the Bylaws Revision, and conducting the Election of Officers for the 2022-2024 term. Join us and be a part of making the PTA united voice for our great association. Whether it will be your first time or 99th, there is something for everyone, and the relationships you will make and build will last a lifetime!
With thanks and appreciation,
Jennifer "Jen" Martinez
President | Florida PTA
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Once you have completed your elections, remember to upload your New and Returning Officer information to Florida PTA
This is how you will receive access to Memberhub and receive the Florida PTA Kit of Materials
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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
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Registration is now open!
Click here to access the registration form.
The first 150 registrants (non Florida PTA Board of Directors and one winner per unit) will be automatically entered into a drawing for fun prizes ranging from gift certificates, free daily valet pass, ECO Tours and a pool cabana!
Due to the location and popular demand of this resort, hotel reservations are now open so members attending can reserve their room(s).
Book now to ensure you have a room onsite, no funds are needed to reserve a room at this time.
All pre and post convention dates have now sold out.
The dates available for hotel rooms are 7/21-7/24.
7/24 will look grey on the calendar but it is available as a check out date
not a stay over date.
The hotel also reported to us they are 100% sold out. The only remaining rooms are the rooms in the Florida PTA room block. Make sure you are using our special link to book hotel rooms.
Please use this link to the Florida PTA special hotel pricing page. Make your reservations now to ensure your PTA discounted pricing. Booking through the resort online or directly with the resort will not allow you to take advantage of the discounted pricing. Many of the suites and villas are booked already, book today to ensure you have a room on site.
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 chooses 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!
Join the conversation in the event on Facebook click here
We look forward to seeing you there!
#FindYourPath
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Would you like to order a #FindYourPath shirt for Leadership Convention?
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Click this link to place your order. Shirts will be available for pick-up at Convention Registration.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Do you like to have fun? Are you a people-person or a jump-in-and-help person? You can volunteer during the 2022 Florida PTA Annual Convention and enjoy the excitement of convention for FREE! If you have not registered and would like to attend as a volunteer, we still have some opportunities available!
Volunteers can help with everything from being greeters, monitoring exhibits, assisting in workshops, and so much more. We only ask that you serve at least 6 hours between July 21st and July 23rd, and will provide direction for each role. The volunteer positions are very easy and do not require any special knowledge, just the willingness to step up.
You will receive your shift(s) assignment in advance, and have the opportunity to block out specific time(s) that you want to reserve to attend a specific workshop, a luncheon, etc.
So… if you are willing to serve as an amazing and appreciated VOLUNTEER, please submit your request using this link. We are beginning to review the exact number of volunteers needed, and if selected, you will be notified no later than May 25th. Submit your request now!
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Leadership Convention Special Service Project
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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
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Fostering Diversity & Inclusion In The Classroom
What is Diversity?
Diversity is a word that comes up quite a bit in modern conversation but not many people know what it really means. As defined by the UN Justice & Peace Institute, Diversity refers to “people and objects of varied and different types” such as varying age, education levels, economic status. Shoes, games, languages, and foods can all be diverse. Diversity implies heterogeneity and forces us to recognize the differences that exist within a given population. In the classroom, diversity presents itself as an equal embrace of students of various races, backgrounds, and journeys who cooperate and collaborate to learn a prescribed subject matter.
What is Inclusion?
While diversity prompts us to acknowledge our differences, inclusion is the practice of involving, accepting, and accommodating each difference in order to involve groups that have been historically excluded on the premise of race, gender, and ability. Inclusive education is the most effective way for schools to give all students a fair chance to learn, grow, and develop lifelong skills. Inclusive education means all children having the opportunity to take specialty classes in health, technology, engineering, and social sciences regardless of their program or ability level. It also means providing personalized resources and opportunities for children with disabilities and those who speak foreign languages.
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What Does Your PTA Look Like?
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The Florida PTA DEI Committee would love to highlight you at the Leadership Convention DEI Luncheon. Let’s see your local unit or county council PTA in your PTA gear. We have extended the deadline, so please show us that PTA spirit! Please submit a picture by emailing DEI@floridapta.org by May 30th, 2022.
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Individual county Reflections celebrations and recognitions are being posted on our website. Please check out the amazing student artwork from your county!
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Missing & Endangered Persons Information
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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 125th Anniversary Hill Day Experience and Convention
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Interested in attending the National PTA 125th Anniversary Convention? Please click here to learn more.
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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.
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!)
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: info@floridapta.org
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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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