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Happy June Everyone!

Can you believe that it is June? Now it is time that we transition our boards, take a deep breath, then start planning for the coming school year! Speaking of planning for the coming school year, have you registered for the annual Leadership Convention yet? If not, it is not too late. Leadership Convention is the perfect place to network, learn, and gather new ideas to help you plan for the new school year. Our team of volunteers stands ready to engage, educate, and empower you on your PTA Path. At registration, be sure to pick your #FindYourPath ribbon. Which will it be...Education, Advocacy, Membership, Mentorship? I look forward to seeing the different colored ribbons throughout the convention. Whether it will be your first time or your ninety-ninth, there is always something for everyone!

June will also bring the National PTA Convention, June 14-19. I am proud to share that Florida has 29 delegates attending! We look forward to attending and representing Florida. National PTA is celebrating its 125th year of advocacy!

Is anyone planning a fun vacation in-between their PTA fun...ok fine, work? I have a few small family trips planned and am looking forward to relaxing. I hope everyone takes time to relax. We must practice our self-care, and give ourselves time to rest and recharge.

If you take a vacation before the leadership convention and want to share your photo, please send them to me ([email protected]), and be sure to include the fun places you are visiting. These photos will be shared.

Happy Father's Day to all of our Father Figures!


With thanks and appreciation,
Jennifer "Jen" Martinez
President | Florida PTA
Leadership Convention 2022

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
In Osceola County
Registration is still open until July 5th!
Click here to access the registration form.

June 1st was the deadline to register to have voting delegate status, but ALL are still welcome to attend as an attendee! Take part in workshops, General Sessions, Awards lunches, networking, vendors, and FUN!

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
Last call for Find Your Path Shirts.

Would you like to order a #FindYourPath shirt for Leadership Convention?
Click this link to place your order. Shirts will be available for pick-up at Convention Registration.
PTA Leaders are encouraged to attend Leadership Convention...and here's why! Click to read article.
Leadership Convention Special Service Project
Scholarship Winners
Congratulations to the following students who received a Florida PTA Scholarship. Best wishes for a successful future!
Silent Auction Baskets
Support our Scholarship Fund!

Are you creative and do you enjoy putting together themed baskets? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you to put your creativity to work. Every year, Florida PTA's Scholarship Committee hosts a themed basket auction at our Leadership Convention. PTAs from across the state donate baskets that vary in value from $15 to over $200. The baskets are auctioned off at the Leadership Convention. Some examples of baskets that have been donated by local units in the past include:
  • Game Night
  • Spa Day
  • How does your garden grow?
  • Movie Night
  • Hotel Stay
  • Spaghetti Dinner
  • Beach Fun
  • and many, many more. 

Also, consider donating something from your own local unit silent auction to Florida PTA's Silent Auction. The money raised goes to scholarships given to seniors from PTSAs around the state of Florida. It's a great program and we want to help further the education of these hardworking students.

Another way you can support our Scholarship opportunities is to attend the PTA's Got Talent event Saturday night at Leadership Convention. Come see all of the amazing, or not so, amazing talent we have from around our great state.
 
It's never too early or late to get a basket together. If you have any questions or suggestions, please email  [email protected].
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
As we get closer to the end of the school year, it’s time to start thinking about the next one. Many PTA units are transitioning to new board members, and it can be an exciting time in planning for what’s ahead. Make an effort to include a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) lens in your plans. Teach new board members about the benefits of DEI. Train yourselves in all things DEI so that you can have a solid plan by the time school starts up again.

National PTA and FL PTA provide many valuable resources to help you with your journey. Find others who can help you establish a plan, take a look at these resources, and “take off running!” The FL PTA DEI Committee will be here to support you along the way. We look forward to seeing you at the Leadership Convention in July.
Interested in Serving on a Committee?
If you are thinking about the next step in your PTA leadership journey, now is the time to apply for a spot on a Florida PTA committee or subcommittee. Your time and talents are needed now more than ever. Whether you are currently serving, have served in the past, or service at the state level will be new for you, there is a place for you to contribute and shine.

The Special Electing Committee (newly elected officers) will meet August 5th – 8th to create committees for the upcoming term. While some committees remain the same from term to term, new committees and subcommittees will be created.

Complete this interest survey. We will use the information collected from the survey to elect committee chairs and to select committee/subcommittee members for the 2022-2024 term.

Please note that completing the survey does not ensure your election/selection. Your preferences will be considered, along with the needs of the association. You may be asked to serve in a different capacity than what you selected based on the needs of the association and your stated areas of expertise.

Deadline for completion: June 30, 2022.
Juvenile Diversion Programs
Juvenile Diversion Programs
HB 195/SB 342
and HB 197/ SB 344

The main goal of any diversion program is to reduce the occurrence of juvenile crime by diverting young people (generally first time offenders) away from the traditional juvenile justice system to give the youth a second chance to go down the right path and provide an alternative to formal processing into a voluntary program that offers a variety of resources including mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, anger management and other services. Diversion programs are designed to provide offenders with necessary services that can get to the root of the underlying problem that caused them to commit a delinquent act in the first place. Studies have shown that a minor is less likely to commit the same crime after completing a diversion program. If the conditions are completed, then the charges are then dropped by the prosecutor.

To continue reading article, please click here.
Membership Has Its Benefits!
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.

Being a PTA member has its perks. Please visit this page on the National PTA site to see how you can take advantage!
National PTA 125th Anniversary Hill Day Experience and Convention
Interested in attending the National PTA 125th Anniversary Convention? Please click here to learn more.
Looking Ahead
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: [email protected]
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