August 17, 2021
Welcome to the new school year!
Dear New Mexico PTA Leaders and Members,

Welcome to a new school year! At the July New Mexico PTA Board meeting, the officers and chairs talked at great length on how we can support you this year. As a membership driven association, making sure that PTA members are offered the tools and resources they need to help their child succeed is our top priority.  

The Board talked about how some PTAs will be starting from scratch: new PTA leadership, new administration, new members. Some PTAs will have a year of experience and work to expand programs and further engage the families at their school. Some PTAs are a well-oiled machine and have long term leaders ready to step up and continue building upon what has been done in the past.  

To all of you – know that New Mexico PTA Board members are here to support, advise and assist when needed. As volunteers ourselves, we know how rough the past year has been and we need you to know that we’ve got your PTA back.  

While we all had hoped for something close to “normal” this year, it looks like we will be inventing yet another “new normal” for this school year. As your Boards come together to discuss budgets and programs for the year, don’t be afraid to start fresh with new ideas and projects! While doing it “the way we have always done it” is comfortable, this could be the year to use your imagination and try something new. Zoom Board meetings, family program experiences from the house instead of school, virtual movie nights, guest speakers via Zoom on hot topics that affect your families…the world is open to you – let your imagination soar!

In 2022, National PTA will celebrate its 125th year of advocating for every child. 125 years of providing programs and services to the families in our communities. 125 years of working to make every child’s potential a reality. New Mexico PTA is proud to be part of this celebration – look for ways to celebrate 125 years of PTA in your community!

I truly believe that the right people are in place at the right time. You are the right people, the right members, the right leaders, the right advocates. We are here to support you. Stay in touch with us and reach out when you need help or just someone to bounce ideas off of. We are honored to be of service to you and look forward to working together for every child.

Renata Witte
VP of Legislation and Advocacy
New Mexico Parent Teacher Association
Read with the At-Home Author Program
The Library of Congress has collaborated with author and illustrator Dav Pilkey to share his creative development of the characters of his best-selling Dog Man series. Watch him share drawing tips and hear him read his work in this series of videos perfect for young readers.

How to Help Kids Deal With Embarrassment
Don't minimize their feelings but do praise them for being resilient.

For most adults minor embarrassments are just a part of life — annoying, but inevitable and hardly a big deal. But for many kids, embarrassing experiences can be very upsetting and, in some cases, may lead to serious issues like anxiety and avoidance.

New Membership Resources Page
We are thrilled to announce that a new membership resources page has launched on PTA.org. Some of the great new tools include: New, downloadable 10 PTA Membership Myths & Truths Flyer (Fillable); State PTA Membership Toolkit; How to Market Your PTA – New PTA Welcome PPT Template for local leaders; Action plan & goal worksheet to reach your membership goal, etc.
Become a National PTA School of Excellence
Congratulations to the 2020-2022 School of Excellence honorees and Phoebe Apperson Hearst Award recipients! With the new school year about to begin, National PTA’s School of Excellence program can help your PTA build an inclusive and welcoming school community where all families contribute to enriching the educational experience and overall well-being for all students, which is more important now than ever. Enroll now!
Invite a Pediatrician to Your Next PTA Meeting
Invite a local pediatrician to speak about the COVID vaccine and kids at an upcoming PTA meeting via the American Academy of Pediatrics. Contact AAP directly at kids1st@aap.org with the details of what you’re looking for and they can find a pediatrician to participate.
College Financial Savings Goals: 6 Essential Steps
by Carolyn Fittipaldi, Education
Trust Board of New Mexico

It’s no secret that each year the cost of college increases. In fact, a 2019 study from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities notes that the cost of college has increased by 25 percent in the past ten years.

A tax-advantaged college savings account, or 529 plan, with The Education Plan, can help you take action and alleviate your worries. A 529 plan is intended to help students pay for college expenses. Money in a 529 college savings plan has tax advantages, is professionally managed, and may benefit from the power of compounded growth. A variety of investment options are designed to meet your needs, situation, and risk tolerance. Parents, loved ones, or even friends can set them up quite easily and at any time in a child’s life, from birth to elementary school to high school. It’s never too early and it’s never too late to start.

Here are a few tips for how you can set college savings goals and stick to them in 2021 and beyond. 

LEARN MORE (link to full article)
 Create a QR Code to Increase Membership
One of the best ways to increase your PTA membership is to make it as easy as possible to join your PTA. No more searching for membership forms, having to remember a long URL, or having people search for your PTA online. You can add a link to your online membership join page using a QR code on all of your PTA communications. Whether it is handouts, posters or banners around your school community, or on your social media platform QR codes allow people to join immediately from their smartphone. Create a QR code in less than a minute! Create a QR Code to Increase Membership - YouTube
Get up to $1,500 with a Mountain America Education Grant
 
Physical address: 
1730 University Blvd SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106

Mailing address:  PO Box 14706 Albuquerque, NM 87191

Office Number: 505-881-0712
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