Dear PTA Advocates of Duval County:

I love a good scare during the month of October, and I think I’m not alone. It’s fun because it’s not real. However, some things scare me because they are all too real. 

Apathy, ignorance and inertia are the quietus of a healthy democracy. When people do not vote, our system of government fails to reflect the will of the people.

PTA is non-partisan, but WE HAVE A ROLE IN THIS! Please don’t stop until November 4 reminding your membership and surrounding community of the importance of voting.

Advocate for the ½ penny referendum until you’re sick of hearing yourself – it’s ok, you’ll recover. Unless we all are involved, there is no other way to really build a bridge together.

Sincerely,
Theresa Rogers
President, Duval County Council of PTAs and PTSAs
COMING UP:
General Meeting Info
Thursday, October 22
9:30am via Zoom

Programs Speaker: 
Jason Clark, Hunger Fight


***Register in advance for this meeting***
Please Note: Registrations can only be approved though 6 pm, 10/21.
Register here: 10/22 GM Meeting

*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with the link to join.
** IMPORTANT LINKS**
PRESIDENTS, if you have not already, please fill out google form with president and voting delegate info: 

If you are sending an alternate for either the president or the other voting delegate, please email that information to Registration@dccpta.org at least two days prior to the meeting the alternate(s) will be attending.
 

Immediately following the meeting,
join us for our first virtual Lunch and Learn! 
Candace Nagel with Chartwells will be our guest speaker and will share how Chartwells is serving food safely to our students during the Covid-19 pandemic. We’ll get a glimpse into what the serving lines look like and
how meals are served in the classrooms to our students.

NEWS: *VOTE 2020 *1/2 Penny Questions Answered
*President and Treasurers' Training *Reflections

Membership, Treasurer, Bylaws: * Audit Reminder *Right Foot Award *memberhub

etc: *Covid-19: Reducing the Spread *Healthy Lifestyles Month

Quick Links: *Additional information and resources

Member Benefits, Business Partners

NEWS
Vote 2020  Election day: Tuesday, November 3, 2020
  • Deadline to request early ballot – Saturday, 10/24
  • Early voting – Saturday, 10/19 - Saturday, 11/1 
  • For more information, go to: https://www.duvalelections.com/   
  • The ½ cent tax referendum will be on the ballot. Make sure you look down the ballot and don’t miss it!  

More information on the ½ penny:

DCCPTA Resolution supporting the ½ penny referendum approved, last year, by membership:
½ Penny Questions Answered!

The following questions were submitted to the DCCPTA ½ penny Referendum survey:
1. What are the chances it will pass? 
Sorry, can’t predict this. But please be aware it is one of the last items on the backside of the ballot. Please be sure to find it and cast your vote!

2. How will that money be used and will that cut into federal/state funding? --
The money will be used to fund the Master Facility Plan. You can see that here: https://www.ourduvalschools.org/see-the-plans . A citizen oversight committee will ensure the revenue is used as planned. If approved by voters, the new revenue would not impact any other state or federal revenue. This is a new revenue source, which voters in many other districts (such as St. Johns) have already approved.

3. After voted on if approved how long will it take to see improvements? –
Once approved, projects will move to implementation immediately. Initial steps are things like design and engineering. Then you will see the bulldozers and other equipment get started. If the voters approve, implementation will begin immediately.

4. How will this benefit schools during COVID-19?
The biggest benefit will be to the community. If approved, this local building program will be an incredible economic boost precisely when our community needs it. One person described this as Jacksonville’s largest building program since the Great Fire. Jobs and economic drivers will be positively impacted.

5. Will this be used to support schools with online school?
Not really. But technology infrastructure is a big part of the plan for schools that need it. If the pandemic were to stretch over a long period of time or return in the future, the investments in technology would have a positive impact.

6. How can I continue to advocate for the referendum?
See www.duvalcbs.com  -- This is the website of a political action committee supporting the referendum. As an employee, I can only educate. The PAC can assist you with advocacy.

7. How would these funds benefit students with disabilites? And 8. How would this benefit families in need?
The Jacksonville Education Fund compiled a research brief on how school facility quality impacts learning. Quoting from that brief:

Quality school buildings have been found to contribute to student achievement in several ways:
• Provide light, acoustics and air quality that directly impact learning;
• Offer inviting spaces that enhance student self-belief and desire to be in school;
• Provide technology that optimizes instruction and prepares students for today’s workplace;
• Communicate to children that the community values education; and
• Provide reassurance to students that they are safe and secure in their learning environment.

Because the master facility plan addresses historic inequities in various parts of the city, a successful referendum will ensure that all students will be going to a safer, modern, more effective learning environment. Dollars from the referendum will flow to schools with demonstrated need based on an external engineering study. All schools will benefit, but that study showed some of the greatest needs were in very old schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Students with disabilities will also benefit from the improved learning environments that will become a reality with the a successful referendum.


THANK YOU to Dr. Tracy Pierce (Chief of Marketing and Public Relations, Duval Schools) for answering our 1/2 Penny Questions so thoroughly!

PRESIDENTS AND TREASURERS:
Have you completed the required Presidents and Treasurers’ trainings are virtual this year? Presidents must do both trainings and treasurers need to complete treasurers training. Go to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/iAdvocateForKids
  
Following the training you will be asked to submit a google form- 



For resources and more information:

You must register your PTA to participate in Reflections:
MEMBERSHIP - TREASURER - BYLAWS
From the Treasurer, Doreen Abbott 
WE STILL NEED YOUR AUDITS! 

- After completion of your 990 (due to IRS 11-15), please forward a copy (by November 30th) to: Treasurer@dccpta.org AND 990@floridapta.org 


- For more information:  https://floridapta.org/finance/

Remember to pay $35 DCCPTA dues by November 1. You can send a check with this form or pay via MemberHub:  https://duvalccpta.new.memberhub.store/store 
The Right Foot Award will be online this year!  

To fill out (read instructions carefully): 
Not sure what questions are on the Right Foot Award google form?
Here’s a QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE (RIGHT FOOT) to make the application process easier for your PTA/PTSA. These are all the questions asked in the awards application.
etc.

DCPS information on helping to reduce the spread of Covid-19:
November is
PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month
Get ideas HERE.
Quick Links (click the icons/buttons)
Follow the DCCPTA Wellness Instagram Page: @dcc_pta_wellness

Register your PTA to participate in Reflections
MEMBER BENEFITS - BUSINESS PARTNERS
Member Benefits
Visit our website DCCPTA MEMBER BENEFITS 
to see 2020-2021 Member Benefits! Keep checking back for updates.

DCCPTA thanks its 2020-2021 Business Partners! Check out our partners here: https://www.dccpta.org/resources-for-families/dccpta-business-partners/


Interested in partnering with the Duval County Council?