NEXT WEEK: Webinars & Virtual Rally

Share information with parents in your school community!

Advocacy webinars and events are open to all PTA members.

The 2023 Virginia General Assembly Session starts on January 11th and runs for 45 days. During session, Virginia PTA will regularly share calls-to-action and opportunities for public comment via social media.

Please be a resource for parents in your community by sharing Virginia PTA posts on your PTA's social media pages.

Your PTA can always directly share Virginia PTA (and National PTA) social media posts without a vote. If you want to provide public comment at the General Assembly (or to your School Board) as your school PTA, rather then as an individual Virginia PTA member, parent and community leader, then you should vote to ratify the 2023 legislative priorities or a specific position or resolution in a General Membership meeting.

TOMORROW (Jan 5) ONLY: Public written comment is open on the Governor’s Proposed Amendments to the 2022-2024 state Budget -- Please write a quick note to the General Assembly. Talking points are below.

NEXT WEEK, we have two great parent-focused webinars that will walk through the basics of education advocacy and provide important literacy resources.

Thursday, January 12th join us on social media for a Virtual Rally to draw attention to the important education investments our students and schools need for a high quality education.

Friday, January 27th please join us in Richmond for Capitol Day. Your Council PTA advocacy chairs and Virginia PTA are scheduling meetings with legislators. You just need to bring your personal perspective and stories. Additionally, through-out the first week of February, Virginia PTA will host virtual meetings with federal legislators so you have an opportunity to directly connect with federal legislators on important education concerns in your community.

SPECIAL WEBINAR

Let's Close the Reading Gap

Monday, January 9, 2023 @12PM

Join Virginia PTA, Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals, and Decoding Dyslexia for a webinar on January 9th at noon with nationally recognized reading expert, Dr. Emily Solari, from the University of Virginia, Jenna Conway from the Virginia Department of Education, and Delegate Carrie Coyner to learn about the multi-pronged approach Virginia is using to improve reading proficiency.

In this webinar parents will learn what evidence-based literacy instruction is (and is not), what they can look for in the classroom, and practical reading strategies they can use at home to support their struggling reader. We'll also discuss implementation of the 2022 Virginia Literacy Act, how it's changing the way reading is being taught across Virginia, and how you can advocate for improved reading resources during the 2023 General Assembly Session.

2023 General Assembly Priorities

Join us in calling on the General Assembly to invest in the success of our students!

Improving education in Virginia means funding the Standards of Quality, lifting the cap on support staff, funding reading and math specialists, renovating our crumbling buildings, and providing resources to support the mental health and safety of our students.

While the Governor's budget includes some small education investments, it does not address long-standing nationally recognized best practices supported by parents and recommended by the Board of Education.

Written comment is accepted on January 4th/5th ONLY. You can submit comments to the General Assembly here.

INCLUDED IN THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET:

$17 million for 4th and 5th grade reading specialists,
$7 million for math specialists in low performing K-8 schools
$15 million for school-based mental health integration programs
$9 million for expanded tele-health mental health services

MISSING FROM THE PROPOSED BUDGET:

Fully lifting 2009 recession spending cap on support staff
Funding the Standards of Quality (includes assistant principals, english learner teachers, funds for at-risk schools, and teacher and principal mentor programs)
Expanding Reading specialists & resources for 6th-8th graders
Renovating school buildings to meet modern standards

VIEW LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR FULL CALL TO ACTION

Watch 2023 Proposed Budget Breakdown w/ Fund Our Schools

Advocacy 101 - Webinar

Tuesday January 10, 2023 @7PM

Join Virginia PTA for an overview of the basics of education funding and Virginia PTA's legislative priorities for the 2023 legislative session. You will learn how the General Assembly works, how to participate in Capitol Day and how to #TakeAction4Kids within your local school division and at the state and federal level.

#VAPTAAdvocacy

#TakeAction4Kids

#PTAVirtualRally #AllofTheAbove

Virtual Rally for Education

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Get the word out, ask your members to participate!

#TakeAction4Kids by sharing a picture or video highlighting your top priority!

Tag 2 friends, a neighboring PTA and your legislator! Challenge them to #TakeAction4Kids.

Tag @VirginiaPTA and use hashtags so we can build excitement and momentum across the state.

Find Your Find Your Legislator

Advocacy Social

Thursday Jan 26th

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Comfort Suites at VA Center Commons, Glen Allen

Informal meet-up to prepare for Capitol Day and organize carpools

Capitol Day Schedule

~7am - 8am TBD

Watch House Ed Committee

8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m

Legislator Meetings

12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m

View General Assembly Session

1:00 p.m

Optional Lunch Meet-Up

2023 Capitol Day & Virtual Constituent Connections

Friday, January 27, 2023 (7am- 1pm)

Register for in-person meetings on January 27th AND virtual meetings occurring through-out session. All Virginia PTA members are welcome to join us. Meetings will be at the General Assembly Pocahontas Building

Registrants for Capitol Day will be grouped with 2-4 other members and an experienced advocate for a series of 15-20 minute meetings with each legislator in your region.

You just need to bring your stories about education in your community.

I'll Be There!

Hotel Discount

Comfort Suites At Virginia Center Commons, Glen Allen

Discounted rates for $80 are available by mentioning you are with Virginia PTA.

Learn More

RESOLUTIONS DUE

Sunday, January 15, 2023

Resolutions are one way that we share our research with each other and formally communicate a researched action, opinion or needed solution to address a concern which affects children and youth statewide.

Resolutions are adopted every year at our Annual Meeting by General Membership.