PRESIDENT MESSAGE
Welcome back to the start of the new school year! YES, it looked different and our families have still been met with unique challenges due to COVID-19. School Districts are requiring various policies and procedures but it's all to keep our students in school. I believe we can all attest that our students perform better in a structured environment. It may be frustrating understanding all the protocols but our role is to keep our families engaged, informed and connected.
So, Why PTA? That's a question we get asked and we all should be prepared with our elevator speech to answer. Person connection is important. So here's my elevator speech...

I PTA because it is the only all-volunteer organization which connects parents, teachers, and community residents together to advocate for families, children and youth. Not only in local communities but at the state and national levels. We are all connected; our passion is connected.

Find your personal why or use the above. Either way - Do Good Work for PTA!
National and Virginia PTA Statement on the Shooting at Heritage High School

Virginia PTA and all PTA leaders statewide are saddened to hear of the shooting that occurred today at Heritage High School in Newport News. With the start of the school year after 18-months of shutdown due to COVID, parents should not have to fear for the safety of their children due to senseless gun violence. The safety and health of all students, educators and staff must be the utmost priority.

We join National PTA in beliefs that policies and legislation must:
  • Fund research on the causes and effects of gun violence on youth and communities, as well as evidence-based strategies to reduce gun violence.
  • Establish education programs to teach students, parents and community members about gun safety and violence prevention.
  • Require a waiting period and a comprehensive background check for all individuals prior to purchasing a firearm.
  • Restrict internet gun sales, including kits that can be used to make and modify guns.
  • Ban access to military-style semi-automatic assault weapons.

As PTAs, our mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering the families and communities to advocate for all children. On days like today, our school communities and families understandably may want to disengage, because they feel powerless. We need to remember that we are not powerless. If we act and prevent one child from feeling hopeless and growing into an adult who feels hopeless, then maybe we can come closer to our mission of making every child’s potential a reality.

We stand PTA Strong with Newport News Council of PTA, Peninsula District PTA and extend our hand in support.
LOCAL UNIT COMPLIANCE - USE MEMBERHUB
Local units need to submit all their compliance documentation through the Submission link not the Document link in MemberHub. What's the difference?

  • The Submission link notifies the state office to review and approve submissions and records the submission in MemberHub's compliance records. 
  • The Document link is for storing other PTA documents such as meeting minutes, budgets, etc., that do not require the state review for compliance requirements.
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS - LET'S PLAY PTA BINGO
This year's Membership Challenge will have you calling BINGO!

Together we can build our communities. This past year and a half has given families the opportunity to reflect and reassess what is important to them. Many seeking to not only reconnect but to be a part of something meaningful. Let's make there choice PTA and have a little FUN!

There will be 3 challenges this year with different pattern options for each called challenge. Complete the squares to create one or more of the patterns and call BINGO on your social page and use the hashtag #VAPTABINGO. Your PTA will be highlighted on our social media pages, newsletter and website - along with winning PTA gifts and prizes. Stay tuned for prize announcements as we may have a few surprises along the way!

1st Challenge Winning Patterns:
  • 5 in a row
  • Cents sign
  • Letters P, T or A
  • Stamp and Four Corners
  • Field Goal [for our fall sports fan]

Each card challenge guides and assists our PTAs into membership success. Let the games begin...
IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS TO
BE A PTA IN GOOD STANDING [STANDARDS OF AFFILIATION]
A couple of things to make sure you've done already: 
  1. Know the requirements for standards of affiliation. Be sure to review the new required bylaws and submitted your Organizational Structure form.
  2. Upload your 2021-22 Officers in MemberHub. Even if your officers have not changed, you need to resubmit this information each year. Need help?
  3. Make sure your audit and 990 tax filing is complete. There are checklists and instructions available on our website.
  4. Getting your PTA insured! PTA friendly insurance companies are R.V. Nuccio and AIM.
  5. Register for National PTA's 125 Days of Membership. Free and tons of info! Be sure to review Virginia PTA's Membership Handbook for state specific info. Who's ready for a membership challenge? Stay tuned for this "not just bingo" challenge.
Need Help? Know Your District
Please remember that every PTA unit is located within a district - and most of our districts have a District Director and leadership team. These district teams provide great local support. If you don't know your district, you can find that out and get contact information for your district director on our locator page.
PTA LEGACY - COMMONWEALTH LEGACY PTA & HONORARY SERVICE AWARDS

Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst founded the organization when women did not have the right to vote and social activism was not popular. However, they believed mothers would support their mission to eliminate threats that endangered children, and in early 1897, they started a nationwide campaign.

On Feb., 17, 1897, more than 2,000 people—mostly mothers, but also fathers, teachers, laborers and legislators—attended the first convocation of the National Congress of Mothers in Washington, D.C. Twenty years later, 37 chartered state congresses existed.

In 1970, the National Congress of Parents and Teachers (National PTA) and the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers (NCCPT)—founded by Selena Sloan Butler in Atlanta, Ga.—merged to serve all children.

As the largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the nation, National PTA is the conscience of the country for children and youth issues. Through advocacy, as well as family and community education, National PTA has established programs and called for legislation that improves our children’s lives, such as:
  • Creation of Kindergarten classes
  • Child labor laws
  • Public health service
  • Hot and healthy lunch programs
  • Juvenile justice system
  • Mandatory immunization
  • Arts in Education
  • School Safety

You may wish to recognize a special principal, teacher, staff member, or community citizen or leader who has made positive differences in the lives of children with a Virginia Honorary Service Award or join the Virginia Commonwealth Legacy PTA.