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The California State PTA is working with Californians for Healthy Kids (the 100% Campaign--Children Now, Children's Defense Fund, and The Children's Partnership--and PICO California) to help ensure that all California children obtain access to affordable, comprehensive health insurance in 2007. We know that the Governor and the state's top legislators have proposed to reform health care in California. We want to make sure that any reform proposal includes covering all kids.
Click here for a packet which includes a fact sheet on the strategy to cover all kids and a fact sheet on how we can help make this happen. Our direct contact in this effort is Jenny Kattlove with The Children's Partnership. Her contact information is below.
One strategy is to target particular policy makers. And that is where you come in. One way to influence our policy makers is to make our position known in the media. In particular, we are targeting certain legislative districts and the newspapers that are distributed in those districts. Please click here to see if you live in one of the listed areas. Even if you don't, your voice is still important. Here are a couple of simple ways that we can make our voices heard:
Op Eds: Submit an op-ed to your local paper. It's easy! Click here for a sample op-ed that Californians for Healthy Kids drafted for us ("AdvocateOpEd-Parent"). Simply edit it, put your name and title e.g. member of PTA) at the bottom, and either submit it yourself by going to your paper's web site for instructions or send it to Jenny Kattlove at jkattlove@childrenspartnership.org, who will make sure it gets submitted. Please let her know where you live or work and which papers you would like to submit to. If you do not know the latter, she can figure it out by where you live/work.
Letters to the Editor: Whenever you see a story about health reform and/or children's health insurance, be the first to respond with a letter to the editor. Click here for two samples that you can edit and submit. Included in the packet are instructions for how to submit a letter or you can contact Jenny Kattlove for assistance.
If you have other ideas for how to ensure all children obtain access to health coverage in 2007, please let Jenny and me know. At this point California State PTA does not have any position on the various health insurance legislation proposed by several legislators. We have a rather informal watch position but will let you know when a decision is made by our Legislative Action Committee.
Together we can make a difference for kids health!
Sincerely,
Patricia Klotz, VP Health, California State PTA
Jenny Kattlove
Health Policy Manager, The Children's Partnership
310-270-7167 jkattlove@childrenspartnership.org
Check back again for current issues.
Local school boards often are the most influential decision-making body affecting you child's education. They decide everything from what food is served at school lunch, to curriculum and graduation requirements, to where the new elementary school will be located. Although every school district and state is different, if you want to get a policy changed, your best bet is to start with your local school board. The following are useful tips for working with your school board.
School board members are volunteers. Most school board members are elected, but they serve without pay because they care about education, and support themselves with other work. In this sense, you are not their "boss." In your interactions with board members always be respectful and polite, even when you disagree with a decision they have made.
Know your facts. Think of yourself as a resource to board members in helping them make decisions. If you want the school board to make a change, prepare a fact sheet that uses relevant research and statistics to back up your position. Be prepared to address the arguments against your position. Board members will appreciate that you have taken the time to fully think out your request and provided them with additional information. Not knowing your facts or being misinformed about an issue will weaken your argument.
Build support. Nothing will make a stronger impact on a school board than a room full of people supporting your cause. Start by talking to parents and PTA members about your issue. Holding an organizing meeting with a small group of people who care deeply about your issue can be very helpful. Plan who will speak to board members and who will testify at school board meetings. Keep in mind that only a few people should testify; the rest of the supporters are there to be visible reinforcement.
Be persistent. The old saying that "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" is very true when it comes to school boards. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. If your school board does not seem to be addressing your issue, continue to press them in a variety of ways. Start by getting a group of people to show up at every school board meeting to keep the pressure on to discuss your issue. If this tactic does not work, start informing the public about the situation with letters to the local media or door-to-door canvassing. When taking a more aggressive approach, remember that it is even more important to keep a respectful and positive tone. Never verbally attack a board member. That approach can only hurt your cause.
You can make a difference in your child's education by working with your school board. When parents get involved, everyone wins
California Legislature Votes to Limit School Soda and Junk Food Sales (K-12)
On September 15, 2005 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed landmark legislation establishing the most rigorous nutrition standards in the country for foods and beverages sold on public school campuses K-12.
With the enactment of SB 12 and SB 965, California has made the most important gains in school nutrition since school lunch was introduced after World War II. The passage of these bills represents a critical step in addressing the growing epidemic of overweight children.
Thank-you to all PTA members, units, councils, and districts who voiced their support for these bills and helped make this victory possible.
SB 12 Bans School Junk Food (K-12)
SB 12 established nutrition standards for any food sold anywhere on school campuses K-12 outside the school meal program. Those include foods sold a la carte, in vending machines, in school stores, or as part of a school fundraiser. The bill established limits on fat and sugar content and portion size. Nutrition standards go into effect July 1, 2007.
1. FOOD STANDARDS FOR ALL SCHOOLS K-12
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Strengthens and implements the competitive food standards originally described in SB 19 (Escutia, 2001).
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An individually sold snack may have no more than:
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35% of its calories from fat (excluding legumes, nuts, nut butters, seeds, eggs, vegetables that have not been deep-fried, and cheese packaged for individual sale).
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10% of its calories from saturated fat (excluding eggs and cheese packaged for individual sale).
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35% sugar by weight (excluding fruits and vegetables).
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175 calories (elementary schools)
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250 calories (middle and high schools)
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An individually sold entree may have no more than:
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4 grams of fat per 100 calories
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400 calories
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And must qualify under the federal meal program
2. FUNDING: SB 12 does not contain a requirement that the state increase funding to the federal meal program before implementing nutrition standards for competitive foods.
3. IMPLEMENTATION DATE: All food standards become effective July 1, 2007.
4. SALE TO PUPILS: Nutrition standards apply only to the sale of items to pupils and do not apply to foods brought from home. All groups selling or serving food on campus to pupils are required to follow the standards.
5. FUNDRAISING EXEMPTIONS: Foods that do not meet the standards may be sold at least one-half hour after the end of the school-day or off the school premises.
SB 965 Bans Soda Sales in High School
Reducing soda consumption is one of the most promising strategies for addressing the epidemic of overweight children. SB 965 defined school beverage standards for high schools, eliminating the sale of soda and other sweetened beverages on high school campuses in California. Similar standards had already been established for elementary and middle schools through SB 677 (Ortiz, 2003). Half of beverages sold on high school campuses must meet these standards by July 1, 2007. All beverages sold on high school campuses must meet these standards by July 1, 2009.
The enactment of SB 965 will mean the following for high schools:
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Starting July 1, 2007, 50 percent of the beverages sold to pupils from one-half hour before the start of the school day until one-half hour after the school day must be from the following list:
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Fruit-based and vegetable-based drinks that are at least 50 percent fruit juice without added sweeteners
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Drinking water without added sweeteners
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Milk products including two-percent, one-percent, nonfat, soy, rice and other similar non-dairy milk
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An electrolyte replacement beverage that contains no more than 42 grams of added sweetener per 20-ounce serving
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Starting July 1, 2009, ALL beverages sold to pupils from one-half hour before the start of the school day until one-half hour after the school day must be from the above list.
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Current beverage standards for elementary and middle schools will remain in effect.
Check Current Legislation under the Advocacy Section of the California State PTA website, www.capta.org.
Riverside County Public Schools
By Kris Thomasian, 2005-07 Advocacy Director
Riverside County is known for having great public schools. What exactly makes for a great public school system? Experts agree a variety of factors enter into the mix, including the socio-economic level of the community, quality teachers, and adequate supplies and materials. Families looking to relocate will look at these factors as well as test scores and class size. But is there anything that individual parents can do to help insure their children will be successful in school? Research has shown the most important thing parents can do to help guarantee their child’s success is to be involved in their child’s education.
Students who see their parents being involved in school activities know their parents place a priority on education. It’s not enough to simply say school is important – parents must show that they are willing to invest their valuable time into the education of their children. When parents are involved, students do better in school and demonstrate more positive attitudes and behavior. These results are consistent regardless of any demographic factor – children whose parents are involved in their education are more successful then children of similar aptitude and background whose parents are not involved.
Many people think of parent involvement as volunteering in the classroom. Parents who help out in the classroom are able to know exactly what their child is learning, and in which areas they need help. The parent and teacher are able to develop a close relationship, thereby benefiting the child. While many stay-at-home parents and those with flexible work schedules are able to do this, what can the rest of us do to be involved in our children’s education?
First, attend parent conferences, back-to-school night and open house. Most PTAs have meetings in the evening, and are looking for volunteers to help out at the carnival, family night, or other activities. Every school has a school site council, consisting of parents, teachers and administrators. This group makes decisions regarding curriculum, site budget and other important issues. The parent members are elected by parents, so contact your school and offer to be on the ballot.
What about when your child enters middle school? The truth is, it is even more important to be involved now. Middle school is a crossroads for many students, and parents must be involved in their child’s education more than ever. In addition to attending back-to-school night and open house, volunteer to help at co-curricular activities such as clubs, sports and performing arts. Secondary schools have PTSAs instead of PTAs, the “S” being for “Students.” Parents and students serve side-by-side, planning activities such as Red Ribbon Week and the PTA Reflections Art Program. If you ask your middle school student what happened at school today, and he or she replies, “nothing,” it is time for you to get involved at school!
Surprisingly to many parents, high school students are often pleased to have parents around, particularly those involved in booster clubs for co-curricular activities. The students know, without parent involvement, their programs would suffer. In addition to PTSAs and site councils, high school parents have the opportunity to serve on the Grad Night Committee, planning that special evening for the graduates.
Some parents are more interested in contributing at the district level and most districts offer these opportunities. Advisory committees provide the district the meaningful perspective of parents and community members on current issues. As our communities grow and become more diverse, we must have community input to address the changing needs of our school districts.
Now that school has started, I urge every parent to make a New School Year Resolution to be involved in your child’s education. The time spent is a wise investment that will pay huge dividends in the years to come.