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Special Founders Day Message from Past President Diane Bynum
In February we celebrate the founding of PTA 110 years ago on February 17 by Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst. If not for these women and their vision and determination, there would not be a PTA.
The organization that these women began more than a century ago to provide support, information and resources to families focused on the health and education of children has flourished to become the largest child advocacy organization in the nation.
If you look back at the accomplishments of the PTA, you will see that the list is long and varied. Too long to cover in this brief time slot, but well worth reviewing and including major issues like child labor laws and the national school lunch program; if you have not done so already, I suggest you take the time to read the National PTA Timeline on the National PTA website. Once you do, you’ll have a better understanding of the legacy of the dedicated PTA volunteers who came before us.
It is easy to think of the National PTA as some distant organization. But it is powered by volunteers who once served at the local levels just like us. And, in actuality, the National PTA’s strength comes from the strength of its local organizations.
I know that we are all busy people, and sometimes the idea of taking on a project of magnitude is a daunting prospect, but ask yourself, “What are you doing to create a lasting legacy for your PTA?” Are you working on programs and projects that will benefit not only the current students and families of your school and community, but also future ones? If someone were to ask you to give them just two examples of work that your PTA has done with long lasting affects could you do so? I can:
1. While serving as president of my children’s elementary school PTA, we formed a committee to do a study of traffic safety around the school. At the time, our young city did not have a traffic engineer on staff, so we worked with the consultant they had on contract to analyze the safety issues and create an action plan to address them. There were times that us parents sat on the street corners in our camping chairs counting cars so that the data could be used in our advocacy efforts to lobby the city for a stop sign and a crosswalk. After many months, many meetings, and many phone calls, the city installed a stop sign, a crosswalk, and painted some of the curbs red, and the school instituted a new drop off loop. Both city and school administration told us that it was directly because of our efforts that these changes were made. For many years we have been able to drive by the school and know that we contributed to the safety of students for years to come. In time, the stop sign was replaced by a traffic light, and we know that PTA paved the way.
2. While serving as the council president of my children’s school district, we took on retail giant Rite-aid when they built a store adjacent to a sports park and within 300 feet of a middle school. We had no problem with the store itself, but we did have a problem with the fact that the store planned to sell alcohol in such close proximity to the children. We organized a letter writing campaign to the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) protesting the issuance of a liquor license. We also lobbied the city council to enforce their own ordinance prohibiting the sale of alcohol in such close proximity to parks and schools. At many city council meetings it was us “PTA parents” voicing our opposition going up against Rite-aid’s legal team. There were times we felt out of our league, but in the end, our grass roots advocacy efforts paid off and the liquor license was denied. The store opened in that location and seems to do a booming business without the sale of alcohol.
At the unit level our advocacy efforts did not replace our on-campus programs such as family nights; parent education events; book fairs, student education programs, etc. At the council level they did not replace the priorities of training and mentoring unit PTAs—instead, they were an added component; our PTAs identified health risks to the children and took action. There were definitely times when some of us felt out of our league; however, what I hope you noticed in both those examples was that the projects were not taken on by one or two individuals, but by committees made up of parents, school administration and/or staff, and community members. These were collective efforts that prove what can be accomplished over time with a committed group of caring adults.
Founders Day is a reminder of the substantial role that PTA has played locally, regionally, and nationally in supporting parent involvement and working on behalf of children and families. It is a time to reflect and take pride in our many accomplishments, and to renew our commitment to be a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for parents, and a strong advocate for public education.
In closing, I would like to remind you of the words of Forest E. Witcraft, an author, scholar, teacher, and Boy Scout administrator: “A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”
Thank you, for being important in the lives of many children!
ADDITIONAL ADVOCACY SUCCESSES
In the early 1990s, the Murrieta Council PTA board and the Murrieta Valley Unified School District Board of Education partnered together in creating a Parent Center, a place to house resources as well as a learning center where workshops are offered on a variety of topics important to parents on the education and well being of their children. Modeling the Parent Center after a successful Long Beach area program, and after a year of effort, the PTA and the school district eventually brought the parent center to fruition. The school district, seeing the long term benefits of such a center, took on the commitment of housing and staffing it with some funding assistance from community sources. In addition to becoming an important resource for parents, the center also serves the school community by offering speakers for PTA meetings and teacher in-service and offering court mandated parenting workshops.
5th Annual "Flight for Life" Blood Drive
January 2-31, 2008
In recognition of National Blood Donor Month
Give the gift of life during January as recieve a special thank you for your donation, you will be entered into a drwing for a pair of round-trip tickets to the Southwest Airlines destination of your choice. You will also receive points as part of the "gift of life" Donor loyalty program that can be redeemed for items in the Blood Bank's online store
For more information call 951-687-2530 or email www.bbsbrc.org
Be sure at least 56 days have elapsed since your last whole blood donation. Please be sure to drink plenty of fluids and bring photo identification with you.
2-1-1 Riverside County
The mission of 2-1-1 Riverside County is to provide accurate, timely, effective and comprehensive access to information and referral for the residents of Riverside County. The 2-1-1 system in Riverside County is a toll free single point of access, universally available countywide, servicing everyone who needs information and referral services.
A program of the Riverside County Volunteer Center that links the community with services, 2-1-1 Riverside is a comprehensive Information and Referral agency consisting of a comprehensive database and call center managed by trained staff, most of whom are certified and bilingual. Free telephone access to this service is available by dialing 1-800-464-1123.
2-1-1 services help Riverside County citizens identify and access community services by combining state-of-the-art technology with human services expertise.
2-1-1 services harness the power of people and technology to provide service by telephone, Internet and information products in both electronic and print versions.
2-1-1 works with the community to increase service availability to address unmet and emerging human service needs.
Visit the web site of the Volunteer Center of Riverside County and click on 211 Riverside County.
109th Annual Convention is May 1-4 in Long Beach.
Click here to go to the California State PTA Convention Information Web Site.
Registration
February 4 – April 17, 2008
Advance registration fee - $125.00
You can register:
Online – www.capta.org/convention
Fax – 650 565-9600
Mail – SMART-REG International
Onsite Registration required after April 17th
Onsite registration fee - $170.00
Convention Registration Booklets are mailed to all Unit and Council Presidents. If you have not received one and would like to have one, click here for a PDF download.
There is a $25.00 23rd District fee required at registration. This fee includes the district Hospitality Suite (Renaissance Long Beach Hotel), 23rd District T-shirt and Lanyard/badge holder.
California State PTA has awarded each PTA District a $1000.00 Emerging Leadership Grant to assist Units and Councils to attend Convention. Scholarship applications are available through 23rd District PTA.
New for 2008 Convention:
Six general meetings instead of four in an effort to decrease the length of time per meeting.
Increased hours for PTA Store and Exhibits.
California State PTA event will “kick off” convention on May 1st with a private party at “The Aquarium of the Pacific”. $35.00 fee includes admission to the aquarium, Bar-B-Q dinner and dancing.
The third general meeting, May 2nd from 4:00pm – 6:30pm guest speaker, “Craig Scott – A Story of Inspiration, Courage and Kindness”.
The sixth general meeting, May 4th from 9:00am – 12:00pm guest speaker, “Erin Gruwell, Educator and Catalyst for Social Change”.
23rd District will be eligible to invite students (middle and HS) on May 2nd and teachers/administrators on May 4th to attend these general meetings at no cost. Invitation letters will be forth coming.
23rd District delegates are encouraged to stay at the Renaissance Long Beach Hotel. All reservations must be made through the “Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau”. You can reserve your hotel room beginning February 4th by mail, fax (click for form) or online. Reserve early as the hotels will fill up quickly.
23rd District Convention Dinner will be Saturday night, May 3rd. Information on the price, time and location will be forthcoming.
23rd District Convention Orientation will be Thursday Night, April 3rd, 7:00 PM at RCOE. All delegates are encouraged to attend.
Many volunteers are needed. Forms are available online or through 23rd District.
California State PTA has planned an informative, empowering and enjoyable convention for you this year in Long Beach. Please plan on attending and register early!
The EAP: An Assessment of Students’ Readiness for College
In collaboration with the California Department of Education and the State Board of Education, the California State University developed the Early Assessment Program (EAP) to provide students, their families, and high schools the opportunity to assess 11th grade student readiness for college-level English and mathematics. These are skills that students who choose either to enter college or the workforce directly out of high school will need to be successful.
The EAP consists of questions from the 11th grade California Standards Test (CST) in English/Language Arts, Algebra II, and Summative High School Mathematics plus fifteen additional objective questions and a written essay. The spring 2006 administration represents the third year that the EAP will be available to all students enrolled in 11th grade who are eligible to take the 11th grade CST in English and mathematics.
While the EAP questions are voluntary for 11th grade students, the response to the EAP has been overwhelming. For spring 2005, 69 percent of all 11th grade students eligible to take the CST in Algebra II/Summative High School Mathematics completed the state-mandated CST plus the optional EAP questions. A total of 46 percent of all 11th grade students eligible to take the CST in English/Language Arts completed the state-mandated CST plus the optional EAP questions in addition the EAP written essay.
The California Department of Education and the California State University encourage all 11th grade students to participate in the EAP because it:
Provides valuable information to the high school and to the student about student readiness for college-level English and mathematics.
The EAP report enables the student, family, and high school to identify the student’s need for additional preparation in English and mathematics while still enrolled in high school.
Working with high school counselors and teachers, students have the opportunity to enroll in mathematics classes in 12th grade or web-based mathematics, interactive tutorials and to enroll in English classes that include additional instruction in critical reading and writing,
These are essential skills that high school teachers have identified as necessary for success not only in English but also across the curriculum.
The EAP not only provides an opportunity to high schools to identify students, who need additional work in English and mathematics in 12th grade,
It also provides an additional benefit to students who attend any of the California State University’s twenty-three campuses.
Students who are determined to be college-ready on the basis of the EAP are exempt from taking the California State University’s placement tests in English and mathematics and move directly into baccalaureate-level classes upon enrollment.
Students who are not college-ready at the end of 11th grade have the opportunity to strengthen those skills in 12th grade, which will help to increase their mastery of the subjects and ability to demonstrate proficiency on the California State University’s English and mathematics placement tests.
The Early Assessment Program (EAP) is free for all 11th graders, who take the California Standards Test (CST)
Via the EAP (an extension to tests that 11th graders must already take) students and their families can learn more about students’ readiness for higher education. Most importantly, students and their schools have access to this feedback in time make modifications to their educational plans for the 12th grade.
Research and common sense both indicate that a challenging and appropriate Senior Year is one the best ways to prepare for success in college. The Early Assessment Program (EAP) helps students to plan for the most beneficial Senior Year.
For more information:
Visit the EAP website at http://www.calstate.edu/eap/
Early Physical Education Is a Parent Priority
One-third of all children 6-19 years old are considered obese or at risk for obesity. Childhood obesity can cause Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and low self-esteem.
Physical education classes are extremely important in helping children avoid these risks. Not only do they provide the children energy for the rest of their classes, but also they improve general health and well-being. Unfortunately, the vast majority of elementary schools do not provide daily physical education classes. Good habits regarding exercise need to be formed early, in elementary school, and continued throughout a child's school days and beyond.
You can help by promoting physical education in your school! First, check out National PTA's Health and Wellness parent resources online. Then, contact your school's principal and teachers and work with them to start and maintain a regular physical education program for children.
Wellness Policy and Health-e Living™
Are you aware that all school districts must have a wellness policy and a committee that should include parents? Do you know the nutritional value of what your child is eating at school? Check out the Health-e Living web site for more information and an interactive web site that can assist you in determining how well your child eats.
Make Family Fitness a Priority
As gym classes get scaled back and sedentary pursuits like video games become ever more popular, children are getting less and less daily physical exercise. Here are some tips from National PTA to help you make sure your kids are exercising daily:
Expose your children to a variety of sports and activities. Often children are not active because they have not found something that interests them.
Encourage noncompetitive, individual, or team activities that can become part of a lifelong physical fitness regimen. (Read about competition and kids at www.pta.org/parentinvolvement/helpchild/competition.asp.)
Make physical activity a part of the family routine. Walk after dinner or plan hiking trips with the whole family.
Set a good example for your children. Teach your children that being active is not just for athletes. It's for anyone who wants to have fun!
These tips are available in English and Spanish at www.pta.org/parentinvolvement/helpchild/bhc/pdf/tip2.PDF. For more tips from National PTA about keeping kids healthy, visit www.pta.org/parentinvolvement/helpchild/hc_apple_day.asp and http://www.pta.org/members/partea/helpchild/physicalfamily.asp.
The President's Challenge, a program of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, offers another way for parents to teach children the importance of being physically fit and engaging in physical activity. The Active Lifestyle Program is a plan to help adults get active at least 30 minutes a day (youths under 18 should get active at least 60 minutes a day), 5 days a week; while the Presidential Champions Program challenges adults and youths who are already active to raise their activity and fitness levels. Through these programs and others, the President's Challenge gives children, educators, parents, communities--anyone--the opportunity and motivation to be more physically active.
For details about the President's Challenge programs and how to get involved, visit www.presidentschallenge.org/.
"Challenge USA," a free promotional DVD, explains how to take part in the President's Challenge at home, at school, at work, and in the community. Request a DVD by calling (800) 258-8146, or by visiting www.presidentschallenge.org/. To request printed information about the President's Challenge, send an e-mail to preschal@indiana.edu.
Reflections 2007-08 PDF Forms
Entry Form | General Rules | FAQs | Dance | Film | Literature | Music | Photography | Visual Arts
Form A Unit | Form A Council | Theme Search 2009-2010
Spanish:
Reglas Generales 2007-08 | Preguntas frecuentes 2007-08 | Formulario oficial de inscripción 2007-08
For more information go to the California State PTA Reflections Webpage
or the National PTA Web site
Council Reflections entries are due to District on December 6th.
2007-08 Theme - I Can Make a Difference By...
Training was held for the 2007-08 Reflections program on August 28 and 29
by Chairman Wendy Sharpless.
2006-07 Winners
The 2006-07 theme was "My Favorite Place." Two new categories - Dance and Film were introduced this year. Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit were presented in January to 47 students throughout Riverside County.
2007 Riverside County Reflections Award Recipients
Choreography
Primary
Award of Excellence
Jordyn Davis
Ben Franklin Elementary
Corona-Norco Council PTA
Aware of Merit
Isabel Whisett
Hidden Springs Elementary
Moreno Valley Council PTA
Intermediate
Award of Excellence
Megan Crain
Paloma Elementary
Temecula Valley Council PTA
Award of Merit
Jocelyn Basham
Tuscany Hills Elementary
Lake Elsinore Council PTA
Middle
Award of Excellence
McKenna Goodwin
Prado View Elementary
Corona-Norco Council PTA
Award of Merit
Kalia Spoon
Lake Elsinore Elementary
Lake Elsinore Council PTA
Senior
Award of Excellence
Olivia Phelps
Corona High School
Corona-Norco Council PTA
Music
Primary
Award of Excellence
Noor Nindra
Eisenhower Elementary
Corona-Norco Council PTA
Award of Merit
Jillian Kinman
North Ridge Elementary
Moreno Valley Council PTA
Intermediate
Award of Excellence
Shannon Chee
Hidden Springs Elementary
Moreno Valley Council PTA
Award of Merit
Megan Clines
Tuscany Hills Elementary
Lake Elsinore Council PTA
Middle
Award of Excellence
Suzanne Becker
Gage Middle School
Riverside Council PTA
Award of Merit
Shanti Ryle
James Day Middle School
Temecula Valley Council PTA
Senior
Award of Excellence
Scott Dinsfriend
Chaparral High School
Temecula Valley Council PTA
Award of Merit
Chris Gutman
Corona High School
Corona-Norco Council PTA
Literature
Primary
Award of Excellence
Sarah Naameh
Christa McAuliff Elementary
Alvord Council PTA
Award of Merit
Maggie Rubin
Paloma Elementary
Temecula Council PTA
Intermediate
Award of Excellence
Savjot Dharni
Corona Ranch Elementary
Corona-Norco Council PTA
Award of Merit
Harmony Weischedel
Rosemary Kennedy Elementary
Alvord Council PTA
Middle
Award of Excellence
Felicia Williams
Menifee Valley Middle School
Menifee Valley Council PTA
Award of Merit
Mikell Petty
Shivela Middle School
Murrieta Valley Council PTA
Senior
Award of Excellence
Chelsea Davidson
Vista Murrieta High School
Murrieta Valley Council PTA
Award of Merit
Diesy Velgara
Paloma Valley High School
Menifee Valley Council PTA
Photography
Primary
Award of Excellence
Kyle Young
John F. Kennedy Elementary, Riverside Council PTA
Award of Merit
Carson O'Coyne
Antelope Hills Elementary
Murrieta Valley Council PTA
Intermediate
Award of Excellence
Brennen Geraghty
Three Rings Ranch Elementary, Beaumont
Award of Merit
Kayla Rodriguez
Menifee Elementary
Menifee Valley Council PTA
Middle
Award of Excellence
Sharlyn Nelson
Norco Intermediate School
Corona-Norco Council PTA
Award of Merit
Jordon Poulsen (Miller)
Camino Real Elementary
Jurupa Council PTA
Senior
Award of Excellence
Matthew Follansbee
Poly High School
Riverside Council PTA
Award of Merit
Bethie Conlan
Norco High School
Corona-Norco Council PTA
Video
Primary
Award of Excellence
Kaitlyn Chadwick
McSweeny Elementary
Hemet Council PTA
Award of Merit
Jami Loerch
Menifee Elementary
Menifee Valley Council PTA
Intermediate
Award of Excellence
Tino Reyna
Victoria Elementary
Riverside Council PTA
Award of Merit
Zachary Larsen
John F. Kennedy Elementary
Riverside Council PTA
Middle
Award of Excellence
Joseph Aceto
San Gorgonio Middle School,
Beaumont
Award of Merit
Kara Willbanks
Warm Springs Middle School
Murrieta Valley Council PTA
Senior
Award of Excellence
Doug Poor
Martin Luther King High
Riverside Council PTA
Award of Merit
Zack Schulz
Chapparral High School
Temecula Valley Council PTA
Visual Arts
Primary
Award of Excellence
Danny Fuentes
Freedom Crest Elementary
Menifee Valley Council PTA
Award of Merit
Delany Ho
Brookside Elementary,
Beaumont
Intermediate
Award of Excellence
Angela Patini
Rosemary Kennedy Elementary
Alvord Council PTA
Award of Merit
Jacob Zinda
Tuscany Hills Elementary
Lake Elsinore PTA
Middle
Award of Excellence
Andrea Rocha
Loma Vista Middle School
Alvord Council PTA
Award of Merit
Brandy Prado
Sunnyslope Elementary
Jurupa Council PTA
Senior
Award of Excellence
Esther Lee
Poly High School
Riverside Council PTA
Award of Merit
Carissa Filip
Norco High School
Corona-Norco Council PTA
Red Ribbon Week: “Drug Free I Have the POWER”
At 2 pm on Thursday, February 7, 1985, Enrique (Kiki) Camarena, A Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent, headed for a luncheon date with his wife, Mika. Kiki had been stationed in Mexico for four and a half years on the trail of Mexico’s marijuana and cocaine barons. He was dangerously close to unlocking a multi-billion dollar drug pipeline.
Before Kiki could enter his truck, five men appeared at the agent’s side and shoved him into a beige Volkswagen Atlantic, threw a jacket over his head and sped away. That was the last time anyone but the kidnappers would see him alive.
Special Agent Camarena’s death touched the nation deeply. Americans felt outraged and frustrated that more could not be done to end the brutal violence of the drug war. They felt that Camarena’s sacrifice should not be forgotten. To show their respect for his courage and their commitment to take a stand against drug abuse, millions of Americans began to wear red ribbons.
As this red ribbon tribute began to spread across the nation in 1985, the Virginia Federation of Parents and the Illinois Drug Education Alliance called on members of grassroots organizations across the country to wear a red ribbon during the last week of October as a symbol of their commitment to make America drug free.
The red ribbon became the symbol to eliminate the demand for drugs, and the Red Ribbon Campaign became the annual catalyst to show intolerance for drugs in our schools, work places, and communities. Red Ribbon Weeks were celebrated throughout the nation. In 1988, the National Federation of Parents for Drug Free Youth coordinated the first National Red Ribbon Week, an eight-day celebration proclaimed by the United States Congress, with President and Mrs. Reagan serving as honorary chairpersons.
Today, millions of Americans across the nation and around the world proudly wear a red ribbon between October 23rd and 30th to declare their commitment to suffer no more the loss of even one of our citizens—not a youngster, or a loved one, or another Enrique Camarena—to drugs.
Hopefully, your PTA is planning for an awesome Red Ribbon Celebration. This year’s theme is “Drug Free I have the POWER.” Get everyone involved, not only at the elementary level. Visit your local Police department and see how they can help you start a tradition in your community. Have parent education nights, invite speakers to your school, and get your Police Chief involved...they are willing to help. It is a big help to them if you start educating kids at a young age. Remember, Prevention is Preparing; Prevention is Parenting.
The following will help you find free resources to use with your students:
Teacher resources, materials, and lesson plans, can be downloaded at www.theantidrug.com/teachersguide/resources.asp.
Prevention web sites for youth are available at www.sadd.org or www.theantidrug.com.
Parenting information for parents and caregivers is accessible at www.nfp.org or 1-800-705-8997.
Resources for Spanish-speaking families can be downloaded at www.drugfreeamerica.org/tips and www.laantidroga.com.
“Steer Clear of Pot” teen postcard highlights the harmful effects of marijuana, and how the drug impairs judgment, reaction time, and other driving abilities. Postcards can be ordered through the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at (800) 788-2800 (ask for document AVD172), or downloaded at www.theantidrug.com/teendriving or www.freevibe.com.
Take an active role during National Red Ribbon Week. If you have any questions, please contact the Safe Schools Unit at (951) 826-6246.
23rd District PTA High School Senior Scholarship Application
(Click to open/download pdf file)
Recipients of the 2006-07 23rd District Senior Scholarships were
David Anders and Elizabeth Thomasian. Congratulations!
Congratulations to the following students who are receipients of $500 Graduating Senior Scholarships from California State PTA:
Biswas, Olivia
Temecula HS
Temecula
Blakemore, Carlee
Elsinore HS
Wildomar
Carroll, Lauren
Centennial HS
Corona
Dillon, Jared
Paloma Valley HS
Menifee
Dubois, Korbyn
JFK Middle College HS
Norco
Elliott, Samantha
Great Oaks HS
Temeculla
Fisher, Rachelle
Corona HS
Corona
Jempson, Jasmine
Moreno Valley HS
