The WCPTA 2014-15 Reflections Program Winners are now online!

Thousands of talented students from across Wake County participated in the annual PTA art program that allowed them to express themselves creatively with new works of art inspired by the current theme, “The world would be a better place if…”.   Students submitted work in six art categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Music Composition, Literature, Photography, and Visual Arts.    Congratulations on a job well done to all participants!!

All students named on the attached list will be honored at the annual Wake County PTA Council  Reflections Celebration in the Spring-details pending.
Official 2014-15 WCPTA Reflections Winners

Congratulations to Collin Carter and Kaitlyn Eklund of Wake County.  Their theme ideas were among the five selected to represent the NCPTA at the National PTA judging.

Thank you to all the Local Unit Reflections Chairs.  We thank you for your handwork and dedication to the PTA Reflections Program and to arts in education!

You can now RSVP for the next mini training.  You MUST register for this event.  If you do not receive a confirmation email within 24 hours, please register again.   This event is open to WCPTA Council Members.  If your PTA is not a council member please email us to receive membership information.  Thank you.

The next mini training is December 2, 2014.  YOU MUST REGISTER!!!!

We will cover Fundraising Opportunities, Bullying, Health and Wellness covered by a Poe Health Center Representative, NCPTA Database Questions, and Money Tips.

We will also have a few door prizes at this training.  Again, you MUST register!

When:  Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at  11am (training is approximately one hour)

Training Location:  Sweet Tomatoes Restaurant    2310 Walnut Street Cary, NC 27518

Leah Williams, Mandy Patterson, and guest speakers will stay after the one hour training to answer questions about these topics.

Email Leah or Mandy at:  tuesday-trainings@wakepta.org

Visit the Tuesday Training tab to Register.
http://www.wakepta.org/tuesday-training-tidbits/

WCPTA Presents Tuesday Training Tidbits.  These mini training sessions, held throughout the school year, are free for Wake County PTA Council members and will include training tidbits (small bits of information about the topic, not full topic training)  from a wide array of topics including: financial tools, bullying, Reflections, payments and fees, healthy lifestyles, good standing requirements, fundraising, nominating committee, social media and more.  Please note topics are subject to change due to training availability.

Information and Registration for the first training follows.

Slots are quickly filling so be sure to register today!!

When:  Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at  11am (training is approximately one hour)

Training Topics at this session: Reflections, Council Dues & Fees, PTA Good Standing, Logging into the NCPTA Database, Financial Information, & Fundraising Opportunities.
Leah Williams and Mandy Patterson will stay after the one hour training to answer questions about these topics.

Email questions to Leah and Mandy at:     tuesday-trainings@wakepta.org

For more details and to register go to our Tuesday Training Tidbits tab or follow the link:

http://www.wakepta.org/tuesday-training-tidbits/

Join AHA for this free workshop about the AHA healthy schools awards: the Brains and Bodies Award and the Wellness Star award.

There are some changes to the Brains and Bodies Award this year, so we especially encourage past applicants to join us to see what’s new.

The workshop is free and will provide information on how to apply, the deadline next spring, how schools can assess their status now and work throughout the school year to achieve their goals.

When: September 30, 2014 @ 10:00-11:00 am  or at 5:30-6:30 pm for those  who can attend during the day.

Where: YMCA of the Triangle ARC    801 Corporate Center Drive #290, Raleigh, NC 27607 USA

Contact: info@advocatesforhealthinaction.org

Register:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AwardsWorkshop

For more information about AHA visit their website at:  http://www.advocatesforhealthinaction.org/

Wake PTA Leaders,

Thank you for all you’re doing to get 2014-2015 off to a great start for your school communities!  I am passing along a few resources that might be helpful to you on school celebrations as we move into the Fall.  Our WCPTA wellness partner, Advocates for Health in Action, has some fliers on rewarding students the healthy way and several different fliers about healthy holiday celebrations.  As the year progresses, I’ll be sharing additional holiday fliers with you.

AHA healthy school flyer 2015

   NCPTA-AHA Halloween treats flyer

Please share these widely with the STAFF and PTA leaders in your school.

Don’t hesitate to contact us at Wake County PTA Council or at NCPTA if you have questions about these programs.

Have a great weekend, and thanks for your support of education in Wake County!
Sarah Martin
Wake County PTA Council Board of Directors
North Carolina PTA Board of Directors

The National PTA has planned a free 30-minute webinar on the evening of Thursday, September 18th at 8:00 PM ET, for state and local PTA leaders providing an overview of the new Smart Snacks guidelines from the USDA. It will also contain helpful resources as your PTAs begin to implement these guidelines.

Please share this information with your PTA Boards and anyone at your schools that you believe would be interested in helping your PTA comply with these new guidelines.

To register for the webinar, please go to: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/222618542

The Smart Snacks Overview webinar, hosted by the School Nutrition Policy Fellow at National PTA, will inform state and local leaders on successfully implementing the Smart Snack guidelines. A member of the USDA staff, Nancy Lyons, will serve as a panelist to assist in providing technical information along with answering questions. Existing resources and information about future resources from National PTA and other organizations regarding these new guidelines will be provided. We look forward to having you join our webinar on improving child nutrition through the Smart Snacks guidelines!

The 2014-15 Reflections Program theme is “The world would be a better place if…”.

WCPTA Reflections Program forms, rules, and guidelines have been added to the website under the Reflections Program tab.   Information for students can be found at the top of the page with forms, tips, and guides for Local School Chairs following.

If you are a Local School Chair and you are not on the WCPTA Reflections Email List, please email Leah Williams with your name, your PTA title, your school name, and your personal contact number to:      reflections@wakepta.org

Wake County year round schools are in full swing and the first day of the traditional school calendar is just around the corner.  Many PTAs are busy organizing their calendar for the year, acquainting and training new board members with their position requirements, and planning membership drives at school open houses and teacher meet & greets.  Most PTA/PTSAs will get asked “Why should I join?”.

The National PTA has been serving children for over 100 years and it is the defining organization for parent involvement!  These are just a few of the great reasons to be part of PTA:

• Benefit your child-The number one reason to join PTA is to benefit your child and in doing so support your school.
• Discover great resources- The PTA provides a variety of programs for parents and students from homework, education in arts, bullying prevention, child health, and much more.
• Being a role model- You’ll demonstrate to your child the importance you place on education.
• Getting connected and being in the know- Being a member of PTA keeps you up to date with what is happening in your school and how you can support your child’s education.
• PTA Member benefits- Individuals can take advantage of PTA membership benefits including special offers and discounts, free e-learning courses, monthly e-newsletters, training and workshops, magazine subscription discounts, and much more.
• Tap into a network- PTA functions connect you to other parents and teachers. You can share ideas, concerns, and experiences.
• Speak up- Being a member of your PTA can help you effectively suggest change at your child’s school and in your community.
• Watch yourself grow and hone your skills- By volunteering with your PTA, you can put your skills to use for a noble cause.

Membership levels have been known to dip at the high school level versus the elementary school level. However, in Wake County we have some great examples of High School PTSAs working hard to increase their memberships while spreading the PTA Mission.
Below are a few examples.

                Heritage PTSA Board                  Holly Springs PTSA Board          Panther Creek PTSA Board

Does your PTA/PTSA have any successful tips or great ideas on how to boost membership?  Share your ideas with us below!