​GREETINGS PTA FAMILY, 
 
Happy May!! I hope that this communication finds you and your families staying healthy and safe and doing well. Wow, what a past couple of months it has been!! We have journeyed through some difficult, challenging and unprecedented times and the days ahead will continue to be difficult and challenging but there is light at the end of this “tunnel” - HOPE!! 
 
As of now, National PTA and NCPTA have suspended all activities. 
 
Our Reflections Celebration was cancelled but we were able to highlight the winners from each category on our Facebook page. We also cancelled our Night of Stars, which was our volunteer recognition, as well as, our elections for our officers for 2020-2021. We will be in touch with you in the coming weeks to determine how we will proceed. 
**If you are interested in volunteering with the council, please send us an email and let us know what you are interested in.
 
THANK YOU!! We are so pleased that many of our units have been providing support to our numerous communities here in Wake County. This speaks highly of the commitment and dedication of our volunteers to be of service to others in the time of need. So again, THANK YOU!!           
 
We are trying to stay connected with the national PTA and the NCPTA to ensure that we share the most important information to you all. The council has been holding monthly meetings via conference call and encourage you guys to do the same. We are here for you!! Reach out to us!! Please take care of yourselves and your families and stay safe
 
Our year started strong and amazing and although it has been totally interrupted we can still finish PTA STRONG!   Every child. One voice
 
Advocating for all, 
 
Kassandra L. Watson

Teacher Appreciation will definitely not look the same this year, but that doesn't mean PTAs across the country won't try to show their teachers some love. Teachers are working harder than ever to adjust lessons and keep kids engaged.

We have received a lot of questions about gift cards for teachers. Here are some guidelines from the NCPTA.
​
Please be aware of WCPSS policy regarding gifts:
"School system employees shall not accept any gifts except token gifts of insubstantial value. School system employees shall not accept any gift, reward, gratuity, or other compensation from any manufacturer, merchant, dealer, publisher, or author for the purpose of influencing or recommending to the school system or any school the use of a seller’s goods, wares, merchandise, materials, supplies, services, or equipment."

WCPSS has created the following:
We encourage everyone to join in by using #WCPSSThankATeacher and tagging @WCPSSTeam when giving a shout out to a favorite teacher or to all teachers.

Use the following resources to recognize your favorite teachers next week:

• Teacher Appreciation Week Thank You Card (download and insert your own message and send via email)
• Teacher Appreciation Week Certificate (download and insert your own message and send via email)
• Teacher Appreciation Week Graphics to share on Facebook
• Teacher Appreciation Week  Graphics to share on Twitter

National PTA has a partnership with Office Depot to recognize teachers:
We LOVE Teachers!Get emoji-tional with us and #ThankATeacher during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4-8, 2020!

Teachers change the lives of millions of children every day—their immense work and impact moves us beyond words, so we need emojis to say how we feel. And with the abrupt end to the physical school year, our teachers have done even more to continue education with virtual classrooms and learning at home lessons. All to ensure every student has the tools they need to reach their full potential.

How You Can #ThankATeacher
Get creative! And post how you honor your teachers using #ThankATeacher. We love seeing all the awesome ways you celebrate the “T” in PTA!

• Email heartfelt letters, cards and messages of appreciation
• Create artwork, poems and video messages to celebrate your teachers
• Send your teacher a virtual award
• On Thursday, upload a #TBT of you and your favorite teacher and thank them using #ThankATeacher.

Find more unique ways to virtually celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week on our Pinterest board and PTAOurChildren.org.
Download our Teacher Appreciation Week Toolkit. It’s easy to #ThankATeacher! Use our thank-you cards, certificates, flyers, web ads and social media graphics. Download all of the toolkit materials quickly and easily with the following two zip files. 
Download All (English)
Download All (Spanish)

If you have a rising kindergarten student, and have not yet registered, you might have questions.  All information can be found on this WCPSS site https://www.wcpss.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=33753.  The following enrollment process will allow families to enroll while school buildings are closed due to COVID-19.
You will start by completing the online enrollment form as outlined below, then await instructions from your child’s base school about how to complete the enrollment process.  These forms can be found via the WCPSS link above.
Families who are not able to complete the online process should contact their base school’s data manager, whom can be found on the school website staff directory. A school representative will contact you by telephone to assist with completing the online enrollment process.
Once schools re-open, you will be asked to submit hard copies of all required documents at your child’s school. Prior to schools re-opening, some parents may be required to bring documents in person, using safe distancing guidelines. Families will be contacted to schedule an appointment should this be necessary.

Depression is the most common mental health problem for women, and women experience depression at twice the rate of men. During National Women’s Health week, learn the facts and encourage the women in your life to make their mental health a priority. http://bit.ly/1WQhZXC

E-Cigerettes and Vaping

Concerned about the dangers of vaping and impacts of nicotine and other substances used in vaping products on adolescents? Check out the How to Talk to With Your Kids about Vaping Guide from the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids.  Still have more questions and concerns? Contact the WCPTA Health and Wellness Committee at healthandwellness@wakepta.org to schedule a program for your PTA. 

SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands 5 May 2019  
Washing our hands properly is one the most important things we can do to stop the spread of germs. Check out these handwashing videos from the Poe Center for Health Education. 
ENGLISH:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xITIASd4CG8&feature=youtu.be    
SPANISH:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcMSvqlIxig&feature=youtu.be


National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

Children who have eat dinner with their families are less likely to use alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

Check out this great Baked Apple French Toast recipe from ChopChop Family. 
ENGLISH: BAKED APPLE FRENCH TOAST https://www.chopchopfamily.org/recipe/baked-apple-french-toast/ 
SPANISH: PAN FRANCÉS CON MANZANA HORNEADOhttps://www.chopchopfamily.org/recipe/pan-frances-con-manzana-horneado/
​

These national award recipients were chosen from nearly 1,000 student submissions. Of these submissions, 211 students were selected from 40 State PTA Congresses for national-level recognition.  

Awards of Excellence

• Kai Preddy, Film Production, West Millbrook Middle School, Raleigh

Awards of Merit

• Eva Penny, Dance Choreography, Middle Creek Elementary School, Apex
• Haroon Zafiruddin, Film Production, Washington GT Elementary School, Raleigh
• Brenna Watson, Visual Art , Ligon GT Middle School, Raleigh

For a complete list of awards and prizes, please visit the National PTA Reflections awards page.

Guidelines for the Election of Officers and Officer Terms​

The State Office has received numerous questions regarding officer elections and terms due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As you know, on April 20, 2020, the NCPTA Board of Directors approved amendments to the Local Unit and Council Uniform PTA Bylaws to address the international COVID-19 pandemic allowing meeting by teleconference, in the event of an emergency; such as natural disaster, war, or epidemic. The amendments clearly state ways for the membership to meet while circumstances such as a pandemic prevents your general membership from physically meeting. 

We hope the information provided in this notice will help clarify procedures concerning the election of officers and how your unit can proceed.

Elections:
The Uniform Bylaws state that local units and councils are to hold elections of officers at the last general membership meeting of the year. The Board of Directors of the local units and councils, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the board members in office, has the authority to change the date of a regular scheduled general membership meeting.

If your unit decides to have elections by teleconference before the end of the fiscal year, your unit must comply with the procedures outlined in the NCPTA State Emergency Virtual Meeting Policy. The policy address participation guidelines, quorum, motions, roll-call vote process and more. 

If your unit decides, the last general membership meeting of the fiscal year could be postponed and the elections of officers could take place at such time when gathering limits are relaxed or wait till school resumes in the fall. A delay in elections will cause officers to hold the position past the designated term, but that possibility is provided for in your bylaws (or until his/her successor is elected).  
Officer Terms:
In regards to the current year’s term; even though schools are closed, the PTA is still considered active and so are the officers’ terms. The term of office in the Uniform Bylaws has not been amended. The term for officers remains a one-year term with the opportunity to serve two consecutive terms in the same office. Therefore, each officer terms ends on June 30 or when his/her successor is elected.
What happens when the nominating committee asks for members to serve as officers for the upcoming year and there is no interest and also no nominations from the floor during the election? The position would be considered vacant, and the current officers may stay in their positions until their successors are elected. If officers do remain in office past their term, the Nominating Committee needs to continue to actively look for their replacements.

Join us as the Poe Center, the Wake County Public School System, Wake County Human Services, and the American Heart Association continue to move the needle and make a healthy difference in the lives of Wake County residents. At the first Tobacco-Free Community Forum, the Triangle community imagined the possibilities of a tobacco-free community.

We invite all to the second Tobacco-Free Community Forum. The purpose of the forum is to educate, empower, and engage.
Join us as we:

• Hear from leading experts on the current trends and health impacts of the vaping epidemic.
• Discuss policies that facilitate tobacco-free environments.
• Create action plans for a healthier community.

Hosted at Southeast Raleigh High School, the youth-led forum will feature an expert-led review of current trends and a panel discussion to educate attendees on the impacts of tobacco and the policies that facilitate tobacco-free environments. Panelists will include youth, community, municipal, education, health, and business leaders. Breakout sessions for youth, parents, and community leaders will provide opportunities to discuss strategies to reduce youth tobacco use and to empower communities in the solution.

Where: Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School, 2600 Rock Quarry Rd, Raleigh, NC 27610
When: March 21st, 2020, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Questions? Contact Virginia Johnson at v.johnson@poehealth.org. 

Click Here to Register:  www.poehealth.org/events/tobacco-free-community-forum-2020/  
​

The Poe Center’s #YouthCulture workshop series is designed to empower parents/guardians by providing up-to-date information on substance use prevention, internet safety, and relationships to support healthy choices. 
​
The adult program series is for adults only.

During each session there will also be a separate Youth Program that complements adult workshop. The youth series is for youths only.

All sessions are located at the Poe Center for Health Education, 224 Sunnybrook Rd, Raleigh, NC, 27610.

Feel free to attend any and all workshops. There will be light snacks and door prizes!resources.
CLICK TO REGISTER: www.poehealth.org/events/youthculture-workshop-series-at-the-poe-center-2020/

 The Parents’ Guides to Student Success were developed by teachers, parents and education experts in response to the Common Core State Standards that more than 45 states have adopted.
​
Created for grades K-8 and high school English, language arts/literacy and mathematics, the guides provide clear, consistent expectations for what students should be learning at each grade in order to be prepared for college and career. Guides for grades K-High School are available in both English and Spanish.

Responsibilities of the Nominating Committee and Navigating Elections:
​March 9, 2020 at 7:30 p.m.
Do you have questions about the duties and responsibilities of the Nominating Committee? Do you want to know how to create a slate of officers for your elections? Do you need help on how to hold elections? Join NCPTA to learn how to work effectively as a nominating committee and learn the steps to holding elections. Register here.

Congratulations to all our WCPTA Reflections Artists! You can see the winners on the Reflections page. The Wake County Reflections Celebration will be announced shortly. All 1st Place Winners will be moving onto the State level for judging, along with all Special Artists entries. State winners will be announced in late March 2020.

Are you interested in taking your PTA skills to the next level? Wake PTA is looking for passionate public school advocates to join our board. Meetings are held the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30pm at WCPSS Crossroads II. Come for a visit to see what we are doing on behalf of students and PTAs in Wake County. Contact president@wcpta.org or communications@wcpta.org for more information.

Greetings PTA Family: 

I hope that everyone is doing well and your PTA is functioning and operating in full force. 
We have had a busy first quarter of this PTA year. There are several units that are struggling and in need of assistance. We all struggle with finding enough volunteers. So if you have an awesome way of recruiting volunteers for your PTA, PLEASE SHARE!! Send your ideas and strategies to our WCPTA FB page and to MemberHub so that all can benefit!! 

In addition, we ask you to join the Council so that we can offer much more than just the summer leadership conference. A strong council helps maintain strong units. If you have questions with regards to membership in the council, fees, etc., please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Send an email to president@wakepta.organd copy treasurer@wakepta.org. Please remember if you are sending in your membership dues, to include your invoice with all pertinent information, as well as, your check with TWO (2) signatures. 

Sadly, we have noticed that many of our units are not following the NCPTA Uniform Bylaws and many are just “winging” it. PLEASE DO NOT jeopardize your 501 (c) 3 status by not being compliant and not following the simple bylaws. If you have any questions or concerns PLEASEreach out to us, that is why we are here. We want ALL of our units to be successful!! Whether you are struggling with operational issues, financial issues, board issues, whatever, PLEASEdo not hesitate to reach out. Do NOT wait until it gets worse. We are a small team, but we will do all that we can to assist you.   COMMUNICATION IS KEY!!

PHISHING EMAIL SCAM: 
There has been a rash of phishing email scams. Please be diligent when reading emails that seem to be from someone you know. Often times the scammer will have a generic greeting and will ask for an account number or a payment. Before you even respond, contact the person that it claims to be from to verify.  REMEMBER, according to the NCPTA Uniform Bylaws: 

Section 11.5 – Checks. All bills of this local PTA shall be paid by check. Checks must be signed by two of no more than four officers authorized by the board of directors to sign checks, except that none of these officers so authorized shall be related, and at least one of these authorized officers shall be the Treasurer. The signing of blank checks is prohibited.

Section 11.6 – Expenditures and fund availability. All expenditures of this local PTA must be consistent with the approved budget and based on actual fund availability. All reimbursements for expenditures will be contingent upon actual fund availability.

Also, you should have documentation to justify why you are dispersing funds. Most banks do not require two (2) signatures; however, PTA DOES REQUIRE THIS!! To be compliant, I would suggest that each unit add a caveat to their standing rules to indicate that “regardless to the bank rules, we must comply with NCPTA bylaws and require two (2) signatures on all checks” (or however you want to word it). For further information on phishing, please go to the Federal Trade Commission’s website: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: 
National PTA website is home to a lot of useful resources for units. If you have not yet registered for the PTA Boot Camp, register at www.PTAKit.org. Once you are registered, your PTA Boot Camp will be launched. As a PTA Boot Camp member, you will be invited to join  NEW “PTA Leaders Only” closed group on Facebook. It is a great page with a variety of topics posted by units from across the country/world. Try it….

Thanks again for all that you do to advocate on behalf of children everywhere. At the end of the day, remember “why you PTA”! I close with this Facebook post from Stacy Bateman, a regional 9 Director at the Utah PTA and a member representative of the National PTA Board of Directors: 
“PTA has a wide range of leaders. Some have been involved longer than I have been alive, others have been around for 20 years and some are just starting. Wherever you are in your journey, you matter and you make a difference. Today I want to reach out to those of you who may be in a new or different role than you are used to. In the last month I have talked to so many people who are finding their footing in new positions or at a different level. Some feel lost, some are unsure and it may even feel like a little bit of an identity crisis. One volunteer told me she feels like everything she did and worked so hard for is being undone. She asked if I ever felt like that. I told her I understood better than she knew. It is hard to work for years and then watch things change. Especially when you know things you and your board did were successful and loved. It’s also hard to be in a new school or new position when you gave so much of yourself to one place. If this is you right now, I feel you and I get it. Transition is hard. Especially in this organization where we give so much of our time and heart. I chose this picture (courtesy of Google) because it’s a great temperature check for me. No matter where I am or what capacity I serve in, I want to always remember my why. So if you find yourself in this odd space of transition and aren’t sure whether to hold on or step away, remember your why. Think about all the kids who need an advocate. Think about all the places your talents and skills can be utilized. Find someone to mentor who could use your knowledge and experience. Build them so they can build others. Then remember one of the best things this organization has to offer… you belong to one of the biggest and most supportive families in the world.” 

So when you begin to get frustrated or want to give up and walk away, “ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR WHY”!!

Advocating always, 

Kassandra 

Building Resilience in Your Children/Having a Trauma-Informed PTA
November 14th 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Crossroads II
110 Corning Road, Cary
Room 1400
This 90 minute session is based on the film Resilience about toxic stress and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and how children can survive stress by learning to be resilient. This workshop is designed for those who have seen the film and want to take the next step by implementing trauma-informed strategies in their school, classroom, or home. 

Designed for parents/guardians and PTA members, this presentation is grounded in research on strategies that help build Resilience in children. When kids have the skills and the confidence to confront and work through their problems, they can learn that they have what it takes to confront difficult issues. 

Includes discussion about how parents can work to ensure that programs and policies implemented by PTAs support a trauma-informed learning environment for all students. Thoughtful, empathetic volunteers are a vital link between home and school and should be using trauma-informed/sensitive guidelines in their policies, programs, and when communicating with parents or guardians. 

NCPTAPTA President-Leading Your PTA: 
November 4, 2019 
7:30 p.m.
You have been elected PTA President – now what? Join NCPTA as we discuss the role and responsibility of PTA President. Register here 
​

City of Raleigh and Town of Cary Municipal Elections
VOTE October 8th

Municipal Elections for Angier, Apex, Durham, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Morrisville, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell, and Zebulon
VOTE November 5th 

​More information on upcoming elections can be found here

 October is National Bullying Prevention Month
Here are some tips and ideas from StompOutBullying.org on how students can celebrate National Bullying Prevention Month. Visit StompOutBullying.org to learn more and download the toolkit.  

• Make friends with someone you don’t know at school. If you've ever been isolated from others at school or you were new at school and it took time to make friends, you know what it feels like to be left out. Or even if you were never isolated, imagine how it would feel.
  
  
• Challenge Others To Be Kind. Make kindness go viral with an act of kindness and challenge friends and classmates to pay it forward with their acts of kindness. Make a video of everyone doing acts of kindness and submit it. StompOutBullying.org will add it to their website. 
  
  
• STAND UP for Others. When you see someone being bullied, be brave and STAND UP for them. Bullies have been known to back off when others stand up for victims. If you don't feel safe get the help of an adult immediately. Be part of the solution -- not the problem!
  
  
• Students can create positive messages on post-its and handing them out to students at school or create anti-bullying videos and sharing them on the STOMP Out Bullying site
  
  
• Be inclusive: Don't let anyone at school eat alone in the cafeteria or on a school field trip. Include other students in school and after school activities. Invite someone you don't now that well to sit next to you on the bus. Learn about each other.

​
Bullying Prevention: Changing our Language, Modeling Empathy
Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler – MA, MEd, CSAPC
Preventing bullying behavior among youth begins with adults. Recognizing the impact of language, school climate, and adult modeling are foundational to bullying prevention.

Language describing bullying behavior influences our perceptions on the preventable nature of bullying. The term anti-bullying is often misused when someone actually means bullying prevention. While, yes, we are against bullying, the term anti-bullying is reactive, as if bullying behavior is inevitable and unable to be prevented. All we can do is react when it happens. Prevention involves a shift in mindset, moving from reactive to proactive thinking.  READ MORE

October 10th is World Mental Health Day

Every 40 seconds,
​someone loses their life to suicide. 

Join us, on 10 October, in “40 seconds of action” to raise awareness of the scale of suicide around the world and the role that each of us can play to help prevent it. Find out more at WHO - Suicide Prevention
 


E-Cigarettes/Vaping Resources
Although traditional cigarette smoking is on the decline, electronic cigarette use among teens has increased more than 900%.. Electronic cigarettes, often referred to as, e-cigarettes, e-cigs, or vapes, are electronic devices that heat a liquid containing nicotine and special flavors to produce an aerosol that is breathed into the lungs. The aerosol can also be inhaled by bystanders. They come in lots of shapes and sizes. 

Testing on long-term health effects are still being conducted, however we already know that e-cigarettes are not safe, contain chemicals that damage lungs, and are harmful on the adolescent developing brain. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, the same highly addictive drug found in traditional cigarettes. 

For more information on electronic cigarettes and teens, download the Talk with Your Teens About E-cigarettes: A Tip Sheet for Parents provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Office on Smoking and Health.

Questions about the impacts of nicotine on adolescents? Questions about effects of e-cigarettes? Contact the WCPTA Health And Wellness Committee to schedule a program for your PTA. 

PoeFest Community Festival 2019
You are invited to our FREE community festival to celebrate healthy choices!  Please join us for fun, food, prizes, special guests, interactive theaters and great local entertainment.
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2019
Time: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location: 224 Sunnybrook Road, Raleigh NC 27610

The Wake County PTA Council will be distributing dental hygiene kits including toothbrushes, timers, tooth paste and more during PoeFest. 

Download the informational flyer here.

For more information, contact Triangle Area Dyslexic Advocacy. #TADA-NC is a parent-led grassroots movement across the state of North Carolina determined to advocate for appropriate literacy education for all students, especially those with dyslexia and related difficulties.

​Early voting begins September 18, do you know where to go? Find out at wakevotesearly.com
 
Check out this video from the Wake County Board of Elections, explaining the importance of the upcoming local elections!
 
Find out more about the October 8th and November 5th elections and polling places
 
 
Are you interested in hosting a voting drive as part of your fall PTA activities?  Contact You Can Vote, they will work with you to make setting one up easy!

 
Have a student turning 18 by Election Day? Make sure you’re #VoteReady by registering to vote at NationalVoterRegistrationDay.org! #NationalVoterRegistrationDay is Sept 24

Don't forget to pay your Wake County PTA Council Dues of $50 by October 31, 2019 (invoice) This one time payment provides you access to:

• • Attend FREE trainings through the year
  • Night of Stars Volunteer Recognition Invitation and Honoree from your school

If you are participating in Reflections, you also must pay an additional $25 registration fee by October 31, 2019. This allows your children to participate in the National PTA  program. The 2019-2020 Theme is “Look Within…” Find more information on our website

September is National Suicide Prevention Month
 
#BeThe1To 
Ask the tough question
When somebody you know is in emotional pain, ask them directly: “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
 
#BeThe1To 
Keep Them Safe
Is your friend thinking about suicide? Ask if they’ve thought about how they would do it and separate them from anything they could use to hurt themselves.
 
#BeThe1To 
Be There 
If your friend is thinking about suicide,
Listen to their reasons for feeling hopeless and in pain.
Listen with compassion and empathy and without dismissing or judging.
 
#BeThe1To 
Help Them Connect
Help your friend connect to a support system, whether it’s 800-273- TALK(8255), family, friends, clergy, coaches, co-workers or therapists, so they have a network to reach out to for help.
 
#BeThe1To 
Follow Up
Check in with the person you care about on a regular basis. Making contact with a friend in the days and weeks after a crisis can make a difference in keeping them alive.