Board of Directors
State Office
MPTSA Committees
MPTSA Calendar
Welcome to our new PTAs!
- Dearborn SEPTA, Dearborn
- Meadowview PTA, Charlotte
- Michigan Math & Science Academy PTSA, Hazel Park
- University Prep Science & Math High School PTSA, Detroit
Parenting Awareness Month - March
The 2011 PAM Packet is available at www.preventionnetwork.org/pam – ready for you to download and use in your local parenting and family activities for Parenting Awareness Month and throughout the year!
The PAM packet is a "tool-kit" of printable items that you can pick and choose from for the parent audience you serve. In addition, the 2011 PAM Posters and Bookmarks are available to order.
Prevention Awareness Day –
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
...marks the kick-off of Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. There will be a rally, procession and planting of a pinwheel garden in downtown Lansing to show support for child abuse prevention programs in the state. Also, Legislative Education Day provides the opportunity to educate legislators about prevention needs and current programming.
View the Prevention Awareness Day Brochure.
Connect with Michigan PTSA on Facebook
Reflections Update
Whew! January was a busy month for the Reflections Committee! We received entries through the 15th and had a great turnout with over 250 units submitting entries. The art was logged in, sorted and sent off to our wonderful judges, who worked hard at reviewing the student's masterpieces.
March brings a flurry of Reflections activities as well, with the Barnes & Noble Bookfair and Reflections Art Tour taking place in Battle Creek, Rochester, Northville and Royal Oak.
Read more...
President's Message:
Two Important Bylaws Amendments Proposed
The Michigan PTSA Board of Directors is asking our members to consider two important bylaws amendments at our annual convention in April.
We are proposing a dues increase of $1.25, bringing the total membership dues for Michigan PTSA and National PTA to $5.00 per member, annually. MPTSA dues have not been increased in 11 years and, due to inflation, we can no longer offer the services we provide without this adjustment. Read more...
National PTA Releases Parent Guides on the Common Core State Standards for English, Math Grades K-12
Guides Help Parents Better Understand Common Core Implementation Process
At the end of February, the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) announced that they are releasing guides on the Common Core State Standards for parents. The Parents' Guide to Student Success will empower parents to work with state and district leaders to ensure that the Common Core State Standards are implemented effectively in schools across the country. Read more...
Spotlight On...Sarah Banks
Middle School PTSA
Family Pasta Night
Submitted by Denise Bither
Sarah Banks Middle School PTSA in Wixom, Michigan, part of the WalledLake Consolidated School District, held its third annual Banks Family Pasta Night on Friday, January 28th. The idea is to provide a family night of fun for our parents at a low cost. Read more...
A Message from the Convention Chair
What are you doing April 8th through April 10th? Attending the 93rd Michigan PTSA Convention in Lansing – Great Answer! I truly believe there is no better way to get re-energized, re-focused and re-committed to PTA. Read more...
Important Convention Information…
- Call To Convention
- Gifts of the Delegates
- Donate a Basket/Item for the Convention Silent Auction
- Slate of Nominees
- Resolutions
- Michigan PTSA Bylaws Amendments
Visit the Michigan PTSA website for convention highlights and additional information.
Raffle…Raffle…Raffle…
Grand Hotel Package- Two Night Stay for Two with Meals!
Tickets just $10.00! Sales will be limited to 300 tickets!
The Raffle Drawing will be held Saturday, April 9th at Convention. You do not need to be present to win (although we hope you will be!). Buy a ticket for yourself, a friend or family member. Download the Raffle Ticket Request Form to share with your members.
Michigan PTSA Barnes & Noble Bookfair & Reflections Art Tour Starts this Week!!!
Sunday, February 28th through Saturday, March 25th
Reflections Art Exhibit and Student Performances at the following locations:
- Monday, February 28th - Saturday, March 5th - Battle Creek Barnes & Noble
- Sunday, March 6th - Saturday, March 12th - Rochester/Rochester Hills Barnes & Noble
- Sunday, March 13th - Saturday, March 19th - Northville/Livonia Barnes & Noble
- Monday, March 20th - Friday, March 25th - Royal Oak Barnes & Noble
The voucher or ID# 10370187 must be used for purchases to count for the bookfair - shop at any Barnes & Noble store or online. Print the attached flyer for additional information.
Unit/Council Reminders
- Share the ways your PTA/PTSA celebrated Founders Day. Send a description of your event, along with photographs, to bulletin@michiganpta.org.
- To have a link to your unit/council website on your region page on the Michigan PTSA website, submit the name of your unit/council and website URL (address) to website@michiganpta.org.
Michigan Men in PTA
What's in the Event Name?
Do you have a “Father Daughter Dance” around Valentine's Day? What a great event to engage men, but I want to challenge you to think about renaming the event. “Sweetheart Dance” or “My Girl” will send two important messages:
Most of our children now live in what some call non-traditional families. Every girl should feel good about bringing the male of her choice. This may not be her father.
The second message is for all men to be welcome. Keep in mind that this could be the night to introduce all those men to PTA involvement. Use events like this to market new ways for men to become engaged. More information can be found at www.pta.org/dadsandschools.
Get Connected
Men in PTA contact persons from each local unit are still needed. Sign up on our communication tool www.bigtent.com/groups/mimeninpta.
For more information, contact Clemens Wittekind, Michigan Men in PTA Chair, at ClemensWittekind@gmail.com
Legislative/Children's Advocacy
Keeping Up with the Legislature:
A ‘How-To' Guide
In this day and age, how does a concerned Advocate like you stay on top of current activity in the State House and Senate? It seems there are so many tools - government web sites, chat rooms, twitter feeds, Facebook pages, blogs and online papers - that it's not only beginners who are confounded, but experienced Advocates, too!
One of the most frequently asked questions I get is, “What is the status of legislation X?” Although I'm always happy to answer questions, part of my job is to make you a better advocate, so I want to show you how, with just a couple of tools, you can be the go-to person for advocacy and legislative activity in your PTA. Click here for the “How-To” Guide.
Kevin McLogan
VP for Children's Advocacy
Federal Legislative Update
The Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act was signed by President Obama on December 13, 2010. This act reauthorizes programs under the Child Nutrition Act. Some of these programs include:
- School breakfasts and lunches
- Local wellness policies
- Summer Food Service Program
- Child and Adult Care Food Program
- WIC – Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants and Children
What does this mean for our children and family? This legislation:
- makes significant investment in anti-hunger measures,
- improves nutrition quality of all foods served in schools throughout the school day, and
- provides a wide variety of supports necessary for school food service workers to meet the needs of American children.
What will National PTA's role be in implementation of this Act for our children?
- National PTA will be closely involved with the implementation of these reforms and improvements.
- National PTA will keep parents and communities informed of the issues affecting our children.
- National PTA will be watching to see that school food service providers will be given the support they need to implement and improve how they serve our children to the new standards.
Michigan PTSA - 1390 Eisenhower Place - Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108
Email: director@michiganpta.org - Website: www.michiganpta.org - Phone: (734) 975-9500