Plan Ahead for a Healthy School Year

September 3, 2023 By Leave a Comment
ids running into school

Our kids are returning to school, but germs don’t have to. We’ve all learned just how important in-person learning is to our children’s academic and social development. Maximizing in-school time requires protecting our kids from the spread of the flu and other illnesses caused by germs. Local PTAs can play a role in cultivating healthy habits that make a big difference.  

We’re Here for Healthy Schools

Since 2012, National PTA has partnered with Lysol to help reduce student absences due to illness by cultivating habits that help to reduce the spread of germs. Our collaboration expanded in 2019 when Lysol launched its Here for Healthy Schools initiative and took on even more urgent importance during the COVID-19 pandemic. This fall, we’re continuing the effort. 

Our partners at Lysol have developed free resources—including lesson plans, activities, posters and stickers—that educators and PTAs can use to help instill germ-curbing habits in a way kids find memorable and fun. This back-to-school season, Lysol is reintroducing a favorite: the Welcome Back Pack. Refreshed for the 2023-2024 school year, these physical and digital resource packs provide engaging materials to reinforce healthy habits with students. 

School nurse Holly Giovi of Deer Park, N.Y., says, “This initiative equips educators with an arsenal to impart lasting habits and reinforce a culture of health-consciousness. By empowering students to embrace proper hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and regular sanitization, we expand their defenses against infectious illnesses and promote a more conducive atmosphere for learning.” 

Find out what your local school is doing to reduce the spread of germs. Not every school has a full-time nurse to lead the charge, so you can help by sharing free resources that make healthy habits easy for kids to remember. 

Stocking Healthy Classrooms

PTAs often take the lead in ordering essential supplies for classrooms. This fall, here are a few important items to put on your list. 

  1. Hand sanitizer and hand soap – Students should wash their hands several times per day to reduce the spread of germs. Hand soap is a must for classrooms with sinks, while hand sanitizer can get the job done in any setting. We recommend ordering both in bulk! 
  2. Lysol® Disinfecting Wipes and Lysol® Disinfectant Spray – Disinfecting wipes and sprays are essential for killing germs on high-touch classroom surfaces like desks, toys, doorknobs and light switches. Don’t forget the lunchroom! Cafeteria staff will appreciate your support stocking up too.
  3. Sandwich bags – A handy trick to keep small hands out of shared supplies: Sandwich bags! Educators can use them to prepack and distribute individual portions of snacks, manipulatives or craft supplies to kids. 

Check out our advice on how to simplify and save on school supply orders.  

Lysol is a Proud National Sponsor of National PTA. This article contains sponsored content from third parties. National PTA does not endorse any commercial entity, product or service. 

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Thoughtful. Affirming. Trustworthy. Are You a Youth Champion? 

August 29, 2023 By Leave a Comment
Role model and mentor spending time with a teenager young man.

A Growing Need for Youth Champions

Driven by data that underscores rising rates of mental health stress and illness among youth and young adults, the youth mental health advocacy organization known as Active Minds is harnessing the power of one of the most significant determining factors in youth mental health and wellness: the power of thoughtful, affirming and trustworthy adults. Youth with even one safe and responsive adult in their lives report significantly fewer mental health-related concerns. Data finds those meaningful connections to supportive adults—known at Active Minds as Youth Champions—are critical for positive youth development and is named as a key protective factor in helping to decrease depression and suicide ideation/thoughts. 

What Exactly is a Youth Champion? 

Youth Champions are parents, caregivers, K-12 educators/faculty/staff, and PTA leaders who have or are learning to acquire the skills and abilities to advocate with youth for their positive health and wellness outcomes. A Youth Champion is dedicated to encouraging healthy social, emotional and academic growth for the young people in their care. Core values of Youth Champions include showing unconditional positive regard, celebrating youth culture, uplifting guiding behavior from a positive youth development framework and facilitating relationships based in anti-racist practices. 

A Coordinated Response: Youth Champion Connections 

Youth Champion Connections are workshops developed by a team of human development and public and mental health professionals committed to providing content and inspiring conversations to deconstruct adult-centered youth development frameworks found in many spaces of youth learning and recreation. As adult-centered youth development is historically rooted in an imbalance of power between adults and youth, Active Minds’ workshops are designed to move away from adult-centered frameworks that have been found to discourage candid conversations; stifle critical thinking and curiosity; and inspire distrust and feelings of emotional insecurity among youth.  

Youth Champion Connections workshops are built with parents, caregivers, K-12 educators and staff, PTA leaders and youth development professionals in mind. Because of the deep impact of this role, Active Minds believes it is critically important that Youth Champions be offered supportive learning spaces dedicated to their personal and professional development, including content focused on their own mental health and well-being. Workshops will increase Youth Champions’ mental health literacy and advocacy skills and introduce positive youth development strategies that encourage healthy adult-youth relationships. 

Becoming a Youth Champion

Active Minds believes that to create safe spaces that inspire youth to learn and be emotionally vulnerable, the adults charged with their care and development deserve opportunities to practice thoughtful, affirming and trustworthy youth engagement. Youth Champions will learn new ways of thinking and being during workshops that will benefit them personally and professionally.  

Active Minds Youth Champion Connections will:  

  1. Highlight strategies for youth engagement that spark feelings of emotional safety for youth of all lived experiences and identities.  
  2. Discuss and demonstrate methods that encourage the growth of youth social and emotional skills.
  3.  Increase Youth Champions’ mental health literacy and ability to support youth well-being.
  4. Build Youth Champions’ mental health advocacy skills to create an active and equitable response to mental health from school and out-of-school-time staff that centers and amplifies the voices and needs of youth and staff. 

Want to attend one or all of Active Minds’ Youth Champion Connections? Submit an inquiry form to keep up with our workshop development and content offerings!  

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Tips to Grow Your PTA Membership

July 26, 2023 By Leave a Comment
National PTA

As you prepare for back-to-school, a new school year means new opportunities to grow your PTA. We talked to PTAs across the country that continue to grow membership every year—here are the tips they shared to help engage families in the community and grow membership. 

Ask everyone to join (support or invest in) your PTA! 

  • Membership is open to anyone who supports the PTA mission: moms, dads, grandparents, foster parents, extended family members, teachers, staff, students (if allowed), community members, business leaders, public officials, etc. Target outreach recruitment each month to a different group.  
  • Make sure everyone on your PTA board joins! 
  • Use our DEI resources to support your recruitment efforts. Our new Multicultural Reference Guide has strategies to enhance PTA’s inclusion of untapped markets. 
  • Need ideas? Check out over 20 Membership Minute videos in both English and Spanish. Or join us on this year’s Membership Mania journey. 

Start as early as you can.  

  • Ask everyone who was a member last year to support your PTA/PTSA again this year, even if their child has moved on to another school. Send out periodic email or text renewal notices.  
  • Ask your principal if you can have five minutes at the back-to-school staff meeting to share the value your PTA brings to your community and ask all staff to join PTA. Create a PTA value presentation or make a video using our PTA Welcome Back to School PowerPoint template. 
  • Ask everyone to join at all summer or back-to-school events at your school or in your community. 

Make joining as easy as possible.  

  • Use an online membership platform to make it quick and easy to join. Contact your state PTA to find out if they provide a free online membership platform for PTAs in your state. 
  • Use a QR code that links to your online membership platform and put it everywhere! Have it on signs at all your PTA and school events, on your social media, on any flyers that are sent home, on signs around the school or even on business cards for your board. Check out our video on How to Create a QR Code in less than a minute. 
  • Have a paper form to join in addition to an online platform, and make sure it is available everywhere. Not everyone has internet access or is comfortable paying for membership online. Make sure all PTA board members and the school office have a supply on hand. 
  • Use all communication channels—in-person ask, emails, texting, newsletters, flyers, banners, school marquis and social media like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. Provide a URL link, QR code or form to join your PTA in every communication. 
  • Make a personal ask to join PTA at every PTA and school virtual, in-person or drive-thru event.  
  • Add a “Join PTA” button/link to all your online event registrations or volunteer sign-ups. 

Share the value of your PTA! 

  • Brand everything you do so your community knows it is the PTA doing the work or providing the financial support. It takes just a few minutes to Customize PTA logos, or you can use graphics from the You Belong in PTA or Membership Campaign to share the value of your PTA. 
  • Toot your PTA horn! Make sure your whole community (not just members) knows how your PTA is supporting students, teachers and families.  
  • Ask your principal to share the value your PTA brings to your school and encourage families and teachers to support PTA at staff meetings and school events. Check out this video for ideas to develop or improve your relationship with your principal. 
  • Provide special benefits/perks to your PTA members: family membership, free popcorn at movie night, discount to a local business, membership bundle with PTA gear, prizes and giveaways, etc. 
  • Offer in-person PTA meetings and events in a virtual way to attract more families who can’t always attend in person. 
  • Translate materials into the languages that are spoken by families in your community to be inclusive. 
  • Check out our grant opportunities and apply for all that will enhance your PTA’s work. Invite your families and community to attend your program event. Share your program stories with everyone! And share them with us by tagging @NationalPTA and using #HowWePTA #PTAProud!  
  • Focus on issues important to the families in your community. Our DIY Kit for Membership Growth helps you determine the needs of your community and how to align your PTA priorities. 
  • Share with your community how your PTA, state PTA and National PTA are advocating at the local, state and federal level to improve the lives of all children and families. 

Back-to-school is a strategic time to focus on membership, but it is also important to focus on membership all year round. Check out the membership recruitment tools on National PTA’s website filled with graphics, PowerPoint presentations, videos and templates for more resources to help you grow your PTA. Together we are stronger and our voices are louder for our nation’s children. And together we can grow membership and make every child’s potential a reality. Email us at Membership@PTA.org if you have any questions or need additional support. 

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Meet the 2022-2023 Reflections Outstanding Interpretation Winners! 

June 20, 2023 By Leave a Comment
PTA Reflections

Last month, National PTA announced the national winners for the 2022-2023 Reflections program. From nearly 1,000 student submissions nationwide, a total of 223 original student artworks from 39 state PTA congresses advanced through local, regional, state and national-level review to earn national recognition, scholarships and other special prizes.  

Inspired by the student-created theme Show Your Voice! the top-scoring works across each division competed for National PTA’s highest honor—the Award of Outstanding Interpretation.  

Congratulations to National PTA’s Reflections 2022-2023 Outstanding Interpretation winners Julie Auten, Alice Grieve, Megan Lambert, Nia McKnight, Sarina Policastro, Sebastian Tulin and Minka Van Berkel—let’s get to know these exceptional young creators in their own words! 

Music Composition (High School Division) – Julie Auten, “Listen” 

Lake Braddock Secondary School PTSA, Virginia 

“’Listen’ was created entirely using my own voice (and body percussion) to portray my struggles with self-expression. As a soft-spoken female who’s never been particularly outgoing, I often feel that the important things I have to say are overlooked—that no one’s listening. My piece describes that feeling, how I wish I could communicate, and is itself a statement declaring that I will always fight to be able to show my voice.”  You can listen to Julie’s original song here. 

Visual Arts (Intermediate Division) – Alice Grieve, “Paved the Way” 

Mill Creek Elementary School PTA, Alabama 

“This skirt made of ties has the names of brave women who showed their voice by stepping into fields that usually were associated with men, such as math, engineering, science and politics. These women persisted, sacrificed and paved the way for other women to step in those same fields. They made it easier for me to follow my dreams about being a structural engineer for NASA. I left one tie blank, because one day, I hope my name is on there.” 

Reflections Winner Alice Grieve

Visual Arts (Special Artist Division) – Megan Lambert, “Hear Me Roar” 

Lake Washington High School PTSA, Washington 

“This is the story of how I found my voice and expressed it through art. I was born with a learning disability, and I did not fit in well with others. I could not talk or communicate and hid in the shadows of others. I found solace in my art by creating my own worlds. Through the helping hands of my teachers, as time passed, I was able to leap through the steppingstones of life. Art has helped me step from the shadows into a world of expression. My voice yells: ‘My name is Megan. Hear me roar!’” 

Reflections Outstanding Interpretation Winner Megan Lambert

Dance Choreography (High School Division) – Nia McKnight, “Where Did the Night Go?” 

Booker T. Washington HSPVA PTSA, Texas 

“I express my voice through dance, in the song Gil Scott-Heron talks about not being able to find the words for a letter to someone he loves. When I can’t find the words to express my opinion, I always find a way through dance. I’ve been generally pretty shy since I was young so voicing my opinion and feelings without talking has always been ideal. That’s part of the reason why I appreciate the art of dance so much. Being able to express yourself through movement.” You can view Nia’s dance choreography and performance here. here. 

Reflections Outstanding Interpretation Winner Nia McKight

Film Production (High School Division) – Sarina Policastro, “Amira’s Letters” 

Ward Melville High School PTSA, New York 

“For a variety of reasons, people are often scared to speak their minds. Some worry about rejection, some worry about offending others, but whatever the reason, many times, the things we want to say go unsaid. This animated film explores the things we would say if we weren’t afraid, and the ways our lives could change if we had the confidence to ‘show our voices’ and tell people the way we feel.” 

Reflections Outstanding Interpretation Winner Sarina Policastro.

Photography (High School Division) – Sebastian Tulin, “The Runner Triumphant” 

Winston Churchill High School PTSA, Maryland 

“Freedom, joy, pain, exhaustion and triumph are the result of countless hours spent working to become the very best. This photo encapsulates the eruption of emotion one feels when all of their work and effort finally pays off; when success is reached; when they know that challenging themselves again and again and again was worth it. These raw emotions can come with any passion. For me, it is photography. Through photography, I have learned how to express my emotions and my ideas. When people see my work, they hear my voice.” 

Reflections Outstanding Interpretation Winner Sebastian Tulin.

Literature (Primary Division) – Minka Van Berkel, “The Girl Who Was Loud Even Though She Didn’t Speak” 

A.P. Willits Elementary School PTA, New York  

“My story is about a girl who doesn’t speak up in the first place, but people still get to know her.  Mindy shows her voice through her actions. Once she realizes that people still got to know her by watching her actions and that they liked her for who she was, she felt more confident to speak up.”  

Reflections Outstanding Interpretation Winner Minka VanBerkel.

Congratulations again to Julie, Alice, Megan, Nia, Sarina, Sebastian and Minka! National PTA will honor these seven young creators during the 2023 National PTA Virtual Convention and will publicly air the celebration during the “2022-2023 Outstanding Interpretation Winners Celebration” event, to air via National PTA’s YouTube channel on Wednesday, July 19 at 7 p.m. EDT. 

We will continue to celebrate these students and each of this year’s national-level awardees throughout the year ahead! Visit PTA.org/ReflectionsAwards for the complete list of 2022-2023 national-level awardees and the official National PTA Reflections Awards announcement.  

The full collection of National PTA award-winning artworks is available for viewing online at the 2022-2023 Reflections Virtual Gallery Exhibit. Enjoy scrolling through images of student art and performance, read student writing, learn about the inspiration behind their creations and listen to full-length music tracks of this year’s national-winning composers.  

Are you inspired to create? The 2023-2024 Reflections program is up and running! Visit your state PTA’s Reflections program page to learn more. 

Cathleen O’Malley is the National PTA Arts in Education Fellow. 

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Healthy Habits for Spring Break

April 24, 2023 By Leave a Comment

Use these tips to have a worry-free, healthy vacation.

Mom applying sunscreen to child

Spring break is just around the corner, and many families are getting ready to go on vacation. While this is an exciting time for kids and parents alike, it’s important to make sure that everyone continues to practice healthy habits while enjoying their time off. Here are some healthy spring break habits for parents taking their kids on vacation:

  • Disinfect High Touch Surfaces: Regardless of where your spring break takes you, help protect your loved ones and reduce the spread of illness-causing germs by disinfecting surfaces while traveling. Lysol Disinfecting Wipes To-Go Packs are great for all your travel needs – they’re designed to clean and disinfect surfaces on-the-go while killing 99.9% of viruses and bacteria. Throw them in your bag, use them on planes, or anywhere else you might want some extra cleanliness while you travel.
  • Stay Hydrated: Traveling can be exhausting and dehydrating, especially if you’re spending time in the sun. Encourage everyone to drink plenty of water throughout the day, and avoid sugary drinks that can lead to dehydration.1
  • Beat the Heat: If you’re vacationing somewhere warm or spending a lot of time outside, make sure your child is fully protected from the sun by applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a factor of SPF 30 or higher to all exposed areas of skin. Apply 15 to 30 minutes before heading outside and make sure to reapply every 2 hours or after swimming.2
  • Handwashing: Washing your hands is a simple and effective way to help prevent the spread of germs. Encourage your children to wash their hands frequently, especially after eating, playing outside, blowing their nose, and coughing or sneezing. As always, make sure your child is using soap and water and washing for at least 20 seconds.3

As everyone returns to school after break, remind your kids to carry these habits back into the classroom for the reminder of the school year. For more resources, visit Lysol.com/HERE.

1 CDC.gov “Heat Stress: Hydration.”

2AAD.org “How to Apply Sunscreen.”

3CDC.com “Handwashing: Clean Hands Saves Lives.”

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National PTA Reflections Virtual Showcase Highlights Young Artists and Family Members 

March 25, 2023 By Leave a Comment
PTA Reflections

On January 25, 2023, National PTA concluded the celebration of the 2021-2022 “I Will Change the World By…” Reflections year with the Reflections Student Arts Virtual Showcase. This special event featured 20 extraordinary young creators sharing the inspiration for their national award-winning artwork, as well as a few of their parents who emphasized the importance of the arts and family engagement.  

Pictured: High schooler Ralienne Nacional (2021-2022 Award of Merit, Music Composition) shares the inspiration for her song, “Change the World.” 

The hour-long presentation, which includes closed captioning in English and Spanish, was attended live by over 900 virtual attendees and remains archived on National PTA’s YouTube channel. 

Clockwise, from left: Eden Salem, Award of Excellence in Film Production, Illinois; Arvin Nambi, Award of Merit in Music Composition, North Carolina; Isaac Cinnamon, Award of Merit in Film Production, South Carolina; Shirly Liu, Award of Excellence in Visual Arts, New Jersey; Sophia Cedillo, Award of Merit in Photography, Kentucky; Diara Giri, Award of Excellence in Literature, Illinois 

Meet Some of the Students Featured in the Showcase  

Nivedhitha “Nivi” Magesh (Award of Excellence in Visual Art, Georgia) shared the inspiration for her award-winning drawing “Warmth in Every Color” as well as other photos of her paintings. 

“I thought of using my art to relieve or help people if they are sad or stressed.” – Nivi Magesh 

Rhyanna Murdock (Award of Excellence in Photography, Idaho) invited us all to be our best selves by lifting others up through difficult times with her award-winning photograph “Rising Up.”  

“I lift others up by being a light when others can’t be.” – Rhyanna Murdock 

Tyme Anusonti-Inthra (Youth’s Benefit Elementary School PTA, Maryland) revealed how he supported conservation and biology projects as a “citizen scientist” in his delightful stop-motion film titled “Mission: Citizen Science.” 

“With the theme in mind, I decided to challenge myself to be a Citizen Scientist for one whole year. My data helps the scientists understand, and hopefully solve, real world problems that we are all facing.” – Tyme Anusonti-Inthra 

Cadence Stewart (Newington Elementary School PTA, South Carolina) shared the meaning behind her award-winning dance choreography “Overcome,” which was created in honor the lives lost to due to gun violence and racism. 

“I create dance choreography because it helps me express my feelings and thoughts when I can’t say it in words. My family supports me by always encouraging me to never give up and to send a message when I’m dancing.” – Cadence Stewart 

This year’s Showcase also featured appearances by several Reflections parents, each highlighting in their own way the role that family can play in nurturing students’ creativity. Here is what some of them had to say: 

“Parents and family members can support their students’ creative expression by just letting them be themselves. As parents, we see the potential in our children and there are things that we want them to accomplish, but we often overlook how they really feel and what they really want to do. Let’s continue to encourage our youth to explore, remain lifelong learners and trust the process.” – Candace Fladger (Cadence’s Mom) 

“When [my children] create art, I can see them trying to express these complex ideas that they have in their heads that they’re not really sure how to say…not really sure how to put it into words…but they can put it into art. – Tonya Hamill (Otto’s Mom) 

“There’s never a day without music in our family… As a family, watching them work hard on a piece to perform it on stage or to enter it into a competition, it’s so rewarding to watch and it makes us so proud because we know how much effort went into it.” – Preetha Nambi (Arvin’s Mom) 

Want to hear more from these and other special guests from the 2023 Reflections Showcase? Visit National PTA’s YouTube channel and watch an archived recording of the full 2021-2022 program year Showcase, along with a celebration video honoring the 7 Outstanding Interpretation awardees of 2021-2022.   

Congratulations, once again, to all the national winners from the 2021-2022 I Will Change the World By… Reflections program. To view the artwork and artist statements from all 200+ national Reflections winners, check out our virtual exhibit of student works at PTA.org/IWillChangeTheWorldBy. 

The national winners for the 2022-2023 Show Your Voice! Reflections program will be announced May 1 at PTA.org/ReflectionsAwards.  

In the meantime, stay connected to National PTA on social media @NationalPTA and #PTAReflections for the latest news from Reflections. For more information about the Reflections program, please visit PTA.org/Reflections. We welcome your support of this next generation of young creators! 

Cathleen O’Malley is the Arts Education Fellow at National PTA. 

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Booster Partners with Dude Perfect

March 24, 2023 By Leave a Comment

Getting students and families excited about a school fundraiser can have a tremendous impact on its success. If your community is motivated to take part in your event, you will raise more funds. Sounds simple, right? But tapping into that excitement isn’t always easy. Which is why we’re so pumped about Booster’s new partnership with Dude Perfect!  

Kids (and parents!) love these YouTube stars — with over 58 million subscribers! Dude Perfect brings big energy to everything they do, and it’s this energy that will have students more motivated than ever!  

Beginning in the fall of 2023, Booster will have exclusive Dude Perfect content to share with participating schools throughout each fundraiser. Plus, lots of fun official Dude Perfect swag prizes to keep participation strong all the way through the event.  

If you have a child who is a super fan of this ultimate Dude Perfect crew, ask them if they want to be in a personalized video with the Dudes. You’re going to get a very ecstatic “yes!” With Booster and Dude Perfect teaming up, now we can make that dream come true! Parents will upload their child’s picture to be featured in a Dude Perfect video, trick shots and all. 

To celebrate this new partnership, Booster is also hosting a giveaway! Enter to win VIP tickets to Dude Perfect’s Panda-Monium tour and give your child an experience they will never forget! The winner of these VIP tickets will get early access to the event, amazing seats and an exclusive photo opportunity with the Dudes themselves! To learn more and enter to win visit http://bit.ly/3Zl7e46. 

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Firearm Violence and ACEs: Prevention Is Possible

February 20, 2023 By Leave a Comment
Girl holding sign in protest to end gun violence

Far too many people die or are injured by firearm violence and suicide. Far too many loved ones receive a phone call or a text that changes their lives forever. But their days started out like any other–adults getting ready for work and students heading to school–and in an instant, turned to tragedy. 

Trends in Violence and Disparities

  • In 2021, there were 47,286 firearm homicides and suicides in the United States – that is an average of nearly 130 deaths every day – and the numbers have been increasing. There were 6,544 more firearm homicides and 2,387 more firearm suicides in 2021 than just two years earlier in 2019.
  • Some groups have higher rates than others. Firearm homicide rates are highest among teens and young adults and among Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Hispanic or Latino populations. Firearm suicide rates are highest among older adults and among American Indian or Alaska Native and non-Hispanic White populations.
  • While the reasons for increasing rates and disparities are complex, several explanations have been proposed. Racism and longstanding inequities (e.g., in economic, educational, housing, and employment opportunities) contribute to disparities. Many social and economic stressors worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly within some racial and ethnic communities.

Impacts on Youth and Schools

Violence has far-reaching impacts on youth and the school environment. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are preventable, potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood. These include experiencing or witnessing violence in the home. They also include aspects of a child’s environment that can undermine their sense of safety, stability, and bonding. Experiencing ACEs can have physical, behavioral, and mental health effects in both the short-term and long-term for youth and their families.

A recent report on ACEs found:

  • Nearly 3 out of 4 students experienced at least one recent ACE during the pandemic, such as emotional abuse or food insecurity.
  • Students who experienced more ACEs during the pandemic were more likely to report poor mental health and to have attempted suicide in the past year than those who experienced no recent ACEs.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Violence, firearm injuries and deaths, and ACEs are preventable. A comprehensive approach to preventing violence in communities is key, and school communities – parents, teachers, staff, and administrators – have an important role to play in prevention.

Role of School and Community Leaders in Prevention

CDC has released a range of prevention resources, including resources to help enhance school connectedness and prevent youth violence, community violence, ACEs, and suicide. These resources summarize the best available evidence for prevention. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also has resources for families addressing childhood adversity and teen suicide prevention.

Here are 4 examples of strategies and programs that are specific to schools:

  • Child Parent Centers and Early Head Start. These programs create opportunities to support parents and engage them in their child’s academic development.
  • Middle– and high school–based programs. Programs that are implemented in classrooms can enhance communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, empathy, and impulse control. They have shown substantial benefits, including reductions in violence.
  • After-school programs. After-school programs address key risk and protective factors for youth violence. They help to provide supervision during critical times of the day when youth crime and violence peak. These programs also provide tutoring and homework assistance, formal skill-based programming, and structured learning activities to promote future success.
  • Safe routes home from school. Programs providing students safe routes to and from school place highly visible community members along these routes to monitor and assist with students’ safe travel.

These are just a few examples. Many incidents of violence in school start outside of school, and a comprehensive approach in communities is important to enhance safety inside and outside of school.

While it is not reasonable to expect schools to solve the violence problem on their own, schools are an important part of the solution to violence. Parents, teachers and the school community can take action to prevent firearm violence and ACEs.

By Dr. Thomas Simon, Senior Director for Scientific Program, Division of Violence Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  

Dr. Lois Lee, Chair of the Council on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics

Dr. Simon and Dr. Lee joined National PTA President Anna King for a conversation on what parents need to know about ACEs, the impact of gun violence on school communities, and preventative actions school and community leaders can take to provide a safe and welcoming school environment for all children. Watch the recording at PTA.org/GunViolencePrevention.

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Meet Paige Opaska—the 2024-2025 Reflections Theme Search Contest Winner! 

February 14, 2023 By Leave a Comment
PTA Reflections

Every year, National PTA invites students across the PTA member network to participate in the annual Reflections Theme Search Contest—a national competition to select an original and inspiring theme for the upcoming Reflections year. We are so pleased to announce the winner of the 2024-2025 Reflections Theme Search… drumroll please! 

Congratulations to Paige Opaska, an 8th grader from Barbara Bush Middle School PTA in San Antonio, Texas, for her winning theme, “Accepting Imperfection.”  

Paige’s theme was selected from nearly 100 student submissions across 20 State PTAs, with reviews conducted by the National PTA board officers and programs committee. As the Theme Search Contest winner, Paige will receive $100 from National PTA and national recognition throughout the year.  

“Accepting Imperfection” will serve as the inspiration for hundreds of thousands of students across the country and in U.S. schools abroad as they create original dance choreography, film productions, music compositions, photography, literature and visual art as part of the 2024-2025 Reflections program. 

Paige described her theme in this way: “‘Accepting Imperfection’ is a reminder to myself that mistakes are welcome because they are a part of being human. Our flaws are as much a part of us as our strengths, so being imperfect should be perfect enough for us.” 

Texas State PTA leadership, Paige’s middle school principal and special guests surprised her with a weeknight Zoom call Jan. 18 to announce that her theme had been chosen as the national winner.  

The announcement included Michelle Jackson, Texas PTA, Executive Director; Carrie Mays, Texas PTA, Programs Manager; Melinda Samberson, Texas PTA VP Programs and Resources; Risa Ginther, Texas PTA Arts in Ed Chair; Ana-Maria Morales, President, Barbara Bush Middle School PTA; Lettie Galarza, Barbara Bush Middle School PTA, Reflections Chair; Rodolfo Salinas, Principal, Barbara Bush Middle School; Kate Patterson, North East ISD Council of PTAs, Arts in Education; and Debbie Weissmuller, North East ISD Council of PTAs, President. Thanks to Paige’s mom, Kristen Opaska, for helping coordinate the big reveal—check out those smiles! 

The “Accepting Imperfection” theme was a strong favorite among National PTA’s Theme Search review panel, with one reviewer noting that the theme “allows students room to show vulnerability, a willingness to address failure and move on, promotes empathy and a pro-mental health mindset.”  

In addition to participating in the theme search competition, Paige is one of the hundreds of thousands of students across the country who submitted artwork for the current year’s Reflections 2022-2023 program, inspired by the theme, “Show Your Voice!” When asked for advice to other young artists looking to develop their creativity, Paige replied: 

“I’m involved in a lot of different clubs within my school, including band and sports, so my advice would be, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and take advantage of opportunities you are given.”  

The current 2022-2023 theme, “Show Your Voice!” was submitted by 2021 Theme Search winner Jason Yevin from Salk/Macarthur PTSA in New York State. Regional and state submissions for the current year are ongoing, with national winners to be announced May 1, so mark your calendar! 

Next year’s 2023-2024 Reflections program theme, “I Am Hopeful Because...” was composed by Alice Meko of Hampton Cove Elementary School in Alabama during the 2022 Theme Search.  You can learn more about Alice’s theme idea in this blog post. Stay tuned for the program launch at PTA.org/Reflections and then look for more information from your participating state PTA. 

Students from PTA member schools can help shape the future of the Reflections program by participating in the annual Theme Search Contest. We welcome your creativity and imagination! Visit your state PTA’s Reflections Program page to learn more.  

Cathleen O’Malley is the 2022-2024 National PTA Arts in Education Fellow. 

Filed Under: Art Education, Slider Tagged With: , , ,

10 Ways to Share Notes from the Backpack with Your Community

January 12, 2023 By Leave a Comment

National PTA’s podcast, Notes from the Backpack is helpful resource to share with families in your community! Since its launch in 2019, the show has released more than 60 episodes on a wide variety of topics from raising a curious kid to navigating the transition to middle school. As PTA leaders, it’s important to show the value of PTA to your community, and this podcast can help you do so! Beyond including the link to the show in your e-newsletter, what more can your PTA do to spread the word?

    1. Up Your Social Media Game. If you already promote the latest episodes of Notes from the Backpack on your social media pages, consider asking your school or district to do the same! Become an official podcast promoter here to ensure you receive all the latest graphics and promotional language.
    2. Embed the Notes from the Backpack Podcast Player Onto Your PTA Website! State PTAs and District, Council, Region PTAs can embed the podcast player directly onto their website for easy access. Check out how Washington State PTA includes the podcast player as one of its key family engagement resources. Email NotesFromTheBackpack@pta.org to learn more about how you can embed the podcast player on your website!
    3. Share Episodes that Connect to Relevant Events. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, making it a great time to share our Healthy Minds Miniseries and Pride month is ideal for promoting Helping LGBTQ+ Youth Thrive.
    4. Encourage Families to Listen to Episodes that Align with your PTA’s Advocacy Goals. If your PTA is advocating for increased school budgets, then it’s a great time to share Money Talks: School Finance 101. If your PTA is working to change the school’s discipline policies, consider promoting The Truth About School Discipline in America.
    5. Use Podcast Episodes to Educate About Community Issues. When schools face serious issues like bullying or gun violence, hearing directly from a researcher can help the community get on the same page. If your school is launching a new Social and Emotional Learning program, then What is Social and Emotional Learning Anyway? can serve as a helpful introduction!
    6. Host a Podcast Discussion. Think of it as a book club, but instead of a book, the conversation centers on the key themes and ideas from an episode of Notes from the Backpack. Consider using an episode like Raising Kids Who Embrace Race to start conversations about Diversity, Equity & Inclusion or tie it to academics with an episode like Growing Great Readers.
    7. Integrate Podcast Promotion into Your PTA Programs. National PTA Programs provide access to engaging, educational and fun opportunities and the podcast can be a great supplement to these activities. If your community is participating in PTA Connected, encourage families to keep the conversation going with Social Media & Cyberbullying.  When it’s time for Reflections, hear directly from contest winner Julian Bass.
    8. Spread the word. Talk about the podcast when you’re catching up with parents at pick up, waiting for the PTA meeting to start, or socializing at a school event. Don’t forget to include the podcast as a resource in your workshops and trainings, too!
    9. Promote our Spanish Podcast episodes. If you have Spanish speaking families in your community, be sure they know about our Spanish podcast, Notas de La Mochila. We currently offer eight episodes in Spanish covering everything from cyberbullying to parent advocacy.
    10. Rate & Review the Show. Did you know that ratings and reviews help new listeners find our show? Open up the show on Apple Podcasts and leave us a rating and a note to share your favorite episode!
      Filed Under: Family Engagement, General, Membership, Slider Tagged With: , ,
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