Call to Arkansas PTA Convention
Arkansas PTA March, 2015 Lights… Camera… Volume 93, No. 1 Are you ready for your close up? Lights, Camera, Action…PTA. You can play a starring role. How? Attend the 90th Annual Arkansas PTA Convention on April 24-25 at the Holiday Inn City Center in Fort Smith. We have lots of exciting things planned for this year’s event. Our workshop sessions include opportunities to build your PTA skills, enhance your parenting skills or learn more about education programs in our state. Please make plans to arrive early Friday to attend a special “MakeIt, Take-It”. While this workshop will be repeated on Saturday, the Saturday seating will be limited. “May the Force Be With You” at our Reflections luncheon which will feature a “Star Wars” theme and include cirque style entertainment from Re-Creation Circus of Little Rock. Hollywood glamour is on the menu for the Friday evening awards banquet where we honor the accomplishments of educators, administrators, community leaders and PTA units from across Arkansas. We will also be announcing the winners of our “10 to Win” and “30 for 30” membership competitions (for more information visit www.arkansaspta.org). It’s an election year at Arkansas PTA. You will have the opportunity to meet and elect the new officers for your Arkansas PTA board of managers. Add to all this, amazing door prizes, fun and games, and you will have a weekend that will energize your unit, bond your leaders, grow new ideas and be entertaining, as well. Don’t forget about the 2nd annual “Sooie’s Choice” Award. Simply bring a standard 2’ X 3’ poster board that includes information about events, programs, activities and accomplishments of your PTA this school year. Highlight whatever you choose and be creative! Delegates at the convention will vote for the unit that presents the strongest year. The winner will receive the travelling “Sooie’s Choice” trophy from the 2014 winner, Parkview Elementary in Van Buren. This is a great opportunity to share all your hard work and be recognized by those working on behalf of their PTAs across the state. Beth Everett, State Convention Chair In 2014, Parkview Elementary PTA was selected by the convention delegates to receive the traveling trophy that we call the “Sooie’s Choice Award”. Get to work on your poster board and let’s make sure this traveling trophy hits the road in 2015. It makes for a great conversation starter about PTA in general and about the BEAPIG promotion in Arkansas PTA. President’s Message 2015 State Convention: Find your PTA “role of a lifetime”! This state convention marks the end of my term as state president. At the beginning of the term, I shared with you the logo to the right and a theme with a rhetorical question of “What role will you play in PTA?” This convention, with a Hollywood backdrop, is a great way to wrap up the topic. I’ve had a lot of fun donning various hats and costumes these past two years. It certainly wasn’t subtle at times, but I hope that everyone gets the point – we all play various roles in our lives and PTA is no different. As a PTA leader, you find great joy when you find a PTA position (role) that suits you. Some of us like roles that are comfortable – roles that fit into our skill set and natural abilities. Some of us like roles that stretch us – roles that develop new skills and test our ability. Our convention is set up to allow you to network with experts in Arkansas and across the nation. Given the Hollywood theme, let’s say it this way – we will try to give you (or show you how to get for yourself) the script, the props, the financing and the supporting cast to get your PTA show started – so that you’re ready to get back to your school and say “Action!” By the way, this convention will also be fun – if you like fun. We have an entertaining keynote speaker. We have a circus acrobatic show for Reflections. We have our own version of “Hollywood Game Night”. Oh yeah, and we have prizes. So unless you’re a “fun hater”, I hope to see you in Fort Smith. This is my last president’s message. I hope that you find a role in PTA that gives you joy, pride and fulfilment. I’ve found many roles in PTA that have meant more to me than most will ever know. Hollywood is a city built on telling stories, so here’s my PTA story: My first role was that of elementary PTA Treasurer. As an accountant, it was right up my alley. I wrote PTA checks for teacher appreciation days and classroom enhancements and became known as the “money man” around the school. I quickly found out just how much a PTA does. As much volunteer work there is to do in PTA, cash is still king. As treasurer, I saw everything the PTA did. In fact, writing our PTA check for Council dues introduced me to the work of a PTA Council. A couple of years later, I was called by the PTA Council President with a request to serve as the Council Vice President. I pointed out that I had actually never been to a Council meeting. Apparently, that wasn’t a requirement to be elected. In fact, I could attend my first meeting the next day when I accepted the nomination as VP. Two years as VP is easy work he said. It might have been if the President hadn’t had surgery. I was called into a lot more leadership duties than I had planned. Having never served as a local unit president, this role really stretched me and took me outside my comfort zone. However, I stayed on the Council to serve as an elected President and was exposed to some great things going on in the school district. I got to know all the district principals and tour each school. That type of exposure is priceless – I encourage each of you to consider it if the opportunity is available to you. I was in my second year as Council President, when I was contacted by a state PTA board member. We knew each other through a civic organization and she had seen me in action in the Council PTA. There was a vacancy on the state board. It seemed like the natural next step, so I decided to serve. I started out as the Parent Involvement Chair (now the Family Engagement Chair). I don’t think I spoke at the first two board meetings. True, I was learning, but I still didn’t feel like I was contributing. The state PTA treasurer resigned in the next summer. As an accountant, I was asked to assume the treasurer duties. It was this period of time that I finally felt I was making a real contribution. I didn’t know much about bylaws or advocacy or Reflections or membership or National PTA (this list could go on for a full page), but I did know about keeping “the books”. I was using my time and talent to support state PTA leaders that knew what they were doing. I could take care of the books as they took care of the work of PTA. Here I am, in dress rehearsal, for the role of a lifetime that I hope to play. JJ, call me! If they gave out Academy Awards for PTA work, this was the closest I would get to getting an Oscar, albeit a “supporting actor” one. However, they don’t give out Oscars at PTA. That doesn’t mean I still might not use my last presidential address as the vehicle to give an Oscar acceptance speech. You need to come to our state convention to find out. 2016-2017 Reflections Program Theme Search – Arkansas Entries Arkansas PTA received pages and pages of theme applications. Each state is allowed to submit five entries to National PTA and they are listed below. Just think – one could be the nationwide theme for 2016-17 Reflections! LOL by Zuzu Warren (4th Grade) Prairie Grove PTA, Prairie Grove The imagination world… by Thomas Foster (3rd Grade) Roberts Elementary PTA, Little Rock The sky is not the limit by Emily Jefferson (5th Grade) Roberts Elementary PTA, Little Rock The world thru my eyes by Kennedie Cox (3rd Grade) City Hights Elementary PTA, Van Buren Why not? by Atticus Warren (7th Grade) Prairie Grove PTA, Prairie Grove Winner, Winner - Chicken* Dinner! Arkansas PTA proudly announces the following winners for Reflections 2015. All winners are invited to our Celebration Luncheon on Friday, April 24th. *Actual menu may not include chicken and is served at lunch. 2015 Reflections Winners 1st – Kalexus King 2nd – Katie Fimple 3rd – Julie Paull HM – Carol Belle Foster HM – Azaria E.J. Pierce Choreography - Primary Division Choreography - Primary Division Choreography - Primary Division Choreography – Primary Division Choreography – Primary Division Bernice Young Elementary Lakewood Elementary John Tyson Elementary Don Roberts Elementary Holcomb Elementary 1st – Kenslee Roberson 2nd – Samantha White 3rd - (Tie) Lea Edwards 3rd - (Tie) Rhett Shuman HM – Scarlett Barnes HM – Jayden Beasley Choreography - Intermediate Division Choreography - Intermediate Division Choreography - Intermediate Division Choreography – Intermediate Division Choreography – Intermediate Division Choreography – Intermediate Division Forest Heights Elementary Crestwood Elementary Meadow Park Elementary Indian Hills Elementary Bernice Young Elementary Amboy Elementary 1st – Caitlyn Ashley HM – Kelvin Stubblefield Choreography – Middle School Division Ramsey Junior High Choreography – High School Division Little Rock Hall 1st – Paul Haustein 2nd – Jett Johnston 3rd – Carter Lee Film – Primary Division Film – Primary Division Film – Primary Division Lakewood Elementary Lakewood Elementary Lakewood Elementary 1st – Kai Davis 2nd – Dakota Leker 3rd – Vin Zimmerman Film – Intermediate Division Film – Intermediate Division Film – Intermediate Division Crestwood Elementary Crestwood Elementary Indian Hills Elementary 1st – Aaron Oliger Film – Middle School Division Walker Elementary 1st – Will Robinson Film – High School Division Chaffin Junior High 1st – Jacob Clark 2nd – Timara Holt 3rd – Jake Veach HM – Ruby Latch HM – Lyriq Miller HM – Max Stephenson Literature – Primary Division Literature – Primary Division Literature – Primary Division Literature – Primary Division Literature – Primary Division Literature – Primary Division North Heights Elementary North Heights Elementary Valley View North Heights Elementary North Heights Elementary Amboy Elementary 1st – Armani Woods 2nd – Raga Mandali 3rd – Asia Hicks HM – Shaniya Burdett HM – Andrew Dillman HM – Emma Mosley Literature – Intermediate Division Literature – Intermediate Division Literature – Intermediate Division Literature – Intermediate Division Literature – Intermediate Division Literature – Intermediate Division North Heights Elementary Don Roberts Elementary North Heights Elementary North Heights Elementary Lakewood Elementary Crestwood Elementary 2015 Reflections Winners 1st – Layla Haynor 2nd – Melody Volavong 3rd – Parker Ross HM – Molly Gritus HM – Rylee Norton HM – Lauren Sights Literature – Middle School Division Literature – Middle School Division Literature – Middle School Division Literature – Middle School Division Literature – Middle School Division Literature – Middle School Division Ramsey Junior High Chaffin Junior High Chaffin Junior High Chaffin Junior High Chaffin Junior High Chaffin Junior High 1st – Angela Wang 2nd – Gaylee Spurlock 3rd – David Xiang HM – Rachel Farhat HM – Amanda Hicks HM – Carley Moe HM – Parker Stroud Literature – High School Division Literature – High School Division Literature – High School Division Literature – High School Division Literature – High School Division Literature – High School Division Literature – High School Division Little Rock Central High Valley View Little Rock Central High Chaffin Junior High Little Rock Hall High Chaffin Junior High Chaffin Junior High 1st – Carol Belle Foster 2nd – Isaac Sorenson HM – Kaya Harris HM – Henry Sorenson Music Comp – Primary Division Music Comp – Primary Division Music Comp – Primary Division Music Comp – Primary Division Don Roberts Elementary Amboy Elementary Amboy Elementary Amboy Elementary 1st – Kailee Webb 2nd – Isabel Fuentes 3rd – Brady Billingsley HM – Maddie Cochran HM – Linda Huggins HM – Derrick Smith HM – Ryan Yumang Music Comp – Intermediate Division Music Comp – Intermediate Division Music Comp – Intermediate Division Music Comp – Intermediate Division Music Comp – Intermediate Division Music Comp – Intermediate Division Music Comp – Intermediate Division Parson Hills Elementary Tilles Elementary Bernice Young Elementary City Heights Elementary John Tyson Elementary Boone Park Elementary Bernice Young Elementary 1st – Brinn Brammer Music Comp – Middle School Division Butterfield Trail Middle 1st – Kenneth Pham Music Comp – High School Division 2nd – Alexandra Salamone Music Comp – High School Division 3rd – Safi Alsebai Music Comp – High School Division Chaffin Junior High Southside High Little Rock Central High 1st – Kaden Hurst 2nd – Azaria Pierce 3rd – Natalie Athey Photography – Primary Division Photography – Primary Division Photography – Primary Division Indian Hills Elementary Holcomb Elementary Bernice Young Elementary 1st – Brady Billingsley 2nd – E.J. Bonilla 3rd – Leighanne Bonilla HM – Brock Billingsley HM – Seth Hilts Photography – Intermediate Division Photography – Intermediate Division Photography – Intermediate Division Photography – Intermediate Division Photography – Intermediate Division Bernice Young Elementary Parkview Elementary Parkview Elementary Bernice Young Elementary Barling Elementary 1st – Crey Hargrave Photography – Middle School Division Fairview Elementary 2015 Reflections Winners 1st – Michael Partain Photography – High School Division 2nd – Josey Didion Photography – High School Division rd 3 – Mallory Koenigseder Photography – High School Division Van Buren Freshman Northside High Chaffin Junior High 1st – Gavin Jones 2nd – Azaria E.J. Pierce 3rd – Jenna Southard HM – Madigan Bowsman HM – Katelyn Corbitt HM – Jagger Jones HM – Jazmin McGuire Visual Arts – Primary Division Visual Arts – Primary Division Visual Arts – Primary Division Visual Arts – Primary Division Visual Arts – Primary Division Visual Arts – Primary Division Visual Arts – Primary Division Forest Heights Elementary Holcomb Elementary Cavanaugh Elementary Crestwood Elementary Bellview Elementary Bellview Elementary Cook Elementary 1st – Aryn Martinez 2nd – Asia McKinney 3rd – Ashlyn Cancel HM – Megan Bean HM – Aurora Herrera HM – Custodio Reyes Visual Arts – Intermediate Division Visual Arts – Intermediate Division Visual Arts – Intermediate Division Visual Arts – Intermediate Division Visual Arts – Intermediate Division Visual Arts – Intermediate Division Bonneville Elementary Beard Elementary Cook Elementary Indian Hills Elementary Fairview Elementary Fairview Elementary 1st – Lowell Matias 2nd – Sylvanna Bentley 3rd – Buck Santos HM – Leah Delanney HM – Sophia Gebreab HM – Astrid Ketcham HM – Marlee Richardson Visual Arts – Middle School Division Visual Arts – Middle School Division Visual Arts – Middle School Division Visual Arts – Middle School Division Visual Arts – Middle School Division Visual Arts – Middle School Division Visual Arts – Middle School Division Butterfield Trail Middle Fairview Elementary Fairview Elementary Carnall Elementary Chaffin Junior High Chaffin Junior High Lakewood Middle 1st – Nivetha Srinivasan 2nd – Javier Fernandez 3rd – Caitlyn Pugh HM – Jesus Rodriguez HM – Elizabeth Sloas HM – Morgan Southern HM – Mikaela Thayer Visual Arts – High School Division Visual Arts – High School Division Visual Arts – High School Division Visual Arts – High School Division Visual Arts – High School Division Visual Arts – High School Division Visual Arts – High School Division Little Rock Central High Northside High Ramsey Junior High Northside High Valley View Springdale High Northside High 1st – Jatyra Campbell 2nd – Michael Thomas HM – William Gordon HM – William Nickell Visual Arts – Special Artist Division Visual Arts – Special Artist Division Visual Arts – Special Artist Division Visual Arts – Special Artist Division Tilles Elementary Ballman Elementary Ramsey Junior High Ramsey Junior High Congratulations to all our winners and to all students that participated this year! PTA Leaders, please encourage students to begin working on their various works of art using the 2015-2016 Reflections theme: Let Your Imagination Fly Nominating Committees and Elections by Betsy Hayes, AR PTA Secretary Talking about officers for next year makes me realize that spring is around the corner! Thank goodness! Please check your bylaws to see when your unit should be forming a nominating committee. It should tell you the month and how many people are on that committee. Remember: it is to be an odd number and the president cannot serve on this committee. This committee is to nominate one person for each elected office. This usually means president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. Some units include a second VP, which is in your bylaws. Everyone nominated must be a PTA member and agree to serve if elected. These officers are expected to abide by the PTA Ethics and Code of Conduct. Along with the nominating instructions, your bylaws specify the month of the announcement and the month for the election. A unit must give 30 day notice before the elections and allow for nominations to be taken from the floor. Elections can be by show of hand or ballot but only by PTA members. Remember to look for experience but also try to involve new people for these positions. Never should a board be hand-picked by the outgoing or incoming president. Each PTA should strive for diversity among its officers and members; the PTA board should reflect the diversity of the student population if at all possible. Good Luck and have a productive end of the year. Dotting the “i’s” and Crossing the “t’s” by Melinda Kinnison, AR PTA Treasurer Here are just a few reminders for maintaining proper financial records. 1. Two signatures are required on all checks! Yes, we realize that the bank will send it through, but the bank isn’t the institution requiring two signatures – it’s the IRS. When your books are audited, that is one of the things that the auditors should be checking! 2. Each transaction needs a receipt! There are many ways to organize these, but the point is that you have them. Again, checking for these should be a part of your audit process. 3. Your bank statements aren’t “for treasurer’s eyes only”, but they are for members only. Most bonding insurance companies will not cover a claim if your bank statements are not being reviewed by someone who is not authorized to sign checks. This is a great job for a Vice President or a President Elect – if they are not signers on the account. This may be done at board meetings, before the treasurer takes them for balancing the account, or you may even make arrangements with the bank to have a second set mailed to the person reviewing the statements. Make sure that they are signed (or initialed) and dated by the person reviewing them. At the end of the year they should be filed with your audit. 4. If someone requests your bank statements, contact Arkansas PTA! Non-members do not need to know which bank you are using or your account numbers. If someone is requesting financial information, your audit is considered a public record. A copy of your audit should provide the information that they are entitled to view. You may always give permission to someone to look closer at your records, but they do not need to have their own copies. Membership Contests Ends March 20, 2015 by Beth Everett, AR PTA VP of Membership To encourage membership growth at the local level and meet our state goal of 30,000 members, Arkansas PTA announced two membership contests with real cash prizes. “10 to Win!” gives your PTA a chance to win up to $500. For every 10 members you remit to Arkansas PTA by March 20, 2015, your PTA gets one chance in a drawing for a cash prize 10 $50 winners, 5 $100 winners and one big prize of $500. “30 for 30” gives your PTA a chance to win $1,000. For every 30 members you remit to Arkansas PTA by March 20, 2015, your PTA gets one chance in a drawing for one cash prize of $1,000. That means if you send in 30 more members by March 20, 2015 you have three chances to win up to $500 and one chance to win a cool grand ($1,000). Arkansas PTA Announces More Winners for 2015 Winning Participants of the Membership Database Race: Boone Park Elementary PTA (North Little Rock) Membership Chair Michelle Jones PTA Member Leah James Parkview High School PTSA (Little Rock) Membership Chair Deborah Fletcher PTA Member Jack Burge In the Membership Database Race, each PTA submitted membership lists electronically to the office of Arkansas PTA. We randomly selected two PTAs to receive $50.00, with each PTA’s Membership Chair receiving an additional $50.00. We then randomly selected one PTA member from each PTA’s submitted membership list to receive $50.00. 2015-2017 Arkansas PTA Board of Managers Nominees Nominee Keli Gill Shelly Anderson Taja Howard Jennifer Garner Melinda Kinnison Christine Hardin Beth Everett Charles Warren Phillip Crutchfield Betsy Hayes David Howard Michelle Cadle Tanya Broadnax VACANT Board Position President President Elect VP - Leadership VP - Legislation VP - Membership Secretary Treasurer Immediate Past President VP - Central Region VP - West Region VP - NW Region VP - NE Region VP - SE Region VP - SW Region Region NW NE NW NW Central West West West Central West NW NE SE SW Julie Delashaw Rick Holman Twanna Johnson Marsha Jones Mandy Hoffman Denise Ennett Nena Tucker Geraldine Nichols Bylaws Chair Communications Chair Diversity & Inclusion Chair Education Chair Family Engagement Chair Health & Safety Chair Outreach Chair Reflections Chair Central West Central NW NW Central West West President, Keli Gill I am a school secretary in Springdale Arkansas. I live in Springdale with my husband Tom and three children - Austin, Devin and Rylee. I began my journey with PTA in 2007 when my oldest child entered kindergarten. The next year found me on my first PTA board. I served my local units as a parliamentarian and then two years as a unit president. I was president for the 3rd time when my kids were rezoned to a new school and we opened a PTA in that school. I joined my local council board in 2010. My move up to the council level opened my eyes to a whole new PTA. In the fall of 2010, I served on the planning committee for the 86th annual Arkansas PTA convention that was held in Springdale AR. In the spring of 2011, I wrote and received a $20,000 grant from National PTA for the Springdale City Council PTA (SCCPTA). I served as the SCCPTA VP and the project lead for the Common Core State Standards Initiative and grassroots advocacy project. I spent the fall of 2011 and most of 2012 traveling with my board members training PTA members in grassroots advocacy and the impact of the Common Core State Standards here in Arkansas. During our grant process, we trained many PTA members from across the state at various events such as the National PTA Legislative Conference and the National PTA Convention. We also made presentations for many state and national groups, including the Arkansas School Board Association, the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the National School Board Association. In 2011, I stepped up onto the Arkansas PTA Board of Managers as the Common Core State Standard Initiative Chairperson for 2011-2013. I became the SCCPTA President for the year 2012-2013. In March 2013, I presented at the Arkansas Legislative Day and have continued to research the legislation that has been presented during the 2013 Legislative session at the Arkansas General Assembly. I served as the Arkansas representative to the National Council of States in 2013 and 2014. During my journey I found a deep love of PTA and what PTA represents. I hope to continue to work with PTA for many years to come. President Elect, Shelly Anderson Shelly Anderson is originally from Memphis, TN but now resides in Jonesboro, AR with her husband of 18 years, Jeff, and their two children, Aynabeth (17) and Jack (11). Shelly has a marketing background but currently works in the field of medical sales. She is very active within her community by being a member of Junior Auxiliary, a Past President of her local PTA at Valley View Schools, being the county President for Out of the Dark Inc., a youth drug prevention program within the schools as well as being supportive of other philanthropic endeavors. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and children. Shelly has been a Board member for the last four years serving as the Northeast AR VP and is excited to continue the important work that PTA does, for many years to come. VP of Leadership, Taja Howard (she’s the one on the left) When my oldest began Kindergarten 12 years ago, I honestly didn’t know what PTA was locally much less that it was a national organization. A parent volunteer, another PTA member, stopped me in the hall of our little elementary school and asked if I wanted to become a PTA members and “help”. I was blessed to be a stay at home mom, and was so excited to become involved with anything that would ‘help’ where my child’s education was concerned. During that first year, I volunteered for many local events that our PTA sponsored and was glad to be a voice for local decisions that affected my oldest child. During my time in PTA, I have remarried, to an amazing man, and my family has grown to five amazing boys that my husband and I raise. Over those years, due to the importance of issues that impact my children and ALL CHILDREN, my voice has grown too! I am thankful that because of PTA, we each have a voice! I had no idea then how big of an impact PTA would have on my life and how important an association it has been for over 100 years. Since joining 12 years ago, I have held several local unit positions; President, Treasurer, Council Rep, Yearbook Chair, Membership Chair and Council Hospitality Chair and with each new position comes a wealth of new knowledge. About 8 years ago, I became the Northwest Field Service Rep for the Arkansas PTA, and I have met several great new people since then. Two terms as FSR, a term as Bulletin Chair and a term as ARPTA NW Region VP have given me many learning experiences as well as many great memories. No matter what hat I have worn for PTA, it has been fun and very informative. I look forward to many years of “helping” and I am still glad I was ASKED all those years ago! VP of Legislation, Jennifer Garner Jennifer Garner lives in Springdale with her husband, Greg and two children, Glenn (17) and Summer (12). She has been active in PTA since 2000 and currently serves as the Springdale PTA Council President, Treasurer for Sonora Middle School PTSA and Treasurer for Springdale High School PTSA. Jennifer is a graduate of the College of Engineering at the University of Arkansas and is owner of Real Time Engineering in Springdale. VP of Membership, Melinda Kinnison Melinda Kinnison is from North Little Rock and currently serves as the Treasurer for Arkansas PTA. She and her husband Mike have been married for 27 years, and both of their children have graduated from high school. Melinda is employed as a Medical Technologist at Baptist Medical Center – Little Rock and as the Keyboard Musician at Lakewood United Methodist Church. She has represented Arkansas PTA at meetings with the Arkansas Department of Education, the legislative committee for Whole Community, Whole Child, and the Arkansas Grade Level Reading Campaign. Secretary, Christine Hardin Christine Hardin lives in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She has been a member of PTA for many years throughout the years as her children attended Fort Smith public schools. She served as president at Ramsey Junior High for two years and also served as president for two years at Northside High school. She has served on Fort Smith Council two terms as the Reflections chair. Christine has served three years as Health & Safety chair on the Arkansas State board, and for the last two years West Region VP on the Arkansas State board. In addition to her PTA activities, she has served as a Girl Scout Leader, sat on the Board for Habitat for Humanity as Secretary, and as the Vice President, and Step Up and Speak Out. Christine works several hours a week at the Children’s Emergency Shelter, and does all of the Health & Safety for Fort Smith Public Schools. Christine’s PTA experience began as most of ours does, when her children entered the school system. Her moto is the more time you spend with your children and being involved in their school, the better the child does. Christine will continue to support and promote the mission of PTA by encouraging parents and community leaders to get involved and become advocates for our children. As a parent, she believes that getting involved and supporting the efforts of PTA and their advocacy for children is a responsibility and a privilege. Treasurer, Beth Everett Beth Everett became involved in PTA when her now 12 year old son, Aidan, started Kindergarten at Parkview Elementary in Van Buren. She has served on the boards of Parkview, Northridge Middle School PTA and is the current President of the Van Buren PTA Council. For the past two years she has been the Vice President of Membership for the Arkansas PTA Board of Managers. Beth has a BA in History from Thomas More College in Crestview Hills, Kentucky and a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Kentucky which led to a 9 year career in legislative administration in both Kentucky and Tennessee. She has been married to her husband, Dennis, for 17 years and is Mom to Aidan and his little brother Evan, 8. Central Region VP, Phillip Crutchfield Phillip lives in North Little Rock with his wife Sharonica and children; Courtney, Kaylon and Christopher. He pastors Christ’s Church Assembly in North Little Rock, and has been involved in pastoral ministry for 10 years. Phillip is a native of Little Rock, and is a 1984 graduate of Little Rock Central High. He became involved in PTA at the urging of his wife in 2009 to help cope with several physical disabilities and has served as unit & council President, as well as a Central Field Service Rep. He also served as Vice President for several units within the North Little Rock district. He is often called on at fall festival time to prepare turkey legs and funnel cakes for elementary schools. As a parent he frequents the halls of Lakewood middle and the NLR East campus to ensure that Christopher and Kaylon are always on task. He is leaving his children a legacy of serving others, having served in the US Marine Corp Reserves and in law enforcement. West Region VP, Betsy Hayes Betsy Hayes, a resident of Fort Smith, has 3 grown children and 3 grandchildren. She has been involved with PTA for 30 years - as a teacher, parent, and now a grandparent. Elected positions she has held at the local units include: President of Ballman Elementary, President of Ramsey Junior High, and Secretary and Vice President of Southside High School. For the Fort Smith Council of PTAs, she has served as President and Secretary. For four of the last six years, Betsy has been the Vice President and then the Field Service Rep for the West Region. In 2010 she attended the National PTA Legislative Conference in Arlington, Virginia. In, 2012, Betsy served as the chairperson for state PTA convention NW Region VP, David Howard (he’s the one on the right) My first experience with PTA was a pretty unique situation. I had two boys in public school, however they attended a school without any parent involvement group at all. I had heard of PTA but really didn’t know much about it, or think it was as important as it is. I first got involved at a local elementary school helping out friends and from there I got on the committee to help plan state convention for 2011, seeing the definite need to get more fathers involved in my area. At that convention I became the Northwest Region Field Service Rep and served the next two years learning about the importance of PTA nationally while helping those within my state in any way I could. Seeing a need for representation in other areas of our state, I volunteered to become the Southwest Region VP. I am married to the woman of my dreams and blessed to be raising five amazing young men, all who know the importance of PTA and support my efforts. NE Region VP, Michelle Caudle Michelle and her husband Elijah reside in Weiner, a small town in Poinsett County, located in Northeast Arkansas, not far from Jonesboro. She is the mother of two boys, Andrew 14 and Conner, 7. Michelle is extremely active in her community as the Philanthropy Chair for Valley View PTA, Scout Master, Cub Master and Secretary of the Weiner Baseball/Softball Association. She spends many hours doing other projects such as being a chairperson for various community fundraisers as well as serving as the Secretary for Out of the Dark, a drug prevention program in area schools and has been nominated as President of Valley View Schools PTA. She is also a heavy advocate for Legislation in Education, fighting at our State Capitol for fair and proper legislation for our schools. She has been a leader in helping legislators to better understand the effects of Act 60 which consolidates small schools regardless of academic success. Michelle has already proven to be an advocate for education and is very excited to serve Arkansas PTA, to join forces in order to bring positive change for Arkansas students. SE Region VP, Tanya Broadnax For the last 20 years, Tanya Broadnax has always been in engaged in her community. A native of California, she was part of the PTA at Longan Elementary School and Team Mom for the High School Football team and Second Cheer Coach for the pee-wee cheer team. She has deep roots in Dermott and came back there after a career in the health industry. Since returning to Arkansas, she has been a youth organizer and worked with the girls scouts Troop 1040 in Dermott. She works for Rural Community Alliance as their Southeast Regional Director. Their vision is called Excellent School, which is a produced by nurturing close collaboration between school and community. Another goal is to support vision planning, resource maximization and collaboration within the community. Immediate Past President - Charles Warren Charles Warren, you just completed two years as the Arkansas PTA state President. What will you do now? “I’m going to DisneyWorld!” Convention T-Shirts Sneak Peak Don’t forget to order your convention T-Shirts when you register. Only 5 extra shirts will be ordered for on-site purchases. When you are registering for the 2015 Convention in Fort Smith… Consider Putting a Team Together for Hollywood Game Night! We need a team of three to join our “celebrity” state PTA board member to play a variety of games with a “Hollywood” twist – as seen on TV. Have fun with it. Make up your own team name with a “Hollywood” spin (“50 Shades of Great!” and “Three Men and a Babe” are already taken). If you know movie trivia… …This is for you. If you like to laugh with PTA friends… …This is for you. But if you are an old stick-in-the-mud that hates anything fun… …This is not for you. If you don’t have three friends can’t find three people to make a team, we may create a team of one PTA convention delegate and three state board “celebrities”. Hollywood Game Night will have real cash prizes for the winners (in addition to bragging rights). Arkansas PTA announces the 2015 PTA Scholarships and Awards Helen Woodhouse Scholarship FS Root/Ed Trice Scholarship FS Root/Ed Trice Scholarship Parent Education Award Safety Award Communications Award Heroic Effort Children’s Champion Outstanding PTA Outstanding Council Teacher of the Year Administrator of the Year Kay Adams Hannah Beck Lauren Smith Park Hill Elementary (NLR) North Little Rock High School Van Buren High School Northside High PTSA Trusty Elementary PTA Lakewood Elementary PTA Mike Falleur (Northside High PTSA) David Israel (Howard Elementary PTA) Don Roberts Elementary PTA Little Rock Council of PTAs Jennifer Perry (Parkview Elementary PTA) Shanda Coleman (Amboy Elementary PTA) Fort Smith Fort Smith North Little Rock Fort Smith Fort Smith Little Rock Little Rock Van Buren North Little Rock Arkansas PTA Board of Managers will call on a vote so support the 2015-16 Legislative Program at the General Session of the State Convention. The revised program reads: Proposed Legislative Program for 2015-2016 Arkansas PTA supports quality education for all children WE SUPPORT MEASURES THAT PROVIDE FOR: 1. Expanded funding for public schools a. Adequate and equitable system of public education that would provide every child and every community with quality opportunities for their future b. Adequate salary for teachers and support staff (certified and non-certified) c. Increased state funding where federal funds have been reduced d. Instructional technology and classroom learning materials e. Support adequate funding for the education of all children 2. Children’s health and safety a. Community health education b. Safe, nurturing and hazard free environment c. Drug awareness and prevention d. Playground safety e. Comprehensive health care for all children and families f. Support for positive internet education for parents and children g. Continued work to ensure that tolerance and respect is extended to all children and, families of diverse communities h. Promotion of healthy lifestyles, including nutrition and physical activity i. Protection of all children from bullying, including cyber bullying 3. A quality education for all children a. Expansion and development of preschool and before/after school programs. b. Cultural arts and physical education programs taught by individuals with appropriate certification, as part of the school curriculum c. Support for school improvement efforts d. Service to all children in the least restrictive environment e. Student assessment and testing for the purpose of identifying how instruction can be improved and learning increased f. Stronger family engagement provisions, adequate funding and modifications made to accountability in the No Child Left Behind Act/Elementary and Secondary Education Act g. Strengthened Arkansas educational standards regardless of school setting WE OPPOSE MEASURES THAT: 4. Weaken or minimize the power of local school boards 5. Put public money into private or parochial choice/voucher plans. Public dollars should be used to support public schools 6. Divert tax monies from school districts without the support of the affected district’s board of education 7. Weaken collaboration between school, home and community IT’S IMPORTANT THAT WE SUPPORT BENEFICIAL LEGISLATION, BUT IT’S JUST AS IMPORTANT TO OPPOSE ANY THAT MAY HARM To assist you in the review of the Legislative Program, the changes from the 2014-2015 Legislative Program are provided on the next page. The Convention Program will only print the program listed above. The Legislative Program outlines the positions of Arkansas PTA that Board members use when discussing legislative issues with our state and national legislators. Proposed Revisions to the Legislative Program for 2015-2016 WE SUPPORT MEASURES THAT PROVIDE FOR: 2. Expanded funding for public schools a. Adequate and equitable system of public education that would provide every child and every community with quality opportunities for their future b. Adequate salary for teachers and support staff (certified and non-certified) c. Increased state funding where federal funds have been reduced d. Instructional technology and classroom learning materials e. Support adequate funding for the education of all children f. Textbooks and classroom materials g. Provide our public school children with an adequate and equitable system of public education that would provide every child and every community with quality opportunities for their future 3. Children’s health and safety a. AIDS Community health education b. Asbestos-free Safe, nurturing and hazard free environment c. Drug awareness to include alcohol and tobacco and prevention d. Playground safety e. Provisions for Comprehensive health care for all children and families f. Protective child labor laws g. Violence-free school community h. Promote Support for positive internet education for parents and children i. Continued to work to ensure that tolerance and respect is extended to all children and, families of diverse and communities to help promote safe and nurturing environments j. The Promotion of healthy lifestyles, including nutrition and physical activity k. The Protection of all children from bullying, including cyber bullying 4. A quality education for all children including: a. Expansion and development of preschool, full day kindergarten and before/after school child care programs. b. Cultural arts and physical education program/programs taught by individuals with appropriate certification, as part of the school curriculum c. Support for school improvement efforts d. Serving Service to all children in the least restrictive environment e. Student assessment and testing for the purpose of identifying how instruction can be improved and learning increased f. Stronger parent family engagement provisions, adequate funding and modifications made to accountability in the No Child Left Behind Act/Elementary and Secondary Education Act g. Meeting Strengthened Arkansas educational standards regardless of school setting 5. Welfare Reform a. Adequate and safe daycare for all children b. Children should be the first consideration in all aspects of reform c. Provide appropriate job training and placement 6. Collaboration of parents, teachers, communities, and school administrations working together to educate all children. 7. Legislation to exempt PTA from sales tax on all items purchased with PTA money WE OPPOSE MEASURES THAT: 1. Weaken or minimize the power of local school boards 2. Put public money into private or parochial choice/voucher plans. Public dollars should be used to support public schools 3. Promote gambling because of the potential damage to Arkansas children and youth; however we take no position on the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery 4. Divert tax monies from school districts without the support of the affected district’s board of education 5. Weaken collaboration between school, home and community Proposed Bylaw Changes for 2015 Convention Allow Newly Elected State President to Assume National Duties at the end of State Convention Change Article VIII, Section 1, Item d of the Arkansas PTA Bylaws to read: d. The newly elected officers shall assume their state and national duties at the end of the State Convention. The national duties of the newly elected president and president elect shall be assumed at the close of the National Convention. The newly elected president or his/her designee shall be the Arkansas delegate to the National Council of States. Change Article IX, Section 1, Item c of the Arkansas PTA Bylaws to read: c. Select the representative for Represent the Arkansas PTA on the National Council of States. Rationale: National PTA desires to have newly elected state presidents at the National PTA convention for training at the start of his/her term. The change allows the newly elected state president to participate in National PTA training, paid by National PTA. The National Council of States has become a strategic meeting specifically designed for state PTA leaders that are not the current state president. This change will allow the newly elected state president to select the representative from Arkansas for this meeting. Convention Schedule of the 2015 Arkansas PTA State Convention Friday, April 24, 2015 8:00am – Registration Opens 8:45-9:45 – Make it, Take it 9:00-9:45 – First Timers Orientation 10:00-11:30 – Opening General Session 12:00-2:00 – Reflections Lunch 2:30-3:45 – Workshop Session I Retaining Today’s PTA Members Strong Fathers, Strong Families Understanding the School Lunch Program How to Train a Parent for Student Success 3:45-4:15 – Exhibitor Time 4:15-5:30 – Workshop Session II I just got elected to the PTA Board, what do I now Conquering Your Fear of Public Speaking HOPE Academy Everyone on Board & Doing the Right Thing (Diversity Training) 6:00-8:00 – Awards Banquet 8:00 – Hollywood Game Night Saturday, April 25, 2015 8:30am-9:30am – Region Meetings Elections of Field Service Reps 9:45 – Silent Auction Closes 10:00-11:15 – Workshop Session III Getting Fathers into the Classroom Make It, Take It (Repeat from Friday) Common Core and Math Misconceptions I just got elected to the PTA Board, now what do I do? (Repeat from Friday) 11:30-2:00pm – BEAPIG Buffet & Closing General Session Installation of Officers for 2015-17 Arkansas PTA Convention T-Shirts Sneak Peak Don’t forget to order your convention T-Shirts when you register. Only 5 extra shirts will be ordered for on-site purchases. P.O. Box 1015 North Little Rock, AR 72115 Phone: 501-753-5247 Fax: 501-753-6168 Toll Free: 1-800-PTA-4PTA Email: office@arkansaspta.org www.arkansaspta.org About PTA It was founded in 1897. As the largest volunteer child advocacy association in the nation, Parent Teacher Association (PTA) reminds our country of its obligations to children and provides parents and families with a powerful voice to speak on behalf of every child. Its mission is: PTA is a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for the education and well-being of every child. PTA is comprised of nearly 5 million parents and other concerned adults devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and membership in PTA is open to anyone who is concerned with the education, health, and welfare of children and youth, so join today! PTA Takes Action Network with millions of advocates who stay informed on the latest happenings on Capitol Hill so join today to learn more about how you can take action on legislative issues affecting families, schools, and communities. www.pta.org/takesaction/ Make sure you follow Arkansas State PTA on Facebook and Twitter! We continue to increase our focus on social media in 2015! Call to Arkansas PTA Convention PTA Presidents: The 90th Annual Arkansas PTA Convention (State Convention) is scheduled for April 24-25, 2015 at the Holiday Inn City Center in Fort Smith. This State Convention is the official meeting of the delegate body of the Arkansas PTA. Delegates to the State Convention are elected or selected by each local PTA unit in Arkansas. According to Article XVI: State Convention, Section 2 (a) of the Arkansas PTA Bylaws: Each PTA unit shall be entitled to be represented at the annual convention by its president, three (3) other local officers, or their alternates, and one (1) delegate for each fifty (50) members as shown on the books of the state treasurer. All voting delegates must present a completed credential card and their membership card when they check in at the State Convention. In addition to the voting delegates, any PTA member presenting a 2014-2015 membership card may attend the State Convention as a non-voting delegate upon payment of the registration fee. Please sign up as voting delegate so that you can have a voice at the State Convention and help us meet a required quorum. We will be able to offer you online registration by searching for the “2015 Arkansas PTA Convention” at the following website: www.eventbrite.com. If you register by March 31st, you will save $15.00 on the registration fee. For even greater savings, please consider purchasing the “Early Bird Registration & Meal” package. Register for all meals as soon as you can because we will not be able to sell meal tickets (even in the package deals) after April 10th. Any registrations received after April 10th will be held and processed as “onsite” registrations at the stated onsite registration fee. The 2015 State Convention theme is “Lights, Camera, Action…PTA”. The West Region councils and units have been working “pre-production” for months for you to enjoy a fun and exciting convention with a “Hollywood” twist. Specific time has been set aside for a visit to our Exhibitor Hall. Plus, a “Hollywood Game Night” setting is a perfect time to relax at the end of a busy day of PTA training on Friday. Please check out the website of “ReCreation Circus” at www.recreationstudiorlr.com to get a taste of the incredible show we have planned for Reflections this year. The hotel room rates at the Holiday Inn City Center, 700 Rogers Avenue in Fort Smith have been “reserved” for PTA delegates at $99.00 per night. These rates are available until April 1st. Please reserve your room quickly to lock in this rate. A convention schedule is listed in this newsletter to help you plan your convention activities. Additional information will be posted on our website, www.arkansaspta.org, as it becomes available. Arkansas PTA President
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