new jersey parent-teacher september 2014
DESCRIPTION
Volume 95, Issue 1 The first Digital Issue of the NJP-T MagazineTRANSCRIPT
1 The New Jersey Parent-Teacher
Parent-Teacher
Back to School… Back to PTA!
Common Core State Standards
Earn Free Money For Your PTA
Through Plymouth Rock Assurance
2 The New Jersey Parent-Teacher
PRESIDENT Debbie Tyrrell
PRESIDENT-ELECT
Rose Acerra
VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVOCACY Cathy Lindenbaum
VICE PRESIDENT OF
COMMUNICATIONS & PROGAMS Linda King
VICE PRESIDENT OF
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Doris Harris
SECRETARY
Bamby Bergeron
TREASURER Robert Acerra
REGION I DIRECTOR
Jason Quinn
REGION II DIRECTOR Denise Crawford
REGION III DIRECTOR
Lisa Falco
REGION IV DIRECTOR Amelia Choe
REGION V DIRECTOR
Lois Testa
REGION VI DIRECTOR Sharon Roseboro
The New Jersey Parent-Teacher EDITOR
Robert Acerra [email protected]
DEADLINE FOR JULY—AUGUST ISSUE
Monday, June 30
DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE:
Thursday, September 25th
The New Jersey Parent-Teacher
September, 2014
Volume 95, Issue 1
In This Issue... Why Volunteer?? Page 3 News From National PTA Page 4 Membership is Everyone’s Job Page 8 Welcome to Dennis Twp. PTA Page 8 Basics of Common Core Webinar Page 9 PTA #StarttheArts Page 10 Anti Drinking Poster Contest Draws Many Entries Page 11 Re-Imagining the Book Fair Page 12 Advocacy Corner Page 13 Easy “No Hassle” Money for Your PTA Page 14 PTA Merchandise Store Page 15 VolunteerSpot Page 16 School Breakfast on the Rise in New Jersey Page 17 Reflection from a NJPTA Board Member Page 18 Special Education Update Page 19 Facts and Resources: Unaccompanied Children in the U.S. Page 20
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Have you ever asked yourself, “Why Do I Volunteer???”. I was searching the internet and looking at different sites and came across some great information on volunteers. Did you know, that according to the Independent Sector’s findings a volunteer’s values is at a rate of $25.33 per hour in the state of New Jersey. People volunteer for a wide variety of reasons, especially wanting to help others. Think about how much you receive when you give and consider why you want to volunteer. You may have several different reasons. Here are just a few of the many possible motivations identified by other volunteers: 1) To feel needed 2) To share a skill 3) To get to know a community 4) To demonstrate commitment to a cause /belief 5) To gain leadership skills 6) To do your civic duty 7) Because of pressure from a friend/relative 8) Satisfaction from accomplishment 9) To keep busy 10) For recognition 11) To repay a debt 12) To donate your professional skills 13) Because there is no one else to do it 14) To have impact 15) To learn something new 16) For freedom of schedule 17) In becoming an “insider” 18) Guilt 19) To be challenged 20) To be a watchdog 21) To feel proud 22) To make new friends 23) Therapy 24) To help someone 25) To do something different from your job 26) For fun! 27) To keep skills alive 28) To be able to criticize 29) To assure progress 30) To gain status You will probably have some special reasons of your own. Remember the motivations you have to select the place to offer your services may not be the reasons why you stay. You may only stay as long as your services and talents are being appreciated, and that you make a difference.
10 Points of Advice for Volunteers: 1) Start with What You Can Do 2) Don’t overburden yourself 3) Put yourself in the other person’s shoes 4) Keep your promises 5) Be a good manager of your time and energy 6) Obtain the understanding of your family 7) Keep secrets 8) Don’t let religion and politics meddle in 9) Don’t exchange money or goods 10) Learn from your activities Volunteer work provides an organization with a free resource to help it meet its mission or goals, which often include filling the gap between an individual or community's resources and those provided by the government. One good reason why volunteering is important is that it goes a long way towards creating a healthy community. Things are done more effectively, when people get together. With class sizes and budgets growing at increasingly different paces, teachers and faculty of our nation's public schools would drown in their workload if there weren't volunteers. Our school children would miss out on several projects, field trips, and activities every year if it weren't for the many hours donated to classrooms and after school programs.
Debbie Tyrrell New Jersey PTA President 2014—2016
Debbie Tyrrell, NJPTA President
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If you are a PTA leader interested in the School of Excellence program or want to recruit PTAs to be a School of Excellence, this webinar is for you. Join us Tuesday, September 16 at 7 p.m. EDT as we share how to get started on the path to excellence and break down the Family-School Partnership Scan.
Promote National PTA E-Learning courses to help train and educate your local leaders.
A few courses that will help start the year off right are Planning your PTA Year, Ethical Leadership, Parliamentary Procedures and Running a Successful Program.
Register today for the 2014 Male Engagement Conference, Oct. 24-26 in Atlanta, Ga. The conference—supported by our event signature sponsor WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students)—will offer tips and best practices for creating male engagement to ensure the academic and social success of all children. Make plans now to connect with fathers, grandfathers, male teachers, mentors and PTA MORE (Men Organized to Raise Engagement) Alliance experts at the top fatherhood networking event of the year! Conference registration is $119 and discounted hotel rates are available. For more info, go to PTA.org/MEC. Share Your Pics Help us show the power of male engagement in children's lives! Send us your photos of dads and male mentors engaged in activities with kids from birth to adulthood at home, in the school and the community. Collected photos will be compiled into a video format and shared at the National PTA Male Engagement Conference. Upload your photos to our Flickr page to participate in this project.
Watch "A Conversation with Jack Markell, Governor of Delaware," a short video of school administrators and teachers who discuss how common Core helps to improve a student's college and career readiness.
National PTA recently released a Common Core video series to educate parents on the standards and empower them to support the transition at school and home.
The series features 14 videos—developed in partnership with the Hunt Institute—to dispel the myths and provide accurate information about Common Core.
Watch the series at PTA.org/CCSSVideos. For more info, visit our Common Core website or contact Chrystal Jones.
We'll dive deeper into the National Standards for Family-School Partnerships and share all of the tools available to support your efforts from enrollment to excellence. Register for the webinar today and share with your networks!
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At next year's convention in Charlotte, NC, National PTA convention delegates will vote on the adoption of revised bylaws for the association. PTA leaders may submit recommended amendments for consideration by the Bylaws and Policy Committee. Please submit your suggestions using this simple online form and email any questions to [email protected]. DEADLINE– October 10!
UNCLE BEN’S is excited to work with PTAs across the country for this year's Ben's Beginners™ Cooking Contest.
This important program helps families eat better by cooking together. The Ben's Beginners™ Cooking Contest launched on August 13! Five families will each win $15,000 and their kid's school will win a $30,000 cafeteria makeover.
Entry is easy: Parents and kids can create a short video of them cooking a recipe together. Be sure to share this with local leaders in your PTA. Learn more at BensBeginners.com/parent-association.aspx.
PayPal helps schools conveniently collect all types of payments. PayPal for Schools Program
Get a quick, easy, and free set-up of your customized PTA online store.
Increase donations and on-time payments for membership fees, spirit wear, lunches, and more.
Offer multiple ways to securely pay online— parents and donors can use credit or debit cards 24/7, from any device.
Enjoy the cost savings for qualifying 501(c)3 organizations.
Ask about PTA online payment capabilities today. To sign up, or to learn more, visit www.paypal.com/education or email [email protected]
On September 23, National PTA will celebrate National Voter Registration Day in association with Nonprofit VOTE, an organization that partners with nonprofits across the country to help people participate in the voting process. In the spirit of National Voter Registration Day, National PTA will highlight the importance of registering to vote and voting via the PTA website, social media, and various blog posts. With November elections right around the corner, now is the time for members across the country to visit the Election Guides section of the National PTA website to learn more about participating. There you will find helpful resources for PTAs including voter registration tools, state-by-state election guides, and much more.
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If you have not enrolled already, the deadline to submit your school for participation is October 1. Please visit the National PTA School of Excellence website for more information. If you are a PTA leader interested in the program or want to recruit PTAs to be a School of Excellence, this webinar is for you.
This month PTA is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA), the cornerstone federal law to prevent children and youth from entering the juvenile justice system and to protect those currently in the system. In the last forty years, the JJDPA has made juvenile justice systems across the country safer for children and helped to ensure that youth who come into contact with the system have not lost their chance to become successful adults. The JJDPA is currently long overdue for reauthorization and this year improving the law's protections is a key legislative priority for National PTA. Check out our juvenile justice blog series about PTA's history and positions on the issue of juvenile justice and why the JJDPA Matters to PTA!
National PTA has hired a School Nutrition Policy Fellow through a grant from PEW Charitable Trusts in response to the new federal nutrition guidelines, "Smart Snacks". Smart Snacks guidelines, which went into effect July 1, 2014, set standards for competitive foods sold in schools. The Smart Snacks guidelines regulate foods commonly found in à la carte lines, snack bars, school stores, and vending machines. The School Nutrition Policy Fellow will assist state and local leaders that may sell foods at school during the school day in adhering to these guidelines. State and local leaders can request trainings and assistance for their members regarding Smart Snacks guidelines from the School Nutrition Policy Fellow at [email protected]. There will be a Smart Snacks Overview webinar on September 18 at 8:00 PM EDT. To register for this webinar go to: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/222618542.
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“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela Membership is not only the responsibility of the membership committee but should be your whole board’s responsibility. Your local PTA is only as strong as your membership. A membership table should be set up at every PTA event. As part of the membership committee it’s important to ask people to join your PTA/PTSA. I’ve found making that personal contact, makes the person feel wanted. Be positive; know what programs, were made available for the students through PTA. As PTA volunteers, we don’t give ourselves enough credit. Give your local the praise it deserves. If your membership is a diverse population, try to have your membership forms in more than one language. A lot of School Boards now have staff that will translate forms for their schools. Ask your principal if this available, through your Board of Education. As part of NJPTA membership team, I would like to see every local increase by 10%. I know it can be done and this is a goal I’d like to see our locals meet. Share your success with me. So I can give your local the praise it deserves. Doris Harris New Jersey PTA Vice President of Leadership Development
A huge welcome to the newly formed Dennis Township PTA, in Cape May County
Courthouse, Cape May!!
President Renee Pettit and her board were elected on June 16, 2014 and have been jumping
right into PTA with terrific energy and enthusiasm.
We thank them for creating an association that is in tune with the goals and objectives of PTA
for their school community and wish them much success as they move forward!
Lois Testa New Jersey PTA Region V Director
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Join us for a FREE NJ Spotlight Webinar:
The Basics of the Common Core
Date: Thursday, September 18, 2014
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/415136119
Depending on who is talking, the Common Core State Standards have been called everything from the needed fix to the wrong course for public education in New Jersey. The instructional standards in language arts and math, which are now in place in New Jersey and started to guide schools three years ago, will hit the prime time this year with the state's first testing wholly aligned to the Common Core. But for all the debate, what exactly are the standards, what has changed for New Jersey schools, and what are the changes to come? This NJ Spotlight webinar will help answer those questions, with the state Department of Education's Chief Academic Officer, Kimber-ley Harrington, and an educator in the field who is well-versed on what lies ahead, Lodi principal Emil Carafa. Sponsors: B4NJKids, New Jersey Principals & Supervisors Association, New Jersey PTA
Title: The Basics of The Common Core
Date: Thursday, September 18, 2014
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM EDT
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.
SPONSORS:
10 The New Jersey Parent-Teacher
PTA Start the Arts Week is back! The week of September 15-19 is the official Reflections kick-off celebration to promote the benefits of arts education. We encourage student participation in the arts to cultivate PTA leaders and members and to raise awareness about the value the arts bring to a high quality, comprehensive education. PTA Start the Arts Week will also promote whole-school participation in arts programs and activities—specifically, Reflections— and gain new units/members by parents taking interest in launching Reflections at their child’s school. During the school week, PTAs are encouraged to host daily activities aligned with Reflections arts categories and based on the 2014-2015 Reflections theme: "The World Would be a Better Place if…" Sample ideas are provided in the template PTA Start the Arts flyer.
Monday – Dance Choreography
Tuesday – Film Production
Wednesday – Literature
Thursday – Music Composition Friday – Photography & Visual Arts
This week, consider emailing PTAs about how to Start the Arts with Reflections in your state. Also consider shar-ing the following ways PTAs can participate in PTA Start the Arts Week:
Share activities and ideas with neighboring community leaders and in social media using #StartTheArts.
Customize the PTA Start the Arts flyer and media advisory to announce week-long activities to the whole school community.
Post the facebook cover photo, web ad and web banner on school, PTA and personal pages.
Distribute the new Reflections program flyer, Call for Entries flyer and Reflections poster to promote Reflections around the school and around the community.
Read National PTA’s One Voice blogs about current issues and trends in arts education.
Join the PTA Twitter Chat on Monday, Sept. 15 at 9:00 p.m. EDT. Follow #StartTheArts and tweet @NationalPTA. Although PTA Start the Arts Week will end on Sept. 19, the Start The Arts campaign will continue throughout the year to keep momentum going and to celebrate student artists at all levels of the National PTA Reflections program. If you have any questions about PTA Start the Arts Week, email [email protected]. Thank you for your support of arts learning and the PTA Reflections program. Artfully Yours, National PTA Reflections Committee About National Arts in Education Week In 2010, the U.S. House of Representatives passed House Resolution #275 designating the second week of September as “Arts in Education Week.” The resolution states: [...] Arts education, comprising a rich array of disciplines including dance, music, theatre, media arts, literature, design, and visual arts, is a core academic subject and an essential element of a complete and balanced education for all students. About PTA Reflections Founded in 1969, the National PTA Reflections engages nearly 300,000 students and their families in arts education activities each year—encouraging students to explore the arts for fun and recognition. For more information about the program, visit PTA.org/Reflections.
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WASHINGTON TWP ., N.J. | More than 250 posters were submitted by Warren County students in grades four
to 12 during a recent contest.
Each of the winners of this year's "Follow Me, I Choose to be Alcohol Free" poster contest, received a ribbon at
school assembles during the month of June.
The contest was initiated by Paul Rinaldi, president of the Warren County PTA and member of the Warren
County Coalition for Healthy & Safe Communities, along with coordinators Diane Bonelli and Mary Jo Harris, of
Prevention Connections, a program of the Family Guidance Center of Warren County.
Students from throughout Warren County participated in the contest. The winning posters will be used for a
promotional piece to be distributed throughout the region.
The winners, and the schools they represented, include Ashley Cruz and Gaura Patel, Washington Borough
Memorial School; Carly Blackford, Nicol DelaRama, Alexa Mairlsaac, Tally Frendak, Jada Mulvaney, Jillian Verga,
McKenna Harnett, Katya Saad, Ella Gagliardi and Deanna Gould, Greenwich Elementary School; Anzhela Page,
Hope Township School; Joshua Luis Guia, Hunter Gara and Melanie Dowling, Oxford Central School; Brandon
Ballard and Taylor Smith, Warren Hills Regional Middle School; Hannah Applegate, Madison Cerami, Samantha
DiCosmo, Brianna Sacco and Kyle Hrebenak, Great Meadows Middle School; and Javan Viola, Melody Ciraky,
Diandra Molion and Kenny Kane, Belvidere High School.
Greenwich Elementary School had the largest number of winners. From left, they are: Carly Blackford, Nicol DelaRama, Alexa Mairlsaac, Tally Frendak,
Jada Mulvaney, Jillian Verga, McKenna Harnett, Katya Saad and Ella Gagliardi. Back: Bonelli, teacher Joseph Blackford and Paul Rinaldi, Warren County
PTA President.
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PTA dad and Children’s Bookstore owner, Jake Ball, helps his toddler avoid petty theft while overhauling the book fair experience for the modern parent (and PTAs, too) True story: This spring, I was at our school’s book fair with the whole family. It all started well enough. Unfortunately, the trip ended with me hauling my screaming four-year-old out of the library because they had no copies of the Frozen book she wanted. My toddler managed to push about 40 books off a table that was also crammed with novelty erasers, key chains, and other junk. (Upon returning home, we found one such key chain in my daughter’s still-clenched fist that we had not paid for). Meanwhile, my wife had to stay behind at the fair for quite a while after I left, waiting in a long line to check out and pay for the books my older kids had chosen. Fun times. Why does a book fair sell key chains, erasers, etc.? Isn’t a book fair intended to find great books and encourage reading? All the non-book stuff distracts kids and redirects mom and dad’s money to trinkets that don’t promote reading. As a “PTA dad” to four kids (ranging from a toddler to a fifth-grader), I support the book fair because it puts critical dollars into the school and my kids get books they want to read. But, isn’t it high time that the traditional book fair be re-imagined for the modern age?
Why not “attend” the book fair when you want, even if it’s at home in your jam-mies? What if the book fair offered only top-notch books and none of the junky stuff? With those questions in mind, we have turned Children’s Bookstore into a resource for PTAs to carry out 100% online book fairs, as well as being a resource for you, the parents. Click here to learn more. Our goal is to enhance the fundraising and reading parts of the book fair and take out all the painful bits. PTA parents like you, all over the US, are supporting online book fairs for the following reasons: Click here to continue reading the rest of the story on National PTA's One Voice Blog!
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Welcome back to school!
The NJPTA advocacy team members are
Cathy Lindenbaum– Vice President of Advocacy [email protected] 732-239-3674 Lynette Howard -Federal Legislation Chairman
Ada Gallicchio -Legislative Activities Chairman
Emmy Hunter – Education Chairman
Grace Benson- Safety & Juvenile Justice Chairman Marie Clark- Special Education Chairman
Kyra Swinney--Darby- Health and Wellness Chairman
NJPTA advocacy has been working for you all summer. Our legislative day in June was very successful. NJPTA
partnered with the New Jersey School Boards Association to bring our members up to date information from
many legislators. There was a panel of legislators speaking about hot topics in education including the Common
Core State Standards.
Look for information on the upcoming Legislative day on October 16th!
Please visit our website NJPTA.org and our National web site PTA.org for up to date information on the
Common Core including Parent Guides that help parents understand what their child should be learning grade by
grade. There are also assessment guides specifically for New Jersey parents.
On September 3, 2014 at the NJ State Board of Education meeting, there was a panel of educators and a member
of the NJPTA to discuss the Common Core.
NJPTA Common Core team would love to be invited to your local PTA to explain the role parents can play regarding the Common Core. Please email [email protected] for information
Cathy Lindenbaum represents NJPTA on the New Jersey Special Education Task Force on Public Education. The
report should be out in December 2014 and NJPTA will provide information to our members as soon as it is
made available to the public.
In October the School Breakfast Expansion Committee will release the data on NJ students’ participation in the
school breakfast program. If your school participates in Breakfast after the Bell we would love to hear how it is
working in your school.
The NJ PTA Board of Directors and Officers participate in many statewide committees and meet with
educational organizations around the state to advocate for our children and their families. We would like you to
share your concerns’ with us. Please feel free to email or call me with any advocacy issues.
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New Jersey PTA and Plymouth Rock Assurance are proud to announce our renewed partnership and newest member benefit available to you for being a local PTA member. From September 15, 2014 through October 15, 2014 you can make extra money for your local PTA and support your child’s school. It’s as easy as 1, 2, and 3! Become a local PTA member at your
child’s school! Visit www.NJPTAquote.com and fill
out the short quote form available on this site!
Once the quote short form is submitted, your PTA will receive $20!
As an added bonus, when your are contacted from Plymouth Rock Assurance you can review their quote and if you are interested in their services you will have the opportunity to save up to $700 yearly on your auto insurance!
Please note that whether you decide to switch to Plymouth Rock Assurance or not, your local PTA will still receive $20 for just submitting a quote!
This is a win/win/win opportunity….Become a PTA member, get an extra $20 for your child’s PTA and also have the opportunity to save up to $700 a year on your auto insurance! Please remember this special offer to receive an extra $20 for your PTA is only valid from September 15th to October 15th! This offer is open to all members of your family, they just have to be a PTA member and fill out the short quote form.
www.NJPTAQuote.com
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With Some Things - We Make It Personal!
Our online PTA store offers several items that can be customized with your school's own PTA or PTSA individual name. We call this our Custom Shop and it has a variety of products including ... banners, bank bags, name badges, awards, tablecloths and many types of apparel. Ordering online is easy and your customized item will ship within 1-2 weeks.
New Jersey PTA Merchandise Store
www.ShopPTA.com
17 The New Jersey Parent-Teacher
On Oct. 7 at 9:30 a.m., Advocates for Children of New Jersey will release Food for Thought: 4th Annual New Jersey School Breakfast Report, along with the latest local data tracking the number of students eating breakfast at school across the state. The event will be held at The Lafayette School, 50 W. High Street, Bound Brook -- first place winner of the NJ School Breakfast Challenge among North Jersey districts. The five other challenge winners -- East Newark, New Brunswick, Quinton, Folsom and Trenton -- will also be recognized, as well as other school breakfast champs, including Jersey City, Union City, Camden, Egg Harbor City, among others. And, there will be a special guest appearance by former Giants player Amani Toomer, courtesy of the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council. Register today for this free event. Many districts are switching to serving “breakfast after the bell,” resulting in a statewide increase in student participation in this critical child nutrition program. At the report release, you’ll find out how kids in your district are faring and how districts are achieving this great result for kids. As more New Jersey kids live in families earning too little to meet their needs, providing school breakfast gives students the fuel they need to concentrate and learn. Come learn how easy it is to feed hungry students – and how you can make a difference in your own backyard. Learn more and register today!
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The former National PTA President, Anna Weselak, stated that “Parent involvement is a lifelong journey.” As the 2014-2015 school year rolls into action, I am happy to say that I am logging 14 years in parent involvement with PTA. I began PTA as a general Executive board member, then followed by two years as recording secretary, followed by two years as VP of Budget, two years as President, then a year as VP of Programs, all just in elementary school. Onward to middle school as VP of membership and then on into high school starting out as secretary for two years again, then jumping to President for two years. Now I am still a local board member of my daughter’s high school PTSA and have ventured into NJPTA as Region IV Director assisting Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset, and Union Counties. The past is full of fond memories. Currently, my one daughter is a junior in college and the other a junior in high school. As a region director I want to meet the locals because I know how wonderful those early years of parent involvement can be. So if you are in one of those four counties, I want to hear from you. Please invite me to one of your programs or functions, I am eager to attend. It seems like yesterday that I dropped my first daughter at her kindergarten classroom only to go home to my one and half year old anxiously awaiting my return. My early involve-ment in PTA eased the transition to school for both of my children and for me too. One of the benefits of being involved in PTA is that my family already knew the school, the teachers and the staff. Getting involved is easier than you think. No matter how great or small your efforts, your volunteering is always appreciated and needed. It is never too late to start the journey of parent involvement with PTA. I guarantee that you, your child, and someone else’s child will reap benefits because of PTA. My journey is still continuing and I look forward to meeting everyone in Region IV! Amelia Choe, New Jersey PTA Region IV Director Assisting Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset, and Union Counties
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Below is some workshop/seminar event information that may be of interest and/or help to
everyone. If you have any questions, please contact me at [email protected]. Working together
and sharing information is a good way to prepare our children and families for a successful future.
I look forward to working with you so feel free to contact me.
Kids Who Are Different
Here’s to the kids who are different, the kids who don’t always get A’s.
The kids who have ears twice the size of their peers, and noses that go on for days…..
Here’s to the kids who are different, the kids they call crazy or dumb.
The kids who don’t fit, with the guts and the grit, who dance to a different drum….
Here’s to the kids who are different, the kids with the mischievous streak,
For when they have grown, as history has shown, it’s their difference that makes them
unique.
Anonymous
Events: Special Needs Expo – September 14, 2014 - 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Glenpointe Marriott, Teaneck, NJ Expo is free to parents, guardians, educators, etc. Will have many resources for special needs.
Additional info. & flyer: www.specialneedsexpos.com or www.specialneedsforspecialkids.com SPAN – Statewide Parent Advocacy Network – FREE events – pre-registration requested
Offering free mini-conferences for families on supporting student success – Education, Health, Behavior, Transition to adult life, School supports (basic rights in special essential components of IEP; education; bullying prevention strategies; interventions and support for struggling students) and more. 3 SEPARATE EVENTS – 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Northern Region – Sat., Oct. 25 – Fairleigh Dickinson University, River Road, Teaneck, NJ www.partnersnorth.eventbrite.com Central Region – Sat., Oct. 4 – The College of NJ, Pennington Road, Ewing, NJ www.partnerscentral.eventbrite.com Southern Region – Sat., Nov. 8 – Cumberland County College, College Drive, Vineland, NJ www.partnerssouth.eventbrite.com For additional information, flyer and registration contact SPAN at www.spanadvocacy.org or call 800-654-SPAN. Marie Clark New Jersey PTA Special Education Chairman
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As you know, the United States has seen a recent increase in the number of children arriving at the
Southwest border unaccompanied by an adult. These children are placed in the care of an ap-
proved sponsor—usually a family member or friend—while they await immigration hearings,
which can take months or even years. While in the care of a sponsor, the children enroll in local
schools.
National PTA has received inquiries from our state leaders and membership for information
about this issue and its impact on our schools and for resources on how PTAs can get involved.
Attached are two documents with facts about this increase of unaccompanied children entering
the United States and ways PTAs can welcome and support these children and their families and
sponsors:
PTA Resources
1. Unaccompanied Children in the U.S.: Fact Sheet and Resources Answers to common questions about the increase of unaccompanied children entering the United
States from Central America including federal and state responsibilities, the anticipated impact on
public schools and federal resources available to address this impact, and the federal response to
date.
2. Connecting with Children & Families who Recently Immigrated: Putting PTA’s National Standards for Family-School Partnerships into Action Using PTA’s National Standards for Family-School Partnerships as a guide, here are some ways lo-
cal PTAs can welcome and support all children, families and sponsors of children who recently
immigrated to the United States. This resource also contains national and community resources
that can provide PTAs with valuable supports and services to engage families and sponsors.
These resources, as well as future resources on this matter, can be accessed at pta.org/advocacy.
Lynette Howard, New Jersey PTA Federal Legislation Chairman
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BOARD OFFICERS President Debbie Tyrrell [email protected] President-Elect Rose Acerra [email protected] Vice President of Advocacy Cathy Lindenbaum [email protected] Vice President of Communications and Programs Linda King [email protected] Vice President of Leadership Development Doris Harris [email protected] Secretary Bamby Bergeron [email protected] Treasurer Rob Acerra [email protected] REGION DIRECTORS Region I Director Jason Quinn [email protected] Region II Director Denise Crawford [email protected] Region III Director Lisa Falco [email protected] Region IV Director Amelia Choe [email protected] Region V Director Lois Testa [email protected]
Region VI Director Sharon Roseboro [email protected] CHAIRMEN Convention Rob Acerra [email protected] Diversity and Inclusion Natalia Suarez [email protected] Education Emmy Hunter [email protected] Federal Legislation Lynette Howard [email protected] Family Engagement Kirk Corless [email protected] Health and Wellness Kyra Swinney-Darby [email protected] Legislative Activities Ada Gallicchio [email protected] Procedure and Bylaws Laurie Palmer [email protected] Reflections Lee Etta-Sutton [email protected] Safety and Juvenile Justice Grace Benson [email protected] Special Education Marie Clark [email protected] Youth Representative Cynthia Tyrrell [email protected]
COUNTY PRESIDENTS/ADVISORS Bergen County President Denise Ingallinera [email protected] Burlington County President Michele Patty [email protected] Camden County President Lynette Howard [email protected] Cumberland County Advisor Kathleen Pearce [email protected] Essex County President Lyndon Brown [email protected] Hudson County President Lorri Bradow [email protected] Mercer County President Stephanie Bowe [email protected] Ocean County President Ginger Reinhold [email protected] Passaic County Advisor Lori Burns [email protected] Sussex County President Rhodi Teufert [email protected] Union County President Jenn Jaskula [email protected] Warren County President Paul Rinaldi [email protected]
NEW JERSEY PTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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