Florida PTA     1747 Orlando Central Parkway     Orlando, Florida     32809     407-855-7604     800-373-5782
*Please share this publication with your members*

Mindy Haas
Florida PTA President

Spring is finally here. Time to change over my clothes selections and bring back my open-toed sandals. April is one of my favorite months; it brings me a sense of renewal and I like to take that very much needed deep breath and smell the beautiful flowers. April also gives me the energy to renew my love and excitement for PTA and for those around me that share the same passion. 

This is the time of year when PTAs are electing new officers and beginning to celebrate their success. Enjoy this time, pat yourself and others on the back, continue to welcome new members, and continue to be PTA Proud!!!

Tantalize Your Taste Buds...at Leadership Convention 2016!
Registration is now open for the 2016 Leadership Convention.  Convention is a great time to learn more about current trending educational topics, PTA and networking with fellow advocates for every child.  

It is also a great time to tantalize your taste buds....and we get to start with dessert on Thursday night!   Click here to learn about the great food options available at Leadership Convention!







Healthy Children, Healthy Future...Being the Best You!
Reflections and Membership News
We are proud to announce both Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit winners from the 2015-2016 Reflections contest.  The Awards of Excellence winners have advanced on to the National PTA level of competition.  Good luck to all the contestants and congratulations to all of our Florida winners!

Click here to see a list of all the Florida state winners.  There will be a celebration of our winners on May 14th at 4:30 PM at Edgewater High School in Orlando.  For more information, please click here.
Thanks to all local units that worked hard on our March Madness competition!  In a random drawing of all eligible entries received,  Metrowest Elementary in Orange County  was our winner!  Their PTA will receive a $50 check. 

Thank you to all who participated and increased their membership numbers! 

Awards and Scholarships - Deadline is May 1st!

*Please note that all membership dues must be received by the Florida PTA State Office by May 1st in order to qualify for Florida PTA Awards.  If you have questions contact Awards Chair via [email protected].
Graduates
In keeping with our policy of providing quality education for young people, Florida PTA goes one step further by assisting qualified students who wish to continue their education beyond high school. Florida PTA offers scholarship opportunities funded by money derived from Honorary Life Memberships, Scholarship Fund functions and other contributions.  Florida PTA is pleased to offer a total of four (4) scholarships, one each in the following categories: University, Fine Arts, Community College, and Vo-Tech, to a student graduating in the 2015-2016 school year. This is a one time (non-renewable) award of $2,000.00 and will be awarded to a worthy student who is interested in getting a start in life through higher education.  This award is specifically for a student who wishes to pursue their education at a University, Fine Arts School, Community College, or Vo-Tech. Please visit  floridapta.org   for requirements.

* Deadline for all applications is May 1, 2016.  All applications must be postmarked by that date in order to be considered.
The Teal Project
The Florida PTA Student Involvement Committee felt the need to bring light to a very important topic that affects many students in all different grades.  April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  We would like to highlight some information that can be used by everyone.

Florida PTA Student Involvement Committee has put together this brochure for parents, teachers, students and community leaders as a resource with information to be shared with everyone who would like to have it.  

We have found that it is very important to start having the conversation with children of all ages from teaching the children what is a good touch and a bad touch, "No means No", and if someone knows something, tell someone.  We can stop this by teaching prevention and self-confidence.  If you have ideas or already have a campaign in place, share with us.  For any additional information please feel free to email us at [email protected].
Spotlight On...
Congratulations to one of our Florida PTA schools from Duval County, Jean Ribault High School.  Their girls basketball team brought home a National Title last weekend!   The Lady Trojans finished their season 30-1 and have won 11 state championships.  Way to go Lady Trojans!
Awareness!
In 1983, through a proclamation by President Reagan, April became National Child Abuse Prevention Month.  The theme this year is "Building Community, Building Hope."  Just as gardens reflect the kind of care they get, families are more likely to thrive in strong, nurturing, and supportive communities.  Everyone can play a role in preventing child abuse.  

The first Federal child protection legislation, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), was signed by President Nixon in 1974.  The legislation helped to provide States with assistance in prevention, identification, and treatment programs.  CAPTA was reauthorized in 2010, and continues to provide support to States on child abuse prevention and intervention efforts.

Communities, when they work together towards a common goal, have the power to make a difference in a big way.  Strong, nurturing communities that support families can prevent child abuse and neglect, and instead, promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families.  By protecting the children and families well-being, it allows the children to grow up free from abuse and neglect, and enables them to reach their full potential.

Visit the  Child Welfare Information Gateway for more information on what you, your community, and your PTA can do to get involved. You can also print this handout to use at your PTA meetings this month to promote Child Abuse Prevention Month.  Please also visit the KidSafe Foundation for valuable information.  

Nearly a quarter century ago, the Autism Society launched a nationwide effort to promote autism awareness, inclusion and self-determination for all, and assure that each person with ASD is provided the opportunity to achieve the highest possible quality of life.

Visit the National Autism Awareness website for more information.

We are energized by the much-needed attention, for any time awareness is drawn to increasing morbidity rates, it brings about a new urgency and opportunity for us to achieve and advance our mission: To save lives through education about the prevention and early detection of skin cancer, especially melanoma, its deadliest form. To that end, the Melanoma Foundation urges our school nurses to help empower students and their families, to make critical sun safe choices for healthy lives.

Visit the   Melanoma Foundation website for more information.

Thousands have died in car crashes involving cell phone use. New technology allows us to make phone calls, dictate texts or emails and update social media while driving - all actions that are proven to increase crash risk. The National Safety Council observes April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month to draw attention to this epidemic. NSC wants to empower you to put safety first and Take Back Your Drive.

Visit the National Safety Council website for more information .  And, for even more safe driving information, visit  the Dori Saves Lives  website.
Two Great Opportunities


The Florida PTA is proud to endorse Screen-Free Week!  From May 2-8, children, families, schools, and communities around the world will swap digital entertainment for the joys of life beyond the screen.  Screen-Free Week is a fun way to reduce dependence on television, video games, smartphones, tablets, and computers.  It's a chance for children and adults to power-down and reconnect with the world around them. 

Visit the SFW  website   for lots more information!


The deadline is fast approaching to help your school / organization apply for the State Farm Youth Advisory Board grants ($25,000 - $100,000)! Four million dollars will be granted to quality, youth-led service-learning initiatives throughout the United States. Grants range from $25,000 to $100,000.  The deadline is April 29, 2016 at 11:59 PM.  
Visit the website for complete rules and details. 
Flat Mindy
Sponsored by the Florida PTA Family/Community Engagement Committee, we are proud to present the "Flat Mindy Project"!

The purpose of the 2016 Flat Mindy Project is to highlight some of the many wonderful Family Engagement and Health & Wellness activities and concepts that are being put into action with children and youth from around our state.  Although anyone can participate in the 2016 Flat Mindy Project, only children, classes or groups from Pre-K through 5th grade in Florida are eligible for the incentive prizes being offered.

For complete rules, and to print out your very own Flat Mindy, please visit our web site.
The Florida PTA Store has many great items to help build your PTA spirit!  Click on the picture to see all the great promotional items you can use as awards and incentives!