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

It's that time again, THE HOLIDAYS !  Between Hanukkah and Christmas, the entertaining, going to parties, oh my, the foods, the cocktails...my head is already spinning. I have talked about balance and moderation for the past year, so we've got this and we're doing great!! Florida PTA has taken the pledge to live a healthy lifestyle. We are PTA Proud!
 
So let's talk about giving . D uring the holidays we are spending ridiculous amounts of money, whether or not we have it, on stuff we don't really want or need - just to give someone something you think they may or may not even want (Phew! that was a mouthful).

This season I may spend some money on things we need and things to better our lives, but I am also going to give my time, my patience, and my loyalty; I encourage you to consider the same. 
 
When you chose to join PTA this year, you gave your child the greatest gift, one that is hard to top. One that shows them that being involved in their lives is important to you. Not only does it allow you full access to their lives, but to their school and community. So how does this translate to the holidays?
"Give a PTA membership"

Share the message of PTA! Consider purchasing a membership to your school's PTA or to the Sunshine State PTA for your friends and family. When you buy a PTA membership, the benefits are threefold: 1. You will feel great. 2. It will benefit your school, and 3. You will help build membership...and by building membership you give the National PTA and Florida PTA the influence and power of one, for all children. 

Have a safe and wonderful holiday season!

2016 Legislative Conference
Registration is NOW OPEN for the  2016 Florida PTA Legislative Conference being held January 24-26 in Tallahassee. This year's theme again is "Taking Action for Kids"...something we as Florida PTA Advocates do everyday. This year the conference will be nestled between the busy legislative session and Children's Week at the Capital. There will be thousands of children, families and other advocacy groups all "Taking Action for Kids".

Join the Florida PTA Legislative Committee this year and personally experience how your contribution can make a difference. Hot topics will include discussions of bills on Juvenile Justice, Guns on Campuses, Florida Assessments and other health and safety related issues.

To learn more about this informative and engaging conference, and to register, please click here .  

For Florida PTA's Legislative Priorities, please click here.
Shout! Shout! Fill It All Out!

Shout! Shout! Fill It All Out!  Florida PTA Award Applications are live on our website, ready for you to submit that wonderful program/event that you just finished. Just go to our web site to apply and remember to upload any supporting documents like flyers and other information on your program/event. Get a jump start on the deadline of May 1 by doing it while everything is fresh in your mind and then you can check one more thing off that long to-do list. Help us honor your local unit for all the good things that you do!
The award deadline to complete the on-line application is May 1, 2016.  Award certificates and/or award winners will not be prepared/selected until mid-to-late May, 2016.  Award certificates will be distributed to the County Council Presidents/Region Representatives to be distributed at Leadership Convention or county specific events. Award winners are presented at Leadership Convention. Thank you.
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It's not too early to start applying for college scholarships. Why not apply for a Florida PTA scholarship? Every year Florida PTA ensures that four deserving PTSA applicants are awarded a $2,000 scholarship. Don't wait another minute to apply; that student could be you! 
Spotlight On...

Congratulations to all of our Florida students who participated in the 2017-2018 National PTA Reflections program theme search contest! The following five students have advanced onto National to represent Florida PTA. Best wishes and good luck to you all!


"The way I see the world..."
Beljee Jeanty
Baco Raton Community High School PTSA, Boca Raton

"What if..."
Victor Pasalagua
Andover Elementary PTA, Orlando

"I think..."
Rebekah Tillery
R.C. Lipscomb Elementary, Pensacola

"One day..."
Edward Sieh
Ridgecrest Elementary PTA, Largo

"Make your move!"
Tristan A. Goodrich
Charlie Walker Middle Magnet School PTSA, Odessa
School Crossing Guards
With stop paddle held high and often traffic whizzing by, they are out there. Despite the Florida heat, humidity and rain, they are out there. They perform a vital service protecting our precious children across the state. They educate our children how to cross safely. As professionals looked up to by students, they are vital members of your school community.  They are our Crossing Guards.

To acknowledge superior accomplishments by local School Crossing Guard programs and personnel, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) annually recognizes a Florida School Crossing Guard Program  and Guard  of the Year.

Click here for the nomination form!
Children's Week - Hanging of the Hands
Tens of thousands of 'hand art" is hung throughout the Capitol Rotunda Sunday, January 24 - Friday, January 29, 2016 creating an amazing display of children's art. 'Hand art" is decorated  by children and their teachers, and collected at child care centers and schools across the state. 

Take a Look!
 

National PTA has a great new on-line tool for busy parents and PTA leaders!  Check out their NEW on-line magazine, Our Children, now!
If you know a LifeChanger who is a current school employee,  nominate them for the LifeChanger of the Year Award  - each LifeChanger winner and his or her school is awarded with cash prizes, including a top cash prize of $10,000!

Visit their  web site for more information!
Mary Lou Anderson Grant
The National PTA Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grant provides matching dollar funding to local PTAs to support in-school and after-school arts enhancement programs within their communities.

Click here to find out how you can apply!  Applications for projects starting in the 2016-2017 school year will be accepted January 4 through March 11, 2016
Flu Season
A person can get the flu by touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it and then by touching their own mouth, eyes or nose. We know kids do these things all the time, but you can protect them-and your family-from the flu with three steps from the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
  1. Get the flu vaccine
  2. Take everyday preventive actions
  3. Use antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them
To read more,  click here.

Nominating Committee Reminder
The Florida PTA Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations and letters of intent from those interested in serving as a 2016-2018 Florida PTA elected officer or Standing Committee Chair.  Nominations will remain open until March 15, 2016, 5:00 pm Eastern time.
 
The Florida PTA Nominating Committee consists of seven Florida PTA Board Members (and five alternates) elected by the Florida PTA Board of Directors at our July 2015 Board of Directors Meeting.  T he Florida PTA Nominating Committee is tasked with selecting candidates for each elected office.

The Florida PTA Board of Directors is comprised of 50 volunteer board members including the eight elected officer positions, the President of each County Council, chairs of Standing Committees, and Region Representatives. The elected officers serve a two year term that begins at the close of Leadership Convention in even number years. The next elections of Florida PTA officers will be held during the annual Leadership Convention July 14-17th, 2016.

To read more about how you can serve on the Florida PTA Board of Directors, please click here.
Looking Ahead...
The Florida PTA wishes everyone a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season!  

Our office will be closed from December 24th - January 3rd.  We will be back January 4th!  We are looking forward to a great 2016!

The Florida PTA Store now has new 2015-16 Reflections items!  Click on the picture to see all the great promotional items you can purchase to reward and recognize Reflections participants!