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Florida PTA     1747 Orlando Central Parkway     Orlando, Florida     32809     407-855-7604     800-373-5782
Legislative Conference Re-Cap
Florida PTA advocates converged upon the Capitol in Tallahassee back in January to have the annual Legislative Conference.  There are a flurry of bills being heard and considered.  

Please see the attached document for an update on the Legislative bills and where they stand currently.  

To follow updates on everything Legislative, please follow the PTA Legislative Twitter account!

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Call To Action - Juvenile Justice!
MEMBERS!!  Please call or e-mail Senator Lee's office and request that he add SB314 to the Senate Appropriations Committee agenda next week.  This bill deals with direct file of juveniles within our Juvenile Justice system.  

850-487-5024
Op-Ed Regarding Common Core
Let's Get It Right
By Cindy Gerhardt, Florida PTA President-Elect

In my 28 years as a mom, grandma and a PTA advocate, I have seen many "hot topic" issues come and go, rise and fall, grow and fade away.  Whether dealing with the health and wellness of children, the rights of parents and guardians, or even the elusive issue of adequate funding in the classroom, few topics have set off a hailstorm of controversy like the Common Core Standards.  
Child Nutrition Act
Last month, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry unanimously passed bipartisan legislation -  Improving Child Nutrition Integrity and Access Act of 2016  - to reauthorize the Child Nutrition Act/Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act for five years.

To read more about the re-authorization of the bill, please click here. 
Florida PTA Advocacy Award Nomination
Do you have a PTA member in your local unit who should be recognized for their advocacy efforts? Please take a moment to nominate them for the Florida PTA Advocacy Award!
National PTA Advocacy Awards
National PTA is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2016 Outstanding Advocacy Awards, which honor parents and youth from across the country for their leadership and commitment to being a powerful voice for all children and a strong advocate for public education. The honorees will be recognized at the  2016 National PTA Legislative Conference , Wednesday, March 9 during a luncheon at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Va.

Congratulations to Brian Rodriguez from Miami-Dade County for receiving the Outstanding Youth Advocacy Award!  "Brian has worked to promote civic engagement and increase community involvement among youth of all ages in the Miami area. As a member of the Miami-Dade County Youth Commission and the Miami Lakes Youth Activities Task Force, Rodriguez has collaborated with city officials and education and faith leaders to offer new approaches to provide youth with avenues to be actively involved in the community. Rodriguez's passion, dedication and leadership have increased youth engagement in the community, helped families grow stronger and improved the local economy. Communities and constituents across the state of Florida have sought Rodriguez's guidance to help strengthen youth engagement and create a bridge between students, families, schools and civic leaders."
Membership Matters!
Joining PTA is a great way to work together to advocate for important issues in public education and support Florida PTA's advocacy efforts.

Join the PTA of your local school or become a member of the Sunshine State PTSA by clicking here.  
National PTA Legislative Conference - March 8-10, 2016