Florida PTA     1747 Orlando Central Parkway     Orlando, Florida     32809     407-855-7604     800-373-5782
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Mindy Haas
Florida PTA President

Valentine's Day is what comes to my mind first and foremost when February rolls around. I think of love, hearts and chocolate. It is also the month that my dad was born as well as my daughter Skylar. Skylar was born on Valentine's Day, so there has always been so many reasons to eat chocolate. Thank you, Skylar. I don't contribute that to my excessive need to reward myself with food, no, not at all. This month is also Florida PTA Founders Day, as well as Black History Month.  Imagine yourself sitting around the table together along with Alice McLellan Birney,  Phoebe Apperson Hearst and Selena Sloan Butler. What a wonderful discussion we could all have. I think they would be proud to share in a box of chocolate. 

Also, this month our Legislature is in session. Florida PTA is there making sure our voices are being heard. It is our responsibility as parents, educators and members of the community to assure that the Legislature does their job to the best of their abilities. One way to assure this is to stay in touch with them and let them know you are watching. Question the decisions they make and applaud them when decisions they make benefit our children; but make sure they know this could be their last session if they choose not to do what's right for our children. We are the voters, we decide who stays in power. 

As for me, I will wait and eat my piece of chocolate at the end of the legislative session this year. 
Op-Ed Regarding Common Core State Standards
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.  

Show Your Love for Florida PTA!
Founders Day - February 17th
For more information on Founders Day, visit the National PTA website.
Black History Month
February is Black History Month

Check out this interesting web site for interesting facts and video clips.
Exceptional Education
Thanks to our Exceptional Child Committee for sharing the "Ten Essentional Steps for Special Education".  This is a great resource for parents trying to navigate through the process of getting services for their children with learning disabilities.  

Awards - Apply Today!

Behind every successful PTA/ PTSA, there is a school principal who is supportive, helpful and personally involved in the PTA/PTSA. To recognize the principal who best fits this description, Florida PTA honors an Outstanding Principal of the Year.  If your principal promotes the mission of PTA and purposes of the Florida PTA and encourages the use of the National Standards for Parent/Family Involvement, please go to our web site to show your support by nominating her/him for the Florida PTA Outstanding Principal of the Year. The deadline for submission is May 1, 2016, but the easy to complete applications are live and ready to be completed.  

If you have questions contact Awards Chair via  [email protected].
Membership Matters!
As 2016 gets underway, it is the perfect time to dust off those membership forms and gather a few more members into your PTA. Your parents, teachers and community have seen your PTA in action; they know what to expect and surely they want to be a part of the fun and excitement. Reach out to that parent you passed in the car loop multiple times, bring a few forms to your place of worship, you might even want to take a few to the daycare facility across the street...kindergarten parents are the most eager; why not get them started early?  The membership campaign is in full swing and we are on the road to more members in 2016 than ever before: 221,455 as of January 31 st !  There are a few competitions coming up in the next couple of months with big money prizes for your PTA. Keep your eyes here for more details!!
Experience 2016 Leadership Convention...It's Priceless!
July 14-17, 2016
Did you know that over 1,000 PTA Leaders and other child advocates from across the state are planning to converge on the Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club in Tarpon Springs, Florida for the 2016 Florida PTA's Annual Leadership Convention?!
 
"Why?", you may be asking.  It might be because they know they will...click here to see more!

From Our Treasurer
Form 990-N (e-Postcard) Submission Website Will Change Feb. 29, 2016

Beginning February 29, 2016, Form 990-N electronic submissions will be accepted through IRS.gov instead of Urban Institute's website. 

Form 990-N,  Electronic Notice (e-Postcard) for Tax-Exempt Organizations Not Required to File Form 990 or Form 990EZ, is used by small, tax-exempt organizations for annual reporting and can only be submitted electronically.

Registration required
Aside from the submission site change, 990-N filers will be required to complete a short, one-time registration before submitting their electronic form to IRS.gov.   Previously-registered organizations may continue using the Urban Institute website through February 28, 2016.   For more information, visit the   Form 990-N webpage .

Additional information
How to file
To file 2014 990-N on or before February 28, 2016:   If you haven't filed your 2014 yet, the Urban Institute will continue to host Form 990-N at http://www.epostcard.form990.org until February 28, 2016.

To file 990-N on or after February 29, 2016:   The IRS will begin hosting Form 990-N on February 29, 2016.  All Form 990-N users (including users previously registered with Urban Institute) who file after February 28, 2016 will be required to register before completing the 990-N on-line.  This is a one-time registration.  Your PTA/PTSA won't need to register each year. 
Nominating Committee Deadline - March 15, 2016
Just a reminder that the deadline to nominate someone for an  elected officer, Standing Committee Chair, or Region Representative for the 2016-2018 Florida PTA Executive Board is March 16, 2016 at 5 PM.  Please  click here for a review of all the information you'll need. 
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!