Local leaders are always encouraged to reach out to your mentor or the District President at [email protected] with any questions you may have. You can also drop in for “hands-on” First District Office Hours via Zoom:

At our recent California State PTA Board of Director’s meeting, we decided to embrace, adopt, and utilize a National PTA tool in our organizational journey with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The tool can be used at every level of our organization to conduct an honest DEI assessment while developing a roadmap for success. We chose to kick-off our state self-reflection journey during National Inclusive Schools Week, December 7-11, 2020. Much more on this topic to come. You will find the document here: National PTA DEI Guide

California State PTA is a member of the newly-formed Community Vaccine Advisory Committee. Seventy state-wide groups are represented. The goal of this committee is to prioritize the limited supply of vaccines to do the most good. The two most significant takeaways from this recent meeting are:

The vaccine distribution is focused on three pillars: Safety, Equity, and Transparency. Read more here: California Vaccine Advisory Committee Report

Did you know that First District PTA has a philanthropic program? We support four of the eleven Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) Juvenile Court Schools. The schools serve students from 7th to 12th grade.

Learn more about LACOE Juvenile Court Schools here:

To help incentivize good behavior (finishing homework assignments, teamwork, no outbursts), “special” meals are provided once a week. McDonald’s and Dominos are favorites for Camps Afflerbaugh, Paige, and Glenn Rockey, both nearby in La Verne and San Dimas. For BJ Nidorf, $5.00 gift cards are provided as incentives for the parents that attend family engagement activities after monthly Saturday PTA meetings at the Juvenile Hall School.

As an approved budget line item, these philanthropy-specific gift cards or donations can be made payable to “First District PTA.” 

A few things to note about the LACOE Juvenile Court Schools (JCS):

Thank you for your generous donations supporting the children of these camps.

We applaud the Alhambra Unified School District students as they take a stand against racism and bullying. Watch the student-produced public service announcement video “Lead the Way – Stand Up to Bullying” here: https://youtu.be/6LTcmVoDYvA

Thank you, Arcadia Middle School Choir, for your rendition of “A Lion Sleeps Tonight.” You can watch their performance here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDqDVY1q5Do

We know membership is a challenge this year, but it is important to continue to have a membership campaign and continue to ask people to join PTA. Remember that PTA is the oldest and largest non-profit child advocacy group in the United States, and we PTA even when we are not on campus!

TOTEM trophy this month – Burbank Council

Membership trophy this month – San Marino Council

Questions? Contact First District PTA VP Membership, Michelle Hurst, at [email protected].

First District adopted our revised Bylaws & Standing Rules on December 7, 2020. Thank you to our committee members Michelle Hurst, Diane Hyland, Sandy Russell, and Patty Scripter, for all their work and commitment in making this happen.

Information about when and how the nominating committee is elected is found in your PTA Bylaws. Your bylaws provide details on who is eligible to serve as well as how many members and alternates are on the nominating committee.

The election of the nominating committee takes place at an association meeting at least two months before the annual election meeting.

A member of the nominating committee is expected to understand:

The nominating committee is tasked with choosing the best candidates to serve as officers to run your PTA next term.

Its meetings are scheduled to provide adequate time to consider all suggestions for potential nominees.

Setting aside time to create a balanced slate of experienced and new officers representing the school community is also part of the process.

An alternate receives information about the date, time, and place of the first meeting of the nominating committee. However, he/she only participates in nominating committee meetings when there is a vacancy on the committee.

If an elected member is unable to attend the first meeting, the first alternate is asked to replace that person as a permanent member of the nominating committee.

Keep in mind that the nominating committee:

Remember, too, that a committee member is not excluded from consideration as a nominee for an elected board position. If a nominating committee member is being considered, he/she is excused from the meeting during the discussion on the position.

The report of the nominating committee must be submitted to the association at least twenty-eight (28) prior to the annual election meeting.

For more information, forms, and resources, visit the "Nominations and Elections" page on the California State PTA website HERE.

Questions? Email First District PTA Parliamentarian, Christy Brown, at [email protected].

Don't forget to use your First District PTA Financial Calendar.  CLICK HERE to view and download the FDPTA 2020-21 Financial Calendar, which has been updated for the new Workers Comp Annual Payroll Report Process.   

Our next treasurer office hours will be on December 16, 2020. Presidents and treasurers are welcome...really anybody with questions for the treasurer. Come with any questions or come to hear the discussion. Join either or both! Zoom links are below and will be sent prior to the meetings:

The Workers’ Compensation Annual Payroll Report is a document that every PTA in the state is required to submit for insurance purposes. It is used to indicate if you paid anyone (including employees and independent contractors) for services, and the amounts you paid, if any. This report is required annually, even if you did not pay anyone.

Please note: This new process only applies to the Workers’ Compensation report and any surcharge you may owe. Every unit, council or district should still pay their regular insurance premium through channels. Check with your council or district for local due dates.

On the insurance page of the California State PTA website (under the heading "New Workers' Comp Annual Payroll Report Process") you'll find links to the online report form, paper forms (in English and Spanish), and documents which provide step-by-step instructions on how to fill out the forms. You may want to review these instructions prior to filling out the report form.

If you have any questions about the new process, the report forms, or Workers’ Compensation coverage in general, please contact AIM for assistance by emailing [email protected] or by calling (800) 876-4044 or (214) 360-0801. They have Spanish-speaking representatives and are available 24/7.

Contact First District PTA Treasurer, Jessica Sheen, at [email protected] with questions.

Are you interested in improving the lives of children and families in their communities, and across the state? Then the California State PTA Legislation Conference is an event you will not want to miss! 

This conference is for both those new to speaking up for children and families, as well as seasoned advocates. High school juniors and seniors are encouraged to participate as well.

This year’s conference will be a virtual event on Monday and Tuesday, February 8 - 9, 2021 in two 2-hour blocks in the afternoon and evening each day. Bonus sessions will also be available to each attendee.

In line with the conference theme, “A Path to Equity,” you will hear from legislators and other experts focusing on how legislation and the state budget link to equity, access, and opportunity for all of California’s children. You will have the opportunity to meet and network with other advocates from across the state and participate in learning activities. You will learn how to schedule, plan, and execute a meeting with your legislator who represents your community about issues affecting children and families. Be a part of the statewide effort to advocate for the education, health, safety, and well-being of all children. The price for this virtual event is $50.00 Don’t miss out. Register today!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/california-state-pta-2021-virtual-legislation-conference-tickets-128927159605

Questions? Contact our VP of Legislation & Advocacy at [email protected], or visit the California State PTA website HERE.

Please hold tight - the Commemorative Scholarship form is being updated and will be posted soon. We will send it out and post it on the First District website as soon as it is approved.

Each year, PTA units, councils, and districts publicly acknowledge both individuals and organizations for outstanding community service to children and youth. This year, the nomination forms are due to Ellen Torres, our First District HSA Chair, by March 15, 2021, at [email protected]. Please help us recognize these leaders. The nomination form can be found here: First District PTA HSA Nomination Form

Questions? Email First District PTA VP of Education, Patty Scripter, at [email protected].

All of the almost 300 entries submitted to First District PTA are out for review. Thank you to all the units and councils who participated in the first-ever "Virtual Reflections" this year. We so appreciate your commitment to this 52-year-old program. We will be sending out a survey about your experiences, so please respond when you receive it.

Wonderful news! We had great results on the theme search for the next Reflections theme. Out of five California Reflections Theme Search Finalists, TWO are from First District.

Friendship is...                 

The theme search finalists from California are posted to the website: https://capta.org/programs-events/reflections/. These five winners will be forwarded to National PTA for consideration.

Questions? Email [email protected].

California State PTA has created a series of social media kits to help PTAs create impactful online communication with ease. The kits are updated monthly. December's theme is The Gift of PTA. Use of the California State PTA Social Media Kit is optional. Images and text in the kit are fully customizable.

What’s in the monthly kit for December 2020:

Click here to see social media kits from prior months.

National PTA and California State PTA have a wealth of resources for local PTA leaders available on their websites. Be sure to sign up for e-newsletters from both organizations to stay up-to-date. Your First District PTA friends have a little website, too. 😊 Check it out!

Questions? Email First District PTA VP of Communications, Amy Kamm, at [email protected].

Be sure to follow us on social media! We want to see what amazing things your PTAs are doing for kids!