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Florida PTA e-News
April 2022
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Happy April Everyone!
They say April showers bring May flowers, what do you think?
“There is no glory in star or blossom till looked upon by a loving eye; There is no fragrance in April breezes till breathed with joy as they wander by.” – William Cullen Bryant
We are at the time of year when most PTAs start to seek nominees for the next school year. Setting our PTAs up for success is crucial for the sustainability of our association. A key component to this is succession planning for a smooth transition. After the election, please take the time to schedule a turnover meeting so each incoming board member has time to meet with the outgoing leader. This offers each leader the opportunity to discuss the role, share successes, challenges, ideas for the future, and have time to turn over all materials to the incoming leader. If you need any assistance with this, your County Council Presidents, Region Representatives, and Florida PTA Board of Directors stand ready to assist you. You are never alone, and that is what sets our great association apart from any other. We held a few Get Engaged Wednesday's to help with Succession Planning, Transitioning and the annual Election Meeting, if you missed any of them, you can review the information on our website, click here.
April is also a time to submit Award applications for all of the great programs and events your unit was able to offer. There are Florida PTA Awards and many of our County Councils have award programs too. We offered a great Get Engaged Wednesday on the Florida PTA Awards programs, if you missed it you can check it out on the website using the same link as above. We know our local units do not do the programs or events for awards, however, you should take the time to celebrate your accomplishments and use them to showcase the value of your PTA/PTSA! To quote the Fabulous Mrs. Nestah, "Toot Your Own Horn!".
With thanks and appreciation,
Jennifer "Jen" Martinez
President | Florida PTA
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Leadership Convention 2022 |
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Florida PTA Leadership Convention
July 21-24, 2022
The Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate
The resort is located at:
1500 Masters Boulevard, Championsgate, FL 33896
Registration is now open!
Click here to access the registration form.
The first 150 registrants (non Florida PTA Board of Directors and one winner per unit) will be automatically entered into a drawing for fun prizes ranging from gift certificates, free daily valet pass, ECO Tours and a pool cabana!
Due to the location and popular demand of this resort, hotel reservations are now open so members attending can reserve their room(s).
Book now to ensure you have a room onsite, no funds are needed to reserve a room at this time.
Just in from our pre-convention site visit.
All pre and post convention dates have now sold out.
The dates available for hotel rooms are 7/21-7/24.
7/24 will look grey on the calendar but it is available as a check out date
not a stay over date.
The hotel also reported to us they are 100% sold out. The only remaining rooms are the rooms in the Florida PTA room block. Make sure you are using our special link to book hotel rooms.
Please use this link to the Florida PTA special hotel pricing page. Make your reservations now to ensure your PTA discounted pricing. Booking through the resort online or directly with the resort will not allow you to take advantage of the discounted pricing. Many of the suites and villas are booked already, book today to ensure you have a room on site.
Average room prices will range from $159-$309, depending on size, location, and style. You can arrive early or extend your stay with the reduced rates depending on room type and availability.
Parking is free for those staying at the resort and for anyone that lives close and chooses to drive over daily.
The resort fee has been reduced to $9 and when you book your hotel room it will be reflected in the pricing.
All workshops, ticketed events, exhibitors, and General Meetings will be in one building located within just steps of each other. This hotel has ELEVATORS and lots of restrooms! We know that sounds silly, but it is a refreshing change of pace for us.
Stay tuned for more details and information!
Join the conversation in the event on Facebook click here
We look forward to seeing you there!
#FindYourPath
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Would you like to order a #FindYourPath shirt for Leadership Convention?
Click this link to place your order.
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Leadership Convention Special Service Project |
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Visit the Florida PTA Awards page to check out and apply for all of our Awards! There are awards given for membership levels, programs, volunteers, and much more!
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What is Your Why? Shared Stories |
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Coral Reef High School PTSA President, Walter Simson
(from the perspective of his wife, Emily)
New to the PTA scene back in 2019-20, Walter found himself in a unique position to give back to his community before embarking on the next phase of his career. Since he is meticulously organized, has a knack for team building, leadership, project management, communication and follow-up, he was the perfect candidate for the President position in our very fast-paced PTSA unit in our very large magnet high school. We really needed a take-charge person with his skill set. Last year (2018-19), most of our board were outgoing senior parents, and as expected, our unit was in a bit of disarray. We were in desperate need of direction, organization and leadership, all much needed attributes that he could bring to the table as President. He jumped into the deep end, met with administration, took charge of organizing the school store with the help of student volunteers and our VP of Ways and Means. He worked with staff, administration, faculty, students and parents to learn their needs and their expectations from our organization. Our administration seemed to enjoy having a dad step up to the plate with fresh ideas, perspective and professionalism. Working with our staff and VP of Ways and Means, he launched the AP Book Sale and worked our school store, “The BaitShop!” He worked along with administration and our activities director to organize The Teacher’s Welcome Back Breakfast, Open House Staff Dinner, Homecoming Tailgate, the Hot Cocoa Bar and Holiday Breakfast and Luncheon. He helped our CAP Advisor organize the college fair, alumni “college talk” luncheon, and career fair. He took on conducting meetings professionally and scheduling program speakers for our parents. He also set up our unit's MemberHub. Our members, especially our dads, were excited to see a dad take on the position of leadership.
As an inspirational note: With NO PTSA experience whatsoever, Walter took on the challenge of becoming PTSA PRESIDENT for a magnet high school for 3 years. So “anyone” especially “dads” cannot only be part of the PTSA, but they can LEAD as well! There is NO EXCUSE, especially when it benefits our kids.
Thank you.
Walter and Emily Simson
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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion |
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What does your PTA look like? The Florida PTA DEI Committee would love to highlight you at the Leadership Convention DEI Luncheon. Let’s see your local unit or county council PTA in your PTA gear. Show us that PTA spirit! Please submit a picture by emailing DEI@floridapta.org by April 30th, 2022.
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LGBTQ youngsters are far more likely to face harm for who they are than their “straight” and cisgender peers. That’s simple fact. Study after study shows kids identifying or perceived as LGBTQ suffer greater incidence of discrimination, bullying, ostracism, bashing, self-harm, and suicide than other children and youths.
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On April 23rd, we will be celebrating our Reflections Art Program virtually, but for a complete list of Florida winners - Award of Excellence and Award of Merit - please visit our website page.
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Membership Has Its Benefits! |
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There are many benefits of becoming a PTA/PTSA Member. But many times we look at the “What do I get out of being a PTA/PTSA Member?”
While National PTA offers discounts to Members, It’s great to come up with benefits at your Local Unit!
Here are some Ideas that you may find beneficial:
- Create Partnerships within your local community that will benefit your PTA/PTSA Members.
- Offer Membership Perks to Families for Free Entry or Discounted Entry to PTA/PTSA hosted events.
- Give PTSA Student Members a discount on School Events.
- Host a School Wide Incentive and/or Class Incentives for reaching a Membership Goal.
- Provide the Teachers and Staff within your school a sign for their door to proudly display that they are PTA/PTSA Members.
- Offer Grants to the Teachers and Staff for Joining.
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National PTA 125th Anniversary Hill Day Experience and Convention |
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Interested in attending the National PTA 125th Anniversary Convention? Please click here to learn more.
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Mark your calendar for these upcoming Florida PTA Dates. Watch for more details about each event as the date comes closer.
4/23/22: Student Reflections Celebration (virtual)
6/14-6/19/22: National PTA Convention with the Legislative Conference, National Harbor, Maryland
**7/21-7/24/22: Florida PTA Leadership Convention, Orlando, Florida (new dates and location!)
We look forward to seeing you throughout the year at our various events, whether in-person or virtual; there is sure to be something for everyone! If you have any questions about any of the events, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at: info@floridapta.org
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Follow us on social media! |
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ShopPTA.com sells official PTA and PTSA logo apparel, membership items, awards, gifts and more. All products are offered through each of the participating State PTA organizations. Visit shoppta.com for all your PTA needs!
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