Presidents: Please submit 19-20 Officer Info at  vapta.org
Treasurers : Have you scheduled your audit? See below.
The FCCPTA August Monthly Newsletter
Save the Date!

9/4 - FCCPTA General Membership Meeting and Program
9/7 - NOVA District Fall Leadership Training
11/13 - FCCPTA General Membership Meeting
1/25-26 - Virginia PTA Annual Meeting and Advocacy Conference
2/5 - FCCPTA General Membership Meeting
5/6 - FCCPTA General Membership Meeting
In this Issue
Leadership Minute
FCCPTA General Meeting
Board Training
Membership Resources
MemberHub
FCPS Boundary Policy Study
FCPS SR&R Changes
Collect for Kids
FCPS Community Use Workshop
NOVA District PTA iSTEAM Event
Advocacy Corner
Treasurer and President' Reminders
Programs at a Glance
Resources All Year Long

Leadership Minute

Friends,

This is the most exciting time of the year for a PTA leader - ramping up for Back to School! Now is a great time to encourage your leadership team to cultivate a welcoming climate at your schools. Start a discussion on what makes members of your community feel like they are wanted and needed. Some ideas for your Back to School events include
  • Wearing name tags that also say "volunteer", what language you speak, what grades your kids are in, or "I can help!"
  • Asking to speak about PTA at each grade level parent gathering
  • Offering volunteers to show parents and kids where their classrooms are
  • Host a welcome back sign making party (great activity for kids) and post the welcome signs all over school. Try different languages too!
  • Make a welcome packet of information for new families
  • Set out coloring pages, crayons, fidget toys or even Legos to keep kids occupied while parents are trying to listen to presentations.
  • Create a colorful Back to School 2019 photo backdrop for families.
  • Place your PTA welcome table prominently at all events and offer a special incentive for those who join your PTA that night. Include information on all of your programs especially Reflections

Our FCCPTA Executive Board is here for you all year long. Please reach out to any of us with your questions (our contact info is at the bottom of this email). You can also network with other PTA leaders and join the conversations in our private Facebook Groups for  Presidents and  Executive Boards !

COOL RESOURCE FOR AUGUST
Local units can order Back-to-School  signs and promotional materials  for their school. https://www.shoppta.com/back-to-school/
FCCPTA General Meeting and Presentation
Sept. 4, 6:30 pm

PLEASE JOIN US for our first General Membership Meeting of the 2019-20 school year at the FCPS Administrative Building Cafe (8115 Gatehouse Road). We'd like to have the president or a representative from each PTA. We will hear from Superintendent Brabrand, briefly review our business and then move on to the featured presentation for the evening:

"Keeping Your Cool When Meetings Run Hot"

It’s easy for people to get emotional when discussing kids’ best interests. Join us for a special training to learn tips for facilitating difficult conversations at your PTA meetings. Guest presenters from  NVMS Conflict Resolution Center  will help PTA presidents learn to open and frame conversations, set expectations and keep discussions on track.This special training is provided free of charge.
Board Training
Missed our summer trainings? We have more opportunities for you!  NOVA District PTA will hold its Fall Leadership Training on Sept. 7 at Lake Braddock SS. And remember you can always train from home by taking one of National PTA’s helpful eLearning courses !

Also, check out http://www.ptakit.org/ for National PTA's comprehensive resource kit for running your PTA.
PTA Membership Resources & Benefits
"We’re just trying to get more families involved in our PTA! Where can our unit find more tools for improving our Membership Drive?"

Many updates and helpful tools for Membership Drives, including increasing and engaging more of your families to become involved in PTA, can be found in the 2019 Membership Handbook .

Virginia PTA is also offering an exciting monthly Membership Challenge for your unit to shoot for all year long. Units that complete a monthly challenge will receive a certificate and social media badge for the individual challenge and one entry monthly for one of eight Summer Leadership Training Registrations. Complete as many challenges as possible to increase the chances of winning. The prize drawings will be held the first week in June 2020.
Discounts Available with your PTA Membership
  • National PTA's Offers (Office Depot, Hertz, and more!)
  • Mount Vernon - Through a special arrangement, PTA members can enjoy a 20% discount on tickets to Mount Vernon through June 30, 2020. Visit mountvernon.org and use code FCCPTA to purchase tickets. Also, Mount Vernon can donate 4-packs of tickets to your PTA for raffles, incentives, or to give to students or teachers. Contact donationrequests@mountvernon.org.
  • Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg - contact directly to inquire about rate
JANE ARE THERE OTHER DISCOUNTS YOU WANT TO INCLUDE?
MemberHub PTA Database System
Virginia PTA is excited to announce that we have teamed up with MemberHub!  MemberHub is an online tool designed to help you run your PTA , and they're providing it to all local units FREE!  Here are  MemberHub’s  most popular features:
  • Your own e-store. Sell memberships, spirit items and more
  • Communication tools like email and texting, calendars, signups, file-sharing, and directories. 
  • Direct connections to Virginia PTA - automates dues remittance, membership reporting & state PTA compliance.
  • New fundraising opportunities. MemberHub’s SponsorShare program allows PTA units to sell sponsorships to local businesses

Be on the lookout from an email from MemberHub and VAPTA with your unit's account login instructions. Visit their substantial support website for how to videos and information on getting started - https://support.memberhub.com/hc/en-us
FCPS Boundary Study

FCPS has launched a comprehensive review of its school boundary policy . This policy review began last fall and will undergo much deliberation before any actual boundary changes are considered.

Along the way there will be many opportunities for public input. While any talk of boundary changes can be anxiety-provoking for some families, there are many families who will welcome changes. FCCPTA will support you so you can provide clear information to your school communities.

The first phase of the review is to identify the factors to use when evaluating boundaries. The School Board is in the process of discussing and prioritizing those factors. In other words, no actual boundary review has begun, and it won’t for quite a while.

Many factors prompted this historic effort, such as: 
• Some schools are seriously overcrowded, yet there are 6,000 empty desks throughout the County. 
• A new high school is needed and being planned for the West side of the County (location TBD). This will create a ripple effect of feeder changes in the middle and elementary schools. 
• There are too many trailers being used in overcrowded schools.
• The current boundary change regulation is not transparent, and allows boundaries to fluctuate without a consistent set of guidelines. 
• It takes years and millions of dollars to build additions onto schools. Boundary adjustments allow for a faster and less expensive response to shifts in population.
• The One Fairfax policy requires the School Board to identify and eliminate barriers to children’s education.

Community members will look to PTA leaders for information. FCCPTA has been preparing to guide you through some of the most important issues for this school year. Throughout the year we will provide you with up-to-date information that you can share with your parents.

To kick things off, please join us at our General Membership meeting on September 4 . Dr. Brabrand will provide an overview of the boundary review process, and we will host a special training to give you methods and tips for handling meetings when things get emotional or when there is contentious debate.
Important Changes to the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Handbook

"The Student Rights and Responsibilities document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable and supportive school environment. " - FCPS.edu

PTAs please be sure to share information about the SR&R changes for the 2019-2020 school year with your communities. Many changes were made that should have a positive impact on discipline, equity and student achievement. The district has a comprehensive webpage about the SR&R at https://www.fcps.edu/srr
Collect for Kids School Supplies and Backpack Drive

More than 56,000 FCPS students live at or near the poverty level and their families struggle to purchase the school supplies their children need to start the year off right. By utilizing bulk purchasing, Collect for Kids can turn a donation of $25 into a backpack and the basic supplies necessary for academic success for an FCPS student in need.

While you are shopping for your own child's school supplies this year, please take a moment to donate to "Collect for Kids!" Learn more on the Collect for Kids  website .   
Understanding the FCPS Community Use Process

Will your PTA be hosting fee based after school programs? Do you reserve space for your PTA's events in the FCPS Community Use system and need help understanding it all? Join the Community Use department at one of four learning workshops.

All will be held at 7pm at the Plum Center, Room 205, located at 6815 Edsall Rd., Springfield, VA, on the following dates:

Monday, August 19 th  
Wednesday, August 21 st
Thursday, August 22 nd
Monday, August 26 th  

This is an information meeting that is offered yearly to assist Booster/PTA/PTO volunteers responsible for managing after-school classes, clinics, leagues or summer camps. The presentation will include the following topics:

  • Procedures for use and ADM-24 application process and deadlines.
  • Proper promotional flier information.
  • Use of independent contractors vs. FCPS employees for classes, clinics, and camps.
  • Approved Independent Contractor List and what must be provided for an independent contractor to appear on the list.
  • How FCPS employees can work these activities and receive compensation.
  • Review of the process for the Booster/PTA/PTO to reimburse FCPS for the compensation paid to FCPS employees for these activities. 

To register to attend or for questions,
Please email the Community Use Section at FCPSCommunityUse@fcps.edu
Or call at (571) 423-2340

NOVA District PTA iSTEAM Event
Sept. 7 2019, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Lake Braddock Secondary School
9200 Burke Lake Road, Burke,

REGISTER HERE: http://bit.ly/iSTEAM2019

Join NOVA District PTA, Arlington SEPTA, and Fairfax SEPTA for our inaugural iSTEAM event for students with disabilities and their families
throughout the Northern Virginia area. We will offer interactive activities and provide exhibitors and information about opportunities to benefit our special education community members. Attendance is free,

Interested in being an Exhibitor or Sponsor? If you'd like to be an exhibitor or offer STEAM activities, please register athttp://bit.ly/ExhibitorsRegister or
contact Debbie Kilpatrick at novadd@vapta.org to learn about sponsorship opportunities!
Advocacy Corner - Make Your Voice Heard!
  • FCPS School Board Members - PTA Leaders, please be sure to send an introductory message to your school board member so that you can get on their mailing lists and stay on top of issues in your area.
  • Fairfax County Elections Information - Across our county there are many offices up for election this November that have a direct impact on your student's education (for example, nine FCPS District School Board and three At-Large School Board members will be elected).
  • Fairfax Area Candidate Forums - Make plans to attend a candidate forum and hear from the candidates running for office in your district. The League of Women Voters partners with Fairfax area non-partisan organizations to host forums around the county starting in September.
Treasurers and Presidents Reminders

Officer Information Update - ***PRESIDENTS*** Please update your PTA's officer list with VAPTA even if there were no changes this year. The update is required each year to ensure you continue to receive PTA communications.

Audit Preparation. Need help with your financial audit? Contact FCCPTA Treasurer Ann-Marie Ward  ( treasurer@fccpta.org ) with questions. For more information on Audit Preparation visit  vapta.org.
Programs At A Glance

Reflections - PTA's national student arts recognition program. This year's theme is "Look Within". Visit VAPTA's Reflections page

Spelling Bee - Start or continue a Spelling Bee tradition at your school! FCCPTA has a dedicated Spelling Bee Queen who can help you! Contact Eliza Morss for more information

Citizenship Essay - State Deadline: February 1, 2020
Virginia PTA sponsors this annual student writing contest. It's a great opportunity for PTA's to support their school's writing and social studies curriculum. The selected theme is “What does it take to be a good citizen?"

Power Plates - State Deadline: February 3, 2020
The Virginia PTA Power Plates Program is designed to encourage students to practice healthy eating habits by submitting their recipes for competition.  The competition is open to students from pre-K - 12th grades pre-kindergarten through 12.
FCCPTA Meeting Dates
2019-20 General Membership Meeting Dates

September 4
November 13
February 5
May 6

Meetings are held at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Gatehouse Administration Center, 8115 Gatehouse Rd in Falls Church. Meetings are preceded by a 6:30 p.m. Parent Update by Superintendent Scott Brabrand.

Need anything? We’re here to help!

Jane Miscavage,  president@fccpta.org
Stella Pekarsky,  vp.outreach@fccpta.org
Matt Dunne,  vp.advocacy@fccpta.org
Denise Bolton,  vp.programs@fccpta.org
Michelle Leete,  vp.training@fccpta.org
Ann-Marie Ward,  treasurer@fccpta.org
Terri Radziewski,  secretary@fccpta.org