Latest News from New Mexico PTA
October 18, 2016
In This Issue
Apply for Free Kindle Readers!
Save the Date for Family Reading this March!
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As you begin this new school year and plan for the months ahead, make sure you save the date and get ready to celebrate National Reading Month in March with PTA's Family Reading Experience.
 
Sign up for a free event kit and your PTA will be eligible for a Kindle Giveaway! The first 1,000 PTAs to sign up by Dec. 1 will receive colorful posters, event signage, stickers for students, bookmarks and family take-home messages to support your event.

Thanks to Kindle, our generous sponsor, your PTA could be one of 100 to receive Kindle e-readers to support your school's literacy initiatives.
 
Go to PTA.org/Reading and start planning today! We have everything you need to plan and host activities that will show parents how to boost core literacy skills with their kids.

Questions? Email [email protected] or call (800) 307-4782.

ESSA 
Community Meeting Dates

The New Mexico Public Education Department will be hosting a meeting for parents/guardians on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 in Roswell, NM. We would like to ask that you share the invitation with the families in the Roswell area and surrounding communities. Space is limited, so we encourage those interested to RSVP as soon as possible.
 
If attendees require any accommodations in order to participate, we ask that they please describe upon confirming their attendance. (i.e. Spanish language interpreter, ASL interpreter, assistive listening device, wheel chair access, etc.) If yes, please call Gloria Ruiz at 505-469-2645 one week before the meeting, so that we may accommodate their request.

Congratulations to Our Early Bird Contest Winners!



Gonzales Community School PTA - Santa Fe
Military Heights Elementary PTA - Roswell
San Antonito Elementary PTA - Sandia Park

 Thank you to all of the schools that submitted membership to the New Mexico PTA for the Early Bird Membership Awards Challenge drawing! An incredible 34 PTAs qualified for this year's drawing and 22 of those have already reported a 100% or more increase over their 2015-2016 total membership numbers.  Please remember to share your awesome membership drive ideas and event descriptions with NMPTA so that we can post them in the Great Ideas Bank on our website. Email me at [email protected] .
The three winning PTAs will each receive a check in the amount of $200 to further the work of PTA at their school.  Keep up the great job everyone!
Sincerely,
Jeanne Grazier
NMPTA VP for Membership


Deadline For Fall E-Learning Challenge is
October 21, 2016! 




PTA Recruitment Tool Updates

In case you missed our recent Facebook PTA Live, we'd like you to know we've got BIG news!
 
When you register for the Back-to-School Kit, you will receive a brand-new Recruitment Tool. PTAs can use these packets to help you grow membership. You can now request more copies of the Recruitment tool! Contact [email protected].

In order to be eligible to win a google Chromebook please fill out the satisfaction survey by Oct. 31. Your feedback is very important .

 
Five Reasons Why Membership Matters
  1. Membership supports and encourages family engagement-and when families are engaged, students succeed!
  2. PTA provides programs for students and families to connect. Members give life to programs like Reflections, School of Excellence, Family Reading Experience and more.
  3. PTA membership gives every child a voice in Washington, DC. Whether we are working to improve the juvenile justice system or K-12 education via ESSA implementation, every member counts!
  4. Members get discounts! Remind your community that PTA.org/MemberBenefits is the place to go for the latest savings and discounts you recieve as part of your PTA membership.
  5. Our members are part of a larger community-in their town, state and nationwide. Knowing that our members give every child a voice at every level of government makes us all #PTAProud.

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Receive $200 for your PTA and
Help Parents Get Informed!

Parents have questions about the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). As a PTA leader, we know you want to help them understand what the new regulations will mean for their children.
Join New Mexico PTA's efforts to receive input from families about ESSA.  We are asking New Mexico PTAs to host an event led by a PTA leader and/or school personnel to engage in a community conversation with parents and families.  New Mexico PTA will provide all the necessary resources in an easy-to-use toolkit, including an event planning checklist, script, FAQs, and participant handouts.  In addition, a Leader's Guide will be provided to walk you through the steps to hosting an event.  The resources, combined with training and support from New Mexico PTA will help you conduct a successful event!  This project has a very fast turn-around time.  Information from your event will be sent to the Learning Alliance, who will compile the responses and send them to the NM Public Education Department for their review.  

The Details:
  • The Training of Facilitators event will be held at the Parents Reaching Out offices - 1920 Columbia Dr SE # B, Albuquerque, NM 87106 on Saturday November 12th from 8:30am - 12:30pm.  
  • Attendance is limited to the first 15 PTA schools that register.  PTAs must register two individuals.  One must be a PTA Board member and the second individual may be a PTA member, teacher, Principal, or school support staff person.  
  • Registrants travelling more than 60 miles one way (home address to training location address) will be eligible for a hotel room for the night of November 11th, and mileage reimbursement for one vehicle (based on Mapquest).  Hotel rooms are double occupancy.  Male and female attendees from a school will be booked in separate rooms.  New Mexico PTA will be responsible for all hotel arrangements.
  • Breakfast will be provided on Saturday morning, November 12th, for all registrants.  All other meals are at the expense of the registrant.
  • PTAs must be in compliance by November 7th to be eligible for this opportunity.

Next Steps:
  • Step 1: Register for the Training of Facilitators event on Saturday, November 12 from 8:30am - 12:30pm by emailing the registration form to [email protected] by November 7th.
  • Step 2: Begin browsing resources on ESSA at: http://www.pta.org/essa
  • Step 3: Receive registration confirmation from New Mexico PTA.
  • Step 4: Conduct a presentation with at least 25 adults in attendance by December 14th, 2016 and send the required forms to the NMPTA office within one week of the event to receive a $200 donation to your school PTA.  

For questions and to request the registration form, contact New Mexico PTA at [email protected] or by calling 505-881-0712.


Please note:  The presentations do not advocate for or against ESSA.  They are designed to provide parents and families with the opportunity to voice their opinions.  Families whose voices are heard are empowered families.


New Mexico PTA's Fantastic Fall Fundraiser

Clean out those closets, empty that attic, blow up that basement, gut that garage!  New Mexico PTA is hosting another Goodwill Industries, 'Good Deeds' fundraiser at Hinkle Family Fun Center on Saturday, October 29 from 9:00 to 2:00.  Please bag up your hand-offs and drop them at the Hinkle on that day.
Pass the attached flyer on to your family and friends too!  Offer to take their donations with you on October 29th and drop them off for them.  Or visit your local neighborhood yard sales from now and until the 29th and tell the homeowner that you know of a terrific organization that will gladly take their leftover items on that Saturday, by 2:00pm.
Proceeds from this fundraiser offset the costs of the New Mexico PTA Board of Directors' professional development opportunities.  Thank you for your support!
FYI: Goodwill won't take big items (furniture, large appliances, TVs, mattresses) but soft goods, small hard goods, and electronics are all acceptable!


CALLING ALL PTAs.................SHOW YOUR PTA PRIDE!!!



JOIN US, ONE AND ALL, IN THE ALBUQUERQUE TWINKLE LIGHT PARADE - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2016
NMPTA will be entering a float in the Albuquerque Twinkle Light Parade.  We will have a truck and trailer, both of which will be decorated with blow-ups and twinkle lights.  We invite all of you to walk the ONE-MILE parade route with us.  You work hard for your kids and school, LET'S SHOW THE PEOPLE OF NEW MEXICO HOW PTA PROUD WE ARE!!!
All you need to do is tell us how many people will be walking behind the float AND wear twinkle lights.  Please read the rules and regulations below and ensure you are in compliance.
If you would like to participate, please email NMPTA by November 4th and let us know how many of you will be participating.  Feel free to make signs and posters (that you can carry) indicating your school name.
Twinkle Light Parade Rules and Regulations:
 
The parade is meant to be fun for the community; however, remember safety is the number one priority for both parade entrants and spectators.
 
 
LIGHTS:  All Entries, including tow-vehicles and walkers, must be decorated with holiday lighting. All entries are required to have as many lights as possible.
 
Insurance and liability are the sole responsibility of the entrant.
 
HANDOUTS:
Throwing of any items is strictly prohibited. PLEASE DO NOT THROW CANDY. Walking entrants may hand out appropriate holiday items.
 
 
PLEASE COME OUT AND HELP US SHOW OUR PTA PRIDE!!!


25th Annual Back to School Family Institute
Register parents, grandparents, school staff, students,
and other school community members 
as part of your family-school partnership programs.  
                                                                         
Don't miss all of t he great  opportunities
             that are part of the 2016 Family Institute!
      
Join us as we celebrate 25 years of  family-school partnerships!
  • Practical and interactive opportunities for parents, grandparents, educators, and advocates in school communities
  • Featuring updated resources and Toolkit for networking and planning focused on family-school connections and student success
  • Opportunities to address Title I, Bilingual Education, Indian Education, PTA/PTO, & PAC program requirements for Family Engagement
  • Youth-Led leadership strand for students in grades 8-12
  • Parenting and health resources for families
  • Special 25 year Prizes including tablets and laptops
  • Quality Childcare in special facilities for the kids
  • Invited guests include Dr. Tony Baez, Dr. Paul Martinez, Shirley Otero and local parent leaders and advocates for families and schools
  • Easy registration that covers all meals including the dinner buffet and celebration Thursday evening! 


Family-School Partners 
 
     
Shirley Otero   
Guest Speaker 
Family and Community Advocate  
2016 Guest Speaker    
 
 
Dr. Luis Antonio Báez  
Racial and Social Justice Advocate  
2016 Guest Speaker  
     
  • Visit the institute  WEB SITE for more information  on the institute cost,  schedule, highlights, presenters, exhibitors, sponsors, and registration!
                                                                                                                                                  

We look forward to seeing you in November
at the Hilton Buffalo Thunder !
 
                                                                                                                  
The Election Process in Less Than 3 Minutes 
The presidential election process can be very confusing.  Can you explain to your kids the steps, and in order? Well, we're here to help!
 
We have a fun short video based on our most popular How Do I Become President of the U.S. poster . You can also download your own copy .
Teachers, we didn't forget about you-our lesson plan can help your students.  
So let's break it down:
Part 1: The Requirements
Can you list the three  qualifications for being a U.S. President? We have the answer right here in this short video .

Part 2: Primaries and Caucuses
Which comes first: the primaries or caucuses? Watch this video
to find out.




     
Part 3: National Conventions and the General Election
This quick video explains the conventions and campaigning leading up to election day.



Part 4: How Votes Are Counted
Explain to your kids what the electoral college is and why the number 270 is important.
 








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