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As spring unfolds and the school year begins to wind down, we hope this season of renewal brings you fresh energy and new beginnings. We’d love to highlight important reminders and upcoming dates in this newsletter.
Many of our local units and county councils are currently holding elections. There has been a change to how officer updates will be done. You no longer need to complete the New & Returning Officers Form — in the future, officer updates will be handled exclusively through Givebacks.
Click here for instructions on how to upload your new officers.
We also encourage you to register for our upcoming Leadership Convention, which will take place July 10–13 at the Omni Orlando Championsgate. This is an amazing opportunity to connect, learn, and grow alongside other passionate leaders from across the state.
Register here.
We are looking forward to celebrating National Teacher Day on May 6 and Teacher Appreciation Week from May 5–9. This is a special time to recognize and thank our educators for all they do to support and inspire students every day.
Thank you, as always, for your continued dedication to PTA and commitment to making a difference in the lives of children and families. We’re grateful for everything you do — and we’re always here if you need support.
Warm Regards,
Maxine Ann-Marie Lewers
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2025 Leadership Convention
REGISTRATION OPEN!
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The 2025 Leadership Convention has launched! We are so excited to be hosting a fantastic event for all of our PTA members. We hope you'll join us for our "Back 2 Basics" themed convention where we are amplifying what makes PTA so powerful: connection, leadership, advocacy, and community. For more information regarding this year's event,
https://floridapta.org/convention-registration/
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At Florida PTA, we celebrate the unique strengths, talents, and perspectives of individuals on the autism spectrum. We are committed to fostering inclusive and supportive school communities where every child and family feels valued. Family engagement plays a vital role in creating an environment where students of all abilities can thrive.
This month, let’s honor neurodiversity by learning, advocating, and embracing understanding. Individuals with autism bring incredible creativity, problem-solving skills, and unique ways of seeing the world—qualities that enrich our schools and communities. Whether through inclusive events, sensory-friendly activities, or simply spreading kindness, we can all make a difference!
Join Florida PTA in making our schools a place where every child’s potential is recognized and nurtured. Together, we can build a more accepting and inclusive world!
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Florida PTA at the Capitol: Turning Advocacy into Action!
Nearly 100 PTA advocates converged on Tallahassee for the 2025 Florida PTA Legislative Conference and Day of Action—bringing the voices of families, educators, and students directly to the heart of state government. This year’s experience included a rare opportunity to gather in the Senate Chambers, an in-depth policy briefing with Senior Education Policy Advisor to the Senate President, and attendance at several active legislative committee meetings. Our advocates held dozens of meetings with legislators and their aides, building relationships and elevating the issues that matter most in our schools and communities. From first-time student leaders to veteran county councils, Florida PTA showed up, spoke out, and made every voice count.
Want to know what’s next?
Join us on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 6:30 PM for a Virtual Member Legislative Town Hall to hear the latest updates on education funding, legislation still in play, and how you can continue to advocate for every child.
You can pre-register using the link below.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/i1-e87QbQReU1gr90cbuUw#/registration
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Membership
Together we Grow Stronger
| | Which badges have you earned so far? | | FLPTA Awards deadline May 1st | | |
As the school year closes, you may wish to offer special recognitions available through Florida PTA:
*History Walk of Fame $100 have a name inscribed on a brick which is added to the Brick Walk of Fame at the Florida PTA State Office in Orlando.
*Honorary State Life Membership $75 is given for meritorious and outstanding service.
*President's Award of Honor [receipt of the Honorary State Life Membership is a prerequisite] $30 to recognizes educators, volunteers, students, individuals and/or businesses who make a difference for children
These awards are available for purchase year-round. Details on these prestigious awards can be found here.
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Local PTAs across Florida play a vital role in supporting schools, students, and
communities. Together, we organize events, advocate for education, and provide
resources that benefit every child, their families, and teachers. We encourage all local Florida PTAs to collaborate, share ideas, lessons learned, funds and work as one strong family to make an even greater impact on our schools and students.
At our March PTA Unplugged, great resources and ideas were shared. We are sharing them forward for those who weren’t able to make it.
1. Importance of Collaboration with other Associations and Organizations. Some
Examples are:
a. League of Women Voters
b. Children’s Cabinet (All Counties Have One)
c. School Boards
2. Tutoring Needs and Where to Go.
3. Title 1 Funding
4. Collaborating with other Associations and Organizations
5. Focus on Community Building
6. Immigration
7. Food Disparities and More
| A direct and compelling adline | | |
Please join Florida PTA Treasurer, Erica Hamblen, for a Treasurer Q & A where you can ask anything you'd like! Please register ahead of time. April 22nd at noon
Register Now
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EARTH DAY!
April 22, 2025
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Hurry!
Program Idea with $2000 Stipend!
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Consider bringing We Are Active Minds Middle School to your middle school! This evidence-informed FREE program is a great addition to your school's mental health literacy and SEL programming. With twelve 35-45 minute conversations, We Are Active Minds Middle School answers some of those fundamental questions such as "Who am I?" and "How do I fit into my greater community?"
Not only is this program free, but a $2000 stipend will be provided as our thank you for participating.
Here are some of the other key details:
+Must complete program by May 1st, 2025.
+Anyone can facilitate- you don't have to be a clinician!
+Ongoing technical support from our team.
+Free, 1-hour training for facilitators based on YOUR schedule.
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Want to chat 1:1 for additional information? Schedule some time with our team:
https://calendly.com/sheinak/30min?month=2025-03
| | Student Perspective: Leadership Convention | | |
If you have a teenager, then this is the year to bring them to the Leadership Convention in Orlando. Don’t believe me, then just keep reading.
The Student Empowerment Committee recently completed and submitted their workshops to be presented. Our focus is to make sure all students have plenty of opportunities via workshops focused on them! Our committee is excited to bring you the following:
Youth Mental Health – What mental health? Why its so important? Discuss coping skills that we can all utilize. It’s no secret that the life of a young adult is more challenging today, especially with social media and a recent pandemic. Information and discussion on stress, anxiety, and depression will be shared. This will be an interactive workshop for all ages, but we will focus on young adults.
How To Become a Student Ambassador will be led by our students as they share the importance of realizing our talents, skills, and passions and how to direct them into leadership and advocacy opportunities in our schools, communities, and with local officials. We believe everyone has the ability to be a positive influence on the people around them.
Student Empowerment Roundtable will ask what are the priorities in your life, school, and community. We will talk about life skills that include encouragement, support, and sharing of ideas. What are some of the issues that we need to start or continue advocating for in our schools and communities. This discussion will be interactive and will be led by our students.
We are also planning a student themed get together (party) on Friday or Saturday night.
Students 6th -12th grade are only $25 plus a small service fee to attend. A small price to pay for invaluable leadership skills that they will learn during the convention. See you in July,
If you have any questions, please reach out Chair Frank Reyes
student.empowerment@floridapta.org
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Visit the ShopPTA Store for all of your logo'd and merchandise needs! From tablecloths to pins, banners to tote bags and so much more, the store has you covered.
Shop now!
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