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Happy January & a Happy New Year 💙✨
Florida PTA Family, I hope you had a joyful holiday season and a wonderful start to the New Year. As we step into 2026, I want to thank each of you for your continued dedication to children, families, and school communities across Florida. Your commitment and advocacy are what make our work possible.
As we begin the year, I want to highlight one of our most important advocacy opportunities:
Florida PTA Legislative Conference — Registration Is Open
Legislative Conference is a powerful opportunity for PTA leaders and advocates to come together in Tallahassee and make our voices heard on behalf of Florida’s children. Your presence matters. By participating, you help shape the policies and decisions that impact students, families, and public education across our state. I encourage you to register, make plans to attend, and join us in advocating together for every child.
As we move forward into this new year, I look forward to continuing our shared work—strengthening families, supporting schools, and uplifting communities across Florida.
With gratitude and best wishes for a safe and healthy New Year,
Maxine Ann-Marie Lewers
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Last month, Florida PTA hosted a Virtual School of Hope / Co-Location Briefing. One takeaway was clear: when state policies shift, the effects show up quickly in school buildings, staffing, student services, and district budgets. Co-location is one example—but it is not happening in isolation.
If you missed the briefing or would like to revisit the discussion:
Recording: Watch Now
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Good news!
We’ve extended the due date to January 18, 2026, to give everyone a little extra time to submit after these busy holidays!
If you’re still working on your entry, now’s the moment—we can’t wait to see what these children have created!
Please again contact Vanessa Fremling at reflections@floridapta.org
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2025-2026 January Membership Challenge is HERE!
100% Teacher Membership
All PTA units that achieve 100% teacher members and forward* their membership on or before the deadline will receive a digital badge and be recognized on Florida PTA social media platforms. An application is required.
Due Date: 1/31/26.
Application Here
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100 Days & 100+ Members Strong
Hit it out of the park by recruiting 100 members in just 100 days! All PTA units that forward* at least 100 members on or before the 100th day of the 2025-2026 A term will earn a digital badge, be recognized on the Florida PTA website and social media platforms, and receive a ribbon at the annual Convention.
Due Date: 01/31/26.
No Application needed
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2025-2026 Florida PTA Scholarship
As we approach the end of the academic year filled with promise and potential, the Florida PTA is excited to announce the launch of our annual scholarship program. This program recognizes and supports outstanding students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and community service.
The application window is now open and will remain so until March 2nd, 2026.
We encourage all 12th-grade students to take advantage of this opportunity to showcase their achievements and aspirations. Every application will be thoroughly reviewed by the Florida PTA Scholarship Committee, which comprises dedicated education professionals, parents, and community leaders.
Please ensure that you have completed all the required fields.
If you have any questions, please email Scholarship@floridapta.org.
Application Requirements:
- Must be a Florida PTA Member
- Submit a completed and signed application by March 2nd, 2026
- Must include a High school transcript showing a GPA of at least 2.5
- Submit a Letter of Recommendation
- Incomplete applications will not be considered.
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION HERE
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Florida PTA - What’s Next: Let’s Talk About Vouchers
Join us on January 14th to discuss a recent Florida Auditor General’s report, reviewed by the Legislature, which examined the state’s $4 billion private school voucher program during the 2024–2025 school year and raised serious concerns. This virtual briefing will provide clear, fact-based information on how Florida’s voucher programs work, where the money goes, and the financial, academic, and equity impacts on public schools—followed by an open Q&A.
Register by clicking this link!
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New This Year — Florida PTA Student Hill Advocacy Day!
On Tuesday, January 27, Florida PTA will host a special one-day student program designed for middle school and high school participants to experience advocacy in action.
Participants will have the opportunity to:
- Meet with legislators
- Learn how policy becomes law
- Experience advocacy firsthand
- Share their own perspectives on education
Student Registration (One-Day Only): Register Here for Student Hill Day. Students must be accompanied by a chaperone/parent.
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General Registration: $150 - through June 1, 2026
$200 - June 2, through June 19, 2026
K-12 Students Registration: $25 Students K - 12 Grade (with delegate status)
Children under the age of 5 enter at no cost (without delegate status)
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5 Effective Strategies: For Family Engagement
Our PTAs know that when families and schools come together, amazing things happen for our children! Family engagement is all about building strong connections between parents, teachers, and our community to help every child succeed. Getting involved doesn’t have to mean attending every meeting or volunteering for every event. It’s about staying connected, showing support, and being part of your child’s learning journey in whatever way works best for you.
Here’s what family engagement means to us:
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Teamwork: Families and schools working side by side to help students grow.
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Inclusion: Every family has a voice and a place at the table.
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Empowerment: Giving parents and caregivers the tools they need to help their children shine.
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Community: Celebrating the unique strengths that every family brings to our school.
When families feel welcome and connected, students do better academically, socially, and
emotionally. That’s why PTA is dedicated to creating more ways for families to get involved, share ideas, and make lasting memories together.
| | | Our Teachers Matter! Keep the "T" in PTA! Here is how they play a role in PTA | | | | | |
