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January 2025

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Happy New Year! We are excited about 2025 and have hit the ground running. Our LegCon event will be held in March in Tallahassee and our annual Leadership Convention will be July 10-13 at the Omni Orlando Resort at Championsgate.


All of our committees have been hard at work to help you build your membership, hone your advocacy skills, focus on the needs of our students and school communities, and maintain our robust and engaging association.



If you ever need assistance or even just a sounding board, feel free to reach out to me or to any of our Board of Directors or staff at the state office. We will always make time to help you be the best leader you can be!


Maxine Ann-Marie Lewers

Florida PTA President

president@floridapta.org

Florida PTA needs your input! Please take a moment to complete our Strategic Planning Survey, to help us better serve our local units, leaders, counties, and state as a whole.

Strategic Planning Survey

2025 LegCon

March 9-11 in Tallahassee

LegCon has a new look! Join us this year as we gather together at the capitol to meet with legislators and advocate for ALL children. This year we will begin our time together on Sunday evening, March 9th, with a dinner and a discussion about our priorities, current bills, and talking points. On Monday we encourage attendees to schedule meetings with their legislators. We will also share opportunities to attend committee meetings on Monday and Tuesday. Tuesday will be optional for those who would like more time to meet with legislators and attend committee meetings. Legislative Committee members will be available all day Monday to answer any questions you may have throughout the day. 


Cost will include dinner on Sunday, lunch on Monday, and a t-shirt. 


Registration information will be sent out soon!

Scholarships


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 open and will remain until February 28th, 2025. We encourage all 12th-grade students to take advantage of this opportunity to showcase their achievements and aspirations. 





Application Requirements


  • Must be a Florida PTA Member as of January 28, 2025
  • Submit a completed and signed application at least by February 28th, 2025
  • 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


If you have any other questions or concerns, please email Scholarship@floridapta.org.

Scholarship Information/Application

FAQs

1.My school does not have a PTA/PTSA, can I still apply?

The great thing about PTA is that you are not just limited to just your local area, there are plenty of PTAs that would love to have you. There are also three state-wide PTAs that are open to all and benefit students throughout the state: Sunshine State PTA, Kaleidoscope PTA and SEPTA. You can find more information on these and many more at our website: www.floridapta.org/join-connect.

2.When will I be notified if I am selected?

The recipients of the Florida PTA scholarships will be notified no later than the first week of June 2025.

3.Do I have to attend a college/university?

No, we actually have a minimum of four (4) scholarships, one each in the following categories: University, Fine Arts, Community College, and Vo-Tech.


Membership Challenge

Our Membership Committee has created a fun and engaging way to challenge and REWARD you as you increase your membership base.

 See our website page for more details!

Which badges have you earned so far?

Awards

Disaster Relief Grant Opportunity

National PTA has established a Disaster Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to local PTA units and other school communities that face significant natural or man-made crises that grievously disrupt school or the education system in a region or community. The purpose is to improve the welfare of children disrupted by the event and not supplant other relief support efforts. The Disaster Relief Fund is dependent on donations from individuals in the National PTA community of supporters. Funds will be awarded as available.


To request funds from the National PTA Disaster Relief Fund,

please click here.


To donate to the National PTA Disaster Relief Fund,

please click here.

Active Minds

Consider bringing We Are Active Minds Middle School to a middle school near you this semester! This evidence-informed FREE program is a great addition to your school's mental health literacy and SEL programming. With 12, 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?


Join us us for one of our two information sessions on January 22nd at 12:30 pm or 7 pm! We will be discussing the program overview, key logistics, and how easy it is to get started! Please consider inviting your school Principal, Counselor, or any other decision maker to join us! 


Not only is this program free, 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.


12:30 pm session: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqduispjIvG9xmU3mZfyqvsnB1032s-CQ9


7:00 pm session:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYoc-quqDkjE9A-0deoV_VVewSUj7exkquV

From National PTA

At the 2024 National PTA Convention, delegates voted to increase National PTA dues by $1.00 (to $3.25 per membership). This dues increase goes into effect on July 1, 2025. After July 1, 2025, all dues submitted to Florida PTA must include the $3.25 (National PTA) and $1.25 (Florida PTA) dues, for a total of $4.50 sent to Florida PTA for each member.  


How does this affect your local unit? Please see this FAQ page for more details.

Save The Date!



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!

Contact Us

407.855.7604

www.floridapta.org

info@floridapta.org

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