Welcome Back Everyone!

I am thrilled to kick off the new school year and watch as new and existing local units get back to hosting awesome events for our Duval County children and families. I know memberships will soar as we promote “Why Join PTA/PTSA” all year long. The work we do to build and strengthen our community is vital here locally and across the state. 

In fact, delegates to the Florida PTA Convention this year served us well as we were able to pass three very important resolutions. Advocacy is an integral part of the work PTA/PTSA does and as such Melissa Daniel will again this year keep us up-to-date on the latest in this space. Melissa has done a great job on behalf of DCCPTA.

The Florida PTA Convention also saw a number of awards for many local units, including:

  • Florida PTA’s DEI Award was given to Whitney Touchton and her Diversity, Engagement and Inclusion Committee
  • Stanton College Preparatory School PTSA received two honors: Florida PTSA Local Unit Program Award and an award for 100% Faculty 
  • Julia Landon College Preparatory PTSA won the Local Unit Achievement Award 
  • Wolfson PTSA was awarded the Florida PTA Golden Early Bird Award and the Membership Increase Award.  

Despite the pandemic, many amazing local units were still able to achieve so much for our students and families. Congratulations to everyone!

Finally, as an important reminder, please complete your background screening as soon as possible. The screenings are good for two years and can be done via the DCPS website. If your screening is not up-to-date you will not be able to be in the school buildings.

I look forward to serving as your PTA/PTSA President this year! If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at president@dccpta.org.

We Are Better Together!
Kay Hawkins, President
2021-2022 General Meeting Schedule

Cline Auditorium
9:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
Hospitality starts at 9
  • Monday August 23rd
  • Thursday September 23rd**
  • Tuesday October 26th
  • Tuesday November 30th
  • Tuesday January 25th
  • Tuesday February 22nd
  • Tuesday March 22nd**
  • Tuesday April 26th

**Lunch & Learn following the meeting 12:30-1:30
Hospitality Note: PTA's volunteering for hospitality be aware of new Covid Health Guidelines. All food must be store bought and individually wrapped.
Be in the know...
PREPARATION

Be prepared for the 2021-2022 School Year with information here
ADVOCACY

Let your voice be heard! Suggestions on how to advocate for your community can be found here on the Florida PTA website.

Sign up for Voter Voice legislative alerts (Florida PTA’s Take Action Network) and take action here.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

Check out our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee’s “Let’s Talk About It” monthly education posts. Visit our DEI page to learn more.
Is your PTA in Compliance?
Compliance Checklist


If you need any assistance completing any requirements or have inquiries into the status of your local unit, you can email Leisa Potter – 2nd VP of Local Units at localunits@dccpta.org 
DON’T FORGET!
THE RIGHT FOOT AWARD

Starting Fall 2021 The Right Foot Award is now completely online! Nominations are due November 1st.

In addition to the online form you MUST also email Awards@DCCPTA.org, and copy your principal on the email, a copy of your audit, current board roster with contact information, and your budget and meeting minutes from the general meeting where your budget was passed. 

Review this guide to make the application process easier for your PTA/PTSA.
Member Benefits &
Business Partners
New Member Benefits

Jeremiah's Italian Ice of Jax Beach
Recieve 20% off your order

Planet Fitness
$0 join fee and $10 classic membership
with code Duval10

TitanUp Fitness
15% discount on 13-Week Program classes or membership packages. *exclusions apply* Jax Beach, Town Center (Gate Parkway) and Ponte Vedra/Nocatee locations.
Interested in partnering with the
Duval County Council? 

You Are a History Maker
Dear Historians,

Thank you for agreeing to serve as the Historian for your Local Unit for the upcoming school year. Your role is vital to capturing moments that your school and families make during this year. Taking pictures of events and creating a great historian book to share at the end of the school year will be a fun and exciting way to show how your school has built community within your school, by advocating for students. Feel free to get started early. Taking pictures of your PTA team, other volunteers, and your families before and during events is the way to go. Remember, if you are unable to attend all the events, designate someone to take a few pictures to email, text or get to you digitally so that you have them to include in the historian book. This book can be a significant point of pride and information for your existing and incoming families. 

Thank you for your willingness to build and document the history of your school PTA. There will be training about what can go into your Historian Books for awards. Speaking of awards, at the end of the year we plan to share a slideshow at the Principals & Presidents Luncheon and would love to include some photos from your school. We will let you know when and where to submit them. 

If I can assist you with any questions about your role as Historian for your Local Unit, feel free to reach out to me at historian@dccpta.org

Jimminda Thompson (DCC Historian)
Student Perspective
As a student representative, I thoroughly enjoyed the convention and found it to be a positive experience.

We learned how to make healthy learning environments for LGBTQ+ students and students of color. We also learned how to be active students in our PTA community and how to recruit other students.

Our presenters and vendors were very open and heard our thoughts and answered our questions. They also made it fun for us, holding parties and fun events and giving out raffles and fun prizes, one of which my mom won! But my favorite part was that it let us students, who usually don’t feel like they have a voice, vote and be a part of important PTA decisions. I wouldn’t mind coming back again and again.

Julius Graham, DCCPTA Student Representative
2021-2022 Duval County Council Board Members

President - Kay Hawkins
1st VP Programs - Tiffany Graham
2nd VP Local Units - Leisa Potter
3rd VP Leadership - Victoria Dietzel
Treasurer - Doreen Abbott
Recording Secretary - Deepika Ancha
Corresponding Secretary - Billie Alston
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