We need 3,000 new members in the next five days! Can you ask one of your friends to join, lending their voice to nearly 300,000 others in support of children?

We cannot do this work alone, and really need YOUR help to support children.

Send you friend a text or email with THIS LINK, or call them and say, "I believe in supporting Every Child with One Voice. Will you help, too?"

NYS PTA leadership and members attended National PTA Convention last week in New Orleans! From presidents' meetings to resolutions, New York was proudly represented.

We are so proud that NY was recognized for our work with the heroin and opioid crisis. Juvenile Protection Specialist Susanne Smoller participated in the Heroin and Opioid Symposium. "We cannot arrest our way out of this epidemic," offered Susanne. "The war on drugs is a failure, instead we need support and hope for those affected."

On behalf of NYS PTA, President Gracemarie Rozea was called to the main stage to receive National PTA's recognition for this important work. Another great NYS PTA moment: Vice President Lorey Zaman was recognized for her work in the Dominican Republic with Lifetouch Memory Mission.

NYS PTA also received several awards. NYS PTA and Syosset Council of PTAs were both honored to accept the Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion Awards.

On behalf of NYS PTA, Gracemarie accepted a Silver Membership Award.

Last, NYS PTA received the State Advocacy Award for our work on e-cigarette policy and education.

Looking for more information and videos from National PTA Convention? Click HERE for our Twitter posts, or like the NYS PTA Facebook page.

#PTACon18 has ended, but our delegates are returning to their communities with a renewed commitment, expanded knowledge, plus memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. YOU can experience this at Summer Leadership! Don't miss out - click HERE for more information and to register.

National PTA urges Congress and the administration to immediately stop the zero-tolerance policy that is resulting in harmful separation of undocumented children from their parents and family members. Our association also seeks immediate reunification of families presently separated under current enforcement policy.

"The separation of a child from their parent creates emotional stress and trauma that can adversely impact every aspect of their life," said Jim Accomando, president of National PTA. "Keeping families together and ensuring that undocumented children-and all children-are treated with dignity and respect, are adequately cared for, and have the opportunity to reach their full potential and become productive members of society is essential and in the best interest of our nation."

National PTA has long believed that every child residing in the United States-regardless of their immigration status-has the right of access to a high-quality public education, adequate food and shelter, and basic health care services. Two of our association's founding principles are to promote the safety and well-being of all children and youth and to advocate for children and families who are most vulnerable.

Click HERE for the full press release.

At the 2018 National PTA Convention & Expo in New Orleans, delegates endorsed the position statement on the Separation of Undocumented Children and Families that was adopted by the National PTA Board of Directors at its meeting on June 20. You can view the position statement HERE.

Although an executive order was signed ending the policy that resulted in the separation of undocumented children from their parents and family members, we must remain vigilant in raising our voices to ensure families are reunited as quickly as possible. We encourage you to use the position statement to advocate on this issue.

"Some issues go beyond partisan, parochial politics. Ensuring the well-being of children is one such universal issue. It is hard to imagine a presidential administration that is so willing to use innocent children as pawns in a political game - literally tearing 4 and 5-year-olds from the loving arms of their parents.

"We have all seen the images and heard the audio of these separations and it is enough to break the heart of any caring person. Yet our nation's chief law enforcement officer turns to the Bible, of all places, to justify the administration's cruel, cruel policy. And to be sure, despite the knowingly false claims of the President and his staff, these children are being separated from their parents as the result of a policy decision of this administration. A repugnant and reprehensible policy that must be stopped today.

"Work conducted by the Regents Early Childhood Workgroup's Blue Ribbon Committee confirms what should be obvious to all - a traumatic incident in a child's life can have life-long negative consequences that must be addressed comprehensively through trauma informed care. Shame on our government for their complicity in creating that trauma.

"Because this President does not appear to have the compassion or understanding to reverse his cruel separation policy, it is time for our elected officials to demonstrate courage and act. Today the Board of Regents and the NYS Education Department call on our members of Congress, regardless of political party, to stand up for families and children and put an immediate end to the President's cruel and immoral policy."

Greetings PTA friend!

Thank you for your dedication to our children and families in your community and across New York State!

We would like to personally invite you to our upcoming Summer Leadership Conference, held at Union College July 21-22 in Schenectady, NY!

We hope you can join us - either as a day delegate or as an overnight guest! Please REGISTER HERE if you haven't already!

Summer Leadership will continue your PTA leadership journey. You will return home as an energized leader, full of new ideas for your PTA and school community. We hope you can learn and celebrate with us!

NOTE: Summer Leadership attendance is an approved use of PTA funds.

We are excited to share this year's highlights:

• Fun Dr. Seuss theme! You can wear a Seuss costume or a Seuss shirt!
• Network with state, region and local PTA leaders.
• Participate in active workshops on a variety of topics including Membership, Technology, Leadership, Advocacy, Diversity and Family Engagement.
• Visit with exciting new vendors in the Exhibit Hall.
• Contribute to a Book Drive initiated by our state Youth Members to benefit a local community organization.
• Professionally catered meals, an outside BBQ, and evening fun!
• Plus, if you are an educator, you can receive FREE CTLE credit by attending!

Click HERE for the complete registration packet with all the fun details!

Click HERE to register now!

Only five days left to register! Deadline to register is June 29! Choose from different registration packages. Come and make a difference!!

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not. ~Dr. Seuss

Warm regards,

Gracemarie Rozea, President

Kyle McCauley Belokopitsky, Esq., Executive Director

When: Friday, July 20, 2018, 11:30am-5:00pm
Cost: $25/per person (includes lunch)
Where: College Park Hall at Union College, 
450 Nott Street, Schenectady

To make every child's potential a reality, we must be innovative and bold in our family engagement strategies. Join us at NYS PTA's Family Engagement Conference as we present workshops which have a focus on strengthening partnerships between family and school, meaningful and practicable family engagement concepts, and support for the whole child and family.

This five-hour conference includes lunch, speakers and two workshops.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE TODAY! 

DEADLINE TO REGISTER: JUNE 29, 2018

Conference flyer to download and share

Dear Parents,

As summer break approaches, I want to thank you for helping to make this school year a great one. If you have a child graduating this year - whether from kindergarten, middle school, high school, or college - I want to extend heartfelt congratulations!

Click HERE to read Commissioner Elia's letter to parents.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released its forecast for the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season. Check out the predictions and which names have been selected for tropical cyclones this year.

Parents who've been through middle school with their kids will say they had no idea what was coming. The good news? Teachers and experts know what to expect. Dr. Lisa Damour shares her top 10 of what to expect in middle school from Your Teen Magazine.

Exposure to extreme heat in the summer can be dangerous, especially for children and older adults. Heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable! Learn how to identify the warning signs and when to seek medical help immediately from the Centers for Disease Control.

Prepare U is a multi-faceted experiential social emotional curriculum, developed by the Therapy Live team and endorsed by leading psychologists.

CLYNK is the only bottle redemption system that allows you to create a personal account, drop off bags of redeemable containers, accumulate cash in an electronic account, and donate to your school online from your own home computer. Read more here and think of us as a modern bottle drive that's simple and effective!

Check out the Dining, Grocery and Shopping Program, a new benefit from Creative Solutions (2), a Strategic Alliance Partner.

The program costs only $7.77 monthly, which gives you access to savings at 82,000 restaurants, grocery coupons and deep discounts on local and online shopping! PLUS, if your unit decides to participate, they get $2.00 each month for every sign-up! Also, this program can be used in conjunction with Box Tops! CLICK HERE to read more!

KidGooRoo is the only place to go online to read ratings and reviews of kids' classes, camps and programs in your area.