Resources for advocacy on behalf of children and youth, developing parent skills, and encouraging parent and public involvement in public schools. Be a PTA Member! Join us today! Membership is open to anyone who believes in the mission and purposes of Parent Teacher Association. Individual members may belong to any number of PTAs and pay dues in each. Every person who joins a local PTA® automatically becomes a member of both the state and national PTAs. Together we are a powerful voice for children. With your help, we can continue to work toward PTA's goal of a quality education and nurturing environment for every child. Connecticut PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth. REPORT YOUR OFFICERS /CHANGES FOR 2026- 2027 President and Treasurer Training Due By November 15 Training Slides are Available in Officers Only Section 2027 Outstanding Educator & Volunteer Awards Applications for the Outstanding Educator and Outstanding Volunteer Awards will be available soon! We look forward to celebrating the dedicated educators and volunteers who make a meaningful difference in the lives of children, families, and communities across Connecticut. Please check back here soon for application details, deadlines, and additional information. Anchor 1 PTA SONG FOR ALL! CLICK IT Shop with us! Visit the CT PTA Store! Gifts for everyone! Mission & Values of the PTA Collaboration: We will work in partnership with a wide array of individuals and organizations to broaden and enhance our ability to serve and advocate for all children and families. Commitment: We are dedicated to children’s educational success, health, and well-being through strong family and community engagement, while remaining accountable to the principles upon which our association was founded. Diversity: We acknowledge the potential of everyone without regard, including but not limited to: age, culture, economic status, educational background, ethnicity, gender, geographic location, legal status, marital status, mental ability, national origin, organizational position, parental status, physical ability, political philosophy, race, religion, sexual orientation, and work experience. Respect: We value the individual contributions of members, employees, volunteers, and partners as we work collaboratively to achieve our association’s goals. Accountability: All members, employees, volunteers, and partners have a shared responsibility to align their efforts toward the achievement of our association’s strategic initiatives. THANK YOU TO OUR AMAZING SPONSORS

This week’s update includes the latest key points and other resources you can use to provide consistent, accurate, up-to-date messages about COVID-19 vaccination. We encourage you to engage with us on social media, use content syndication to link to our web content, and send us your ideas for how we can make these updates more useful to you. Resources You Can Use Now Best Practices on Vaccine Storage and Handling : CDC’s Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit now includes an Addendum with best practices and other resources to assist COVID-19 vaccination providers with proper storage and handling of COVID-19 vaccines and aims to help providers meet the requirements of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Provider Agreement. The Addendum will be updated with specific information for each COVID-19 product. You may sign up for email updates anytime the toolkit is updated. COVID-19 Vaccine Training Module for Healthcare Providers: This new web-on-demand module is for healthcare providers who will be administering COVID-19 vaccine. The training includes information about COVID-19 vaccine EUAs, vaccine safety, and general information about vaccine storage, handling, administration, and reporting. Whose Next to get the Covid-19 Vaccination? Updated 2/22/21 Click Here On the Web FDA’s independent advisory committee VRBPAC meeting information can be found here: December 10 meeting materials December 17 meeting materials COVID 19 Vaccine - Briefing Note - Mon. Feb. 1 COVID 19 Vaccine - Briefing Note - Thur Feb 4 (1 ) DPH_CovidVaccine_How_2-4-21 DPH_CovidVaccine_Ingredients_2-4-21 DPH_CovidVaccine_Safe_2-3-21 DPH_CovidVaccine_Work_2-3-21 VAAL MAP_ Spanish Final 2.4.21 CDC’s independent advisory committee ACIP is scheduled to meet on December 11 and December 13. More information about those meetings can be found on the ACIP website . CDC’s Dr. Nancy Messonnier spoke with Dr. Nsikan Akpan from National Geographic for a Fireside Chat about COVID-19 vaccines. Watch the interview here . Spotlight: Vaccine Recommendation Process and Vaccine Safety With vaccine news in the public spotlight, it may be useful to highlight CDC materials about the vaccine recommendation process, vaccine safety, and the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program: How CDC is Making Vaccine Recommendations Ensuring COVID-19 Vaccines Work Ensuring the Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States (includes material about V-SAFE, VAERS, Vaccine Safety Datalink, among other topics) Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program FAQs COVID-19 Vaccination Reporting Data Systems Schedule your Vaccine Today

National PTA partnered with Safe Routes to School National Partnership and Kaiser Permanente for Fire Up Your Feet, a physical activity program that encourages families to get more physical activity while raising money for their PTA or school. The two main components to the Fire Up Your Feet program: fundraising and the activity challenge. Fire Up Your Feet Website Partnership

Standing Committees for CT PTA Government Relations Committee Bylaws Committee Finance Committee Events & Recognition Nominating Committee Strategic Planning Committee Policy/Procedure/Delegate Selection Sponsorship/ Resource & Development Membership Office Management Standards of Affiliation Election Board(only if needed)

Membership Awards All Units Can Achieve Unit memberships are the backbone of this organization which advocates solely for the health, safety and welfare of children and youth! Connecticut PTA continues to grow with your help. The following is a list and explanation of Membership Awards that your PTA/PTSA can achieve! Most Awards are Presented at our Awards Dinner held in Spring, 2016. ONE VOICE FOR EVERY CHILD: Our most prestigious award… How many students are enrolled in your school? Achieve as many members to join PTA as your total students enrolled in your school and you receive a 2016 One Voice Award! 10% INCREASE: Increase in Membership Your membership must exceed 10% over last year. 100% TEACHER MEMBERSHIP Get every teacher of your school to become a PTA Member. Let them know through a flyer how PTA benefits them as teachers!!! 10 OUTSIDE COMMUNITY MEMBERS Ask the mailman, your hair dresser, grandma, grandpa, Auntie Sue, anyone! Achieve 10 outside members and your unit receives another great award!! *CT PTA Award of Excellence in Membership Promotions* Purpose: To recognize local affiliates that exhibit excellence in promoting PTA Membership with innovative, comprehensive, and successful membership recruitment plans. Eligibility: You must describe your membership drive (i.e. Membership Drive Theme or best idea to increase parent involvement). All affiliates in good standing are eligible to apply. *CT PTA Award of Excellence in Enrichment Programs* Purpose: To recognize local affiliates that exhibit excellence in planning innovative, meaningful, and diverse programs for both students and families. Eligibility: Affiliates must have conducted the programs during the current school year. All affiliates in good standing are eligible to apply. (Describe) *CT PTA Award of Excellence in Communications* Purpose: To recognize local affiliates that exhibit excellence in sharing and receiving communications with its members through innovative, comprehensive, and diverse means. Eligibility: Affiliates must present documentation of the communication tools used during the current school year (i.e. newsletters, fliers, newspaper clippings, etc.) All affiliates in good standing are eligible to apply. (Describe) *CT PTA Award of Excellence in Family and Community Involvement* Purpose: To recognize local affiliates that excel in encouraging and engaging school/family/community volunteer partnerships as a means to increasing student achievement, promoting a healthy learning environment for students, empowering parents as advocates, and promoting a spirit of fellowship within the school. Eligibility: Affiliates must document what was accomplished to be eligible for this award. PTA Awards Click here for additional awards !

PTA Treasurers What is a Treasurer? The treasurer is the authorized custodian, elected by the members, to have charge of the funds of the PTA organization. The treasurer receives and disburses all monies as prescribed in the local bylaws. The treasurer sees that all authorized bills are promptly paid and gives a financial accounting at regular intervals. It is imperative that the treasurer maintains accurate records. Without good records, individuals involved with collecting and handling the PTA's funds will not be protected when any questions arise. Standard accepted financial procedures must be used when keeping records so that proper audits can be conducted. All treasurers should be bonded. Upon taking office, the treasurer should do the following: Be sure that the books have been audited before accepting them. Check the files and records received from the retiring treasurer. Ask about missing records at once. Become familiar with the duties outlined in the bylaws. Secure the signatures of new officers authorized to sign checks, and file the signature cards with the bank. Check on the bonding and liability procedures. Study PTA Money Matters and note pertinent references in the National PTA Handbook. Top 10 Ways to Protect YOUR PTA against Embezzlement (from Association Insurance Management) 1. Money should never be kept at a treasurer’s home. 2. Two people should always count the money, and both should sign the receipt verifying the amount. 3. Two signatures should be required on all checks. 4. Have someone who does not have check signing authority review the bank statement monthly before giving it to the treasurer. This person is looking for red flags including: checks showing up in non sequential order, checks made out to cash, cash withdrawals, checks written out to non- approved venders, checks written for non- approved expenses, checks written out to individuals. 5. Never sign a blank check or a check made out to “cash”. 6. The Treasurer should arrange to deposit the money in the bank as soon after the conclusion of the project as possible. 7. Money should be deposited into the PTA’s bank account daily, even if a project is ongoing. 8. All bills must be paid by check, never cash. 9. Conduct an annual audit of the books. 10. Make sure that you have a Bond Policy and make sure to follow the requirements to guarantee coverage. For more on Treasurers, refer to your Finance Guide.

National PTA In Person and At Home Programs & Grants Available for PTAs! National PTA provides PTAs free, engaging, educational, and fun In Person and At Home programs that have been proven to build the knowledge, skills, and habits children need to realize their full potential. PTAs can visit PTA.org/Programs to learn more! Visit PTA.org/Grants

Outstanding Educator & Volunteer Awards 2027 Applications for the Outstanding Educator and Outstanding Volunteer Awards will be available soon! We look forward to celebrating the dedicated educators and volunteers who make a meaningful difference in the lives of children, families, and communities across Connecticut. Please check back here soon for application details, deadlines, and additional information. Congratulations To Connecticut PTA's 2026 Outstanding Educators and Volunteers...... "Dawn Hochsprung" Elementary School Principal Joseph Apicella Orange Ave PTA Superintendent Dr. Susie Da Silva Ridgefield Council High School Assistant Principal Cora Munoz Wilbur Cross PTA Middle/ High School Assistant Principal Michelle Salvas PHACT PTA Middle School Teacher Riley D'Agostino John Read PTA Support Staff Nick Decesare Hamden SEPTA Elementary School Teacher Sarah Levesque Spencer PTA High School Teacher Karen Abbey PHACT PTA Paraprofessional Jamie Bairaktaris John Read MS PTA Parent Volunteer Robin Foley Lillie B Haynes PTA PTA President Aarika Friend Booth Hill School PTA PTA President Beatrix Eriksen John Read MS PTA BOD Member Sarah Lefebvre Cheshire SEPTA/Doolittle PTA

What's Your PTA Story? Every PTA member has a story to tell. It’s more than the bake sale. It’s about our children. #PTAProud shines light on our PTA community and how they are making a difference for their schools and communities through involvement in the PTA. These #PTAProud stories will raise awareness of the significance of PTA involvement as well as spotlight the critical work members are and have been doing that is making a difference for the education, health, safety and well-being of all children. Whether it’s through a photo, a video or tweet , there are many ways to share your story. We want to recognize our #PTAProud stories and know how PTA has impacted your family and the lives of children in your community. What’s your PTA story? #PTAProud on Social Media Click it!

2026 Connecticut PTA Public Policy Agenda 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2022 2023 2024-NONE 2025-NONE Previous CT PTA Public Policy Agendas 2021

Resources for advocacy on behalf of children and youth, developing parent skills, and encouraging parent and public involvement in public schools. CT PTA hosts a variety of events and programs throughout the year that support families, empower leaders, and strengthen local PTAs. Our signature events include the annual Symposium and Expo , featuring workshops, resources, and networking opportunities; the Reflections Program , which celebrates student creativity and expression; and the Outstanding Administrators Brunch, honoring school leaders who make a meaningful impact on students and communities. In addition, CT PTA offers ongoing trainings and workshops designed to build leadership skills and organizational effectiveness, as well as our Annual Meeting , where members come together to conduct association business and shape the future of our organization. For more Details Click Here

College & Career Readiness in Connecticut: What do families need to know? Do you know how testing has changed in our schools? Do you have the information and resources to help your children at home? We want to empower parents with the information and tools they need to help their children and support their success. Connecticut PTA has partnered to host an informative event for New Haven parents and families. We'll provide information and discussion on the changes happening around assessments in our schools and throughout the state. Join us by participating in the discussion, refreshments and prize drawings! QUINNIPIAC TERRACE- COMMUNITY ROOM 2 John Williamson Drive, New Haven Wednesday, March 29 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm FREE Presentation, Dinner and Prizes! Click here for flyer Connecticut PTA would like to thank all Partners Capital Preparatory Magnet School City of New Haven CSA(community services administration) Elm City Communities HQAP (high quality assessment project) New Haven Family Resourch Center VARICK Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church Yale School of Medicine