PTA Mission: To Make Every Child’s Potential a Reality by Engaging and Empowering Families and Communities to Advocate for All Children

Legislative Call to Action Visit Website E-Mail Here The Education Committee has passed HB 5469 An Act Concerning Student Data Privacy out of committee. After the public hearing the committee members did make changes to the original bill to make it stronger than it was. We are very thankful to the committee for making those changes necessary to more adequately protect the students and families of Connecticut. Still, based on legislation already enacted in other states, HB 5469 is still in need of a few provisions to provide our state with a comprehensive law. Those items include: Extending requirements to all contracts that include student Personally-Identifiable-Information (right now it only applies to electronic records storage vendors, like cloud storage companies. It should reach all contractors and consultants who handle student PII.) Clarifying that protections also cover students between the ages of 18 and 21 who attend public schools, particularly those with special needs (right now it is defined as pre-k-to grade 12 only, leaving out those students who remain in the system until 21) Including enforcement penalties and breach remedies Better defining “Industry standard” best practices for storage, transmission, and role based access As a member of CAPE (Connecticut Alliance for Privacy in Education), we are now actively building support to include those measures. We ask that you join us in that pursuit by sending a letter to your own representatives to amend HB 5469 to cover all data, all public school children and young adults still in the system with enforcement and penalties for those who violate the law. Click Here to write to your legislators right now! We have provided a sample letter to representatives for you to use or customize with your own message and experiences. You may visit our website for more information, a link to the bill, our recommendations or to contact us any time. Thank you for your support and action in helping us to provide the children of our state with protections already enacted in a majority of other states!

The Resolution Process THE RESOLUTION PROCESS: HOW TO PARTICIPATE Connecticut PTA’s resolutions and beliefs are what drive our association. They set the direction of our association and provide legislators and other educational leaders with our viewpoint on education and children related issues. Resolutions and/or position statements may deal with local, state or federal issues. They are usually directed at school boards, legislature, the State Board of Education, or Congress. If your school or unit has concerns that are not addressed by CT PTA’s or National PTA’s existing resolutions, we encourage you to submit a resolution to the Committee for consideration at the next Annual Meeting. The CT PTA’s Legislative Committee, through its Resolutions Committee gathers and develops resolutions from local units, CT PTA committees and the CT PTA Board of Directors. The resolutions are acted upon by the membership at the annual meeting and they provide the foundation for CT PTA’s Legislative Program. HOW TO SUBMIT A RESOLUTION December 1st is the deadline for submission of written resolution proposals to the Resolution Committee. A unit, committee or board, not individuals, must submit resolutions. To assist you in drafting your proposals, a sample resolution proposal is below. SAMPLE RESOLUTION CONCEALABLE WEAPONS WHEREAS PTA supports and speaks on behalf of children and youth in the schools, in the community and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children; and WHEREAS One of the Objects of PTA is to secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth; and WHEREAS Incidences of gun violence are steadily increasing, and WHEREAS Children are too often the innocent victims of gun violence, both physically and emotionally; be it therefore RESOLVED That Connecticut PTA support legislation which proposes stricter controls of concealable firearms, including but not limited to, registration of each gun sold, recording of secondary sales, licensing requirement for purchases of shotguns and rifles as well as handguns, and stricter permitting standards for those allowed to carry loaded concealable weapons; and be it further RESOLVED That Connecticut PTA inform its members about pending gun control legislation and the issues surrounding such legislation so that local PTAs and PTA members may encourage legislators to support same. Submitted by Health & Welfare Commission 1994 Recommended by Board of Directors 1994 Approved by Convention Body 1994 How to write a resolution>

MEMBERSHIP CHALLENGE 2021 December News Sample Teacher Letter to Support PTA CT PTA 2020 Membership Challenge Winners Below

SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION Interested in starting a SEPTA? Contact CT PTA at office@ctpta.org or call us at 203-891-6140 What is SEPTA? SEPTA is a PTA within a school district. SEPTA bring together people who are interested in special education and children with special needs. SEPTA support, strengthens and promotes the welfare of children with special needs. SEPTA promote an understanding of special education and strive to enrich the lives of children with special needs. ARE THE GOALS OF SEPTA? -To ensure that all children receive an education that allows them to reach their full potential. -To bring together parents, families and teachers of children with special needs in order to share their experiences. -To educate parents about special education, including the identification and placement procedures for children with special needs. -To inform legislators, school boards, and the community about the importance of special education programs. -To improve the lives of children by providing cultural, social and physical enrichment. -To advocate for children with special needs and their right to a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. WHO ARE SEPTA MEMBERS? -Anyone that has an interest in the welfare of children with special needs. -Parents, families, teachers, school administrators, students, friends. -Membership is open to all. HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT SEPTA? Join a SEPTA Attend meetings Participate in programs Volunteer your time Get Involved SEPTA BROUCHURE- CLICK HERE SEPTA Locations in Connecticut with Unit Presidents Visit our SEPTAs below Cheshire SEPTA- Aimee Sobkowiak Easton SEPTA- Jill Madeo Fairfield SEPTA - Trisha Pytko Hamden SEPTA - Alexander Valentine Monroe SEPTA- Maria Dulas Newtown SPED - Amanda Perna Trumbull SEPTA- Jenny Zambrano United SEPTSA of Stratford - Melody Lehrman Wilton SEPTA- Kara Berghaus Easton SEPTA Fairfield SEPTA Hamden SEPTA Monroe SEPTA Newtown SPED PTA Wilton SEPTA Cheshire SEPTA Trumbull SEPTA United SEPTSA of Stratford Contact CT PTA fror questions office@ctpta.org http://wondermoms.org/resources/ MINDS IN MOTION Minds in Motion™ offers exciting, fast-paced, interactive workshops for every child with every interest, Kindergarten – 8th grade. Adults can attend a keynote and thought-provoking, special-interest workshops, free of charge at every MIM™ event. At Minds in Motion™ you'll also receive free literature, network with fellow parents, and learn about resources, after-school programs, camps, books, and other educational tools beneficial to your child. Other Links Network of Care for Behavioral Health SPED*NET Autism Families CONNECTicut CACLD Students with Autism Guide to Helping Kids with Autism Sleep Better Autism Resource Center Creating an Autism Friendly Home How ASD affects sleep along Moving with Kids with Autism 30 Ways to Celebrate Autism Awareness Month Traveling with Kids with Autism

Register for the Local PTA Leader Kit : your free, year-round resource to support all of your PTA leadership needs. You will find strategies, tips and turn-key tools to ensure your success. REGISTER HERE

Resources for You Click here to visit the resources below In This Section Run Your PTA Advocacy Family Resources Parent Toolkit Center for Family Engagement Notes from the Backpack Podcast Parents' Guide to Student Success Our Children Magazine College and Career Readiness Assessments and Standards Health Safety Family Guides Special Education Toolkit Summer Learning and After-School Opportunities In the Classroom Kids in Art Class Children Arriving at School Raising Hands In the Classroom Teacher and Young Student Kids for Peace Classmates Teacher and Kids Teacher & Student Fun in the Pool Playing with Animals Summer Camp Kids

NOW PART OF OUR SYMPOSIUM! More to follow..... CT PTA to provide more information as these events come closer!

VIRTUAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING 2020 Presidents & Treasurers Required Training New Presidents : Choose Presidents 101 and 1 workshop of choice. New Treasurers: Choose Treasurers 101 and 1 workshop of choice. All other President & Treasurers: Two workshops of choice. Choose workshops below. Power Points and or live recordings. When you are ready, Answer the questions from each workshop attended and return to CT PTA via email at office@ctpta.org . (2 minimum per leader) Questions? Call or email us at 203-691-9585 or office@ctpta.org Workshop Power Point Pre recorded live session Diversity & Inclusion Power Point Click Here Click here for Video Questions for Training Click here; Advocacy 101 Power Point Click Here Click here for Video Questions for Training: Click here NEW Membership Campaign Power Point Click Here Click here for Video Questions for Training: Click here Bylaws Power Point Click Here Click here for Video Questions for Training: Click here Family Engagement Power Point Click Here Click here for Video Questions for Training: Click here Treasurers 101 Power Point Click Here Click here for Video Questions for Training: Click here Be Internet Awesome Power Point Click Here Click here for Video Questions for Training: Click here Presidents 101 Power Point Click Here Click here for Video Questions for Training: Click here: Secretaries 101 Power Point Click Here Click here for Video Questions for Training: Click here: 7-21-2-20 The workshop provided an updated COVID-19 information relevant to PTA leaders and parents as we consider the re-opening of public schools. Presenter: Asha K. Shah, MD MS, Stamford Hospital, Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, Columbia University College of Physician and Surgeons COVID re-entry workshop.mp4 Dropbox link https://www.dropbox.com/s/h3nbkwwc5p9r4z8/COVID%20re-entry%20workshop.mp4?dl=0 Power Point Presentation Presentation cannot be reproduced without permission from CT PTA Click here for Power Point CLICK HERE FOR RESOURCES FROM NATIONAL PTA Take advantage of Elearning. Great tools for leaders offered by National PTA. Please note, Elearning DOES NOT count as required trainng but are great tools for all leaders!

The attached proposed amendments to the Connecticut PTA Bylaws were approved by the CT PTA Board of Directors at the January 28, 2017 BOD meeting and will be presented for consideration at the Connecticut PTA 117th Annual Meeting. The Connecticut PTA Annual Meeting will be held Wednesday, May 31, 2017 . Meeting will be held at CT PTA , 540 Washington Avenue, North Haven Meeting begins at 6:00 pm. click here to review CT PTA bylaw changes