Virtual Events Run from Monday, April 5^th to Saturday, April 10th

Awards to be presented at the Massachusetts PTA VIRTUAL Annual Convention, April 10, 2021

Leadership Awards –

Application online is required

Applications are due by Friday April 2, 2021.

The Barbara Bailey Membership Award

Barbara Bailey was president of Massachusetts PTA in the early 1990’s.  During her term (and beyond!), she was able to help units manage memberships, bylaws, and conflicts.  To recognize her continued dedication to units across the state, we are honored to name this award after her.  Describe a successful membership drive that your unit completed during the past year.

The Carol Woodbury Leadership Award

Carol Woodbury was the president of the Massachusetts PTA from 1999-2002.  During her term, she inspired units across the state to work together and form positive relationships with school administrations and the community.  Carol continues to work on behalf of students, parents and teachers in Massachusetts where she works as a superintendent. Write a brief description of an inspiring leader in your local unit.  Tell us what makes that person inspiring and how it made a difference in your school/community.

Spirit of PTA Award

This award recognizes volunteers who promote and encourage the essence of PTA in their communities…every Child. one Voice.  Write a short essay describing someone you feel portrays the true essence of PTA. Members must be registered to accept the award. This award is open to a variety of leadership roles that your unit feels a member is deserving of recognition: newsletter, event planning, public relations, fundraising, etc. Your local dues can cover any convention expenses, as well.

Outstanding Advocate Award

[3 separate awards will be given- 1st for Student Advocate; 2nd for Member Advocate and 3rd for a Local Unit]

This award is given to a student, PTA member and Local Unit on the Local Unit level who has made significant contributions through Leadership/Service. In a short essay, describe how this person or unit exemplifies and stands out among others, how they adopted and carried out the mission of the PTA and volunteered their time to bring this to fruition.

Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award

[3 separate awards will be given- 1st for elementary; 2nd for middle school and 3rd for high school]

This award is to recognize a school teacher who is supportive, helpful, and personally involved in the PTA.

Outstanding Vice Principal of the Year Award

[3 separate awards will be given- 1st for elementary; 2nd for middle school and 3rd for high school]

This award is to recognize a school vice principal who is supportive, helpful, and personally involved in the PTA.

Outstanding Principal of the Year Award

[3 separate awards will be given- 1st for elementary; 2nd for middle school and 3rd for high school]

This award is to recognize a school principal who is supportive, helpful, and personally involved in the PTA.

Outstanding Superintendent of the Year Award

This award is to recognize a school district superintendent who is supportive, helpful, and personally involved in the PTA.

Outstanding Counselor of the Year Award

This award is to recognize a  school counselor who is supportive, helpful, and embodies the mission of PTA.

Unsung Hero Award

This Unsung Hero has gone above and beyond the call of duty. This is a special person who has done extra special things for those in need.  This special person has done good work without receiving or expecting praise and recognition. In a short essay, describe how this person exemplifies and stands out among others, how they adopted and carried out the mission of the PTA. This person could be: ESP’s (Educational Support Professional), School Nurses, Crossing Guards, Guardians, Grandparents, Cafeteria Personal, Bus Drivers, School Bus Monitors, Custodian/Maintenance Personal, Lunch/Recess Monitors, etc.

Spotlight on Male Engagement Award

This award rewards those units who focus on ways to engage the fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, uncles, mentors, business partners, etc. In a short essay, describe how your PTA has utilized or involved fathers in your school or community.  Attach fliers/news articles/screenshots that are related.

Newsletter/ Communications (Examples of Publication Required)

Do you have a great way of keeping your PTA community informed? Whether it is newsletters that are sent home in a backpack, emails or a website that helps members keep up-to-date with your PTA happenings, show us how you communicate. Submit an example of your communication.

Community Membership Award

In order to bring into closer relations the school and community, i.e., places of worship, businesses, community leaders, etc., this award will be given to those PTAs that recruit twenty-five members from the community in addition to parents who also serve in community leadership positions.

Literacy Award

This Award is given to PTA units that promote literacy among students, families and the community; support the Media Center with activities that help make students better readers, writers and thinkers; and advance the ideals of learning through the written word.

General Membership Awards – No application needed:

• Golden Apple Award – Units with 100% membership of full-time certified teachers.
• One Voice for Every Child Award – Membership equal to or greater than number of students enrolled in the school.
• Massachusetts Honor Roll – Units with membership equal to or greater than 60% of students enrolled in the school.
• Challenge Award – Units with 5% membership increase over the previous year’s membership total.
• Making a Difference Award – Units with at least a 15% member increase over the previous year’s membership total.

Win gift cards for your unit!

All units which submit their dues and membership lists by November 15, will be placed in a drawing for $50 gift card. Two units will be selected.  

The following will be determined and awarded based on dues/membership submissions received by December 15, 2020

First unit to submit:  

a 15 member increase over last year’s total membership will receive a $25 gift card*

a 25 member increase over last year’s total membership will receive a $50 gift card*

a 30 member increase over last year’s total membership will receive a $75 gift card*

*Units will receive a TD Bank Visa Gift Card!

Simply and Successfully Sweet: Volunteer Awards
Application online is required

Online applications are due by Friday, April 2, 2021.

PTA is a volunteer driven organization. To provide all of the amazing programs and events a local PTA may provide for their community it requires many dedicated volunteers. To encourage and recognize the outstanding work of volunteers, Massachusetts State PTA (MA PTA) provides multiple individual recognition awards that local PTAs may choose to award to deserving volunteers. Local PTAs develop their own timeline for recognizing volunteers, nomination form(s), and rubric for determining eligibility. Each unit can submit up to 8 nominations, 1 for each candy listed below.

Nominations need to be submitted to the Massachusetts PTA by Friday, April 2, 2021 in order for the nominee to be awarded at the VIRUTAL Awards Breakfast Celebration on Saturday, April 10, 2021 Each winner will receive a certificate and the corresponding candy for their award.

Starburst- You always burst with energy and excitement

Pay Day- You always keep us on budget

Crunch- You are always help others when they are in a crunch

KitKat- You are always helpful and give others a break

Pop Rocks- You rock our world!

3 Musketeers- You are loyal and a good friend

Extra- You are a hard worker and go the extra mile

Rolo- You always roll with the punches

REGISTER HERE FOR CONVENTION TODAY!

Please check back or contact info@masspta.org for more information about scheduled events.

Virtual Events Run from Monday, April 5^th to Saturday, April 10th

MA PTA is proud to announce this years event is FREE to all Massachusetts PTA members. If you are not a member and would like to attend one of all of the programs you may with the low registration fee of $10.00.

REGISTER HERE TODAY!

PTA has a long and proud history. Join us, virtually as we celebrate that history and look forward to the challenges and opportunities of the future. We have an exciting schedule of virtual sessions on the topics that you have requested from our Special Needs Committee, Health Safety and Wellness Committee, Advocacy Committee, and Leadership Team. This week long opportunity to engage and learn how to support our children, families, and communities culminates in our Reflections Awards Breakfast and Annual Meeting on Saturday.

Please check back or contact convention@masspta.org for more information about scheduled events.

Tentative Schedule-

• Monday, April 5, 2021
  • 6:00 pm – 6:45 pm Sponsor Workshop- Mountain America Credit Union
  • 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Advocacy Panel
• Wednesday, April 7, 2021
  • 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Food Insecurities Panel
  • 7:15 pm – 8:15 pm Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Panel
• Thursday, April 8, 2021
  • 6:00 pm – 6:45 pm Special Education 101
  • 7:00 pm – 7:45 pm Special Education and Discipline
  • 8:00 pm – 8:45 pm What’s a 504 Plan
• Saturday, April 10, 2021 Convention Day
  • 8:30 am President Welcome and Keynote Speaker
  • 9:00 am Reflections “Breakfast” Celebration
    • Reflections Awards Recognition
    • Local Unit Awards
  • 9:30 am Leadership Breakout Sessions
  • 10:00 am Massachusetts PTA Annual Meeting and Final Remarks
    • Bylaws Amendments Vote

Virtual Events Run from Monday, April 5^th to Saturday, April 10th

Check Out Our Speakers for the 2021 Convention

Speakers are listed alphabetically by last name

Adeline Bee, Retired Educator

Presenting on Monday, April 5, 2021, Session 2; Advocacy Panel

Adeline is a mother, grandmother, former School Committee member, former MTA district director, Democratic State Committeewoman and member of MA PTA Legislative and advocacy committee. She has a long history of advocating for what is in the best interest of her children, her students, her co-workers and her community. As a young mother, she advocated for her own child beginning in nursery school. Later he was diagnosed with ADHD; as a parent she learned how to work with the school system. As a teacher, she understood the myriad complications, but her son always came first. She used her parental skills to work with her students, their families and the school system. Adeline is involved in the MTA on a local and state level, once again advocating for both teachers and students. Since retirement last year, she uses her skills to advocate for parents and their children through the legislative process. “A child’s education should always come first because EVERY child should be our number one priority.”

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Leslie Boggs, National PTA President

Speaking on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at Annual Meeting

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Khara Burns, Senior Director of SNAP Outreach Programs , P-EBT Coordinator in MA

Presenting on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 Session 3; Food Insecurities: Help…What’s Happening!

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Dr. Erik Champy, Counselor, Triton High School

Presenting on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 Session 4; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Dr. Erik Champy has supported children, adults and the community for over 30 years. He was elected to the National PTA Board of Directors in June 2019 and looks forward to sharing his time and talents to complement our esteemed national team of volunteer leaders.

As an elementary teacher, Champy equipped students with the knowledge and skills to be successful with academics while creating a safe environment to learn. As an adjunct professor, Champy has prepared educators to work with students and families to achieve greater outcomes for all. 

Champy was a union leader and applied his knowledge, worked with community members and advocated for students from Beacon Hill to Capitol Hill. Along with colleagues and fellow advocates, he has lobbied lawmakers for a reduction in student debt, increases in education funding, child nutrition, reform of the No Child Left Behind Act, lowering the achievement gap and many other issues important to American families. Today, as a guidance counselor, Champy continues to work with diverse students, challenges their strengths, addresses their social emotional needs and assists with identifying career and college opportunities. 

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Senator Paul Feeney, serving in the Massachusetts Senate from the Bristol and Norfolk District

Presenting on Monday, April 5, 2021, Session 2; Advocacy Panel

Paul Feeney is a Democratic State Senator serving his second term in the Massachusetts Senate representing the Bristol and Norfolk district. Paul was sworn in to the Senate on November 1, 2017 after winning a special election. Previously, Paul served as Selectperson in his community of Foxborough from 2007 – 2010and as the Chairman of that Board 2009. Senator Feeney is the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, the Senate Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security and the Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight. He has previously served as the Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Service and as the Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health.

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Jennifer Hedrington, Massachusetts Teacher of the Year

Speaking on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at Annual Meeting

Jennifer Hedrington is the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. She has been teaching
for 16 years. While attending Law School, she found her calling to become an educator.
Her teaching philosophy is teaching in color through the lenses of love, which allows her
to educate the whole child while celebrating the uniqueness of each student. Jennifer
understands that teachers are a powerful motivating force in the lives of students and
have the ability to shape society’s next superhero or villain.

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Anna King, National PTA President-Elect

Speaking on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at Annual Meeting

Anna King has over 20 years of leadership experience at all levels of PTA and was elected president-elect of National PTA in June 2019. She previously served at the national level as a member of the board of directors, vice president of membership and as chair of several committees.

At the state level, King is vice president for Douglass PTSA in Oklahoma City and has served as Oklahoma State PTA president, council president and worked on membership and legislative committees.

King is also involved in other community activities as a board member of the Douglass Law and Public Safety Academy, a Salvation Army volunteer and the co-lead for Moms Demand Action NE Chapter.

King is a co-owner of a family mobile catering business. She is married to Glenn King and has three children and nine grandchildren. She loves being a nana, believes everything is possible for all of our children and membership is one of the key components for our association!

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Brian McCann, Principal Joseph Case High School

Presenting on Monday, April 5, 2021, Session 2; Advocacy Panel

Brian McCann is finishing Year #17 as principal of Joseph Case High School in Swansea, Mass., from which he graduated in 1980. Brian has a bachelor’s degree from Boston College, a master’s degree from the University of Michigan, and a CAGS from Fitchburg State College. He began teaching at his alma mater in 1989 and transitioned to high school administration in 2000. Brian chairs the Massachusetts Schools Administrators Association’s (MSAA) High School Committee and serves on the MSAA Board of Directors. Brian is a past-president of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association’s Board of Directors. Brian recently contributed to Principal Leadership magazine advocating storytelling as a way to bring educators in your building together during this pandemic. Brian McCann was Massachusetts’ 2011 High School Principal of the Year and is one of NASSP’s 2018 National Digital Principals of the Year. Twitter: @casehighprinc.

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Kathleen Millett, Retired MA DESE Child Nutrition Director

Presenting on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 Session 3; Food Insecurities: Help…What’s Happening!

Kathleen “Kate” Millett is formerly the Executive Director of the Office for Nutrition, Health and Safety Programs and the Center for Student Support at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. She directly oversaw the Child Nutrition Programs and Coordinated School Health Programs in Massachusetts schools and other community settings. Kate is a licensed dietitian nutritionist in MA and served on the MA Food Policy Council. She served as state agency director representative on the national board of directors of the School Nutrition Association. She served on the US Department of Agriculture’s Professional Standards Task Force. Over thirty plus years, Kate has continued her commitment to children and families through work with key stakeholders to expand the child nutrition programs and connect allied partners and organizations to reach those in need. Through collaboration with the John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition, in her position at ESE, Katie supported advancing the education and professional development of child nutrition professionals statewide.

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Robert earned degrees in psychology from Utah State and human development from the University of Utah. He also has a certification in Behavioral Financial Advice (BFA^TM) and is a National Social Security Certificate holder.

Hailing from Orem, Utah, Robert and his wife enjoy being outdoors, remodeling, landscaping and being horses for their children, a girl and three boys.

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REGISTER HERE TODAY!

Please check back or contact convention@masspta.org for more information about scheduled events.

Virtual Events Run from Monday, April 5^th to Saturday, April 10th

Join us for “I Matter Because… Celebrating Our Communities and Members!”

Whether you are looking for ways to diversify your PTA’s leadership, increase interest in local PTA events, find no-hassle fundraising ideas or increase and diversify your membership and volunteer leaders, the 2020 MA PTA Convention has opportunities for you to discover it all.

You will come to Convention knowing what you do at your school and PTA. But you will leave Convention thinking about the possibilities for your school and PTA, as well as your own leadership abilities.

Workshops will deliver proven ways to:

• Communicate effectively with all stakeholders
• Engage and empower parents to support student success and overall well-being
• Advocate for the needs of every child in your school, community or state
• Develop partnerships that support growth and mission implementation

Check out Sessions for the 2021 Convention

Monday, April 5, 2021 6:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. Session 1 Brains, Budgets and Technology (link to video recording)

Planning for and managing money individually, or as a leadership team, is best done with an understanding not only of dollars and cents but also while taking bias, reasoning and technology into consideration. Our internal decision-making process significantly impacts our external money management system. In this workshop, we’ll learn how to improve upon tried-and-true money management principles, understand how to make effective financial decisions and utilize technology to streamline our efforts.

Presented by: Robert Steed, BFA – Financial Education Manager, Mountain America Credit Union

Monday, April 5, 2021 7:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Session 2 Advocacy Panel Discussion (link to video recording)

This panel discussion will define advocacy and how parents can advocate for their children.  Parent engagement, development of advocacy skills and examples of what types of actions are considered advocacy are topics of discussion from our panelist.

Panelists:

• Senator Paul Feeney, representing Bristol and Norfolk District;
• Marie St. Fleur, JD former State Representative;
• Laura Perez, Massachusetts Advocates for Children;
• Adeline Bee, Retired Educator;
• Brian McCann, Principal Joseph Case High School

Wednesday, April 7, 2021 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Session 3 Food Insecurities: Help…What’s Happening! (link to video recording)

Food insecurity has been a concern of many families and communities in the commonwealth as well as across the nation. There are resources to assist individuals and families in Massachusetts including Child Nutrition Programs, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance during the pandemic and Food Pantries. This session will discuss the food insecurity issue, what is it, and address how to get assistance directly from community advocates and practitioners. Listen and participate with some experts in this field in Massachusetts.

Moderator: Kathleen Millett, Retired MA DESE Child Nutrition Director

Panelists:

• Sharon Johnson, Assistant Director of Child Nutrition Outreach Program in MA
• Khara Burns, Senior Director of SNAP Outreach Programs , P-EBT Coordinator in MA
• Julie LaFontaine, President and CEO, The Open-Door Gloucester and Greater Boston Food Bank Board

Wednesday, April 7, 2021 7:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Session 4 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (PowerPoint Presentation)

An organization that recognizes diversity values differences and similarities among people through its actions and accountability. These characteristics include age, ethnicity, gender, language and culture, socioeconomic status, among many different things.

When PTAs respect differences yet acknowledge shared commonalities uniting their communities, and then develop meaningful priorities based upon their knowledge, they genuinely represent their communities. When PTAs represent their communities, they gain strength and effectiveness through increased volunteer and resource support.

Presented by Dr. Erik Champy, Counselor, Triton High School

Thursday, April 8, 2021 6:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. Session 5 Special Education 101

Thursday, April 8, 2021 6:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. Session 6 Special Education and Discipline (link to video recording)

Thursday, April 8, 2021 6:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. Session 7 What’s a 504 Plan (link to video recording)

Downloadable Slide Presentation for all 3 Sessions

Presented by Christopher Gusman, Interventionist, Fall River Public Schools

Saturday, April 10, 2021 ANNUAL MEETING DAY! (link to video recording)

8:30 a.m. President’s Welcome and Keynote Speaker

9:00 a.m. Reflections “Breakfast Celebration

• Reflections Awards Recognition
• Local Unit Awards

9:30 a.m. Leadership Breakout Sessions

MA PTA Board of Directors available to answer questions in separate Zoom Breakout Rooms – Meet with state, national, and other local PTA leaders to discuss any topics/issues that are important to you. Get answers to your questions. Feel free to send topics to convention@masspta.org ahead of time, but we will tackle anything that comes up.

10:00 a.m. Massachusetts PTA Annual Meeting and Final Remarks

• Keynote: Jennifer Hedrington, 2021 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year
• Bylaws Amendments Vote
  • Click Here for Proposed Bylaws Amendments;
  • Bylaws govern an organization’s operations and contain the basic rules relating principally to itself as an association. The MA PTA bylaws outline the basic purpose of PTA, lists basic policies of the MA PTA association and provides a structure for how the PTA association is set up. The bylaws also provide information on MA PTA committee structure, the annual convention and amendment process.

REGISTER HERE TODAY!

Please check back or contact convention@masspta.org for more information about scheduled events.

Virtual Events Run from Monday, April 5^th to Saturday, April 10th

MA PTA is proud to announce this years event is FREE to all Massachusetts PTA members. If you are not a member and would like to attend one of all of the programs you may with the low registration fee of $10.00.

REGISTER HERE TODAY!

Please check back or contact convention@masspta.org for more information about scheduled events.

Tentative Schedule-

• Monday, April 5, 2021
  • 6:00 pm – 6:45 pm Sponsor Workshop- Mountain America Credit Union
  • 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Advocacy Panel
• Wednesday, April 7, 2021
  • 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Food Insecurities Panel
  • 7:15 pm – 8:15 pm Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• Thursday, April 8, 2021
  • 6:00 pm – 6:45 pm Special Education 101
  • 7:00 pm – 7:45 pm Special Education and Discipline
  • 8:00 pm – 8:45 pm What’s a 504 Plan
• Saturday, April 10, 2021 Convention Day
  • 8:30 am President Welcome and Keynote Speaker
  • 9:00 am Reflections “Breakfast” Celebration
    • Reflections Awards Recognition
    • Local Unit Awards
  • 9:30 am Leadership Breakout Sessions
  • 10:00 am Massachusetts PTA Annual Meeting and Final Remarks
    • Bylaws Amendments Vote