PTA Legislative Conference

March 13, 2021 by Madison Estes

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PTA Members Meet with Legislators on Important Initiatives

Lexington, MA; March 11, 2021 – Members of Massachusetts Parent Teacher Association (PTA) participated in the National PTA’s Legislative Conference this week. As the single largest child advocacy association in the United States, the National PTA®, which includes the Massachusetts PTA, prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Massachusetts PTA is devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. During the conference attendees heard from speakers, participated in workshops, and witnessed the presentation of many advocacy awards. They also met with our U.S. Senators, Representatives and their key staff members to discuss issues that affect the well-being, health and educational success of every child in the State of Massachusetts and to highlight what legislative initiatives are necessary.

Key initiatives the delegation from Massachusetts PTA highlighted included:
● Increased funding for the Statewide Family Engagement Centers
● Ensure meaningful, robust investments in education in Covid relief package
● Include schools in any comprehensive infrastructure package
● Improve the federal school meal program through Child Nutrition Reauthorization
● Support policies that protect all students, including students from historically marginalized populations

The mission of the PTA is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.

National PTA Statement on New CDC Guidance for Reopening Schools

February 16, 2021 by Madison Estes

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ALEXANDRIA, Va., (Feb. 12, 2021)—The following statement can be attributed to National PTA President Leslie Boggs:

“National PTA appreciates the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issuing clearer guidance today for safely reopening schools for in-person instruction. Reopening schools for in-person learning is vital to ensure the continuity of education for every child, particularly those who do not have adequate access to technology. However, health and safety must continue to be the utmost priority. Parents are depending on the CDC to provide the best guidance for informed decisions to be made.

“National PTA appreciates the CDC providing clarity on the critical importance of universal use of masks for students, teachers and staff, as well as physical distancing between people to the greatest extent possible. National PTA also appreciates the CDC clarifying that rigorous sanitizing processes and viral screening and testing protocols are other important steps to mitigate transmission of COVID-19 in schools. Further, National PTA appreciates the CDC clarifying that the modes schools use for learning should be based on the current impact of the virus on individual communities. Additionally, National PTA appreciates the CDC clarifying that vaccines should be prioritized for teachers but are not required for schools to reopen for in-person learning. National PTA supports vaccination, and our association joined other education organizations in calling for school personnel to be given priority access.

“National PTA applauds the CDC for recommending that school leaders engage with the entire school community in developing reopening plans. National PTA has been calling for any decision to reopen schools to involve parents, families, students, educators and school employees in the planning, implementation and monitoring stages of reopening. Inclusive stakeholder engagement is essential for effective decision-making and successful implementation of school reopening plans, particularly engagement with parents and students to address unique family needs.

“While the CDC’s new guidance is a positive step, more resources continue to be needed to help pay for the costs for schools to reopen safely and successfully and address the health, safety, infrastructure and physical, psychological, social and emotional needs of students, educators and staff. For nearly a year, National PTA has been calling on Congress to provide more funding to schools to address challenges they are facing during the pandemic.

“National PTA is committed to partnering with the CDC to get this information out to parents. Our association also remains committed to advocating to safeguard the education, health and safety of our nation’s children and make sure students, families and schools have what they need during this challenging time.”

MA PTA Stands with National on Racial Inequity and Injustice

June 18, 2020 by Stephanie Gray

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ALEXANDRIA, Va., (June 2, 2020)—The following statement can be attributed to National PTA President Leslie Boggs and National PTA Executive Director Nathan R. Monell, CAE:

“National PTA condemns the inequitable and brutal treatment of all African Americans in this country. No human being should be subject to what we saw happen to George Floyd last week. Millions of people are outraged by the killing of another unarmed black man, and like so many Americans, we mourn the recent deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and other African Americans who died, unable to achieve their full potential in life.

“This ongoing problem of unequal justice has led to protests across this country and continues to have a profound effect on African Americans and communities of color, who feel hurt, frustrated, angry and afraid. Our nation must do better, and PTA stands with those who peacefully seek to inspire meaningful change.

“While we understand significant reforms are needed to create lasting change that will end the systemic discrimination and injustices that have existed for far too long, PTA has a rich legacy in coming together to help solve the toughest problems facing our children and families. PTA can help lead the way with our collective voice.

“For over 120 years, PTA has been the conscience of this country, speaking on behalf of our nation’s most valuable and vulnerable resource⁠—our children. This year, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the unification of the National Parent Teacher Association and the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers, we recognize we are experiencing times that mirror why the unification was necessary. It is imperative that we remain united and supportive during this difficult time.

“Our transcendent goal has always been to change the lives of children for the better and we will continue to ensure our society values and protects every child. We encourage PTA members and all concerned citizens to speak out and demand that every child be afforded the opportunity to make their potential a reality. Together, we can move above and beyond the perceived division of our diverse experiences and build a shared experience—the experience of working together as human beings, intent on building a better nation and world for our children’s future.”

MA PTA Advocacy Efforts Against Vaping

February 13, 2020 by Stephanie Gray

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The volunteers at Massachusetts PTA continue to work to advocate for the health and welfare of our children and families. Both our Advocacy/Legislative Committee and the Health Safety and Wellness Committee have prioritized the prevention of Vaping in children but it was the members of our Youth Committee who helped us focus on the issues from their perspective and developed the survey we are currently running.

Recently we joined Attorney General Maura Healey at her press conference where she announced her investigation into JUUL has resulted in a lawsuit against the company for intentionally marketing and selling its e-cigarettes to young people. (Read More About Lawsuit)

If you have not participated in our Vaping survey please click here to take either the Student version or the Parent version of the survey. The information we gather from this anonymous survey will help us to better provide relevant content in our next webinar and ensure our advocacy efforts with legislation and school based policies are in line with what you, our members, feel is needed.

The Massachusetts PTA Health, Wellness and Safety committee is holding a webinar on Vaping on April 28, 2020. The webinar will be presented by experts in the field along with that assistance of the members of the Health Committee.

STATEMENT SUPPORTING LEGAL ACTION BY THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS AGAINST JUUL

Massachusetts PTA supports legislation, regulation, and other measures that prohibit the advertising, marketing and sale of Electronic cigarettes and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems to youth under the age of 21; that addresses the manufacturing of and ingredients in E-cigarettes and other Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; and that prohibits the use of E-cigarettes and other Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems on school grounds and in public areas. Therefore, we must support the State of Massachusetts’ legal action against JUUL for allegedly violating several laws. JUUL’s advertising campaigns target young people to use nicotine without knowing the associated risks by enticing them with flavor pods, by using social media marketing campaigns and by direct outreach to high school students by company representatives. We believe this deceptive and misleading marketing contributed to a youth vaping epidemic. JUUL may have failed to include required warnings about exposures to chemicals linked to cancer, about the products containing nicotine and about them being a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes also. Delivering tobacco products directly to under aged persons and selling products online to minors by a third party retail store is illegal. By glamorizing vaping, while at the same time downplaying the nicotine found in vaping products, JUUL is putting countless people at risk. We question whether JUUL has contributed to nicotine use, with addictive and harmful products, among school-aged minors creating a public health epidemic.

PTA Advocacy Spotlights 2020

November 7, 2019 by Stephanie Gray

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The theme of our 2020 annual meeting was “LOOK WITHIN”; when you look within PTA you will see advocacy. Advocacy is the core of this organization and is what sets us apart from other organizations. There are so many individuals and PTA units that are doing wonderful things through their advocacy efforts. Every day, state, regional and local PTAs across the country and around the world go above and beyond to advocate for children. Their efforts have made tangible improvements for children, families and communities. In Massachusetts advocacy efforts are evident. Each year we celebrate our individual advocates and our local unit advocacy campaigns. This year we celebrate two individuals that have a long history of advocating for children:

Kim Savery – She is a former MA PTA President, a past Federal Legislative Chair and past member of the Board of the National PTA. She is currently a very active member of her local school committee and the Massachusetts School Committees Association. Her advocacy areas include Common Core, the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act and the new MCAS tests. She has been working on the state’s funding mechanisms for schools with the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. Further, she works to empower children. Kim has advocated around equality issues designed to make schools a safe and fair place for students regardless of how they identify.

Maryann Stewart – She is a past member of the MA PTA Board, a past President and past Federal Legislative Chair from MA. She is on the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education as the parent representative, the voice for parents. The MA PTA recommends a parent to fill this vacancy and she has served in this role since her appointment in 2014. She advocates for what is in the best interests of parents and their children. She has been active in the schools and in town government, serving as an elected representative to Town Meeting since 2006 and on the School Committee from 2009-2014 where she lead as Chair from 2011-2012. She also serves as a member of the National Advisory Council for Media Literacy Now.

Salisbury PTA – They are the Outstanding Unit Advocate of the Year. PTAs provide mission driven fundraising in order to provide enrichment opportunities and advocacy for every child. Salisbury PTA exemplifies this with their advocacy campaigns. They look for solutions to problems and act to implement ideas. They are recognized for their: Breakfast after the Bell initiatives; Installation of water filtration system; The Parent Speaker Series and the Creation of “We Are Triton.”

These are great examples of advocacy efforts that support the PTA mission and further our “every child, one voice” moto.

Overview

Every day, state, regional and local PTAs across the country and around the world go above and beyond to advocate for children. Their efforts have made real, tangible improvements for children, families and communities. At this year’s Legislative Conference, we want to spotlight these efforts—and learn from them. To achieve this objective, National PTA is proud to announce that this year’s Legislative Conference will feature PTA Advocacy Spotlight presentations. This is an opportunity for state, regional or local PTAs to share stories of how they have taken action for kids.

Applications are now being accepted to present a PTA Advocacy Spotlight at the 2020 Legislative Conference. Applications close on Tuesday, November 12.

This toolkit is designed to provide sample social media and newsletter messages that can be used to share the PTA Advocacy Spotlight opportunity with PTA leaders in your states.

Twitter

Sample Tweet 1: NEW from @NationalPTA for #PTALegCon 2020 – PTA Advocacy Spotlight presentations! Apply now to share your PTA’s advocacy story. Applications due 11/12. Details here: https://forms.gle/JyS9jNeDFAZ9QmGd7

Sample Tweet 2: Has your PTA successfully advocated for change at the local, state or federal level? Apply to share your story @NationalPTA’s #PTALegCon 2020! Applications due 11/12. Details here: https://forms.gle/JyS9jNeDFAZ9QmGd7

Sample Tweet 3: Is there an issue that inspired your PTA to take action for kids? Share your story @NationalPTA’s #PTALegCon 2020! Applications for PTA Advocacy Spotlights accepted until 11/12. Details at https://forms.gle/CmDL3aCo2vvMYHpq5

Sample Tweet 4: The deadline to apply for @NationalPTA’s PTA Advocacy Spotlight is approaching fast! Share your PTA’s success story! https://forms.gle/CmDL3aCo2vvMYHpq5

Facebook

Facebook Post 1:

New this year at National PTA’s Legislative Conference: PTA Advocacy Spotlights! Has your PTA advocated for change at the local, state or federal level? Apply to present a PTA Advocacy Spotlight and share your story. Applications are open through November 12. Details at https://forms.gle/CmDL3aCo2vvMYHpq5

Facebook Post 2:

The deadline is approaching fast to apply for National PTA’s PTA Advocacy Spotlight!

If your PTA has a story of advocating effectively for change at the local, state or federal level, apply to present at National PTA’s 2020 Legislative Conference.

Apply now: https://forms.gle/CmDL3aCo2vvMYHpq5

Facebook Post 3:

Is there an issue that inspired your PTA to take action for kids? Don’t miss the chance to apply to share your PTA’s advocacy story at National PTA’s 2020 LegCon. Details at https://forms.gle/CmDL3aCo2vvMYHpq5

E-Newsletter

Apply to share your PTA’s Advocacy Story!

Has your PTA advocated effectively for change at the local, state or federal level? Does your PTA have a strategy for advancing National PTA’s Public Policy Agenda? We want to hear from you! This year, National PTA’s Legislative Conference will feature PTA Advocacy Spotlights – a chance for state, regional or local PTAs to share stories of an issue that inspired them to take action for kids. Apply today to share your PTA’s advocacy story through the PTA Advocacy Spotlights!

The deadline to submit a nomination is Tuesday, November 12.

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