Georgia PTA's The Voice - March 2012

the Georgia

VOICE March 2012

What’s inside this issue?

MESSAGES FROM: Georgia PTA President & National PTA President ARTICLES ABOUT: Diversity & Inclusion, Family Engagement, Surveys, Male Involvement, Reflections, Resource Development HELPFUL INFORMATION such as Important Dates & Convention Leadership Training Information AND MUCH MORE!

Message from the Georgia PTA President

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elcome to the March 2012 edition of The Voice electronic newsletter! This has been quite an action filled year, with time left to serve our students, families and schools.

But, this is our moment to catch our breath and reflect on what has been accomplished, implement the final list of non-profit “to do’s” in preparation for transition, and assess our board’s effectiveness this year.

Since December 2011, Georgia PTA events have been Falcons Family Day; Urban Family Engagement Initiative at the Metro Technical College; Youth Advocacy Day at the Capitol; co-hosted Family Engagement Conference in Athens with GA DOE; PTA Day at the Capitol; a team of us attended the National PTA Legislative Conference in Washington, DC; Hawks Family Event, and the Reflections Reception at the Woodruff Arts Center. Add to the list being at the Capitol daily for an active legislative session, and attending district, council and local unit PTA events….I am exhausted and inspired all at once, and hope you enjoy the photographs throughout this edition that captures the heart and fun of these programs.

2012 National PTA Legislative Conference in Washington, DC

Local Unit PTAs are busy as well, with implementing the programs and events planned since the beginning of the school year. Now, the focus should be turned to and the calendar reflect these activities 1) Nominating Committee election, interviewing and selecting the best officer candidates; 2) Election Meetings to elect those officers; 3) Send in the newly elected officers’ contact information to the state office; 4) Celebrate the work of volunteers, PTA, the students and the school; 5) Schedule a Transition meeting between outgoing board members and incoming officers; 6) Incoming officers – set a date and time to talk with the Principal to get his or her goals for next year, focused on academic need, advocacy efforts and engagement of parents and community; and finally, 7) Plan to attend training so that a strong structure and outline is established for next year’s calendar of programs and events. Convention Leadership Training in Athens is a great place to get the training, networking, and resources you need for a successful year!

Assessing a board’s effectiveness is not a tricky thing to do, yet not all PTAs take the time to go through this process. There are a couple of ways to evaluate if your PTA has done an effective job this year. √ Survey each program and event, and host an annual survey for all members and non-members (overall effectiveness) – and discuss the results with your PTA team; and √ Survey board members at the end of the year; host a discussion at a board meeting, and facilitated by an outside person, if needed.

Georgia PTA is committed to providing you with easy-to-use tools to transition and assess effectiveness. Information and new resources will be available soon, online.

At the recent Reflections Reception, a student came on stage to receive her award and captured the hearts of everyone in the room. As she approached the center of the stage, she shouted to her mother “stand up and take a picture”, and then she put her arms around me and said “I love you Ms. Morgan!” This young lady melted my heart, and as I stood there with her, I thought to myself – I’m not Ms. Morgan, but I sure felt the love and thankfulness she felt in her heart and demonstrated in that hug.

To all the Ms. Morgan’s and all the Mr. Morgan’s – thank you for all you continue to do! You are appreciated and truly loved for the time and effort you spend in school, at home and for all children and youth. Take a moment and catch your breath, reflect on all that you have done this year, have a successful Transition with your new board, and plan to join me for the 2012 Convention Leadership Training, in Athens.

Join the Georgia PTA Board of Directors as we Stand together, Power up and Reach out so that every child’s potential is a reality!

Georgia

Donna Kosicki, Georgia PTA President

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Georgia PTA « THE VOICE

Engaging our Parents

Survey Says…

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urely you remember the classic game show where Richard Dawson asked families to guess the answers to silly questions, awarding prizes to the team that accumulated the most points based on their level of correctness to what other people had answered? You may also remember the old TV commercial claims that 4 out of 5 dentists prefer Trident gum. Or maybe a more timely example would be the political polls that indicate which candidate people are favoring this hour. All of these are perfect examples of how surveys play a role in shaping just about every aspect of our daily lives. Companies and consultants recognize the importance of asking their populations about key issues of brand awareness, purchase intent and customer satisfaction. And the Georgia PTA regularly does the same after each major event or training session that we hold!

Your PTA could apply some of these simple ideas to your own population, encouraging parents to participate in shaping the future of your program, assessing their perceived levels of importance and performance across a variety of planned activities and issues.

This information can be vital to helping your leadership team set its priorities for the coming year and to understand potential barriers to greater membership levels.

Surveys can be a big help in measuring how well your team is doing and to help focus your efforts to best match the perceptions and goals of your parents.

It doesn’t have to be complicated or overly ‘scientific.’

You can send home a paper survey in backpacks and ask for it to be returned the next day. You can pass out postcards with a few questions at the beginning of a PTA meeting and gather them at the end. You can use online survey programs (many of which are free for basic users) and post the link on your school webpage, in your PTA newsletters or distribute to your email lists. If you have a diverse population, consider having the questions translated so that all parents can feel their input is important. Analysis of the results can be just as simple, from basic tic marks to count responses to tracking in Excel spreadsheets or simply by downloading the results from the online programs.

Include questions about awareness of the PTA and its objectives. Do they think we just run the school carnival or do they know about the extensive advocacy efforts at both the national and state levels? Ask what parents feel are the most important issues in your local unit – Kid-related like bullying or drugs? Administrative-related like class sizes, school nurse funding or reinstating art or music programs? Once you have quantitative measurements, you can better frame your activities and fundraisers around addressing the most common themes. Of course you can also ask about potential volunteer opportunities and how parents would like to be involved in the PTA. In fact, a recent Question of the Month posed on the GPTA website probed leaders across the state to determine how they find their best volunteers. Fully 66% indicated they “just asked!”

Surveys can be a big help in measuring how well your team is doing and to help focus your efforts to best match the perceptions and goals of your parents. If parents feel involved in the process, understand the purpose of PTA and believe that your interests are in line with theirs, what can happen? Survey says…Increased membership?

Roadmap for incoming leadership team? Greater sense of shared responsibility?

Enhanced family engagement?

Sally Markham, Survey Specialist for Georgia PTA, sally.markham@comcast.net

March 2012

Alcohol and Binge Drinking Among Adolescents Presented by Ashley Kelly, BS, CAC

When: April 18, 2012 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Where: Ridgeview Institute, Professional North Building This presentation will review the genetic and environmental factors that put adolescents at risk for using alcohol. Parents will learn to identify warning signs of alcohol use in their teens. The presenter will address current alcohol use trends, including binge drinking. Effective treatment for adolescents is multi-dimensional, requiring supportive families and school environments, as well as knowledgeable clinical professionals and involvement in the recovering community. This workshop will explore these interventions, various treatment options, and available support and resources for family members.

Ashley Kelly, BS, CAC II, is the addiction counselor for the Youth Services Program at Ridgeview Institute in Smyrna, GA. Ashley has worked with dually diagnosed adolescents at Ridgeview since 2005 and became a Certified Addiction Counselor in 2007. She has experience working in residential addiction treatment settings with both young adult and adult populations.

Recently, Ashley has worked to develop an evening intensive outpatient addiction program at Ridgeview. Ashley can be reached at 770.434.4568 ext 4540 or akelly@ridgeviewinstitute.com This workshop is offered free of charge.

No registration is required.

DIRECTIONS TO RIDGEVIEW: 3995 S. Cobb Drive Smyrna, Georgia 30080 (770) 434-4567 | (800) 329-9775 Ridgeview is located off I-285 at Exit 15 (S. Cobb Drive). From Exit 15, you will travel north on S. Cobb Drive approximately 2.5 miles. Ridgeview is on the right. When you enter the campus, the Professional North Building is the first building on left. Parking is available adjacent to the building.

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Message from the National PTA President

Together We Make A Change

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magine: A nation without a juvenile justice system for its most troubled children. A nation in which children are still forced to work long hours in dangerous conditions. That is a nation without National PTA. The organization demanded that changes be made to correct these injustices and improve the lives of children.

Now imagine: a nation whose students drop out of high school every nine seconds. A nation in which 70 percent of public-school eighth graders can’t read at grade level. A nation that spends an average of $24,000 per inmate each year but only spends an average of about $11,000 per pupil. That is the nation we live in now.

With everyone’s help, we can take action and demand that changes happen again. The first place to start is by demanding that family engagement be the key ingredient to education reform.

The first place to start is by demanding that family engagement be the key ingredient to education reform.

Take for example President Barack Obama’s fiscal year 2013 budget proposal. While National PTA is pleased with the maintained focus on educational success as a driver of economic prosperity, PTA is disappointed by the lack of recognition for the vital role family engagement in education plays in student success and meaningful education reform.

Although recent studies show that meaningful partnership with parents and families is a necessary ingredient in turning around chronically low-performing schools (as important as school leadership and curriculum alignment) the proposed budget completely omits any assistance to states and school districts in building partnerships with parents and families to improve academic achievement.

The President’s proposed budget also fails to include family engagement in education as a stated priority, either through funding of the Parental Information and Resource Center (PIRC) program or inclusion of PIRC program goals within the Administration’s priority education reform programs.

What can you do?

Join me and the millions of PTA members across the country as we champion children’s education and prove as we did decades ago that family engagement is a key driver for improved education.

Georgia Department of Education is Accepting Applications for National Green Ribbon Schools Every year, more schools in Georgia are implementing sustainability programs to improve energy and water efficiency, air quality, and environment-based curriculum.

The collective efforts and achievements of these schools have elevated Georgia to lead the Southeast in high performing, healthy green schools.

A partnership with the Georgia Department of Education, the Office of the Lt. Governor, the U.S. Green Building Council of Georgia, Georgia EPD, the Clean Air Campaign, and the Turner Foundation will bring national recognition to the state’s progress with the newly launched U.S. Department of Education’s National Green Ribbon Schools program. Click here for more information. http://www.usgbcga.org/ green-schools/green-ribbonschools

Research shows that children whose parents advocate for them at school feel more confident and perform better in school. Another recent study showed that schools would have to increase spending by $1,000 per student to achieve the same results as higher levels of family engagement.

Let’s make these changes happen together. The road ahead is challenging, but if history has taught us anything, it is this: Americans have the energy and determination to move mountains!

But our mountains don’t need you—our children do, now more than ever. Visit www.PTA.org to get involved.

Betsy Landers, National PTA President This article by Betsy Landers was originally published in the March 2012 supplement to USA TODAY by Media Planet called Education In America. To see the supplement in its entirety, go to http://www.pta.org/USA_TODAY_Education_Supplement.pdf

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Georgia PTA « THE VOICE

Coffee Break with the GA PTA President Elect

Remembering a Friend of Georgia PTA Celebrating the life of Jan Harp Domene (2007-2009 National PTA President) Written by Rita Erves, Georgia PTA President-Elect

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REMEMBER the e-mail that I received and read from my phone shortly upon my arrival at PTA Day at the Capitol on the morning of February 28, 2012. The sad news that she was gone was very upsetting. I knew that the world had lost a gently tough PTA giant, Jan Harp Domene.

I REMEMBER weeping almost uncontrollably as the PTA Day at the Capitol program began, and soon thereafter, our GA PTA State President, Donna Kosicki, told me that she was going to inform attendees of this loss and call for a moment of silence. The very next week, at the opening session of the National PTA Legislative Advocacy Conference in Washington, our NPTA President, Betsy Landers, also called for a moment of silence, as we each reflected on what Jan meant to the world of PTA. You see, legislative advocacy was always near and dear to her heart.

I REMEMBER the strength of her character, as well as the level of her integrity.

I REMEMBER thinking about how Jan was a walking talking live model of strong leadership. She was a visionary in the true sense of the word who: “. . . stepped back from the entire system and tried to build a more collaborative, more innovative system that will work over the long term.”

Robert Reich

From the Membership Chair Congratulations to Hardaway HS in District 4, Muscogee Council in Columbus, and Griffin MS of District 9, Jessye Coleman Council in Smyrna for winning the February Membership Promotion for a family night of fun with the Harlem Globetrotters. Each respective school was in good standing with PTA and turned in the most membership for the month of February.

Lisa-Marie Haygood, Georgia PTA Membership Chair, lmhaygood@georgiapta.org

I REMEMBER how supportive she was of Georgia PTA. Why do I say that? Take a look at some of the times she traveled from her home in Anaheim, California to be with us: 1) February 15, 2008 – Founders Day Town Hall at Spelman University; 2) October 17-18, 2008 – Attended Georgia PTA’s first ever statewide Emerging Minority Leadership Conference in Savannah, GA when Leslie Cushman was Georgia PTA State President; 3) June 18, 2011 – Attended (via conference) celebration of the election of one of her mentees, Otha Thornton, as 2011-2013 National PTA President Elect; 4) July 14-16, 2011 – Attended our state convention and joined NPTA President Elect, Otha Thornton, in commemorating the unification of National PTA and the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers Association I REMEMBER the positive impact that Jan had on the lives of so many. In fact, she is one of the people that comes to my mind when I think about the words from one of my favorite passages by Ralph Waldo Emerson:

Otha Thornton In the Spotlight

“SUCCESS – To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent

Our very own Otha Thornton, former Legislative Chairpreson of Georgia PTA and now the President-Elect of National PTA is recognized for his achievements in the Atlanta Journal Constitution. To read this article on Otha, follow this link: http://www.ajc.com/news/frommilitary-ranks-to-1361481.html

people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics . . .; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

That is to have succeeded.” Ralph Waldo Emerson I have lost one of my mentors, and I will no longer be able to speak with my dear precious friend when I need her advice on something. However, her words will echo in my mind as we all continue attending to the business of PTA: “…remember that the underlying intention for all PTA work is to get families, schools and communities to work together.”

Rita Erves, Georgia PTA President-Elect, rerves@georgiapta.org

March 2012

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Georgia PTA Board of Directors

Male Involvement

President, Donna Kosicki President Elect, Rita Erves 1st Vice President, Sonia Scott 2nd Vice President, Carolyn Briner Secretary, Cheryl B. White Treasurer, Rev. Richard Jones Parliamentarian, Laura Dobbs

Why Men Must Be Engaged

District Directors 1st District Director, Vacant 3rd District Director, Vacant 4th District Director, Tom A. Graves, Jr. 5th District Director, Vacant 6th District Director, Georgette Backman 7th District Director, Cyd Cox 8th District Director, William J. Good 9th District Director, Lori Sweet 10th District Director, Sandra Perrino 11th District Director, Deirdre Pierce 12th District, 1st Assistant Director, Carol Ranft 13th District Director, Debbie Rabjohn Chair of the District Directors, Deirdre Pierce

Standing Committees Asian Outreach, Gina Pollitt Bylaws, Barbara Thomas Diversity, Wendy Stewart Education, Neatie Green Family Engagement, Patty Yohn Health-Wellness, Adrian Watlington Cox Latino/Hispanic Outreach, Isabel Sance Legislation (State), Karen Hallacy Male Involvement, Reginald B. Forrest Membership, Lisa-Marie Haygood Reflections, Cindy Austin Resource Development, Dewanna King Technology, Lisa Richardson Youth Services, Chanda Cardwell Chair of the Committees, Patty Yohn

Specialists/Consultants Communications, Susan Hayes Education Policy, Sally FitzGerald Environmental Education, Eve Neumeister Federal Legislation, Barbara Costello GA DOE Liaison,Michelle Tarbutton Sandrock Hospitality, Sam Shehane Student Representative, Arjun Ranbir Sahgal Survey Design, Sally Markham NPTA President Elect, Otha Thornton GA PTA Past President and NPTA Board of Directors, Leslie Cushman GA PTA Past President and NPTA Leadership Task Force, Valerie Martin

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irst, thank you for affording me such a wonderful opportunity to serve as GAPTA Male Involvement Chairperson. I feel this is a blessing of epic proportion. I have for the past eighteen (18) years in some capacity or another attempted to affect change while serving in a multitude of positions with PTA. Those positions span the association from LUs, council, district and State Board of Directors. Before I finished college, I told my friends, “If I am blessed with kids, I want to be as involved in my kids’ lives as possible. I don’t want to have to be told to do more…I want to do more.” I am blessed with three sons, Bernard, Reginald, and We know from research Brandon. Brandon is the last one in college. He that when fathers/males are is a sophomore. Why is it so vitally important to have men engaged? I will attempt to share with more involved in the school you some facts cited from data by a few respected community …children have professionals. In our post-modern culture where the attitude is: “if it feels good, then do it”, or “as long been shown to get better as you’re not hurting anyone it’s okay” seems to grades, go further with have gone viral across our nation. It is very prevalent in our beloved State of Georgia. I have found that their education and actually where males are not truly engaged in the lives of enjoy school more. children, regardless of their socioeconomic situation, education level, or race, the insidious ills such as drug use, school dropout, teenage pregnancy, trouble with the law, to name a few, are disproportionately higher than it is when males are engaged.

We know from research that when fathers/males are more involved in the school community beyond just attending sporting events—volunteering at the school, attending class, grade and high school level events, showing up for parent-teacher conferences and involved in the parent-teacher association, children have been shown to get better grades, go further with their education and actually enjoy school more.

As Male Involvement Chair, I am passionately seeking males, male organized groups from across the state who will commit some of their time and talent to help arrest the things in OUR children lives that are stealing their future. Let us Be Courageous.

As the old adage says “it takes a village to raise a child”. My plan is to engage with you in another brainstorming session at the state PTA office before school is out, establish partnerships and develop a working relationship, form a committee to research the viability of establishing the 1st Annual GAPTA Male Summit. It is my desire for the committee to reach out and foster relationships with our Hispanic and Latin American community to engage their strong patriarchal culture.

So, as you set your sights on engaging fathers/males, never make it complicated. A few strategies I would like to establish is a Male Involvement Chair at each level (LU, council and district), participate in GAPTA sponsored events (i.e., Falcons Family Fun Day, Hawks Family Night, and Braves Family Fun). I will advocate through newsletters, conference calls with districts, and Brainstorming Sessions, to name a few.

In closing, I look forward to meeting all who are interested in being a part of a wonderful committee to sow seeds from your blessed life. “To whom much is given, much is required”. Please feel free to call me at 706.589.6875 (cell) or 706.736.0086 (h) anytime. Due to my experiencing difficulties with my rforrest@georgiapta.org email address, I would ask that you please email me at ptadistrict8@yahoo.com.

Moreover, if you have previously emailed me, will you please be so kind and forward a copy to my Yahoo address.

Reginald B. Forrest, Male Involvement Chair, ptadistrict8@yahoo.com

Georgia PTA « THE VOICE

Diversity & Inclusion

Inclusion for All

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y fourth-grade son has never attended a fall festival at his school.” The woman’s statement genuinely surprised me. When I asked her why he’d never gone to their fall festival, her frustration and pain were palpable, “Because,” she explained “there is nothing there he can do.”

This mother and her son with special needs are not alone.

Thousands of students across Georgia with special needs struggle every day to fit in and find ways to participate in their school communities with their peers. I began to see her point immediately. He couldn’t ride the rides. He couldn’t jump in the inflatable play structures. He couldn’t even play most of the simple games for the youngest kids to win prizes. “How completely demoralizing it would feel,” I realized, “to take my child to a school-sponsored event like that and have him be unable to participate in anything!”

All too often, and for a variety of reason, well-intentioned or not, most of our schools’ special needs population is living their educational lives in a parallel universe of sorts; separate but not really equal. Among the unfortunate by-products of this shadowy existence is that these students don’t even receive consideration when it comes to planning activities at school.

Now, don’t get me wrong. This is not to suggest that these children are overlooked on purpose. It’s sort of the “out of sight, out of mind” principle; when those planning school events don’t see students with special needs, they just don’t even think about how to include them.

The good news is that this is a relatively easy fix. And awareness is the key.

As a PTA, we work for every child with one voice. It is our responsibility to understand the composition of our of our school communities in order to fulfill our mission. In the case of our students with special needs, reaching out to the special education teachers in your school is a great place to start.

They can help your board appreciate the circumstances of their students and help you plan to accommodate them. And, in my experience, they are eager to help and appreciative of your interest. Another advantage to connecting with the special education faculty is the opportunity to reach out to the families of your students with special needs. Like all other families, they value their children’s education and want them to enjoy their experiences in school. Showing specific concern for their needs is sure to be appreciated. In addition, you may be able to recruit a parent or two from among them to serve as chair or chairs of a special needs committee on you board. Having a parent of a special needs child on your board is an excellent way to ensure you’re considering the needs of all students.

March 2012

And don’t forget, when we’re talking about inclusion, we really do mean “inclusion for all.” While this article clearly focuses on our students with special needs, don’t overlook these important groups: grandparents—sometimes raising their grandchildren and not always so in touch with modern parenting and education, single parents—so many demands on their time, but many of them still willing to help in non-traditional, outside-theschool ways, men—not just fathers, but uncles, grandfathers, even men volunteering from the community can really make an impression on students, particularly boys looking for a strong male role model.

For more information about how to reach out to students with special needs and their families, please contact Elaine Sutton-Mbionwu, Georgia PTA Inclusion Sub-Committee Chair, at lesutton@law.syr.edu. You can also add your voice to the conversation about how the Inclusion Committee of the GA PTA can better serve those students with special needs and their families by completing the brief survey found at this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2011inclusion For information on diversity outreach, please contact Wendy Stewart, Georgia PTA Diversity Chair, at wendywstewart@gmail.com.

Twitter Town Hall on Bullying: A Wealth of Resources on Bullying On March 20th, Georgia PTA participated in the first-ever Bullying Prevention Twitter Live Chat. Go to #vetoviolence on Twitter to review the tweets and learn from experts about the importance of bullying prevention, the value of programs, policies, and practices based upon the best available evidence, and resources available to assist parents and schools in their prevention and intervention efforts.

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Striving for Excellence, Empowerment, and Equity in Education

di ng

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Engagem ily

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ust over a month ago 800 parents and educators arrived at the Classic Center in Athens, Georgia to attend our state’s inaugural Family Engagement Conference. This conference, a partnership between the Georgia PTA and Georgia Department o f Education, Title I, Part A focused on family engagement in Building Connections: Striving for Excellence, Empowerment and Equity in Education. Over three days, February 16 – 18, 2012, participants had the opportunity to learn many new ideas and strategies for building stronger partnerships that modeled a shared responsibility for education between families, schools, and communities, PreK-12 across Georgia.

Fam

2012 Georgia Family Engagement Conference

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Family Engagement

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Parents | Educators | Students | Communities

Highlights of the Conference Included: • 47 fascinating workshop sessions and learning opportunities covering Best Practices for Family Engagement, Parent Leadership and Skills Building, and Student Support and Achievement Resources for Parents were offered by promising school, school district, state, and national level presenters.

• Well regarded and nationally recognized keynote speakers Grant Rivera, Karen Mapp, and Joseph B. Washington left attendees energized and ready to implement sustained family engagement in Georgia.

• Georgia PTA hosted 41 family engagement vendors and exhibitors from across the country to connect with participants in order to share the most current and relevant parent engagement programming offered as resources to engage parents in the academic successes of their children.

We’d like to thank our two sponsors — Georgia Power and Logical Choice Technologies for their support.

This dynamic conference was such a success in large part due to the well organized efforts of a dedicated group of individuals. The steering committee consisting of Donna Kosicki, President and Patty Yohn, Family Engagement Chair from Georgia PTA and Michelle Tarbutton, Parent Engagement Program Manage and Lakeita Servance, Parent Engagement Specialist from Georgia DOE. This steering committee was supported by a hardworking Conference Organizing Committee. This group of twenty from around the state met regularly via conference call for months in the planning process. When the conference arrived they went into overdrive going above and beyond to make this event so spectacular. It was a fantastic team effort!

PTA COC Lori Sweet Co Chair, Adam Belanger, Marcia Coward, Tarek Granthun, Kiddada Grey, Lisa-Marie Haygood, Debbie Rabjohn, Carol Ranft, Amy Spiller, Joann Stringer.

DOE COC Tracey Belt Co Chair, Linda Cooke, Linda Dubose, Kathy Erickson, Jennifer Freeman, Ginger Henderson, Andrea Lott, Marihelen Newman, Cheryl Stephens, Teresa Thompson.

Thanks also to the Georgia PTA Board Members and Georgia DOE employees who attended the conference and volunteered their time to assist with registration, the welcome desk, the doors and more. Thank you so much!

The feedback has been extremely positive with most saying that this is one of the best conferences they have ever attended. There is no doubt that this conference has brought family engagement in education to the forefront in Georgia and that those who attended left inspired and ready implement much of what they learned. Going forward you can expect to see Georgia working closely with both US Department of Education and National PTA helping to lead the way on this very important and relevant issue.

For more information regarding the Georgia PTA Family Engagement committee please contact pyohn@georgiapta.org.

Patty Yohn, Georgia PTA Family Engagement Chair, pyohn@georgiapta.org

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Georgia PTA « THE VOICE

Family Engagement Conference Photos courtesy of Adam Belanger Photography

Gwinnett Braves Award February Grant To Collins Hill High School PTSA Program for Athletes receives $1,000 “National Heart Month” themed grant Lawrenceville, GA – Each month the Gwinnett Braves award a grant to a deserving organization in Gwinnett County or its surrounding communities. This month the Collins Hill High School PTSA will receive $1,000 from the team to help prevent Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD), stemming from Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) or an enlarged heart in student athletes.

In 2007, the Collins Hill community suffered a tragic loss when a freshman football player died suddenly of an undetected aortic dissection of the heart. After the unnecessary death, the high school’s PTSA teamed up with Heart Screens for Teens, an organization dedicated to preventing death from HCM. The Gwinnett Braves’ generous $1,000 donation through the grant program will enable 15 student/athletes to be tested.

“We want to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities

Carol Ranft is the President of the Collins Hill High School Parent, Teacher, Student Association (PTSA). She wants parents to have the opportunity for proper and affordable testing for their children. Ranft is actively promoting awareness throughout the community.

“We want to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children,” said Ranft. “Many other High School PTSA’s are now offering similar screenings.”

HCM is the leading cause of SCD in teenagers and it is 100% detectable. If untreated, however, the consequences are life threatening. The goal and objective of the Collins Hill High children,” said Ranft.

School PTSA is to promote early awareness. Receiving just one test by the Heart Screens for Teens organization can save a life. For $65.00, you can be screened and potentially avoid the fate of those who never had a warning.

to advocate for all

About The Collins Hill High School PTSA: The CHHS PTSA is organized and chartered under the authority of the Georgia PTA. Collins Hill High School PTSA has been in existence since 1994, serving the needs of every child in the school. Currently, over 3,300 students attend Collins Hill High School with just under 300 faculty members.

The Gwinnett Braves are the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. Season tickets for the 2012 season are available at gwinnettbraves.com/2012, the Coolray Field Box Office and by calling (678) 277-0340. Follow the G-Braves at gwinnettbraves.com, facebook.com/GwinnettBraves1, and twitter.com/GwinnettBraves.

Dave Lezotte Gwinnett Braves Media Relations Manager 678.277.0320 dave.lezotte@braves.com Media Portal: www.gwinnettbraves.com/media

March 2012

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Inclusion

Elementary Pilot Project Inspires Children with and without Disabilities to Dream Big for Their Futures

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very child who has achieved his or her personal best has had a dream—a vision for the future that was nurtured by their parents, teachers and school administrators.

To achieve that dream, the child’s circle of support not only encouraged that vision, but also helped the child to develop the skills, confidence, character and fortitude to achieve it.

This philosophy inspired the recent development of “I Have a Dream: Creating Your Life Portfolio,” a pilot program designed by the Southeast ADA Center in collaboration with Nesbit Elementary School in Gwinnett County, the Nesbit Elementary School PTA as well as local school and community organizations to raise disability awareness and foster understanding among students while encouraging children with and without disabilities and their parents that anything is possible for their futures. The pilot program was launched in the 2011-2012 academic year and will yield a curriculum to be shared across the region and nationally. The curricula will include resource materials with relevant and current information in best practices, capacity building, resource development, and coalition building to be used by schools throughout the state, the region and by local PTAs. The Atlanta-based Southeast ADA Center, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University, is one of 10 regional centers funded a grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) to serve as a regional resource, information and training center on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for the public, businesses, school systems and state and local governments. With a focus on its youth and family initiative, the Southeast ADA Center collaborated with Nesbit Elementary School, the Nesbit Elementary PTA, Gwinnett County Public Schools, ABEL 2, the Georgia Parent Mentoring Partnership and the Disability Resource Group (DRG), the Southeast ADA Center’s state affiliate in Georgia, to create the program to break down barriers and foster understanding for children and their parents that disability is a characteristic like brown eyes or blonde hair, not a definition of who a person is or what they can achieve.

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The pilot project consists of three phases. The first two have been implemented with the phase three concluding in May 2012: 1. Disability Mentoring Day and Career Expo – (October 2011). In celebration of Disability Employment Awareness Month, students with and without disabilities were mentored in small groups by successful adults with disabilities from the community who have achieved their dreams personally and professionally. In addition to breaking down barriers and fostering a greater understanding of disability and persons with disabilities by youth, the program was designed to inspire all children to achieve their dreams and to dream big for their futures. Following the program, children wrote their dreams for their futures on stars that were displayed on a bulletin board at the school.

2. Parent Engagement Week – (February 2012). Coinciding with National Parental Engagement Week, the “I Have a Dream: Creating Your Life Portfolio” Parent Engagement Week celebrates and honors families of students with and without disabilities by encouraging parents, teachers, and staff involvement through family events and opportunities at school and at home. Schools understand that parents are busy people and Parent Engagement Week highlights the many different ways parents can get involved in their child’s education.

No matter how little or how much time we have, there are many ways to positively impact a child’s education at school and at home. Volunteering and attending school functions are important and valuable ways to get involved, but playing a role in students’ success begins at home. For example, parents are encouraged to ask their child(ren) about school, review homework and make time for meaningful dinner conversations, trips, games, reading time, and daily routines.

Teachers, staff and administrators can help in this process by maintaining good communication with parents and creating a warm, welcoming place for parents, families and community members.

Continued on page 11 >>

Georgia PTA « THE VOICE

<< Inclusion article from page 10 Events during Parent Engagement Week included a PTA Family Dance, Dreams for My Family activity where parents and children are encourage to write a dream their family would like to work toward in the coming year on a paper heart to be displayed on a bulletin board at the school, Family Reading Night, a Breakfast Briefing program with speakers from the state and local PTA, parents of students with and without disabilities discussing strategies and rewards of being involved in your child’s life and education at every level, Open Hearts & Hands activity where families return their Dream Heart and donate a canned good for a family in need, Movie Night, and other events. Parents, students and families are encouraged to attend these events at school and participate in activities at home, because when parents get involved and stay involved, all students achieve at a higher level.

3. Exceptional Children’s Week – (Planned for May 2012). Students with and without disabilities will enjoy a week of arts-centered activities to foster understanding and inclusion and to celebrate diversity as well as every student’s gifts and talents. Final plans for this phase are still under development, but the initial plan includes a kick-off assembly and play, a writing activity for older students and an art activity for younger students that will be created into a booklet at the end of the year, a musical performance and celebration and a perception activity where children will share their unique talents and abilities in small groups.

If your local PTA or elementary school would like to learn more about the “I Have a Dream: Creating Your Life Portfolio” pilot program and possibly producing it in your school system, you may register your school by visiting the project website at www.Dreams4mylife.org, send an email to: lesutton@law.syr.edu, or call 1-800-949-4232 (v/tty) to learn more. The Southeast ADA Center will provide substantive guidance and direction on implementing the curriculum and on emerging trends and issues central to serving youth with disabilities at the elementary level.

L. Elaine Sutton Mbionwu serves as the Chair of the Georgia PTA’s Inclusion Subcommittee. She is the Assistant Project Director of the Southeast ADA Center, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University, that is one of 10 regional centers throughout the United State dedicated to providing information, training and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Ms. Mbionwu is also the parent of a fourth grader and an active member of her local PTA.

Georgia PTA Dues Increase On July 15, 2011 Georgia PTA convention delegates approved a fifty cents ($.50) increase to raise Georgia PTA’s portion of the member fees from $1.00 to $1.50. The increase is effective July 1, 2012, raising Georgia PTA’s portion of membership dues to $1.50. Since the last State dues increase 9 years ago, operating costs and the increased need for services and resources have far exceeded cost cutting measures and the ability to keep up with rising costs.

What this means to your PTA: Total National PTA and Georgia PTA dues per member = $3.75.

Your PTA/PTSA should: • Evaluate budget needs and determine if your PTA/PTSA can sustain its priorities, programs and services to parents, teachers and students without a dues increase to its members.

• If it is determined that your PTA/PTSA dues should be increased, you must amend your bylaws. Amendments to local unit bylaws require: • 30 days notice to the membership of the specified change • Approval by 2/3 vote of the membership at a general meeting • One copy of the bylaws amendment is to be forwarded to Georgia PTA for approval • Bylaws become effective upon receipt of an approved stamped copy from Georgia PTA PTA remains an incredible value. For less than the cost of a movie ticket, PTA members belong to an association that uses its’ power and voice to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities.

Stay Connected to Georgia PTA We make it easy to be in-the-know!

Bookmark our website: www.georgiapta.org Like us on Facebook: Georgia PTA Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/GeorgiaPTA March 2012

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Zoo Atlanta Updates Thank you to all who attended PTA Day at the Capitol Those in attendance at PTA Day at the Capitol on February 28, 2012 were able to hear Dr. John Barge, Sally FitzGerald and Karen Hallacy speak about the current educational and legislative climate.

They were then given time to navigate the State Capitol to find and speak to the elected representatives from their area.

Following time at the Capitol, PTA leaders enjoyed lunch at the Freight Depot.

May the whisper grow into a mighty shout throughout the land until all mankind takes it up as the battle cry for the closing years of the century. Let mothers, fathers, nurses, educators, ministers, legislators, and mightiest of all in its swift, far-reaching influence, the press, make the child the watchword and ward of the day and house; let all else be secondary, and coming generations will behold a new world and a new people.

— Alice McLellan Birney

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T

he Zoo enjoyed participating in the inaugural 2012 Statewide Family Engagement Conference at the Classic Center in Athens, GA on February 16-18. Zoo staff made meaningful connections with quite a few Georgia PTA members, attended several informative sessions, and came home ready to share new ideas on how the Zoo can do more to engage families throughout the State. If you have feedback that will help the Zoo serve you and your family better, please email education@zooatlanta.org.

Don’t forget, all active Georgia PTA members receive a $10 discount towards any Zoo Atlanta Membership or Rare Care animal sponsorship through July 1, 2013. Redeem the $10 discount, by calling (404) 624-5662 and referencing member code GAPTA. The discount is not available online.

April Happenings At Zoo Atlanta NEW EXPERIENCES Now open! Giraffe Feeding Terrace – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily Stand eye-to-eye with one of Earth’s tallest land mammals.

Make your visit a trip to remember with an exclusive new giraffe feeding encounter unlike any other ever before offered at Zoo Atlanta. Times may be subject to change.

Visit zooatlanta.org for more details.

NEW! Wild Encounters: African elephant – 11 a.m. daily NEW! Get closer than ever before with a behind-the-scenes experience during your Zoo visit. Meet and get a chance to feed one of the giants of the African savanna during an exclusive encounter. Times may be subject to change.

Visit zooatlanta.org for more details.

NEW! Wild Encounters: Komodo dragon – 12 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays NEW! Get closer than ever before with a behind-thescenes experience during your Zoo visit. It’s lunchtime for the world’s largest lizard species—and you get to help!

Meet and get a chance to feed a Komodo dragon during an exclusive encounter. Times may be subject to change.

Visit zooatlanta.org for more details.

NEW! Wild Encounters: Giant panda – 1 p.m. daily NEW! Get closer than ever before with a behind-thescenes experience during your Zoo visit. Meet and get a chance to feed one of the Zoo’s world-famous black-andwhite bears during an exclusive encounter never before offered as part of a regular trip to the Zoo! Times may be subject to change. Visit zooatlanta.org for more details.

Georgia PTA « THE VOICE

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS & CAMPS

PUBLIC EVENTS

Spring Safari Day Camp – April 2 – April 6

Party with the Planet – April 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Kindergartners through 5th graders enjoy a wild adventure in the Zoo during Spring Break! Award-winning Safari Day Camps feature exclusive tours, animal encounters, new friends, crafts, educational explorations and more. Register or learn more on zooatlanta.org.

Join Zoo Atlanta for a wild, green bash for that poster planet for wildlife preservation and resource conservation – Earth! Recycle, reuse and re-imagine your view of our world with fun family activities, crafts, a super lineup of green exhibitors and more.

Stay tuned to zooatlanta.org for event details.

Keeper for a Day: Elephants and Warthogs – April 7

Wild on the Rocks: Flirting with the Future – April 26, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Spend the day helping zookeepers with their daily routines of food preparation, cleaning, and animal care. Meet some exciting animals along the way, and learn what it takes to be a zookeeper! Hang out with two of the Zoo’s most interesting species in this hands-on program focusing on elephants and warthogs. Participants must be 14 or older. Book a program today on zooatlanta.org.

Adventure Cubs: Colorful Creatures – April 10, 17 and 24 Wildlife comes in many colors, from bright blue to black-andwhite. Two to 3-year-olds explore the many different shades of the animal kingdom. Dates listed are for series classes only; visit zooatlanta.org to learn more about single day options. Book a program today on zooatlanta.org.

Adventure Cubs SINGLE DAY: Colorful Creatures – April 14 or 26 Toddlers and their adult caregivers explore the many different shades of the animal kingdom in this one-day alternative to the popular Adventure Cubs series. Book a program today on zooatlanta.org.

Stroller Cubs: Cool Carnivores – April 21 or 25 What’s for dinner? Bring your little one to learn more about the meat-eaters of the animal kingdom during a special program tailor-made for infants to 2-year-olds. Book a program today on zooatlanta.org.

Keeper for a Day: Australia and Carnivores – April 28 Spend the day helping zookeepers with their daily routines of food preparation, cleaning, and animal care. Meet some exciting animals along the way, and learn what it takes to be a zookeeper! Hang out with our Australian animals in the morning, then head to carnivores for a fascinating afternoon.

Participants must be 14 or older. Book a program today on zooatlanta.org.

Kickin’ It with Kangaroos Deluxe NightCrawler – April 28 G’day, mate! Lace up your hiking books for an Outback adventure exploring the wildlife that calls Australia home. Spend the night in the Zoo, and end with an exclusive red kangaroo feeding! Guests must be 8 years or older to participate. Book a program today on zooatlanta.org.

March 2012

“It’s not you. It’s me. But you’ve got great genes.” If you think the dating scene is hit-or-miss, you should try collection planning! Learn how we determine which boy meets which girl, and find out whose relationship status is set on “single,” with closer look at the Species Survival Plan. Don’t skip cocktail hour – there’s a chance to try a new behind-the-scenes experience!

Reservations include two complimentary beverages, light hors d’oeuvres, exhibit tour and theater seating. Programs are designed for adults; content may not be suitable for children.

Stay tuned to zooatlanta.org for reservation information.

Zoo Plant Sale – April 28 Glorify your grounds with lush native plant varieties selected

by Zoo horticulturists at the annual Zoo Plant Sale. Horticulture experts will be on hand for questions, advice and tips on planting for your lifestyle. Stay tuned to zooatlanta.org for event details.

Legislative Do you know about Capitol Watch?

Daily reports are written and posted to the Capitol Watch section of the GA PTA website to ensure that our families are informed about what our legislators are voting on during session. Georgia PTA is represented every day at the Capitol by either Sally FitzGerald, Education Policy Chair, or Karen Hallacy, Legislative Chair. Karen Hallacy also sends out a weekly legislative recap, which anyone can subscribe to.

Check out Capitol Watch at http://www.georgiapta.org/issues-capitol-watch.html.

Daily Recaps can be found here: http://www.ciclt.net/sn/new/n_main.aspx?ClientCode=gapta Submit your email address to receive the weekly recap here: http://www.ciclt.net/sn/sec/join.aspx?ClientCode=gapta

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Resource Development

Falcons Family Day 2011-2012 There were 892 tickets sold as a fundraiser for Georgia PTA. $720 went to Ga PTA State office and a little over $8,000 profit to our local PTA units. Congratulations to all of our participating schools:

Hawks Family Day Special thanks to each school for participating in our Hawks Family Day on March 16th. There were 90 tickets sold as a fundraiser for Georgia PTA yielding $450.

Congratulations to our top ticket winners Sawnee Elementary and to the following schools:

Acworth Elementary PTA

Meadowview Elementary PTA

Avery Elementary PTA

MLK Jr. High School PTSA

Ball Ground Elementary PTA

Morrow Elementary PTA

BB Harris Elementary

Morrow High School PTSA

Burnette Elementary PTA

Mountain View PTA

Cedar Grove Elementary PTA

Murdock Elementary PTA

Chapel Hill Elementary PTA

Nesbit Elementary PTA

Chapel Hill Elementary PTA

North Cobb High School PTSA

Collins Hill HS PTSA

North Springs Charter PTSA

Special Thanks to our Georgia PTA Collaborative Partner

Georgia PTA Member Benefits A PTA membership provides many benefits to a card-carrying PTA member. National PTA and Georgia PTA offer a variety of PTA Member Benefits from businesses and organizations.

Some are ongoing, while others are seasonal or event related.

Use your PTA membership card to take advantage of these benefits.

Continental Colony Elementary

Northwood Elementary PTA

Mountain View Elementary PTA

Daniell Middle School PTSA

Pharr PTA

West Chatham Elementary PTA

East Clayton Elementary PTA

RD Head Elementary PTA

Continental Colony Elementary PTA

Eastvalley Elementary PTA

Riverside Elementary PTA

Georgia PTA Member Benefit Providers:

Unidos Dual Language Charter

Elite Scholars Academy PTSA

Sawnee Elementary PTA

Alliance Theatre

Findley Oaks Elementary PTA

Shiloh Middle School PTSA

Garrison Mill PTA

Summit Hill Elementary

Hawthorne Elementary PTA

Suwanee Elementary PTA

Hickory Hills Elementary PTA

Sweetwater Elementary PTA

Hephzibah Elementary PTA

Ivy Prep Kirkwood PTSA

Ison Springs Elementary PTA

Johnston Elementary

Sweetwater Middle School PTSA

The Southeastern Horticultural Society

Twin Rivers Middle School PTSA

Zoo Atlanta Membership

Avery Elementary PTA Murphey Middle School PTSA Sawnee Elementary PTA

Kemp Primary School PTA Lee Street Elementary PTA Lovejoy Middle School PTSA Lovin Elementary PTA Mabry Middle School PTSA McNair Middle School

Unidos Dual Language Charter School West Chatham Elementary PTA

The Atlanta History Center Chattahoochee Nature Center Fernbank

Visit the Georgia PTA website to learn about the specific discount your GA PTA Membership gets you! http://www.georgiapta. org/membership-benefits.html

Dewanna King, Resource Development Chair, dewanna.king@yahoo.com

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Georgia PTA ÂŤ THE VOICE

2012 Georgia Parent Leadership Awards Announced Tyler Barr, Mirror Lake Elementary, Douglas County Schools

O

Sara Harp, Minter Elementary, Fayette County Schools

n February 18, State School Superintendent Dr. John D. Barge and the Georgia Parent Teacher Association awarded six 2012 Georgia Parent Leadership Awards.

“We know that parent engagement helps create a better learning environment for our students,” said Superintendent Barge. “I commend these parents for their leadership and involvement in the education and overall well-being of all the students in their child’s school and school district.”

The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) and the Georgia Parent Teacher Association (GA PTA) created the annual award to recognize parents across the state for their outstanding leadership in creating a foundation of support for student achievement and success. Parent leaders are nominated each November during Georgia’s Parent Engagement Month by public school personnel.

Any caregiver who assumes the responsibility for nurturing and caring for a student’s entire well-being consisting of educational, emotional, spiritual, and physical health can be considered. Six Parent Leadership Awards are given each year. Two parents, one representing a Title I school and one representing a Non-Title I school are selected as winners in each of these three categories: Elementary School, Middle School, and High School. This year, there were no nominations received in the Non-Title I Middle School category, therefore two Non-Title I Elementary School Parent Leadership Awards were granted. Winners of the Georgia Parent Leadership Award are afforded opportunities throughout the year to share their story by promoting and assisting parent engagement activities at the state level. The winners received their award during a special ceremony honoring their achievement on Saturday, February 18, 2012 during the Statewide Family Engagement Conference in Athens.

Susan Dodson, Timothy Road Elementary, Clarke County Schools

Elizabeth Caldwell, Jasper County Middle, Jasper County Schools

Dennis Holsey, Sr., Hancock Central High, Hancock County Schools

Award Winners: Tyler Barr, Mirror Lake Elementary, Douglas County Schools Sara Harp, Minter Elementary, Fayette County Schools Susan Dodson, Timothy Road Elementary, Clarke County Schools Elizabeth Caldwell, Jasper County Middle, Jasper County Schools Krysia Suttles, East Paulding High, Paulding County Schools Dennis Holsey, Sr., Hancock Central High, Hancock County Schools

March 2012

Award winners are pictured with Donna Kosicki, Georgia PTA President, and Michelle Sandrock, Parent Program Manager for the Georgia Department of Education. Not pictured: Krysia Suttles of East Paulding High School

15

National PTA

Georgia PTA’s Leslie Cushman as Slated Nominee for National PTA Member Representative

By Donna Kosicki, Georgia PTA President

J

ust a couple of weeks ago, the Nominating and Leadership Development Committee for National PTA announced the slate of nominees for eight (8) member representatives to the National PTA Board of Directors, each for a two-year term; and two (2) members to the Nominating and Leadership Development Committee, each for a three-year term.

The nominees will be elected at the 2012 National PTA Convention (in San Jose, California) in June. Georgia’s very own Leslie Cushman has been nominated on the slate for the position of Member Representative. Leslie currently serves on the National PTA Board of Directors, appointed in 2010 by Immediate Past President Chuck Saylors. In a telephone conference interview, I spoke to Leslie about what this means for National PTA, for her and for Georgia.

DONNA: Congratulations Leslie on the nomination, very exciting!

LESLIE: Thank you! It is very exciting!

DONNA: I appreciate this opportunity to talk to you about this nomination and am looking forward to understanding what it means! I am sure there are others out there who would love to know more about this, as well. Tell me, what does a Member Representative do?

LESLIE: Member Representatives are members of the National PTA Board of Directors and represent members at the national level. It is like our District Directors representing members at the state level, only Member Representatives don’t represent their individual state – they represent all members of all states.

Responsibilities include approving Policies and Procedures, plans-of work, addressing legislative issues, ratifying resolutions, approving the budget, etc.

DONNA: What does this mean for you?

LESLIE: If elected, it means I would be a member of the National PTA Board of Directors. The President selects different people on the board to serve on different committees. I currently serve on the Finance Committee and am very proud of the work we have done this year. Also, Member Representatives can be assigned to attend different state events. Last year, I attended Maryland PTA’s convention.

DONNA:: What does this mean to Georgia PTA’s constituents/ members?

LESLIE: If you look at the National PTA Board of Directors, there are not too many of us…having a Member Representative from Georgia raises the level of expectation of work done here in our state.

DONNA: Thanks! Final thoughts?

LESLIE:: National PTA works hard in order to provide the best programs, member benefits, and resources for local units and the state level. Eric Hargis, Executive Director, and his staff look for exciting new things to connect student learning to parents and teachers that will have long lasting effort on all children.

DONNA: Thanks Leslie! I appreciate your time and all that you continue to do in PTA. Wish you all the best in June with the election.

LESLIE: Thanks Donna!

The 2012 National PTA Convention is scheduled June 21 to 24 at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. For more information on this event, visit the website at www.pta.org.

Georgia PTA Convention Leadership Training

Call for Volunteers!

Georgia PTA is looking for some smiling faces and helping hands! We have volunteer needs for Tote Bag Stuffing, Registration, Welcome Desk, Membership Card Distribution, and Workshop Facilitators. If you’d like to give a couple hours of your time to volunteer at CLT, please fill out the registration form at http://www.georgiapta.org/conv-2012volunteer.html.

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Georgia PTA « THE VOICE

Reflections

Winners Honored at State Reflections Ceremony

N

ational PTA has been honoring students’ artistic achievements through the Reflections Program since 1969. Students are challenged to create artwork inspired by a specific theme. Themes are selected from hundreds of ideas submitted by students. The 2012-2013 Reflections theme will be “The Magic of a Moment...”.

The PTA Reflections Program is designed to enhance quality arts education for students in pre-school through 12 grade, encouraging them to create works of art in the areas of dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photog-raphy, and visual arts.

Thousands of students in Georgia participate through their local PTAs each year. Each state is allowed to submit 4 entries in each of the arts area to the national level of judging—one entry for each grade division. That is a total of only 24 entries from Georgia. All national entries are judged on artistic merit/creativity, mastery of the medium, and interpretation of the theme.

Only 6 Outstanding Interpretation Awards will be awarded from National, one for each category.

These winners are notified directly and are also invited to attend the National PTA Convention.

Within each arts area, 3 Awards of Excellence and 5 Awards of Merit are also selected. All winning visual art and photography pieces that receive national awards are used in exhibits and in online galleries to help promote the Reflections program for a period of 2-3 years.

Visit the National website, www.ptareflections.org in mid to late May for a press release of national award recipients.

Select State level winners will be displayed at a venue to be determined. Please visit the Georgia PTA website in May for further details. All visual art and photography entries will be returned by December 2012.

Special thanks to the following businesses and individuals for their donations of goods and/or services: Alpharetta Beverage Company, Webline Inc., Woodruff Arts Center, Lifetouch, Georgia PTA Staff, Georgia PTA Board of Directors, Debbie Rabjohn, Lori Sweet, Cydne Tweddle and Local & Council Reflections Chairs.

Cindy Austin, Georgia PTA Reflections Chair, caustin@georgiapta.org

March 2012

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Reflections 2011-2012 Winners THEME SEARCH AWARDS “I Believe” Sydni Wray Golden Isles ES, Glynn, 3 “The World is My Canvas” Caitlyn Brown West Chatham ES, Savannah-Chatham, 6 “Leaving Your Legacy” Matt Gilliland Dickerson MS, East Cobb, 9 “Freedom Means…”

Gunnar Hillis West Chatham ES, Savannah-Chatham, 6 “Imagination Can Take Me…” Bradley Stamper Vaughan ES, Tom Mathis, 9

GEORGIA SPECIAL ARTIST PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS Pre-Kindergarten First Place – Charles Borden Esther Jackson ES, North Fulton, 10 Kindergarten First Place – Benjamin Russell Sugar Hill ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 First Grade First Place – Alexander Kramer Manning Oaks ES, North Fulton, 10 Second Grade First Place – Brantley Jones St Simons ES, Glynn, 3 Second Place – Grace Carter Creekview ES, North Fulton, 10 Third Place – Parker Barfield Riverside ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Fourth Grade First Place – Anthony Cesar Sugar Hill ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Sixth Grade First Place – Lexie Luckcuck Dodgen MS, East Cobb, 9 Second Place – Chris Castillo Dodgen MS, East Cobb, 9 Third Place – Farouk Dasunmu Dickerson MS, East Cobb, 9 Seventh Grade First Place – Samuel Bennett Dickerson MS, East Cobb, 9 Second Place – Chris Branch Dodgen MS, East Cobb, 9 Third Place – Ameena Jackson Dickerson MS, East Cobb, 9 Hon. Mention – Zachary Nesbit Dodgen MS, East Cobb, 9 Eighth Grade First Place – Jason Nash Dodgen MS, East Cobb, 9

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Second Place – Jake Tolar Dodgen MS, East Cobb, 9 Ninth Grade First Place – Yu Yip SKA Academy, 12 Second Place – Brenna Newton Sequoyah HS, Cherokee, 13 Third Place – Tarik Ajanovic Sequoyah HS, Cherokee, 13 Honorable Mention – Yu Yip SKA Academy, 12 Tenth Grade First Place – Jaime Stagliano Sequoyah HS, Cherokee, 13 Eleventh Grade First Place – Kristen Persinger Sequoyah HS, Cherokee, 13 Second Place – Brandon Wimpey Sequoyah HS, Cherokee, 13 Third Place – Melissa Reddick Sequoyah HS, Cherokee, 13 Twelfth Grade First Place – Kayla Lingefelt Sequoyah HS, Cherokee, 13

GEORGIA SPECIAL ARTIST VISUAL ART AWARDS Pre-Kindergarten First Place – Christian Araujo Simpson ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Second Place – Rosa Sutton Carrie E Gould ES, SavannahChatham, 6 Third Place – Gracie King Simpson ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Kindergarten First Place – Tamas Phillips Sugar Hill ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Second Place – Ally Manriquez Flat Shoals ES, Rockdale, 11 Third Place – Evan Marshall Level Creek ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 First Grade First Place – Evelyn Lucero Virginia L Heard ES, SavannahChatham, 6 Second Place – Iliana Lucero Virginia L Heard ES, SavannahChatham, 6 Third Place – Rocky Ghosh Riverside ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Hon. Mention – Jon-Michael Huisman W C Abney ES, Paulding, 9 Second Grade First Place – Matthew Powell M H Mason ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Second Place – Samuel Schwenker Mountain View ES, East Cobb, 9

Third Place – Tizziano Britez Esther Jackson ES, North Fulton, 10 Hon. Mention – Benjamin Schwenker Mountain View ES, East Cobb, 9 Third Grade First Place – Gabriella Too A Foo J G Dyer ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Second Place – Hannah Hicks Brumby ES, East Cobb, 9 Third Place – Warren Briggs Level Creek ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Hon. Mention – Omar Villegas Esther Jackson ES, North Fulton, 10 Fourth Grade First Place – Nayely DeSantos Pedroza Campbell ES, South Fulton, 10 Second Place – Jesus Garduno Craig ES, Gwinnett Area 1, 12 Third Place – Luke Jeevanayagam Sugar Hill ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Hon. Mention – Eugene Park Level Creek ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Fifth Grade First Place – Jordan McCrea Riverside ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Second Place – Gabrielle Johnson Level Creek ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Third Place – Akitaka Izumi Riverside ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Sixth Grade First Place – Ashley Marity North Gwinnett MS, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Second Place – Hazmell Perez Duluth MS, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Third Place – Nicholas Seawright Awtrey MS, Tom Mathis, 9 Hon.Mention – Nana Amofa Duluth MS, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Seventh Grade First Place – Jake Anderson Trickum MS, Gwinnett Area 1, 12 Second Place – Faith Moon Duluth MS, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Third Place – Dalton MacKnight Sonoraville MS, Gordon, 13 Eighth Grade First Place – Savannah Hunter Dean Rusk MS, Cherokee, 13 Second Place – Ashley Hayes Duluth MS, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Third Place – Sadik Brown Duluth MS, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Ninth Grade First Place – Yu Yip SKA Academy, 12 Second Place – Yu Yip SKA Academy, 12 Third Place – Caitriona Schertler Paulding County HS, Paulding, 9

Eleventh Grade First Place – Kristen Persinger Sequoyah HS, Cherokee, 13 Twelfth Grade First Place – Jodi Bussert Gordon Central HS, Gordon, 13 Second Place – Kayla Lingefelt Sequoyah HS, Cherokee, 13

GEORGIA SPECIAL ARTIST LITERATURE AWARDS First Grade First Place – Christopher Hackstadt Riverside ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Second Grade First Place – John Strader Sugar Hill ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Fourth Grade First Place – Steven Pugh Sugar Hill ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Fifth Grade First Place – Grant Seroyer M H Mason ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Second Place – MaKenzie Routh Kincaid ES, East Cobb, 9 Third Place – Ricardo Portugal Kincaid ES, East Cobb, 9 Sixth Grade First Place – Nicholas Seawright Awtrey MS, Tom Mathis, 9 Seventh Grade First Place – Carolyn Prunkl Dodgen MS, East Cobb, 9

POSTER AWARD Winner – Elizabeth Waid Norcross HS, Gwinnett Area 2, 12

MUSICAL COMPOSITION AWARDS Pre-Kindergarten First Place – Haleigh Clay E L Bouie ES, DeKalb, 11 Second Place – Benjaminh Nguyen Macedonia ES, Cherokee, 13 Kindergarten First Place – Emma Oleksinski Parsons ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Second Place – Kenimer Augustus Lewis St Simons ES, Glynn, 3 Third Place – Yorim Kim Woodward Mill ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 First Grade First Place and Primary Division Entry to National – William Skidmore, III Duncan Creek ES, Gwinnett Area 3, 12

Georgia PTA « THE VOICE

“Diversity Means…”

Second Place – Sebastian Holl Tritt ES, East Cobb, 9 Third Place – Ansley Reimers Pitner ES, Tom Mathis, 9 Second Grade First Place – Alexandria Burkingstock Pucketts Mill ES, Gwinnett Area 3, 12 Second Place – Kamilah Kannan Mountain View ES, East Cobb, 9 Third Place – Alexander Jovanovic Fernbank ES, DeKalb, 11 Third Grade First Place and Intermediate Division Entry to National – Olivia Cornwell Red Bud ES, Gordon, 13 Second Place – Kyla Deaver Due West ES, Tom Mathis, 9 Third Place – Ally Smith Pucketts Mill ES, Gwinnett Area 3, 12 Fourth Grade First Place – Natalie Gratwick West Side ES, Marietta, 9 Second Place – Teagan Smith Avery ES, Cherokee, 13 Third Place – Jada Screen Freemans Mill ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Fifth Grade First Place – Matthew Kim Woodward Mill ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Second Place – Navkaran Gill Shakerag ES, North Fulton, 10 Third Place – Rebekah Geil Big Shanty Intermediate, Tom Mathis, 9 Sixth Grade First Place – Catherine Abely Autrey Mill MS, North Fulton, 10 Second Place – Annie Lesser Riverwatch MS, Forsyth, 13 Third Place – Elena Gilbert Duluth MS, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Seventh Grade First Place and Middle Division Entry to National – Madison Kesel Henderson MS, DeKalb, 11 Second Place – Brandon Sully North Gwinnett MS, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Third Place – Caroline Gratwick Marietta Middle Grades, Marietta, 9 Eighth Grade First Place – Justin Thongsouk Frank N Osborne MS, Gwinnett Area 3, 12 Second Place – Sri Bhat Henderson MS, DeKalb, 11 Third Place – Nicholas Flint Coastal MS, Savannah-Chatham, 6

March 2012

Ninth Grade First Place – Kyle Willoughby South Paulding HS, Paulding, 9 Second Place – Aaron Mencher Northview HS, North Fulton, 10 Third Place – David Warth Brookwood HS, Gwinnett Area 1, 12

Second Grade First Place – Nina DeLafosse Starling ES, Gwinnett Area 3, 12 Second Place – Donaijah Richardson Gadsden ES, Savannah-Chatham, 6 Third Place – Nathan Guilford Holly Springs ES, Cherokee, 13

Tenth Grade First Place – Nigel Foster-Jones Chattahoochee HS, North Fulton, 10 Second Place – Nicholas Lindell Lassiter HS, East Cobb, 9 Third Place – Katie Garvey Norcross HS, Gwinnett Area 2, 12

Third Grade First Place – Jaeden Kimble Gadsden ES, Savannah-Chatham, 6 Second Place – Aaliyah Williams Gadsden ES, Savannah-Chatham, 6 Third Place – Neva Clark Carmel ES, Cherokee, 13

Eleventh Grade First Place – William Fulkerson Walton HS, East Cobb, 9 Second Place – Lincoln Herring Lakeside HS, DeKalb, 11 Third Place – Anita Ingram North Gwinnett HS, Gwinnett Area 2, 12

Fourth Grade First Place and Intermediate Division Entry to National – Iris Hundeby Pharr ES, Gwinnett Area 3, 12 Second Place – Ava Hager Duncan Creek ES, Gwinnett Area 3, 12 Third Place – Mitchell Wilson Gadsden ES, Savannah-Chatham, 6

Twelfth Grade First Place and High Division Entry to National – Ian Brown Mill Creek HS, Gwinnett Area 3, 12 Second Place – Sarah Garvey Norcross HS, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Third Place – Micah David Alpharetta HS, North Fulton, 10

Fifth Grade First Place – Alysa Miles Macedonia ES, Cherokee, 13 Second Place – Anna Zhao Wilson Creek ES, North Fulton, 10 Third Place – Kevin Martinez Dacula ES, Gwinnett Area 3, 12

Pre-Kindergarten First Place – Milan Gates Gadsden ES, Savannah-Chatham, 6 Second Place – Angelica Stallworth E L Bouie Sr ES, DeKalb, 11

Sixth Grade First Place – Alya Dow McClure MS, Tom Mathis, 9 Second Place – Ansley Konkle Frank N Osborne MS, Gwinnett Area 3, 12 Third Place – Brinkley Doherty Dodgen MS, East Cobb, 9

Kindergarten First Place and Primary Division Entry to National – Shruti Nainwal Vanderlyn ES, DeKalb, 11 Second Place – Dominique Hairston Esther F Garrison K-8 School for Visual & Performing Arts, Savannah-Chatham, 6 Third Place – Joyita Ahmed Mountain Park ES, Gwinnett Area 1, 12

Seventh Grade First Place and Middle Division Entry to National – Christianna Mariano Henderson MS, DeKalb, 11 Second Place – Nafia Hamilton Esther F Garrison K-8 School for Visual & Performing Arts, Savannah-Chatham, 6 Third Place – Farrah Bowman Ivy Prep Academy, Gwinnett Area 2, 12

First Grade First Place – Vyjayanthi Burma Dolvin ES, North Fulton, 10 Second Place – Zahra Jiwani Brookwood ES, Gwinnett Area 1, 12 Third Place – Sadie Young Esther F Garrison K-8 School for Visual & Performing Arts, Savannah-Chatham, 6 Hon. Mention – Morgan Vasseur Pucketts Mill ES, Gwinnett Area 3, 12

Eighth Grade First Place – Alyssa Beasley Jane Macon MS, Glynn, 3 Second Place – Caitlin Pierce Autrey Mill MS, North Fulton, 10 Third Place – Anna Jung Durham MS, Tom Mathis, 9

DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY AWARDS

Ninth Grade First Place – Kaley Norton Etowah HS, Cherokee, 13 Second Place – Rahul Singi Wheeler HS, East Cobb, 9

Tenth Grade First Place – Kyriea Crudup Wheeler HS, East Cobb, 9 Second Place – Victoria Everhart Kell HS, East Cobb, 9 Eleventh Grade First Place – Virginia Spinks DeKalb School of the Arts, DeKalb, 11 Second Place – Nicki Ammerman Columbus HS, Muscogee, 4 Third Place – Hayley Abell Columbus HS, Muscogee, 4 Twelfth Grade First Place and High Division Entry to National – Racquel Charles Sequoyah HS, Cherokee, 13 Second Place – Alexis Basel Etowah HS, Cherokee, 13 Third Place – Kendall Knudsen Collins Hill HS, Gwinnett Area 2, 12

PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS Pre-Kindergarten First Place – Bennett Durham Double Churches ES, Muscogee, 4 Second Place – Grant Moore Glyndale ES, Glynn, 3 Third Place – Addison Kennedy C B Greer ES, Glynn, 3 Hon. Mention – Carter Murphy Vanderlyn ES, DeKalb, 11 Kindergarten First Place – Jack Kuchinski Sharon ES, Forsyth, 13 Second Place – Jake Sandy W C Abney ES, Paulding, 9 Third Place – Logan Weir Ford ES, Tom Mathis, 9 Hon. Mention – Logan Stafford Rock Springs ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 First Grade First Place – Evan Ratliff Golden Isles ES, Glynn, 3 Second Place – Aidan Cohl K E Taylor ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Third Place – Alexander Arivett Union ES, Paulding, 9 Hon. Mention – Joseph Tritt J C Magill ES, Gwinnett Area 1, 12 Second Grade First Place and Primary Division Entry to National – Olivia McClellan Sharon ES, Forsyth, 13 Second Place – Kathryn Steele Shallowford Falls ES, East Cobb, 9 Third Place – Elizabeth DeVooght Oglethorpe Point ES, Glynn, 3 Hon. Mention – Omer Mujawar SKA Academy, 12

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Reflections 2011-2012 Winners Third Grade First Place – Claire Fox Fairmount ES, Gordon, 13 Second Place – Alejandra Martinez Starling ES, Gwinnett Area 3, 12 Third Place – Jameson Marshall Barnwell ES, North Fulton, 10 Hon. Mention – Jimmy Cyganek King Springs ES, Jessye Coleman, 9 Fourth Grade First Place – Matthew Duran Shoal Creek ES, Rockdale, 11 Second Place – Trey Sprecher Murdock ES, East Cobb, 9 Third Place – Amber Crawford Sonoraville ES, Gordon, 13 Hon. Mention – Maya Spaulding Chattahoochee ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Fifth Grade First Place and Intermediate Division Entry to National – Hannah Kimber Avery ES, Cherokee, 13 Second Place – Alex Turner Kincaid ES, East Cobb, 9 Third Place – Emma Dlhosh Varner ES, South Cobb, 9 Hon. Mention – Coleton Young Lovin ES, Gwinnett Area 3,12 Sixth Grade First Place – Alyse Murphy Freedom MS, Cherokee, 13 Second Place – Mackinnon Jackson Alton C Crews MS, Gwinnett Area 1, 12 Third Place – Ally Gill Walter Richards MS, Muscogee, 4 Hon. Mention – Caytlin Tuchschmidt Twin Rivers MS, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Seventh Grade First Place and Middle Division Entry to National – Isabella Gardner Esther F Garrison K-8 School for Visual & Performing Arts, Savannah-Chatham, 6 Second Place – Tyler Manuel E T Booth MS, Cherokee, 13 Third Place – Sara Correa Dacula MS, Gwinnett Area 3, 12 Honorable Mention – Matthew Chiaravalloti Durham MS, Tom Mathis, 9 Eighth Grade First Place – Yasmin Goreja Glenn C Jones MS, Gwinnett Area 3, 12 Second Place – Martin Middleton Dickerson MS, East Cobb, 9 Third Place – Krista Davis Double Churches MS, Muscogee, 4 Hon. Mention – Lydia McGinnis Northwestern MS, North Fulton, 10

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Ninth Grade First Place – Aneesha Dasari Alpharetta HS, North Fulton, 10 Second Place – Ariel Rucker North Paulding HS, Paulding, 9 Third Place – Kayla Dahlman Etowah HS, Cherokee, 13 Honorable Mention and Poster Winner 2011-2012 – Elizabeth Waid Norcross HS, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Tenth Grade First Place and High Division Entry to National – Rebecca Miller Sequoyah HS, Cherokee, 13 Second Place – Madison Hill Parkview HS, Gwinnett Area 1, 12 Third Place – Anika Mitchell Campbell HS, Jessye Coleman, 9 Honorable Mention – Gaby Hale Kell HS, East Cobb, 9 Eleventh Grade First Place – Maggie Nunn Birney Butler, 14 Second Place – Stephanie Moon Gwinnett School of Math Science & Technology, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Third Place – Hadar Ben-Simon Walton HS, East Cobb, 9 Hon. Mention – Lena Dangerfield Lakeside HS, DeKalb, 11 Twelfth Grade First Place – Agnes Tristao North Paulding HS, Paulding, 9 Second Place – Peyton Fenner Riverwood HS, North Fulton, 10 Third Place – Laura Woosley North Cobb HS, Tom Mathis, 9 Hon. Mention – Ally Hellenga Etowah HS, Cherokee, 13 Hon. Mention – .Anne Grosse Lakeside HS, DeKalb, 11

FILM PRODUCTION AWARDS Kindergarten First Place and Primary Division Entry to National – Chloe McCance Floyd F Shelton ES, Paulding, 9 Second Place – Nathan Sardonia Free Home ES, Cherokee, 13 Third Place – Natalie Erickson Alpharetta ES, North Fulton, 10 First Grade First Place – Rachel Clark Avery ES, Cherokee, 13 Second Place – Frederick Anderson Hembree Springs ES, North Fulton, 10 Third Place – Celeste Romero-Kuri Vanderlyn ES, DeKalb, 11

Second Grade First Place – Anna Vescio Lake Windward ES, North Fulton, 10 Second Place – Trinity Skeete Lovin ES, Gwinnett Area 3, 12 Third Place – Abigail Lee State Bridge Crossing ES, North Fulton, 10 Hon. Mention – Hayden Cole Nebo ES, Paulding, 9 Hon. Mention – Sydney Winters Sharon ES, Forsyth, 13 Third Grade First Place – Chloe Mnich Bascomb ES, Cherokee, 13 Second Place – Daniel Schultz Settles Bridge ES, Forsyth, 13 Third Place – Maili Skollar Marietta Ctr for Advanced Academics, Marietta, 9 Fourth Grade First Place – Joseph Felix Due West ES, Tom Mathis, 9 Second Place – Carly Phares River Eves ES, North Fulton, 10 Third Place – Vivia Lung SKA Academy, 12 Hon. Mention – Jackson Currie Mulberry ES, Gwinnett Area 3, 12 Hon. Mention – Charlie Grillo Knight ES, Gwinnett Area 1, 12 Fifth Grade First Place and Intermediate Division Entry to National – Cullen Hunt Tritt ES, East Cobb, 9 Second Place – Joshua Dingle Addison ES, East Cobb, 9 Third Place – Jacob Amin Oak Grove ES, DeKalb, 11 Sixth Grade First Place – Alexa Thompson Bay Creek MS, Gwinnett Area 3, 12 Second Place – Cody Killebrew Hopewell MS, North Fulton, 10 Third Place – Jacob Godwin Hopewell MS, North Fulton, 10 Seventh Grade First Place – Nijah Coles Shiloh MS, Gwinnett Area 1, 12 Second Place – Will Wright Chamblee MS, DeKalb, 11 Third Place – Connor Day Pinckneyville MS, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Eighth Grade First Place and Middle Division Entry to National – Maya Viust Pinckneyville MS, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Second Place – John Taylor Nielsen Veterans Memorial MS, Muscogee, 4

Third Place – Zachary Givarz Dickerson MS, East Cobb, 9 Ninth Grade First Place and High Division Entry to National – Ali Kilkenny-Smith Lassiter HS, East Cobb, 9 Second Place – Sarah Krix Norcross HS, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Third Place – Rachel Neal Glynn Academy HS, Glynn, 3 Tenth Grade First Place – Michelle Lung SKA Academy, 12 Second Place – Anirudh Udutha Wheeler HS, East Cobb, 9 Eleventh Grade First Place – Tanner Blair Sonoraville HS, Gordon, 13 Second Place – Rachel Schneller Walton HS, East Cobb, 9 Twelfth Grade First Place – Taylor Morrell DeKalb School of the Arts, DeKalb, 11 Second Place – Grace Ferzely Pope HS, East Cobb, 9 Third Place – Jane Giang Parkview HS, Gwinnett Area 1, 12 Hon. Mention – Susanna Dong Milton HS, North Fulton, 10

VISUAL ARTS AWARDS Pre-Kindergarten First Place – Adam Paschke May Howard ES, SavannahChatham, 6 Second Place – Janna Jobe Glyndale ES, Glynn, 3 Third Place – Zachary Kuebler Livsey ES, DeKalb, 11 Hon. Mention – Shondra Randall Flat Shoals ES, Rockdale, 11 Kindergarten First Place – Chris Han SKA Academy, 12 Second Place – Emma Metlick Carmel ES, Cherokee, 13 Third Place – Amiya Richardson Gadsden ES, Savannah-Chatham, 6 Hon. Mention – Lucy Jo Ladd Oglethorpe Point ES, Glynn, 3 First Grade First Place – Kristina Yu Riverside ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Second Place – June Guin Sope Creek ES, East Cobb, 9 Third Place – Paige Clemons Sawnee ES, Forsyth, 13 Honorable Mention – Charles Boggess Pardo Carmel ES, Cherokee, 13

Georgia PTA « THE VOICE

“Diversity Means…”

Second Grade First Place and Primary Division Entry to National – Emily Lam SKA Academy, 12 Second Place – Matthew Kim Findley ES, North Fulton, 10 Third Place – Andrew Kim Sharon ES, Forsyth, 13 Third Grade First Place – Seoyoun Kim SKA Academy, 12 Second Place – Chloe Mnich Bascomb ES, Cherokee, 13 Third Place – Joyce Chung Wilson Creek ES, North Fulton, 10 Hon. Mention – Jimmy Cyganek King Springs ES, Jessye Coleman, 9 Fourth Grade First Place and Intermediate Division Entry to National – Hannah Lee Johns Creek ES, Forsyth, 13 Second Place – Ivy Xue SKA Academy, 12 Third Place – Marissa Odell Shallowford Falls ES, East Cobb, 9 Hon. Mention – Olivia Woodard Carmel ES, Cherokee, 13 Fifth Grade First Place – Andrew Christopher Knight ES, Gwinnett Area 1, 12 Second Place – Brandon Koh Johns Creek ES, Forsyth, 13 Third Place – Christopher Park Johns Creek ES, Forsyth, 13 Hon. Mention – Madelynn Moreno Harmony ES, Gwinnett Area 3, 12

Eighth Grade First Place and Middle Division Entry to National – Susie Kim Riverwatch MS, Forsyth, 13 Second Place – Sarah Wang Autrey Mill MS, North Fulton, 10 Third Place – Sue Kim South Forsyth MS, Forsyth, 13 Hon. Mention – Lindsey Carr North Gwinnett MS, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Ninth Grade First Place – Jung Hee Ma Duluth HS, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Second Place – Liheng Song Northview HS, North Fulton, 10 Third Place – Janet Lee Johns Creek HS, North Fulton, 10 Hon. Mention – Daffodil Tran Forest Park HS, Clayton, 7 Tenth Grade First Place – Hudson Tsay Walton HS, East Cobb, 9 Second Place – Aberleigh Rice Mill Creek HS, Gwinnett Area 3, 12 Third Place – Annette Sujo Northview HS, North Fulton, 10 Eleventh Grade First Place and High Division Entry to National – Kay Thomas Mill Creek HS, Gwinnett Area 3, 12 Second Place – Avery Beason Sonoraville HS, Gordon, 13 Third Place – Elishah Lee Johns Creek HS, North Fulton, 10 Hon. Mention – Jasmine Pelmore South Cobb HS, South Cobb, 9

Sixth Grade First Place – Monica Chang North Gwinnett MS, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Second Place – Christina Zhao SKA Academy, 12 Third Place – Carson Hager Frank N Osborne MS, Gwinnett Area 3, 12 Hon. Mention – Soo Min Kim River Trail MS, North Fulton, 10

Twelfth Grade First Place – Angela Andrew Pope HS, East Cobb, 9 Second Place – Katherine DelGado Sequoyah HS, Cherokee, 13 Third Place – Jessica Johnson Brunswick HS, Glynn, 3 Hon. Mention – Elena Carranza Mill Creek HS, Gwinnett Area 3, 12

Seventh Grade First Place – June Lee Riverwatch MS, Forsyth, 13 Second Place – Ashley Tsang Autrey Mill MS, North Fulton, 10 Third Place – Christopher Chinchilla Lena Mae Moses MS, Paulding, 9 Hon. Mention – Amber Brinson Ashworth MS, Gordon, 13

Kindergarten First Place and Primary Division Entry to National – Chloe Pergrem C A Roberts ES, Paulding, 9 Second Place – Sonya Prabakar Settles Bridge ES, Forsyth, 13 Third Place – Kira Pennington Macedonia ES, Cherokee, 13

LITERATURE AWARDS

Second Place – Samuel Kale Rocky Mount ES, East Cobb, 9 Third Place – Chip Horton Esther F Garrison K-8 School for Visual & Performing Arts, Savannah-Chatham, 6 Hon. Mention – Avery Fawley River Eves ES, North Fulton, 10 Second Grade First Place – Emmy Pickard King Springs ES, Jessye Coleman, 9 Second Place – Tatum Landers Brookwood ES, Gwinnett Area 1, 12 Third Place – Tanner Dilworth Alcova ES, Gwinnett Area 3, 12 Third Grade First Place – Shian Shoemaker Burnt Hickory ES, Paulding, 9 Second Place – Kellyn Brisendine Brookwood ES, Gwinnett Area 1, 12 Third Place – Anna Kate Loeffler R W Russom ES, Paulding, 9 Hon. Mention – Ansh Malbari Burnette ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Fourth Grade First Place – Chase Allen Sope Creek ES, East Cobb, 9 Second Place – Shea Bonacci McKendree ES, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Fifth Grade First Place and Intermediate Division Entry to National – Marissa Ross Reese Road ES, Muscogee, 4 Second Place – Anna Skowronski Shelton ES, Paulding, 9 Third Place – Lucas Sommers Patrick ES, Gwinnett Area 3, 12 Sixth Grade First Place – Radhika Chatterjee Trickum MS, Gwinnett Area 1, 12 Second Place – Elisabeth Hester Mabry MS, East Cobb, 9 Third Place – Megha Khosla Elkins Pointe MS, North Fulton, 10

Eighth Grade First Place and Middle Division Entry to National – Raven Dean Isle of Hope K-8 School, Savannah-Chatham, 6 Second Place – Olivia Kiklica Marietta Middle Grades, Marietta, 9 Third Place – Jessica Fanczi Frank N Osborne MS, Gwinnett Area 3, 12 Ninth Grade First Place – Christopher Zath Lassiter HS, East Cobb, 9 Second Place – Savannah Peat Mill Creek HS, Gwinnett Area 3, 12 Third Place – Ordain Ravula Brookwood HS, Gwinnett Area 1, 12 Tenth Grade First Place – Aprotim Bhowmik Parkview HS, Gwinnett Area 1, 12 Second Place – Grace Walker Douglas County HS, Douglas, 9 Third Place – Kayla Moudry Paulding County HS, Paulding, 9 Eleventh Grade First Place and High Division Entry to National – Sierra Hubbard Hiram HS, Paulding, 9 Second Place – Michael Jenkins Mountain View HS, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Third Place – Joy Peltier Douglas County HS, Douglas, 9 Twelfth Grade First Place – Anjali Kumar Gwinnett School of Math Science & Technology, Gwinnett Area 2, 12 Second Place – Brian Mullet Etowah HS, Cherokee, 13 Third Place – Vesta Nwankwo Carl Harrison HS, Tom Mathis, 9

Seventh Grade First Place – Nathaly Mandujano Shiloh MS, Gwinnett Area 1, 12 Second Place – Charlotte Densmore Hopewell MS, North Fulton, 10 Third Place – Joani Smith Frank N Osborne MS, Gwinnett Area 3, 12 Hon. Mention – Sydney Norman Dacula MS, Gwinnett Area 3, 12

First Grade First Place – Kayla Williams Narvie J Harris ES, DeKalb, 11

March 2012

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Celebrating Our Children

Photos courtesy of Lifetouch Photography

Scenes from the State Reflections Ceremony

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Georgia PTA ÂŤ THE VOICE

Community Alliance Partner

Increase PTA Member Benefits and Earn Money for Your PTA!

H

ello my name is Randall Ware. I am the CAP Coordinator, for the Community Alliance Partner (CAP) program in Georgia. Are you looking for a cooperative win-win way to attract funding from businesses in your community and increase *PTA member benefits?

If you answered YES, then CAP (Community Alliance Partner!) is a great program for your PTA! The CAP program is brought to you via a partnership with Georgia PTA. The objective of the CAP program is to help PTAs raise funds and provide a way for PTAs to work collectively to increase PTA membership benefits in Georgia.

The mission of the Community Alliance Partner (CAP) program is to provide a community specific benefit / outreach program designed to create mutually beneficial partnerships that facilitate and enhance the educational quality of life for all children and supports PTAs overall mission to “To make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.” Businesses participating in the CAP support the CAP mission by: • Offering benefits that encourage support and membership to PTAs in and around Georgia.

• Offering FREE School Fundraiser Coupons that works similar to the “Box Top” program. The goal of School Fundraiser Coupons is to reduce the amount of time spent on fundraising by providing the community with a way to raise money for schools in their community whenever they redeem School Fundraiser Coupons with participating businesses in the community they normally do business.

• Offering Report Card Reward Coupons Certificates that celebrates rewards and encourages the academic excellence of every child.

There are no costs to PTAs to participate in the CAP program, nor any obligation to invite businesses to participate to benefit from the CAP program.

Click on the link below to see a presentation on how the CAP program can benefit your PTA and businesses in your community: http://www.gaptaperks.com/uploads/gaptaperks_pta.pdf

To sign up for the CAP program go to: • http://www.gaptaperks.com/CAP_for_PTAs.html • Once your PTA’s CAP account has been setup (within 24-48 hours); Log into your account and print out your PTA’s customized business invitation letters (provided in English and Spanish) • Hand out your PTA’s business invitation letter to businesses that your PTA currently works with and businesses in the community • When a business in your community signs up using your PTAs business invitation letter, which has your PTA’s partner code on it – Georgia PTA gets $24 and your PTA gets $50 in residual income every year for as long as that business remains signed up with the CAP the program.

See sample business invitation letter: http://www.247econnect. com/cap_bus_invitation_letter.cfm?letter_language=English&s=5 To see what benefits are in your district go to www.gaptaperks. com. If you don’t see any PTA benefits in your district, don’t worry, once your PTA signs up for the CAP program I will be more than happy to work with your PTA to fix that.

If you have any questions please give me a call at 678-732-4315 or email me at rware@capperks.com.

I look forward to working with your PTA! Randall Ware, CAP Coordinator, rware@capperks.com

Local Unit Leader Resources Sharing Ideas The PTA Great Idea Bank is a social network which enables parents to interact and learn from each other. The best advice comes from peers, so use the discussion forum to share money-saving tips, ideas on how to be a more involved parent, fun activities to share with your kids, ways to communicate with your child’s school and more.

The advice and discussion on these pages is directed by users. If you are also a PTA leader or active in your local unit, this idea bank is filled with ways to run PTAs more effectively.

Leadership Resource Guide Want to know the specific duties of officers? Have a question about policy or procedure? Need report forms?

Your Leadership Resource Guide is a great place to find those answers. You can access it online at http://www.georgiapta.org/ leadership-resources.html

March 2012

23

Convention Leadership Training

July 12-14, 2012 Same great information, brand new exciting venue The Classic Center, Athens, GA

Bring your PTA team to Convention Leadership Training this summer in Athens, Georgia — it’s our annual event and at an exciting new venue! While you are there, begin planning for the school year and build camaraderie within your PTA team. This is the place to get all the information you need to kickstart your year as both a new or returning PTA leader.

CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS: We’ve kicked convention up a notch with our new and exciting venue in a quaint and fantastic host city of Athens. Here’s what you won’t want to miss: • Youth Expo

• Awards Banquet

• Student Tour of UGA

• High Energy Exhibitor Reception

• Think Tank Thursday

• An Array of Unique Hotels Within Steps

• Diversity & Inclusion Track (Formerly Emerging Leaders)

Important Dates to Remember April 14:

PTA District 13 Spring Conference

18:

Free Parent University: Alcohol & Binge Drinking Among Adolescents

21:

PTA Districts 7 and 10 Spring Conference

26:

PTA District 8 Spring Conference

May 1:

Elected 2012-2013 Incoming Officers Input Deadline

7-11:

Teacher Appreciation Week

15:

Deadline for Convention Leadership Training Grant Application

June 21-24: National PTA Convention in San Jose, California

July 12-14: Georgia PTA Convention Leadership Training

in Athens, GA

• More Entertainment

The Voice

• Scavenger Hunt

• Variety of Exhibitors

• Awesome Door Prizes such as Weekend Getaways

• Unforgettable Speakers

Official publication of the Georgia PTA A Branch of the National Congress of Parents and Teachers

• Engaging Workshops

Georgia PTA 114 Baker Street, NE

HOTEL CHOICES

Atlanta, GA 30308

There are a variety of hotels to choose from in Athens — something to suit every style and every budget. Check out the hotel guide on our website to get more information on which hotel is right for you. http://www.georgiapta.org/documents/CLT_2012_Hotel_Guide.pdf

404-659-0214 or 1-800-PTA-TODAY

Georgia

Fax: 404-525-0210 www.georgiapta.org President: Donna Kosicki Editor: Susan Hayes

For more information and to Register online, go to: http://www.georgiapta.org/conv-2012.html

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Information from this newsletter may be excerpted for other PTA publications at the local, council and district levels as long as credit is given to Georgia PTA and any byline that may appear with the item must be included.

Georgia PTA « THE VOICE