Wisconsin Parent Teacher Volume 82, Issue 6 June/July 2017 Special points of interest: President’s Letter Michael Anton, Wisconsin PTA President School of Excellence Thank you! course they needed myself as state Registration is president to be on board. If you have not It's has been such an heard by now we got the grant and it is open honor to have been your full steam ahead with going around the Photos from president these last two state speaking to PTA and non PTA Convention years. Words cannot groups alike on its importance. express how grateful I am to so many of you As I said it’s been a pleasure being your during this time. president the last two years. It was a struggle in the beginning but with many I'm also grateful for my efforts on my part and my supporters we family. My two grown daughters with are leaving Angie Mattes with a much families of their own: Jenna lives just a few stronger Wisconsin PTA as she starts her Inside this issue: short blocks from me and Rachel lives term. I've known Angie for some 18 years outside of Phoenix. Both daughters along now and I'm completely confident in her with Jenna's oldest daughter Elora were leadership abilities. PTA: Advocates 2 able to join me during the final banquet at Above All Else convention. Seeing both daughters As we transition into Angie's presidency together is rare and for both to be there may we remain focused on our goals and together meant so much. I've enjoyed my why we are all here, for the children and National PTA 3 time as president but am looking forward the schools. Reflections Winners to spending more time with my daughters and grandkids both near and far. Thank you for all you do in making PTA in Digital Access for All 4 Wisconsin great. It's been great doing this When I was elected two years ago I said I TOGETHER. wanted to bring back some things as we had done in the past, such as State Convention 6 Leadership trainings and State Legislative Wrap-Up Conference. Though there were a few stumbling blocks along the way, we did it, Dyslexia Resolution 8 together. We had two unexpected Passes bonuses in this term, one was regaining our own office administrator. This has opened the doors for better communication for our members and has been a huge benefit in my role as president. Another was with three weeks’ notice, we applied for a $15,000 grant thru national PTA to promote College and Career Readiness. We put together a team with Cyndi Barbian as the lead, and now headed up by Angie Mattes. Of Page 2 Wisconsin Parent Teacher PTA: Advocates Above All Else By Angie Mattes, President Elect Earlier this week I was paging through my 7 of CCRI in Washington, D.C.. We have monthly issue of Better Homes and been working together to form Send Us Gardens Magazine. I happened to come partnerships in the community, reaching Your New across an advertisement for an insurance out to decision makers about CCRI, company. My eyes were instantly drawn ESSA, and the Common Core State Officer Info to the smiling woman wearing a nametag. Standards. Through PTA, we become for Underneath her name it read, “PTA Bake Sale President”. My first thought honestly, advocates for all children. We are power 2017-2018 was “No! No! No”, and I found my in numbers advocating for all children across this great nation, fighting for public thoughts suddenly vocalized, repeating those words out loud. schools, funding for the public school We have loaded system, and advocating for the well-being the new form onto While I know that it is important to have of all children. After further thought, the volunteers that help with school events, our website to smiling woman in the picture should have such as a bake sale, the fact is when you worn a nametag that stated her name, collect contact become part of PTA, it means you are followed by “PTA Child Advocate”. Think information for your part of so much more. 120 years ago two about it. officers for the female pioneers stood up for the rights 2017-2018 school and the well-being of all children. Two For more information about College and year. Remember, determined women in a time when Career Readiness, visit our CCRI Page: women couldn’t even legally vote, http://wisconsinpta.org/essa/ even if you have the gathered together with 2,000 men, same officers as last women & legislators to say no to child year, we still need labor. Over the years, the name “PTA” you to complete the has been synonymous to other important form. victories such as the creation of the Juvenile Justice System, the hot and Here is the link: healthy lunch program, arts in education and the creation of kindergarten classes. https:// I thought about our current project, the docs.google.com/ College and Career Readiness Initiative. forms/d/ The State board has several trained e/1FAIpQLScI9vT67 individuals who have taken part in Wave HAfDdDPQq1vwws NWz3sHKUEsFsqn Qz8ZpDHe0hETw/ WI DPI Releases their Application for ESSA-They Want viewform? Your Input usp=sf_link DPI has published a first draft (Version held in June. Click HERE for locations and 1.0) of our state plan application under to register to attend. the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). It is available at www.dpi.wi.gov/esea, along with a survey instrument to gather public input on the draft. The survey will be open until the end of June, and in May we will be announcing listening sessions to be Volume 82, Issue 6 Page 3 CONGRATULATIONS to Wisconsin’s National PTA Reflections Award of Merit Winners BYLAWS TIPS Willow Buckner Literature: High School "I Fell In Love" Parker High School, Janesville Grace Johnson Dance Choreography: Middle CLICK HERE "My Life Is Changing" to read her entry North Star Middle School, Eau Claire Click HERE for her video Zaira Montero Ariana Reinemann Visual Arts: Middle Visual Arts: Primary "Selfless" "Oh No Eggs" Marshall Middle School, County Line Elementary, Janesville Germantown Page 4 Wisconsin Parent Teacher National PTA and AT&T have teamed up to help close the “Homework Gap” and Increase Digital Access Looking for affordable internet access at home for as Help with low as $10 per month. Training? Interested in learning more? New Micro Watch this informational webinar. E-Courses Available Technology and learning go hand-in-hand. More Resources for Families Unfortunately not everyone has access to Digital You: created in collaboration with Learning how to the internet at home, which makes it hard Common Sense Media, this site helps you for kids to do homework and learn at with privacy, safety and security as you be a great PTA their own pace, and for families to stay connect online. leader and informed and connect with teachers. EveryoneOn: Find low-cost Internet and understand the National PTA and AT&T have teamed up affordable computers in your area. policies and to help close the “homework gap” and ensure SNAP eligible families in select procedures of PTA States have the resources they need for will make you a kids to succeed in the classroom and beyond. stronger leader. Visit the National Access from AT&T gets families in low income communities connected to PTA E-Learning courses to train in your own home. The 2017-2018 National School of Excellence Program is http:// Now Open www.pta.org/ members/ PTAs across the country are beginning their journey to strengthen family-school partnerships at their schools and make a substantial, positive impact on student success. content.cfm? By enrolling in this program, PTAs and school administrators are making a year-long ItemNumber=3090 commitment in identifying and implementing an action plan for school improvement based on PTA's National Standards for Family-School Partnerships. &navItemNumber In August 2018, National PTA will celebrate these PTA-school partnerships by awarding =4632 successful enrollees theNational PTA School of Excellence distinction for two academic years. Enroll now to be considered among the 2018-2020 National PTA Schools of Excellence recipients. To learn more visit PTA.org/Excellence, email [email protected] or call (800) 307-4782. Volume 82, Issue 6 Page 5 Sponsors/Vendors for the Wisconsin PTA Convention HELP FOR https://www.aim-companies.com TREASURERS Looking for information on filing your taxes? https://www.ecu.com weac.org Most units can file the 990N electronic Boland Recreation, Inc. Edvest, Wisconsin's College Savings Plan postcard. Visit Mark Boland Meghan Boyle 2347 Oak Park Road 316 North Milwaukee Street the IRS Website Marshalltown, IN 50158 Milwaukee, WI 53202 for rules (800) 798-7589 (414) 316-2100 ext. 132 regarding non- www.bolandrecreation.com https://www.edvest.com profit organizations: School Spirit Vending International Student Exchange Greg Clark Calla Kuehl, Regional Manager 1980 Jan Avenue 119 Cooper Street https:// Waukesha, WI 53188 Babylon, NY 11702 www.irs.gov/ (262) 894-8932 (920) 238-0624 [email protected] charities-non- profits Holiday Treasures Gift Shop/Fun EVENTS Paula Kappes 185 West Rawson Avenue Oak Creek, WI 53154 (847) 918-9157 www.holidaytreasuresgiftshop.com Page 6 Wisconsin Parent Teacher National PTA ConventionMembership 2017 News Was a Great Success By Cyndi Barbian, Convention Chair Membership National SavesPTA’s You Back Money to On a chilly April weekend 287 PTA cards, snack baskets, weekend getaways members, delegates, guests, award and much more! School Kits winners, vendors and exhibitors found a warm reception for the 108th Annual Saturday morning was a time to begin PTA.org/Benefitswill be coming Wisconsin PTA Convention in garnering insight from our first keynote Wauwatosa, Wisconsin! speaker, Miss Wisconsin 2016, Courtney out soon! Pelot.