$10,000 Available for Your PTA Council or Region -- Apply by April 11

National PTA has $10,000 available for 10 PTA regions, districts and councils!  The Smart from the Start Community Outreach grant, sponsored by the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, allows your region, district or council to partner with a local neighborhood community to educate families of children ages 3-5 on the importance of balancing the calories we consume through what we eat and drink with the calories we burn through physical activity- known as “energy balance.” Other benefits for your PTA include: 1 round-trip, all expenses paid trip to Austin, TX for training and 1 complimentary registration for the National PTA Annual Convention A great opportunity to connect with families in your communities, to share all of the great benefits of joining PTA, before their kids start elementary school. Watch this webinar or review the application on pta.org today to learn more and apply online by April 11th.  Questions? Contact National PTA Programs.   Please note that at the time of applying, the PTA just needs to have a sense of what the energy balance needs of their community are, what community partners they may reach out to and what PreKs in their area they may be able to work with.

Schools of Excellence in Arts Education

Applications are now open for the fourth annual Schools of Excellence in Arts Education Awards!  Presented by ArtsEd Washington, in partnership with the Association of Washington School Principals, this prestigious distinction honors schools that include the arts as an essential part of their students’ education, providing a creative learning environment for outstanding student achievement through the development of exemplary arts education. This is an outstanding opportunity to showcase the powerful teaching and learning taking place through the arts in our schools. For information on eligibility, program requirements, and the nomination process, go to http://www.artsedwashington.org/excellence. The deadline for completed applications is April 15, 2014.

Scholarship Basket Donations Requested

Once again the WSPTA will be offering a scholarship basket raffle at convention. Raffle baskets are generously donated by individuals, local units, councils and regions to raise funds for the WSPTA Scholarship Program. This program awards scholarships to graduates of Washington State public high schools beginning their first year of post-secondary education. Click Here to Download Donation Form  Click Here for Donation Form Sample   Click Here for Basket Content List Examples For more information, contact Monika Scotti at monikascotti66@gmail.com or 360-710-9584.

14 in 14 PTA Membership Challenges

Every PTA in the nation, is challenged to recruit and report 14 new members. For each 14 new members a PTA signs up between February 1 and May 31, the PTA receives an entry for a chance to win $1,000 from the National PTA. More information is available here. In addition to the National PTA contest, Washington State PTA will also enter 14 in ’14 recipients into a Washington State PTA contest to receive a $500 grant towards attending the Washington State PTA Convention at the Bellevue Hyatt Regency Hotel on April 25-17, 2014. The final date to be entered in the Washington State PTA 14 in ’14 drawing is April 14, 2014. There will then be twelve (12), $500 grants, drawn at random in the WSPTA 14 in 14 lottery.

Book Your Hotel Room for Convention by April 9 for PTA Discounted Rates

The Washington State PTA has made arrangements with the Hyatt Regency Hotel for a discounted room rate (Single/Double - $142; Triple - $167; Quadruple - $192 +tax) at convention. To take advantage of this discounted rate, make your hotel reservations before April 9, 2014 by clicking here. If you do not book your hotel room before April 9, you will not get the discounted rate or guaranteed room availability. There will be no extension of the rate by the hotel.

Resolutions and Bylaw Amendments

Resolutions and Bylaw Amendments will be considered at the 101st Annual Washington State PTA Convention. Be sure to familiarize yourselves with these proposed amendments so your PTA voting delegates will be knowledgeable of the wishes of your PTA regarding these amendments. Resolutions  Adolescent Marijuana Use Prevention Resolution Tobacco Settlement Money Resolution Proposed Bylaw Amendments Proposed Bylaw Amendments

Convention Classes

Convention classes are the best way for new PTA officers to get the leadership training they need to have a successful year, and for returning officers to advance their training as PTA leaders. Classes offered at convention will fulfill your PTA’s leadership training requirement for the following year. For a complete list and descriptions for the classes being offered at convention click here.