WSPTA College Scholarship Applications Now Available

The Washington State PTA awards college scholarships to entering college freshmen graduating from high schools in Washington State. Two thousand dollars ($2,000) are given to recipients entering four-year post-secondary institutions. One thousand ($1,000) dollar scholarships will be awarded for community colleges, voc-tech schools or other accredited institutions. Applications are due May 1, 2014 and are available through an online application.

Congressional STEM Competition

This year, Congress is hosting the first ever Congressional Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Academic Competition.  It is also known as the “House STEM App Challenge.”  Students from across the country will compete by designing and exhibiting their application for mobile, tablet, or computer device on the platform of their choice.  They must demonstrate their application with a YouTube video explaining how it works and what they learned over the course of the competition.  Submissions are accepted between February 1 and April 30, 2014.  For more information, and to register, go to http://reichert.house.gov/serving-you/congressional-stem-competition.

NBC News Parent Toolkit Now Available

Last fall, NBC News launched a digital "Parent Toolkit" to educate and empower parents with easily accessible resources to help support their child's academic development at all grade levels. In continuing to build on the tool, NBC News recently launched a Spanish-language version of the website and mobile app. PTA members from across the country have provided feedback and insight to NBC News to help inform the toolkit as it has been developed. To access the Parent Toolkit in English and Spanish, visit ParentToolkit.com.

Upcoming Award Deadlines

The following awards will be presented at the upcoming WSPTA Convention on April 25-27. Applications are due on March 1, 2014: Leadership Academy, click here PTAs Taking Significant Action application 100% Membership Award, click here WSPTA Outreach Champion Award, click here Outstanding Service Award Standards of Excellence, Local unit application form, Council application form Honor Unit award, Local unit application form; Council application form Outstanding Local Unit award form Outstanding Communication award Outstanding newsletter award form Outstanding website award - local unit and Outstanding website award - council

14 in 14 PTA Membership Challenges

The National PTA Membership Committee is excited to announce the launch of 14 in ’14 National PTA Membership Challenge! 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. When a PTA in Washington state has 14 new members signed up, they send a list of the new members, a National PTA 14 in ’14 Entry Form, and a check with the membership dues attached to the Washington State PTA office. At that time, the state office will send off their membership form to NPTA for inclusion in the NPTA $1,000 lottery for the 14 in ’14 contest nationwide. The National PTA drawing for the $1,000 cash prize will occur at the 2014 National PTA Convention and Exhibition. These forms are due by April 14, 2014. 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.

KCTS 9 Seeking Golden Apple Award Nominations

Do you know a deserving individual or program making a difference in our schools? Nominate them for a Golden Apple Award.  The KCTS 9 Golden Apple Awards recognize outstanding contributions made by people and programs in Washington state schools.  Winners will receive a cash award and be featured in a statewide primetime special on public television.  Nomination forms can be found online http://kcts9.org/education/golden-apple-awards.  Feel free to contact KCTS 9 with questions via email GoldenApple@KCTS9.org or phone 1.800.766.0900.

FedEx/Kinkos Partnership With WSPTA

The Washington State PTA is pleased to announce a new partnership with FedEx/Kinkos, which will benefit local PTAs in many ways such as providing discounted prices for their high quality photocopying and other professional services. As part of the special rates PTAs will receive, black and white copies will be available at just 3.8¢ (single-sided) a piece; color copies will be available at 37¢ (single-sided) a piece and PTAs will receive 20% off on all other production services. To receive these discounted services, simply provide WSPTA’s account number at the checkout or online whenever you are ready to place your order. For more information on this exciting opportunity, click here.