October 2023 Newsletter

It’s GRANTS season, but not for long! See what grants are currently available, what important due dates and events are coming up, and more in the October newsletter.

Hey there PTA leaders,

The start of a new school year is around the corner. Are you ready?

Read about upcoming [in person] Fall Training on Monday, August 28th, and more in today’s newsletter.

Link to full newsletter => https://conta.cc/3rROU6E

The Start of School is Around the Corner

Fall Leadership Training & Association Meeting

All new and continuing PTA leaders are invited to join us for Fall Training and our first Association Meeting of the year.

Date: Monday, August 28, 2023

Location: Alameda County Office of Educ, 313 W. Winton Ave., Hayward

Schedule:

6:00 pm Check-in, Refreshments, Membership Card Pickup, Networking

6:30 pm Association Meeting – Budget & Program Approval

7:30 – 9:00 pm WORKSHOPS:

President

Secretary

Treasurer/Financial Secretary

Membership

Reflections

Click here to register

CAPTA Leadership Call

One of the great things about PTA is our support structure. The Leadership Services Commission at California State PTA is responsible for strengthening and extending the work of PTA. Its activities include providing opportunities for leadership development and training to unit, council, and district PTA. Register now for the August 3rd Leadership Call, which will cover topics aimed at helping get your PTA off to a great start.

Strength in Numbers

PTA would not exist were it not for its membership. Membership dues help support programs and training, but more importantly, member voices collectively influence how PTA advocates for children who don’t have voices of their own.

Does your school community understand how PTA helps all children at their school? Now is a great time to work on messaging that clearly states what your PTA does for your school and what parents, teachers, and community members can do to help. Enlist your principal’s help introducing your PTA in his/her beginning-of-the-school welcome to all families. Another effective strategy could be to compare your annual membership fee as less than what you would pay for, say, a cup of coffee or the California State and National PTA member perks they stand to benefit from as a PTA member. Clarify that PTA members are not required to volunteer and that what we really want is for them to have a voice in PTA decision-making so that we can more effectively advocate for all children.

See membership recruitment tools and resources from CAPTA and

more tools and templates from National PTA here and here.

Busy parents appreciate the convenience of joining via Totem or other online platforms. Click here on how to get started on Totem.

Summer Financial Review Time

A year-end financial review (formerly known as an audit) serves as an official examination of the financial records at the times specified in the bylaws and when there is a change in financial officers.

Now is the time to collect your organization’s financial records and go through the financial review checklist for July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. It is critical that the entire fiscal year be reviewed to be covered by insurance.

Don’t have a financial reviewer? Consider partnering with another PTA unit in your community and trade treasurers to check the books for each other. You can also contact Peralta District PTA Treasurer Kristin Hergert at treasurer@pdpta.org. Once the financial review is done, don’t forget to enlist a couple of officers and/or members to be on the financial review committee as required by our insurance. For more information, check out the PTA toolkit.

What You Need

Get IN on Reflections

Reflections is an art appreciation PTA program that lets students, families, schools, and communities come together to support the arts. This 50+ year-old, program helps youth explore their own thoughts, feelings, and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence, and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life. To offer Reflections at your school site, all that is required to get started is a Reflections Chair who can lead the effort. Most of the work for this program takes place during September/December. The rest of the time you will be keeping an eye on any artwork that has moved forward, communicate with your school and push next year’s theme.

Filling Board Vacancies

Whether your board has put out an open call for candidates or is actively searching your membership for just the right person to fill a position, each potential member of your board should be responsible and understand PTA policies as per your bylaws.

All candidates should be given the opportunity to develop a clear understanding of the role and responsibility of a position before committing (see Job Descriptions). Once a candidate is elected, be prepared to commit to working as a team. In the end, effective teamwork helps meet the goals of the group AND the individual.

Here are some ideas for filling board positions.

Good volunteers are hard to come by and should be valued and respected. Consider giving some committee chairs shorter-term commitments. For example, you can have a committee chair for the book fair, one for the fall fair, or a winter fundraiser, as opposed to having one committee chair handle all of them. Your team can achieve a lot when there are multiple supporting volunteers instead of just one.

Help Us Stay in Touch with the Right People

Thank you to all presidents who entered 2023-24 officers’ contact information in myPTEZ. We are still missing some contacts. Be advised that the window for outgoing unit presidents to enter officer/board member contact info was May 15th thru June 1st. After June 1st, any units lacking contact information are considered by California State PTA to be Not in Good Standing. That could make your unit be subject to withdrawal of the PTA charter and dissolution of the PTA — and we don’t want that to happen!!

Not sure if your current board is in myPTEZ?

Check this list of contacts in myPTEZ as of July 25th. We want to see all board members, chairs, and your current school principal’s contact info – at least, email addresses. A paid subscription is NOT required to enter officer/board member contacts in myPTEZ

Missing contact info and not sure how to remedy it?

Current presidents, reach out to your immediate past president first. If no one from your unit can access your account, a PTA president above your level can help. In the meantime, please share this newsletter with your other board members. We want all PTA leaders in Alameda County to have the information they need to succeed.

If your PTA has not elected 2023-24 officers and is having difficulty, please contact the Peralta District PTA president to let us know your status and allow us to help.

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Proudly Serving Alameda County PTAs

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Email Us

Get In on Reflections!

Reflections is an art appreciation PTA program that lets students, families, schools, and communities come together to support the arts. This 50+ year-old, program helps youth explore their own thoughts, feelings, and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence, and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life. To offer Reflections at your school site, all that is required to get started is a Reflections Chair who can lead the effort. Most of the work for this program takes place during September/December. The rest of the time you will be keeping an eye on any artwork that has moved forward, communicate with your school and push next year’s theme.

I wanted to let you know about a PTA program that celebrates the Arts in your school. Reflections is a National PTA Art Program encouraging students to explore their creativity. Reflections was started in 1969 to help promote the arts in public schools. It is designed to provide an opportunity for students of all grades and abilities to express themselves and to receive positive recognition for their artistic efforts. Each year, the PTA Reflections Program challenges students to create art inspired by a specific theme.

The 2023-2024 theme is “ I am Hopeful Because…”. Artwork is collected by schools with PTA’s in place and then judged at the school level. Select pieces from each school are then forwarded to Council (if in a Council area) or Peralta District level (if the school is out of Council), and then go through the judging process again to be forwarded to Peralta District/State, and lastly, the National level. Peralta covers all of Alameda County.

Reflections has six art categories: Visual Arts (painting, drawing, and also 3-D artwork such as sculpture), Photography, Literature, Film Production, Dance Choreography, and Music Composition.

To be part of this program It is imperative to find a volunteer to be your Reflections Chair as soon as possible, tomorrow at best. Then your school will be on the path to providing your students the chance to explore their creativity and look at the world around them in a new and different way. It is because of you and your time finding a Reflections Chair that your students will be recognized and celebrated for their creations. Give our kids a way to voice their needs, thoughts, and creativity through art and support the Reflections Program for 2023-2024.

Now you have a chair, what do you do? First off, be on the lookout for an email on training for Reflections in August. Next, get them to download all the information they will need. Find Guidelines and rules here. Publish these on your school or PTA website.

Then it’s time to advertise, advertise, advertise!!!! Get the theme out there using social media or flyers. Emphasize the importance of working on artwork over the SUMMER. Most schools will have a due date in early FALL. Summer will be the best, least unhurried time for them to create.

Here are links to videos you can use to help promote the program and theme.

https://youtu.be/MuaoV5TyfBI https://youtu.be/F30WEbPSYIs

Oh, and don’t forget to register with National PTA.

I’m looking forward to seeing your school participate this coming year.

Michelle Hertel

Peralta District PTA

Reflections Chair

reflections@pdpta.org

_{Copy of July 14, 2023 email to contacts designated as president or vp leadership/organization}

A New PTA Term Starts Today

See July 1, 2023 newsletter

A New PTA Term Starts Today

We’re excited for the year ahead

BUT FIRST, HEARTFELT APPRECIATIONS

Dear 2022-23 PTA Leaders,

Your dedication and commitment has made a positive impact on your community, and you have inspired others to follow in your footsteps. You have supported your school and community with countless hours of service and resources. Your passion and perseverance have positioned your PTA to do even more in future terms.

On behalf of Peralta District PTA, we would like to express our gratitude for your selfless service and accomplishments.

Thank you for being a part of our PTA family and making it stronger. We hope you continue to be actively engaged in your PTA and community.

Ujjwala Gadgil

Peralta District PTA

2021-23 President

Vinita Verma

Peralta District PTA

2023-25 President

HELP US STAY IN TOUCH WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE

Help ensure all newly elected 2023-24 officers’ contact information is in myPTEZ. A paid subscription is NOT required to do this.

The window for outgoing unit presidents to enter officer/board member contact info was May 15th thru June 1st. After June 1st, any units lacking contact information are considered by California State PTA to be Not in Good Standing. That could make your unit be subject to withdrawal of the PTA charter and dissolution of the PTA — and we don’t want that to happen!!

Not sure if your current board is in myPTEZ?

Check this list of contacts in myPTEZ as of June 30th. We want to see all board members, chairs, and your current school principal’s contact info – at least, email addresses.

Missing contact info and not sure how to remedy it?

Current presidents, reach out to your outgoing president first. If no one from your unit can access your account, a PTA president above your level can help. In the meantime, please share this newsletter with your other board members. We want all PTA leaders in Alameda County have the information they need to succeed.

If this was forwarded to you, click SUBSCRIBE to receive future newsletters – you won’t be automatically entered into myPTEZ but it’s a start to being kept in our loop!

If your PTA has not elected 2023-24 officers and is having difficulty, please contact the Peralta District PTA president to let us know your status and allow us to help.

MEET THE PERALTA DISTRICT PTA BOARD

President Vinita Verma

Past President Ujjwala Gadgil

Secretary Myesha Mebane

Treasurer Kristin Hergert

1st VP, Leadership Linda Dewlaney

2nd VP, Programs/Events Isabella Ellgas

3rd VP, Membership Ujjwala Gadgil

4th VP, Communications Maritess Simmons

Auditor Kristin Loo

Historian open position

Parliamentarian open position

Reflections Michelle Hertel

Website open position

Are you looking to make an impact at the Alameda County level? Peralta District PTA still has several positions open. If you are interested in joining us, please get in touch with Peralta District PTA President Vinita Verma at president@pdpta.org

BEWARE OF SCAMMERS

Scammers have been known to prey on unsuspecting new PTA leaders around this time of year. One example is that they present themselves as legitimate contacts who text or email you to buy gift cards. Or, they may try to get you to click on a link or divulge financial information. Please don’t fall for it. Contact your person another way thru some back channel – call them, text them, or email them, and alert them to the situation.

We can’t completely stop these things from happening, but please read on for ways to protect yourself, your accounts, and your contacts.

June 3 Training Workshop Descriptions

Spaces are filling up fast so be sure to reserve your spot by May 25th (extended from May 22nd) for an optimal experience.

Link to register: https://forms.gle/EWq27HNqoZaQSTao8

Workshop Descriptions pdf Download

June 3 Annual Training Saturday, June 3 | Register by May 22

***Please share with all your incoming officers***

We hope you are also as excited as we are to attend this event to learn about your PTA job, listen to wonderful speakers, network with PTA leaders across Alameda county, enjoy the vendor fair and celebrate PTA accomplishments.

We are very excited to offer this in-person training after a gap of a couple of years due to the pandemic.

All officers are welcome to attend

No PTA approval needed to attend

No FEE to attend

Handouts available for attendees

Breakfast and lunch included (early RSVP is requested)

Please submit the following Google form to reserve your spot.

https://forms.gle/ZVm65P1LZUYT1rB27

Date: Saturday, June 3, 2023

Time: 8:15 am to 3 pm

Location: Mount Eden High School, 2300 Panama St, Hayward, CA 94545

Schedule:
8:15 to 9:00am Check-In and Continental Breakfast in Cafeteria

9:00 to 10:00am Association Meeting and General Assembly

10:15 to 11:05am Session I Workshops

11:15 to 12:05pm Session II Workshops

12:05 to 1:00pm Lunch and Exhibitor Expo

1:15 to 2:05pm Session III Workshops

2:05 to 3:00pm Exhibitor Expo until closing

(Schedule and workshops subject to change)

Register by Monday, May 22nd to ensure your lunch of choice and to help us prepare sufficient handouts.

For more information contact: Maritess Simmons at training.pdpta@gmail.com and cc Ujjwala Gadgil, Peralta District PTA President at president.pdpta@gmail.com

We look forward to seeing YOU at the training!

Thanks,

Ujjwala

Election Results | Incoming PTA Leaders

Election results are in!

Thank you to this year’s Nominating Committee for all your good work:

Page Tomblin (Chair)
Kimberly Anakata
Cary Fukada
J.T. Mates – Muchin
Anuradha Zindal

CAPTA Convention Grants | Apply by March 31, 2023

Consult your executive board and apply ASAP:

Peralta is offering grants to units in need of financial assistance to send their leaders to the convention. Priority will be given to units with higher financial need.

More information about the grant is included in the grant form.

Link to convention grant: https://forms.gle/yLEqJX8wxYHbKG3n7

Important Dates for REFLECTIONS

All virtual entries are due by December 1, 2022.

Virtual artwork from councils (Alameda, Berkeley, Fremont and Pleasanton) and out-of-council PTAs (located in Albany, Castro Valley, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, San Leandro and San Lorenzo) must be turned in by December 1st by 11pm. You must email your Google Sheet — created by the Google Form which was introduced in training — to reflections.pdpta@gmail.com. A link to the Google Form was previously emailed to Presidents and Reflections chairpersons. Only send your Award of Excellence entries. You can have one Award of Excellence for each category, in each grade division.

All Participation Forms must be turned in on December 1, 2022.

These will be emailed out to you to be filled in. If you have physical artwork contact me directly at reflections.pdpta@gmail.com. We encourage all to accept the virtual option since this is how California State PTA is accepting artwork this year as well.

Peralta’s Virtual Reflections Ceremony is January 7, 2023, at 3:00 pm.

The ceremony will be hosted on our Facebook page.

Michelle Hertel, Peralta District PTA Reflections Chair

October 2023 Newsletter

September 1, 2023 Newsletter

August News: Fall Training on August 28th and More

Fall Leadership Training & Association Meeting

Filling Board Vacancies

Help Us Stay in Touch with the Right People

Get In on Reflections!

A New PTA Term Starts Today

We’re excited for the year ahead

BUT FIRST, HEARTFELT APPRECIATIONS

HELP US STAY IN TOUCH WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE

June 3 Training Workshop Descriptions

June 3 Annual Training Saturday, June 3 | Register by May 22

Election Results | Incoming PTA Leaders

CAPTA Convention Grants | Apply by March 31, 2023

Important Dates for REFLECTIONS