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As we bid farewell to the lazy days of summer, the time has come for us to embrace the vibrant season of change. With the school bells ringing once more, I extend my warmest back-to-school wishes to each and every one of you.
This time of year is brimming with anticipation, excitement, and the promise of new beginnings.
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As we start this fresh academic journey, it's essential to recognize that you are not alone; we are integral members of a thriving community committed to bolstering our schools, supporting our students, and uplifting our families. |
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Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming Leadership Training: Our final leadership training session of the year is set for October 5th via Zoom. This event offers an opportunity to learn about your role in the PTA and establish meaningful connections with fellow PTA leaders.
Resources for PTA Leaders: Our new back-to-school packet, with valuable information for your new school year as a PTA leader, is ready for publication. You can access it here.
Stay connected with us through social media and our website to stay current on the latest news, access valuable resources, and upcoming events.
I will be hosting several meetings virtually this year for PTA Presidents from around the state to meet up. Bring your questions and ideas to share with others while you receive information firsthand from Oregon PTA that you can use to further your leadership. These will be informal get together's via zoom. Look for more information coming soon.
Remember, our dedicated team is always here to lend a helping hand and address any questions or concerns you may have along your PTA journey. Reach out to one of our board members or our Oregon PTA office if you have questions or need assistance in any way. I wish you all a fantastic start to the academic year!
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Thank you to all the fantastic leaders who attended our in-person leadership training last Saturday! The energy, enthusiasm, and dedication you all brought to the event were truly inspiring.
We appreciate all the leaders who joined us virtually this morning. We hope that you found the training session informative and insightful for the PTA year ahead.
Haven’t attended a training session yet? We have our final leadership training session of the season on October 5th, 6-9 pm via Zoom. Join us virtually and take your PTA leadership skills to the next level. Register here!
$25 per leader. Register 3 or more leaders for just $75.
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Here we are…back in the thick of it! The morning rush of getting out of bed, getting the kids ready for school, and sending them off! It can sometimes seem that life is filled with deadlines. Make sure that you stop to have some fun each day or just take a few moments to breathe.
Member Dues Update
I attended the National PTA Convention in June. It was all held virtually, which was a new experience for me for such a large group. It was wonderful to be able to pick from so many workshops. The most important takeaway from National Convention is that their proposed dues increase did not pass. So, this year, your dues will not increase. Now, you could use the fact that your dues have not increased as a selling point, PTA is beating inflation!
September Monthly Incentive
With September, our monthly membership incentives will once again start. September’s theme is “Revive with Renewals”. Ask last year’s members to join. Send a renewal request via email or post it on Facebook. If you come up with another creative way to get the word out let me know! To be eligible for the incentive drawing, you must enter and pay dues for at least five of last year’s members by September 30.
Early Bird Award
September 30 is also the deadline for the Early Bird Award, enter and pay for a minimum of ten members by September 30.
Register for Training
Don’t forget we are still offering training on September 17 and October 5. Remember there is No Wrong Way to PTA. Register Here |
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Art helps our children express themselves, engage with the world and with the issues we face day to day. As children read poems, look at drawings, photographs and paintings, as they listen to music, they examine the world through someone else’s eyes and seek to understand their perspective.
The PTA Reflections program, which any PTA at any school and in any community in Oregon can be part of, provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts.
To find out more about about this easily accessible program and other ideas to bring more art into your school
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Calling all high school students! Starting in 2023-24, all high school students in Oregon are eligible to participate in the Oregon PTA Reflections Art Contest.
This year we are accepting works in the categories of “Photography” and “Literature”. Find out more on the Oregon PTA Reflections Page
Elementary and middle school students can continue to participate through their local PTAs in all six national art categories. |
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Robin Roemer
Oregon PTA Reflections Chair
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Advocacy in its many forms, such as working to
- expand classroom libraries
- improve school meals and the access to them
- address class sizes
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is at the heart of our mission as PTA and should be a part of your local PTA activities.
Statewide Advocacy
The strength of PTA is that by coming together and coordinating across schools, districts, counties, we are more effective and powerful. By connecting with and learning from each other we can find new ideas and support. If you are interested in being involved with statewide advocacy, please fill out this form.
This year, we will work on updating our state legislative platform and action plan and will be looking for your input to do so. Click here for our current platform that will be the basis for our discussion.
Local Advocacy
As you plan the year ahead for your PTA, you may ask yourself these questions:What are the most urgent issues facing our school? How can we better engage families about what is happening at school?What school or district committees exist and are parents empowered to participate in them?Is someone monitoring what is discussed and decided by your school board?National PTA provides great resources that can guide your work in these areas. Make sure to check out both their advocacy and their family resources as well as their guidelines for family engagement and DEI.
Limits on advocacy for non-profit organizations
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Hello everyone. My name is Dominique Newton. Everyone calls me Domie. This is my first year as the VP of Diversity & Inclusion at the state level, but I’m not new to PTA’s. I have been at my son’s school in Portland for three years as the VP of Equity & Inclusion. My son is the inspiration for all my equity work. He is a rambunctious 8-year-old who experiences autism. |
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I am trying to pave the groundwork with him, so his road to adulthood is less bumpy. I am on a wide variety of associations and boards to bring a microphone to those voices, less heard. I hope to create space for all with the forefront being on individuals with disabilities. When I am not advocating for representation in the PTA, I am working for a Non-profit organization which helps individuals who may have a disability navigate resources & services from birth to whole life. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling with my son, and listening to audio books. |
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Dommie Newton
Diversity & Inclusion Chair
diversity@oregonpta.org |
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We are doing some great things on Social Media! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! |
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