More details will be forthcoming about the convention, but please save the dates and plan to join us for an enriching experience focused on leadership development and networking opportunities. Plus, your PTA earns leadership credit for the 2024-2025 PTA year, so your training is taken care of for next year! 

Our dedicated committee is hard at work to deliver an event that will ignite your passion and drive for the remainder of the year. Additionally, there will be volunteer opportunities available for any PTA leader interested in contributing to the success of the convention. You will find information on our convention here. Please feel free to reach out to me at President@oregonpta.org if you'd like to learn more or get involved.

We are in the process of receiving proposals for workshop presenters at our upcoming convention. If you know an organization or community partner who is passionate about education, family engagement, or advocacy and has valuable insights to share, feel free to share our request for a proposal with them. You will find more information and our RFP here. 

We have another exciting opportunity to share with you. To provide you with some additional support this spring, we will be holding a series of Leadership Connection Meetings, for Presidents and Vice-Presidents. These monthly sessions will offer dedicated time for both group discussions on a variety of key topics and an open Q&A session. Each meeting will focus on a specific leadership theme to help you hone your skills and foster connections with fellow leaders. I invite you to join us for an enriching experience that will empower you to lead with confidence and effectiveness. The meeting agenda and Zoom link will be sent out via email the day before each meeting by our office staff. 

The schedule will be as follows:

• Tuesday, February 27, 2024, 7:00 - 8:15 pm 
• Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 7:00 - 8:15 pm
• Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 7:00 - 8:15 pm
• Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 7:00 - 8:15 pm

Thank you for all the hard work you are doing in your schools. Together, we make a meaningful difference in the lives of our children and communities!

Oregon PTA President
President@OregonPTA.org

Save the date for our highly anticipated 2024 Oregon PTA Conference and Convention, taking place on April 26-27, 2024. Join us at the Embassy Suites in Hillsboro, Oregon, for an inspiring gathering of PTA leaders and members from across the state.

Why Attend?

The Oregon PTA Annual Conference and Convention is the pinnacle of collaboration, learning, and celebration. It's the perfect platform for leaders and members to come together, reflect on our achievements, delve into critical issues affecting our children, and strategically plan for the future of PTA. This is not just a meeting; it's an experience designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to make a lasting impact.

What to Expect:

• Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded leaders from all corners of the state. Share ideas, forge partnerships, and build a strong community of PTA advocates.
• Education and Training: Elevate your leadership skills through a diverse range of workshops, seminars, and discussions. Gain access to invaluable tools, tips, and resources that will empower you to lead effectively.
• Budget-Friendly Training: We believe in investing in our leaders. All PTA units are encouraged to include a line item in their budget for training. Rest assured, attending this conference is not a personal expense for PTA leaders but a strategic investment in your success.
• Affordable Registration: Take advantage of our competitive registration rates of $150 per person. And here's a special offer: Bring a buddy for $250, or attend as a trio for $400.

Join Us and Elevate Your Advocacy Efforts:

A trained leader is a successful leader. Join fellow PTA advocates from all corners of Oregon at our Leadership Conference and Convention. Together, let's take your advocacy efforts and skill sets to the next level!

Registration opens soon! See more information here.

• Oregon Teacher of the Year

• Oregon PTA Classified Staff Hero of the Year

Have you heard about the (AABSS) African American/Black Student Success Plan?

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has taken significant steps to address educational disparities faced by African American and Black students across the state. Under ORS 329.841, ODE developed a statewide education plan specifically tailored to African American/Black students, spanning from early childhood to post-secondary education programs. ODE collaborated with an advisory group comprising of members in the African American/Black community and other stakeholders. The plan aims to tackle historical practices that have led to disproportionate outcomes for these students. It also examines culturally responsive and appropriate best practices both within Oregon and nationwide. Grants will be awarded to early learning service providers, school districts, post-secondary institutions, and community-based organizations to implement strategies outlined in the plan. This spans the state of Oregon, so PTA’s can reach out to their school districts for grant guidelines. You will find more information about this Student Success Act, and the four other Success Acts for student needs here.

There are five Student Success Acts in Oregon and one that is in legislation. They are: The African American/Black Student Success Act , The American Indian/ Alaska Native Student Success Act, The Latino/a/x Student Success Act, The LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success Act, and The Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander Student Success. The Disability Student Success Act did not pass during the 2022 short legislative session. Senators will try again to pass it in the long session. These are geared to close the gaps where schools are falling behind. 

Advocacy Priorities

Every three years, Oregon PTA members from all local units come together to decide our collective advocacy positions and priorities - and 2024 is one of those years. 

In our state legislative committee we discussed in detail 78 policy positions that make up our legislative platform. Out of these 78, the committee and our state board selected six to be our priorities for the near future.

They focus on school funding, basic needs of our children, mental health and a safe, welcoming, supportive and inclusive learning environment as well as family engagement. 

In short, we will

• champion increased investments in public education

• engage in the review of the distribution of state school funding

• work to ensure that all children’s basic needs such as access to food, clothing, housing, and medical care are met.

• advocate for schools to provide safe, welcoming, and supportive learning environments that are inclusive for all students.

• promote mental well-being of children and youth as a state policy goal and advocate for related programs

• strengthen the capacity of families, local PTA units and community members to advocate for our children.

These proposed priorities and our full legislative platform will be discussed and formally approved at our Oregon PTA State Convention on April  26-27, 2024, at the Embassy Suites in Hillsboro, Oregon.  All PTA members are invited to attend. 

Thank you to the 267 people who participated in our advocacy priority survey. Your responses were very helpful to us and helped to shape our priorities. 

Bills in the legislature

On February 5, 2024, the Oregon Legislature convened for its 2024 short session. Since it will only go for five weeks, everything moves really quickly and only a few select bills and budget asks will make it to the finish line. We as Oregon PTA are advocating on bills that align with the priorities above and are already preparing for the 2025 legislative session which might see an overhaul of how schools in Oregon are funded. 

Some of the current bills of interest for us are

• SUPPORT
  • HB 4082: Will invest $50 million for summer 2024 programming [COULD LINK TO 2-pager].
• WATCH
  • SB 1552 - Section 13-15 (Senate education omnibus bill):  Directs the Legislative Research office to conduct a study of education funding and spending in Oregon. It will result in recommendations to the 2025 Legislature for modernization of the Quality Education Model and the process by which education quality and funding are assessed.

  • HB 4151: Establishes the Task Force on Youth Behavioral Health Workforce. Directs the task force to identify strategies to increase access to and the diversity of Oregon's youth-serving behavioral health workforce.

  • SB 1502: Requires the governing bodies of school districts to live stream governing body meetings

If you have any questions on these or other bills, please reach out to us at legislation@oregonpta.org. 

After the legislative session ends on March 10, 2024, your March or April PTA meetings would be a great opportunity to invite your local representatives to your schools to hear from them directly and to share your communities concerns with them. You can find your local legislators here. 

Advocacy & Legislative Committee

Our next Legislative Committee meeting is scheduled for March 18, 2024 at 7.30pm. Please fill out this form, if you are interested in participating in our statewide advocacy efforts.