Dear PTA/PTSA Members/Leaders:

This is our first e-Newsletter of the year, and I’d like to take advantage of this opportunity to wish you all a very happy, peaceful, healthy and prosperous 2008!!!

The year has been moving rather quickly.  Many things are happening in PTA, and I’d like to highlight a few items of importance in the following areas:

1)   ADVOCACY/LEGISLATION:  On the January 29th ballot, Florida voters need decide on amendment 1, a proposition to amend property taxes in Florida.

PTA in Florida is urging our members and citizens of the state to vote NO on this item.  Although it says it holds education harmless, “…these proposed cuts will reduce funding for school districts without identifying a replacement source. Further, they will force counties and cities to make cuts to programs that have a direct impact on children. Some examples of these cuts are: After School Tutoring Programs, School Resource Officers, School Crossing Guards.  The Florida PTA does not oppose tax cuts, but we oppose cuts without tax reform ie replacement funds that will ensure the future of our children and enhance the ability of the state to fully fund the educational, health, safety, recreational and other basic needs for Florida's children.”  The Action Alert sent by Florida PTA appears in its entirety in the Legislative Section of this eNewsletter.

Another important source of information is:

  http://www2.dadeschools.net/PTR_flier.pdf.

This flier is associated to a PowerPoint presentation when you click on the top right side where is says Click Here for Details, that provides details about what the amendment does and its impact on education.

I urge you to become informed, spread the word, and encourage others to vote NO on Amendment 1.

2)   LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT:  On February 2nd, 2008, the Florida PTA is celebrating its first Emerging Minority Leaders Conference, and it’ll be here in Miami.  The event is free and will take place at Westland Hialeah Senior High School (Palmetto & Okeechobee Road), the newest high school to open in our District, from 8:30AM to 4:00PM.  Among our presenters, we’ll have the privilege of counting on both our National PTA President, Jan Harp Domene, and our Florida PTA President, Lenelle Cruse.

The purpose of the conference is to inspire, motivate, connect--not only to other local unit leaders but to other leaders at other levels of the PTA organization--, and show avenues of involvement to the minority participants to become involved at other levels in the PTA organization.  PTA aims at its leadership, at all levels of the organization, being a mirror of the different communities our children come from, and is making it a priority to support their leadership development and participate beyond the local unit level.  

The letter of invitation and registration form are attached to this e-Newsletter.  If you’re not a minority leader, I urge you to give the information to minority leaders in your PTA/PTSA.  We are limited to 48 participants in Miami-Dade County; however, do not let that stop you from sending your RSVP in case seats become available from the expected numbers for other parts of the state.  The deadline to RSVP is January 25, 2008.

1. MEMBERSHIP:  National PTA is celebrating a Back to School January Membership Drive, and there are great opportunities for this drive to be successful in our schools.  I was reviewing the last Florida PTA membership report, and I know that we can still do better.  Remember, the state of Florida has been challenged by National PTA to show a 2% increase over last year’s membership; consequently, the state PTA has challenged the regions (we are part of Florida PTA Region 7) to show a similar increase, and WE CAN DO IT.  We are the fourth largest District in the nation so our membership potential is extraordinary.  Think about this, it you had 100 members last year, you only need 2 more this year.  I’m a member of many PTAs/PTSAs, I’m willing to be that one of those members that you need for your 2% increase, just email me your membership form at micastro@gate.net.  I’d like to thank the units that have already reported dues to Florida PTA, specially the ones that have already reported at least a 2% membership increase (they are listed below); I’d also like to urge the units that have not sent membership dues to Florida PTA to promptly do so.  As we always remind you, membership dues need to be sent to Florida PTA on a monthly basis; I thank all the units that do, and encourage those that might be waiting until the closing of the membership year on March 31, 2008 to try doing it right away.  Together we can win the Florida PTA membership challenge.

The above issues are important, and I look forward to seeing you all promptly taking action in those areas.

Thank you for all you do,

Ivelisse
DCC PTA/PTSA President