January 13, 2017

Leading the Way for ALL Children!

NYS PTA meets with Matilda Cuomo

President Gracemarie Rozea, Vice Presidents Helen Hoffman and Dana Platin, and Executive Director Kyle Belokopitsky met with Mrs. Matilda Cuomo to discuss the NYS Mentoring Program and possible partnership with NYS PTA. Stay tuned for news on this exciting joint venture!

Get Your Advocacy Newsbriefs Here!

This month's Advocacy Newsbriefs is hot off the presses!

Check out NYS PTA's statement on Governor Cuomo's proposal for free public college tuition, volunteer to review ESSA plans submitted to the US Department of Education and read more about the Governor's proposal to fight the heroin and opioid epidemic.

Message from MaryEllen Elia, NYS Education Commissioner

Dear Parents,

Happy New Year! At the State Education Department we kicked off the New Year with our monthly Board of Regents meeting in Albany. The Regents took several newsworthy actions including: proposed school health regulation changes; proposed regulation changes to provide greater flexibility in reissuance of classroom certificates and supplementary certificates; combatting opioid and heroin use and abuse; and a resource to help students and families plan for the costs of college.

Click here to read more.

Win Gift Certificates and Bragging Rights!

Tell a Friend Member Challenge!

Every child needs a champion! Want bragging rights for yourself and your PTA? Want to win a fun prize too? Grab your phone or tablet and take the "Tell a Friend" Challenge!

We challenge you to invite your personal and social media friends and family to support ALL children by joining your local PTA online today.

Help us to strengthen our voice to advocate for ALL children's education, health, welfare and safety. This is what makes #PTAAwesome!

How to enter: Send your list of friends and family who join the NYS PTA from today through February 28 to membership@nyspta.org no later than March 5.

The two members with the highest number of friends who join will win a $25 gift certificate to shop the PTA store. Even better, you'll have bragging rights on the NYS PTA Facebook page, Twitter and we will feature your efforts in the PTAlert! (In case of a tie, winners will be selected by random drawing).

Tell a friend and help us support ALL children!

Member Benefit - Save with Platinum Royalties!
Restaurant and more discount cards available for NYS PTA members at a reduced rate of $20 (normally $30)! Go here and use Coupon Code NYSPTA20.

Member Benefit - FREE Math nights for your school with Math and Movement!
Math and Movement is offering FREE Math Family Fun Nights across the state for NYS PTA members! See here for more information and to schedule your Family Fun Night for your school today.

Check back often as we revise and update membership benefits here!

	Join us to support ALL children! February 12-13, 2017
	Are you interested in learning more about advocacy and policy? Do you want to join other NYS PTAs members in the halls of Albany and meet with your legislators? If so, join us on February 12-13 for the NYS PTA Key Advocacy Partner (KAP) Training and Lobby Day in Albany, NY! Advocacy and Lobby Training consists of two advocacy training sessions on Sunday, February 12 with dinner, then breakfast on Monday, February 13, before we asend the hill to the Capitol for the day! The registration deadline is fast approaching! You must submit your registration NO LATER THAN Friday January 20th! Join us for this important day, as we *Lead the Way* to support ALL children!

	Save the Date! January 26th at 6:30 pm - Social networking for kids and fundraising!
	Join NYS PTA for a free webinar on safe social networking for kids! Plus learn how your PTA can use Grom Social as a fundraiser We are so excited to share a FREE webinar on safe social networking for kids from Grom Social, an Alliance partner of NYS PTA. Thursday, January 26 at 6:30 pm Hear how Grom Social developed an online social networking site for children and how your PTA can benefit from its use!

	Parent Resources
	Should parents help with homework? Yes! But the right way. These 6 steps for parents can help keep you on track. Check out these 7 books to celebrate diversity! Make 2017 A Great Year-Parenting Resolutions: 14 Steps to a better year for your family. Is Your Babysitter a Good Fit? Interview Questions for Hiring a Babysitter.