Here are 5 great reasons to join your PTA:

1. To benefit your child! Research shows that children perform better when parents are involved both at home and school.

2. To get connected! There is no better way to know what's happening at school.

3. To tap into a network! PTA connects you to other parents and teachers through meetings, events and communications, helping to build a sense of community.

4. To be a role model! By becoming a PTA member, you'll demonstrate to your child the importance you place on education.

5. To witness improvement! By getting involved in PTA you'll be part of the solution - helping to make positive changes.

If you have yet to join your PTA unit or renew your membership, please take a moment and visit nyspta.org to learn about NYS PTA and the benefits of membership. Click on "Become a Member Today," and you  can help support your local PTA and impact every child in New York.

Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are facing an unprecedented crisis. The islands were heavily damaged by Hurricane Irma, and before they had a chance to recover, Hurricane Maria hit and devastated any remaining structures and supports.

Families and school communities in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands need our support now more than ever.

Read more HERE.

While helping Florida families recover from Hurricane Irma, Florida PTA has encountered families from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands displaced due to Hurricane Maria. In response, Florida PTA has begun gathering and distributing necessities.They plan on working with district personnel and state decision makers to ensure that Florida schools are set up for success as they absorb these new families.

As a reminder, PTAs should NOT donate their funds to other organizations, unless the organization is another 501(c)(3) organization with a similar mission to PTA. You can read more about donations on page 28 of the Finance Section of the NYS PTA Resource Guide.

Our thoughts will continue to be with Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands during these times, and thank you for your consideration in supporting those in need.

NYS PTA Reflections Art Roadshow

Hosted by NYS PTA and the State Education Department Building in Albany, NY

Join us for a special Red Carpet Celebration/Dessert Reception, a multimedia student art display, and remarks from New York State PTA and other special guests.

The Celebration/Reception will be held on Saturday, October 21, at 1:00pm at State Education Department Building in Albany, NY.

If you are interested in attending the Reception, please email pta.office@nyspta.org to register and for more information. The reception registration deadline is October 15, 2017.

If you can't make it to the Reception, but still want to see this amazing artwork from students across the state, the Reflections display will be open for public viewing from October 16-27, 2017, Monday-Friday from 9:00 am-5:00pm.

Reflections Theme Search: Upcoming Deadline

The search is on for a future National PTA Reflections program theme!

The student who submits the winning entry will receive $100, and their theme will be used to spark creativity during the 2019‐2020 National PTA Reflections Program.

Click HERE for more information and the entry form. The submission deadline is Thursday, October 19, 2017.

Does Your School Participate in the Reflections Arts Program?

PTA Reflections is a nationally acclaimed student recognition program to encourage artistic creativity in the classroom and at home. Students of all grades and abilities may participate and explore the arts based on the 2017-2018 theme: Within Reach.

The arts-and the National PTA Reflections program-support student success and serve as a valuable tool for building strong partnerships in your school community. Celebrate the arts in your school community with Reflections.

You can find out more about the Reflections program HERE.

Coaches are a tremendous influence on young people. That's why the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, in partnership with Ford Driving Skills for Life and the NYS Public High School Athletic Association, recently kicked off the "Coaches Care" traffic safety contest.

High School athletic programs that engage their students about safe driving behaviors could be eligible to receive a $3,000 cash prize. For more information go to www.safeny.ny.gov/SRO-Toolkit.

3 tips for talking to your kids about scary news from Scholastic Parents

The 411 on getting a mobile phone for your child from National PTA

Get your child organized with a backpack checklist from Understood.org

Dear Parents,

Recently, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria battered Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and several other countries in the Caribbean, leaving thousands of people displaced. Some families from these impacted areas, and their school-aged children, have already relocated to New York and many more may relocate in the coming weeks and months.

Click HERE to read more.