Last year, you and other members sent nearly 7,000 emails to the governor's office and your state legislators, plus Facebook posts and Tweets, advocating on topics affecting children.

This year, get ready to send even more messages to Albany in support of all New York's kids! Check your email every Tuesday in February and March, and get ready to Take Action!

You and other members have already sent over 6,000 messages to state legislators and Governor Cuomo. Members shared support for increased mental health services in schools, and opposition to legalizing recreational marijuana. If you haven't sent emails to your state legislators or the governor, it's not too late! Click the links above and Take Action!

You can read about all our positions for this years' legislative session:

• Supporting English Language Learners and Their Families
• Support School-Based Mental Health Services for Students
• Supports for Recovery High Schools, and the Prevention and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders
• Oppose the Legalization of Recreational Marijuana
• NYS PTA Calls for a $2.2 Billion Increase to Support Our Students
• Every Child Travels Safely
• Every Child, Their Safety: Keeping Our Children Safe in School
• Strong Support for Tobacco 21
• Supporting Our Youngest Learners

Click HERE to check out more great pictures from NYS PTA's Lobby Day held on February 11.

Nearly 100 advocates visited over 60 legislators, highlighting the issues listed above.

Register and pay dues for at least 15 members in the month of February, by February 28.

* ACH transfer of state dues must be initiated by February 28.

Click HERE to join your PTA!

When: July 27, 2019

Where: The Desmond, Albany, NY

Click HERE to download a sharable Save the Date flyer

More information coming soon!

After much input, the NYS PTA Board of Directors unanimously adopted a new 2019-2022 Strategic Plan!

See HERE for this innovative plan, which has been streamlined for easier use in your units!

We continue to focus on: advocacy, membership, programs, diversity and inclusion, and financial stability of the organization.

Please share widely! And continue to #dogoodthings4kids.

Ambassadors to the Future of our Children, Education, and New York State

Recognizing the dedication, expertise and mission of thousands of New York Teachers, Governor Cuomo is seeking applications from teachers who demonstrate the excellence we see in classrooms across the State.

Find out more and apply HERE.

Dear Parents,

The New York State Board of Regents and the New York State Education Department (NYSED) have been celebrating Black History Month all month with reflections, a resolution, a social media campaign, a State Museum exhibition, and events at cultural institutions across the state.

Click HERE to read NYS Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia's letter to parents.

Kids younger than 14 can't always identify gaps in traffic that are large enough for them to cross safely, says a new University of Iowa study; via Parents.

Mr. Rogers had a simple set of rules for talking to children: the TV legend possessed an extraordinary understanding of how kids make sense of language; from The Atlantic.

He bullied a boy. Then the boy died by suicide. When the principal announced that his classmate had died by suicide, he knew that his bullying had contributed; from Your Teen Magazine.

At Action for Healthy Kids, our grassroots effort has reached 30,000 schools and 1.5 million children nationwide. Our success stems from our approach of mobilizing school professionals, parents and communities to work together to promote healthy school foods, improved nutrition education, and comprehensive physical education that directly impact health and learning outcomes.

Most elementary school fundraisers are too much work for not enough profit. At Boosterthon, we provide a hassle-free fundraiser that raises a ton of money for schools. And people actually LOVE it.

Let's celebrate Read Across America and earn a $200 pledge donation from us to support your school read-a-thon! Learn how with one volunteer resource you can get kids excited about reading while learning the importance of giving back! Check it out HERE.

Keith Garrison has successfully facilitated over 700 students through Prepare U's evidence-supported experiential mental health curriculum (www.PrepareU.Live). Hear what he has to say about his experience as a leader in the country, implementing Prepare U after their school district had lost 4 teens to suicide in just over 3 years. Prepare U is a proud partner of the NYS PTA, helping to support children and families throughout New York.

IQ Card School Fundraising Inc. provides school art fundraisers that let children design their own cards and gifts. Request a free info pack HERE.