| To end the year with Zoom meetings and no personal good-byes is a difficult reality for PTA presidents throughout our district. Speaking from personal experience, when you think of the time spent building relationships, supporting our communities and leading the best volunteers, we have loved every minute of it. To miss out on the hugs and saying "thank you" to each and every one of you is heartbreaking.
Thank you...... for the smiles of encouragement during my first meetings when I forgot what to do and say; for loving your communities and schools so much; for embracing our journey to strengthen leaders and community relations; for all the times you did the impossible; for all the times you made your students and schools feel like rock stars; for learning how to do elections and membership meetings via conference calls; and SO MUCH MORE. It has been such an incredible two years and I will miss you.
Allen ISD has the greatest parents, staff and schools, and we proved we are unbreakable and strong. To say "Eagles Soar" is not enough. Eagles are the quintessence of strength, courage, determination and grace. I can truly attest that you all embody these characteristics in all that you do. So continue to Soar for our students today and tomorrow. You are their biggest advocate and example on how to use their voice. The world is changing rapidly and we have to change with it. I have never been more confident in our leadership team, both district and PTA, and I know you are going to achieve incredible things.
Thank you for allowing the Council to support you for 30 years! I am excited to watch them continue for generations to come.
I wish you all a safe and wonderful summer.
Nina Felt President of Allen ISD Council of PTAs, 2018-2020
|
|
|
|
2020-2021... It seems so far away but it will be here before we know it!
I want to encourage everyone as you prepare for the upcoming school year, to embrace the inevitable....CHANGE. Between COVID-19 and the economic impact of the pandemic, our world has changed dramatically. Looking ahead to next year, the needs of our schools, students and families may be very different. As PTA leaders, we need to acknowledge the need for change. Change in programs for students, change in fundraising, change in how we support staff at our campuses and changes in how we support families. I love this quote from William Pollard: "Without change there is no innovation, creativity or incentive for improvement. Those who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage the change that inevitable." My challenge to you (and to myself) is to be creative and innovative. Use this time of change to evaluate how you can best serve your PTA community and "make every child's potential a reality!"
I am excited and humbled to serve as Council President for this amazing group of individuals as we continue to serve the Allen Eagle community.
Rachel Mitchell Incoming President of Allen ISD Council of PTAs, 2020-2021 |
|
|
| Allen ISD Council of PTAs is holding Leadership Training now through May 29. We encourage all current and incoming PTA leaders to take part. It is more important than ever as we adapt to our new world. It is also a great way to network with our other local leaders. You must sign up 24 hours in advance! |
|
|
| The Allen ISD Council of PTAs is again presenting its Leadership Academy next school year. And we are inviting each principal and PTA president to work together to nominate two leaders from your campus to participate. The sessions will be presented over the course of the school year and broken into six (6), three-hour required sessions. The dates are: - September 10, 2020, 8:30-11:30 am
- October 22, 2020, 8:30-11:30 am
- December 3, 2020, 8:30-11:30 am
- January 21, 2021, 8:30-11:30 am
- February 25, 2021, 8:30-11:30 am
- April 1, 2021, 8:30-11:30 am
Registration is limited to two representatives from each campus who must attend all training sessions. The academy is free. But all participants must be PTA members in good standing. Thank you for your support of our investment in our kids, our PTA and our schools. If you have any questions please contact: Terri Piorkowski at programs@allenisdcouncilpta.org or Jena Barocio at parliamentarian@allenisdcouncilpta.org . |
|
|
| At our last member meeting, council proudly honored each of our local PTAs with the awards they earned from Texas PTA this year. However, that wasn't the end! We've learned nearly all of our campuses picked up ANOTHER honor! 750+ Club: Allen High School/Lowery Freshman Center PTA 500+ Club: Cheatham, Norton & Preston Elementaries Curtis & Ereckson Middle Schools 250+ Club: Bolin, Boon, Chandler, Evans, Green, Kerr, Lindsey, Marion, Olson, Story & Vaughan Elementaries Ford Middle School 100+ Club: Allen Early Childhood Anderson, Boyd & Reed Elementaries
Incoming Membership Chairs: Watch for information about the distribution of membership cards and awards criteria for 2020-2021. We are working with Texas PTA to get you that information as soon as we can. |
|
|
| Mark Your Calendars! Because the health and safety of our members is the number one priority of Texas PTA, the Board of Directors has unanimously voted to move LAUNCH this year from July to October 16-18, 2020. Better yet for our local PTAs? The Hilton Anatole in Dallas was able to accommodate the request to change dates so it is still here! We can't wait to see each of our local PTAs there. |
|
|---|
|
|
| Home stretch! Most of us are done with meetings so it is time to get all your binders together and ready to pass to the Financial Reconciliation Committee. Texas PTA released a new checklist for the financial reconciliation and it is a GREAT improvement from the last one. Texas PTA is working on guidelines for Financial Reconciliation (Covid-19 style) and it should be ready by June 1. We will be sure to forward any communication received from Texas PTA.
Remember that the outgoing treasurer is responsible for preparing the form 990. However, wait until the financial reconciliation is done before submitting it. Please fill it online as Texas PTA can keep track of it. You get an accepted status right away and it is FREE! Remember that to be in good standing, you must submit the 990 within 60 days of the end of your fiscal year.
For those finishing your first year… YOU DID IT! For those of you finishing your second year, make sure to stay in touch with the new treasurer and THANK YOU for all your hard work.
I am always available to answer questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
Hélène St-Pierre Treasurer, Allen ISD Council of PTAs |
|
|
| Calling all creative kids!This summer is a great chance to dream up a dance, paint a picture or compose a musical piece for the Fall Reflections Contest. Students submit their completed works of art in one or all of the available categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts. The theme is "I Matter Because". Full details on entries from National PTA. |
|
|---|
|
|
Don't stop there... start dreaming up the 2022-2023 theme! Deadline: November 5, 2020 When suggesting a theme, judges take into consideration: - Theme is unique, inspiring and unlike past program themes.
- Theme is focused without being too narrow or too broad.
- Theme is clear, concise and appropriate for all grade levels.
- Theme is applicable to all arts categories.
- Theme promotes PTA values.
- Theme is relevant in 2 years.
- Past themes and duplicate entries are not considered.
Reflections Theme Search Entry Form |
|
|
| Clear Streams – The City of Allen (COA) asks that local PTAs who checked out clear streams secure them at school for next year’s use instead of trying to return them now. Waste Works Award Grants ($400) - The grant awards are on hold and will be issued in September to local PTAs who applied. No additional paperwork will be needed. If your campus didn’t apply for a Waste Works Award, the City will still provide an opportunity to apply after school is back in session. If you have questions about your specific application, please reach out to Andrea Smith at asmith@cityofallen.org. Reuse A Shoe – COA is working on a plan for storing shoes that local PTAs had started collecting before school campus shutdowns. We will send out any storage information that we receive from the City. Also, Council is planning a Community Relations back-to-school event in August. And we welcome any new/gently used shoes from your collections! Contact Environmental Chair Joy Forester for details. Upcoming Spring Training/Roundtables – There will be 1 morning session and 1 evening session available on Wednesday, May 27. Andrea Smith from the City plans to attend our roundtables, so if you have any specific questions for Andrea please email them to Joy Forester at environmental@allenisdcouncilpta.org at least 24 hours in advance. Here is the link to sign up for Spring Training.
|
|
|
| We want to send a special shout-out to all our WatchD.O.G.S. , Dynamic Dads & Dads at the Door this year. Since we were unable to hold the traditional breakfast, we put together a special slideshow that you can see on our website. |
|
|---|
|
|
|
