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Originally delivered on 2/2/2023 12:35 pm

SUBJECT: February 2023 Council Newsletter

Everyone Can Back the Future at Allen ISD Council of PTAs
Letter from the President


The second part of the year is always filled with so many activities both with the PTA and our personal lives. It is an exciting time but it can be exhausting. I encourage you to lead with compassion, reach out for help when you feel overwhelmed, and lend a hand.  Every year is different and has its own set of challenges. Try to be open minded and adapt to situations as they arise.

Spring is also election season for our PTAs. Council's election will be March 1st at our regularly scheduled meeting. We always love to have new people join in the fun so make sure to put in your nomination here.


With the rezoning taking effect this summer, we will have new families joining. This is a great opportunity to ask them to join your board as well as your PTAs. Make sure to send all of your election information so that we can publish it on our webpage as well as our Facebook page.

We have some great programs coming up, please make sure to share them with your members.

Helene St-Pierre
President of Allen ISD Council of PTAs
president@allenisdcouncilpta.org

Programs
Counselor Roundtable
Legislative News
Rally Day

The Allen ISD Council of PTAs is proud to be partnering with the AHS/LFC, Curtis, Ereckson, and Ford PTSAs to send a large group of students to Austin to participate in the Texas PTA's Rally Day on February 27th! This trip to the capitol is a unique opportunity for students to engage in the legislative process by meeting with elected representatives and learning how to make a difference in their government.

For more information, contact legislative@allenisdcouncilpta.org

Advocacy Update
Ways and Means
Allen Eagle Run Logo
Allen Eagle Run - Big Deadline Tomorrow!

Run, don’t walk to sign up for the Allen Eagle Run! Tomorrow (Friday, Feb. 3) is the final day to get an early bird discount of just $25 on your registration!

We’re halfway to our district goal of 3,000 registrations and this is the time to push, push, push and publicize the run. We know we can smash our goal... together!

A sign-up for volunteers for the Run will be coming out shortly from the Foundaiton so keep an eye out for that. Any questions or help needed? Please email Sandra Turner, VP of Ways and Means at waysmeans@allenisdcouncilpta.org

Used Book Fair

We heard our friends and neighbors! So many of you stopped and told us how you loved last year’s Used Book Fair. And we’ll be doing it again. Save the date: April 28-30 at the Allen ISD Service Center.  

We will be hosting an informational meeting for local PTAs on Wednesday, February 15 at 6pm at the Allen ISD Service Center. Anyone with your PTA is welcome to come, learn more and ask questions.

As mentioned at our last delegate meeting, each local PTA must take a two-part vote, on whether to participate and what to do with the proceeds. Please share the results of that vote at: https://bit.ly/3kVsHkX

We’re also looking for sponsors!  Find info here.

Questions? Contact our VP-Ways & Means Sandra Turner at waysmeans@allenisdcouncilpta.org

PTA Night with the Frisco RoughRiders

It’s time to play ball! Join the Allen ISD Council of PTAs and the Frisco RoughRiders for a very special game celebrating our kids and our community.  

We’re inviting all our local PTAs to bring their mascots, and there will be cheerleaders and other community groups there as well! Fill out the form here to let us know if your mascot/cheerleaders will be participating.

It’s Saturday, May 13 and tickets are on sale now at: http://www.ridersbaseball.com/allenisd

Hope to see you there!

Amazon Smile Discontinued

Amazon is shutting down its Amazon Smile Donation Program to focus on other philanthropic opportunities. If your PTA participated, Amazon will provide a one-time payout equivalent to three months of what you earned through the program in 2022. The last day for Amazon Smile donations is February 20, 2023.

Membership
Important Dates!
  • President's Challenge Award - Deadline is Feb 28, 2023

  •  XOXO Award - Add 14 new members in February.
    Deadline is Feb 28, 2023

  • Lucky Leprechaun Award - Add 17 new members in March. Deadline is Mar 31, 2023

  • Life Member Banquet - Apr 19, 2023 6:30-8:30 pm at the PAC. Submit Award recipients to Texas PTA in March 2023. Email award recipients to membership@allenisdcouncilpta.org by Mar 17, 2023. A form will be sent out shortly with directions on how to order tickets for the banquet. Deadline to submit Ticket Order Form and check to Council will be Apr 5, 2023. 
Standing Rules

Click here to view the changes to the Standing Rules being proposed by the Bylaws and Standing Rules Committee. These changes will be voted on at our next delegate meeting. The committee reviewed the Bylaws and no changes are being suggested for them. 

Spring Training

Save the Date! We will be hosting Spring Training May 8-12, 2023 for all local PTA Leaders, including new, incoming board members and experienced veterans alike! This will be an opportunity to meet Council Board Members and Local PTA Board Members from other schools, answer any questions you may have about how to plan for the upcoming year, gather ideas from other schools, and alleviate concerns you may have about your position for the year! We look forward to seeing you all then!

Exact sessions and times will be forthcoming! A link to RSVP will be sent out once the training schedule has been set.

Arts in Education
From the Secretary's Desk
Things to look forward to in your next local meeting
  • Nomination Committee Selection (if not done so already)
  • Scholarship Committee (if applicable to your local PTA)
  • Life Member Selection Committee
  • Vote on decision - Council's Used Book Fair
  • Tax Free Day designation - if applicable
Regular housekeeping
  • Ensure Board Roster is up-to-date and shared with Council Secretary if there are changes
  • Ensure new members to the Board have signed the Confidentiality, Ethics and Conflict of Interest document
  • Ensure everyone on the board has completed their mandatory trainings from Texas PTA
The meeting before the Election

Refer to this checklist to be sure you have completed all necessary actions at the meeting prior to the Election. Contact our Council Secretary at secretary@allencouncilpta.org with any questions!

Notes from the Treasurer
  • Reconcile all Accounts: Ensure all bank accounts have been reconciled with the bank statements. Start the new year knowing the financials have the correct balance.
  • Clear up Outstanding Payment and Deposits: Confirm with all executive board members and volunteers that all outstanding funds request forms have been submitted and checks have been deposited.
  • All Membership Toolkit users should be switched over to LumaPay from Paypal, TransFirst, Stripe, and PaySimple. If not, this should be done now! 
  • Yearly and Quarterly Sale Tax filing was due January 20th, be sure to take care of that ASAP if you have not completed it. Note that even if you have no taxable sales, you still have to do an informational file. 
  • Save the Date! February 22, 2023 6:30pm, Virtual Treasurer Training for Going Paperless and Roundtable.

    treasurer@allenisdcouncilpta.org
Environmental
Arbor Day Poster Contest (4th and 5th graders only)

This year's theme is 'Trees are Terrific.. Inside and Out!'. Deadline is 5pm on Feb 10th, 2023. Contest information is available here. Please promote among science teachers and students. Download the flyer here.

Communications

Please use this form to submit content to be shared by Allen ISD Council of PTAs related to upcoming Board Nominations and Elections so they can be posted centrally on the Allen Council website.

Please also use the same form to submit information on your Scholarships and Spirit Nights so they can be promoted by our Communications Chair.

Questions? Contact communications@allencouncilpta.org

Volunteers
Allen Council Citizenship Awards

It's time to submit nominations for March Allen Council Citizenship Awards. All nominations are due February 22nd.  Digital awards will be sent before the council meeting on March 1st and physical awards will be available at the meeting.

Updated information about Citizenship Awards, due dates, and submission links can be found on the Allen Council website by clicking here.

volunteers@allenisdcouncilpta.org

Healthy Lifestyles
  • GRANTS
    Oliver Grant – Up to $5,000
    Clif Bar Small Grants – Up to $7,000 Deadline: February 1, 2023 (optional rolling deadlines)

  • HELP WANTED
    Looking for volunteers to serve on a committee to explore the feasibility of a November 2023 Healthy Lifestyles Event. This committee will discuss options for an event, as well as lessons learned from previous events and make a recommendation to the incoming board in time for the next budget cycle.  

  • PLANNING
    Mark your calendar for Bike & Roll to School, May 3, 2023

    For more information contact Kiki Flaig at healthylifestyles@allenisdcouncilpta.org
Hospitality

Allen ISD Council of PTAs is honored to serve and support the staff of the Dillard Achievement Center. So far this school year, we have provided Dillard staff with a variety of items to show our love and appreciation.  

  • August - Back to School breakfast with assorted bagels & cream cheese, fresh fruit, and juice.
  • September - Tray of assorted cookies and brownies
  • October - Halloween goodie bags with candy and teacher goodies.
  • December - Holiday lunch for all to enjoy before the Winter Break.
  • Upcoming plans include a donut & coffee breakfast, March snack bar, and Teacher Appreciation Week...

    hospitality@allenisdcouncilpta.org
Community Relations
Council has helped campuses in the following ways:
  • Provided school supplies to 23 campuses
  • Provided nurses with hygiene products and clothing at 7 campuses
  • Provided counselors with snacks for students in need at 5 campuses

    community@allenisdcouncilpta.org
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