Parenting in a Pandemic Speaker Series – Creating Cultures of Acceptance, Compassion, and Integrity

The FINAL speaker of the Parenting in a Pandemic Speaker Series brought to you by Sixth District PTA on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 starting at 6:30 PM.
Join in for an evening with Erin Gruwell & The Freedom Writers Foundation to learn about “Creating Cultures of Acceptance, Compassion, and Integrity. They will also highlight the topics of mental illness and addiction, and suicide awareness and prevention.

In a scene from the hit movie Freedom Writers, a film based on Erin Gruwell’s experiences as an English teacher to inner-city Los Angeles youth, a Latino student is drawing a derogatory picture of a fellow black student. Intercepting the racial correspondence, Gruwell is reminded of a caricature she had seen from the Museum of Tolerance—Holocaust propaganda of a Jew made to look like a rat. Drawing parallels between her students’ ignorance and the prejudice of the Nazis, Gruwell captures the attention of her class by pointing out the seriousness of their actions and the implications that can follow.

In a thought-provoking presentation, Gruwell explores the very situations that have led us towards conflict in the past and how tolerance and understanding could have prevented such negative outcomes. A true proponent that one person can make an extraordinary difference, Gruwell inspires us all to embrace the concept of changing lives by creating a culture of acceptance, compassion, and integrity.

Register today for this virtual presentation. The first 500 will be able to join the webinar. All others will have to watch the live stream via YouTube.

#DiscoverTogether: Distance Learning Resources

Understanding learning expectations and standards is important for parents and PTA Leaders, especially today. With the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), helping children learn science is easier than ever before! NGSS brings discovery to the forefront of a child’s science education.

With that in mind, we want to encourage parents to take some time to explore just one of the many science learning activities available in the Resource Library – most, if not all, are easy to do at home!

For example, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology offers a combination of indoor and outdoor activities – all focused on birds – designed to allow kids to explore nature and science. Check out these activities and more like them by clicking here.

Virtual Summer Leadership Academy

California State PTA is holding its first-ever Virtual Summer Leadership Academy! Summer is the perfect time for you as a PTA leader to hone your leadership skills in preparation for the coming school year, and get up to speed on what you need to know to more effectively run your PTA.

This training will be spread out over two sessions in July and August. In July we’ll offer training for treasurers and presidents, plus classes in compliance, membership basics, and how to use the TOTEM electronic membership system. August will be more issue-based and we’ll cover subjects such as advocacy, family engagement, fundraising and education.

The fee is $20 per PTA unit, and your board members can attend as many classes as they’d like.

REGISTER

June 17th 6th District General Association & Meeting Management Training

Register today for the Wednesday, June 17th General Association Meeting at 7:00 pm with a training immediately following.

PTA Meeting Management 101. With planning, your PTA meetings will run smoothly – especially when everyone knows their roles and responsibilities. We will discuss the different types of PTA meetings, parliamentary procedure, motions, and what must be documented during your PTA meeting. PTA meetings are the same whether in person or remote via teleconferencing.
This workshop is recommended for all officers, especially Presidents, Treasurers, Secretaries and Parliamentarians.
Questions? Send an email to programs@capta6.org.

New Coronavirus Resources

California State PTA is constantly updating the COVID-19 pages on its website with information and resources that are relevant to you. For example this month they added the following to the COVID-19 Resources for Parents, Families and Educators page:

    • Tools for mental and emotional well-being from organizations such as Child Trends, ACES Aware, and the Positive Coaching Alliance
    • 200 free at-home activities and resources for children in pre-K through 12th from the US Census Bureau, which help kids learn why it’s important to count everyone in the 2020 Census
  • Notes from the Backpack: Tackling COVID-19 Anxiety Together – This episode of the popular podcast from National PTA features advice from psychologist Dr. Erlanger “Earl” Turner about how to stay happy, healthy and learning during this difficult time

How do I talk to my child about Coronavirus?

Children, as well as adults, are likely to experience anxiety in this uncertain time. Several resources have been created by leading mental health experts on how to have age-appropriate, fact-based and reassuring conversations with you children about the outbreak and the steps they can take to stay healthy.

As a parent, how can I support learning at home?

Recognizing that not all families or children will have the resources to access and leverage digital learning opportunities, PTAs should work with their local school and district to understand what plans are in place or are being developed to equitably support student learning during school closures. PTAs can (and should!) work with schools to help develop student learning plans during school closures and help communicate these plans to families.

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), has developed 10 Strategies for Online Learning During Coronavirus Outbreak. The Today Show has curated some free educational activities that students and families can engage in here. (To see distance-learning resources compiled by California State PTA, click here.)

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Santa Clara County Public Health

The County of Santa Clara ​Public Health Department continues to work closely with healthcare providers, hospitals, and its partners to address novel coronavirus. The department is taking action to protect the public and keep the community informed.​​

Santa Clara County Public Health COVID-19 News

State Senator Jim Beall Guidance from the County of Santa Clara’s Public Health Department to Protect Residents of the County from Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Barbara Emerich Memorial Scholarship

The Barbara Emerich Memorial Scholarship application is now out. Barbara Emerich held PTA leadership positions, from local schools to the state level, for more than 50 years. Her commitment to children was unparalleled, particularly in the areas of juvenile justice, gun control, teenage health and special needs. The Sixth District PTA proudly honors Barbara Emerich’s extraordinary service by awarding scholarships to two high school seniors who best exemplify her dedication to youth and families. Applications will be due Friday, April 17, 2020.

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