News & Updates

DEI Webinar: Supporting American Indians in Public School System

Dr. Kimberly Robertson, Ph.D., Associate Professor  California State University, Long Beach Resources: California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center (CICSC) California Indian Education for All California Indian History Curriculum Coalition Native American Studies Model Curriculum  

Congratulations to Eagle Rock Jr./Sr. High PTSA National PTA School of Excellence Designee 2022-2024

The 2022-2024 National PTA Schools of Excellence are designated in recognition of their commitment to building an inclusive and welcoming school-community where all families contribute to enriching the educational experience and overall well-being for all students. National PTA’s School of Excellence program supports a… Read More »Congratulations to Eagle Rock Jr./Sr. High PTSA National PTA School of Excellence Designee 2022-2024

Tips to Grow Your PTA Membership

From PTA One Voice, by Linda Johnson.
As you prepare for back-to-school, a new school year means new opportunities to grow your PTA. We talked to PTAs across the country that continue to grow membership every year—here are the tips they shared to help engage families in the community and grow membership. 

2022-2023 Officers

Highlands Council Officers 2022-2023 Congratulations to the newly elected officers for 2022-2023. We have two vacancies, the position of president and secretary. If you are interested in being a part of the executive board, please contact Anvi Kevany at akevany@highlandscouncilpta.org.… Read More »2022-2023 Officers

Community of Schools Town Hall

Join us to discuss:• Returning to School• A day on Campus• Steps to return safely to school in-person• Program Options

Juneteenth Freedom Day

On June 16, 2021, the United States Congress overwhelmingly voted to pass a bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday. We join the nation in recognizing and celebrating Juneteenth, which commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States on June… Read More »Juneteenth Freedom Day

Emergency Broadband Benefit

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, and so much more. About the… Read More »Emergency Broadband Benefit

May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month

June 30, 1977: The origin of AAPI Heritage Month dates back to the 95th Congress (1977-1978) when five joint resolutions were introduced proposing that a week in May be designated to commemorate the accomplishments of AAPIs.

Summer PTA To Do List

The board should have a summer meeting to get to know each other and begin planning for the new term. Make sure that the annual financial report is completed — then file your taxes! Complete the end-of-year audit and add… Read More »Summer PTA To Do List

March Announcements

Hello Highlands Council PTA Members, Here are Highlands Council’s updates for the month of March: This month’s meeting will be postponed to Monday April 8th, 2019.  At this meeting we will be holding elections for the board of Highlands Council for… Read More »March Announcements

Founders Day

Hello Highlands Council PTA members!   Please join us for our next Highlands Council Meeting from 4:00 to 5:30 on Monday February 11, 2019 where we will be celebrating Founders Day. The meeting will be held at Cindy Wong’s home.… Read More »Founders Day

Announcements for September

HELLO HIGHLANDS COUNCIL PTA MEMBERS!!! Here are a few announcements for the month of September: First and foremost, a BIG welcome to Highlands Council Parliamentarian, Emerald Ivy of Mayberry Elementary!!! She has graciously accepted the position as appointed by the… Read More »Announcements for September

Association Meetings

Association meetings for the 2018-2019 school year have been posted to the calendar and will be held at Sotomayor Learning Academies Parent Center. We will try run meetings efficiently so as to finish earlier at each meeting. August 27: Electronic Membership… Read More »Association Meetings

Celebrating a Life

Scott Folsom passed away on Thursday,  August 4, 2016 The Memorial for Scott will be held on August 27, 2016 at 2 pm Mount Washington Elementary School 3981 San Rafael Avenue,  (323) 225-8320 Valet Parking is Available Please share photos and… Read More »Celebrating a Life

You Will Be Missed!

We are saddened to share that longtime California State PTA advocate Scott Folsom .  He leaves a legacy of change for California children — learn more with this April 2016 Los Angeles Times article: http://ow.ly/jGYZ302Yb8o

Resources for Transition

There’s a lot that happens during term transitions. Here are some resources to help! Preparing for Fall PTA Finances — Budgeting. Forms. Financial procedures. Oh, my! Get the scoop on how to start your 2016-2017 PTA year on firm financial… Read More »Resources for Transition

Giving Thanks!

PTA Volunteers: We give thanks for your dedication to kids and communities   A personal thank you from President Justine Fischer   It’s not how much you give, but how much love you put into giving. You are the heart… Read More »Giving Thanks!

Bylaws Review Workshop

Los Angeles Tenth District  Bylaws Review Workshops   Wednesday, September 30, 2015 and Wednesday, October 14, 2015 10:00 am to 12:00 pm Los Angeles Tenth District Conference Room This workshop will address questions or assistance regarding running your meetings, parliamentary procedures, bylaws reviews… Read More »Bylaws Review Workshop

2015-2016 Officers

President – Take Tada, Solano Avenue Elementary 1st VP for Programs – Anvi Kevany, Mt. Washington Elementary 2nd VP for Membership – Susanne Foldes, Mt. Washington Elementary Treasurer – Jackie Cahill, Eagle Rock Jr./Sr. High Secretary – Cindy Wong, Franklin… Read More »2015-2016 Officers

Student Leadership is Needed!

Student leadership is needed!  Students are valuable members of the California State PTA Board of Managers.  Students share their perspective on current issues, voice their concerns, and provide insight during the meetings they attend.  Volunteer service as a member on… Read More »Student Leadership is Needed!

Got Tax Forms?

It’s tax form filing time again! Federal and state laws require every PTA to file the following tax forms annually: IRS Form 990 (990, 990EZ or 990N) California State Franchise Tax Board Form 199 (199 or 199N) Registry of Charitable… Read More »Got Tax Forms?

PTA Membership Toolbox

Best practice: Check out the PTA Membership Toolbox California State PTA is helping make membership easy! If you’re looking for new ideas to increase PTA membership at your school or ways to engage students or teachers in PTA, check out… Read More »PTA Membership Toolbox

Email Etiquette

“There are four ways and only four ways in which we have contact with the world. We are evaluated and classified by these four contacts: What we do, how we look, what we say and how we say it.” Dale… Read More »Email Etiquette

Our Deepest Sympathy

Our deepest sympathy to the families and friends who have lost a loved one at the Orland bus crash on April 10, 2014.  Nineteen students from 16 LAUSD schools were aboard the bus, one of three destined for a student… Read More »Our Deepest Sympathy

Celebrating 117 Years

    Happy Presidents’ Day and Founders’ Day! It’s Presidents’ Day, a day to reflect on our founding fathers. But February 17 is also Founders’ Day at the National PTA.   Alice Birney and Phoebe Hearst, National PTA’s founders, met… Read More »Celebrating 117 Years

Nominating Committee

The nominating committee is elected by the membership at the association meeting at least two months prior to the annual election meeting. The purpose of the nominating committee is to recognize and seek qualified nominees for the elected leadership of… Read More »Nominating Committee

Movie Copyrights and Licensing

 

 

Many PTAs hold movie nights at their schools, not knowing that use of copyrighted materials outside of the privacy of a home setting has been a copyright law violation since 1970. Movie studios have had a royalty compliance procedure in place for many years. Most major studios have made copyright compliance less expensive and simpler by appointing a licensing agent to help with copyright enforcement.

The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) is dedicated to preventing film and
video piracy in all its forms, including illegal downloading, and unauthorized public
performances. The MPAA and its member companies can go to court to ensure copyrights are
not violated, and fines can be imposed upon violators.

Unless the school itself has a license from an agency, the PTA cannot borrow movies from a
public library, bring movies from home, or rent movies from a video store to show at school.
Ownership of a movie and the right to use it publicly are two separate issues. The copyright
holder retains exclusive public performance rights. Video stores cannot provide legal
permission for showing movies outside the home. Also, public libraries cannot pass on
copyright compliance to anyone. Only the licensing agency or the movie studios themselves
can do so.

Read More »Movie Copyrights and Licensing

PROGRAMS – HOW TO’S

Organizing a great program for your school community starts with a planning committee. That way, you can brainstorm ideas, set goals and propose activities together.

With a committee, you can also tap into everyone’s different talents to divide up the tasks, both large and small, involved in running a successful program.

Arrange for the committee to meet early in the school year to prepare an outline for your program or event with suggested activities and projected costs.

Consider using the Event Planning Worksheet template as a checklist to stay on track with your program’s timeline, preparations and expenses.

Read More »PROGRAMS – HOW TO’S

Announcing California State PTA’s New Online Officer/Board Member Contact Program

Your volunteer time is precious. That’s why we created the new Online Officer/Board Member Contact program. It makes entering your PTA’s officer and board member information and generating useful reports easier than ever. The program is available as a FREE feature to all PTA units, councils and districts in California through PTAEZ.

Online registration is quick. After the initial registration process, your PTA will enjoy ongoing access to generate reports and make
edits as often as needed – and none of the information will ever be shared outside of the association. Note: You do not have to be a current PTAEZ subscriber to enter and view information, but if you are, you can also access the Officer/Board Member Contact program from within your unit’s existing PTAEZ account.

GET STARTED NOW.    Also, click on the short video for a tutorial:

Read More »Announcing California State PTA’s New Online Officer/Board Member Contact Program

Transition Basics for Every Officer

Finish the term Complete all responsibilities (including updating your procedure book). Meet with current board to evaluate the term. Send new board contact information to your council or district. Meet with successor; introduce successor to key individuals. Turn over all PTA materials and resources that relate to position. Incoming and outgoing boards meet together. To learn… Read More »Transition Basics for Every Officer

Highlands Council Association Meeting and Founder’s Day Celebration, January 18, 2013

  Council Association Meeting for PTA Unit Executive Board Members and Officers 10 am to 12 pm Cindy Wong’s Home   Attention Principals…. You are invited to the Highlands Council of PTA’s Founder’s Day Celebration Luncheon Friday, January 18, 2013 at 12:00 pm   Pot Luck: PTA… Read More »Highlands Council Association Meeting and Founder’s Day Celebration, January 18, 2013

Thank You, PTA Volunteers!

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, the Highlands Council of PTA’s would like to thank all of the hardworking and dedicated PTA volunteers for donating your time,  skills, know-how, money, in order to benefit every student and their families.  Special thank… Read More »Thank You, PTA Volunteers!

CALL TO ACTION: MT. WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY PTA ADOPTS HIGH STAKES TESTING RESOLUTION

PTA opposes the use of a national, mandated, standardized test as the sole criterion for measuring a school’s or student’s progress. An assessment system should evaluate higher-order skills, including students’ abilities to use technology, conduct research, engage in scientific investigation, and solve… Read More »CALL TO ACTION: MT. WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY PTA ADOPTS HIGH STAKES TESTING RESOLUTION

PTA NEWS

*PTA Supported Bill on Life-Saving Devises Signed Into Law *Prop 38 is Great!  

Teachers Matter!

Congratulations to the following PTA’s who have achieved 100% teacher membership:      Dahlia Heights Elementary PTA      Mt. Washington Elementary PTA      Toland Way Elementary PTA   Now more than ever, the PTA needs the support of and collaboration with… Read More »Teachers Matter!