PTA Notices

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As you begin planning for the election of officers for Parent Association/Parent-Teacher Association (PA/PTA), District Presidents Council (PC), Borough High School Federation (MHSF) elections as well as School Leadership Team (SLT) parent members, the Office for Family Engagement and Advocacy (OFEA) proposes that beginning this year the following timeline1 be implemented during even-numbered years for the execution and completion of spring elections:

• The period for holding and completing Spring PA/PTA elections will begin on Friday, March 7th, including the official close of the nominations period, and will end on Friday, June 6th. Timely completion of the spring PA/PTA elections within this timeframe will ensure that PA/PTA Executive Board members will have time to complete elections and allow the maximum participation by the parents and/or teams. This timeframe will also ensure that the required June transfer of records to incoming and/or returning PA/PTA Executive Board members can occur prior to the end of the school year. This is a critical and mandatory step to ensure that PA/PTA leaders receive a full report regarding the status and fiscal standing of the organization. This year we want to ensure that PA/PTA, District Presidents’ Council and Borough High School Federation Executive Board members are elected by the end of the school year with their PA/PTA and or Council/Federation business affairs in order.

• The period for completion of District Presidents’ Council and Borough High School Federation elections will be extended through Wednesday, October 1st2 . Presidents’ Council representatives (PA/PTA Presidents or their designees) who are no longer eligible to serve as Council representatives (e.g., the representative or designee no longer has a child in attendance at the school they represent on the Council or Federation) beyond the end of the school year will automatically vacate their elected

positions on the Council as of June 30, 2008. Councils are not prohibited from holding their elections in June in accordance with their current bylaws and/or holding elections during the months of July and August provided they take the steps necessary to conduct outreach to its membership and attain quorum as described in their bylaws. The extension for the completion of elections is intended to provide Councils greater flexibility in holding elections at a time that will maximize participation.

• Remember that no SLT parent member elections may be conducted until after the spring PA/PTA election process has been completed and certified. Notice of meetings for nominations and elections must be given within at least ten (calendar) days to ensure maximum participation and involvement. In all instances, PA/PTAs, Presidents’ Councils, Borough High School Federations and SLTs should ensure that organizational bylaws are in full compliance with the current Chancellor’s Regulations A-660 and A-655 prior to completing elections.

1 Please note this timeline will only apply during even-numbered years beginning in 2008 and continuing in 2010, 2012,2014) when Community and Citywide Education Council Elections are not scheduled to occur. This will allow parent leadership organizations more time to successfully complete nominations and elections, as well as ensure that parent leadership organizations are in place and intact prior to the close of the school year.

2 Please note that in accordance with CPAC’s current bylaws, eligibility to participate in the October election of officers is contingent upon members providing documentation (completed and signed election certification form) verifying CPAC membership status as a President or designee of the District Presidents’ Council or Borough High School Federation on or before October 1st of each school year. In order to meet eligibility requirements designees (this also applies to designated co-presidents of the Council or Federation) must be able to provide a copy of the meeting minutes where the decision was made to select him/her as the district’s or borough’s representative.

Compliance with current regulations will help decrease the need for grievances and/or challenges to the election process.

In addition, we wish to announce that beginning the week of June 9th through July 31st, OFEA will offer professional development sessions for parent leadership which may be co-facilitated by OFEA and other parent leaders. Topics will include; Roles and Responsibilities of the PA/PTA, Roles and Responsibilities of Presidents’ Council/Borough High School Federations, Role of Chancellor’s Parent Advisory Council (CPAC), Role of Executive Board Members, Role of Community and Citywide Education Councils, Roles and Responsibilities of School and District Administrators, Effective Outreach and Building Capacity, Budgeting and Fiscal Management/Reporting, Planning and Running Effective Meetings, Aspects of Leadership, Writing and Revising Bylaws, Fund Raising, Writing Minutes and Recordkeeping, Overview of Chancellor’s Regulation A-660, Parent Associations and the Schools,” “Overview of Chancellor’s Regulation A-655,” and “School and District Leadership Teams.” As always, we remain committed to providing ongoing technical assistance and guidance to our parent leadership groups and school communities in support of student achievement. Inquiries regarding this message should be directed to the Borough Director, District Family Advocate or the President of your District Presidents’ Council or Borough High School Federation. Additional inquiries may also be directed to Ghopkin@schools.nyc.gov or Askmartine@schools.nyc.gov.

Fundraising information

Hassle-Free School Fundraising All Year Long...

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	Shop 1-800-Flowers.com online or call 1-800-FLOWERS, and 8% of your purchases, on a wide range of products, will be given directly to your school!

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Getting started is easy. CLICK HERE to visit www.schoolPAX.org, or call 1-877-724-5729.

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"Funds for School Improvement Projects Led by Parents"
Lowe's Toolbox for Education grant program funds school improvement projects initiated by parents in recognition of the importance of parent involvement in education. Maximum Award: $5,000. Eligibility: K-12 schools (including charter, parochial, private, etc) or parent groups (associated with a non-profit K-12 school). Deadline: October 12, 2007.
http://toolboxforeducation.com

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