December 1, 2014
Ask Congress to Pass an FY2015 Spending Bill that Puts Students First
Support public education funding and protect healthy school lunches! Congress will soon vote on a spending bill for Fiscal Year 2015 and that means members of Congress must hear from constituents NOW about the funding priorities that are important to you. PTA believes that federal investment in quality education is essential to the well-being and future of our children and our nation. However, since education funding has been the target of dramatic cuts since 2011, it is critical that Congress pass an appropriations bill that provides necessary increases to education and funds these programs through the remainder of the fiscal year. Tell Congress that PTA supports federal spending that invests in our children!
Also, many are asking that Congress use the appropriations process as an opportunity to scale back nutrition in school meals, something PTA has been working to improve for more than 70 years. PTA members have long supported science-based nutrition for school meals and our schools are doing a great job—more than 90% report they are successfully implementing healthy school meals. Tell Congress not to turn back the clock on school meals and help ensure that every child has access to healthy foods at school!
Our students deserve the best—at home, in the classroom and in the cafeteria. Take action today and write your members of Congress and ask them to pass a FY2015 spending bill that puts students first!
Give Back for #GivingTuesday
Everyone is familiar with Black Friday and Cyber Monday when families gear up for the holiday season with excited gift buying and bargain hunting. But have you heard of Giving Tuesday? Giving Tuesday takes place December 2 following Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It’s a day that embodies the spirit of the season and asks us all to give back to the organizations in our communities working to effect positive change.Visit PTA.org/GivingTuesday and donate to support every child. Every donation helps us move closer to achieving our mission in schools across the country.
Dec. 3: Smart Snacks Fundraising Webinar
When: Wed., Dec. 3
Time: 7:30 - 8 p.m. EST
The "Smart Snacks: Fundraising Successes" webinar, hosted by the School Nutrition Policy Fellow at National PTA, will inform state and local leaders on successful fundraisers that meet the Smart Snacks guidelines. Join us for this brief overview and learn:
- Examples of successful healthy and non-food fundraisers
- Existing resources from National PTA and other organizations regarding Smart Snacks compliant fundraisers
We look forward to having you join our webinar on improving child nutrition and school fundraisers through the Smart Snacks guidelines. Register for the webinar today!
Congress Home for the Holidays
PTA Government Affairs staff would like to wish everyone a very Happy Holiday season. During the holidays, PTA members can still be active advocates on behalf of PTA. During the month of December, members of Congress are home in their districts for the holidays for the majority of the month. Find out how to schedule meetings with House and Senate members in their district offices at PTA.org/Advocacy. District meetings are an ideal time to meet face to face with a member and bring attention to important PTA related issues.If you have any questions about how to schedule a meeting, contact Matthew L. Evans.
Mark Your Calendars: National PTA Legislative Conference
Please mark your calendars for the annual Legislative Conference, March 10-12, 2015. The National PTA Legislative Conference provides in-depth discussion about PTA’s public policy priorities through interactive workshops, keynote speakers, advocacy trainings and more.Attendees also visit Capitol Hill—where they meet with members of Congress and advocate for our children and education. Registration will open early in January 2015.
New Parent Guides in California
California PTA has translated the parent guides into Arabic, Vietnamese, Tagalog and Chinese. The guides can be accessed on California PTA's website.
1250 N. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314