Search Results for: Red Ribbon Week

Revised October 2010 – Community Concerns

In 1985 Enrique Kiki Camarena was kidnapped, brutally tortured, and murdered by Mexican drug traffickers. His tragic death opened the eyes of many Americans to the dangers of drugs and the international scope of the drug trade.

Shortly after Kiki’s death, Congressman Duncan Hunter and Kiki’s high school friend Henry Lozano launched “Camarena Clubs” in Kiki’s hometown of Calexico, Calif. Hundreds of club members pledged to lead drug-free lives to honor the memory of Kiki Camarena. These pledges were delivered to first lady Nancy Reagan at a national conference of parents combating youth drug use. Several state parent organizations then called on community groups to wear red ribbons during the last week of October as a symbol of their drug-free commitment. In 1988, the National Family Partnership (NFP) coordinated the first National Red Ribbon Week with President and Mrs. Reagan serving as honorary chairpersons.

How to Celebrate Red Ribbon Week:

• The NFP estimates that more than 80 million people participate in Red Ribbon events each year.
• The campaign is a unified way for communities to take a stand against drugs, and to show intolerance for illicit drug use and the consequences to all Americans.
• Schools, businesses, the faith community, media, families, and community coalitions join together to celebrate Red Ribbon Week in many ways, such as: sponsoring essay and poster contests; organizing drug-free races; decorating buildings in red; handing out red ribbons to customers; holding parades or community events; and by publicizing the value of a drug-free, healthy lifestyle.

Additional Resources

California Department of Education (www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/at)

Community Alliances for Drug Free Youth (CADFY) (www.CADFY.org)

California Friday Night Live Partnership (www.fridaynightlive.org)

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) (www.dea.gov and www.justthinktwice.com)

Partnership for a Drug-Free California (www.drugfree.org)

Sundt Memorial Foundation (www. sundtmemorial.org)

The Enrique S. Camarena Educational Foundation (www.CamarenaFoundation.org)

Time to Talk (Partnership for a drug free America website directed at parents) (www.timetotalk.org)

These dates represent the dates by which materials must be received in the California State PTA office. Earlier due dates by council and/or districts may apply in order to ensure sufficient time for information to flow through channels. Units must observe council and district PTA due dates.

September
September and October are designated membership kickoff months.

October
15   Continuing Education Scholarship applications due in the California State PTA office.

15   Outreach Translation, Cultural Arts, Healthy Lifestyles, and Parent Education grant applications due in the California State PTA office.

23-31  Red Ribbon Week

30   Per capita for 30 members received from units to qualify for Ready, Set … Remit! Award.

31   Expiration date for all memberships from previous year and membership cards.

November
1    DRAFT Resolutions and Convention Action Cover Sheet due in the California State PTA office.

15   If fiscal year ends June 30, tax and government forms are due.

December
1    Last day for state office to receive (through channels) at least the minimal amount of memberships for a unit to remain “in good standing.”

20   Insurance premiums due through insurance portal. Late fee applies for any premiums received after December 20.

January
National PTA Reflections Program entries due in California State PTA office. Contact your district president for the current year’s schedule.

5   FINAL Resolutions and Convention Action Cover Sheet due in the California State PTA office.

31   Ensure that Workers’ Compensation Annual Payroll Report and insurance premium, if any, are remitted through California State PTA’s insurance broker.

February
Check with council/district PTA for California State PTA convention pre-registration deadline and discounts.

1    Graduating High School Senior Scholarship applications due in the California State PTA office.

17   Founders Day honors the three PTA founders as well as past and present PTA leaders.

March
1    Phoebe Apperson Hearst Innovation in Family Engagement Award applications due in National PTA office (pta.org).

April/May
May 3-5, 2024 – California State PTA Convention – Ontario

June
1    District PTA presidents responsible for submitting unit, council and district PTA rosters of officers, including complete contact information for the California State PTA mailing list and directory.

1    Annual Historian Reports to be sent to the California State PTA historian.

1    Leadership Development Grant Report from district PTAs due in California State PTA office.

1    Grant Report from unit, council or district PTA grant recipients due in California State PTA office.

1   Final remittance of Founders Day freewill offerings due in California State PTA office.

National PTA Convention see pta.org for more information.

30   Final per capita for the year is due.

July/August
Use the summer months to begin planning programs, events, and membership recruitment activities for the coming school year.

California State PTA publishes numerous resources to empower and support the efforts of unit, council and district PTAs to impact positively the lives of children, youth, and families.

Community and Wellness Fairs
Founders Day: February 17
Graduation or Prom Night – Programs and Member Services
Red Ribbon Week Celebration

Download the Program Chairman Job Description

KEY ROLE – Program Chairman

• Works with committee and other chairmen to plan and organize programs for the school year
• Collaborates with principal, PTA president, other committee chairmen and campus student groups to coordinate, plan and implement programs
• Develops annual program calendar and presents it at PTA association meeting for adoption
• Publicizes approved program calendar using newsletters, website, social networks and school handbook
• Oversees and delegates volunteer recruitment for implementing and running programs

GETTING STARTED

• Preparation – Review procedure book and materials supplied by last year’s program chairman to get an overview of what programs worked best for your campus.
• Schedule Meeting – Meet early with program committee, appointed by president-elect. Involve experienced and new volunteers on the committee to share the decision-making and work.
  The committee may include members, students, teachers, principal and, as a resource, chairmen for hospitality, publicity, parent education, health or safety.

WHAT TO DO

Programs provide opportunities to enhance a school campus by boosting student achievement, stimulating family engagement, promoting community and meeting student needs so they thrive.

PTA programs focus on parent education nights, student achievement, wellness and safety presentations, special events and student activities. Consider varying the type and format of programs – town hall, panel, video, student activity or family event – offered each year. Develop a program plan collaboratively to encourage inclusiveness and participation of the school community.

Defining Program Goals

• Review prior years’ programs to see what worked best
• Survey school community on preferences for programs
• Prioritize community feedback to determine program plans
• Network with other PTAs for possible collaboration
• Brainstorm ideas on programs with board and committee members
• Check program information from council, district, State and National PTA for resources and ideas

Implementing Programs

• Community Engagement – Involve students, families, educators and community partners in program preparation and activities.  Always consider school and community factors for program plans including ethnicity, transportation, site access for the disabled and meeting place availability.
  
• PTA Insurance – Ensure that every program meets PTA insurance requirements for allowable activities.
  
• Volunteers – Coordinate and delegate volunteer recruitment to assist in running the program.
  
• Presenters – Book presenters and send written confirmation for their audio-visual equipment needs. Provide information on who to contact if there are questions and a request for a brief biography to use for introductions at the event.
  
• Follow Up – Confirm program date, time and location plus time allotted, topic and type of presentation (question and answer opportunities or lecture) with presenter. Provide directions or map, details on audience size and type and a cell phone number at the event site.
  
• Publicity – Prepare and send notices for PTA publications and to council/district PTA and local media.  Work with room representatives to use phone trees, backpack express, email blasts and social networking to widely distribute notices to school’s families.
• Review Materials – Order audio-visual materials and handouts in advance for committee to vet before the event.

Presenting Programs

• Arrive early and check site for requested equipment, room set-up and hospitality arrangements
• Allow extra time to test all sound and audio-visual equipment before program starts
• Greet presenter, provide nametag, agenda and briefly review presentation format and content
• Introduce presenter and topic and, after the presentation, extend the group’s appreciation
• Act as host during social time
• Send thank-you notes promptly, along with authorized expense reimbursements, photos or press clippings

Evaluating Programs

• Review completed programs as a committee on what worked best, report to PTA board or association and make recommendations for future planning groups
• Pass on program flyers and publicity to historian for PTA records
• Maintain a procedure book, noting successes and failures, ideas for future presentations, copies of correspondence, program resources and references

Learn more: www.capta.org

Download the Health Job Description

The National PTA and California State PTA consider health education to be of major importance. Local units should promote health education.

Some ways to promote Physical, Mental and Emotional Health Education are to:

• Help parents recognize and respond to the health and nutrition needs of their children and families.
• Encourage compliance with mandated health education curriculum.
• Work to improve health care services, in particular the credentialed school nurse-to-student ratio, in school and community.
• Stress the concepts of wellness and prevention.
• Update and implement school wellness policies.
• Emphasize the importance of healthy lifestyles and modeling these lifestyles for children.
• Support and promote a healthy school environment.
• Make parents cognizant of and responsive to environmental issues and hazards that may jeopardize the health of children and families.
• Ensure a comprehensive school health program that integrates activities and services designed to promote the optimal physical, emotional, social and educational development of children and youth.

Recommended Action

• Work with program chairman each year to facilitate at least one PTA meeting about health topics.
• Arrange to have a health display table at PTA meetings. Distribute health materials.
• Work with classroom teachers and parents to secure alternatives to food as rewards.
• Identify alternative ways to celebrate school and non-school events by using non-food items.
• Be sensitive to student and adult special needs when planning PTA sponsored events including physical accessibility and dietary needs such as food allergies; students with diabetes, etc.
• Ensure that the school complies with the standards for physical education and recess for every student.
• Promote physical education and activity events throughout the community.
• Encourage volunteerism in the areas of student screening for hearing, vision, scoliosis, etc.
• Request a line item in the PTA budget for student health and welfare needs.
• Support comprehensive health education instruction at all grade levels, in compliance with the California Standards for Health Education, including first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training. See Education Code 51202.
• Promote hand washing in classrooms, especially prior to eating and after using the restroom.
• Promote increased access to fruits and vegetables and free, fresh drinking water.
• Submit health-related articles for unit newsletter. Ask the school nurse for articles and suggestions or use health articles from State PTA publications, PTA allied agencies and health websites.
• Use social media to promote health and wellness messages and tips.
• Participate in ongoing health projects of the National PTA and California State PTA.
• Support health-related events, such as Red Ribbon Week, National Immunization Month, School Nurse Day, Children’s Health Month, Yellow Ribbon Month, National Nutrition Month, Dental Health Month, World AIDS Day, and the Great American Smoke Out.
• Work with local school districts and statewide policymakers to ensure policies are enacted to provide appropriate health leadership by credentialed school nurses, including adoption of the recommended nurse-to-student ratio of 1-to-750.
• Educate school staff and families on the importance of healthy indoor air quality and its relationship to student and staff health, academic achievement and absenteeism.
• Educate students, parents, school personnel and the community about the high incidence of skin cancer and recommended strategies for reducing risk for this disease.
• Educate school staff and families on the importance of comprehensive school health programs including dental programs.
• Encourage schools to implement Public Access to Defibrillator Programs (PADs).

Additional Projects Might Include

• Establish a School Health Council.
• Represent PTA on allied agency committees and school district committees or task forces.
• Plan a community or school wellness fair including speakers, health-related demonstrations, displays and video materials provided by local agencies (Community and Wellness Fairs).
• Advocate for school or community fruit and vegetable gardens and farmer’s markets.
• Encourage adult and youth participation in first aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) classes, and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training, and Public Access to Defibrillator Programs throughout the community.
• Prepare and distribute a list of community health agencies, hotlines for drug/alcohol abuse, child abuse, and crisis intervention.
• Support school-based immunization programs and parent education related to the benefits of immunization.

Additional Resources

Action for Healthy Kids, California tab
Alliance Working Antibiotic Resistance Education (AWARE)
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Cancer Society School Health Programs
American Dental Association
American Diabetes Association
American Heart Association
American Lung Association (www.lungusa.org) (www.californialung.com)
California Association of Public Hospitals
California Association of School Based Health Centers
California Dental Association
California Department of Health Care Services,Mental Health Services Division
California Department of Public Health
California Dietetic Association
California Environmental Protection Agency
California Food Policy Advocates
California School Boards Association, School Wellness
California School Nurses Organization
California School Nutrition Association
California State PTA, Council or District PTA Health Chairs
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
California Department of Education, Learning Support Division, including School Nutrition, Health, Counseling and Support and Safe Schools (www.cde.ca.gov)
Children’s Environmental Health Network
Coordinated (Comprehensive) School Health
County Health and Mental Health Departments
County Health Department Health Educator
Dairy Council of California
Environmental Protection Agency
Food, Allergy, Research & Education
Healthy Kids Resource Center
Institute of Medicine of the National Academies
Kids’ Safe and Healthful Foods Project
Local county or city health department bulletins
Mental Health America
National Association of School Nurses
National Association of State School Nurse Consultants
National Center for Health Education
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
National Institutes of Health
Natural Resources Defense Council (Environmental)
School Nutrition Association
The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools
The Via Foundation

PTA Resources

PTA in California (official magazine of California State PTA)
California State PTA Health Pocket Pal
California State PTA website
Insurance and Loss Prevention Guide (English and Spanish) mailed annually to PTA presidents
Our Children (National PTA magazine)
Back-to-School Kit for Leaders (National PTA)
National PTA website Health and Safety webpages
California State PTA Vice President for Health (health@capta.org) or 916.440.1985 ext. 306

Download to print the Secretary Job Description

Key Role – Secretary

• Takes minutes at board and association meetings
• Co-signs formal papers with president: authorizations for payment, resolutions and formal letters
• Handles PTA correspondence as directed by the president
• Maintains and preserves PTA records and important documents to pass on at the end of the term

The National PTA is the oldest and largest volunteer association working exclusively on behalf of all children and youth. For more than 100 years, the National PTA has promoted the education, health, and safety of children, youth, and families.

Phoebe Apperson Hearst and Alice McLellan Birney were greatly concerned about the nation’s children. The United States was feeling the enormous impact of the Industrial Revolution. An immense wave of immigration was flowing into the country. Children worked in factories, in mines, and in the streets of the cities. Some could not attend school or obtain enough food to eat. What could be done?

The First Meeting Is Held — 1897
After extensive grassroots work in different parts of the nation, the two women met in 1895 and, through diligent efforts, planned a meeting to bring their idea to others. On February 17, 1897, that meeting was held, and more than 2,000 men and women surprised Phoebe Hearst and Alice Birney by filling the hall in Washington, D.C. The National Congress of Mothers was formed, and the work of the founders took on new meaning and strength.

The California Movement Grows — 1902
Similar concerns were felt in California, and the California Home and School Child Study Association was organized in San Francisco, followed in 1900 by the Los Angeles Federation of Mothers’ Clubs. In 1902, California joined the national organization as the California Congress of Mothers and Study Circles, later becoming the California Congress of Parents, Teachers, and Students, Inc. — the California State PTA. Meanwhile, growing in strength and numbers, the National PTA progressed remarkably in working for all children.

Alice McLellan Birney
A native of Georgia, this motivated woman had wide interests but deep devotion to her own children. She felt the needs of all children must be recognized as vitally important to everyone. As a mother, Alice Birney realized it was important to know about mental and physical health and the educational needs of her own three children. She desperately wished to impart this to other mothers and to raise the status of motherhood to the important level it deserved.

Phoebe Apperson Hearst
An energetic, educated, and philanthropic woman, well known in Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, Phoebe Hearst became aware of the sad plight of many of the nation’s children first as a young teacher and later as she traveled or worked unselfishly in many communities. With one son of her own, she also was godmother to and supported the education of scores of children.

Selena Sloan Butler
A dedicated community leader and teacher, Selena Butler worked diligently in Atlanta, GA, to unify parents and teachers for the advancement of child welfare and education. She founded not only her school’s

Parent-Teacher Association, but the Georgia Parent-Teacher Association, and in 1926, the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers.

Our PTA Founders’ Vision

Alice McLellan Birney, Phoebe Apperson Hearst, and Selena Sloan Butler knew there was no stronger bond than that between mother and child. To the mothers, then, they reasoned, must fall the responsibility for eliminating the threats that endangered the children. They called for action, and people responded — mothers, yes, but also fathers, teachers, laborers, and legislators — all with a commitment to children.

In her initial address on February 17, 1897, Alice Birney told the crowd, “It is my privilege to extend to each and all of you a heartfelt welcome and to express the hope that this large and gratifying audience, this more than encouraging response to our universal call, may prove in earnest of the success destined to crown the work to which our best and highest efforts are now consecrated.”

Alice Birney had appealed “to all mankind and to all womankind, regardless of race, color, or condition, to recognize that the republic’s greatest work is to save the children.” But in many states, segregated schools were legally sanctioned. To address those students’ special needs, Selena Sloan Butler founded the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers. The two PTAs formally merged in 1970.

California State PTA Historical Briefs

1897  California Home and School Child Study Association organized in San Francisco.

1900s Los Angeles Federation of Mothers’ Clubs organized in Los Angeles. Name changed to California Congress of Mothers and Study Circles — affiliated with National PTA. Juvenile Court Act supported. Playground committee authorized, and student welfare program started. Legislation committee appointed.

1910s Attempt made to secure State Aid for Dependent Children. Organization became California Congress of Mothers. Penny Kitchens, forerunner of school lunch programs, established. Permissive legislation that marked beginning of kindergartens in public schools supported. Department of Child Hygiene established, and birth registration bill supported. First Child Welfare Day observed, later to become Founders Day. Name changed to California Congress of Mothers and Parent-Teacher Associations. Public library services supported.

1920s Resolution regarding enforcement of laws governing sale of cigarettes to children of school age adopted. Juvenile protection committee created. California Parent-Teacher magazine began publication, including approved film lists. Name changed to California Congress of Parents and Teachers, Inc. Honorary Life Membership project adopted in 1927 to provide funds for student loans.

1930s Legislation on education of migrant children supported.

1940s Legislation for creation of California Youth Authority endorsed. Teacher Education Scholarships established, first of continuing program of scholarships in addition to student loan program. Legislation for teachers’ salary schedule, apportionment of school funds as well as increased funding for all levels were supported. First home-school relationship conference co-sponsored with University of California, Berkeley, School of Education and State Department of Education. Adopted CARE projects.

1950s State office moved to Tenth District PTA Health Center on 21st Street, Los Angeles. Salk polio vaccine program supported. Five teacher recruitment clinics co-sponsored with State Department of Education. Thirty-week television program on child growth and development sponsored. Administrator’s Packet of Parent-Teacher Information distributed to all principals and school superintendents.

1960s Cooperation with Colleges committee established. New State headquarters building opened November 1, 1961, in Los Angeles, with dedication in March 1962. “Paging Parents” TV series produced in cooperation with Los Angeles County Schools. “Suggestions for Conducting a Venereal Disease Study-Action Program” published. Thirteen radio tapes on education developed in cooperation with California Teachers Association. Spanish language tapes, “How to Prepare Your Child for School,” prepared in cooperation with State Department of Education. Thirty-one junior colleges granted $200 each to establish Student Emergency Loan Funds. Continuing Service Award established by convention delegates. Joined in organizing California Interagency Council on Drug Abuse. Honorary Life Membership changed by convention delegates to Honorary Service Award in 1969. California Parent-Teacher magazine discontinued. Home-school-community relations conference held with grant from Sears Roebuck Foundation; Human Relations Handbook published.

1970s School feeding program survey conducted. Statement on Environmental Pollution adopted. Material prepared and distributed to promote Project RISE. Children’s Emotional Health conference co-sponsored with California Interagency Mental Health Council. Twenty-acre PTA Redwood Grove in Prairie Creek State Park dedicated. Inter-district mass media committees organized to preview and monitor TV and motion pictures. “California State PTA” adopted as alternate name for California Congress of Parents and Teachers, Inc. Contributed over $7,000 toward State Park Wildflower Poppy Preserve. Administered Community Volunteer Project in Pomona and “Person-to-Person Intervention in Alcohol Abuse.” Adopted commission structure, Bicentennial project (furnishing schoolhouse in Old Sacramento), Antiviolence TV project, parenting conferences, Comprehensive Health Education program, and commemorated 50 of the years Honorary Service Award (HSA) program. Name changed to California Congress of Parents, Teachers, and Students, Inc. (retained California State PTA). Convention delegates sent “Message to the Governor” urging public school finance be made top priority. With State Department of Education, developed “A Guide to School and Community Action.” Co-sponsored “Starting a Healthy Family” with National March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation.

1980s Completed Student Health Education Forums. Launched TV Viewing Skills Project. Began community meetings on motion pictures in cooperation with theater owners. Urged revision of state tax structure for public education. Established Grants for Parent Education and Health Projects. Completed Juvenile Justice System study. Developed Room Representative Orientation Program to improve home-school communication. Took leadership role in enactment of Educational Reform Act. Began scholarships for school nurses. First membership increase in 15 years. Completed three-year PTA/American Cancer Society Project. Developed “Parent’s Notebook” skill sheets. Cooperated in KNBC-TV/PTA Teenage Alcohol Prevention Project. Leadership and parent involvement program designed with Southwest Regional Laboratory, “Hispanic Recruitment Project.” Provided PTAs with resources to develop school/community disaster preparedness plans and the parent involvement in reading program. Largest membership increase in 27 years! Developed PTA Public Relations video and guidelines for “Involving the Uninvolved.” Launched a comprehensive Parenting Project funded by statewide fundraising campaign (trivia game). Developed “Strive for Excellence,” a self-esteem program for kindergarten students. Reaffirmed commitment to parent education and outreach to parents of increasingly diverse student populations. Received National PTA grant for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) education.

1990s Developed a “Kids At Risk” legislation agenda. Participated in the Red Ribbon campaign against the use of alcohol and other drugs. Promoted Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) education. Sponsored legislation to require all school districts to adopt a parent involvement policy. Introduced Parents Empowering Parents, a parent education and involvement manual developed by PTA with grant funds from California businesses. Published Spanish edition as Los Padres Eligen Participar. Developed plans for a statewide parenting conference. Developed and awarded the first Golden Oak Award. Participated in a major statewide effort to defeat a voucher proposal. Sponsored legislation to ban Channel One from California classrooms and to add a component on working with parents to the teacher and administrator credentials curricula. Cosponsored the California Bicycle Helmet Safety Campaign with the California Department of Health Services. Received grant from Annenberg/CPB Math and Science Initiative V Project for Math for All program to teach K-3 parents how to help children with math. Developed “Open the School House Doors” Project, an Action Guide for its implementation, and a Mentor Training Program. Produced a video, “California State PTA – A Voice For All Children.” Published “PTA Questions the Candidates for California Governor and State Superintendent of Public Instruction.” Developed “Outreach: Beyond the International Potluck.” “Parent Talk” cards produced. Developed a statewide campaign to reduce the size of California classrooms in grades one through three. Celebrated the 100th birthday of PTA in 1997 by participating in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade – winning the Sweepstakes Award for the float entry, “The Field Trip.” Launched the California State PTA Internet website www.capta.org and issued a statewide progress report on the reduction of class size in California public schools. Completed development of and unveiled a Strategic Plan for California State PTA. Opened Satellite Office in Sacramento. Hosted a statewide videoconference at 100th Convention in Sacramento: “Keeping Youth Safe: The Critical After-School Hours.”

2000s Established as a PTA priority and initiated “SMARTS – Bring Back the Arts” campaign to bring arts back to the schools, the community, and to children. Sponsored legislation to bring arts back to the schools; worked to defeat voucher initiative and pass an initiative to require 55% majority for passage of school bond initiatives. Held statewide parenting conferences focused on training parents to be effective advocates. Established Cultural Arts grants for unit, council, and district PTAs and the Leadership Development scholarship. Consolidated several PTA publications into a single resource, the California State PTA Toolkit. Purchased Sacramento historical residence for cost-saving advocate and officer housing for events and policy maker contact. Purchased office space and moved California State PTA headquarters to Sacramento after almost 50 years in Los Angeles. Provided training for PTA leaders at “PTA University.” Funding for arts education and reduction of childhood obesity continue to be priorities. Membership continues strong at nearly one million members.