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Download the Safety Job Description

The safety of students and staff at school, and traveling to and from school, is of paramount concern. PTAs have a responsibility to identify and promote awareness of safety problems in the school community and, in collaboration with others, to help develop solutions.

Safety is a growing concern for the public. Preparedness for emergencies and disasters, as well as the prevention of unintentional injuries (accidents), is a serious concern of those who care for children in the home, at school, and in the community.

Activities to promote safety are closely related to and can be incorporated in all PTA interests.

What To Do

• Have president appoint a safety committee.
• Encourage participation in the annual creation and/or review of the school’s Safety and Emergency/Disaster Preparedness Plans and share the plans with the membership and the community. Involve students in this process where appropriate.
• Create a travel safety plan that includes drop-off instructions for buses and private vehicles as well as safe access for students walking or bicycling to school. Review and update the plan annually, involving students and parents. Include this information in registration packets, websites and fliers. Work with local government as needed to address access problems.
• Become familiar with PTA publications that may be free or available for purchase from the California State PTA office. For California State PTA position statements and resolutions, refer to the California State PTA Toolkit. (All are obtainable from unit, council or district PTA presidents, service mailing CD; capta.org)
• Contact the council and/or district PTA for additional information.
• Establish an ongoing working relationship with the school district and safety agencies within the community (i.e., local branches of the National Safe Kids Coalition and the National Safe Routes to School Partnership, local law enforcement and government agencies). Attend safety workshops/conferences and clinics.
• Research the facts on safety problems and regulations in the school and community. Interview school officials, student leaders, local police and fire officials, health departments, safety councils, automobile clubs, medical societies and others.
• Determine what safety instruction is included in the school curriculum, K-12, and adult education programs.
• Become familiar with the school district’s and school site’s state-mandated disaster preparedness program. Is it up-to-date, adequate and enforced?
• Cooperate with school authorities to inform the public of these programs.
• Suggest a neighborhood survey to discover environmental and toxic substance hazards and follow up with proper authorities for correction and implementation of safety programs.
• Cooperate with PTA program chairman to plan a safety program for at least one PTA meeting during the year. Secure guest speakers from community safety agencies. Make announcements and arrange displays, exhibits and posters at meetings.
• Sponsor parent education safety awareness programs.
• Keep informed about all safety legislation in local, state and federal government. Study measures regulating schools and residential areas.
• Share all information with unit, council, district PTA and California State PTA.

Additional Resources

Insurance Guide (English and Spanish), mailed annually to PTA presidents

California Safe Kids Coalition; 2315 Stockton Blvd., Room 4302, Sacramento, CA 95817; (www.usa.safekids.org)

Crime and Prevention Center California Attorney General’s Office; 1300 I Street, Suite 1150, Sacramento, CA 95814; (www.caag.state.ca.us and www.safestate.org)

National Safety Council; 421 North Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611; (www.nsc.org)

Bicycle Institute of America; 122 East 42nd St., New York, NY 10017

Insurance Information Institute; 110 William St., New York, NY 10038; (www.iii.org)

National Education Association; 1201 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036; (www.nea.org)

Safe Routes to School National Partnership; (http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/)

Automobile Club of Southern California; 2601 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90007; (www.calif.aaa.com)

California State Automobile Association; 150 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102 (www.calstate.aaa.com)

Listings for first aid and/or survival guide provided in local telephone directories

American Red Cross (www.redcross.org); (https://www.redcross.org/local/california/northern-california-coastal/about-us/our-work/prepare.html)

California Department of Education, Education Codes (www.cde.ca.gov)

County Disaster Plan

Federal Emergency Management Agency (www.fema.gov)

Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, Sacramento (www.caloes.ca.gov)

School District Disaster Plan

School Disaster Plan

U.S. Coast Guard

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (www.ready.gov)

U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Links for Citizens

Life Secure Emergency Solutions (www.lifesecure.com)

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 the Disaster Preparedness Job Description

Preparedness for emergencies and disasters, as well as the prevention of accidents is a serious concern of those who care for children in the home, at school, and in the community. Activities to promote safety/injury prevention can be incorporated in all PTA interests.

What PTA Can Do

• Encourage participation in the annual creation and/or review of the school’s safety and emergency/disaster preparedness plans and share the plans with the membership and the community. Involve students in this process where appropriate.
• Become familiar with PTA publications that may be free or available for purchase from the California State PTA office. Refer to California State PTA positions statements and resolutions.
• Establish an ongoing working relationship with the school district and safety agencies within the community (i.e., local branches of the National Safe Kids Coalition and the National Safe Routes to Schools Partnership, local law enforcement and government agencies). Attend safety workshops/conferences and clinics.
• Cooperate with school authorities to inform the public of these programs
• With the PTA program chairman, plan a safety program for at least one PTA meeting during the year. Secure guest speakers from community safety agencies. Make announcements and arrange displays, exhibits and posters at meetings.
• Sponsor parent-education safety awareness programs.
• Keep informed about all safety legislation in local, state, and federal government.
• Share all information with unit, council, district PTA and California State PTA

 Additional Resources

Insurance Guide, mailed annually to PTA presidents

California Safe Kids Coalition
1301 Stockton Blvd., Room 4302, Sacramento, CA 95817

Crime and Prevention Center

California Attorney General’s Office
1300 I Street, Suite 1150, Sacramento, CA 95814

National Safety Council
421 North Michigan Ave., Chicago IL, 60611

Safe Routes to Schools National Partnership

Automobile Club of Southern California
2601 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90007

California State Automobile Association
150 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102

American Red Cross

Local telephone directories – listings for first aid and/or survival guides

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, Sacramento