Northwest Council News
October, 2023
Family Engagement
What does Family Engagement really mean? It's a top focus of Texas Education, it's in our District Improvement and Campus Improvement Policies...but what does it look like?
Kwesi Rollins from the Institute for Educational Leadership gives us a realistic view of the barriers families face when trying to engage with their child’s school. He also shares how school districts across the country are making family engagement more meaningful and inclusive for families who aren’t involved in the traditional ways. "What does it really mean to be “engaged” in your child’s education? For busy parents, it is impossible to do it all: attend and volunteer at school events, check the backpack and help with homework, drive to after school activities—while also planning meals and maintaining your home. (Listen to his podcast here: https://www.pta.org/the-center-for-family-engagement/podcast/notes-from-the-backpack/the-myth-of-the-uninvolved-parent)
So we encourage you to Ask. Ask your families what they need. Ask your teachers how to bridge the gap. Volunteer with purpose and direction. Advocate by filling the gaps in your schools. Model the Six Keys and Four I's of Family Engagement. Ask the questions others are afraid to. We know you aren't the only one wondering. And the kids will only benefit from your braveness.
Giving EveryChild.OneVoice - Platinum Acorn Membership
Huge shout out to our first Platinum Acorn members of the year:
1. Dr. Mark Foust, NISD Superintendent
2. Joe Washam
3. Jen Burton
4. Alyssa Pry
5. Northwest Education Foundation (NEF)
6. Steve Sprowls, Board of Trustee President
7. Michelle Smith, Council President
Good Standing Shout Outs
Full info here: https://www.txpta.org/standards-of-continuing-affiliation
Shout outs to these schools for doing the business of their non-profits!
Head Start Awardees - August 2023
These amazing PTAs attained 75% of last year's membership numbers to support our advocacy work by the end of August. Next month will be the Early Bird Award for 100% of last year's membership numbers. We are given the names the second Wednesday of the month. Congratulations to these schools! By raising our membership numbers as a membership-based advocacy, we extend our reach as advocates, showing our legislators our collective voice and how much it matters to their constituents. joinpta.org
Anticipation of a Special Legislative Session
The Northwest ISD Board of Trustees approved two resolutions at Monday night’s board meeting, calling Texas Legislators to:
- oppose vouchers and support an increase in public school funding;
- and refrain from assigning accountability ratings following the state’s recent changes.
The approved resolutions position the School Board and the district to advocate for public education and NISD’s students and staff. It is anticipated that a special session will be called to consider school choice, and rumors suggest the third special session could begin on October 9.
These resolutions are in line with TXPTA's Legislative Priorities. https://www.txpta.org/legislative-priorities
Register to Vote!
Have you moved or changed your name? There are several local elections and 14 constitutional amendments coming up on the November 7 ballot. The deadline to register to vote is October 10. Check your voter registration status, update your information and access a voter registration card at www.votetexas.gov. Early Voting will be October 23 through November 3, and Election Day is November 7. Your vote counts!
NISD Advocacy Committee
If you'd like to learn more about the NISD Advocacy Committee with the district, see this site: https://www.nisdtx.org/about-nisd/strategic-planning/legislative/advocacy-committee
Membership Online Training
Huge thanks goes to Carrie Kuhn, Council Membership Chair, for hosting our Back The Future Membership Call with Tips, Tricks and Roundtable Q&A.
Council Networking Event
Council hosted its first in-person networking night. We had a great conversation with Anthony Tosie, the District's Communication Director, about how to best market PTA news in the district. Our incredible FSR, Rosie Flippin, co-hosted an amazing talk about how to be inclusive in our PTAs. Adventure Dash hosted our meal and shared about their services.
Reflections Contest Open
Theme: I'm Hopeful Because
Entries due to Council by November 8th.
For more info, go here: https://www.txpta.org/reflections
October Roundtable & Delegate Meeting
October's Roundtable, 10/3/23 at 9 am at the Admin Building, will have Superintendent Dr. Foust and his leaders discussing: 1) Antibullying programs, 2) Special Session Update and 3) Community Dashboard Returning.
Following the Roundtable at 10 am, Council will host a Delegate meeting. Our Advocacy effort will be around TXPTA's Connect programs, specifically Kids First as it is Dyslexia Awareness month. Our program will be non-traditional training from a PR expert member on how to market your small business in your community.
At every Delegate Meeting, each school's Principal, PTA President and one designated Council Delegate have a vote. We must have 15% of all schools in attendance for quorum at our Delegate Meetings. Please use the Delegate form to let us know who will be your delegate.
Emotional Wellness Month
Emotional Wellness Month, observed all October, reminds us to disconnect and take a time out for our brain. Maintaining a healthy emotional balance helps us make healthy choices, have good relationships, and achieve our goals.
Use Emotional Wellness Month as an opportunity to take charge of your emotional wellness, find the soothing activities that work for you, and, most of all, breathe!
Explore a local park, check out a festival, remember taking time to breathe is a must!
Here's a toolkit to take care of yourself: https://www.nih.gov/health-information/emotional-wellness-toolkit
Farm Fresh Challenge
October is full of great food opportunities for your kids. One of the upcoming month-long events is the Farm Fresh Challenge. We will be teaching kids about the many benefits of fresh foods and supporting our local agricultural economy. Aramark will be bringing back Strawberry Milk all month.
Pink Out: Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October can feel different for each of us — some wear pink to celebrate, some quietly observe the month, some feel grief, and some feel unseen or misunderstood. We want to normalize it all. Here’s what you need to know about Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women. Black women are most likely to die from breast cancer than women of any other racial or ethnic group. Experts believe that it’s partially because about 1 in 5 Black women is diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, more than any other racial or ethnic group. About 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer. These occur due to genetic mutations that happen as a result of the aging process and life in general, rather than inherited mutations.
This information is provided by Breastcancer.org.
SAGE - What Is It?
How does the State of Texas define Gifted? Read here:
Dyslexia Awareness Month
October is National Dyslexia Awareness Month. All across the country, communities will be making efforts to spotlight a range of dyslexic needs, struggles, and signs. Dyslexia is one of the most common language-based learning disabilities. Learn more here: https://dyslexiaida.org/october-is-dyslexia-awareness-month-2/
Global Diversity Awareness Month
October is Global Diversity Awareness month. Learn more here: https://nationaldiversitycouncil.org/
Ask your group/board/colleagues these two questions:
1. I went to a meeting/event/program/etc and I felt uncomfortable/out of place/unheard because I was the only ____________ in the room.
2. I declined a meeting/event/invitation to join a group because I would have been the only________ in the room.
NISD Seniors
Northwest ISD Council of PTAs sponsors four graduating senior scholarships of $500 every year to a senior at each of our four high schools. Look for applications to open in February. We are utilizing the NEF Database again this year to increase our applicant pool and extend more scholarship opportunities to our students.
Texas PTA Scholarships
Seniors and Faculty - being a PTA member gives you access to apply to the Texas PTA Scholarships. Applications are being accepted now until November 15th. They are always low on applicants for Faculty. Encourage your teachers to apply! www.txpta.org/scholarships
National School of Excellence
The enrollment period for the 2023-2024 National PTA School of Excellence program is NOW OPEN.
Once enrolled, local PTAs will gain access to all of the tools needed to run their School of Excellence program. Local PTAs are encouraged to enroll early to start building their Excellence Teams and to familiarize themselves with the program process. Enrollment for the 2023-2024 program will be open until October 15.
Enroll here today! https://schoolofexcellence.secure-platform.com/a/solicitations/35/home
Free Grant Money
Each year, National PTA offers awards or funding to honor or support PTAs as they engage families, support student success, improve the health and safety of students and families, increase access to arts education or celebrate advocacy and diversity.
Significant funding is available to support local efforts for your students, families and community to participate in educational activities that are engaging, inspiring and fun.
National PTA is committed to promoting and encouraging diversity, equity and inclusion as part of our commitment to every child. In addition to evaluating the merits of each application, geography, need, and other criteria may be considered to ensure a robust and diverse pool of grantees.
Apply here: https://ptagrants.secure-platform.com
