Livonia PTSA Council Courier

Please join us in thanking our Council Reflections chairs - Cyndi Pierzynski and Ny Derry! Thanks to their hard work, Livonia PTSA Council accepted 208 entries in this years Reflections competition (this almost doubles last years 112 entries!) That's fantastic news!

We would also like to thank each PTA Reflections chairperson. These programs can't happen without your hard work and encouragement. We look forward to celebrating our Reflections Awards with you at Stevenson High School:

Thursday January 7
6:45 Art on dislpay
7:00 - 8:00 pm Awards Ceremony
Stevenson High School
Refreshments to follow

Livonia PTSA Council winners will advance to MI PTA for judging! Good luck artists!

Who: The Livonia PTSA Council

What: 2nd Annual PTA Dads Chili Cook-Off

Where: Franklin High School

When: January 16, 2016 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Why: To get Dads, Grandpas, Uncles to join and support their favorite PTAs, earn money for their favorite schools, and have a great time while doing it. Male LPS teachers &/or administrative staff are welcome too!!

A $5 admission gets you refreshments and unlimited chili samples from all of our entrants (while supplies last). There will also be hot dogs and baked goods for sale courtesy of the Franklin HS Patriot Inn.

The 1st place “Dad” will take home a “Dadcentric” prize package, a $500 Art Program grant (from The Livonia Kiwanis Early Risers) for their favorite Livonia Public School, and bragging rights for 365 days.

Potential Entries: All entrants MUST be male and a member of their local PTA. If you are not a member yet, there is still time to join. The entry fee is $10 per chili. Chili must be brought to the event in a crockpot, ready to eat. Feel free to dress up your table to wow the judges. Extra awards will include people’s choice, best dressed table, & hottest chili!

Entry fee is only $10 per chili so sign up now!

Rules and entry forms may be found on our website: http://livoniaptsacouncil.org/2015/12/07/its-chili-cook-off-time-2/

December/January Membership Challenge:
100% Staff + 1 School Board Member -OR- Increase Student Membership by 10%

Volunteer Meal Packing Event!
Sat. Febuary 6, 2016
Volunteers as young as six years old can help pack meals.

1/3 of the meals will go to local food pantries.
2/3 will support national and international humanitarian groups

Where? Churchill High School - 8900 Newburgh Road Livonia, MI 48150
When? 9:00am to 10:00 am (EST)
How? Sign up on www.eventbrite.com Search "Kids Against Hunger Meal-Packing Event"


1 HOUR * 20,000 MEALS * SIGN ME UP!

Hosted by:
Metro Detroit YP Kiwanis
& Livonia Early Risers

SBE Adopts Strategic Goals to Make Michigan a Top 10 Education State in 10 Years

Tuesday, December 08, 2015
Posted by: Sandra York

LANSING – The State Board of Education adopted Tuesday seven Strategic Goals to help make Michigan a Top 10 education state in 10 years.

The goals were developed over the course of four months, following formal presentations to the State Board of Education; discussions between State Superintendent Brian Whiston and state Legislative leaders; and input from a broad contingent of education stakeholders, specialists within the Michigan Department of Education, and the general public.

"Nothing is more important to grow new jobs, see rising incomes, and create economic security for Michigan families than to educate all our people to the highest possible levels," said State Board of Education President John C. Austin. "An essential foundation is to deliver the essential skills needed in early childhood and K-12 education for later success. These goals will guide us to get where we belong in Michigan, among the top states in learning outcomes and educational attainment."

Work will continue in the generation of strategies to accomplish these goals and how progress on those goals will be measured. Whiston is expected to bring a finalized plan to the State Board early next year.

To realize Michigan becoming a Top 10 education state within the next 10 years, the existing structure and system of education must be challenged and reshaped. Michigan must establish an education system that grants indelible rights for all stakeholders to succeed – a system focused more on what is best for children and their learning.

Here are the Strategic Goals, in no particular order of priority:

Goal 1: Provide every child access to an aligned, high-quality P-20 system from early childhood to post-secondary attainment – through a multi-stakeholder collaboration with business and industry, labor, and higher education – to maximize lifetime learning and success.

Goal 2: Implement, with strong district and building leadership, high-quality instruction in every classroom through a highly coherent, child-centered instructional model where students meet their self-determined academic and personal goals to their highest potential.

Goal 3: Develop, support, and sustain a high-quality, prepared, and collaborative education workforce.

Goal 4: Reduce the impact of high-risk factors, including poverty, and provide equitable resources to meet the needs of all students to ensure that they have access to quality educational opportunities.

Goal 5: Ensure that parents/guardians are engaged and supported partners in their child’s education.

Goal 6: Create a strong alignment and partnership with job providers, community colleges, and higher education to assure a prepared and quality future workforce; and informed and responsible citizens.

Goal 7: Further develop an innovative and cohesive state education agency that supports an aligned, coherent education system at all levels (state, ISD, district and school).

Keep up on current PTA news in Michigan by visiting the Michigan PTA at www.michiganpta.org

PTA Lauds President Obama’s Signing of Landmark Every Student Succeeds Act

Thursday, December 10, 2015

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Today, President Barack Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 into law. This landmark legislation—which received overwhelming bipartisan support in the House and Senate—reauthorizes the long overdue Elementary and Secondary Education Act/No Child Left Behind (ESEA/NCLB).

This new law brings needed improvements to K-12 education in the United States, provides greater responsibility to states to meet the needs of all students and acknowledges the essential role of family engagement to student achievement.

“National PTA commends President Obama for swiftly signing the Every Student Succeeds Act into law and his commitment to improving education to make sure every student is prepared for long-term success,” said Laura Bay, president of National PTA. “The Every Student Succeeds Act is a marked improvement over previous law and provides great opportunity to strengthen family engagement in education and ensure all students reach their full potential. Now is the time for all of us to work together at the federal, state and local levels to make certain that this law makes a difference for the futures of our nation’s children.”

For years, PTAs and families have been advocating for a comprehensive, bipartisan reauthorization of ESEA/NCLB that includes robust family engagement provisions. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) contains a Statewide Family Engagement Centers program that will provide states and districts with the capacity to support effective implementation and enhancement of family engagement policies and initiatives. The law also includes improvements to Title I that will require districts to conduct family engagement activities that are proven to make a difference for students and schools. PTA remains committed to working with policymakers to embed evidence-based family engagement policies and practices in all aspects of a child’s educational continuum.

“PTAs, families and Statewide Family Engagement Centers play an important role in the successful implementation of ESSA and ensuring that all children receive a quality education by holding states and districts accountable,” said Nathan R. Monell, CAE, National PTA executive director. “National PTA is committed to empowering all families to be active participants in state and local implementation of the law, support student success and make the promise of ESEA/ESSA a reality for all children.”

About National PTA
National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.

Media Contact
Heidi May Wilson
hmay@pta.org
(703) 518-1242

Why not choose a restaurant that will give back to one of our PTA Units! Here is a handy list of generous restaurants that will donate to our Livonia PTAs, listed by date. Please thank them for supporting PTA!

Head to Airtime Trampoline & Game Park on

January 28 between 5:00 - 9:00 pm

and our Johnson PTA friends will receive a portion of your admission. Have fun, get some exercise and support PTA!

Have you heard of the Red Robin Royalty program? It's easy - just sign up online and select your PTA/school and 1% of every check will be donated to that Unit. No flyers. All year long. Yum! Many Livonia Units participate - does yours?

January:

5 - Grant & Cass PTA meetings

6 - Garfield PTA meeting

7 - Livonia PTSA Council Reflections Ceremony @ Stevenson High School

- Randolph & Johnson PTA meetings

11 - Franklin & Frost PTSA meetings

13 - Livonia PTSA Council Executive Board Meeting

14 - Emerson PTSA Meeting

15 - Kennedy PTA meeting, Randolph PTA Family 80's Dance

16- Livonia PTSA Council 2nd Annual Chili Cook Off @ Franklin High School

18 - LPS NO SCHOOL

20 - Johnson PTA meeting

26 - Churchill PTSA meeting

28 - PTA Membership due

- Johnson PTA Airtime Night

29 - LPS NO SCHOOL

February:
15-16 - LPS NO SCHOOL
24 - LPTSA Council Founders Day
28 - PTA Membership due

For more information about the Michigan PTA, click here:

www.michiganpta.org

For more information about the National PTA, click here:

www.pta.org

The Livonia PTSA Council provides support and guidance to local PTA/PTSA units within the Livonia Public Schools District. Council promotes conferences, communications, leadership development and coordination of the efforts of the local units.

Email: julie6055@gmail.com
Website: www.livoniaptsacouncil.org
Location: 15125 Farmington Road, Livonia, MI, United States
Facebook: facebook.com/LivoniaPTSACouncil
Twitter: @LivoniaPTSAC