UPDATED MAY 15, 2012
Congratulations to the 2012 Reflections Winners!

2011-2012 Theme:  "Diversity Means..."

   
4 Michigan Students Receive National Honors:

• Alayna Wong - Van Hoosen Middle School PTSA, Rochester Hills
  Award of Excellence - Middle/Junior Literature for "Invisible Diversity"
• Annika Andersson - East Middle School PTSA, Farmington Hills
  Award of Merit - Middle/Junior Music Composition for "Passion and Peace"
• Nathan Koss - Stadium Drive Elementary PTA, Lake Orion
  Award of Merit - Primary Photography for "Colorful Love"
• Nicole Galdi - Seaholm High PTSA, Birmingham
  Award of Merit - High School Film Production for "Diversity Means..."

View Complete List of Michigan PTA State Level Reflections Winners

View Complete List of National PTA Reflections Winners

MAY 8, 2012
Michigan House of Representatives Adopts House Resolution
May 7-11 Declared PTA Teacher Appreciation Week in the State of Michigan

Reps. Townsend, Barnett, Brown, Byrum, Constan, Darany, Durhal, Heise, Knollenberg, LeBlanc, Liss, Poleski, Segal, Slavens and Tyler offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 258
A resolution to declare May 7-11, 2012, as PTA Teacher Appreciation Week in the state of Michigan.
     Whereas, A strong, effective system of free public education for all children and youth is essential to our democratic system of government; and
     Whereas, The United States and the state of Michigan have made considerable progress in the social, technological, and scientific fields due to our system of free and universal public education; and
     Whereas, Much of this progress can be attributed to the qualified and dedicated teachers
entrusted with the educational development of our children; and
     Whereas, Teachers should be accorded high public esteem, reflecting the value the community places on public education; and
     Whereas, PTA is keenly aware of the importance of teachers in children's reaching their full potential; and
     Whereas, It is appropriate that teachers be recognized for their dedication and commitment to educating our children; now, therefore, be it
     Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare May 7–11, 2012, as PTA Teacher Appreciation Week in the state of Michigan. We urge all citizens to pay tribute to our public school teachers.

MAY 4, 2012
Michigan PTA Speaks in Support of Common Core State Standards

mLIVE Published the Following Story Today
Michigan PTA backs common core standards, says Heritage Foundation 'misled' lawmakers

Michigan PTA Issued the Following Press Advisory 05/03/2012
Heritage Foundation Misleads Legislators on Common Core
Michigan PTA Promised Opportunity to Present

• Lindsay Burke of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative public policy think-tank, testified before the House Education Committee advocating for Michigan to remove itself from the Common Core State Standards Initiative.
• Ms. Burke misled legislators by calling the Common Core State Standards “national standards,” and alleging that they were a federally controlled curriculum. The Common Core State Standards Initiative is led by the National Governor’s Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers, neither of which are federal entities. No federal money was spent in the creation of these standards, and adoption was and remains a voluntary decision for states and districts.
• Curriculum and standards are two different facets of the education process. Schools and districts retain their rightful control over curriculum under the Common Core. Michigan PTA would never advocate for an effort to nationalize or centralize curriculum.
• Ms. Burke repeatedly argued that parents should control the education of their children on a local level. When questioned by Rep. George Darany (D-Dearborn) as to why the National PTA, Michigan PTA, and many other parent organizations strongly support the Common Core, Ms. Burke stated that “there’s a lot of misleading information out there.” We believe the parents of this state can and have researched this issue and hold informed opinions. It is Ms. Burke’s information that is misleading.
• Chairwoman Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R-Alto) personally promised Michigan PTA an opportunity to present to the Committee on this issue. We look forward to that opportunity.

Full text of the information Michigan PTA provided to the Committee can be found at http://house.michigan.gov/sessiondocs/2011-2012/testimony/Committee5-5-2-2012-3.pdf, and the testimony of Ruthann Jaquette, a parent from Grand Ledge, MI, can be found at http://house.michigan.gov/sessiondocs/2011-2012/testimony/Committee5-5-2-2012-4.pdf.

UPDATED MAY 4, 2012
Put An End to Bullying! Action You Can Take Now!

Did Your PTA/PTSA Participate in Stand4Change Day Today?

Tell us about it at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  - we would like to share your stories.
  

10 Questions Parents Can Ask to Ensure Their Child's School is Bully Free

Schools have the responsibility of keeping children safe during the school day and parents have the right to be a partner in that effort.  Parent Action for Healthy Kids has released these 10 important questions for parents to ask the principal to ensure their child's school is bully-free.
  

Six Warning Signs That Your Child is Being Bullied:
Red Flags Include a Disconnect From Family, Friends
—Article originally appeared in the January 2011 PTA Parent

Approximately 160,000 children miss school every day in the United States for fear of being bullied; more than 50 suicides have been linked to prolonged bullying; and approximately 85 percent of school shootings have revenge against bullies as a major motive, according to Dr. Ted Zeff, a practicing psychologist and author. Read more...

MAY 2, 2012
Tell Your Legislators to Make K-12 Education a Priority in 2013 Budget

Ensure That Our Children Receive a Quality Education

Michigan Legislators are deciding on the 2013 budget.  The Legislature must provide adequate funding to  K-12 schools to educate our children.  The $470 per pupil funding cut this year, along with increases in retirement payments to our local school districts, have had a direct impact on the classroom.  Our childen need to have an excellent education in order to compete in the global economy.  Call or write your state legislators today, and share this message with all those you know.

TAKE ACTION NOW!    Contact Your Legislators  

We Had a Great Time at Convention!!!

Michigan PTA President, Shaton Berry (left), and President Elect, Teresa Marhofer (right).

Thank You to Our 2012 Convention Sponsors!!! 
   ♦ AIM Insurance
   ♦ Michigan Department of Human Services
   ♦ Comcast
   ♦ Success by Design
   ♦ United Dairy Industry of Michigan

Thank You to Our 2012 Exhibitors!
View Exhibitor List

APRIL 12, 2012
National PTA Radio Tackles Hot-Button Issues

Podcasts adress embezzlement, endorsing politicians, and controlling funds

Check out this great resource!