This legislative season has been filled with a lot of activity and sometimes it can be difficult to keep up. We want to help highlight some key areas of importance. With the state legislation session quickly coming to a close, we want to highlight some bills that could use your advocacy in keeping with the PTA’s support of educational environments that are inclusive and effective for all students. Bill to advocate against HB 1069 (Education)/SB 1320 (Child Protection in Public Schools) Likely to be considered in the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee on 4/13 This is the extension of “Don’t Say Gay” until grade 8, with additional provisions to have the state, not districts, approve sex ed curriculum and instructional materials,
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DCCPTA is always looking for ways to educate its members and provide opportunities to advocate for all children. In the past couple of days, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey and its administration have been in the news. Below are some facts for you to review and who you may contact to advocate on this topic. Duval County Public School (DCPS) has received a grant from the CDC – Division of Adolescent School Health (DASH) for approximately the past 10 years. The first five-year grant was awarded in 2013, then the district reapplied and was awarded a second five-year grant. This year, the CDC has agreed to extend the grant for a sixth year, if a request for an extension is
READ MORE →Duval County Council of PTA’s, in alignment with both National PTA and Florida PTA positions, supports diverse and inclusive curricula, classroom materials, as well as professional development. We support well-rounded and varied experiences and ideas being shared and accessible by all students. This leads to higher academic and personal achievements as well as overall well-being at all levels. One of the hallmarks of a free and democratic society is the freedom to exchange ideas. Free, democratic, well-rounded individuals learn to interact with all types of information and can think for themselves. Public schools are another hallmark of a free and democratic society. Public schools are to serve all community members. They should also represent all who attend and contribute to
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DCCPTA has been working with the school board over the summer concerning the dress code and enforcement. Please contact the following people if your child is dress coded inappropriately (please copy advocacy@dccpta.org or diversity@dccpta.org). This will allow data to be taken which will be necessary for us to advocate for change. DCPS Student Discipline: Mr. Byron Copeland: copelandb@duvalschools.org Mr. Jackie Simmons: simmonsj@duvalschools.org Elementary: Ms. Marianne Simon: simonm@duvalschools.org Mr. Randall Strickland: stricklandr@duvalschools.org Middle School: Dr. Denise Hall: halld@duvalschools.org High School: Mr. Timothy Simmons: simmonst@duvalschools.org
READ MORE →Take Action Florida Senate Bill 376 Regarding Charter Schools – March 4 update.
READ MORE →We are less than a week away from the start of the Legislative Session. The following is a synopsis of what happened in Tallahassee last week: HB78- Recess Bill – the bill passed unanimously through the Senate Education Committee. The next committee of reference is the Appropriations Subcommittee on Pre-K-12 Education. Florida PTA participated in a press conference along with Senator Flores and Representative Plasencia discussing the importance of recess for elementary students. HB 7027 – began as a committee bill and is a memorial urging the Federal Government to establish block grants for Title 1 and IDEA funding. The block grant would give control to the state on how to disperse these funds. It passed through committee. This bill
READ MORE →Florida PTA has an amazing legacy of advocacy. This year’s “LegCon” attendees will celebrate the dedication of thousands of child advocates across Florida whose efforts work to make every child’s potential a reality. The 2017 Florida PTA LegCon will feature workshops on key education issues facing the Legislature, with discussions and trainings on how PTA advocates can shape public policy at home and in Tallahassee in 2017 and in the years to come. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to celebrate with PTA members statewide! Registration Fee: $55 per adult; $25 per student. For more information, click here. When: Sunday March 26, 2017 at 7:00 PM EDT -to- Tuesday March 28, 2017 at 12:00 PM EDT Add to Calendar Where: Tallahassee Center Conf
READ MORE →Florida House of Representatives – HB 67 – Public School Recess
READ MORE →National PTA urges its members at all levels to monitor, support, and advocate for laws and programs in the following areas: child safety, juvenile justice, gun safety, violence prevention, and, mental health programs and services.
READ MORE →Contact Information: Ms. Cindy Gerhardt, President, president@floridapta.org,407-855-7604, FAX 407-240-9577, www.floridapta.org September 14, 2016 PTA is the oldest and largest child advocacy group in the nation. PTA’s mission is to make every child’s potential a reality, by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. “All children” includes those who are displaced, are in foster care or who find themselves in the Juvenile Justice system. PTA has long advocated for policies that would protect the rights of children and youth who come into contact with the Juvenile Justice System. Beginning in 1899, PTA was one of the first associations to encourage federal and state lawmakers to create a safe and rehabilitative justice system for children by establishing separate courts
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