AWARD HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK: OUTSTANDING WEBSITE AWARD & OUTSTANDING NEWSLETTER/E-BLAST AWARD February 13, 2015
The Outstanding Website award recognizes PTA and council websites, as they are an important and effective form of communication
NEW THIS YEAR for the Outstanding Website Award: Online application and this award application must include a minimum of two (2) different website homepage screenshots. In order to show the judging committee your website is not static and changes periodically, screenshots must be dated at least two weeks apart.
Outstanding Newsletter & E-blast Award
The Outstanding Newsletter & E-blast award recognizes local PTA and council newsletters and e-blasts. Both are important and effective forms of communication. This application must include printed copies of three (3) month’s worth of publications. For example, if newsletters/e-blasts are monthly, then send in three (3) issues. If newsletter/e-blast are sent twice a month, then send in six (6) issues. If newsletters/e-blasts are weekly, then send in twelve (12) issues. No other documentation or narrative is required. Judges will review all newsletter/e-blast examples for the required information.
Outstanding Website and Outstanding Newsletter & E-blast Award application instructions and judging forms can be found here. DEADLINE is March 1, 2015!
NEW THIS YEAR for the Outstanding Website Award: Online application and this award application must include a minimum of two (2) different website homepage screenshots. In order to show the judging committee your website is not static and changes periodically, screenshots must be dated at least two weeks apart.
Outstanding Newsletter & E-blast Award
The Outstanding Newsletter & E-blast award recognizes local PTA and council newsletters and e-blasts. Both are important and effective forms of communication. This application must include printed copies of three (3) month’s worth of publications. For example, if newsletters/e-blasts are monthly, then send in three (3) issues. If newsletter/e-blast are sent twice a month, then send in six (6) issues. If newsletters/e-blasts are weekly, then send in twelve (12) issues. No other documentation or narrative is required. Judges will review all newsletter/e-blast examples for the required information.
Outstanding Website and Outstanding Newsletter & E-blast Award application instructions and judging forms can be found here. DEADLINE is March 1, 2015!
pta programs & awards update February 5, 2015
AWARD HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK: HONOR PTA/COUNCIL AWARD AND OUTSTANDING LOCAL UNIT OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Honor PTA Award recognizes PTAs that have gone significantly beyond the attainment of excellence and have demonstrated exceptional qualities that merit replication by others.
The Outstanding PTA of the Year Award identifies and honors those PTAs that, when compared to all others in their unique environment and within their own special circumstances, are the most representative examples of PTAs that exemplify the purposes and mission of PTA.
NEW THIS YEAR for the Outstanding PTA of the Year Award:
1. Online submission!
2. There are two categories: (1) Elementary and (2) Secondary/Community PTA /Council. Community PTAs (a PTA that is organized around a common theme versus a school, such as special needs, dual language, home schooling, etc.) and councils are now eligible to participate in this prestigious award!
3. To be eligible for this award, PTAs must receive GOLD LEVEL in this year’s Standards Of Excellence Award in order to be considered for Outstanding PTA of the Year.
4. PTAs must receive at least 80% of the maximum possible combined points for the Outstanding PTA of the Year application to be considered for Outstanding PTA of the Year.
Application form and instructions here. The DEADLINE is March 1, 2015! If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Nims, Program Director, at [email protected].
The Honor PTA Award recognizes PTAs that have gone significantly beyond the attainment of excellence and have demonstrated exceptional qualities that merit replication by others.
The Outstanding PTA of the Year Award identifies and honors those PTAs that, when compared to all others in their unique environment and within their own special circumstances, are the most representative examples of PTAs that exemplify the purposes and mission of PTA.
NEW THIS YEAR for the Outstanding PTA of the Year Award:
1. Online submission!
2. There are two categories: (1) Elementary and (2) Secondary/Community PTA /Council. Community PTAs (a PTA that is organized around a common theme versus a school, such as special needs, dual language, home schooling, etc.) and councils are now eligible to participate in this prestigious award!
3. To be eligible for this award, PTAs must receive GOLD LEVEL in this year’s Standards Of Excellence Award in order to be considered for Outstanding PTA of the Year.
4. PTAs must receive at least 80% of the maximum possible combined points for the Outstanding PTA of the Year application to be considered for Outstanding PTA of the Year.
Application form and instructions here. The DEADLINE is March 1, 2015! If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Nims, Program Director, at [email protected].
pta programs & awards update January 20, 2015
Group Awards and In Good Standing – NEW THIS YEAR!
This year, in order to highlight the “best of the best”, a PTA/PTSA/Council must be in good standing with WSPTA in order to participate. Specifically for the purpose of group awards, in good standing will mean:
In an effort to constantly improve the WSPTA group awards, the following improvements and changes were made this year:
This program recognizes the important and different contributions that men make in children’s lives and in their education. This is a “ready to go” program for your PTA to offer students. Simply publicize the opportunity and either have them submit directly to WSPTA or set a turn-in deadline and mail them in for your students. It is as simple as that! Please encourage your students to participate and/or suggest your teachers use this as an “ungraded or corrected” writing prompt!
NEW THIS YEAR, the Special Author division is an option for students with disabilities who receive services under IDEA or Section 504 to have the opportunity and accommodations they may need in order to participate fully in the program. Please refer to the submission form for more information.
Application instructions and judging form can be found at http://www.wastatepta.org/programs/PTA_mens/ . DEADLINE is March 1, 2015!
Please feel free to refer any questions you can't answer my way. Let me know if you have any questions.
Michelle Nims
Program Director
Washington State PTA
everychild.onevoice.
This year, in order to highlight the “best of the best”, a PTA/PTSA/Council must be in good standing with WSPTA in order to participate. Specifically for the purpose of group awards, in good standing will mean:
- MEMBERSHIP SERVICE FEES - PTA/PTSA must be up to date on membership fee payments to WSPTA through the January 2015 invoice.
- MEMBERS - PTA/PTSA must have at least 25 members (or an approved waiver).
- INSURANCE – PTA/PTSA/Council must have up to date insurance.
- PRESIDENT - PTA/PTSA/Council must have a president identified
In an effort to constantly improve the WSPTA group awards, the following improvements and changes were made this year:
- Councils may now apply for every award!
- Award forms have all been updated, and a few names have changed.
- Standards of Excellence and Honor PTA were standardized as much as possible to make it easier to apply for both awards.
- We are piloting a few awards with an online application: PTAs Taking Significant Action, Mentor-A-PTA, Outstanding Website, and Outstanding PTA of the Year.
- We added e-blasts as an option to the Outstanding Newsletter Award.
- The Outstanding Communication – Other award was revamped to be the Outstanding Communication Strategy award, taking into account all forms of communication used.
- Outstanding PTA of the Year has the following changes:
- There is now a minimum score to be considered (at least 80% of the maximum possible points)
- Gold Standards of Excellence is required to be considered
- We are allowing community PTAs and Councils to apply in the “secondary category”
- We shortened the narrative to only four questions focusing on (1) Advocacy, (2) Membership, (3) Family & Community Involvement, and (4) Programs.
- We are updating the judging rubric to require two letters of recommendation from a School Principal, School District Administrator, WSPTA Region Director, or Council President. These letters will carry more weight than in the past.
- We will be contacting their Region Director and/or Council President to get a “reference” that will be included in the overall score.
The updated applications and judging forms can be found at http://www.wastatepta.org/programs/index.html so please familiarize yourself with the changes now.
This program recognizes the important and different contributions that men make in children’s lives and in their education. This is a “ready to go” program for your PTA to offer students. Simply publicize the opportunity and either have them submit directly to WSPTA or set a turn-in deadline and mail them in for your students. It is as simple as that! Please encourage your students to participate and/or suggest your teachers use this as an “ungraded or corrected” writing prompt!
NEW THIS YEAR, the Special Author division is an option for students with disabilities who receive services under IDEA or Section 504 to have the opportunity and accommodations they may need in order to participate fully in the program. Please refer to the submission form for more information.
Application instructions and judging form can be found at http://www.wastatepta.org/programs/PTA_mens/ . DEADLINE is March 1, 2015!
Please feel free to refer any questions you can't answer my way. Let me know if you have any questions.
Michelle Nims
Program Director
Washington State PTA
everychild.onevoice.
pta men's essay contest
All men involved in a youngster’s life–fathers, uncles, grandpas, brothers, step-fathers, mentors, neighbors, pastors, coaches, and friends– impact the children they care about. Please share this essay contest with the students in your school community. For more information and the application form, go to http://www.wastatepta.org/programs/PTA_mens/ posted 10/7/14
In gratitude for the many hours of service and training put forth by volunteer leaders, the WSPTA Board of Directors created the Leadership Academy program. The purpose of this program is to encourage, facilitate, and recognize the continuous growth of leadership shown by dedicated PTA leaders at all levels of the association. PTA leaders are encouraged to join the Leadership Academy program and submit their activity yearly to create a record of their leadership in the association. Membership applications and updates are due by March 1, 2015.
**New for 2015-16** Points will be accepted for up to two years: the current school year and the prior school year. (Through March of 2015, points from all years will be accepted.)
Why join the WSPTA Leadership Academy?
• Free to join
• Receive a certificate of recognition and a pin as you complete each level
• Create a record of leadership development that can be included on your professional resume as you gain the skills to become a leader in your community.
Questions? Contact Leadership Director Dori Tate at [email protected]
**New for 2015-16** Points will be accepted for up to two years: the current school year and the prior school year. (Through March of 2015, points from all years will be accepted.)
Why join the WSPTA Leadership Academy?
• Free to join
• Receive a certificate of recognition and a pin as you complete each level
• Create a record of leadership development that can be included on your professional resume as you gain the skills to become a leader in your community.
Questions? Contact Leadership Director Dori Tate at [email protected]
UPCOMING AWARD DEADLINES
March 1 -- Program Awards (Standards of Excellence, Honor Unit, Communication, Mentor-A-PTA Award, Outstanding Local Unit of the Year, Outstanding Newsletter, Outstanding Website, PTAs Taking Significant Action);
· March 1 -- Leadership Academy Application; application here
· March 1 -- Outreach Champion Award; application here
· March 1 -- State PTA Outstanding Service Award; application here
· March 1 -- 100% Membership Award; application here
· March 1 -- PTA Men Essay Contest; application here
· April 1 -- Statewide Awards (Outstanding Educator Award, Honorary Life Membership Award, Friend of Children Award); application here
· March 1 -- Leadership Academy Application; application here
· March 1 -- Outreach Champion Award; application here
· March 1 -- State PTA Outstanding Service Award; application here
· March 1 -- 100% Membership Award; application here
· March 1 -- PTA Men Essay Contest; application here
· April 1 -- Statewide Awards (Outstanding Educator Award, Honorary Life Membership Award, Friend of Children Award); application here
PTAS MAY ORDER AWARDS ONLINE TO HONOR LOCAL UNIT SERVICE
Local Units may order Golden Acorn awards, Honorary Life Membership awards, Outstanding Advocate, and Outstanding Educator awards may be ordered at www.ShopPTA.Com http://kustomimprints.com/ecommerce/shop/index.lasso?-session=KI_Clients:6171335416192061C8VUs2EEA523
These awards may be purchased by either check or credit card with a portion of the funds contributed to the WSPTA Scholarship Program. From these contributions, WSPTA is able to provide grants to freshman students entering post-secondary education.
· A Golden Acorn Award is presented, by a local PTA unit or council, to a volunteer in recognition of his/her dedication and service to children and youth. Since the beginning of this program, more than 44,000 Golden Acorns have been presented to volunteers throughout Washington State.
· The purpose of the Honorary Life Membership is to recognize an individual who has contributed significantly to a PTA at the local unit, council, or state level. This award can be given by a PTA unit, council, or region.
· The Outstanding Advocate Award recognizes and honors individuals for their advocacy work on behalf of children and youth. This award can be given by a PTA unit, council, or region. There is also a separate Outstanding Student Advocate award available.
· The Outstanding Educator Award recognizes individuals who have provided outstanding educational opportunities for children and youth that are beyond the normal scope of their jobs.
These awards may be purchased by either check or credit card with a portion of the funds contributed to the WSPTA Scholarship Program. From these contributions, WSPTA is able to provide grants to freshman students entering post-secondary education.
· A Golden Acorn Award is presented, by a local PTA unit or council, to a volunteer in recognition of his/her dedication and service to children and youth. Since the beginning of this program, more than 44,000 Golden Acorns have been presented to volunteers throughout Washington State.
· The purpose of the Honorary Life Membership is to recognize an individual who has contributed significantly to a PTA at the local unit, council, or state level. This award can be given by a PTA unit, council, or region.
· The Outstanding Advocate Award recognizes and honors individuals for their advocacy work on behalf of children and youth. This award can be given by a PTA unit, council, or region. There is also a separate Outstanding Student Advocate award available.
· The Outstanding Educator Award recognizes individuals who have provided outstanding educational opportunities for children and youth that are beyond the normal scope of their jobs.