Letter from the President

PTA/PTSA Units:

As the fall semester comes to a close, I want to thank all of you who have represented your units, especially those who stayed in place when your elections were not able to be held last spring and congratulate you on a job well done during these unprecedented times.  Remember to wrap up your units in a way that will help the new officers when the second half of the year and the new school year roll around. Here are some tips to help make a smooth transition for your officers, so the children are the ultimate beneficiary.

 · Have all of your officers meet with the new officers as a group and then individually via Zoom if necessary. Discuss the past years’ successes and failures and the coming years’ objectives.

 · Personally introduce the new officers to Principals, teachers, community leaders and other PTA contributors electronically if necessary.

· Have your officers complete their procedure books then pass them on to the new officers. Make sure all passwords and account information changes hands as well.

 · The treasurer should pay all the bills, settle all accounts, and be sure records are ready for the financial review if this still needs to be done.

 · A financial review committee should be appointed and prepare to review the treasurer’s books in a timely fashion if you have not already done so.

 · If the PTA bylaws were reviewed or amended make sure to send two copies to the Missouri PTA State office.

· Make sure you have sent the names, addresses and other pertinent information to MOPTA too. This needs to be done even if your officers are staying in their positions.

· Signatures on the PTA bank accounts should be changed to the new treasurer, secretary, and president if needed. (Remember that all checks should be signed by two people.)

· Continue to install new officers, and outgoing or retiring leaders should be thanked for their service.

Sincerely, Julia Spiva, President SCPTA

PTA Mission: The overall purpose of PTA is to be

A powerful voice for all children

A relevant resource for families and communities, and

A strong advocate for the education and well-being of every child.

From the Treasurer

TREASURER’S TIPS & REPORT
_For starting 2020-2021: Once the financial audit/review is complete, file 990.

_Submit treasurer’s year-end report, financial audit/review, and copy of 990 to Missouri PTA.

_Change/Add new officers to Bank Account Signature. Bring in minutes from the meeting when officers were elected. 

_Submit membership numbers with payment each month to MOPTA. 

_Keep your bank statement reconciled every month.  Utilize Money Minder “Transaction Reports” to keep committees on track financially, I like “All Transactions for a Specific Category”.  Share with each committee.

_Submit the Treasurer’s Report each month.

Remember, it’s not your money. It is PTA / PTSA money. You are the steward and accountable to your unit’s membership.

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW FOR November 2020

Slate of Officers 2020-2021

National PTA News

You’re invited to attend Facebook Masterclass! To help prepare you to engage with parents and families in this virtual environment, our friends at

Facebook

have created 3 new training sessions exclusively designed for PTA members. This masterclass will walk you through everything you need to know to be able to communicate more efficiently with your members, recruit new families, raise funds, and increase participation by leveraging the free tools and resources available on Facebook and Instagram.

Whether you are a state, council/district/region, or local PTA, this training will teach you how to get the maximum value and utility out of Facebook’s tools and resources.

Register for Facebook 101: Mastering the Basics!

Register for Facebook Tools for Garnering Support!

Register for Facebook Tools for Productivity!

See #HowWePTA / Make Your PTA Virtual

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed how PTA/PTSAs communicate, grow and accomplish goals within their school communities. Many PTAs have successfully used web/app-based technology, software and resources to continue strong leadership and build and grow their PTA community.

National PTA applauds these efforts and has compiled resources to help you move your PTA into the virtual world. PTAs are needed now more than ever and the resources and tools on this webpage will help demonstrate your PTAs value and relevance and keep your PTA members—and mission partners—connected and focused on objectives central to the needs of the children, families and school you serve.

• Get Great Examples
• The Leadership Training You Need
• Grow Your Membership, Virtually!
• Online Programs, Made Easy
• Family Engagement, Socially Distanced

The PTA Clothing Bank

By: Mandy Mitchell & Taryn Raidel

The Clothing Bank is up and running with a limited schedule. Covid has changed our world as well as the way the clothing bank operates. We were able to be open September 24th serving close to 200 students in one day and on Oct 29th serving 252 kids and we ran out of clothes! We are at 50% occupancy capacity and have kept our volunteers to a bare minimum to allow for more shoppers. Many units have reached out to offer help in different ways and we appreciate it very much. After posting about our situation on Facebook, we had over 400 shares and the donations in response was overwhelming! The core of a PTA volunteer is serving with a loving heart which is so prevalent at the clothing bank! It is an honor to serve the children and families of SPS. This year more than ever the need for the clothing bank is tremendous. With an ever changing environment we do not have a set schedule and are planning shopping days one month at a time. We have not asked for volunteers as we have in years past to limit exposure possibilities. We thank each of you for your ongoing support and encourage you to follow us on Facebook where we post the latest information on openings and needs. Please reach out to us if you need information on how to share our information with your school families. We rely on you to spread the word about the clothing bank and what is available there! Thank you for all your support! We hope to see you all soon!!

Donations can be made on the Springfield Council of PTAs website using the donations button . Gently-used clothing can be dropped off at either Wash House location:

 Diversity and Inclusion

 by Toi Allen

The Diversity and Inclusion Committee is happy to share how dedicated SPS is to offering an atmosphere for all children that is ENGAGING, RELEVANT, and PERSONAL. There were gaps found that needed more focus to accomplish the inclusion of ALL learners in this plan.  Focus V, an extension to the strategic plan was voted in by the School Board this past spring.  Focus V has five strategy levels of approach. The District is currently working on the 1^st  level. Strategy 5.1.1 – Facilitating learning opportunities for staff and leaders that foster exploration of identity and self, and creating applications to demonstrate cultural consciousness in their work. See SPS.org website Focus V for the additional strategies.

SPS’S department of Equity & Diversity is geared towards making these strategies a success. Their mission is as follows:

Committed to educational equity and ensuring that the learning and working environment at Springfield Public Schools is welcoming, accessible and affirming of ALL identities and lived experiences. 

The Equity & Diversity Team’s work is vital to the success for the RELEVANCE for ALL students.

On 10/21/20 Dr. Yvania Grace-Pusateri/SPS Chief Equity & Diversity Officer and Mr. Jimi Solo/SPS Coordinator III, Equity & Diversity,Workforce Development meet with a group of community stakeholders to share the progress. The Community Equity and Diversity Advisory Council were given the opportunity to ask questions pertaining to the progression.  Informative classes were provided to our District Leaders to enhance the continued success.

 Below are the titles of the classes provided:

Fall District Wide Equity TRAINING (GEORGE FLOYD, Systems of oppression, Systemic Racism, White Supremacy, Identity and Self) total planned training: 201 completed 101

Fall Equity and Diversity Modules for Certificate staff ( Social and Emotional training from an Equity Lens and Racial injustice)

Executive Leadership Team Equity Growth (1 hr sessions): Poverty and Class are intersectional, A deeper look at LGBTQ+ Identity, Empathy in equity, Identity and Intersectionality, Identity and Your leadership Role)So far the work towards the 1^st goal includes: (Anti-Racism, White Supremacy, Identity and Community)

Stay tuned for more Updates…..

Please show the Diversity and Inclusion Committee how you, your family, your PTA/PTSA unit and or community honor your culture or heritage so we can include YOU AND YOURS in our April 2020 Virtual Celebration. There is room for you at the TABLE.

Submit your ideas or questions to Toi Allen/Diversity and Inclusion at taocoach@yahoo.com . Thanking you in advance for any and all ideas shared.  

 The Month of November WE CELEBRATE American Indian Heritage

SCPTA Reflections Entries Due December 15, 2020.

City Level Awards will be announced Sunday February 21, 2021

Use these National PTA Reflections resources for program promotion at your school: Call for Entries video and social sharables.

Please join us at the November meeting. We will be voting on Officers, Bylaws, and Budget.

A Letter from Your Council President

By Julia Spiva

president@scptamo.com

Council Goals:
1. To provide leadership development for local units and council board members
2. To serve as a resource for education, parenting information and legislative issues
3. To encourage parent and public involvement in the Springfield Public Schools

Welcome back to returning families – and welcome to families who are new to Springfield Public Schools this year!
It’s hard to imagine that the last time we were all together was at Hillcrest High School on March 4^th.  The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us all to do things differently and school life is not immune to the need for change. As we begin the 2020-2021 school year, the SCPTA Executive Board remains focused on supporting our students, families, teachers and staff in every way that we can safely.

Our most important work remains to advocate for every child. I strongly encourage you to join the PTA and become more involved in shaping how education will move forward with the hybrid model and when safe, transitioning our students to return to in seated classes full time.

We are proud of the role our PTA/PTSAs play to support our school with items such as teacher grants, library books, field trips, enrichment programs for students and community-building family events throughout the year. Given the COVID-19 restrictions, we are adjusting our approach for the 2020-21 school year and are shifting to a direct ask to support the aspects which will still continue such as teacher grants and encourage each unit to communicate with their school regarding their needs.  

What does the Springfield Council of PTAs do anyway?

How will our SCPTA General Membership Meetings be held?

If you have ever asked yourself any of these questions, the Council has the answers you are looking for and we are here for you! YOU are Council, and we are here to serve YOU! We are here to provide help, give ideas and guidance. The Council provides many communication tools to help keep your unit on track and up to date with the Missouri PTA and the National PTA programs. We also try to provide information and training through our newsletter, website, text alert system and Facebook. We keep you informed about legislative issues that affect your children and their education. We practice parliamentary procedures and are available for questions on how to take these good practices back to your units. The Council exhibits correct budgeting and treasurer’s habits to take back to your units, also. Our Council meetings are held to support the responsibilities of the Council and provide guidance as to how a unit can use such programs locally within their unit or school.

At the SCPTA general council meetings, which will be held via Zoom, the vice presidents will report about the dates, deadlines, and results of each of their programs. When it is pertinent to the moment they will speak at the meetings, but there is always a VP report in the newsletter. You will still see the faces of your 2019-2020 Council board at our Zoom meetings as we are holding in place until an election can be held via Zoom as early as November. We urge you to get to know us. We are here to answer your questions and help you. We plan to keep up to date with SPS happenings and progress, community events that pertain to our kids and potentially a virtual legislative town hall. We will be presenting a 90-day estimate of expenses until which time we can vote to approve the 2020-2021 budget.  We will continue to support programs virtually like RIF, Reflections, Scholarships, the McBride and CARE Fund, Project Graduation, the Clothing Bank and the 4th Grade Play, just to mention a few, which all benefit students all over Springfield when held.

So please come to the Zoom meetings to get to know us because we want to be there for you and your units. Our first Zoom General Membership Meeting will be Thursday, October 1^st from 930-1030 am.

 Julia Spiva is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: SCPTA General Membership Meeting

Time: Oct 1, 2020 09:30 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81703994239?pwd=TFZIb1Y2aVduaGJnU3hVQS9LbDRFQT09

Meeting ID: 817 0399 4239

Passcode: 238774

Dial by your location

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

 Let us know what you need and how we can help!

Your 2019-2020 SCPTA Executive Team holding in place.  

—

Julia Ann Spiva, PresidentCall or text 417.379.1109president@scptamo.com

Reflections

2020-2021 Reflections theme: I matter because…

Zoom Meeting Training 

            Tuesday, 10/20 10AM & 7PM

            Thursday, 10/22 10AM & 7PM

            Saturday, 10/24 10AM

Registration for Reflections Zoom Training is required. Please fill out your contact information at this link and the Zoom information will be emailed to you:

Registration Form (Registration Required)

Submission Deadline:   Tuesday, 12/15

City level Awards will be announced Sunday, 2/21

Reading is Fundamental

Reading is Fundamental has  books that we can’t wait to get to you!

Since we had to cancel our third book to students last year, we are going to do things a little different for this one time only. We get to give books to our usual 1st & 2nd graders, but for one time only we also get to give them to third graders. (We are trying to make up for the book they had to miss last year).

Sometime in early to mid October each 1st, 2nd, & 3rd grade class will receive a box of books for their class to choose out of.

Keep an eye out for RIF week at your school. Traditionally our RIF coordinators help the students pick books but this year to help minimize exposure and contact, Teachers will assist the students.

Coordinators we still need you! Please contact Peggy Stepp to find out what you can do to help. We have plans for 2 additional distributions later in the year, to be announced at a later time. 

Peggy Stepp rifspringfieldmo@gmail.com
Christi Matthews Programs@scptamo.com

Proposed Standing Rule Addition for Springfield Council of PTAs

Adopted by SCPTA Board 9/17/2020

To be adopted by SCPTA membership at the first Zoom meeting of 2020

Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic resulting in federal, state and local restrictions, Springfield Council of PTAs (SCPTA) will hold meetings via telecommunication by which all persons participating in the meeting may hear each other and interact simultaneously during the meeting. This will be accomplished via Zoom video conferencing, which will allow delegates to participate in the meeting by video conference on a computer or mobile device.

To participate in the meeting, a zoom meeting link will be made available 24 hours prior to the meeting to all PTA unit Presidents (as identified by Missouri PTA).  Each SCPTA unit will be allotted up to 5 voting delegates.  Each unit President will be responsible for sharing the Zoom meeting link with their Unit members/delegates. Only delegates of units and members of the SCPTA Board are eligible to vote. Others may attend the meeting and watch the proceedings.

Meeting Format. Until further notice, SCPTA business meetings will be conducted using Zoom Webinar Technology. The meetings will begin promptly at the hour announced and order must be maintained at all times. Virtual meetings shall be considered the same as in-person meetings.

In Order to Vote. If delegates wish to vote, they must join the meeting using a PC or MAC that has the Zoom app downloaded on it.

Login Instructions.  Members will be provided a meeting invitation and password via email approximately twenty-four (24) hours prior to the meeting which will allow them to enter the virtual meeting room. Each voting member must sign in on a separate computer in order to vote. Only voting members of SCPTA will be authorized to attend the meeting as participants. A quorum (number of voting members present) will be confirmed using the participant logon report within Zoom.

Screen Name. Before signing into Zoom, voting members need to assure that their name appears as “First Name Last Name Unit Name” (i.e., Jane Smith Cameron PTSA) so they can be clearly identified by the Chair.

Chair. The president will act as chair, except in such circumstances when the president delegates the chair to the parliamentarian.

Audio Mute.  All participants will be muted upon entry.

Addressing the Chair. Only voting members may address the chair. Voting members once recognized must give their name and unit before beginning to speak. Discussion, including questions and answers, must be directed to the Chair or through the Chair when these are in order.

Seeking Recognition to Speak. To seek recognition, members must use the “raise your hand” tool in Zoom, or indicate their desire to speak in the Chat tool in Zoom. Once called on to speak members may “unmute”.  Once finished speaking, members will need to resume “mute”.

Making Voting Clear. The chair shall clearly state what is being voted upon prior to any vote being taken so that all voting members may understand the effect of their vote before casting it.

Voting. The online voting Zoom tools shall be used for voting. There will be no voice votes. However, to facilitate action on matters of general agreement, the adoption by the voting members of matters by unanimous consent may take place. The parliamentarian shall be in charge of voting and shall confirm the results of each vote.

In Person. Since the meeting is deemed by Missouri law to constitute an in-person meeting, only those present and participating in the meeting who have voting rights will be permitted to vote.

Technical Requirements and Malfunctions. Each member is responsible for his or her audio and Internet connections; no action shall be invalidated on the grounds that the loss of, or poor quality of, a member’s individual connection prevented participation in the meeting.

Forced Disconnections. The chair or the parliamentarian may cause or direct the disconnection or muting of a member’s connection if it is causing undue interference with the meeting.

Financial Review

Reminder…now’s the time to get last year’s books audited/reviewed & submit Form 990 to IRS; then send copies of audit/review, year-end Treasurer’s report and 990 submission to Missouri PTA. This must be completed by December 1st to remain in good standing.

2020 Missouri PTA Convention

Registration only $15.00 (T-Shirt included)

Register now for access to virtual Bylaws briefing – September 26

General Membership meeting (for PTA members) – Oct 3

PTA Covid-Style Workshop – Oct 3

Click here details: https://mopta.org/2020-missouri-pta-convention/

Proposition “S” – Bond Projects Update – as of August 18, 2020

Link to full report.

PTA For Your Child with the All New Membership Campaign

Today, PTA’s role is more important than ever in connecting parents, teachers and administrators, and supporting critical school needs. We want every family in our schools to join PTA, because we can do more together than apart.

Our new membership campaign—PTA For Your Child—is designed to engage and excite new members and existing members by making the work of the PTA more visible and highlighting the value and impact of PTA.

To bolster your membership recruitment activities, we have developed a suite of materials, including a campaign toolkit that outlines how to effectively communicate the value of PTA membership, a suite of dynamic visuals and collateral materials, and a campaign rollout checklist.

How Do I Get Started?

Watch our recorded webinar where we’ll introduce the new membership campaign. During the webinar, we will summarize the research used to develop the campaign, provide an understanding of the campaign theme and approach, and review the messaging and visual assets.

Watch Now

https://register.gotowebinar.com/recording/371271399477094669

The webinar is led by:

Watch National PTA’s recorded webinar introducing the new membership campaign. This webinar summarizes the research used to develop the campaign, provides an understanding of the campaign theme and approach, and reviews the messaging and visual assets of National PTA’s new membership campaign.

Watch Now

 

On April 2, 2019, 61.22% of Springfield Public Schools’ voters approved an 18-cent increase to the debt-service levy to fund 39 high-priority projects (Proposition S). The projects include renovations, expansion, and/or new construction for six schools and the creation of safer entrances at 31 schools. Space to add early childhood classrooms was created at three locations. The $167.73 million bond addresses safety, accessibility and quality issues.

One year later and “nearly all projects are on schedule or slightly ahead”, according to this News-Leader article.

To keep up on the latest project information, see the SPS website: https://www.sps.org/progress

Please see this link for more information from National PTA.

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