Author: Springfield Council of PTAs

2023-2024 Historical Notes

We started this ‘incredible’ school year by participating in the SPS Back to School Bash.

We hosted monthly meetings around the district and made regular updates to the Council Website and Facebook page. We provided information and training and passed along district information to support the district’s Attendance Matters campaign. PTA/PTSA units across the district provided support and incentives as well.

Our president served on the board (ex-officio) of Foundation for SPS and some of our board members attended the Celebrate SPS banquet in April (formerly known as the Teacher Appreciation Banquet). We also participated in the selection of SPS Teacher of the Year.

We were honored at the Missouri PTA Convention with awards for our Council Website as well as our Advocacy Through Legislation.

We continue to partner with and chair the School Crossing Protection Committee which meets quarterly with school district, city, county, and state decision-makers to discuss requests for crossing guards and other issues related to student safety.

Founders’ Day 2024 was a special night to celebrate PTA/PTSA volunteers thoughout the district. We are so grateful to our friends at Glendale High School and Glendale PTSA for hosting this event.

This year’s Reflections Showcase was hosted at the Creamery Arts Center. We had several schools that participated with 37 local winners, 14 state winners, and 2 National PTA award winners.

We presented our annual school board candidates forum with all 7 candidates in attendance. We live-streamed the event on our Facebook page and reached thousands.

We participated in the inaugural SPS UNITY event.

A few of our board members were honored to represent the Springfield Council of PTAs, its member units, and the PTA Clothing Bank at the Springfield Public Schools Volunteer & Community Partner Recognition Event this evening. The positive impacts our council, units, and the PTA Clothing Bank made on the district this year were recognized with a 2023-2024 SPS Community Partner award.

Pictured: Sandi Haustein, VP of Programs; Taryn Raidel, VP of Health & Safety and Clothing Bank Chair; Donna Petiford, 2023-2024 President; Allison England, 2024-2025 President; Dr. Grenita Lathan, SPS Superintendent.

Thank you, PTA leaders, members, and volunteers, for your service and support of SPS students and staff this year. Your efforts are valued and appreciated!

Council Reflections Program

!!New Date!!: Sunday December 11, 2022, 11:00am-3:00 pm – Turn in School Winners for Council Judging

This year’s theme is: Show Your Voice! 

How to participate?

First register your PTA at PTA.org/Reflections

Check with your PTA President to make sure your PTA is good standing. If they are unsure, contact us at programs@scptamo.com and we check your standing.

Download the leadership guide at MOPTA.org You will also find the extremely useful social media images including promo reels, lawn signs, post cards, and flyers.

Determine your campaign plan and budget about sharing, inviting, and calling for Reflection entries including how you intend to recognize the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd recipients and other participants. Consider making all entrants feel special by sending a congratulatory letter and awarding with certificates, ribbons, medallions, buttons, plaques, trophies, art supplies, film, music supplies, gift certificates, books, and bookmarks. ShopPTA.com has a good collection of Reflections items which include the theme.

Set the deadline for the entries to be submitted to the school office. Meanwhile, start assembling a group of impartial and qualified judges to evaluate the entries. How many judges is up to you; however, 3 to 5 people works nicely. Reach out to professionals in the community as many enjoy supporting art programs in school.

Coordinate a time and way for judges to review entries and provide them with a welcome/thank you letter, instructions, entry rules, judging rubric, and score card. Remember to conduct blind judging where the students name and contact information is not revealed.

How to promote the Reflections program?

Share and publicize the Reflection program and theme to students, parents, principal, and school staff, while encouraging their support and participation. Talk about Reflections at a PTA meeting and have entry forms and rules available as handouts. Ask to include information about it in newsletters, social media, or announcements.

Additional ideas:

  • Host a Reflections Program workshop (or Family Art Night) for students to work on projects and provide supplies.
  • Talk to before/after school programs to host a Reflections workshop where students are invited to create or submit entries.
  • Organize ‘Art Night’ to meet local artists to help and inspire students.
  • Hand out flyers during carline.
  • Send flyers home in student folders.
  • Display posters and lawn signs.

Find posters, flyers, social media ready materials and video at the National PTA website. At any time feel welcome to reach out to the council as we are happy to help if we can. programs@scptamo.com

!!New Date!!: Sunday December 11, 2022, 11:00am-3:00 pm – Turn in School Winners for Council Judging

Reflections Program Contacts

Kimbala Ellis, Council Reflections Chair, reflections@scptamo.com

Allison England, Council VP of Programs, programs@scptamo.com

Reflections Remind Updates: Text @scptar to 81010