Letter from the President

Hello! I cannot believe it is already the 4th quarter! This is a busy time of year with nominating committees, elections, and year end procedures. If you have any questions on how to complete any of these please reach out to Council @ president@scptamo.com.  We are here to help!

If you have completed elections, please submit officers for next year here: https://mopta.org/home-2/missouri-pta-2021-2022-officers-form/

If you have any vacant positions, that is okay, please submit what you have. It helps us keep connected and assure someone is getting up to date information.

When you vote in the coming days (Tue April 6) consider what you want the future of education to look like. Consider the impact on families and children when  you assess the candidates’ values.  Our children’s access to quality education and to the tools that will help them succeed, are in your, the voters, hands. This year and every year after,  let’s take the next step and make our voices heard.

Don’t forget to VOTE on April 6th.

It has been a trying year for all of us and I continue to be amazed by your creativity and resourcefulness during these unprecedented times. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you need anything.

Please know that Council is here to support you and your unit. We are able to help with officer nominations, elections, changing and updating bylaws, audits, treasurer reports, budgets, and anything else you may need. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me to discuss successes, frustrations, ideas or ways to improve.

See you on Zoom this Thursday April 1st at 9:30

Mandy Mitchell

President, Springfield Council of PTAs

president@scptamo.com www.scptamo.com

Check out 15 Free Volunteer Thank You Cards from our Friends at Moneyminder: Click Here!

PTA Clothing Bank

I hope everyone had a great Spring Break. We returned to The Clothing Bank March 25^th and had a great shopping day. We’re looking forward to our next one, April 8^th!

We have officially started transitioning our floor from winter to summer so we are looking for those warm weather items – shorts, tees, tanks, summer pajamas, etc. We have opened up donations at The Wash House or you may drop off at The Clothing Bank any time during shopping hours.

Our remaining days for the school year are April 8^th, April 22^nd, May 6^th, and May 20^th 10am- 4:30pm. We are also looking forward to offering a shopping date during Explore! We will share that date when we get it nailed down.

If you have any questions, please contact us via Facebook and watch our page for updates.

Thank you for your support of The PTA Clothing Bank and students of SPS!

Taryn Raidel, VP of Health and Public Services

Treasurer’s Report and Tips for Treasurers

The detailed Treasurer’s Report can be found at Moneyminder.com
Username: council@scptamo.com Password: SCPTA.658

End of Fiscal Year Financial Review

Now’s the time to form a committee to do an Internal financial review to review the financial records at the end of the fiscal year (after the final bank statement is issued – usually mid-June). Your PTA’s bylaws should indicate who, when, and how the audit/review is to be conducted and reported to your membership. Start by finding (usually) 3 members to form an Audit/Review Committee. None of the 3 can have been signers on the bank account. They will need to set aside 2 or 3 hours – or more if they run into problems – to do a thorough job. The mission of the Audit/Review Committee is to confirm, to the best of its ability, that the financial records prepared by the Treasurer accurately reflect the financial status of the organization. They will need to determine a time and a place that the audit can occur. It is best if the Treasurer is not present during the audit, but may need to be available to answer questions that come up. See this link on the National PTA website for more information about what documents need to be given to the committee and the steps to complete the review. Use the form on the Missouri PTA website (End of Year Procedures) to submit your report to your membership and to Missouri PTA. Once the review is completed, you’ll be ready to file your PTA’s appropriate tax return (a copy of which is also submitted to Missouri PTA).

I would encourage each unit to go to this link and download in your unit’s shared folder or print out for your treasurer’s binder. This is the MOPTA guidelines and instructions for treasurers. A lot of good information that will answer frequent questions as well as inform you of our PTA legal & federal status with the IRS as a 501(c)(3).  https://mopta.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Missouri-PTA-Finances.pdf

If you’ve had any new memberships, be sure to send the portion to MOPTA by end of March (or asap). Feel free to email treasurer@scptamo.com with questions or if you need some help.  

Reflections Winners (City Level)

Reflections Winners (State Level)

Photography – Intermediate – 1^st Place: Ilyann Khan, Greenwood Laboratory School PTA

Photography – Middle School – 4^th Place:  Sophy Wicklam-Zhou, Central HS PTSA

Photography – High School – 2^nd Place: Hailey Youngblood, Central HS PTSA

Literature – Primary – 2^nd Place: Rachel Brawley, Wanda Gray PTA

Literature – Middle School – 4^th Place:  Keren Ding, Central HS PTSA

Literature – High School – 3^rd Place: Elana Hadi, Central HS PTSA

Literature – High School – 5th Place: Nina Musiyenko, Central HS PTSA

Visual Arts – Intermediate – 5^th Place: Eden Mitchell, Wanda Gray PTA

Visual Arts – Middle School – 3^rd Place: Grace Meyer, Central HS PTSA

Visual Arts – Middle School – 4^th Place: Keren Ding, Central HS PTSA

Visual Arts – Middle School – 5^th Place:  Minal Khan, Greenwood Laboratory School PTA

Visual Arts – High School – 2^nd Place: Madison Dimmick, Central HS PTSA

Visual Arts – High School – 3^rd Place: Nina Musiyenko, Central HS PTSA

Visual Arts – High School – 4^th Place: Karson Feuerbacher, Greenwood Laboratory School PTA

Springfield Reflections Leaders – Thank you for all you do for your students!

Teacher Appreciation Week May 3 – 7, 2021

While we often thank our teachers every day, it’s during Teacher Appreciation Week when we like to pause and really show our love for the teachers in our lives. We encourage you to tell your teacher how much you…

• Love (❤️) how they encourage you in special ways
• Like (👍) what’s happening in their classroom
• Celebrate (🎉) their achievements with students
• Care about (😍) their commitment to students and families

What will your PTA do to honor teachers this year? Join the conversation at

https://www.facebook.com/groups/PTALeader/permalink/2536192470020137

“We are doing a Super Hero theme this year – seems pretty fitting! A few things we will be doing: decorating the staff lounge, giving each staff a “super hero name”and putting it outside their classroom door, sending fill-in sheets home, “My teacher is a Super Hero because…” Lots of awesome ideas on Pinterest”

“…we will have a teacher drive thru and hand out swag bags to the teachers. Students are making signs for them to see as they drive by.”

“We are stealing an idea from a neighboring PTA which did a “Make a Wish” kind of thing. They got the teachers to put what they would wish for (for Christmas or Teacher Appreciation) and it could have been anything, a card, a cup of coffee, some learning materials for their class, and then converted that into a Signup genius and sent that to parents who signed up to fulfill a wish.  Easy for us, gets parents involved, saves our limited budget, although I’m thinking we may need to supplement a couple of wishes depending on the response.”

“We have a food truck coming. A few social media posts got us 1/3 of the total cost and then we sent home a flyer for donations.”  (Another posted about getting an Ice Cream Truck).

“… catered lunch and a snack day. Everything individually wrapped, ready for grab and go.”

From the Parliamentarian

Officer Transition–check your bylaws for direction on when officers assume duties of their new positions. If you are “passing the baton,” please plan for a smooth transition that is in the best interest of your PTA/PTSA and the students you represent.

• For more Parliamentary reminders and tips, check our website: https://scptamo.com/category/parliamentary-notes/ or https://scptamo.com/communication/parliamentarian-questions/

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Introducing Listen, Educate, Advocate (our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion mission). Listen to the new National PTA YouTube learning series, educate and share these with your PTA. Then, let’s make a plan to advocate:

New events added to the DEI calendar -> Check it out!

April 1 – SCPTA General Membership meeting via Zoom – 9:30 am

April 8 – PTA Clothing Bank open for shoppers and donations

April 15 – SCPTA Exec Board meeting – 9:15 am via Zoom

April 22 – PTA Clothing Bank open for shoppers and donations

May 6 – SCPTA General Membership meeting – 9:30 am via Zoom (SCPTA Officer Installation)

May 6 – PTA Clothing Bank open for shoppers and donations

May 20 – Springfield Council of PTAs Exec Board meeting – 9:15 am via Zoom

May 20 – PTA Clothing Bank open for shoppers and donations

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.

To join the SCPTA board, fill out the “Talent Bank form” and send to council@scptamo.com.

Click here: SCPTAs Talent Bank Interest Finder

—————> Watch replay of March 4 Candidate Forum: Click Here

Letter from the President (SCPTA)

Hello, I hope this finds you well. It has been over a year since we have last seen one another and I am continually amazed at how you continue to serve your school and community.

As I look ahead to brighter days, I wonder what the future must have looked like for The Boyd School Mothers Circle in 1909, later to be “Springfield Council of the National Congress of Mothers and Parent-Teacher Associations”, today’s SCPTA as they were trying to solve an urgent health and sanitation problem. The community water buckets were being shared with a stray dog!!

It has been a trying time for all of us and I thank you for your support. Please know that Council is here to support you and your unit. We are able to help with officer nominations, elections, changing and updating bylaws, audits, treasurer reports, budgets and anything else you may need. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me to discuss successes, frustrations, ideas or ways to improve. I believe together we can continue to make a difference just as the women did together in 1909.

PTA is the largest volunteer led advocacy organization in the United States. I am honored to be a part of PTA and leave my mark on history. Won’t you join me?

Mandy Mitchell
President, Springfield Council of PTAs
417-496-8980 text/call | president@scptamo.com

Letter from the President (MOPTA)

Now is the time to elected officers! Please make sure you are forming nominating committees and inviting all your members to consider serving on your board. Do not forget to turn in your officers to Missouri PTA once they are elected!

Convention is coming October 1-3, 2021 at the Hilton Inn in Columbia, MO. As you create your budget consider adding a line for convention. This weekend is full of valuable training and networking opportunities with units just like you from across Missouri.

SB55 is still on the calendar for the Senate. It is not too late to contact your state senator and let the know to vote NO to this omnibus bill that will forever change education in Missouri. For more information contact Paula McKinney MO PTA, VP of Legislation and Advocacy or visit the Missouri PTA webpage: JC/DC Critical Issue Alert!

Carla Wiese, President,  Missouri PTA carlaw@mopta.org

From the National PTA President

Listen to National PTA President Leslie Boggs’ podcast on meeting students’ mental health needs during the pandemic:

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

National PTA is now accepting applications for the 2021 Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion Award. The application deadline is March 14 at 11 p.m. EST, 8 p.m. PST. The Award recognizes PTAs that best demonstrate outstanding achievement in the areas of diversity and inclusion, as well as efforts to end discriminatory practices.

This award will be presented to one state PTA, one district/council/region PTA and one local PTA at the 2021 National PTA Convention & Expo in June.

Share how your PTA has championed diversity & inclusion for a chance to WIN $1,000!

New! Multicultural Calendar
The rich diversity in our communities is reflected in the observances celebrated by various cultures and populations. National PTA’s Center for Family Engagement has created this Multicultural Calendar to highlight and celebrate the diversity in our PTA and school communities! 2021 Multicultural Calendar

Challenge for March 2021

Use your answers to these questions to help gain knowledge of how to better understand and assist students and to develop a more inclusive atmosphere:

1. In what ways might poverty/class have an impact on students experience.

2. How might race impact student experience?

3. Between Poverty and Race, which might have the greatest impact on students experience?

Don’t forget to visit our Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion webpage for this month’s report from SCPTA’s Diversity Advisor, Toi Allen.

The PTA Clothing Bank

I cannot believe Spring Break is upon us. February went by in the blink of an eye. On the 4^th we welcomed several shoppers. It was great to see so many faces. Mother Nature changed our course the next two weeks. We returned to the Clothing Bank on the 25^th. We were not open, but we were joined by a group of young women enrolled in the Mercy BASE program. They helped, sort, stock, clean and prepare for our next shopping day. It was a great pleasure having them over.

We will be open March 4^th 12-4:30 and March 25^th 10-4:30. Also, you may drop off donations during these times. Other tentative dates are April 8 & 22; May 6 & 20.

If you have any questions, please contact us via Facebook and watch our page for updates.

Thank you for your support of The PTA Clothing Bank and students of SPS!

Taryn Raidel, VP of Health and Public Services

Treasurer’s Report and Tips for Treasurers

Bank account reconciliation helps you compare your financial records to your bank account to ensure you are entering everything accurately. It can help uncover mistakes so you can ensure you’re maintaining accurate records. Reconciling your bank account also helps to prevent fraud. How often should you reconcile your books – every month. Errors such as number transpositions, forgetting to record a transaction or recording one twice can throw your books off balance. If you wait too long to correct these issues, it can be a real chore to track them down months in the future.

Be sure to send National/State PTA dues to the state office for all dues collected. The number of memberships sold should balance to the number paid to MOPTA for the school year. Use the dues reporting form and new MOPTA address: PO BOX 30545, Columbia, MO 65205.

From the Parliamentarian

March is election of officers month. Once the officers have been elected at the general meeting, whether they are new officers or returning officers, their names must be sent to the State PTA Office so the officers will receive the information they will need to perform the duties of their office. Please use the form on the Missouri PTA website to communicate your new officers’ names and contact information.  

You may find the use of a script helpful in running the election of officers.  Please check your bylaws for the proper procedure and refer to this tool if necessary:  https://scptamo.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/electionscript.pdf

● If a nominee for an office cannot be found, the nominating committee must continue to function until a suitable candidate is found or until the election.
● If a candidate withdraws prior to the election, the nominating committee must resume its search for an appropriate candidate.
● If a person is elected to office and later withdraws, the filling of the office is handled as listed on the bylaws for any vacancy in office, usually by the officers of the board.

SCPTA 2021-2022 Officer Nominees

President – Mandy Mitchell

VP of Organization and Development – Bill Peterson

VP of Health and Public Services – Taryn Raidel

VP of Programs – Jessica Rosa

VP of Promotions – Heather Buckner

Treasurer – Becky Volz

Secretary – Sarah Whitten

To read bios of candidates for Council Officers, please see this link > Council Officer Candidates Pictures/Bios

March 4 – SCPTA General Meeting – SCPTA Officer Election and School Board Candidates’ Forum – 9:30am via Zoom

March 4 – PTA Clothing Bank open for shoppers and donations

March 9 – 11 National PTA Legislative Conference

March 11 – SCPTA Exec Board meeting – 9:15 am via Zoom

March 15 – 19 SPS Spring Break!

March 21 – SCPTA Reflections Winners Announced!

March 25 – PTA Clothing Bank open for shoppers and donations

March 31 – Send New Officer Information to Missouri PTA

April 1 – SCPTA General Membership meeting via Zoom – 9:30 am

April 8 – PTA Clothing Bank open for shoppers and donations

April 15 – SCPTA Exec Board meeting – 9:15 am via Zoom

April 22 – PTA Clothing Bank open for shoppers and donations

May 6 – SCPTA General Membership meeting – 9:30 am via Zoom (SCPTA Officer Installation)

May 6 – PTA Clothing Bank open for shoppers and donations

May 20 – Springfield Council of PTAs Exec Board meeting – 9:15 am via Zoom

May 20 – PTA Clothing Bank open for shoppers and donations

Every Child. One Voice.

PTA’s mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.

PTA Values

• Collaboration: We will work in partnership with a wide array of individuals and organizations to broaden and enhance our ability to serve and advocate for all children and families.
• Commitment: We are dedicated to children’s educational success, health, and well-being through strong family and community engagement, while remaining accountable to the principles upon which our association was founded.
• Diversity: We acknowledge the potential of everyone without regard, including but not limited to: age, culture, economic status, educational background, ethnicity, gender, geographic location, legal status, marital status, mental ability, national origin, organizational position, parental status, physical ability, political philosophy, race, religion, sexual orientation, and work experience.
• Respect: We value the individual contributions of members, employees, volunteers, and partners as we work collaboratively to achieve our association’s goals.
• Accountability: All members, employees, volunteers, and partners have a shared responsibility to align their efforts toward the achievement of our association’s strategic initiatives.

   Email: president@scptamo.com  clothingbank@scptamo.com

 Mailing Address:  SCPTA, 1458 E Chestnut Expwy, Spfld, MO 65802
    Facebook:  Springfield Council of PTAs; PTA Clothing Bank; SCPTA President’s Network