One Thing (November 2022)

One Thing – Over the next few days, I’ll be sending a One Thing email.  The idea is that you can forward this One Thing to the person or people on your PTA / PTSA board who can help you with this.

Friday Nov. 18 – Today’s One Thing – Council Special Funds (CARE / MCBRIDE).  The CARE fund is for ELEMENTARY schools and is given to the principal to use at their discretion to promote good behavior.  The MCBRIDE fund is given to the Middle School or High School Principal to use at their discretion for student need. Please have your principal fill out the appropriate form (see link above or below). Your PTA /PTSA needs to be in GOOD STANDING in order for the special funds to be approved.  If you are unsure or need help with this, please let me know.  We’ve already heard from some of you (McBride, Gray, Pittman, Holland, Wilder, Harrison, Glendale, Kickapoo, Hillcrest – please disregard this message).

The amount given is based on available funds. If you would like to make a donation towards this project, you may use our Paypal link on our website: we appreciate the help and support!

Care Fund (Elementary)

McBride Fund (Middle School/High School)

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Saturday Nov. 19 – Today’s One Thing – Reflections.  It’s not too late to implement this program in your PTA / PTSA.  See our website for details:  https://scptamo.com/reflections-dates/

!!New Date!!: Sunday December 11, 2022, 11:00am-3:00 pm – Turn in School Winners for Council Judging, Library Center Community Room A/B // 4653 S. Campbell Ave. 

December 15 – deadline to advance winners to Missouri PTA (online submission).  See Missouri PTA’s website for more information. https://mopta.org/reflections/

TBD – Council Winners Announced Via Social Media/Email Blast

January: Date, Time & Location TBD – District Reflections Awards Celebration

Reflections Program Contacts – please reach out if you have any questions:

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

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

Reflections Remind Updates: Text @scptar to 81010 

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Sunday November 20 – Today’s One Thing – Council Dues

$35 Payable to Springfield Council of PTAs before December 1. 

Use this form and mail a check =>    Dues & Donations Form

Or pay via PayPal on our website:  www.scptamo.com

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.  

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Membership Monday – Remit to Missouri PTA $4.25 for each PTA/PTSA individual membership that you have sold, and $5.50 for each business membership that you have sold.

You may pay online with PayPal at this link: https://mopta.org/membership-dues-submission/ Or you may pay by check mailed to Missouri PTA along with this completed form: https://7f629d.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Membership-Dues-2022-2023-fillable.pdf

Membership dues should be paid monthly. If they are not paid monthly, the amount owed to Missouri PTA should be reflected in your monthly treasurer’s report.

Bylaws Article V # Section 10.

a. The local treasurer shall keep the record of the state and national portions of the membership dues separate from the record of the general funds of the local unit. All state and national portions arepayable to the state office the first of each month.

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One Thing: Tuesday Nov. 22 – The PTA Clothing Bank

Thank you to everyone for your help and support of the PTA Clothing bank and the students we support throughout the year.  We’ve served more students so far this year than we served all of last year. 

Taryn – our tremendous PTA Clothing Bank leader –  has set up this Amazon wishlist for you to share:  https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1M98YDRMIS9NG?ref_=wl_share

Our areas of greatest need:  girls tops (sizes 10 – 16), ALL sizes of boys pants (athletic pants preferred), and new socks and underwear.  Sock, underwear, jeans, and/or coat drives are always appreciated. 

You may also make $$ donations to the PTA Clothing bank via mail using this form:  (use this form and mail a check) =>    Dues & Donations Form   or on our website www.scptamo.com via Paypal. 

The operating schedule (days/times we are open for shoppers and volunteers) is also on our website (as well at FAQs): https://scptamo.com/the-pta-clothing-bank/

Having a donation bin at your school is a great way to collect gently-used clothes for the PTA Clothing Bank.  Make sure that it is in a designated spot and that it is well managed. Work with your principal to find the best spot for your school. SPS will bring your donations to the PTA Clothing Bank if they are packaged and well marked.  You can also bring donations to the CB anytime we are open or drop off at any Springfield Wash House location. 

Our suggested volunteer schedule for PTA/PTSA units looks like this (volunteers are welcome and appreciated any time we are open): 

December 1 – Parkview and Feeder Schools (Carver, Jarrett, Sherwood, Twain, Sunshine, McGregor, Cowden, Holland, Rountree, Delaware)

December 15 – Glendale and Feeder Schools (Hickory Hills, Pershing, Sequiota, Pittman, Bingham, Wilder, Field).

January 12 – Central and Feeder Schools (Pipking, Westport, Bissett, York, Weaver, Boyd, Weller)

January 26 – Hillcrest and Feeder Schools (Reed, Pleasant View, Truman, Fremont, Robberson, Bowerman, Watkins, Williams)

February 9 – Kickapoo and Feeder Schools (Cherokee, Wilson’s Creek, McBride, Gray, Harrison, Jeffries, Mann, Disney)

Feb. 23 – Parkview and Feeder Schools

March 30 – Glendale and Feeder Schools 

April 13 – Central and Feeder Schools

April 27 – Hillcrest and Feeder Schools

May 11 – All hands on deck for summer preparation

Follow the PTA Clothing Bank on Facebook for the most up-to-date information.

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