Tips for a Better Parent-School Relationship

The Washington Post's Tips for a Better Parent-School Relationship: A Few Suggestions From Both Sides Of the Discussion

The Washington Post's Jay Mathews has 10 recommendations for better relations from educators and school-savvy parents:

1. Stop Using Jargon
2. Visit Parents on Their Turf
3. Ask Parents to Teach What They Know
4. Welcome Complainers
5. Hire Parent-Friendly Principals
6. Seek Parent Volunteers
7. Offer Educational Activities For Parents and Kids
8. Get Parents to Observe Classes
9. Provide Courses for Parents
10. Create a Great School

Read the entire article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/16/AR2006101600907_pf.html

ADVOCACY ALERT: Timothy's Law

Timothy's Law
ADVOCACY ALERT ©NYS PTA® Advocacy Team
Stephanie Fehr November 2006

The New York State Senate unanimously passed "Timothy's Law," (S.8482/A.12080) to provide parity in insurance coverage for mental illnesses. The legislation, which has been sent to the Assembly, would require insurance companies to cover most mental illnesses and would require coverage for a broad range of mental illnesses and conditions specifically related to children. This legislation also equalizes co-payments and deductibles for treatment for mental illness with co-pays and deductibles for other physical ailments. The Assembly is expected to act on it before the end of the year to pass the legislation. It is not clear whether or not the Governor will sign the bill into law.

Your help is needed NOW to urge Governor Pataki to sign S.8482/A.12080 into law once it reaches his desk. Tell the Governor New Yorkers can’t afford to go without mental health care anymore. You can contact the Governor by:

• Calling:
  Leave a message at (518) 474-1041 asking the Governor to sign Timothy’s Law.
• Writing:
  Governor George E. Pataki
  State Capitol
  Albany, NY 12224

Summary of Legislation:
This legislation requires that all insurance companies cover 30 inpatient days of treatment and 20 outpatient days of treatment for all mental illnesses (30/20 benefit) and requires that co-pays and deductibles for treatment for mental illness be equal to co-pays and deductibles for other physical ailments.
In addition, the agreed upon legislation requires insurance coverage for children under age 18 with attention deficit disorder, disruptive behavior disorders or pervasive development disorders where there are serious suicidal symptoms or other lifethreatening self-destructive behavior; significant psychotic symptoms (hallucinations, delusion, bizarre behaviors); behavior caused by emotional disturbances that placed the child at risk of causing personal injury or significant property damage; or behavior caused by emotional disturbances that placed the child at substantial risk of removal from the household.