Help Build Your School Health Council

School health councils are an important means for parents to ensure that their schools promote student health. PTA showed its support for parents this past June by adopting a resolution at its national convention designed to do the following:

• Encourage schools to develop school health councils to foster the connection between good health and learning.
• Support health education efforts throughout the entire school, including in cafeteria offerings and physical education programs.
• Encourage collaboration with health-related organizations to assist in the development and activities of school health councils.

Pennsylvania PTA, which proposed the resolution, took action, offering "how-to" workshops and health and nutrition information. Pennsylvania PTA President, Christine Munchak, has noticed that many efforts succeed when parents have initiated the process and have remained involved. However, one of the obstacles Pennsylvania PTA Health Education Coordinator Theresa Mucciolo has seen in establishing school health councils is the lack of parent involvement on councils.

"Many school health councils are looking for parents, but parents should be looking for them," says Mucciolo.

For more information about school health and wellness, go to the National PTA website's Health and Wellness section. For more information about school health councils, take a look at the American Cancer Society's A Guide to Community-School Health Councils as well as information in the Action for Healthy Kids' Resources to Improve Schools database.

An Easy Way to Contact Your Legislators

The National PTA, through their website www.pta.org, has made it very easy for us to contact our legislators in Washington about issues that concern us and PTA, and to also see our legislator's voting record and other vital information about our legislators.

As if that's not enough, National PTA makes it even easier by listing topics of interest we can choose from and has pre-written letters. All we have to do is type in our name, hit a button and it's sent!

Here's how:

• Access the National PTA's Elected Officials page: http://capwiz.com/npta2/dbq/officials/
  (You can also get here from the PTA's main page: www.pta.org => Issues and Action => Take Action => Elected Officials)
  
• Either enter your zipcode and zipcode-plus, or enter the last name of the official you wish to email. Click Go.
  
• You should see one of more officials. Click the info link to access contact and background information. Click the email link to select pre-written messages (which you are able to edit) or compose your own message. Add your name and contact information, click Send Message and off it goes!

Please take advantage of this extremely easy tool. National has done all the hard work, allowing us the ease and freedom to have our voices heard!

The NYS PTA's recommendation on Playgrounds

MEMO: Playgrounds
TO: NYS PTA Board of Managers
FROM: JoAnn Incalcatera, NYS PTA Treasurer
DATE: December 12, 2006

New York State PTA has a responsibility to ensure that our units are fully informed before making any decision. To that end, here is information we believe you need to know:

NYS PTA does not recommend PTA units become involved in the raising of funds for, or participating in any aspect of replacing or building playgrounds. As a 501 (c) (3) organization, we are chartered to advocate and educate on behalf of children. The primary focus of PTA should be on the promotion of the Purposes of PTA, and not on fundraising. Fundraising is necessary to support PTA programs and to meet the needs of the PTA budget. It is important to keep in mind our mission statement "that we will maintain our commitment and service to all children and to its diverse membership through increased parent and community awareness, advocacy, education and involvement." Basically, the only funds that should be raised by a unit are to support the primary function of advocacy and education, not to purchase things such as playgrounds. Please remember that PTA funds may not be donated to or raised for another group.

Playgrounds are expensive and the IRS not only looks at how PTAs spend their money but how they raise it. The fundraising activities must reflect our Mission and Purposes. Book Fairs are a good example; while we are raising funds we are promoting how important it is to read. The IRS will see that there is a direct connection between the fundraising act and the mission to encourage all children to read. The amount of fundraising a unit would have to do to support a playground would be extensive and very hard to justify under this requirement. The PTAs time and resources would be better spent attending school board meetings and making it their priority that the needs of all children are met. Many units have worked with their school boards and community members to achieve the goal of securing a safe playground. They did not raise the funds, purchase, or install the playground. They achieved their goal by ADVOCATING!

Another concern is the issue of liability. The greater the involvement of the PTA in raising funds and building the playground, the greater the exposure for lawsuits. The NYS PTA has experienced several claims and lawsuits; this impacts our ability to secure insurance for our all units and also raises the cost of the insurance.

We do not recommend PTAs engage in playground projects. However, if after careful consideration of all the issues the PTA decides to go ahead, the following must be adhered to. The unit must be fully informed and the membership must vote to approve this activity. This kind of project will most likely span several years so please consider that the current leadership will be committing future leadership and members. The PTA should not under any circumstances purchase or install any equipment. The "grant" process as outlined in the NYS PTA Resource Guide should be followed. This does add a layer of insulation but it does not absolve the PTA of all liability. The PTA has to be very aware of IRS regulations and make sure they are in compliance.

The question of the PTA being the recipient of a grant to pay for playgrounds and other items has also become an issue. We recommend extreme caution when it comes to applying for and accepting a grant for schools. Once the PTA has committed to the grant, they become legally responsible for the administration of the grant. There are many legal and IRS requirements, as well as record keeping details that are beyond the ability of many units. Once again, this also increases our exposure for fraud and liability and therefore impacts our ability to secure affordable insurance.

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.

NYS Education Dept. Parent Involvement Forum

Creating Family Partnerships: A NYS Education Public Forum on Improving How We Serve Parents and Families

In 2005, the New York State Board of Regents convened an internal workgroup to review the 1991 Regents policy statement entitled: “Parent Partnerships: Linking Families, Communities, and Schools.” Following a round of public meetings in the 2005-2006, the internal workgroup presented the Regents with a proposed policy revision. The Regents and the State Education Department of New York invite you to discuss a proposed policy revision on supporting families in their children’s education and in holding schools accountable for academic achievement. This forum is designed to solicit comment from the public on ways in which the Regents, the State Education Department and the schools, colleges, universities, libraries, museums, and other institutions that collectively comprise the University of the State of New York can strengthen family partnerships across New York State.

The Taconic Region PTA urges all members to attend one of the forums. They are scheduled in seven regional locations during October, November and December 2006.
Advanced registration is required.

Locations and dates:

• Albany: Thu., Oct 19, 2006, 6-8pm
• Syracuse: Wed., Oct 25, 2006, 6-8pm
• Buffalo: Wed., Nov 8, 2006, 4-6pm
• Rochester: Thu., Nov 9, 2006, 6-8pm
• Yonkers: Wed., Dec 6, 2006, 6-8pm
• NYC: Tue, Dec 12, 2006, 6-8pm
• Hempstead: Wed, Dec 13, 2006, 6-8pm

http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/nyc/Parents/RegionalPublicForumDates.html

Registration form:
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/nyc/Parents/PublicSessionRegistrationForm.html

Educational Programing

FCC Adopts Agreement on Kids' Television Programming
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) modified its rules governing children's television programming and advertising. The modifications are in line with the proposal made last December by the Children's Media Policy Coalition and representatives of the broadcast and cable industry.

In late December 2005, after months of legal wrangling and tough negotiations, PTA and fellow members of the Children's Media Policy Coalition reached an agreement with the broadcast and cable industry that would ensure more options in children's educational programming and increased protection of children from advertising. The agreement was then submitted to the FCC for consideration.

The involved industry companies have been voluntarily complying with the agreement since March 1. The language approved by the FCC today becomes a federal regulation to which all digital broadcasters must adhere to.

Under the new rules, the bulk of the 2004 FCC decision on children's digital television rules remains untouched, supplementing the rules set forth under the Children's Television Act of 1990. The Children's Television Act of 1990 requires broadcast companies to meet public interest obligations to receive broadcast licenses. One way in which broadcast companies may comply is by showing a minimum of three hours of educational and informational children's programming. The act also limits the amount of advertising that can be shown during children's programming. One of the goals of the Children's Media Policy Coalition is to ensure that digital broadcasters meet their public interest obligations to children by providing children with educational programming.

Under the new rules, broadcast companies with multiple channels must air three hours of educational programming per channel each week if they wish to use the three-hour rule to comply with their public interest obligations. The new rules also establish controls on advertising to children during children's programming and clarify the classification of and guidelines for program promotions.

The new rules:
1.Limit the use of children's television characters to sell products to kids.
2.Restrict the promotion of websites that sell products to kids.
3.Count promotions for programs not primarily intended for a child audience as advertisements. 4. Allow promotions only for age-appropriate programs.

PTA believes that it is the responsibility of parents, teachers, broadcast and cable media, and producers of children's television shows to support, monitor, and improve the quality of programs and productions. Programming that incorporates education and information can be a positive factor in student achievement; it can engage children in learning that is also entertaining. The requirements and protections in these rules provide such programming and assure parents that programs labeled educational/informational are good for their children to watch.

The Children's Media Policy Coalition is a broad group of public health, child advocacy, and education organizations, including Children Now, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Benton Foundation, PTA, the American Psychological Association, and the Office of Communication of the United Church of Christ.

The media companies involved in negotiating the initial agreement were Viacom, The Walt Disney Company, CBS Broadcasting, Fox Entertainment Group, NBC Universal, Time Warner, 4Kids Entertainment, the Association of National Advertisers, and Discovery Communications.