National PTA News 11/15/21

11/15/2021 2:30 pm

Advocacy News

• During each congressional session, PTA chooses priorities to ensure that every child has access to a fair and equitable education. To learn more about National PTA’s Five Public Policy Priorities for the 117th Congress, read more here. 

• In late October, the White House released its updated recommendations for infrastructure funding within The Build Back Better Act. The recommendations dedicate federal funding to a variety of programs, including Universal Pre-K, teacher training, childcare, community violence prevention, and child nutrition, but unfortunately do not dedicate any federal funds towards school infrastructure. Negotiations are still ongoing, and National PTA will continue to monitor and encourage Congress to invest in school infrastructure. 

Expectation of Civility Statement

• National PTA recognizes that we can only achieve our mission through ongoing conversation, collaboration, and partnership with other interested parties within the education system. These partnerships are critical to ensuring that our association’s mission and priorities are meaningfully advanced at the local, state, and national level.  To encourage respectful collaboration, the Board of Directors recently passed an Expectations of Civility position statement. Also make sure to check out other position statements on the website.

In the latest Notes from the Backpack podcast, "Raising Children Who Change The World," the hosts chat with author and founder of 1000 Black Girl Books, Marley Dias, and her mom, Dr. Janice Johnson Dias, an educator and author.   Listen now.

PISD News

11/15/2021 2:27 pm

• The school board recently voted to accept the 2022-2023 School Calendar. Please click here to see the calendar.

• For parents of 8th graders: Academy Programs information, including links to pre-register for two virtual meetings this week, can be found here: https://www.pisd.edu/academyprograms

Veteran's Day is this Thursday, November 11th!

11/8/2021 11:53 am

This year is the centennial commemoration of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Located at Arlington National Cemetery, the Tomb was initially dedicated by the Army on Armistice Day, November 11, 1921, with the burial of an unknown service member from World War I. Over the past century, additional unknowns have been buried at the Tomb, and the site has become a people’s memorial that inspires reflection on service, valor, sacrifice and mourning. The Veterans Day National Ceremony is held each year on November 11th, starting precisely at 11:00 a.m. EST with a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns.  

*Each year, the Veterans Day National Committee publishes a commemorative Veterans Day poster.  This year, the winning poster was created by artist Matt Tavares from Maine.

School of Excellence Survey - complete soon!

11/8/2021 11:49 am

Saturday, November 13th is Texas Recycles Day

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Drive through and drop off items from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the Chase Oaks Church parking lot at 281 Legacy Drive (enter from Chase Oaks Boulevard.)  Information about what you can recycle and donate is available here:  Texas Recycles Day (plano.gov)