PTA to Men: MAN UP!

Is Your Child Getting a Global Education?

Whether students pursue learning through local community service or far-flung educational travel, universities appreciate applicants who take the initiative to seek out knowledge in unique ways. This PTA Radio show will highlight some vehicles for young people to obtain those experiences and help them build their self-confidence. Peg Thomas is President of People to People Ambassador Programs, an organization that provides educational travel experiences around the world for thousands of students each year. Prior to her current position Ms. Thomas lived and worked in Bergamo, Italy as an English teacher.

PTA to Men: MAN UP!

That's right, it's not just your mother's PTA anymore. As times change, so do family structures. Across the country more men are getting involved in their child's education. However, there is a lot more work to do to get more men engaged and the guests of this PTA Radio show are doing something about it. Listen now if you are a PTA leader looking for ways to engage men or you want to be more involved in your child's life. In 1998 Eric Snow, Executive Director of WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) helped create the very first WATCH D.O.G.S. program through the PTA of his son and daughter’s school. Eric was appointed to the National PTA Board of Directors in June of 2012. Al Tamagni is Chair of the National PTA Male Engagement Committee, Prior to that he served on the National PTA Board of Directors. He is also currently serving as President of Alaska PTA.

Reassuring Children that They are Safe in School

In the aftermath of the horrific tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, children will look to us to help them make sense of what happened. They may us ask difficult questions, ones which we may not be prepared to answer. This PTA Radio show will address some of those questions and help parents reassure our children that they are safe in school. Amy R. Smith is currently serving as the President of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) for the 2012–2013 term. She is on sabbatical from her position as an Educational Consultant at the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), the training arm of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Special Education.

National PTA Offers $500-$5000 Grants to Help with Storm Recovery

In the wake of one of the most devastating natural disasters in American history, National PTA® announces a grant program to assist schools impacted by Superstorm Sandy. Listen now to find out how your PTA can receive funding to rebuild your school community. Also, listen to a first-hand account of what families are going through from a parent leader on the ground in New Jersey Charlotte Arr is president of the New Jersey PTA Betsy Landers is president of the National Parent Teachers Association (NPTA). Her role in National PTA also included chairing the National PTA Advisory Board, the National Council of States, the Strategic Plan Committee, the Resource Development Committee, and the Finance Committee. .

Protecting Your Child When Driving

The most widely read magazine by PTA leaders and members just got better by going digital! The digital version of Our Children will contain features that help readers navigate to additional information with a single click. Social media and email options help readers share content just as easily. Video will enhance your reading experience and tabs will help readers go directly to any article. Of course, for those who like to "thumb" through the magazine from front to back, the digital Our Children behaves just like a print magazine. Subscribers will still receive the print issue as usual but now have the option of sharing information with one simple click. The August-September issue has already hit newsstands and laptops! Marilyn Ferdinand is the editor in chief of Our Children, National PTA’s flagship magazine. Published five times during the school year, Our Children offers timely information helpful to parents, teachers, and PTA leaders who serve the needs of school children and their families across the United States and at our military outposts overseas.