The Ohio PTA Voice May - June 2015 Issue

A powerful voice for all children A relevant resource for families and communities
A strong advocate for the education and well-being of every child
Page 1
The Ohio PTA Voice
May 2015
Note from the President...
Table of Contents:
Pg. 1- Presidents Message
Grand Finale
Pg. 4- Advocacy
Pg. 6- Heritage Month
Pg. 7 Family School Partnership
Pg. 8 Special Needs Child
Pg. 9 Bylaws
Pg. 10 Membership Awards
Pg. 12 Healthy Lifestyles
Pg. 17 Education
Pg. 20 Standards of Affiliation
Pg. 21 End of Year Tools
Pg. 22- Treasurer Tools
Pg. 23- Reflections
Pg. 25 Convention Pictures
Pg. 26 Reports
Pg. 37 Board of Directors
Ohio PTA
40 Northwoods Blvd Ste A
Columbus, OH 43235-4718
(614) 781-6344
Fax: (614) 781-6349
office@ohiopta.org
As I write my Grand Finale, my final article as your Ohio PTA President, I am

filled with so much emotion. I am so thankful for the opportunity to conduct Our
PTA Symphony. This has been such a wonderful experience!
The theme of my term, Our PTA Symphony: Bringing Harmony to Every Childs
Life, was chosen because of my love for music and because of what music
represents, and we focused on four movements or goals this term: Family
Engagement, Training, Advocacy, and Relevancy.
Ive enjoyed making musical analogies as it relates to PTA. Ive talked about the
basics of music starting with the staff - a set of 5 lines with 4 spaces in between and how theres nothing particularly exciting about the staff, yet when other
notation is added, it develops into music! When we start adding clefs, time
signatures, measures, and notes, it begins to develop into a beautiful symphony.
We have to understand that we need all of these components. We will never be
able to engage families, advocate for them, or be relevant if we are on a different
note, if we dont consider their notation in the symphony.
Ive talked about the beauty of Our PTA Symphony is that theres a part for
everyone. Each part of music looks different, sounds different, but each has its
place to bring it together to make the PTA Symphony. Ive communicated about
being instrumental in PTA and being in the right key. Ive shared about the
composers of Our PTA Symphony, our founders. Resonating with our families and
being in true harmony have been focuses. And Ive spoken about the power of the
sound of one voice. Symphony means agreement of sound one voice. Our PTA
tagline is Every Child. One Voice. Last month I shared about the importance of
memorizing our mission.
For some Ohio PTA Board of Directors, this is also their Grand Finale. We have
several board members leaving who have collectively served over 75 years to help
shape and direct PTA. Id like to take this opportunity to acknowledge them.
Advertising in this newsletter does not imply endorsement by Ohio PTA
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The Ohio PTA Voice
May 2015
Cathy Harless, our Vice President of Field Service - when I first came on the Board
of Directors as District 11 Advisor (half of Cuyahoga County), she was District 10
Advisor (Central Ohio). Cathy was an experienced District Advisor and I looked to
her as a type of mentor as I learned the ropes. She also served as Vice President of
Leadership and Director of Events.
Sharon Urig, our Secretary-Treasurer - when I decided to take a small step onto the
state level, I joined the Ohio PTA Membership Committee and Sharon was the
Director of Membership. She was a great source of inspiration to me. She also has
served as District 7 Advisor and Director of Bylaws and Standing Rules.
Lynn LaMore, our Director of Events - Lynn is the one you can blame for me being
your Ohio PTA President. When I was a Council President, she was my District 11
Advisor. After I completed my council presidency, she asked me to be the District 11
Membership Chairperson. Then unexpectedly, she approached me and asked if I
would be interested in filling her vacancy as District 11 Advisor as she desired to
move to Director of Programs. In addition, Lynn has served as Secretary-Treasurer.
Hazel Trinko, our District 18 Advisor - Hazel has probably attended every National
PTA Convention since she started on the board 17 year ago. We roomed together at a
couple of conventions and she was always my fashion policewoman. In all those
years, she has rarely missed a Board meeting or function. She has also been Director
of Education and District 13 Advisor.
Last, but not least, is Gloria Cazan, our Immediate Past President - Gloria was always
ready to greet me with open arms when I first came onto the board and she always
lent a listening ear when I had ideas. As she likes to say, we were connected at the
Id like to leave with you the lyrics of the song that was shared at my installation
banquet entitled, What Good is a Song? by Quincy Jones.
Continued...
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The Ohio PTA Voice
May 2015
What good, what good is a song?

What good are the lyrics if they cant soothe you?
If they cant ease a troubled mind
What good is the beat if it cant move you?
It would be a waste of time
What good is the music if it cant please you?
If it has no depth or height
What good is a rhyme if it cant relieve you?
Or some problem in your life
What good is a song if it cant inspire?
If it has no message to bring
If a song cannot send you higher
Then its not good enough to sing
You can hum a little song when youre hurting
Then feel a reason for some laughter
Or whistle a melody while you work
It will make your day go faster
Songs have been known to lift the spirit
Songs has been known to touch the soul
But when no one ever needs to hear it
Then its not worth the title it owns
I hope that Our PTA Symphony is soothing, moving, pleasing, relieving, and
inspiring. I hope that it serves to ease troubled minds, has depth and height. I hope
that Our PTA Symphony is something that helps the hurting, brings some laughter
and happiness, lifts spirits, touches souls. I hope that it will always be hummed,
whistled, and sung. And I definitely hope that Our PTA Symphony is worth the title
that it owns, because we do have a message to bring.
As we do our work in PTA and play our parts in Our PTA Symphony, we should
always keep in mind that PTA has stood the test of time for 118 years, and is the
largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the nation, whose mission is to be a
powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities,
and a strong advocate for public education. We want to make sure that this mission
We should celebrate the great impact that Our PTA Symphony is making in the
lives of families and communities in Ohio!
From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you for embracing the vision of my
theme and helping to bring harmony to every childs life!
With great love and appreciation, I sign off for the last time as your Ohio PTA
Conductor. May Our PTA Symphony resound forever!
Ohio PTA President 2013-2015
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The Ohio PTA Voice
May 2015
Advocacy Makes a Difference!

On March 12, the Ohio Constitutional Modernization
Commissions Education, Public Institutions and Local
Government Committee voted to preserve the current
language in Article VI, Sections 1 and 2, which contains the
thorough and efficient clause. Ohios responsibility to offer and support
public schools shall be retained in this 164-year old phrase.
House passes community school accountability bill
The Ohio House recently passed HB 2, regarding community school
accountability, by a vote of 70-25. The bill is in the Ohio Senate for
consideration.
Senate passes mandate relief bill
The Ohio Senate passed SB 3, which would provide mandate relief in various
ways to local districts in the areas of extracurricular reporting, teacher
evaluations, testing, and non-licensured teachers. The bill is in the Ohio
House for consideration.
Ohio House continues work on budget bill
The Ohio House has set a target date of April 22 for finishing up their work
on House Bill (HB) 64, the biennial budget the bill, then sending it to the
Senate for consideration.
Senate Medicaid Committee
At the end of March, this committee heard sponsor testimony from Senator
Kevin Bacon (R-Minerva Park) and Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering) on SB 94.
This legislation deals with the Medicaid School Program (MSP) and provides
for the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) to receive at least 3.5% of the
federal matching funds the state receives for the MSP. It also requires various
reporting methods for federal fund collection, transportation and personal care
services for recipients, and eliminates the requirement that an MSP service be
provided in a school.
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The Ohio PTA Voice
May 2015
Advocacy in Action
We will be transitioning to a new board in the coming months, so thank you
to everyone who has helped Ohio PTA advocate on behalf of children in our
state and across the nation. Remember to keep your advocacy efforts going
over the summer and plan for a strong membership campaign by
incorporating PTA advocacy through candidate nights (school board elections
are this fall), monthly recognition of outstanding advocates in your school,
district or around your region, or by inviting elected officials to open houses
and PTA events.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as the Ohio PTA Director of Advocacy
for the past four years. It has been an honor.
Jackie Arendt
Director of Advocacy
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The Ohio PTA Voice
May 2015
May is Asian Pacific American

Heritage Month
2015 Theme:
Leadership to Meet the Challenge of a
Changing World
Asian Pacific Americans represent more than 50 ethnic groups and 100
languages. The Asian-Pacific encompasses the entire Asian continent and the
Pacific islands of Melanesia (Fiji, New Caledonia, New Guinea, the Solomon
Islands, and Vanuatu), Micronesia (Guam, Kiribati, Marianas, Marshall
Islands, Nauru, Palau, Wake Island, and the Federated States of Micronesia)
and Polynesia (American Samoa, Cook Islands, Easter Island, French
Polynesia, Hawaiian Islands, Midway Islands, New Zealand, Rotuma, Samoa,
Tonga, and Tuvalu).
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebrates the culture, traditions,
and history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. It
originally was a weeklong celebration during the first week of May, selected to
commemorate two important events: the arrival of the first Japanese
immigrants in America on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the
Transcontinental Railroad (by many Chinese laborers) on May 10, 1869. In
Here are some ideas on how to commemorate this month:
Contact local cultural clubs, centers, and organizations
Invite members from the community to share at your PTA meeting
Invite parents and families to share their experiences at your meeting or a
special event
Provide activities to help educate and give a better understanding
For activity suggestions and more information, please go to:
http://www.infoplease.com/asian-pacific-american-heritage-month/funstuff.html
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The Ohio PTA Voice
May 2015
Promoting Family School Partnership

The National PTA School of Excellence enrollment period is open now until
October 1.
This program is a great way to showcase your school. Register today and receive a toolkit with step by step instructions on how to work towards receiving this award. When you support and celebrate partnership between your
PTA and school, you help to enhance all students educational experience and
overall well-being!
Best wishes to the eleven schools in Ohio that are currently working toward
receiving their School of Excellence Award for this academic year. The next
deadline for submitting the report is June 1st.
Please encourage your unit to form their team and apply for this award! Go
to pta.org for details and to register.
Pam Bonnett
Director of Family-School Partnership
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The Ohio PTA Voice
May 2015
Preparing your Special Needs Child for

College
For many parents of children on the autism spectrum, we want our children to
be accepted, we dont want them to be labeled and we pray for them to have
the same experiences as any child. As we guide them through their educational
challenges and struggles from pre-school to high school, many parents wonder
if college will be in our childs future.
According to Michael A. Noonan, a Special Education teacher in the Columbus
City Schools district, there is no reason children with any disability should not
continue their education after high school graduation. He not only teaches
children with special needs, but is also the parent of a child with special needs.
Like any family, Noonan says, preparation is the key to getting your child
ready for the next level of education. Nothing pains me more educationally
speaking than to watch students wait until their senior year to become
concerned about their future, especially going to college. As a parent of a child
attending college and an educator of students with special needs, I cannot
emphasize enough the importance of starting early with preparing for college.
Noonan advices parents to check any special accommodations and services
their child may have offered to them. Columbus City Schools has partnered
with I Know I Can, a program that offers valuable services including
assistance completing required college forms for college admission, searching
for scholarships and help with Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(known as the FAFSA). Noonan suggests when searching for the college that
fits best for your child, make sure you know the colleges admission
requirements, deadlines for forms, what they offer (extra-curricular activities,
classes) and, of course, costs. And I might add, says Noonan, many students
in Special Education can and should go to college. These students need to
consider how the different colleges can be of assistance. When should a student
start their college search? The answer is simple: NOW!
For more information on colleges for children with special needs go to:
www.college-scholarships.com/learning_disabilities.htm
N. Michelle Sutton
Member, Ohio PTA Mosaic Committee
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The Ohio PTA Voice
May 2015
Update Your Bylaws in the Summer? Sure!

Summer is coming! Lots of questions to consider: Where to
vacation? What camps should we send the kids to? When and
where is Summer Leadership so I can get some great PTA
training? When should we start reviewing our bylaws?
Wait..what???
Bylaws sometimes scary intimidating boring.but
ALWAYS necessary! And a great time of year to review them is summer.
Bylaws are an entity of PTA that has no beginning and no end. There are no
deadlines, such as in Membership, no definite start and no ending. Therefore, bylaws
can be done ANY time of year.
Bylaw revisions process isnt as hard as people make it out to be. It can be a little
time consuming, but not difficult. There are six simple steps to revising our bylaws:
1) Obtain a copy of your current bylaws and a copy of the current sample bylaws
from the Ohio PTA Director of Bylaws.
2) Form a committee 3 people is good.
3) Meet and go over the current units bylaws and the sample bylaws. Make
comparisons.
4) Bring your revised bylaws back to your units PTA meeting for review and
discussion.
5) At your next months unit meeting, ask for a vote to approve the new bylaws.
6) Email them to the Director of Bylaws and Standing Rules and I will check them
over and approve or send them back to you for a revision.
This whole process can take up to 3 months so plan ahead if you want to change
something in your bylaws by a certain date or event, and doing this over the summer
will assure your unit that you will be ready for business in the fall.
So grab some people, pick someones house, kick back on the deck with some cold
lemonade and have fun with it. Do it while life isnt so busy with schedules.
Good luck and have a great summer!!
Linda Read
Director of Bylaws and Standing Rules
CONGRATULATIONS!
AmandaJoy Pierce-Lotts provided the catalyst for our new e-newsletter name The Ohio PTA Voice. Pictured is President-Elect Sheila Ragland presenting
the $100 check to AmandaJoy for the winning contest submission.
PTA
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May 2015
The Ohio PTA Voice
The Ohio PTA 2015 Membership Awards

2015 Unit Awards
President Awards:
Gold District 12 Big Creek Elementary PTA
Silver District 11 Lincoln Elementary PTA
Bronze District 12 N. Olmsted Early Child PTA
189 Members Over Last Year

200% Over Last Year
Most Creative
Club Awards:
500 Club
D6 Loveland Elem. PTA

D6 Nagel Middle School PTA
D12 N. Royalton Middle School PTA
D12 Falls Lenox Elementary PTA
502 Current Members

926 Current Members
531 Current Members
625 Current Members
100 Club
D6 Oak Hills High School PTA

D10 Huber Ridge Elementary PTA
D13 Streetsboro Community PTA
D13 Suffield Elementary PTA
D13 Echo Hills PTA
D13 Dunbar Elementary PTA
D13 Wilcox Primary PTA
D17 Orchard Hollow Elementary PTA
D18 Boardman High School PTSA

109% Over Last Year
128% Over Last Year
151 Members/105% Over Last Year
128% Over Last Year
116 Mem. Over Last Year
Buckeye Award Winners

D4 Kettering Middle School PTA
D6 Amelia Elementary PTA
D6 William Henry Harrison Jr. Sr. PTA
D6 White Oak Middle PTA
D7 Keystone Elementary PTA
D7 North Ridgeville Early Child PTA
D10 Georgian Heights Elementary PTA
D10 Alton Hall Elementary PTA
D10 East Franklin Elementary PTA
D10 Norton Middle School PTSA
D10 South-Western Preschool PTA
D10 Stiles Elementary PTA
D10 Westland High School PTSA
D10 Liberty Elementary PTA
D10 Cherrington Elementary PTA
D10 Robert Frost Elementary PTA
D11 Central Primary PTA
D11 Roxboro Elementary PTA
D11 Chardon Hills Magnet PTA
D11 Euclid Central Middle PTA
D11 Euclid Senior PTSA
(All percentages are Over Last Year)

91%
32%
28%
77%
57%
53%
70%
54%
58%
26%
29%
46%
55%
55%
26%
61%
45%
38%
45%
43%
64%
D11 Gilles Sweet Elementary PTA

26%
D11 Maple Leaf Elementary PTA
29%
D11 Charles F. Brush Sr. PTSA
25%
D11 Memorial Jr. PTA
53%
D12 Maple Intermediate PTA
73%
D12 Normandy Sr. PTA
38%
D12 Renwood Elementary PTA
45%
D12 Albion Middle School PTA
46%
D13 Akron Early College High School PTA 87%
D13 Cuyahoga Falls High School PTSA 26%
D13 H.A. Preston Elementary PTA
33%
D13 Nordonia Middle School PTA
29%
D13 Fishcreek Elementary PTA
32%
D13 Lakeview Intermediate PTA
28%
D13 Tallmadge Middle School PTA
43%
D13 Hillcrest Elementary PTA
29%
D17 Dale R. Rice Elementary PTA
26%
D18 LaCroft PTA
59%
D18 Struthers Elementary PTA
47%
Continued...
May 2015
The Ohio PTA Voice
Page 11
Scarlet Carnation
(All percentages are Over Last Year)
D6 Milford Jr. PTSA

18%
D6 Colerain Elementary PTA
10%
D6 Delhi Middle School PTA
11%
D6 Finneytown Elementary PTA
10%
D7 Avon PTA
11%
D7 Eastview Elementary PTA
20%
D7 Learwood Middle School PTA 20%
D7 Elizabeth Wilcox Elem PTA
15%
D7 Liberty Elementary PTA
13%
D10 Devonshire Alt. Elem PTA
18%
D10 Eastmoor Academy Sr. PTA 17%
D10 Brookpark Middle School PTA 13%
D10 Hayes Intermediate PTA
15%
D10 Brookside Elementary PTA
18%
D10 Sutter Park PTA
14%
D10 Emerson Elem Magnet PTA 11%
D10 Mark Twain Elementary PTA 11%
D11 Monticello Middle School PTA 20%
D11 Fairview Mid/High School PTA 15%
D11 Grant Elementary PTA
12%
D12 Bay Village Early Child PTA 17%
D12 Bay Village Mid School PTSA 15%
D12 Olmsted Early Childhood PTA

D12 Parma Park Elementary PTA
D12 Ridge Brook Elementary PTA
D12 Rocky River Early Child PTA
D12 Rocky River Mid School PTA
D12 Chapman Elementary PTA
D12 Dover Intermediate PTA
D12 Lee Burneson Mid Sch PTA
D13 Manchester Sr. PTA
D13 Litchfield Middle School PTA
D13 Barberton Elem East PTA
D13 Barberton Elem West PTA
D13 Barberton Middle School PTA
D13 Ledgeview Elementary PTA
D13 Northfield Elementary PTA
D13 Riverview Elementary PTA
D13 Green Sr. PTSA
D13 Arrowhead Primary PTA
D13 George G. Dodge Inter PTA
D13 RBC & Twinsburg High PTA
D13 Samuel Bissell Elem PTA
D17 Brentmoor PTA
16%
14%
18%
16%
22%
16%
13%
16%
13%
17%
23%
24%
18%
22%
14%
15%
18%
11%
10%
20%
17%
16%
2015 Council Awards

President Awards:
Gold: District 13 Twinsburg City Schools Council PTA 227 Member Increase Over Last Year
Current # of Members: 916
Last Yr. # of Members: 689
Silver: District 12 Olmsted Falls Council of PTAs
Current # of Members: 1,842
37% Increase OLY

Last Yr. # of Members: 1,776
Golden Acorn
(5% or more increase with a 50 member Minimum)
D13
D13
D13
Barberton Council PTA

Stow-Munroe Falls PTA Council
Tallmadge Council PTA
13% Increase OLY

6% Increase OLY
11% Increase OLY
CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOUR

HARD WORK THIS PAST YEAR!
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The Ohio PTA Voice
May 2015
Healthy Lifestyles
The Healthy Lifestyles program provides family-centered
education and tools that connect them with schools and
advocate for healthy changes in nutrition and physical
activity. In a healthy school:
All foods, beverages and snacks sold or served meet National
School Nutrition Standards.
All students have opportunities to be physically active on a
regular basis.
All students have access to regular physical education.
Districtwide wellness policies are developed, implemented and
evaluated with input from students, parents, staff and
interested community members.
What PTAs Can Do
Advocate to:
Improve student nutrition
Increase physical activity and physical education
Establish School Wellness Policies
Model positive health behaviors
Participate in family-oriented programs:
Improving Energy Balance Toolkit: Provides local PTAs
with tools and resources to use in partnering with schools and
engaging families in addressing an everyday healthy lifestyle
practice known as energy balance balancing what we eat
with exercise.
Healthy Lifestyles Month: Learn about National PTAs
Healthy Lifestyles Month, ideas for celebrating and best
practices for integrating healthy lifestyles into your school.
Fire Up Your Feet: A healthy fundraising option available to
all schools and PTAs that encourages families to walk more to
and from schooland in daily lifewhile keeping track of their
steps.
Healthy Lifestyles Energy Balance 101 Grants: National PTA
offers $2,000 grant for PTAs in grades K-5 with tools and
resources to use in partnering with schools to improve energy
balance and provide families with nutrition and physical
activity education.
Deadline: June 19. Learn more
The Ohio PTA Voice
Page 13
May 2015
Learn More
Healthy Schools Program (Alliance for a Healthier

Generation): An evidence-based initiative that will help
schools improve physical education, health education, and
nutrition.
HealthierUS Schools Challenge (USDA): A voluntary
certification initiative recognizing those schools enrolled
in Team Nutrition that have created healthier school
environments through promotion of nutrition and physical
activity.
Let's Move: A comprehensive initiative, launched by the
First Lady, dedicated to solving the challenge of childhood
obesity within a generation.
Fuel Up to Play 60 (National Dairy Council and the NFL):
An in-school nutrition and physical activity program to help
students make positive changes in their schools.
Thriving Schools (Kaiser Permanente): A targeted,
multiyear initiative offering free tools and resources to
improve the health of students, staff and teachers in K12
schools.
Parent Leadership Series (Action for Healthy Kids):
Teaches parents how to work collaboratively within their
school communities to improve policy and practices related
to school nutrition and physical activity.
Together Counts (Healthy Weight Commitment
Foundation): A nationwide program inspiring active and
healthy living.
Source:
http://www.pta.org/programs/content.cfm?ItemNumber=4280&navItemNumber=42
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The Ohio PTA Voice
Page 14
May 2015
Make Summer Safe for Kids
Warm weather brings more opportunity for outdoor activities.

Whether they are young children or teens, keep your kids
safe and healthy while they enjoy the summer fun.
Master water safety

Water-related activities are popular for getting physical
activity and have many health benefits. Here are some
tips to stay safe while having fun.
Learn how to prevent recreational water illnesses and
help protect yourself and your kids.
Help kids get H2O Smartz about water safety.
Drowning is responsible for more deaths among children
ages 1-4 than any other cause except birth defects. Two to
three children die every day as a result of drowning.
Always supervise children when in or around water. A

responsible adult should constantly watch young children.
Teach kids to swim. Formal swimming lessons can protect

young children from drowning.
Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Your CPR skills

could save someones life.
Install a four-sided fence around home pools.

Recreational boating can be a wonderful way to spend time
with family and friends. Make boating safety a priority.
Wear a properly fitted life jacket every time you and your
loved ones are on the water.
The Ohio PTA Voice
Page 15
May 2015
Beat the heat and sun

Heat-related illness occurs when the bodys temperature
control system is overloaded. Those at greatest risk for heatrelated illness include infants and children up to 4 years of age.
Even young and healthy people can get sick from the heat if
they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot
weather. For heat-related illness, the best defense is
prevention.
Never leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car, even if

the windows are cracked open.
Dress infants and children in loose, lightweight, light-colored

clothing.
Schedule outdoor activities carefully, for morning and

evening hours.
Stay cool with cool showers or baths.
Seek medical care immediate if your child has symptoms of

heat-related illness.
Just a few serious sunburns can increase you and your child's
risk of skin cancer later in life. Their skin needs protection
from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays whenever they're
outdoors.
Cover up. Clothing that covers your and your child's skin
helps protect against UV rays.
Use sunscreen with at least SPF (sun protection factor) 15

and UVA (ultraviolet A) and UVB (ultraviolet B) protection
every time you and your child go outside.
Keep mosquitos and ticks from bugging you

this summer
Protect yourself and your family by preventing bites and
diseases, like West Nile virus and Lyme disease, which can
be transmitted by insects.
Use an effective insect repellent while playing outdoors.
Make your backyard a tick-safe zone.
Check yourself and your children for ticks. Ticks are easy to
remove.
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The Ohio PTA Voice
May 2015
Hello Fellow PTA Members,

It has been my pleasure to serve as your state-level Health,
Welfare, and Safety Director during the 2013-2015 term. Please
welcome my successor, Lisa Catalano, as she will continue the
Ohio PTA tradition of educating, engaging, and serving the needs
of Ohio PTA members.
I look forward to working with the incoming Ohio PTA leaders
and all PTA members next term, as your Director of
Communications.
I hope everyone has a safe, healthy, and sensational summer.
Best regards,
Venezuela Robinson
Director of Health, Welfare and Safety
Ohio PTAs many times works with other educational

associations. These include but are not limited to this
list. Join us as we thank them for their continued
support!
OEA Ohio Education Association
OSBA Ohio School Boards Association
OFT Ohio Federation of Teachers
OAESA Ohio Assoc. of Elementary School Administrators
E&A Coalition for Equity and Adequacy
OASSA Ohio Assoc. of Secondary School Administrators
BASA Buckeye Assoc. of School Administrators
OASBO Ohio Assoc. of School Business Officials
CPE Coalition for Public Education
The Ohio PTA Voice
Page 17
STANDARDS OF AFFILIATION
ARE COMING YOUR WAY
VERY
IMPORTANT!!!
NEW THIS
2015-2016 YEAR!
May 2015
Ohio PTA introduced the Standards of Affiliation for Councils and Units at the
Ohio PTA Convention in Columbus this year. The Standards of Affiliation
(SOA) is not anything new to Ohio PTA. As a state PTA, we have a SOA with
National PTA. Many of the required indicators that Councils and Units are
asked to provide in the SOA are what you are currently doing. This will assist
you to be in compliance with the Mission and values of PTA, maintain good
business practices and follow federal laws for 501(c)3 organizations. Well-run
Councils and Units will find the Standards of Affiliation to be very helpful in
operating your Councils and Units.
The required indicators requested are:
President, officer and chairpersons names and contact information

Volunteer hours
National PTA/Ohio PTA dues submitted (Councils do not pay dues)
Copy of Financial Review
Copy of 990
Proof of Bonding
Charitable Solicitation Act Filing Receipt
Code of Ethics
Conflict of Interest Policy
Updated Bylaws (Reviewed yearly, updated every three years)
Each of the above bullets are things you have been doing, or should be doing to
have a smooth running PTA. More detailed information will be provided over
the next few months and in the Ohio PTA Resource Guide mailed to the
incoming/returning President.
Gloria Cazan
Immediate Past President
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The Ohio PTA Voice
May 2015
END OF YEAR TREASURER TOOLS
Preparing for the Financial Review

Before leaving office, the president and treasurer must follow the PTA units
bylaws and standing rules to see that a financial review is performed even if
the current treasurer is returning. The financial review committee generally
consists of three or four members whom do not have check writing privileges
with the PTA being reviewed.
The purpose of the financial review is to verify the accuracy of the books and
records of the treasurer. This assures the membership that the PTAs funds
are being managed appropriately and in a businesslike manner. The final
financial review for the year can go very smoothly if reconciliation of the
checkbook and bank statements has been done monthly.
To prepare for the financial review the treasurer needs to assemble materials
to make the job of the financial review committee easier. The following
items need to be made available to the committee:
A copy of the last audit report
Checkbook and cancelled checks
Receipt book
Bank statements and deposit receipts
Treasurers ledger
The annual financial report
Itemized statements and receipts of bills paid
Check requests (vouchers)
Copies of board, executive committee, and organization minutes including
the adopted budget and subsequent amendments
Current bylaws and standing rules
Once the committee performs the review, a statement is prepared explaining
their findings and signed by committee members. The report of the financial
review committee must be officially adopted by the PTA and must be
included in the annual report.
Further information regarding financial review procedures and forms may be
found in the Ohio PTA Financial and Legal Handbook and on National PTAs
website.
Sharon Urig
Ohio PTA Secretary/Treasurer
The Ohio PTA Voice
Page 19
May 2015
TREASURER TOOLS
RELINQUISHING OFFICE
As the school year comes to a close, it is time for PTAs to
transition to new officers. There are several items the PTA treasurer needs to have in
order.
Be sure that all state and national dues have been collected and forwarded to the
Ohio PTA office.
Balance the books in preparation for the financial review. PTA financial books
should agree with the bank balance.
Prepare a financial report covering term of office. Prepare IRS Form 990/Form
990-EZ/Form or 990-N for filing as well as registration with the Attorney
Generals office.
Arrange for transfer of all records, reports and files to the new treasurer.
Make arrangements for updating signature cards with the bank so that the new
treasurer may draw on funds without delay.
Forward a copy of the annual financial report to the Ohio PTA office.
Prepare the treasurer file to transfer to the next treasurer. This file should contain the
following items:
A copy of the PTA unit or council bylaws and standing rules.
A copy of the budget adopted by the organization.
Receipt book to acknowledge money received by the treasurer.
Checkbook and saving account records.
Treasurers account book or ledger in which to keep the financial records of the
organization.
Permanent IRS Identification Number (EIN), copies of filed Form 990, 990-EZ,
or 990-N, any other required IRS forms, and records of Attorney Generals office
registration.
Current membership list.
The Ohio PTA Legal and Financial Management Handbook as well as financial
information from National PTA.
Refer to Records Retention Schedule for recommended retention of PTA legal

and financial records.
Past three years of budgets.
Sharon Urig
Ohio PTA Secretary/Treasurer
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The Ohio PTA Voice
May 2015
Director Reports
DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY REPORT
According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, the definition of advocacy is
the act of or process of supporting a cause or proposal. While no member of a PTA
may be surprised to learn that, many may be surprised at the depth and breadth of PTA
advocacy work around Ohio and in Washington, D. C. to help children and youth.
PTA advocates bring critical issues that affect the education, health and welfare of
children and youth before the public, policy makers and elected officials. Ohio PTAs
communication and collaboration among state directors, council and unit presidents
through action alerts, new articles and conference calls have expanded our ability to
reach our members. Furthermore, Ohio PTA keeps advocacy relevant through
workshops, lobbying legislative leaders in Washington and Columbus, working on
public education concerns, and building our advocacy capacity. On behalf of every
child, we take action, provide resources, and initiate programs for parents and PTA
leaders to advocate for public education success within their community.
As we review the year, Ohio PTA advocacy focused on empowering members to
become better advocates for every child. With one voice, we started the summer
helping promote advocacy concerns around the nation. Many Ohio PTA members
supported several National PTA requests to contact national leaders about pending
legislation and co-sponsorship of new proposals. Furthermore, the National PTAs
2015 Public Policy Agenda continues to address public education priorities for every
child. The executive summary outlines four key priorities: Education Equity,
Educational Funding, Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Child Nutrition
and School Safety and is available on its website. Among the National PTA initiatives,
family engagement language in laws; safe, healthy, and technologically advanced
schools; and equal opportunity for children, regardless of socioeconomic background
dominate the advocacy efforts around the United States. Likewise, national education
measures must be advanced to ensure every child, no matter what, has the opportunity
to receive a public education. PTA lobbying efforts were realized when members of
Congress reintroduced the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act (ESEA) in February. At the National PTA Legislative Conference in March, three
of Ohio PTA leaders, Lisa Mack, Sheila Ragland, and Debbie Tidwell attended
various workshops and spent a day visiting all 18 Ohio Congressional offices to share
the valuable work Ohio PTA offers. While managing public education continues to be
a local matter, a national commitment to a thorough and efficient common educational
system requires vigilant state and local advocacy for the children using it.
Over three decades of research constantly reminds us that family engagement in
education is the key underpinning of not only individual student achievement but also
whole school improvement. With that in mind, and a little closer to home, Ohio PTA
advocacy work was two-pronged this year. First, monthly reminders were given to
members of how easy it is to advocate regularly. Second, Ohio PTA leaders conducted
workshops for members, attended several state and national meetings on education
topics, visited legislators, and participated in webinars and conference calls on relevant
issues to our members and promote public education.
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May 2015
Every month in the advocacy article in the Ohio PTA newsletter, a segment called
Advocacy in Action was included which offered readers concepts on advocacy
engagement. Simple ideas such as using national themed months as launching pads for
advocacy in a unit or council, inviting elected officials to schools to understand what
happens in public education, or having stationary at meetings and writing letters to state
and/or national legislators then personally delivering them to their local/state offices.
Random acts of advocacy generate curiosity that leads to involvement. Great leaders
within PTA understand that education and training is not only for students, but for all of
us as well.
During the summer and into fall, I presented advocacy workshops at conferences and
workshops training PTA leaders on election participation, grassroots advocacy, and
meeting with legislators. In addition, Ohio PTA has continued to build relationships with
various organizations across the state that champion public education. At the state level,
the Ohio PTA Board of Directors continues to produce outstanding advocacy endeavors
through involvement. Other directors have participated in respective coalitions or
fieldwork. Throughout the year, I represented Ohio PTA at several meetings and on
conference calls from teen safe driving, to juvenile justice reform to working with your
school board to standards and assessment. On October 6, 2014, Lisa Mack, Venezuela
Robinson, and I visited the Cleveland office of Senator Portman to discuss topics from
human trafficking to state standards and assessments to education and employment
opportunities. My Ohio PTA advocacy work continued by attending meetings, webinars,
and conference calls with the Ohio Juvenile Justice Coalition, Ohio Teen Safe Driving
Coalition, Ohio Standards, Educator Leaders Cadre, ODEs Committee of Practitioners
and ODEs Education Equity Stakeholders. In February, Ohio PTA conducted training
webinars on what parents needed to know about assessments. These webinars allowed
local units and councils to hold parent informational meetings plus provide resources.
None of this could be possible without the valuable support of Ohio PTA members.
Many participated in the Ohio PTA state-wide advocacy conference calls held on
understanding changes to Ohios assessments and engaging with your school board. The
variety of advocacy efforts undertaken by PTA members reflect the numerous ways
children need to be protected, educated, and sustained in their formative years.
Ohio PTA members continue to be a powerful voice for the education and well-being of
every child. We must continue advocating at the local, state, and national levels on
behalf of all children to ensure a quality and equitable public education. In closing, I
leave you with this quote from Maya Angelou, The thing to do, it seems to me, is to
prepare yourself so you can be a rainbow in somebody else's cloud. Somebody who may
Thank you for this opportunity to be an Ohio PTA leader.
Jackie Arendt
Director of Advocacy
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The Ohio PTA Voice
May 2015

BYLAWS AND STANDING RULESDont stop reading; dont go to sleep. Some
would say boring, but they are SO necessary for the running of your PTAs. Some of
you may like me or some may want to pull me aside and have a word with me! I
guess it depends on how fast I got your approved bylaws back to you or if I made you
correct a few things in your bylaws.
Bylaws are an entity of PTA that has no beginning and no end. There are no deadlines,
such as in Membership, therefore, bylaws can be done ANY time of year.
Bylaw revisions arent as hard as people make them out to be. It can be a little time
consuming, but not difficult. There are six simple steps to revising our bylaws:
1. Obtain a copy of your current bylaws and a copy of the current sample bylaws from
me.
2. Form a committee 3 people is good.
3. Have committee meet and go over the current units bylaws and the sample bylaws.
Make comparisons.
4. Bring your revised bylaws back to your units PTA meeting for review and
discussion.
5. Ask for a vote to approve the new bylaws at your next months unit meeting.
6. Email them to me and I will check them over and approve or send them back to you
for a revision.
This whole process can take up to 3 months so plan ahead if you want to change
something in your bylaws by a certain date or event.
Your unit and council bylaws need to be reviewed every 3 years.
There is a Bylaw and Standing Rules committee for Ohio PTA that gets together once a
year and has a marathon session to go through the Ohio PTA bylaws, the unit and
council bylaw samples, and standing rules samples line by line to update and tweak the
wording to better fit your PTAs. So dont be surprised when there is new wording, a
new sentence or even a new article that needs to be added. I know it is a relief when
your bylaws and approved and you can move on, but your PTAs will run so smoothly
when your bylaws and standing rules are in order.
In the last year I have approved 72 bylaws and standing rules. Since becoming your
Director of Bylaws almost four year ago I have also: had emergency gallbladder surgery,
dealt with losing my mom after finding out she had cancer for only four weeks, cleaned
out her home of 42 years and sold it, had both knees replaced, served as council
president and a held a variety of other positions on the unit level, and raised my 3
children ages 21, 17, and 15, alongside my wonderful husband. I tell you this not for
your sympathy or praise, but to remind you that all of us are VOLUNTEERS. We all get
paid the same wage for what we dothe satisfaction that we are making a difference in
the lives of the children in Ohio and beyond.
I want to thank you for your patience, your hard work, your time and dedication, and
also for your kind words of sympathy and well wishes during the past four years.
Continue with your hard work and know that the children of Ohio are better off because
of what you do!
Linda Read
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The Ohio PTA Voice
May 2015
Director of Diversity and Inclusion
All director plans and policies were updated in November 2014 to include diversity
and inclusion in all aspects of PTA leadership plans.
The diversity and inclusion committee, aptly named the MOSAIC Committee, is the
primary resource for fostering unity within the units in the state. The term mosaic, from
which the committee name is derived, serves as a reminder that we want our PTAs to
be reflective of the communities that they serve. Rather than wanting every family to
come in and just blend into our units, we want each familys culture to be integrated
into and embraced by our PTAs.
The committee communicates via conference call and has met eight times since last
years convention. The MOSAIC Committee produced articles for our state newsletter,
as well as social media postings that align with National PTA's "Every Child in Focus"
campaign. Our diversity and inclusion committee includes a wide variety of persons
with varied areas of expertise such as military family programs, Title I education
aspects, talented and gifted resources, and many others which allows for a broad
spectrum of collaborative activities. We continue to make contact and seek
partnerships with other like-minded organizations such as the O.A.G.C. (Ohio
Association for Gifted Children). To promote diversity and inclusion practices, the
Ohio PTA is developing a Diversity and Inclusion Digital Toolkit. This toolkit will
help unit and council leaders and members acquire resources and points of contact
covering a wide array of diversity issues. The concept is to build and maintain a digital
platform with web hosting that allows easy access for users and updates easily for the
project administrator and contains tabs that can be updated by subject-matter experts.
Our Male Involvement Committee continued an essay contest this year that allows
students to submit an article about a strong male role model in their life. This contest,
named the M.A.C.K. (Male Actions Changing Kids) Award, was the subject of an
article that was published in the October 2014 issue of National PTAs Our Children
magazine.
Terry Hickey
Director of Diversity and Inclusion
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The Ohio PTA Voice
May 2015
Director of Education
The subject of education continues to be marked with controversy, confession and
politics. This year has been no different. Since the implementation of Common Core,
there have been many changes both good and bad. In 2010-2011 we saw the
implementation of the new state standards for language arts and math. The 2014-2015
school year saw the implementation of the new standards for science, social studies
and the fine arts. Along with the changes in state standards, there have also been new
testing procedures put in place. PARCC testing began this year. As the Advocacy
and Common Core Directors can attest, this has caused the most controversy. U.S.
students still rank 23rd in the world for science, 31st for math and 17th in reading.
Many of Ohios students go to college unprepared for the demands of a college
curriculum. We must all remember that the new standards are being put in place to
help our students be prepared for college and future careers.
Graduation Requirements
Along with the new state standards there are new requirements for graduation. This
year the class of 2018, which were this years incoming freshman class, will follow
new requirements for graduation based on an 18 point accumulated score. In
September of this year the state school board set the point system that will be used to
earn the needed accumulated points. Students points will be determined by seven end
-of-course exams. All students will be required to take end-of-course exams in algebra
and geometry or integrated math I and II; Physical science; American history and
American government; English I and English II. The end of year course exams will
replace the OGTs.
Students studying Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) or
taking dual enrollment courses in physical science, American history or American
government may take assessments aligned to those courses in lieu of end-of-course
exams to avoid double testing.
Students can also earn a remediation-free score on a nationally-recognized college
admission exam such as ACT or SAT is another pathway to a diploma. The state of
Ohio will pay for all 11th-grade students in the Class of 2018 and beyond to take the
exam free of charge.
Students may earn a State Board of Education-approved, industry-recognized
credential or a state-issued license for practice in a career and achieve a score that
demonstrates workforce readiness and employability on a job skills assessment.
The State Board of Education will consider more AP exams, dual enrollment exams
and International Baccalaureate exams in the coming months. When the test results
from the first exams of the 2014-2015 year have been reported and compared the
board will release the score crosswalk for assigning graduation points.
Continued...
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The Ohio PTA Voice
May 2015
Safe Harbor
Safe Harbor has also been implemented as Ohio transitions to new state tests.
Safe harbor gives schools, teachers and students time to adjust to the new tests.
In most cases, there will no longer be consequences tied to the results of the
state tests given in the 2014-2015 school year. The consequences of state tests
usually impact the following school year. Therefore, a safe harbor on tests given
in the 2014-2015 school year will affect consequences in the 2015-2016 school
year.
As part of safe harbor, the 2015 Ohio School Report Card (which is based on
2014-2015 test results) will not have an overall letter grade or letter grades for
the six groupings of measures called components. All other results and letter
grades will be reported on the 2015 Ohio School Report Card, just like previous
years.
Student growth makes up a significant portion of a teachers evaluation. State
tests are one of the ways to calculate this student growth. Because of the
transition to new state tests, House Bill 487 created an opportunity for a safe
harbor for teachers. Safe harbor for teachers allows school districts and
teachers unions to enter a memorandum of understanding to not include student
growth calculated from state tests when making decisions regarding dismissal,
retention, tenure or compensation. Teachers covered by safe harbor will still
receive a student growth score and an overall, summative rating. However, the
score and rating may not be used for the employment decisions previously
mentioned. It is up to the school district and teachers union, through the
memorandum of understanding, to determine how the remaining components will
be used for those employment decisions. The rating of a teacher covered by
safe harbor still can be used to trigger professional development and
improvement plan requirements. If their performance is high enough, these
teachers also can be placed on a modified evaluation schedule in future years.
The General Assembly passed House Bill 7 that outlines several ways students
may not be impacted by the 2014-2015 state tests. Schools may not use the
results from the tests given during the 2014-2015 school year in any decision to
grant credit to a student. The law also ensures that a students score report from
these tests is only released to the school district, the student and the students
family. Finally, schools may not use the results from the tests given during the
2014-2015 school year as a factor to promote or deny a students promotion to a
higher grade level.
The only exception to this safe harbor provision is the Third Grade Reading
Guarantee. Students still will be required to reach the promotion score on the
states reading test or an alternative test if they are not exempt from retention. It
Third Grade Reading Guarantee
Lastly, the Third Grade Reading Guarantee. This year the minimum passing
score on the third grade reading assessment was raised from 392, last year, to
394, this year. Results from the states spring 2014 reading test show that
25,000 students improved enough between the start of the year and the end of
the year to move on to the 4th grade. In the 2012-2013 school year 88.2% of
third graders met the minimum requirements to move on to the 4th grade.
During the 2013-2014 school year, 95.8% of 4th graders met the minimum
requirements to move on to the 4th grade. We can see that these efforts put
forth are paying off.
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May 2015
Step Up To Quality
A cross-agency team began working in May 2012 to develop a new single
framework for quality that the state can apply to all early learning and
development programs. The team includes ODJFS and ODE staff and key
external stakeholders. The Step Up to Quality Program was implemented to
improve early childhood learning standards for preschool children so that they
can be prepared to enter kindergarten. In order for early learning centers to
receive state funding they must adhere to certain state standards.
The program standards are organized into the following four domains:
Learning and Development: Is the program using research based curricula
aligned to Ohios new early learning and development standards for birth to
kindergarten entry?
Staff Qualifications and Professional Development: Have administrators,
teachers and assistant teachers obtained required credentials and ongoing
professional development hours?
Administrative and Leadership Practices: To what extent does the program
adhere to an annual continuous improvement process?
Family and Community Partnerships: How well does the program engage
families and community partners to support children and families while
enrolled in the program and as they transition into and out of the program?
The original Step Up To Quality program contained three levels, or ratings.
Programs had to meet all standards for a given level before advancing to the
next level. A new model has been implemented that uses a newly designed
points approach to create star ratings that correspond to each level of
achievement. A program in level one will receive one star; a program in level
two will receive two stars; and so forth. Programs must meet all standards at
the lower level before advancing to the next level. Beyond step level three,
programs are awarded points based on their adherence to step level three
requirements and their ability to achieve additional performance targets.
Programs must achieve a minimum of at least one point in each of the four
domains and can earn extra points for accreditation, lower staff/child ratios,
and group size. A program will be awarded four or five stars depending on the
programs point total.
Verification ODE and ODJFS will cross train staff members to conduct SUTQ
reviews and verify the star rating attained by a program. Both agencies are
working together to develop the review and verification process and to identify
the documentation and other evidence programs will need to provide.
Before implementing the new quality measures, programs will receive a
guidance document containing details about the review process and how the
state will verify each standard. Legislation in HB 487 and SB 316 requires all
publicly funded early learning and development programs to participate in
Step Up To Quality as a condition of funding.
Rebecca Gawsyszawski
Director of Education
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The Ohio PTA Voice
May 2015

Part 1: Family-School Partnership
The FSP goals for the year were to: 1) determine best practices and effective ways we
can partner to strengthen the family unit, 2) extend involvement with PTA families and
schools, and 3) develop new ways to engage the community. Progress was made
towards these goals through a wide variety of activities that took place over the past
year.
Our FSP committee members worked very hard to build family-school partnerships for
student success by promoting programs that link learning to improved student
outcomes through communication and empowerment. I wish to thank my committee
for their continued support and commitment to FSP this year: Lisa Catalano, Hazel
Trinko, Debbie Tidwell, Maria Lang, Lisa Mack and Sheila Ragland.
Take Your Family To School Week
Our efforts included the promotion of National PTA Family-School Partnership
programs such as the Phoebe Apperson Hearst and the Take Your Family to School
Awards. The theme this year was prevention of high school dropouts and took place
February 16-20.
We are very pleased to report that Stiles Elementary School received the 2014 Take
Your Family to School Week (TYFTSW) Award, and won $1000 for their program.
They hold the distinction of being the only winner from Ohio, one of 50 winners across
the US, out of 230 applications. Principal Jessica Cahill wrote to us about her
commitment to family involvement and two-way communication in her school. For
their project, families engaged in a writing lesson with their child and participated in a
read-a-thon. This event was just one of the ways Stiles Elementary involves families in
being part of student success. For more info on how to promote TYFTSW, you can go
to pta.org and download the toolkit.
National PTA School of Excellence
Last year, over 300 PTAs participated in National PTA's School of Excellence
program. Of those participants, National PTA recognized 170 schools as 2014-2016
Bay Village Senior PTSA - BV
Copley-Fairlawn Middle PTSA Copley
Fort Island El PTA- Copley
Green Valley EL PTA -- Parma
Grindstone El - Berea
Normandy El - BV
Westerly El - BV
Congratulations to all!
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May 2015
This year we have 11 (eleven) PTAs that are seeking the National PTA School of
Excellence Award. They will finish the Award in June. Best wishes to:
Jefferson Raiders
Brookview Elementary
Forest Park Middle
Westlake High
Bay Middle School
Copley High
Grant Elementary
Schumacher CLC
Bellflower Elementary
Pleasant Valley
Ohio PTA Family-School Partnership
The Ohio PTA Family-School Partnership Certificate Award is now in its second year.
This is an individual award. First year winners receive a nice pin, all winners receive a
certificate. The forms are available on the Ohio PTA web page. This award runs starts
October 1 and runs through September 30. The award highlights our new way of leading
in Ohio PTA in terms of building family-school partnerships for student success by
creating programs that link learning to student success, communication and
empowerment; speaking on behalf of children in ways to protect and promote their
success, engaging teachers and family members to promote success, as well as
partnering with community members, businesses, and other organizations to improve
learning and student achievement. We recently revised the form to make some edits in
organization, tweaked the point scoring and added a space for to give you credit for
viewing the new e-learning workshop Family-School Partnership.
Throughout the past year, local units and districts were assisted as needed with District
workshops and leadership conferences. We continue to speak on behalf of children
across the state of Ohio in ways to protect and promote their learning, engage teachers
and family members in collaboration as well as focus on programming on issues that
strengthen family and encourage parent leadership as we partner with the entire school
community for student success.
A State-Wide Conference to help units get started with applying for the School of
Excellence Award was planned for April 14, 2015. The FSP committee met in October,
November, January, March and April.
To continue our community outreach, our board of directors collected school supplies in
the fall and donated to a Columbus metro area school. We collected shoes that will be
recycled for use in communities of need. We sent the shoes to Shoebox Recycling, a
company that gives us a donation for the shoes, that we will use for the Ohio PTA
Scholarship program.
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May 2015
Thanks to all who brought shoes. If you want to continue to collect them in your
districts and need boxes or someone to pick them up, feel free to contact me and I will
make arrangements for this.
In the year ahead, we will concentrate our efforts to 1) seek partnerships with
community members, businesses, and other organizations in establishing FSP programs
and 2) develop new ideas for promoting FSP with committee input.
Please send me your success stories and the FSP activities in your units and how you
are engaging with your schools and communities! I welcome your ideas and
suggestions.
Part II: Reflections
Our goals for this years Reflections Program are to: 1) promote the Reflections
Program at local, state and national level. 2) provide up-to-date information to clarify
issues, address concerns and provide assistance as needed and 3) seek partnerships with
community members, businesses, and other organizations to help bring the Reflections
Program to all children across Ohio.
Participation in Reflections speaks on behalf of children in ways to promote Arts in
Education across the entire state.
Activities to meet these goals included overseeing the Reflections Program and
incorporating it as an integral part to the Family-School Partnership Program. I attended
monthly State Reflections team webinars and helped to disseminate communications
and information from National PTA. Updates were provided on the Ohio PTA website,
Facebook, newsletter, Twitter and email blasts.
2014-2015 Highlights
While most of our entries continue to be in the visual arts and photography categories, it
was great to see so many entries in dance, film, literature, and music and the new
Special Artist Award. We are hoping to continue to grow in reaching all corners of the
state for even more participation in this program.
This years theme, The world would be a better place if sparked a great deal of
creativity. The judges commented on the outstanding caliber of the entries, making the
selection very difficult. We congratulate all that participated in Reflections at the local
level, those that were advanced to the state level, those that we advanced to the National
level, and those that won on the National level. The results of the state judging were
sent to all participating councils and ribbons were sent to all participants in the program.
National winners are acknowledged at Convention in June (Charlotte) and are invited to
a special exhibit ceremony in January (Washington DC Dept of Ed).
Continued...
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May 2015
State Award of Excellence, Award of Outstanding Achievement, Award of Merit and

Honorable Mentions were displayed at our state convention. The visual arts and
photography works are on a roadshow and will be displayed at libraries in Avon
Lake, Painesville, Solon and Columbus Public Library, downtown branch. The works
will remain at Columbus Public Library until September after which the pieces will be
returned to the artist.
We worked throughout the year to distribute and clarify information concerning
Reflections across Ohio. This was accomplished through Reflections roundtables,
workshops, district conferences, Facebook and Twitter communications, newsletter
articles, phone calls and emails. Two state-wide web conferences were held in
December to discuss online registration and clarify concerns.
Theme Search Results
Our Reflections Committee met per phone conference in October, November,
December, January and April. One of the functions of the committee is to select five
I did not know I could...
Laila Sitts - Uniontown - Grade 6
If I could have a wish come true it would be...
Madison Harrison- Barberton - Grade 4
In the blink of an eye

Abigail Dumm - Westlake - Grade 6
What lies beyond the rainbow?...

Jenna Steiner- Uniontown - Grade 2
When I close my eyes this is what I see...

National PTA selected an entry from Brianna Eisman of Douglas Anderson PTSA
in Jacksonville, Florida: What is your story for the 2016-2017 year. We will
hold another Theme Search in the fall and I hope we will again receive an even
larger number of entries!
Continued...
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May 2015
General Info
Participation in the Reflections Program is open to any student in Ohio through a local
PTA/PTSA in good standing. PTAs in good standing pay membership dues to Ohio
PTA by November 30. Students in grade divisions - Primary: preschoolgrade 2,
Intermediate: grades 35, Middle/Junior: grades 68 and Senior: grades 912 may
submit works in any of the six arts areas: Literature, Musical composition,
Photography, Visual arts, Dance choreography, and Film production. Special artists
can submit in any category. The Reflections Program is one way we can speak on
behalf of children to promote diversity and inclusion. New on the horizon: We are
considering adding 3D art to the competition (submitted digitally). For now, our 201516 program will be the same as this past year. Reflections At-A-Glance Forms will be
posted soon on the Ohio PTA website.
I wish to express my sincere thanks to the Reflections Committee: Gloria Cazan, Sue
Owen, Hazel Trinko, Lis Sobczyk, Dana Paul, JoEllen Weingarten, Lisa Mack, Sheila
Ragland, and Susan Hans. I also wish to thank those that helped with processing the
entries, hanging artwork, and other supportive activities: Lynn LaMore, her daughter
Heather and son-in-law Steve, Sue Owen, Jeri Gookin, Susan Hans and crew, Sheila
and Robert Ragland.
The Reflections Handbook is undergoing revision and will be available soon. We will
continue with online registration and will provide information, workshops, phone
conferences and webinars throughout the year to help your PTA succeed. The theme
for 2015-2016 is Let your imagination fly...
Pam Bonnett
Director of Health, Welfare & Safety

Parents, schools, and communities share the responsibility for the health, welfare, and
safety of children. Health is a state of physical and emotional well-being, not merely
the absence of disease or illness. Welfare pertains to identifying and helping children
and youth who are neglected, dependent, unwanted, and abused or in trouble with the
law. Safety relates to identifying the areas of greatest potential threat to children and
youth and averting these dangers.
Therefore, the Ohio PTA Director of Health, Welfare and Safety serves as a strong
advocate and resource to PTA members across the state by coordinating workshops,
providing information, and circulating tools provided by National PTA and through
other energetic collaborators within these fundamental areas of concern for all children
and youth.
Our diverse HWS committee held two state-wide conference calls on Human
Trafficking. The February state-wide call was in collaboration with the Advocacy area
and Family-School Partnership.
During the first half of this school year we continued to write, publish, and
distribute a monthly eNewsletter about health, welfare, and safety issues supported by
Ohio PTA programs in partnership or in-sync with other entities such as Action for
Healthy Kids, Ohio Safe Driving Coalition, National Center for Safe Routes to
School, Ohio Injury Prevention Partnership, Ohio Department of Healths
Creating Sustainable School Environmental Health in Ohio, HASH, which is an
acronym for Home and School Health) through the Academy of Pediatrics, and
The American Heart Association just to name a few.
Page 32
The Ohio PTA Voice
May 2015
National PTA has partnered with Safe Routes to School National Partnership and Kaiser
Permanente on Fire Up Your Feet, a physical activity program that encourages families
to walk more to and from schooland in daily lifewhile keeping track of their steps,
and raising money for their PTA or school. Ohio PTA continues to promote this
opportunity for our units and schools. For more information, visit fireupyourfeet.org.
Ohio PTA continues to work with the American Heart Association through their Healthy
Voices for Kids initiative to combat obesity through a six-prong focus smart foods,
healthy drinks, unhealthy marketing to kids, healthy food accessibility in communities,
increasing community active places (which is referred to as Shared Use), and the
6th area is promoting active kids out-of-school. With our testimony and others within the
coalition, Shared-Use in now law in the great State of Ohio.
The Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics reminds children to Put a
Lid on It! Protect Before You Pedal. This is a statewide public awareness campaign.
For more information about how to properly fit a helmet, bike helmet safety events
throughout the state and ongoing safety updates, visit facebook.com/bikehelmetsafety.
Venezuela Robinson
Director of Health, Welfare, & Safety
Director of Membership
It has been a privilege to serve as your Director of Membership over the last 5 years.
Every year has been a pivotal move forward to improving membership communications
and providing valuable information to officers and chairmen around the state. I am
extremely proud of all the accomplishments our membership committee has made this
past term. We stand 70,000 members strong in Ohio.
As Ohio PTA membership, we are stillAdvocating in Perfect Harmony for
Children. Advocating is more than only taking a stand on Capitol Hill. And being a
part of the PTA experience is even more than just taking a stand for children. Being a
part of PTA means taking a stand for families. We throw around the term family
engagement, but what that really means is we want the entirety of the family unit to be
strong, educated, and healthful. By helping families as a whole, we are advocating for
every child. Strong families create strong schools and an entire ripple effect happens,
which positively affects entire communities. This is how we advocate in perfect
harmony as PTA.
As we finish out this year, we look back at a road paved with good intentions. We
wanted to reach out further to districts, councils and unit PTAs through discussions and
best practices in Membership. We wanted to increase the communication directly in the
field so that the topic of Membership would be on the minds of PTA leaders throughout
our State. We wanted to encourage councils to reach out to their PTAs and make
membership a priority by giving more incentives and more personal contacts. We
continued our statewide calls and opened the door for PTAs to network and learn from
each other. We continued to provide proven programs like Member Perks for units as a
guide of how to maintain a strong membership and be rewarded for each
accomplishment. We increased awareness with The Membership Dues Review process
which was started last year.
Page 33
The Ohio PTA Voice
May 2015
And although we were not successful in growing overall memberships in Ohio, we

have successfully kept our rate of decline below the national averages. I believe in
celebrating the small successes and will still hope that one day, through the leadership
of those who will come after me, that we will be one day celebrating the big success of
increasing Membership numbers in Ohio!
Let us celebrate those PTAs who earned their Member Perk rewards for 2013/2014
they are: Fort Island Primary PTA, Olmsted Falls Middle School PTA, Green Valley
PTA, North Olmsted Early Childhood PTA, and Dexter Drake Elementary PTA.
Congratulations to these PTAs, for completing the program and receiving their wellearned PTA Perks.
The winners of the 2014/2015 Membership Incentive for Councils and Units were
drawn during our state convention. The Councils represented in this raffle with one
ticket or more for their units with 15% increases or higher are: Greenville Council,
Avon Lake Council, North Ridgeville City Council, Marion Council, Columbus Council, South-Western City Schools Council, Worthington Council, Westerville Council,
Bedford Council, Cleveland Heights Union Heights Council, Euclid Council, Fairview Park Council, Garfield Heights Council, Lakewood Council, S. Euclid-Lyndhurst
Council, Bay Village Council, Berea Council, North Olmsted Council, Olmsted Falls
Council, Parma Council, Rocky River Council, Strongsville Council, Westlake Council,
Akron Council, Barberton Council, Cuyahoga Falls Council, Nordonia Council, StowMunroe Falls Council, Green Council, Tallmadge Council, Revere Council, Twinsburg
City Schools Council, Lake County Council, Austintown Council, Boardman Council,
and Warren Community Council.
Congratulations to all the Councils with Membership growth!
Units were recognized at convention with a drawing for those who increased members
by 10% or higher, and those with a 50% increase or higher.
Congratulations to our raffle winners!! And to all the Membership leaders around the
state, thank you for your passion and dedication to PTA Membership!
Suzie Smith-Rios
Director of Membership
May 2015
The Ohio PTA Voice
Page 34
Your Ohio PTA Board of Directors . . . the field service team

Your Ohio PTA Officers
Your Ohio PTA Directors
President
Advocacy
Diversity & Inclusion
Events
Lisa Mack
Jackie Arendt
Terry Hickey
Lynn LaMore
216-691-2990
440-230-1567
614-870-9570
440-356-9710
president@ohiopta.org
advocacy@ohiopta.org
D-I@ohiopta.org
events@ohiopta.org
Bylaws & Standing Rules
Family-School
Linda Read
Partnership
330-923-7248
Pam Bonnett
bylawsandstandingrules@ohiopta.org
440-871-7932
President-Elect
Sheila Ragland
614-351-8083
presidentelect@ohiopta.org
V P of Leadership
Ana Chapman
Communications
fsp@ohiopta.org
Jeanne Groetz-Shockling
Health Welfare &

Safety
330-313-1544
Venezuela Robinson
440-786-9855
440-234-2504
Membership
Suzie Smith-Rios
614-878-3596
membership@ohiopta.org
Education
Rebecca Gawsyszawski
440-315-9097
education@ohiopta.org
hws@ohiopta.org
vpleadership@ohiopta.org
Your Ohio PTA District Advisors

District 7
District 11Interim
District 12
V P of Field Service
Susan Hans
Debbie Tidwell
Maria Lang
Cathy Harless
440-243-8776
440-779-7141
440-289-9696
614-877-3673
da7@ohiopta.org
vpfieldservice@ohiopta.org
Secretary/Treasurer
Sharon Urig
440-365-7602
District 13
District 17
District 18
Lisa Weaver
Carol Beasley
Hazel Trinko
330-825-8252
216-383-1963
330-896-1694
Immediate Past President

Gloria Cazan
440-886-1453
sec-treasurer@ohiopta.org
Your Ohio PTA Staff

Executive Director
Sue Owen
office@ohiopta.org
Vacant Advisor Positions: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10,

11, 19 Assistant Director of Advocacy, Bylaws,
Communications, Education, Health, Welfare &
Safety and Family-School Partnership
If anyone is interested in serving on the Ohio PTA
Board of Directors, contact Ana Chapman at
vpleadership@ohiopta.org. Job descriptions and
an application are posted on the Ohio PTA website.
The Mission of the Ohio PTA
sowenaa@sbcglobal.net
Administrative Director
CHILD ADVOCACY
Jeri Gookin
PARENT/FAMILY EDUCATION
jerigcr@sbcglobal.net
SERVICE TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The Ohio PTA Voice May - June 2015 Issue

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A powerful voice for all children A relevant resource for families and communities

A strong advocate for the education and well-being of every child

The Ohio PTA Voice

Note from the President...

As I write my Grand Finale, my final article as your Ohio PTA President, I am

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The Ohio PTA Voice

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The Ohio PTA Voice

What good, what good is a song?

Ohio PTA President 2013-2015

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The Ohio PTA Voice

Advocacy Makes a Difference!

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The Ohio PTA Voice

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The Ohio PTA Voice

May is Asian Pacific American

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The Ohio PTA Voice

Promoting Family School Partnership

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The Ohio PTA Voice

Preparing your Special Needs Child for

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The Ohio PTA Voice

Update Your Bylaws in the Summer? Sure!

The Ohio PTA Voice

The Ohio PTA 2015 Membership Awards

189 Members Over Last Year

D6 Loveland Elem. PTA

502 Current Members

D6 Oak Hills High School PTA

174 Members Over Last Year

Buckeye Award Winners

(All percentages are Over Last Year)

D11 Gilles Sweet Elementary PTA

The Ohio PTA Voice

(All percentages are Over Last Year)

D6 Milford Jr. PTSA

D12 Olmsted Early Childhood PTA

2015 Council Awards

37% Increase OLY

Barberton Council PTA

13% Increase OLY

CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOUR

The Ohio PTA Voice

What PTAs Can Do

The Ohio PTA Voice

Healthy Schools Program (Alliance for a Healthier

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The Ohio PTA Voice

Make Summer Safe for Kids

Warm weather brings more opportunity for outdoor activities.

Master water safety

Always supervise children when in or around water. A

Teach kids to swim. Formal swimming lessons can protect

Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Your CPR skills

Install a four-sided fence around home pools.

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The Ohio PTA Voice

Beat the heat and sun