Local Palm Beach County Council of PTA/PTSA Members Elected to Florida PTA Positions
The Palm Beach County Council of PTA/PTSA was well represented at the recent Florida PTA Leadership Convention by local board members Jen Martinez, Wendy Corso Ruud, Jenn Olson, Debbie DeHoog, Kay M. Stagray, Mindy Haas, Charlotte Spikes, and Dawn Balliet. They joined over 80 representatives from 23 local PTA units at the annual convention held at Innisbrook-Palm Harbor; five units were able to attend after receiving a grant from the County Council. By the end of the session Mindy Haas had been elected President-Elect for the Florida PTA and Kay M. Stagray was voted in as Florida PTA’s vice-president of Organization.
Second term County Council of PTA/PTSA President Jen Martinez said this is the first time the state PTA has held elections at the Leadership Conference and only the second time the Leadership training and state convention have been combined.
“It was great to see so many volunteers come together for the good of all children- our Every Child One Voice theme could be clearly seen throughout the event,” she stated. Ms. Martinez said a number of area PTA/PTSAs also received recognition for their performance.
(*local units will receive these award on August 30th )
| President’s Achievement Award 2011 – 2012 | Eagles Landing Middle School PTSA |
| PTSA Student Involvement Awards | Eagles Landing Middle School PTSA |
| Outstanding Principal of the Year | Cindy Chiapetta, Eagles Landing Middle |
| President’s Membership Award | Eagles Landing Middle School PTSA |
| Thomas Newsletter Grant | Sandpiper Shores Elementary PTA |
| 100% Membership for 7 years | Morikami Park Elementary PTA |
| *25% Membership Increase | Poinciana Elementary PTAPine Jog Elementary PTAOrchard View Elementary PTA
Belvedere Elementary PTA Okeeheelee Middle PTSA Don Estridge High Tech Middle PTSA Emerald Cove PTA Eagles Landing PTSA Del Prado Elementary PTA Calusa Community Elementa ry PTA Boca Raton Community Middle PTSA Boca Raton Community High PTSA Boca Raton Elementary PTA Hidden Oaks Elementary PTA |
| *Local Unit Achievement Award | Eagles Landing Middle School PTSADel Prado Elementary PTASpanish River High PTSA
Hidden Oaks Elementary PTA Morikami Park Elementary PTA Binks Forest Elementary PTA Sandpiper Shores Elementary PTA Poinciana Elementary PTA
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| Promoting Communication Excellence Award | Del Prado Elementary PTASpanish River High PTSAHidden Oaks Elementary
Morikami Park Elementary Binks Forest Elementary PTA Sandpiper Shores Elementary Poinciana Elementary PTA |
| *Mentor A PTA Award | Hidden Oaks Elementary PTA |
| *Study Discussion Group Award | Del Prado Elementary PTA |
| *Volunteer Award | Del Prado Elementary PTAHidden Oaks Elementary PTASpanish River High PTSA |
The Convention portion of the event is the annual business meeting of the Florida PTA. This year the convention delegates elected new Florida PTA officers, adopted bylaws changes and updated the position statements in priority for the spring legislative agenda. Leaving such items in priority; Assessment and Testing, Adequate Public Education Funding, Tax Limitation and Voucher Funded School Accountability.
The Leadership portion offers a variety of roundtables and workshops for members to take to help them be successful in whatever PTA role they play. Attendees were invited to participate in many workshops including: Social Media, Common Core State Standards, Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR), Connect for Respect, Partners that Advocate, Internet Safety and more!
Key Note speakers included National PTA President Betsy Landers, and Florida Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson. County Councils and local units throughout Florida had their programs and accomplishments recognized by Florida PTA. Awards presented to the Palm Beach County Council of PTA/PTSA included: Thomas Newsletter Grant, Promoting Communication Excellence, Program Awards (3) and Study Discussion Group Awards (3).
The newly installed officers of the Florida PTA are:
President – Eileen Segal (Miami-Dade)
President-Elect – Mindy Haas (Palm Beach)
V.P. for Leadership – Cindy Gerhardt (Escambia)
V.P. for Regions and Councils – Melissa Kighlighter (Duval)
V.P. for Organization – Kay M. Stagray (Palm Beach)
V.P. for Education – Faye Norris (Orange)
Secretary – Elinor Adler (Broward)
Treasurer – Janet Lamoureux (Polk)
For more information about the Leadership conference, election, orawards, contact Palm Beach County Council PTA/PTSA President Jen Martinez, 561.254.9513 or email Palmbeachcountypta@yahoo.com.
About PTA
The Palm Beach County Council of PTA/PTSA is a member of the largest advocacy group for children in the nation. PTA stands for Parent Teacher Association and PTSA stands for Parent Teacher Student Association. Collectively referred to as PTA, we are an all volunteer association that is nonpartisan, noncommercial, and nonsectarian. PTA is a nonprofit child advocacy association organized at the local, county, state and national levels.
PTA comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth. Join a local unit today! www.PalmBeachCountyPTA.com.
