The deadline to submit artwork for the Reflections art contest has been extended to Monday, December 18, 2023. Please see the Reflections page (navigate in menu bar at the top of the page) for more details.
Search Results for: Reflections
Reflections
Reflections 2023-2024 Official Rules
By submitting an artwork to the National PTA Reflections Program, you accept and agree to be bound by the official rules for participation as well as the entry requirements for the specific arts category and division. Any violation of these rules may, at PTA’s discretion, result in disqualification. All decisions of the reviewers regarding this program are final and binding in all respects.
1. ELIGIBILITY. Students must participate through a local PTA. Students may develop their entry inside or outside of school.
2. ARTS CATEGORIES. There are six categories. Click on any category to view the specific rules for that category. The arts categories are: visual arts, photography, music composition, literature, film production, and dance choreography. Students may submit entries to one or more arts categories, but an artwork may only be entered in one category. All entries must be inspired by the 2023-2024 Reflections theme, which is “I Am Hopeful Because…”
3. GRADE DIVISIONS. Students may enter in the appropriate division for their grade:
Primary: K-2
Intermediate: Grades 3-5
Middle School: Grades 6-8
High School: Grades 9-12
Special Artist: All grades welcome. Please click here to read more about the Special Artist Division.
4. HOW TO ENTER:
Complete a Reflections Entry Google Form for the category of each artwork entered – links below.
Physical artworks in the Visual Arts category can be submitted in several ways, once students have completed the Reflections Entry Google Form:
1) Place the artwork (be sure to write name, school, and artwork title on the back) in the Reflections Box in your school’s office.
2) Give to the school’s Reflections Coordinator (list of coordinators coming soon, check back).
3) Photograph or scan it and email to reflections@montclairpta.org. Please include student’s name, school name, and artwork name as the file name for the digital image(s) and in your email.
Literature entries are submitted by attaching a PDF to the Google Form Reflections Entry.
For Dance Choreography, Music Composition, and Film Production entries,
email the audio or video recording of the entry (specific rules apply for each category) to reflections@montclairpta.org.
Links to Reflections Entry Google Forms:
Visual Art Reflections Entry Form
Photography Reflections Entry Form
Music Composition Reflections Entry Form
Literature Reflections Entry Form
Dance Choreography Reflections Entry Form
Music Composition Reflections Entry Form
Film Production Reflections Entry Form
5. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS. Only new pieces of artwork inspired by the current year’s theme may be submitted. Each entry must be the original work of one student only. An adult may not assist in the creation or execution of a student’s work, except in the Special Artist Division. The work itself must be the creative product of one student only. Each entry must have a title and all entries must include an artist statement. The artist statement communicates what inspired the work, how it relates to the theme, and the content of the work. The statement must include at least 10 words and not exceed 100 words. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Plagiarized entries will be disqualified. Use PowerPoint templates is prohibited.
6. FINALIST SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION. Entries are reviewed at local, regional, state, and national levels. Entries will be reviewed primarily on how well the student uses their artistic vision portray the theme, originality, and creativity.
7. OWNERSHIP AND LICENSE. Ownership in any submission shall remain the property of the student, but entry into this program constitutes entrant’s irrevocable permission and consent that PTA may display, copy, reproduce, enhance, print, sublicense, publish, distribute, and create derivative works for PTA purposes. PTA is not responsible for lost or damaged entries. Submission of entry into the PTA Reflections program constitutes acceptance of all rules and conditions.
Copy of Reflections
Reflections Official Rules from National PTA
By submitting an artwork to the “National PTA Reflections Program,” entrants accept and agree to be bound by the official rules for participation as well as the entry requirements for their specific arts category and division. Additional State program requirements may apply. Any violation of these rules may, at PTA’s discretion, result in disqualification. All decisions of the reviewers regarding this program are final and binding in all respects.(The“PTA”referred to in these rules include all PTAs reviewing the submission).
1. ELIGIBILITY. Students must participate through a local PTA. Each student’s eligibility is determined by the state, council and local PTA. A student may develop an entry inside or outside of school.
2. ARTS CATEGORIES. There are six categories - visual arts, photography, music composition, literature, film production and dance choreography. Students may enter in one or more Arts categories.
3. GRADE DIVISIONS. Students may enter in the appropriate division for their grade
Primary: Preschool-Grade 2;
Intermediate Grades 3-5;
MiddleSchool:Grades 6-8;
HighSchool:Grades 9-12;
SpecialArtist: All grades welcome
4. HOW TO ENTER Click on your school below and review the Instructions for Students document for the descriptions for each category, as well as the submission criteria, link and specifications.
- Only new pieces of artwork inspired by the current year’s theme may be submitted.
- Each entry must be the original work of one student only. An adult may not alter the creative
integrity of a student’s work. Because the program is designed to encourage and recognize each student's individual creativity, help from an adult or collaboration with other students is not allowed except in the Special Artist Division. The work itself must be the creative product of one student only. Only one student may be recognized as the award recipient for each entry.
- Each entry must contain a title and all entries must include an artist statement. The artist statement communicates what inspired the work, how it relates to the theme, and the content of the work. The statement must include at least 10 words and not exceed 100 words.
- Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Plagiarized entries will be disqualified. Use PowerPoint templates prohibited
.
6. FINALIST SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION. Entries are reviewed at local, regional, state and national levels. Entries will be reviewed primarily on how well the
Student uses their artistic vision portray the theme,their originality and creativity.
7. OWNERSHIP AND LICENSE. Ownership in any submission shall remain the property of the entrant, but entry iInto this program constitutes entrant's irrevocable permission and consent that PTA may display, copy,reproduce, enhance,print,sublicense,publish,distribute and create derivative works forPTA purposes. PTA is not responsible for lost or damaged entries. Submission of entry into the PTA Reflections program constitutes acceptance of all rules and conditions.
Reflections National PTA Art Contest for 2023-2024
It’s time to say “I am hopeful because…” through your art.
MPSD students – share your visual art, dance choreography, film production, music composition, literature, or photography on the 2023-2024 Reflections theme “I am hopeful because…” by December 8, 2023.
Montclair had two national winners in last year’s contest!
All entries will be displayed in the Reflections Celebration Showcase in May 2024.
See our Reflections page (far right on the menu bar) for further details.
Reflections
Official Rules and How to Enter
"I Am Hopeful Because..." is the theme for Reflections this year.
By submitting an artwork to the National PTA Reflections Program, you accept and agree to be bound by the official rules for participation as well as the entry requirements for the specific arts category and division. Any violation of these rules may, at PTA’s discretion, result in disqualification. All decisions of the reviewers regarding this program are final and binding in all respects.
1. ELIGIBILITY. Students must participate through a local PTA. Students may develop their entry inside or outside of school.
2. ARTS CATEGORIES. There are six categories. Click on any category to view the specific rules for that category:
Visual Arts
Photography
Music Composition
Literature
Film Production
Dance Choreography
Students may submit entries to one or more arts categories, but an artwork may only be entered in one category. All entries must be inspired by the 2023-2024 Reflections theme, which is "I Am Hopeful Because..."
3. GRADE DIVISIONS. Students may enter in the appropriate division for their grade:
Primary: K-2
Intermediate: Grades 3-5
Middle School: Grades 6-8
High School: Grades 9-12
Special Artist: All grades welcome. Please click here to read more about the Special Artist Division.
4. HOW TO ENTER:
Complete a Reflections Entry Google Form for the category of each artwork entered - links below.
Physical artworks in the Visual Arts category can be submitted in several ways, once students have completed the Reflections Entry Google Form:
1) Give to your school’s Reflections Coordinator (list of coordinators coming soon, check back).
2) If your school does not have a Reflections Coordinator, place your artwork (be sure to write name, school, and artwork title on the back) in the Reflections Box in your school’s office. If your school doesn't have a Reflections box, see 3) below.
3) Photograph or scan it and email to reflections@montclairpta.org. Please include student’s name, school name, and artwork name as the file name for the digital image(s) and in your email.
Literature entries are submitted by attaching a PDF to the Google Form Reflections Entry.
For Dance Choreography, Music Composition, and Film Production entries,
email the audio or video recording of the entry (specific rules apply for each category) to reflections@montclairpta.org.
Links to Reflections Entry Google Forms:
Visual Art Reflections Entry Form
Photography Reflections Entry Form
Music Composition Reflections Entry Form
Literature Reflections Entry Form
Dance Choreography Reflections Entry Form
Music Composition Reflections Entry Form
Film Production Reflections Entry Form
5. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS. Only new pieces of artwork inspired by the current year’s theme may be submitted. Each entry must be the original work of one student only. An adult may not assist in the creation or execution of a student’s work, except in the Special Artist Division. The work itself must be the creative product of one student only. Each entry must have a title and all entries must include an artist statement. The artist statement communicates what inspired the work, how it relates to the theme, and the content of the work. The statement must include at least 10 words and not exceed 100 words. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Plagiarized entries will be disqualified. Use PowerPoint templates is prohibited.
6. FINALIST SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION. Entries are reviewed at local, regional, state, and national levels. Entries will be reviewed primarily on how well the student uses their artistic vision portray the theme, originality, and creativity.
7. OWNERSHIP AND LICENSE. Ownership in any submission shall remain the property of the student, but entry into this program constitutes entrant’s irrevocable permission and consent that PTA may display, copy, reproduce, enhance, print, sublicense, publish, distribute, and create derivative works for PTA purposes. PTA is not responsible for lost or damaged entries. Submission of entry into the PTA Reflections program constitutes acceptance of all rules and conditions.
Reflections 2023-2024 poster design and image courtesy of Beth Chucker.
Two National Winners from Montclair
Congratulations to Onward Fernandez of Northeast Elementary for his work “Stop Bullying” and to Isabelle Hayes of Buzz Aldrin Middle School for her work “The Burden We Carry”. Each received an Award of Merit for Visual Art at the national level in the 2022-2023 Reflections art contest.
BOE Statement – September 2023
Thank you, Board members and Dr. Ponds.
I’m Gretchen Devinsky, President of PTAC, an organization that represents all of Montclair Public School District’s local school PTAs.
PTAC’s function is to support the 11 local school PTAs of Montclair in their work of advocating for the success and wellbeing of their school’s students, and to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families to advocate for all children.
There are many ways that we uphold these goals – we facilitate information sharing, resource pooling, and act as a single point of contact for our community partners and community organizations to reach PTAs.
The fact that all of this relies on the participation of volunteers – both at the local PTA level, and for PTAC’s own work – and what all of this volunteer power accomplishes, is incredible.
Parents in Montclair are passionate about issues affecting schools and their children, and we at PTAC are passionate about helping to foster a community where all parents feel like there is a place for them at the table – a place where their perspectives are heard and valued. Much of our work is done by committees, which we encourage everyone here and listening tonight to consider serving on. There’s room for your ideas and passion to find expression in one of our 9 committees: Communications, Culture & Climate, Curriculum, DEI, Facilities & Finance, Reflections, Standing Rules, Special Education, and Technology.
Additionally, a new special committee: PILOTs to Schools, a grassroots initiative that focuses on getting the town to share with the district some of the revenue it receives from property developers in place of property tax.
If you are intrigued and want to know more, please email me at ptapres@montclairpta.org.
Some of the things that PTAC will be working on this year are:
– Co-sponsoring a BOE Candidate Forum, with the League of Women Voters of the Montclair Area, Montclair NAACP, AAPI Montclair, and Aging in Montclair.
– Reflections Art Contest. Last year was only our second year of offering this contest. The artwork of 38 Montclair kids was sent on to the state level. Of those, 13 proceeded to the National level, and 2 won at the National level. What can our creative and artistic kids do this year? The theme is ‘I am hopeful because…’ and the deadline for entries is December 8. Look for more information on our website soon.
– Producing a new ‘School Budget 101’ like the one we offered in 2020, but updated to reflect the fact that we are now a Type 1 district.
Let me share with you a few of the things that our PTAs have been doing:
Edgemont celebrated Hispanic/Latine Heritage Day with an evening of food, performances, crafts, and an outdoor showing of the movie Vivo.
Nishuane was able to attract over 250 new members to its PTA by offering PTA members the chance to register for ASE classes the day before registration was opened to the public.
Glenfield PTA won a $25,000 grant from the Kool Kids foundation – which is run by Robert ‘Kool’ Bell of Kool and the Gang – to buy drums and other music equipment for Glenfield’s Drumline program.
MHS provided a Welcome Breakfast for teachers and staff, got the 12th graders up early for the Senior Sunrise breakfast in the amphitheater, and will host a 9th grade movie night next week.
All over Montclair, committed parents are working together to manifest the potential of every child in this town. We work with the incredible teachers and staff at our schools. We work with committed and dedicated members of the Board of Education and the Central Office. We work with community partners who recognize that they have a stake in the future of the kids in Montclair Public School District. Thank you, and I am looking forward to working with all of you this year.
BOE Statement – June 14, 2023
Good evening. My name is Tessie Thomas and I am the President of the Montclair Council of PTAs (PTAC) an elected body that represents and supports the whole community.
I hope everyone managed well through the toxic smoke last week and are now making the most of the clean air around us.
As the year draws to a close, I can’t help but be reflective. It is just amazing how quickly this year has gone by. It was an eventful year but somehow seems to have gone through even faster than other years. For that matter, the last 2 years have gone quick. The last 2 years – following Covid have by definition been unprecedented as none of us have had the playbook for how to recover from a pandemic. I would like to share a few observations of our post recovery period and some of PTAC’s accomplishments tonight.
2 years back as President of PTAC, we decided to do things somewhat differently. We wanted to be more efficient with meetings, we wanted to be more impactful, we wanted to ensure that we leaned on lessons learned from the past, we wanted to sharply focus on powerful advocacy and learn from each other. In keeping with these thoughts, we adopted 6 themes that most of you have heard before–
- Diversity of faces and diversity of voices
- Connecting with all
- Proactive
- Encouraging volunteers
- Efficiency
- PTAC Brand
I must say that we adhered very closely to all of the above. The last one – PTAC Brand was one which is likely to be misinterpreted. So I would like to read from what I said in the first PTAC meeting 2 years back when we adopted these themes, I quote –
“… – we want to make sure that when PTAC acts, makes a statement, makes a point to the district, or to anyone – it is one that is thoughtful, impactful, relevant, unbiased, timely, and actionable. It is very easy to be in our situation and react to everything that happens around us. I am going to be strong on vetoing issues that don’t fit this structure. We are going to make sure that we do not make any statement for the sake of public posturing alone. I want to ensure that PTAC is influential that we are given a seat at every table for no other reason than being seen as a valuable contributor. I will watch out meticulously to not dilute the PTAC brand. Our focus will be on better outcomes for our children and if something doesn’t quite fit, let’s make sure we don’t overstep our scope as when we lose focus or try to get too many things done we may end up not doing much at all.
In terms of our focus, I want to ensure that we don’t start assuming that it is our mission to run the district. We need to leave that to the district professionals, and the BOE. But it is our mission to bubble up issues and get commitments to fix the problems we highlighted. Let’s hold their feet to the fire. There is a fine line between that mission and actually running the district. Let’s not cross it…”
Given this initial outlook, I must say we carried it out to a tee. How we at PTAC decided to conduct ourselves makes a lot of sense under any scenario, but it was especially well suited for where we were 2 years back, coming out of the pandemic. We were in an acrimonious environment coupled with the instability of having seen a number of superintendents go in and out of the district in the last few years. It was a time when it seemed like the stakeholders had concluded that the way to get anything done in the district was to be shrill at the BOE meetings and take shots. It also seemed like when that failed the solution was to be even more pointed and louder. Additionally, the revolving door in the superintendent’s office was conducive to kicking the can down the road. Even under the best of intentions, given the significant and deep-rooted problems, kicking the can down the door was many a times the expedient outcome. Systemic problems festered.
In this environment, we decided to hit “reset”. We decided to try something new – “collaboration”. We decided that we will start by trusting every stakeholder’s intent – we believed and still do that every stakeholder in this is trying to do right thing. When we adopted this approach, we were surprised with the reception and I think to some extent, the stakeholders were also surprised that we trusted their intent and were willing to talk about ways to make progress. I have to say that this approach has enabled all of us together to actually get things done.
We are not naïve to think that acrimony is dead, or that everyone buys into collaboration – but it is clear that there is consensus that collaboration has been more effective and impactful over the last 2 years.
One of the proudest moments for us was on May 16th this year when the BOE, MEA and PTAC together went to the town council meeting to raise the issues of overall operating funding proportion allocated to the schools and the issue of no Payment in Lieu of Taxes money flowing through to school funding. This was a follow up to the joint letter that the BOE, the District, and PTAC sent to the town council raising these issues. This is collaboration in action – it is no longer just talk – let’s keep at it, our children deserve it.
Continuing down the path of summarizing some of the accomplishments of the last 2 years. I would like to highlight a few “concrete deliverables”. Since we emphasized “concrete deliverables” from all it is only appropriate that we hold ourselves to those standards. Here we go –
- Getting the community investment plan passed. We worked hard, we worked together, and we all went above and beyond. In the process we got the bond referendum passed and won the national PTA award. But the true award is that we now have the much needed $188M investment going into schools that will be transformational and will last several decades for the current and future Montclair community. We all should be very proud of this.
- Reflections, a national competition – we were able to put Montclair on the map. We went from “what is it; how do we participate in it” to having two national winners this year. To anyone who is looking for an answer to the question – why do we do this – one look at the kids beaming at the award celebrations where their work was displayed – you will have your answer. We created a lasting memory and who knows, we may even have reinforced their confidence in themselves and added to their resume.
- When coming out of Covid there was confusion on how to get back in schools and the “mask-mandate” – we conducted a highly effective and timely survey of the families that provided clarity for decisions.
- We conducted a survey around effective communications that has resulted in several changes that the district adopted. I know we have ways to go, but our survey got it started.
- We engaged with the district on scheduling, start times, and busing discussions.
- We jumped up and supported the B&G crew in the recovery efforts from hurricane Ida. We got Montclair restaurants to donate food and our great community did what great communities do – we helped each other out.
- We ran several town halls and discussion panels covering pre-schools, budgeting 101, transition to middle school, transition to high school, and entering the Elementary Schools.
The list of what we have accomplished is much longer, but I wanted to highlight a few to remind ourselves that what we do together has real and lasting impacts.
Speaking of impact – we asked each of the school PTAs to provide us with some overall dollar numbers on the PTA support for our teachers and the students. We have consolidated these numbers across our schools and here is what the overall impact looks like –
Our PTAs collectively raise, on an average, about $600,000 across the schools every year. About $120,000 of this money is directly contributed to the teachers in the form of grants, teacher appreciation, and special projects. About $350,000 of this money is directly contributed to the students and the community in the form of events, scholarships, and special projects. Remember – all of this is done by volunteers – a truly herculean task that speaks volumes about the volunteers and our community. The dollar amounts represent just one of the ways in which PTAs have an impact. The advocacy and the other efforts that don’t necessarily involve dollars are even more valuable and can’t be measured in dollar terms.
As the end of the year approaches, the transition to new PTA Boards also gets underway. The PTAC Board for 2023-25 elected in by all the PTAs is:
- Gretchen Devinsky, President
- Linda Kow, VP
- Stacy Ann Greene, VP
- Obie Miranda Woodley, Treasurer
- Shameah Kinch, Secretary
Congratulations and thank you for raising your hands and taking this on.
July 1 is when this new Board will get started. I am thrilled to be passing the baton to this capable group.
It has been a great run and I want to thank a few folks who have been instrumental in making our efforts a success over the last 2 years.
I want to thank the BOE, Dr. Ponds, and the central office team. You have always been responsive to us and have attended all our meetings and addressed concerns live during the meetings and after that. We know you have been dealt with a tough hand. So thank you. A special shout out to Nina De Rosa without whom none of this can get done.
I want to thank Cathy Kondreck and her team for attending our meetings, working collaboratively with us, and lifting us up by the “above and beyond” contributions to the Reflections program. I know this must not have been easy and we are grateful to you for your responsiveness to us and support.
I would also like to thank each and every member of the current and the past PTAC Board – Courtney, Reggie, Yvette, Gretchen, Diane, and of course, Brain who moved on to the BOE but continued with his valuable insights. This is the team that has always engaged in open, honest, respectful, and many a tough discussion. Those discussions and the work together made us a better PTAC.
Likewise, I would like to thank each of the PTA Presidents and volunteers with our endless text messages and constant communications. I know each PTA President and volunteer puts in countless thankless hours while managing all other demands on their time while keeping a sane head on their shoulders. They are the frontline where the rubber meets the road. Thank you.
Over the last 2 years, working together with all – BOE, District, MEA, and all the other stakeholders in town, has been a stark reminder – we are all in this together. Our individual success is completely tied to our collective success and the only way we can have a real and lasting impact on the lives of the young ones graduating from the Montclair School system is by working together. Future generations will remember not only what we did, but also how we did it.
Thank you.
BOE Statement – April 19, 2023
Good evening. My name is Tessie Thomas and I am the President of the Montclair Council of PTAs (PTAC) an elected body that represents and supports the whole community.
Congratulations on the $75,000 award for playground upgrades – great to hear that it alleviates some of the taxpayer burden by offsetting the costs associated with the capital spend.
Our first update today is about Reflections – we are working on the celebration slated for 6 PM on May 4 at the Women’s Club. Our fingers are crossed for our state level winners to potentially win at the national level. I would like to acknowledge all the support and contributions from the district and the MEA for Reflections. I keep getting calls from Central Office saying another box showed up. Thanks to the MEA we now have the display hardware we need and fund contributions for the celebration.
On another district wide initiative, as you are aware, Elementary School PTAs are collectively hosting the STEM Fair on April 30th. This Fair is being targeted for all elementary students. The event is slated for April 30 from 3 to 5 PM. Middle and high school students will be volunteering and earning community service awards.
NJPTA LeadCon is coming up this weekend. I am on a panel focused on advocacy where I will be covering the PTAC work on the bond referendum.
As always, we have some updates on the the amazing programs that the PTAs are conducting for the community.
CHBullock had a very successful in-person Green Ball fundraiser. They have STEM Fair, CHB Eco Fair, Teacher Appreciation Week, and the Scholastic Book Fair coming up.
Edgemont had a successful Talent Show where over 70 students performed. Afterschool enrichment and play practice are ongoing. STEAMPOP, their biggest fundraiser is coming up on April 29.
At Nishuane the PTA funded culturally responsive library books, STEAM recess programming as well as art and music for preK classes. They hosted a successful schoolwide playdate and continued after school enrichment programs. Mayfair is slated for May 13.
Northeast hosted Soccerthon an All-school, inclusive soccer tournament. They also conducted Liberty Science Center workshops, and talent show. Northeast’s BlueHawks Band performing at the May In Montclair Opening Ceremony at Watchung Plaza. Geography Bee, Dance, and Spring Concerts are coming up.
Buzz Aldrin has wrapped up their ASE programs for the year.
Glenfield – Congrats to Glenfield for being nominated for 7 Montclair State University Foxy Awards. This award recognizes excellence in Middle School Musicals. The Spring 2022 production of ’13 the Musical’ is what earned the nominations. The Black History Month event, Greenwood at Glenfield, was a huge success. Glenfield held a staff health and wellness day. Spring concert, Talent Show, and 8th grade graduation are coming up.
Montclair High School is supporting junior prom, and prepping for the Freshman/Sophomore Dance in May. Teacher appreciation week, a Fun Friday, and the annual Freshman/Sophomore Dance are coming up.
These are just a few highlights of the activities across the schools, the actual list is much longer. Hopefully this provides us all a sense of all that is going on in our community and how active and engaged the community is. Also, as always – a big thank you to all the volunteers who put is so much time making this happen – a lot of them behind the scenes. Thank you.
BOE Statement – March 20, 2023
Good evening. My name is Tessie Thomas and I am the President of the Montclair Council of PTAs (PTAC) an elected body that represents and supports the whole community.
We start with wonderful news tonight about – Reflections! As you may recall PTAC conducted this program for the very first time in Montclair last year. This year’s theme was – “Show Your Voice” and there were six categories – visual arts, photography, music composition, literature, film production and dance choreography – in their respective age groups. I am thrilled to report that 13 of our 38 entries to the state have won state level awards for Reflections. Last year we had 2 entries that won at the state level. So we have gone from 2 to 13. Also, overall this year we had 170 entries as compared to last year when we had 56. Our fingers are crossed for these state level winners to potentially win at the national level. We are now jointly working with the MEA on the Reflections Celebrations scheduled for Thursday, May 4.
Switching topics, as you know, the Transition to Middle School was on Thursday, February 23 at Glenfield. We had more than 250 attendees and there was a panel of 18 students, staff and parents representing all the middle schools. A similar community conversation, Transition to Elementary Schools was held over Zoom on Thursday, March 9. All the Principals, PTA Presidents, Dr. Ponds and Dr. Harrison Crawford were on the panel. Both events were informative, and went well. We are getting positive feedback on the events. Thank you to everyone who was on the panel – parents and staff.
As you know PTAC at its core has been about working together to leverage what we have and create concrete deliverables that are more valued for all. PTAC and MFEE are cosponsoring a speaker event for SEPAC during Autism Acceptance month – details to follow. It’s always great when folks come up with new event ideas that lives this value of working together. A perfect example is the new STEM Fair being planned right now – In the fall three PTAs won grants from the National PTA. Instead of hosting three different STEM Fairs in the individual schools, the monies are now being pooled together and the Elementary School PTAs are hosting this district wide STEM Fair. This Fair is being targeted for all elementary students with middle and high school students volunteering and earning community service awards. This event is slated for April 30. Please be on the lookout for information on the event.
Switching over to the topic of what is going on with Renaissance. In the last few days, we at PTAC have received a lot of communications related to where we are. It is an understatement to say that the emotions are running high. Everyone seems to have strong opinions and feelings about the potential outcome. There is also a strong desire to hold folks accountable for the situation. We hope these emotions are driven by an acute concern for students, their well-being, and the impact this can have on them. We are not here to take sides, but we are here to urge everyone involved to keep the children front and center. Focusing on blame is likely to be unproductive at best and damaging at worst. We have said this in the past and we would like to remind everyone again – when adults mess up, children suffer. We are sure there are multiple considerations in this complex situation, we just ask all to think if any of those considerations are more important than the impact on the students and their future. We urge everyone involved to please take a step back, soften hard stances, be pragmatic, and reach a resolution that is best for the children of Renaissance. It is important to think about outcomes, but also to think about how we get there – community memories are long and a win may be rendered meaningless in short order if it not a win for the children at Renaissance.
Thank you!