The last several months have brought unprecedented change for our education system. As we look forward to the fall, we recognize that traditional in-person instruction could be interrupted again as a result of the pandemic.
Last week, the CDC announced guidelines for schools that are intended to create a safe learning environment for students. We recognize that many of the proposals substantially change the face of education, place additional burdens on school staff and budgets and influence core aspects of the traditional educational model that supports student success.
In order to best advocate for the needs of our PTA members and students across the state, please take a minute to share your thoughts with us about your family's experience with distance learning so far and what you hope to see happen this fall.
We invite you to share this survey with your PTA members on social media and in newsletters. Please note, that this survey is ONLY for PTA MEMBERS WHO LIVE IN VIRGINIA.
The survey will close on JUNE 3rd.
RESPOND TO SURVEY
If you have questions/concerns about this survey please email Advocacy@vapta.org.
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Beginning on Wednesday, June 10th, and running through the summer every Wednesday afternoon from 12:00pm - 1:00pm we are bringing you 'Advocacy Afternoons'.
These webinars are designed to connect parents and staff with policy makers and specialists to share information about topics that impact our students and school communities AND provide an opportunity to share feedback directly to policy makers. Although these are webinars, you can also always just call in on your phone to listen to the presentation.
We encourage you to share and advertise these webinars to your school community, as they are one of the many benefits of being a PTA member.
We are lining up more great speakers for July and early August to explore the unique challenges that face our latino communities and rural communities and ways that we can drive equity and opportunity for our students. If there is a topic you want to learn more about or a specific speaker you would love to hear from, please email your ideas to VP of Advocacy, Jenna Alexander (advocacy@vapta.org).
Trauma informed schools are not new, and their success has been proven through extensive data. Learn what makes a school trauma informed, how it is more vital than ever before, and how to be a trauma informed schools advocate.
Jenna White, Virginia PTA Health and Safety Chair, is the parent of a college age son and a middle schooler. Jenna is an ACE Interface certified presenter, and a member of the Safe and Sound Schools Leadership Council.
REGISTER HERE
Virginia is home to some of the nation’s largest and most important military installations and educates 80,000 military connected students. Frequent moves, family separations, making new friends and adjusting to new academic standards as a result of deployments can create unique challenges for our military students.
Join Military Child Education Coalition's, Amanda Woodward, and PTA member and Military Family Education Advocate, Julie P. Shepard, to learn about the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MiC3); the programs the Virginia Department of Education provides for military families; recent Virginia legislation impacting military families and resources that are available for military families through Military Child Education Coalition.
REGISTER HERE
Join Betsy Ball, the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Programs Coordinator for the Department of Criminal Justice Services, Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety, and Martha Montgomery, the Virginia Department of Education School Psychology Specialist for a discussion about suicide prevention and ways we can support the mental health of our students as we deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
REGISTER HERE
Join Hank Millward the VDOE's Director of the Office of Specialized Education Facilities and Family Engagement within the Department of Special Education and Student Services (SESS) for this special webinar to answer questions that families have about supporting special needs children during COVID-19. Questions such as:
- What are my parental rights during this time of distance learning;
- What special education services are required under federal and state special education laws and regulations
- How will my child's special education and related services be provided;
- How do I effectively participate in my child's IEP meetings, especially if done through virtual means;
- How can I best support my child while at home doing distance learning;
- What questions should I be asking my child's IEP team?
These questions, as well others from participants will be discussed as well as a review of current guidance from the U.S. Department of Education and the Virginia Department of Education, and best practice tips.
REGISTER HERE
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