Struggling to find engaging activities for your school community? Feeling overwhelmed by PTA responsibilities? Tune in to this episode of the Utah PTA Pulse Podcast for a treasure trove of resources and programs designed to empower parents, teachers, and administrators! Hosts Cammy Whitchurch, Angelee Aedo, and Michael Williams delve into the rich offerings available on the Utah PTA and national PTA websites, highlighting tools like Ribbon Week toolkits and the brand-new Idea Bank. Learn how these resources can spark creativity, build social-emotional skills, and make a lasting difference in your children's lives. Plus, discover exciting plans for Spanish translations and accessibility features to ensure inclusivity for all families. Whether you're a seasoned PTA leader or just starting out, this episode is packed with practical tips and inspiration to help you unlock your PTA's full potential!

Key Points:

• Utah PTA and National PTA websites offer a wealth of resources and programs to support student success.
• Ribbon Week toolkits provide valuable information and activities to raise awareness about important topics.
• The Idea Bank, a new resource, serves as a central hub for downloadable flyers, templates, and other materials to streamline PTA communication.
• Spanish translations are being developed for key resources to promote inclusivity.
• PTAs can utilize these resources to create engaging events, build social-emotional skills in students, and advocate for a positive school environment.

Takeaways:

• Explore the Utah PTA and national PTA websites to discover a range of programs and resources to support your school community.
• Utilize Ribbon Week toolkits and other resources to promote social awareness and build valuable life skills in students.
• Take advantage of the Idea Bank for downloadable materials to simplify PTA communication efforts.
• Support efforts to increase accessibility by utilizing Spanish translations of key resources.
• Partner with your PTA to create a strong and unified voice for your school and its students.

• The Power of PTA: Julie emphasizes the significant impact of PTA on her family and the broader community. She highlights how PTA empowers parents to advocate for their children's needs and create positive change.
• A Personal Journey: Julie shares her personal journey in PTA, from a hesitant newcomer to a dedicated leader. She discusses the various roles she has held and the valuable lessons she has learned along the way.
• The Importance of Membership: Julie stresses the importance of increasing PTA membership. She explains how a larger membership base strengthens the organization's voice and influence, allowing for greater impact on educational policies and practices.
• The Role of PTA Leadership: Julie discusses the responsibilities and challenges of being a PTA president-elect. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration, communication, and a strong support system.
• The Future of PTA: Julie shares her vision for the future of PTA, including increasing membership and celebrating the organization's 100th anniversary in Utah.

Takeaways:

• Get Involved: Encourage listeners to join their local PTA and become active participants in their children's education.
• Advocate for Your Child: Empower listeners to use their voice to advocate for their children's needs and rights.
• Build Relationships: Foster strong relationships with teachers, administrators, and other parents to create a supportive community.
• Embrace Leadership Opportunities: Encourage listeners to consider taking on leadership roles within their PTA to make a lasting impact.
• Celebrate PTA's 100th Anniversary: Promote the upcoming 100th anniversary of PTA in Utah and encourage participation in special events and initiatives.

Feeling overwhelmed by negativity? One Kind Act A Day offers a refreshing solution! We're a Utah-based, fully-funded charity dedicated to spreading kindness in schools and businesses. Our unique approach tailors programs to each organization's needs, fostering a more positive and productive environment.

Imagine students celebrating each other's acts of kindness, or employees feeling valued and appreciated. One Kind Act A Day makes it a reality!

Key Points:

• Free Programs: We believe kindness shouldn't come at a cost.
• Tailored Approach: We customize programs to fit each school or business's specific goals and challenges.
• Focus on Positivity: We highlight existing acts of kindness and encourage more, creating a ripple effect.
• Measurable Results: Decreased bullying, improved employee engagement, and a stronger sense of community are just a few benefits.

Takeaways:

• Kindness is contagious! One Kind Act A Day empowers individuals and organizations to create a more positive world.
• By focusing on the good, we can foster a culture of respect, collaboration, and well-being.
• You don't need a huge budget to make a difference. One kind act a day can be the spark that ignites a positive change.

Bonus Clip:

The podcast interview with Mason Bennett from One Kind Act A Day provides real-life examples of how their programs are making a difference in Utah schools. Learn how they helped a school address staff tension and how students are creating acts of kindness projects.

Unpacking the powerhouse commissioners behind the Utah PTA! Angelie Aedo (Family Life) and Cammy Whitchurch (Community Engagement)

• Angelie Aedo, Family Life Commissioner, focuses on early childhood education, family mealtimes, and supporting military families.
• Cammy Whitchurch, Community Engagement Commissioner, aims to create resources for local PTAs and empower communities to advocate for children.
• The Utah PTA offers various resources and programs to support student success and family engagement.
• Listeners can learn how to get involved in their local PTA and contribute to making a difference.

Episode Notes:

This episode dives into the amazing Utah PTA Reflections program, a national art competition for students.

Hosts:

• Mike Williams, Director of Communications, Utah PTA
• Angelee Aedo, Family Life Commissioner, Utah PTA
• Cammy Whitchurch, Community Engagement Commissioner, Utah PTA

Guest:

• Rebecca Pitts, Utah PTA Reflections Specialist

Discussion Points:

• What is Reflections? (01:23)
  • An art competition with seven categories (visual arts, photography, literature, music composition, film production, dance choreography)
  • Students can enter one piece per category.
  • Utah is a national leader in participation, often having the most national winners per capita.
  • Utah piloted some new categories, including 3D visual arts.
• The Theme (04:32)
  • Each year has a different theme students use to inspire their artwork.
  • The theme is chosen through a national process with suggestions from each state.
  • This year's theme is "Accepting Imperfection."
  • Next year's theme will be "I Belong."
• Judging the Artwork (07:12)
  • 40% of the score comes from how well the artwork reflects the theme.
  • Entries are judged anonymously based on originality, creativity, and mastery of skill.
  • Anyone 18 or older can be a judge, regardless of formal qualifications.
  • Judges with experience in the specific category are preferred for higher levels of competition.
• Reflections Before Online Submissions (12:23)
  • Entering Reflections used to be a complex process requiring physical submissions.
  • Now, entries are submitted online, making it more accessible.
  • The Utah PTA website offers translation tools to support diverse participants.
• The Judging Process Today (15:12)
  • Reflections requires three judges per entry for fairness.
  • Judges have flexibility to review entries at their own pace.
  • The goal is to provide a fair and positive experience for all students.
• Copyright Considerations (21:23)
  • Entries cannot focus on copyrighted materials (e.g., logos, characters).
  • It's best to avoid copyrighted materials altogether and focus on original creations.

In this episode of the Utah PTA Pulse Podcast, hosts Mike Williams, Angelee Aedo, and Cammy Whitchurch dive deep into the role of council presidents. They discuss the challenges and rewards of leading a group of local PTAs and share their experiences in different school districts.

Key topics covered include:

• Council structure: The variety of council structures across Utah, including single-school, cluster, and district-wide models.
• Responsibilities: The essential tasks of a council president, such as coordinating meetings, representing PTAs at the district level, and providing support to local presidents.
• Challenges: The difficulties of balancing state and local commitments, finding suitable meeting times, and engaging all council members.
• Benefits: The rewarding experiences of collaborating with other PTA leaders, learning from each other, and making a positive impact on the community.
• Tips for success: Advice for aspiring council presidents, including building relationships, seeking training, and being flexible.

The episode also features a discussion about the importance of having a strong executive committee, including a secretary, treasurer, and reflection specialist. The hosts emphasize the value of teamwork and communication in ensuring the success of a council.

Overall, this episode offers valuable insights for anyone interested in learning more about the role of council presidents and the challenges and rewards of PTA leadership.

In this episode of the Utah PTA Pulse Podcast, Mike Williams, Director of Communications, chats with Angelee Aedo, Family Life Commissioner, and Cammy Whitchurch, Community Engagement Commissioner, about the often-mysterious concept of "good standing" for PTAs.

They delve into:

• Why good standing matters: It's not just about following rules, but also about protecting your PTA's non-profit status and unlocking valuable benefits like tax-exempt purchases and potential grants.
• The ingredients of good standing: These include adhering to PTA policies, paying dues, filing taxes, and following financial protocols like having three-person money counting and designated bank runs.
• Resources and support: The Utah PTA website offers a dedicated page explaining good standing (https://www.utahpta.org/what-good-standing) and the importance of President and Treasurer training to navigate procedures.

Bonus: The episode features some lighthearted anecdotes about the challenges and humor PTA leaders encounter, reminding everyone that even with guidelines, there's room for learning and collaboration.

So listen in and discover:

• How good standing strengthens your PTA's foundation.
• Practical tips for maintaining compliance.
• Why PTA leadership training is valuable.
• And a dose of laughter along the way!

In this episode of the Utah PTA Pulse Podcast, hosts Mike, Angelee, and Cammy share personal stories and insights about their involvement in PTA. They discuss their journeys from local PTA leadership to their current roles as Utah State PTA Board Members