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PTA MEMBERS GATHER FOR STATE CONVENTION

(Orlando, FL) November 10, 2008 – Members of the Winegard Elementary PTA, Walker Middle School PTSA, and Oak Ridge High School PTSA attended the 85th annual Florida PTA State Convention in Daytona Beach. The convention was held at the Hilton Daytona Beach Ocean Walk Village. Friday, November 7th, through Sunday, November 9th. The convention is the annual business meeting of the Florida PTA. One of the major business items at this year’s convention was the adoption of the Florida PTA Action Platform and the election of officers for 2008 – 2010.

The following Action Platform Items were passed by the delegate body: 1) Child Trafficking; 2) Newborn Congenital Heart Defect Screening; and 3) Service Learning.

These items will become focal points for the Florida PTA in its discussions with legislators during the next legislative sessions.

Florida PTA officers for the 2008 – 2010 are: Karin Brown, President; Jean Hovey, President-Elect; Eileen Segal, Vice-President for Leadership; Carol Conaway, Vice-President for Regions and Council; Cedric Cruse, Vice-President for Organization; Kathy Thrumston, Vice-President for Education; Jenny Dyess, Secretary, and Kathy Desantis, Treasurer.

Walker Middle School’s PTSA received two PTA awards; they were for 25% Membership Increase and the Golden Early Bird (for paying their membership dues to the Florida PTA by October 15th, with an increased membership base).

Each of the three schools sent two delegates, they were: Winegard ES PTA – Lorraine Armstrong, President and Mel Soto, Secretary; Walker MS PTSA – Tammy Weaver, President and Adrianna*, Student Representative; and Oak Ridge HS PTSA – Nancy Green, President and Romeo Kinsler, Treasurer.

The Winegard ES PTA, Walker MS PTSA, and Oak Ridge HS PTSA Boards thank our community for their support and for helping us provide for our students at Winegard, Walker, and Oak Ridge.

The Florida PTA state convention provides a very important opportunity for PTA members across the state to network, collaborate on child advocacy efforts and to help direct the vision and focus of the Florida PTA. The information and training that delegates receive at the convention helps to strengthen PTA as the nation’s leading child advocacy organization.

For more information concerning the three adopted platform items visit www.floridapta.org. Or for more information regarding the individual PTA/PTSAs visit Winegard ES PTA at http://Winegard.Elementary.PTA.googlepages.com, Walker MS PTSA at www.walkerptsa.org, and Oak Ridge HS PTSA at www.orhs.ocps.net.

*Student’s last names are not published as per OCPS guidelines.

2007 PTA MEMBERS GATHER FOR STATE CONVENTION

Orlando (FL) - Members of the Walker Middle School PTSA attended the 84th annual Florida PTA State Convention in Daytona Beach. The convention was held at the Hilton Daytona Beach Ocean Walk Village, Friday November 2nd, through Sunday, November 4th. The convention is the annual business meeting of the Florida PTA. The major business item at this year's convention was the adoption of the Florida PTA Action Platform.

The following Action Platform item was passed by the delegate body: Children's Right to Legal Counsel. This item will become a focal point for the Florida PTA in the discussions with legislators during the next legislative session.

Convention speakers included: Craig Scott, "Rachel's Challenge", Richard Ellenburg, Florida Department of Education/Macy's Teacher of the Year 2008, and Jan Harp Domene, President, National PTA.

Walker Middle School PTSA sent two delegates, including a Walker PTSA Student Representative. Walker Middle School PTSA Board thanks each of you for your support and for helping us provide for the students at Walker Middle School.

The Florida PTA state convention is an important opportunity for PTA members across the state to network and exchange ideas and methods of enhancing child advocacy efforts statewide. The information shared at the convention will be carried back to each county for implementation at varying levels.