The New LAPTA Membership Theme
The next LAPTA Membership Theme receiving 57% of the votes is .... Growing the Future Rooted in Tradition! This theme plus "Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler with PTA" and "PTA: A Work of Heart" are available now on Canva for you to personalize with your PTA name if you like. Go to LouisianaPTA.org/resources in the "Templates" section for links. Email Beth at President@LouisianaPTA.org if the Canva links give you trouble.
LAPTA Grant and Award Winners
LAPTA is so excited to announce our Grant and Award Winners!!! Congratulations to the following PTAs for receiving a grant from LAPTA:
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The $750 LAPTA Healthy Minds Grant Winners are Captain Shreve High PTSA (Shreveport), Roseland Montessori PTA (Roseland), Sixth Ward Elementary PTA (Slidell) and Woodlake Elementary PTA (Mandeville).
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The $500 LAPTA Creative Teacher Grant Winners are Herndon Magnet PTA (Shreveport), South Highlands Elementary Magnet PTA (Shreveport), Tchefuncte Middle School PTA (Mandeville), and Woodlake Elementary PTA (Mandeville).
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The $500 LAPTA Day of Service Grant Winners are Sixth Ward Elementary PTA (Slidell) and Woodlake Elementary PTA (Mandeville).
The 2024-25 Student Advocacy Award goes to Radin Sepehrimanesh at South Highlands Elementary Magnet PTA in Shreveport. As a second grader, he received this award for his work fostering creativity and education through multiple platforms, positively impacting students and the broader community. Check out his YouTube channel at youtube.com/@Crafts4Children. Stay tuned for the announcement of the Jospeh F. Seeley Volunteer of the Year Award Winner!
Host a PTA Connected Event with Jessica Latin
PTAs can book Jessica to make virtual or in-person presentations with the "PTA Connected: Empowering Families in the Digital Age." PTA Connected is a National PTA initiative designed to help families navigate the digital world safely and effectively. It provides resources, workshops, and tools to support digital wellness, online safety, and responsible technology use. See full details on the program here. If you would like Jessica to give a presentation at your school, event, or community organization, contact her at healthyminds@LouisianaPTA.org. Topics Covered in PTA Connected Presentations are:
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Digital Citizenship & Online Responsibility
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Social Media & Cyberbullying Prevention
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Internet Safety & Privacy Protection
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Balancing Screen Time & Mental Wellness
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Smart Digital Habits for Families
And the Reflections Winners Are!....
Louisiana PTA sends its gratitude to every student and every PTA that supports the arts within their Local PTA Units with the Reflections Program. We love seeing so much creativity from students of all ages! There are three award levels: 1) National PTA Entry is the top award that only goes to one person per Art Category per Grade Division and they progress to the National PTA Reflections Contest who announces their winners by May 1; 2) Award of Excellence, and 3) Award of Merit. All students will receive an award and recognition from Louisiana PTA in late April or May when LAPTA travels to the PTAs to deliver the awards. The judging is done blind by professionals in each category. LAPTA deeply appreciates the time they took to review and judge every entry. The judges were Ms. Cristen Quick for Dance Choreography, Ms. Jessica Montalvo for Film Production, Miss Laura Smith for Literature, Mr. Mel Rogers for Music Composition, Mr. Chris Granger for Photography, and Mrs. Gretchen Armbruster for Visual Arts. Learn more about the judges here. And the winners are....
Prepare for the Membership Dues Increase
National PTA voted to increase its dues by $1.00. This increase goes into effect on July 1, 2025. LAPTA will then collect $4.50/person with LAPTA getting $1.25 and National PTA getting $3.25. PTAs can choose to increase their dues to offset this added expense. This is done with a Bylaws amendment as the dues are set in the Bylaws. The process requires proper notice to and a vote before the General Membership. When amending the Bylaws, use the following timeline:
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Pick the date for the General Membership Meeting that will vote on the Bylaws amendment. Give 20 days' notice to the membership before the meeting.
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Present the Bylaws amendment at the General Membership Meeting with a quorum established. Include time for any questions and provide a good explanation for the dues increase. Read more details explaining the increase at The Value of PTA Membership and What National PTA Does to Grow Membership.
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Make a motion to accept the Bylaws amendment. Only members can vote. An affirmative two-thirds vote of those present at the meeting is required.
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Email the Bylaws Approval Form which includes a field for the exact wording of the Bylaws amendment to Bylaws@LouisianaPTA.org. LAPTA will review the amendment and email the updated Bylaws back to the PTA.
Here is suggested verbiage. Next on the agenda is the proposed dues increase which requires amending the Bylaws. All PTA members are also LAPTA and National PTA members. We currently pay $3.50/member total to them as dictated through affiliation requirements. National PTA increased its dues by $1 as of July 1, 2025. The PTA will then pay $4.50/member with $1.25 going to LAPTA and now $3.25 going to National PTA. They had not had a dues increase in 12 years. The PTA is proposing [details of dues increase]. We will first open with a motion and then have discussion. Could someone make a motion to [details]? Can I have a second? Thank you, [person 1] made the motion to [details] and was seconded. Is there any discussion? We will alternate between pro and con positions allowing each person to speak once before someone speaks for a second time. .... Amendments to the Bylaws require an affirmative two-thirds vote. All those in favor say aye. Opposed say nay. The [ayes/nays] have it. Motion [passed/failed].
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Membership Goals
Louisiana PTA has a 2024-25 goal of 11,000 members for its 102nd year. Membership is at the heart of PTA and plays a vital role in the success of Local PTAs, Louisiana PTA, and National PTA. LAPTA had 10,664 members for 2023-24 year. Thanks to everyone who helped to spread the important message and mission of PTA. For your Local PTA Unit's 2024-25 membership goal, download the Local PTA Membership Goals PDF below or contact Peggy Mauer, LAPTA Membership Chair, at Membership@LouisianaPTA.org.
Friends of LAPTA & Vendors at Training Events
Friends of LAPTA financially support LAPTA and our mission and vision of supporting all children and families. To become a Friend of LAPTA, see the different opportunities below. Please support our Friends of LAPTA! Sign up to become a Friend of LAPTA and financially support our goals and mission! We have 5 levels of support. We also have Vendors at our training events in August where pricing ranges from $0 to $250.
Mission Partners
Mission Partners are nonprofits or other groups whose focus is to improve the lives of children and whose mission aligns with the PTA mission. These like-minded associations and coalitions might include a teacher or librarian group, foster care, a mental health group, and so many more. To become a Mission Partner or learn more about it, visit LouisianaPTA.org/missionpartners.