PTA Leadership Training Days in August
LAPTA is preparing for our annual PTA Leadership Training Days in August. There's no better way to know what's happening in Louisiana PTA and National PTA than by attending. Any PTA leader, member, or even non-member interested in learning about our mission, meeting other members, building rapport, and sharing ideas, concerns, and experiences, is welcome to attend. The PTA Leadership Training Days are:
August 17, 2024, in Mandeville at Fontainebleau High
August 24, 2024, in Shreveport at Captain Shreve High
Purchase one ticket per person attending. Cost is $25 and includes continental breakfast, catered lunch, an LAPTA t-shirt, and a tote bag. LAPTA will pay your processing fee if you pay with a check. *If your PTA needs financial assistance to attend, please contact Ashley Snell at Treasurer@LouisianaPTA.org before registering. If you know of any nonprofits with a similar mission as PTA who would like to have a display table in the Expo Area during our lunch time at no charge, have them email President@LouisianaPTA.org. Vendors register here.
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Happy New Year! New terms start July 1.
Join the PTA Adventure!
The 2024-25 theme for Louisiana PTA is “Join the PTA Adventure,” which points to the fun side of PTA and the direction of PTA’s work. It also emphasizes the importance of membership. How can you keep PTA fun for yourself and others? What direction is your PTA headed? Have you planned for the PTA’s future? What does your PTA adventure look like? The philanthropic work of PTA is a huge personal opportunity to give to others and to positively impact the lives of children to help them reach their potential! See Membership for ideas on how to kick the coming year off strong! If you like, you can add your PTA name to the "Join the PTA Adventure!" logo on Canva.
LAPTA has 10,630 members year-to-date for 2023-24. We're still accepting dues!
Annual LAPTA General Membership Meeting
The annual General Membership Meeting was held virtually on May 9, 2024. After opening remarks from National PTA President, Yvonne Johnson, reports were given by Treasurer Ashley Snell, Membership Chair Peggy Mauer, and Nominating Committee Chair Philip Davis. President Kayla Pagel then conducted 2024-25 elections, with Beth Maillho elected as President, Peggy Mauer as Vice-President of Membership, and Latonyaw Richmond-Thompson as Secretary. Because there was only one nominee per position, Kayla appointed each nominee to their new positions. Additionally, Jennifer Hale remains as Vice-President of Leadership Development.
Bylaws Committee Chair Beth Maillho then presented the LAPTA Bylaws, which were successfully adopted with one amendment. The amendment authorizes the Bylaws Committee to make edits that "simplify wording without making contextual changes" to future Bylaws without needing a vote by the General Membership. Review the updated Bylaws here. For those in attendance during the presentation of the Bylaws, Beth said "PTA" 279 times. Everyone got a gold star for their patience! President Pagel then had her final announcements about a proposed dues increase by National PTA, grants for members to attend the virtual National PTA Convention in June, training dates in August, a quick overview of LAPTA's grants, and a request for comments, suggestions, or work LAPTA could do in the future. Before the meeting closed, Federal Legislative Chair Giselle Allen on behalf of the LAPTA BOD surprised Kayla by presenting her with a Life Achievement Award from National PTA for her many years of dedication to the mission of PTA -- making a difference for all children. And with that, Kayla adjourned her final General Membership Meeting. LAPTA traveled to local PTAs to distribute the 2023-24 awards won by students for the Reflections Program and Red Ribbon Week Safety Poster Contest. It was so great to be able to present so many awards to so many precious students!
2024-25 LAPTA Toolkit
Download the 2024-25 LAPTA Toolkits as a PDF or Word file so that you can customize the forms. They contain everything PTA, such as the procedures, details, programs, sample forms, grants, contests, and other helpful information. The individual Toolkit sections are available to download below or scroll down to view individual sections.
LAPTA Toolkit: All Sections - Word File or PDF
Sec 1. LAPTA & National PTA PDF
Sec 2. President PDF
Sec 3. Treasurer PDF
Sec 4. Secretary PDF
Sec 5. Board of Directors PDF
Sec 6. Membership PDF
Sec 7. Advocacy PDF
Sec 8. Inclusion DIO PDF
Sec 9. Elections & Nominating Committee PDF
Sec 10. Bylaws, Standing Rules, Articles of Incorporation PDF
Sec 11. Awards, Grants, and Contests PDF
Friends of LAPTA
Friends of LAPTA are sponsors who supports to LAPTA's mission and vision of supporting all children and families. To become a Friend of LAPTA or a vendor at our events, go to LouisianaPTA.org/friends. Please support our Friends of LAPTA!
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. Current Mission Partners are:
We live in a world where physical and mental health are not treated the same. Where we know exactly what to do if our child breaks an arm or gets the flu. But watching a child endure a panic attack or struggle with the effects of stress leave us feeling completely helpless. We don’t learn coping skills & breathing exercises until there’s a concern, or even an emergency. And sometimes, it even feels a little too late. Its time to reshape our children’s future. That's where we come in. Visit https://kidsmentalhealthfoundation.org/.
The Seymore D'Fair Foundation is an educator-centric non-profit organization that strongly focuses on serving the underserved preadolescent student population at K-6th grade levels. Recognizing the critical importance of early childhood education, the foundation utilizes its expertise and hands-on classroom experience to design highly effective awareness, education, and prevention initiatives tailored to this specific demographic. The world-renowned Seymore D'Fair, the foundation's brand ambassador, is at the heart of our efforts. Through the combination of engaging content and a recognizable costume and cartoon character, Seymore D'Fair creates a formidable program that resonates with our target student demographic. This unique approach captivates and empowers young minds, making drug awareness and prevention engaging and relatable. Our core mission revolves around fostering collaboration with like-minded organizations to maximize the impact of our initiatives. We firmly believe in the power of partnerships and actively seek synergies with local, state, and national partners to drive positive change in communities across Louisiana and America. Central to our work is the acclaimed "Kiki's Red Ribbon School Celebration" program, a powerful in-school prevention initiative that runs concurrently with the National Red Ribbon Week Campaign. Through this program, we instill crucial life skills in students, promoting a drug-free lifestyle from an early age and setting the foundation for a healthier future. With unwavering dedication and the support of our valued partners, the Seymore D'Fair Foundation remains steadfast in its mission to build a healthier, safer, and drug-free future for the children and youth of Louisiana and America. Together, we strive to create a lasting impact, empowering the next generation to make informed and positive choices, thus fostering a brighter tomorrow for us all.
Voter Voice is Louisiana PTA’s tool to allow our members to speak for every child with one voice more easily and efficiently. This platform provides important information about legislative issues affecting families, schools, and communities and helps members stay informed on the latest updates from Louisiana elected officials. See LouisianaPTA.org/advocate or go to "Take Action" menu and select "Advocate".
The Children & Youth Prevention Coalition of St. Tammany (CYCST) is a dynamic and passionate community-driven coalition committed to promoting the well-being and safety of children and youth in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. Our focus revolves around drug prevention, education, and building a supportive network to address the unique challenges faced by our young generation. Our mission is to empower children and youth with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to make positive life choices and lead a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. Through innovative programs, initiatives, and strategic partnerships, we strive to create a nurturing environment that fosters resilience and instills values that inspire lifelong success. As a united force, the CYCST collaborates with various stakeholders, including educators, parents, law enforcement, healthcare professionals, and community leaders. By leveraging diverse expertise and resources, we aim to implement evidence-based prevention strategies and interventions that make a lasting impact on the lives of our youth. Central to our efforts is our commitment to networking and collaboration with other coalitions and organizations across Louisiana. By uniting forces with like-minded partners, we expand our reach and effectiveness, ensuring a comprehensive approach to addressing substance abuse challenges and promoting mental well-being among our young community members. The Children & Youth Prevention Coalition of St. Tammany envisions a future where every child and youth can thrive, free from the detrimental effects of substance abuse. Together, we continue to build a stronger, safer, and more resilient St. Tammany Parish, where our youth can fulfill their potential and lead fulfilling lives.
Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families: As a statewide advocacy organization dedicated to giving Louisiana children a voice for a better life and to influencing public policy and educating parents, they ensure the best services are provided for the children. Improving a child's education, health, and welfare actually improves the quality of life for all, now and in the future. See louisianapartnership.wildapricot.org for more.