A Message from Barb...

Dear PTA Leaders, We hope your holidays were filled with great times with family and friends and plenty of good food. Did you take a break from PTA work to enjoy your families? January can be a good time to take a fresh look at your PTA and make plans for the spring.     Have you formed your Nominating Committee? Read your bylaws as to the make-up of that committee, which usually includes members of the Executive Board (elected by the Board) and folks from the general membership (elected by the general membership). This group should be familiar with the responsibilities of your PTA officers and the skills needed to be successful as officers. The Nominating Committee should represent a broad spectrum of members, so that can match up the right person with the job. Brochures describing nominating and election procedures were included in the Local Unit Packet distributed in August.     On February 10th, our District 28 PTA is sponsoring an Advanced Course at Hiawatha School in Berwyn. If you want to learn more about the duties of officers, parliamentary procedure and how to run a meeting, then this course is for you! You must have completed an Information Course prior to taking the Advanced Course. If you would like to schedule one for your PTA, please contact me as soon as possible.     Illinois PTA District 28 will CELEBRATE FAMILIES on Thursday, March 8! That evening, we will honor those children who are the District 28 winners in the Reflections Program and whose entries are being sent on to state judging. But, THAT’S NOT ALL. We will have a speaker to talk to parents about Internet Safety and the dangers that lurk on the internet for our children. Hopefully, we, as parents, will learn more about the internet lingo that the kids seem to know so well. While the parents are busy, arts and crafts or game workshops will be available for children of all ages. So, bring the whole family! This event will take place at Prairie Oak School in Berwyn. Watch for the registration information in late January.     Finally, don’t forget about membership. New families move into the school districts all year long. Invite these parents to join. Maybe, now is a good time to seek out those community members who are willing to support your PTA work. Be prepared to tell them of your accomplishments – what have you done for children this year. Remember community members might be school board members, village officials, park district officials, Girl Scout and Boy Scout leaders, or the senior citizen next door.     If you ever have questions about something your PTA is doing, don’t hesitate to call me. As District Director, I am here to help and advise. Barbara Miralgio District Director