Focus Newsletter for the fourth week of September 

October 17 – 2009 Financial Workshop, not just for treasurer’s anymore

Location: MD PTA, 5 Central Ave. Glen Burnie

This is a fantastic informative workshop for treasurers, presidents, or anyone who would be interested in the financial well being of the PTA.  Pre-registration is necessary 410-760-6221. Flyer: http://www.mdpta.org/documents/TreasurersWorkshopflyer102009.pdf

 OCTOBER 29 – PTA COUNCIL SHARING SESSION/WORKSHOP

Please plan on attending the Thursday, October 29^th from 7 – 9 at Faulkner Ridge Center.  Bring your questions, concerns, suggestions, and ideas to share. 

Topics:  President’s Sharing Best Practices/Ideas, Family Involvement/Volunteers, After Prom.  And if you have a suggestion for a fourth workshop, please email the office with your idea or bring to the October 5^th general meeting.

It is the responsibility of PTA Council to educate and guide the local leaders; it is also the leaders’ responsibility to take advantage of this opportunity.  There is always something new to learn or to share!

 OCTOBER IS MARYLAND PARENT INVOLVEMENT MONTH

Sponsored by MD PTA, MD State Dept. of Education, and MD Parental Information and Resource Center

 You are invited to attend the kick-off event of Maryland Parent Involvement Month.  It will be held at Talbott Springs Elementary on Oct. 5^th at 10 am. We want to fill the cafeteria with parents to show our support of parental involvement in our schools here in Howard County.  State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Grasmick, Howard County Superintendent Dr. Cousin, Maryland PTA President Debbie Ritchie, and MD PIRC Exec. Director Susan Shaffer as well as you will be attending.   Please plan to attend.  The event should last only an hour or so as lunch will have to be served at TSES.  Please rsvp: http://www.websurveyor.msde.state.md.us/wsb.dll/s/25gf6

HCPSS NEWS

TV PROGRAM SHARES HOW HCPSS PREPARES FOR FLU SEASON

The award-winning Parent Teacher Connection begins its eighth season on HCPSS TV this month with a segment on the efforts of school and county health officials to prevent outbreaks of seasonal and H1N1 flu in our schools. Producer-host Bruce Johnson and returning parent hosts Deborah Wessner and Jennifer Johnson also share information on free professional tutors, who provide homework help to students via the county library's WEB site.  Viewers will also learn about the school system's new employee dress guidelines, including a style show of workplace do's and don'ts. 

Parent Teacher Connection recently garnered an Aegis Video Finalist Award for educational programming.

Watch the Parent Teacher Connection on HCPSS TV (Comcast channel 95 and Verizon channel 42), Wednesday nights at 7pm and 10pm, Saturday at 3pm, and Sunday at noon and 5pm. 

The HCPSS H1N1 Influenza Information homepage is found at:  virushttp://www.hcpss.org/pandemic/

 Congratulations to Hammond Middle School - A National Blue Ribbon School Hammond Middle School has been named a 2009 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the United States Department of Education.  Hammond was named a Maryland Blue Ribbon School in December 2008.

 Beginning in October, all Board of Education meetings will shown via webcast on the web!  So if you do not have comcast or verizon, you will be able to watch the Oct. 8^th  and future meetings on the web. 

For your Calendar

 Sept. 24 or 30 (attend just one) Reflection meeting for chairpersons 7:30 pm at Faulkner Ridge

Sept. 24          Board of Education Meeting 4 pm

                       7:30 Public Hearing of Capital Budget – 

Sept. 30          Send copy of the local PTA audit reports & budgets are due to Council per 

                            MD PTA bylaws and PTA insurance policy

Oct. 5             PTACHC General membership meeting at the ARL 7:30 pm

Oct. 6^th           PTA President and Principal’s Lunch has been postponed

Oct. 10           Coffee and Conversation with BOE 9:00 am - 11 am Location TBD                  

Oct. 15           BOE meets with PTA Presidents and CAC 7:30 pm Location: BOE

Oct 17           MD PTA Financial Workshop in Glen Burnie 9 - 3 410-760-6221

 Oct. 29           PTACHC Sharing Session/ Workshop at Faulkner Ridge Center,           

                       10598 Marble Faun Lane Time: 7 pm - 8:30 pm  

 Nov. 1 -        PTA Council Dues are due.   An email with the details will be sent to treasurer's and presidents.

Nov. 2           PTACHC General membership meeting at the ARL 7:30 pm

Nov. 13/14    MD PTA Fall Convention for info www.mdpta.org 

On or Before Nov 15. - all PTAs must file a 990N/99EZ or 990. 

                               For more information, go to:  http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=96103,00.html

Dec. 7           PTACHC General Membership meeting at ARL 7:30 pm

      The ARL is the Applied Research Lab School located at 10920 Route 108.

Thank you for your advocacy for all children for every child, one voice