March 2—Fund Texas’ Future Day

Dear Public Education Advocates,

Pass along this message to everyone in your community who cares about Texas students!

It's the biggest crisis in Texas history. Nearly five million Texas students need our help. Texas PTA is proclaiming Wednesday, March 2, as "Fund Texas' Future Day." It's imperative we make sure our "house is in order" - the Texas House of Representatives in Austin, that is. Please light up cyberspace by emailing your state representative on Wednesday, March 2.

Use this website to find your representative:
http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/

Please personalize your message, but here are some important points to include in your email to your state representative:

1. Texas PTA's legislative position is that funding public education is a priority.

2. Regardless of what your campaign promises might have been, there are nearly five million reasons for you to look at all sources of funding to protect public education.

3. Cutting funding to public education is not acceptable.

4. The Rainy Day Fund and all revenue sources should be considered to fund Texas's future.

5. Texas children are our future.

6. Texas businesses cannot thrive without an educated workforce. The economic viability of our state is directly related to the education of our children.

March 2 is the day for PTA to take over cyberspace and let our voices be heard to protect our future - Texas students!

Help Save Texas School Libraries

Texas school libraries need your help. As part of Texas PTA's effort to educate the whole child, we know how important it is to ensure that all our students have access to quality school library programs.

As you watch the state and local news, you know that many hard budgeting decisions are being made during this challenging time. Unfortunately, many school library programs - programs that have proven and longstanding importance to student education - are being cut. School librarians, who are key in teaching students research, information literacy, and reading, are being asked to cover multiple campuses (leaving school with only part-time school library programs) or are being cut altogether.

We need your action to help save Texas school library programs.

State Level
Please contact your legislators and let them know that school libraries are critical to your child's success.

To send an email to your state representative or state senator, click on Librarians ARE Teachers and scroll down the page for an email form with taking points you can use.(For more information on school libraries, see school libraries and librarians are important.)

· Students need access to quality school library programs and research materials, such as the K-12 Database Program, which has be zeroed out in funding. (Click on K-12 Database Program link above to learn more.)

· Please let legislators know that school librarians ARE teachers. School librarians instruct students every day and work with teachers to help students meet curriculum requirements. Certified librarians hold a master's degree and must have a least two years of classroom teaching experience. Current definitions of instructional staff do not account for the work of our state's school librarians.

Local Level
At the local level, please talk with school board members and administrators about the importance of protecting school library programs and ensuring libraries are staffed with certified school librarians.

Send email and letters to district board members and administrators about the value parents place on strong school library programs.

Thank you for your commitment to a quality education for all children. Parents are the ultimate voice for student success.

Wildcat Walk: New Date! New Location!

Initial response to the Wildcat Walk has been overwhelming! So much so that the PTA has adjusted the date and location to accommodate a larger crowd. Here's the scoop:

When: Saturday, April 16 from 9 a.m. to noon

Where: South Hills High School track

ALL are welcome to attend and walk! Students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. For a $10 donation, participants will receive a commemorative walk t-shirt and wristband.

Concessions and other fun activities will be part of the event. Fun for the whole family!

All proceeds will go into the fund to purchase a new marquee sign for the school. Hope to see you there!

RIF book distribution is coming up!

Dates for our next Reading is Fundamental (RIF) book distributions have been set!

• March 3 & 4
• May 4 & 5

If you would like to volunteer to help distribute books, please send an e-mail to smartinez78@gmail.com.