17th District PTA - Home

Welcome to the website for the California Seventeenth District PTA! The 17th District PTA represents and oversees all of the PTA/PTSA units and councils in San Mateo County, on behalf of the California State PTA. We provide resources, training, and other assistance to our units and councils, assist State and National PTA in disseminating information to local units and councils, and also represent the PTA at meetings of the County school board and other local organizations. This website provides a number of forms and resources for units and councils, info about our upcoming events, archives of our Seventeena newsletter, contact info for our Board of Managers, and more. To navigate the site, select an item from the top of the page or the list on the left. You can also subscribe to the site to receive updates whenever new information is posted.

Message from the President — April 2008

Religion and Politics are two topics my grandmother told me not to discuss when entertaining friends. This month I am going to discuss both. Because of the state of our budget crisis, I am asking all parents, teachers and students to have faith that we can make a difference in Sacramento.

The California State PTA is opposing the Governor’s proposed budget for 2008-09 because it would harm the youngest and most vulnerable in our state - our children. The proposed budget would make across-the-board cuts to education, healthcare, and other programs that have a direct impact on the safety and well-being of California’s children. As the budget gets debated in Sacramento, we must make sure our children’s voices are heard.

I am asking everyone to write or call your local State Assembly and Senate representatives and let them know that this proposed budget is unacceptable. Our children did not create this financial crisis and their future should not be undermined because of it. Please take action. As a PTA leader, you can host a letter writing campaign, and post information in your newsletters. If you are looking for materials to assist in your advocacy efforts, visit the California State PTA’s “Flunk the Budget” webpage.

Units and Councils are busy with officer elections this month and next. Please make sure that you send your newly elected officer rosters as soon as possible.

Once you have elected your officers, you want to get them trained. Even the most experienced officers require training. California State PTA is a fluid organization; it seeks to improve process and procedures continuously. Therefore, make plans in your budget to have your officers attend a training each year. The California State PTA Convention is one way to receive training and our Spotlight on PTA event at Bayside Middle School is another. Brunch will be included, and training for all officer positions will be available.

When a new officer is elected, they must receive a copy of their job descriptions. These job descriptions can be found in the PTA Toolkit on pages 359-437. Did you know that as a PTA President you are required to do the following:

• Become familiar with the duties of each chairman by the reviewing the California State PTA Toolkit.
• Attend workshops offered by council or district PTA and urge incoming board members to attend.
• Submit a roster that includes the name, title and contact information for the new officers to council or district PTA.

These are only a few tasks required of PTA presidents. You can download the full job description from State PTA.

On March 7th and 8th, I attended the CCBE/PTA/CCSEA Annual Spring Conference for the California County School Boards or Education, PTA, and California County Superintendents Educational Services Association. I was invited by our county superintendent, Dr. Jean Holbrook. I attended various courses designed for PTA leaders. I met a few new PTA supporters such as Carol Channing! Carol and her husband Harry are advocates of Arts education for all children. Carol was warm and welcoming to all the participants.

Congratulations to Brandon Liu of South San Francisco High School, and Natalie Soulard of Carlmont High School! Both students received Graduating High School Senior Scholarships from California State PTA. These scholarships are available to all graduating high school seniors who are members of PTA schools. You can find out more on State PTA’s website.
–Deborah Kemper, 17th District PTA President