In response to the steep budget cuts PUSD has made and is still facing, Pleasanton Partnerships in Education (PPIE) Foundation and all school-wide site parent groups (AABC, PFA, PFC, PTA, PTSA) has launched a community fund raising effort called Community OutReach for Education (C.O.R.E). Donations are welcomed and PPIE can now accept online donations via PayPal.
Officers for 2010-11 PTA Council
The Pleasanton PTA Council is pleased to present the following officers for the 2010-11 Executive Board:
President: Jodie Vashistha
Secretary: Coleen Ito Azuma
Treasurer: Winnie Overgaard
EVP: Adrienne Herz
1st VP-Student and Community Concerns: Karen Tincher
2nd VP-Communications: Robin Dias-Magnano
3rd VP-Membership: Michele Barta
4th VP-Health & Safety: Stefani Katz
Auditor: Natalie Mataras
Appointed positions:
Parliamentarian: Sandy Piderit
Legislative Chair: Jeff Bowser
Reflections Chair: Diane Van Wagner
Excellence in Education Chair: Kim Chew
Founder's Day Committee: Diane Van Wagner, Tina LaDue, Felicia Goldhawk and Eileen Armstrong
Webhost: Troy Philis
APT Rep: Patti Bowser
Thank you to these dedicated volunteers for stepping up to provide the support and leadership to our PTA units!
Many thanks to this year's Nominating Committee: Robin Dias, Patricia Mah, Tina LaDue, Diane Van Wagner, and Jodie Vashistha. If you are interested in any of the open positions, please contact Jodie Vashistha, President-elect.
CSS's Life-Saving Mission is to reach out and offer support to people of all ages and backgrounds during times of crisis, to work to prevent the suicide of those who are actively suicidal, and to offer hope and caring during times of hopelessness.
Founded in 1966, Crisis Support Services offers a broad range of counseling, education and prevention services in a safe environment.
California State PTA Endorses Local Control of Local Classrooms Funding Act
Million-member organization mobilizes to qualify initiative for November ballot
Sacramento - Feb. 4, 2010 - The California State PTA announced that it is mobilizing its nearly 1 million members to support Californians for Improved School Funding's ballot initiative, the Local Control of Local Classrooms Funding Act (www.improvedschoolfunding.com).
What is it? A constitutional amendment to lower the threshold to 55% from 66.7% for school district pass a parcel tax. Several restrictions are imposed. If you would like more information, contact
Pleasanton PTA Council 2009-2010 Speakers Series
in partnership with Amador Valley Adult & Community Education
2009-10 Speakers:
The Power of Green and Red Language (REVISED DATE) Thursday, March 4th 6:30 to 8:30pm, Amador Valley High School Library
How to Raise Fiscally Responsible Children Thursday March 11th from 6:30 to 8:30pm, Amador Valley High Library
Parenting an Anxious Child Thursday, April 29, 2010 from 6:30 to 8:30pm, Amador Valley High Library
Looking for information about Race To The Top (RTTT)? California State PTA has created this list of Key Points (pdf) that you may find helpful as California heads into the second phase of the competitive application process.
SCHOOL FINANCE HIGHLIGHTS 2009–10
EdSource Reports The Impact Of The Fiscal Crisis On California Public Schools
In fall 2008, the nation faced a historic economic crisis. No state government in the country was as severely shaken as California, where years of budget troubles preceded the national crisis. The situation
worsened throughout 2009, and state leaders repeatedly acted to balance the state budget. And because K–12 education represents the single largest state expenditure here, California’s public schools were greatly affected.
As the single largest expenditure in California's budget, K-12 education funding (and consequently the very ability of school districts and schools to operate) has been mired in the chaos that has characterized California's budget process in recent years.
School districts have endured deep cuts in state funding with little recourse, since California law severely limits their revenue-raising authority, leaving the K-12 education system vulnerable to economic volatility and Sacramento politics.
Concise and easy to read, Local Revenues for Schools: Limits and Options in California paints a comprehensive picture of how school funding got to be the way it is and the challenges and opportunities for changing it. Best of all, you can download it free from the EdSource website.
California State PTA has launched a public service announcement (PSA) campaign called "Parents Know the Answer" to engage families and promote PTA.
These video announcements feature real PTA members speaking straight from the heart about the benefits and rewards of getting involved in their children's public schools. They were made possible through the generous support of the Pearson Foundation. These videos will be rotated on this site as time permits.
State Budget Crisis and Education Finance Reform
See our Advocacy Section for information about local campaign issues.
Want to understand more about how education finance works (or doesn't work ??!) in California? Check out PTA in California's Special Edition "Getting to Work on School Finance and Education Reform". This document puts all the jargon and complicated budget processes in terms we all can understand.
