Utah PTA Pulse Podcast

Unpacking the powerhouse commissioners behind the Utah PTA! Angelie Aedo (Family Life) and Cammy Whitchurch (Community Engagement)

• Angelie Aedo, Family Life Commissioner, focuses on early childhood education, family mealtimes, and supporting military families.
• Cammy Whitchurch, Community Engagement Commissioner, aims to create resources for local PTAs and empower communities to advocate for children.
• The Utah PTA offers various resources and programs to support student success and family engagement.
• Listeners can learn how to get involved in their local PTA and contribute to making a difference.

Episode Notes:

This episode dives into the amazing Utah PTA Reflections program, a national art competition for students.

Hosts:

• Mike Williams, Director of Communications, Utah PTA
• Angelee Aedo, Family Life Commissioner, Utah PTA
• Cammy Whitchurch, Community Engagement Commissioner, Utah PTA

Guest:

• Rebecca Pitts, Utah PTA Reflections Specialist

Discussion Points:

• What is Reflections? (01:23)
  • An art competition with seven categories (visual arts, photography, literature, music composition, film production, dance choreography)
  • Students can enter one piece per category.
  • Utah is a national leader in participation, often having the most national winners per capita.
  • Utah piloted some new categories, including 3D visual arts.
• The Theme (04:32)
  • Each year has a different theme students use to inspire their artwork.
  • The theme is chosen through a national process with suggestions from each state.
  • This year's theme is "Accepting Imperfection."
  • Next year's theme will be "I Belong."
• Judging the Artwork (07:12)
  • 40% of the score comes from how well the artwork reflects the theme.
  • Entries are judged anonymously based on originality, creativity, and mastery of skill.
  • Anyone 18 or older can be a judge, regardless of formal qualifications.
  • Judges with experience in the specific category are preferred for higher levels of competition.
• Reflections Before Online Submissions (12:23)
  • Entering Reflections used to be a complex process requiring physical submissions.
  • Now, entries are submitted online, making it more accessible.
  • The Utah PTA website offers translation tools to support diverse participants.
• The Judging Process Today (15:12)
  • Reflections requires three judges per entry for fairness.
  • Judges have flexibility to review entries at their own pace.
  • The goal is to provide a fair and positive experience for all students.
• Copyright Considerations (21:23)
  • Entries cannot focus on copyrighted materials (e.g., logos, characters).
  • It's best to avoid copyrighted materials altogether and focus on original creations.

In this episode of the Utah PTA Pulse Podcast, hosts Mike Williams, Angelee Aedo, and Cammy Whitchurch dive deep into the role of council presidents. They discuss the challenges and rewards of leading a group of local PTAs and share their experiences in different school districts.

Key topics covered include:

• Council structure: The variety of council structures across Utah, including single-school, cluster, and district-wide models.
• Responsibilities: The essential tasks of a council president, such as coordinating meetings, representing PTAs at the district level, and providing support to local presidents.
• Challenges: The difficulties of balancing state and local commitments, finding suitable meeting times, and engaging all council members.
• Benefits: The rewarding experiences of collaborating with other PTA leaders, learning from each other, and making a positive impact on the community.
• Tips for success: Advice for aspiring council presidents, including building relationships, seeking training, and being flexible.

The episode also features a discussion about the importance of having a strong executive committee, including a secretary, treasurer, and reflection specialist. The hosts emphasize the value of teamwork and communication in ensuring the success of a council.

Overall, this episode offers valuable insights for anyone interested in learning more about the role of council presidents and the challenges and rewards of PTA leadership.

In this episode of the Utah PTA Pulse Podcast, Mike Williams, Director of Communications, chats with Angelee Aedo, Family Life Commissioner, and Cammy Whitchurch, Community Engagement Commissioner, about the often-mysterious concept of "good standing" for PTAs.

They delve into:

• Why good standing matters: It's not just about following rules, but also about protecting your PTA's non-profit status and unlocking valuable benefits like tax-exempt purchases and potential grants.
• The ingredients of good standing: These include adhering to PTA policies, paying dues, filing taxes, and following financial protocols like having three-person money counting and designated bank runs.
• Resources and support: The Utah PTA website offers a dedicated page explaining good standing (https://www.utahpta.org/what-good-standing) and the importance of President and Treasurer training to navigate procedures.

Bonus: The episode features some lighthearted anecdotes about the challenges and humor PTA leaders encounter, reminding everyone that even with guidelines, there's room for learning and collaboration.

So listen in and discover:

• How good standing strengthens your PTA's foundation.
• Practical tips for maintaining compliance.
• Why PTA leadership training is valuable.
• And a dose of laughter along the way!

In this episode of the Utah PTA Pulse Podcast, hosts Mike, Angelee, and Cammy share personal stories and insights about their involvement in PTA. They discuss their journeys from local PTA leadership to their current roles as Utah State PTA Board Members

This episode of the Utah PTA Pulse Podcast discusses the upcoming Advocacy Conference, scheduled for September 27, 2024. The conference aims to empower parents and community members to advocate for children's education and well-being.

Key Points:

• Who should attend: The conference is open to all PTA members and community members interested in education advocacy. Local PTA presidents are particularly encouraged to attend.
• Theme: "Uniting Voices, Empowering Change: We're All in This Together" reflects the collaborative spirit of PTA and the importance of advocacy.
• Agenda: The conference will include:
  • Keynote speaker
  • Breakout sessions on various advocacy topics, including:
    • Building trust with teachers, administrators, and legislators
    • Advocating for individual students
    • PTA resolutions and their impact
    • Trauma-informed schools
    • Resources for Title I, refugee, and English Language Learner families
• Registration: Registration is now open on the Utah PTA website. Early bird registration is available for PTA members at a discounted rate.
• Location: The conference will be held at Midvale Middle School.
• Importance of attending: The conference provides valuable training and networking opportunities for parents and community members who want to make a difference in their schools and communities.

Additional points discussed:

• The importance of PTA membership and its benefits
• The role of PTA in advocating for children's education at the local, state, and national levels
• The challenges faced by Title I schools and refugee families
• The need for collaboration between schools, families, and communities to support all children

This episode highlights the crucial role of PTA in advocating for children's education and encourages listeners to attend the upcoming Advocacy Conference to learn more and get involved.

This episode discusses the beginning of the school year and the role of PTAs (Parent Teacher Associations). Here are the key points:

• School's Back (and Maybe a Little Early): The conversation starts with the hosts acknowledging the school year has begun and expressing mixed feelings about the earlier start dates.
• PTA Membership : A significant portion of the episode focuses on the importance of PTA membership. Key points include:
  • Joining the PTA is crucial for supporting schools and advocating for children.
  • Membership fees help fund programs and initiatives.
  • Membership doesn't require extensive volunteering, but every bit helps.
  • There's a "Beehive" membership option for those who don't want to be associated with a specific school.
• The Value Beyond Volunteering : The discussion emphasizes that PTA membership is valuable beyond just volunteering. It allows parents to:
  • Stay informed about what's happening in their children's schools.
  • Advocate for positive changes and legislation affecting children's education.
  • Develop leadership skills through involvement in PTA activities.
• Spreading the Word : The hosts encourage listeners to:
  • Join their local PTA and encourage others to do the same.
  • Develop a persuasive "elevator speech" explaining the benefits of PTA membership.
• Other Back-to-School Topics : The episode briefly touches on:
  • Reflections program theme: "Accepting Imperfections"
  • Importance of attending fall school events
  • PTA representatives on School Community Councils
  • Finding school supply deals (with a humorous caution about teacher preferences)

Tune in to the Utah PTA Pulse Podcast for an informative discussion on 529 plans! Our hosts, Cammy, Angelee, and Mike, from the Utah PTA, will be joined by Richard, Executive Director at my529, to answer all your questions about this popular college savings tool. We'll cover topics like: What is a 529 plan? Who can open an account? Do I have to be a Utah resident? How many accounts can I open? Can friends and relatives contribute to an account? Who can be a beneficiary? Is my investment insured or guaranteed? Do I need to use my savings at a Utah school? What happens if my beneficiary decides not to go to college? Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about how 529 plans can help you save for your child's future education. #collegesavings #education #investing #utahpta #my529 #collegefunding #podcast #videopodcast #videopodcastshow #advocate #advocacy #engagekids #community #familyengagement