Wake County PTA Council

According to a new Generation180 report, this Fall, more than one in nine students returns to a solar school. Head here https://generation180.org/resource/brighterfuture-a-study-on-solar-in-us-k12-schools-2024/ to read the report on the state of clean energy adoption at K-12 schools, see how North Carolina ranks.
Here are some Wake County schools with solar panels:
Athens Drive Magnet High School: The first school in Wake County to install a solar array system, which consists of 12 solar panels
Apex Friendship High School: A 2022 Solar+ Schools grant recipient
Green Level High School: A 2022 Solar+ Schools grant recipient
Kingswood STEM Montessori Elementary School: A 2022 Solar+ Schools grant recipient
Wake STEM Early College High School: A 2022 Solar+ Schools grant recipient

College Readiness Virtual Workshops from Wake County Public Libraries(FREE!)
A series of free virtual programs, practice tests and appointments where experts help teens prep for college, trade school, certificate programs and more.

Digital SAT Strategy Session with Princeton Review
https://www.wake.gov/events/digital-sat-strategy-session-princeton-review-october-2nd-2024-0630pm
Wednesday, October 2
6:30-7:30 p.m.

Digital SAT Practice Test with Princeton Review
https://www.wake.gov/events?combine=Digital%20SAT%20Practice%20Test%20with%20Princeton%20Review&field_department_target_id=All&field_event_type_target_id=All&location=1042
October 2-14

FAFSA Overview with CFNC
https://www.wake.gov/events/fafsa-overview-cfnc-october-30th-2024-0600pm
Wednesday, October 30
6-7 p.m.

Digital SAT Strategy Session with Princeton Review In this presentation, we give students some simple, basic strategies that will make sure scores improve on their next Digital SAT practice or official exam.

This is a virtual event hosted by NC Composting Council and requires registration through their site below.

​https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/cda75ed7-7ee4-47ac-a354-e86c18e99e51

​Ever wondered how to start school composting in the cafeteria or classroom? Join a panel of NC Composting Council board members and staff (Kat Polk, Muriel Williman, Matt Collogan & Christine Wittmeier), along with Friends School of Wilmington’s Corrie Slay as they discuss process, challenge, and success stories from first-hand experience. Hear how the Coastal Composting Committee in New Hanover County developed school infrastructure through the integrated Garbage to Gardens program , Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools used data, beta-testing, and volunteers to launch a system-wide organics collection, and Friends School of Wilmington created a composting curriculum for all students Pre-K through 8th grade in this hour long webinar. Together, we can pave the way in North Carolina for other communities to grow their school composting programs!

This Lunch and Learn Webinar is part of a series of events to recognize NC Climate Week (September 30th-October 4th). The NC Composting Council (NCCC) is a (501c3) nonprofit and membership-based organization dedicated to the development, expansion, and promotion of composting across North Carolina. We are part of a growing network of people and organizations collaborating with the US Composting Council (USCC). This event is free to attend; donations are gladly accepted! As a grassroots organization, your donation and support have a significant impact on our work.

Congratulations to Trish Klenow at Green Level High School for being awarded by the NC Art Education Association (NCAEA) the Secondary Art Education Teacher of the Year. Ms. Klenow will be honored at the annual conference and awards later this year and has been a teacher in three states for 27 years. Her works have been featured in many local galleries, won national accolades, and this summer shared space with fellow GLHS art teacher Slater Mapp at a collaborative show at the Town of Cary, NC Arts Center. WCPSS this is a well deserved honor, Wake County is lucky to have her!
For more art: www.trishklenow.com
Tags: Lindsay Mahaffey for Wake County Schools District 8, United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County, Green Level High School Parents.

🗳️ Happy National Voter Registration Day 🗳️

A challenge for all PTA members: reach out to at least 5 friends or family members today, check in if they’re registered to vote and if their registration is up to date and help them with information on how to register, check their registration and update their registration.

Voter registration lookup NC: https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/

Information on how to register or update your voter registration (online through the DMV or paper) from You Can Vote for NC:
https://www.youcanvote.org/getregistered

Spanish language resources: https://www.youcanvote.org/votar
Spanish language handouts/printouts: https://www.youcanvote.org/handouts

NC Voter Assistance Hotline at 1-888-OUR-VOTE

Remember, folks can register or update their voter registration during early voting but NOT on Election Day.

Lots of fun things happening in September and October. Check out this resource with a guideline of things your PTA should celebrate or be doing in this time.
https://www.pta.org/home/events/event-list

Want to get grants for your school? This is a great free searchableresource of foundations and opportunities for grants!

GetEdFunding - Free grant finding resources for educators and educational institutions - GetEdFunding GetEdFunding.com is a collection of thousands of active grants and awards that are available to public and private schools, educational institutions, and educators.

National PTA is looking for presenters at two conferences. If you have something that went well and want to share, consider applying!
https://www.pta.org/home/events/be-a-presenter

PTA is working to ensure our public schools provide a high-quality and equitable education for every child to reach their full potential. Notes from the Backpack is a PTA podcast designed for millions of parents and the decisionmakers they influence.

Through the unique combination of expert, parent and educator guests, each episode features engaging conversations that offer real-life advice and ideas on how to support children’s learning and development—all in parent-friendly language.

Real Experts. Real Parents. Real Conversations.

Notes from the Backpack - Podcast For Families | National PTA Notes from the Backpack is a PTA podcast designed for millions of parents and the decisionmakers they influence. Through the combination of expert, parent and educator guests, each episode features conversations that offer advice and ideas on how to support children’s learning and development.

Friday the 13th- what is the story anyways? You might think unlucky, but Taylor disagrees!
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/myth-busted-friday-13th

Leandro, heard of it? Only the most important court case ever heard in our state regarding public education, so educate yourself if you have not with this short read.
In 1994, five school districts in low-wealth counties along with families filed a lawsuit against the state (Leandro v. State of North Carolina) arguing that their school districts did not have enough money to provide an equal education for their children, despite the fact that they taxed their residents higher than average. Twenty-five years later, the Leandro case remains one of the biggest education policy issues in North Carolina — and those counties — Hoke, Halifax, Robeson, Vance, and Cumberland — which were among the lowest funded in the state, remain toward the bottom of our rankings in terms of their ability to support public schools on a per pupil basis.
There are lots of resources here to share with your PTA!

Leandro v. State of NC | NC Early Education Coalition The case of Leandro v. State of North Carolina affirms every child’s state constitutional right to a sound, basic education beginning in early childhood.  How did we get here? More than 25 years ago, five low-wealth North Carolina school districts – Hoke, Halifax, Cumberland, Robeson, and Vance...

Today we remember those who were lost on 9/11, those who stepped up to serve, and those who were impacted by grief. Many of you will do acts of service today, and others will remember and grieve. Every child, one voice,

Wake County’s four-year graduation rate hit an all-time high of 91.3% this spring, part of an ongoing increase to its graduation rate, which was 82.9% a decade ago. Congratulations Team WCPSS for making sure our students are career and college ready with a diploma in hand!

Did you know every Wake County resident has access to a FREE tutor via tutor.com? Our wonderful library system offers this service, and they can help children, adults (cover letters etc), or anyone needing help with writing services, math, or other subjects. Apply for a library card online and you can get started right away from home! https://www.wake.gov/departments-government/libraries/research/research-education

Grandparent caregivers keep kids safe and families together-creating stability for their grandkids. This September 8, it’s . Join us and to honor grandparents in your community!

The Facts on School Vouchers: School vouchers are a method of diverting education tax dollars from public schools to subsidize tuition at private schools. The 2023-25 budget further expanded voucher funding, adding millions of dollars annually. By 2031-32, more than $500 million will be allocated to vouchers each year; nearly $5 billion will be spent on private school vouchers by 2032-33.

Expanded Eligibility. Along with the huge annual funding increases shown in the chart, voucher eligibility has expanded to the point where vouchers are no longer targeted to low-income households as originally designed. The original program income limit was 133% of the federal free lunch cutoff. This limit was steadily raised until the 2023 budget removed all income limits. Now even wealthy families are eligible to receive vouchers, and research shows that this is where a large portion of the funding is going. As a matter of fact, many rural counties do not even have private school options, and the public schools need the money being diverted.

Sources: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13BrBSnnAWTh4oFHunWY3tDQrh14X2qeFJ1Gs8KRluDU/edit?usp=sharing (sourced from DOA, recent from 2023 data)

https://publicschoolsfirstnc.org/resources/fact-sheets/the-facts-about-school-vouchers/

People moving from other parts of the country often do not know how school funding works in North Carolina, as it is different! Want to know more?
https://www.ncforum.org/schoolfinance/ #:~:text=State%20funding%20accounted%20for%2060,were%20paid%20by%20local%20governments.

School Finance in North Carolina - Public School Forum How are Public Schools Funded in North Carolina? ​​Under North Carolina’s school finance system, established nearly nine decades ago, it is the state’s responsibility to fund instructional and operational expenses […]

TRUE OR FALSE?
Wake County (WCPSS) will have over 200 schools this year?
Answer: False! We are at 199 but next year several new schools will open in the rapidly growing SW corner of the county, pushing us over 200.

NC general election countdown as of Thurs, Sept 5:

Absentee ballot mailout starts TOMORROW (Fri 9/6);

Regular voter registration ends in 36 days (10/11);

Early voting starts in 42 days (10/17), ends 58 days (11/2);

Election Day and absentees due back in 61 days (11/5)

Did our latest newsletter make it to your inbox? If not, you can read it here, lots of good return to school information! https://wakepta.givebacks.com/sends/9ac3e4c9-c856-4e42-a2cb-b1e046d01d62/view/

Join NCPTA and Public Schools First NC on Saturday, September 14 from 10-11am for a NC Superintendent of Public Instruction Candidate Forum. Please register and we will send you a link the morning of September 14th to the livestream. Scan the QR code or click the link below to register:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSewebU0j5ZfmtZ48A9RagirVYnl--YTBPRmGWjO9me_YgdFsw/viewform

The history of school desegregation includes many important stories of courageous African American families and their children who were the first to attend previously whites-only schools in Wake County. But there's another history that often goes untold. That's the one about the rich history of education provided by the historically segregated schools. Innovative and creative leaders, many of them born in slavery, created schools that would transform and inspire subsequent generations. Watch this video from WRAL TV to learn more.

Documenting Historically Segregated Schools The history of school desegregation includes many important stories of courageous African American families and their children who were the first to attend previously whites-only schools. But there's another history that often goes untold. That's the one is about the rich history of education provid...

ONE WEEK TOMORROW TIL SCHOOL GOES BACK (traditional calendar)! EEEK! What do you have left on your summer bucket list?

To enhance student safety, our schools will begin using the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS) starting in the 2024-25 school year.
More Info:
https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/our-programs/say-something-anonymous-reporting-system/

Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month is in August, and we want to let you know about this program that screens children for free. VISION NC provides free eye exams to low-income, uninsured individuals in North Carolina. Eye exams are provided by North Carolina Optometric Society member optometrists who have agreed to give their time and services to help those in need.

VISION NC VISION NC provides free eye exams to low-income, uninsured individuals in North Carolina. Eye exams are provided by North Carolina Optometric Society member optometrists who have agreed to give their time and services to help those in need.

Are you the parents of a rising senior applying to college? Wake County Public Libraries offers many FREE programs, including one today! Join the experts from Princeton Review to learn why your essay is so important and how to make your essay shine in this presentation.

Essays That Kick Apps with Princeton Review Essays are the part of your application that make you stand out from other students. Join the experts from Princeton Review to learn why your essay is so important and how to make your essay shine in this presentation.

Health and Wellness Supports for Students and Families:
In addition to the many services and supports that our schools offer with the help of school counselors, psychologists, social workers, and other specialists, the resources on this site may provide additional help to students and families to improve their health and wellness. School staff are available to help you connect with these and other programs and services. https://www.wcpss.net/wellness

Our first Reflections training session for Reflections chairs is THIS THURSDAY, Aug 15 from 7-8pm. (The next one is Thursday, Sept 5.)

To attend, you must complete the Reflections registration form for your school. The link to the Google Meet will be sent by email.

Sign up now!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfnQ2lkXHZwlekTtl50vYmyNII_hIYqpa1bF5xtECdvnE5mZQ/viewform

Food & Nutrition:

If your family needs help putting food on the table right now, check out the websites below. NoKidHungryNC provides meal assistance information for families with kids under 18 at:

http://nokidhungrync.org/covid19/

Or, find a Food Bank near you by visiting:

https://feedingthecarolinas.org/locations/