101 Get to Know Robert – He Rules! Presented by Steven Anderson, Registered Parliamentarian
Delve into the essential principles of parliamentary procedure, a cornerstone of effective meetings and decision-making processes. From Robert’s Rules of Order, participants will gain insight into the key concepts governing orderly and fair discussions, decision-making, and voting procedures. Whether you’re a novice or seeking a refresher, this presentation equips you with the foundational knowledge to confidently participate in parliamentary proceedings and contribute meaningfully to organizational governance.
102 Membership Fitness! Presented by Renee Daniels, Membership Coordinator
Let’s get your PTA in shape for the second half of the membership year! We will talk about strategies that other PTAs have had success with; we will look at some unique membership items you can create in Givebacks; and, of course, it wouldn’t be a membership workshop without sharing resources, ideas and best practices!
103 Reflections: Advancing to Your Region/National PTA Presented by Melanie Johnson, Arts Specialist
Now that you’ve started your Reflections Program, join us as we go over the nuts and bolts of getting your entries submitted to your Region and to National PTA. Let the competition begin!
National PTA President Yvonne Johnson will share best practices on engaging school principals, district superintendents and school board members. Learn strategies for building these relationships and sustaining a foundation to include the value of working with your PTA.
105 PTA Leadership Beyond Elementary: Thriving in the Next Chapter Presented by Mary Sotomayor, Leadership Development Coordinator
Transitioning from elementary to middle and high school, PTA leadership can feel like uncharted territory. In this engaging session, we’ll explore the unique challenges and opportunities that come with leadership in these new environments. Learn strategies for effective communication, community building, and advocacy tailored to older students and their families. Whether you’re stepping into a new leadership role or looking to refine your approach, this session will provide the roadmap you need to navigate and thrive beyond elementary school.
106 Region Resources Presented by NYS PTA Field Team members
This workshop will start with a brief history of NYS PTA and its regions. Next, we will highlight success stories from different regions to show the impact of region directors’ contributions. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions of the RDs and share their accomplishments. Finally, we will discuss goals units are striving for but finding challenging to reach.
107 Teens and Healthy Relationships (CTLE credit available) Presented by Bevin Llanes, President of the IPV/DV Survivor Advisory Board
This workshop will address the under-recognized issue of domestic violence among teens, affecting nearly 1.5 million high school students annually. Participants will learn to recognize the red flags of teen dating violence, understand its severe impact, and discuss ways to help teens establish safe boundaries and awareness of healthy and unhealthy relationship behaviors. This workshop emphasizes the importance of addressing abusive patterns early in life to prevent future interpersonal violence.
108 National PTA Programs – A Great Opportunity to Support the Work of Your PTA Presented by Kim Martin, National PTA
While funding is not needed to run many National PTA Programs, it can certainly be a great benefit! Come learn about the many ways that National PTA is able to support your PTA in executing programs through our various grant opportunities. Whether your local PTA has received funding from National PTA before or if you are learning about our funding for the first time, this session will help you get prepared to apply for upcoming opportunities. Implementing programs from National PTA doesn’t have to be scary; let us show you how!
201 Resolving Conflicts: Keeping the “Personal” Out of PTA Presented by Jenn Collazo, Field Support Coordinator
The words and actions, especially of leaders, matter when it involves our children. The work that PTA does can bring out the best, but sometimes the “not so best” in us. No matter the topic, the many aspects of a message from a leader can have various effects on a unit’s success. Discuss different types of communication skills from in-person to social media and a fresh perspective.
PTA is a different (but still exciting!) experience at the Secondary Level. This workshop will focus on Membership Engagement and Marketing Strategies to help you, not only boost PTA/PTSA memberships at your schools, but also find ways to engage students and stakeholders in a meaningful way.
203 From Vision to Creation: Crafting PTA Success with Canva and ChatGPT Presented by Mary Sotomayor, Leadership Development Coordinator
Take your PTA leadership skills to the next level with this hands-on, interactive workshop. You will learn how to turn your ideas into reality using Canva and ChatGPT. This workshop will guide you through creating engaging visuals, presentations, and communications that resonate with your school community. Please come with some basic knowledge of Canva and attendees must bring a laptop with access to Canva and ChatGPT. Get ready to unleash your creativity and leave with the tools to make your PTA initiatives shine!
As the largest child advocacy organization, PTA has a responsibility to advocate for every child. This presentation will bring to light the often-overlooked student populations – those in foster care and those experiencing homelessness. It will guide us on how we can better advocate for these students in our community and how we can make our PTA messaging and programming more inclusive.
Parents, guardians, and siblings of children with special needs all deserve support and understanding from their communities. They also require practical ways to care for their own needs. In this workshop we will share resources for SEPTA/SEPTSA units to support all different kinds of families. We will share methods to help caregivers and siblings feel valued and recharged.
206 For the Love of Reading(CTLE credit available) Presented by Tina Shek, Literacy Specialist
Let’s talk about and learn ways to continue to promote the love of reading at home. Learn how to promote and engage the love of reading at home through traditional and non- traditional ways!
Join NYS PTA President Amany Messieha Dgheim, National PTA President Yvonne Johnson, and NYS PTA Diversity Coordinator Brenda Cardoza for a casual Q and A session to guide and empower you. This workshop will help you as a PTA leader learn positive ways to promote and support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in your unit, school and community. This workshop is for unit and council presidents only.
208 PTA Healthy Minds Presented by Cindy Gerhardt, Healthy Minds National PTA Ambassador
PTAs are perfectly positioned to help families and communities make mental health an everyday priority. This workshop provides programming guidance and materials to help your PTA understand the mental health needs of families, identify relevant resources to share, how to partner with school administration, and how to host PTA’s Healthy Minds program for your school community.
301 Hot Topics in Education(CTLE credit available) Presented by Megan Zarchy, Family Engagement Coordinator, and Amy Hysick, Education Coordinator
New standards? No more Regents exams?? What exactly is the Blue Ribbon Commission??? If your head is spinning with all of the recent changes to the educational landscape, come and get some clarity on the changes and what they might mean for you, your kids, and our schools.
302 AI: Learning Goes Both Ways Presented by Amy Collazo-Schiavo, NYS Pride PTSA Vice President
There are many developments occurring with AI right now, both the good and the concerning. On one end, it can be an incredibly useful tool: summarizing data, aiding with assets for presentation and projects, and making it easier to find answers to questions. However, with putting personal data online (especially social media), plagiarism, and the potential for scams, it is critical that parents, kids (and everyone) understand the policies and the risk that comes with AI.
303 Recipe for Building a Competent Board Presented by Joan Wabnik, NYS PTA Vice President Your board members matter. Learn the basics of building a board with diverse skills, opinions, and experience. We will examine the essential ingredients for the most effective board.
At the core of PTA is advocacy. PTA members routinely meet with educators, school administrators, Board of Education members, local/region/state representatives, and other educational stakeholders. Learn how to be part of the conversation by creating, joining, and strengthening relationships to become part of the conversation at every level: local, region, state and federal.
305 Embracing Healthy Living Presented by Pat Genco, Wellness Coordinator; Bevin Llanes, Health Specialist, and Maria Sanders, Environment Specialist
Join us for an enlightening workshop on healthy living where we will explore how to create a sustainable and health-conscious lifestyle. We will discuss Eco-Friendly Homes, Green Schools, and Mindful Personal Choices. Whether you’re looking to make small changes at home, influence green practices in schools, or adopt healthier habits for yourself, this workshop will provide some practical tips and actionable insights for everyone and how to advocate for stronger regulations and policies. Embrace a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle today.
Did you know that your temperament affects what you say, how you listen, and how others hear you? Understanding the temperament framework will change the way you look at and speak to others from now on. You will learn a history and overview of the four temperaments; the strengths and weaknesses of each temperament; how temperament affects what you say and what you hear; and tips for helping people collaborate instead of collide.
307 Why PTA? Presented by Dana Platin, NYS Past President/National PTA Board Member, and Yvonne Johnson, National PTA President
Join NYS PTA Past President/National PTA Board Member Dana Platin and National PTA President Yvonne Johnson as they take you on a deep dive into the mission and values of PTA. Through discussion and activities, we will see how PTA and our members live out both and what makes PTA important.
308 How to Receive an Appropriate IEP For Your Child(CTLE credit available) Presented by Nicholas Marricco, Tully Rinckey Education Attorney
In this workshop Tully Rinckey Education Attorney, Nicholas A. Marricco, will provide a detailed workshop on how parents of special education students in New York can receive an appropriate IEP for their child. Mr. Marricco will explain the following: When should Parents request an IEP? How should Parents request an IEP? What happens after Parents request the IEP? How to read and understand the evaluation reports of your child. How to prepare for the CSE meeting. Who to bring to your CSE meeting. How to advocate for yourself in the CSE meeting. What to do after the CSE Meeting. How to challenge the IEP if it is not appropriate
