The year may be winding down, but certainly not the excitement at National PTA!

We had a joyous time at our staff Holiday party...and

During our annual PTA Holiday reception held at our National Headquarters, we were honored to host some very distinguished guests.
In attendance was the dynamic Stedman Graham (chairman and CEO of S. Graham & Associates). And the legendary Marian Wright Edelman (president and founder of the Children's Defense Fund) stopped by to talk to Byron Garrett, our CEO, and Jan Harp Domene, our president.

National Headquarters, we were honored to host some very distinguished guests.
In attendance was the dynamic Stedman Graham (chairman and CEO of S. Graham & Associates). And the legendary Marian Wright Edelman (president and founder of the Children's Defense Fund) stopped by to talk to Byron Garrett, our CEO, and Jan Harp Domene, our president.

The U.S. Dept. of Education joined National PTA in hosting a gallery exhibit featuring 55 pieces of nationally recognized student artwork from the renowned PTA Reflections Program. The exhibit is open for public viewing through March.

Winners of the Reflections Award traveled to the Nation’s capitol and were honored during award celebration of their incredible talent and creativity. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Education; National PTA President, Jan Harp Domene; National PTA CEO, Byron Garrett; and multiplatinum recording artist CeCe Peniston, proudly attended and supported the event coordinated by Chantay Carter, National PTA-Arts in Education Program Coordinator.

for public viewing through March.

Winners of the Reflections Award traveled to the Nation’s capitol and were honored during award celebration of their incredible talent and creativity. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Education; National PTA President, Jan Harp Domene; National PTA CEO, Byron Garrett; and multiplatinum recording artist CeCe Peniston, proudly attended and supported the event coordinated by Chantay Carter, National PTA-Arts in Education Program Coordinator.

On March 11-12, 2009, PTA held its annual National Legislative Conference in Washington DC. The two-day Conference served to inspire and educate its attendees. Whether they are seasoned veterans or new to federal and state advocacy, PTA offered workshops and guest speakers to learn how to advocate for our most important national resource: Children.

http://pta.org/national_legislative_conference.asp

new to federal and state advocacy, PTA offered workshops and guest speakers to learn how to advocate for our most important national resource: Children.

http://pta.org/national_legislative_conference.asp

PTA was present in Houston along with the Houston ISD Council of PTAs on February 20, celebrating the council's 100th anniversary. The event was a part of PTA's National Urban Development Agenda, which engages and empowers urban families, caregivers, and communities to advocate for the academic success of students from urban areas across the country.

Key community stakeholders, including Texas PTA, Houston government agency members, clergymen, and Houston ISD administrators, were on hand for the event. Several students, parents, and teachers were also in attendance. Membership Director of National PTA, Michael Knowles, gave an inspirational keynote address where he spoke about PTA's commitment to encouraging families to become more meaningfully involved in their child's education. Knowles also shared the urgency that exists for communities to collaborate with parents, schools, and their local PTA to ensure that every child has the best chance for achieving educational success in elementary school and beyond.

The Houston Council of PTAs is a good example of the effective work PTA is doing in urban schools, communities, and neighborhoods. Their commitment to engaging and encouraging parents and families to be involved in their children's education is a reflection of the rich history that is PTA.

which engages and empowers urban families, caregivers, and communities to advocate for the academic success of students from urban areas across the country.

Key community stakeholders, including Texas PTA, Houston government agency members, clergymen, and Houston ISD administrators, were on hand for the event. Several students, parents, and teachers were also in attendance. Membership Director of National PTA, Michael Knowles, gave an inspirational keynote address where he spoke about PTA's commitment to encouraging families to become more meaningfully involved in their child's education. Knowles also shared the urgency that exists for communities to collaborate with parents, schools, and their local PTA to ensure that every child has the best chance for achieving educational success in elementary school and beyond.

The Houston Council of PTAs is a good example of the effective work PTA is doing in urban schools, communities, and neighborhoods. Their commitment to engaging and encouraging parents and families to be involved in their children's education is a reflection of the rich history that is PTA.

Photos from Healthy Lifestyles Award winners.

Byron V. Garret, Chief Executive Officer of PTA national office, visits Washington Center School in Greenville, South Carolina. Washington Center is a 2008 Honorable Mention Phoebe Apperson Hearst Excellence in Education Partnership Award winner.

Excellence in Education Partnership Award winner.

A collection of PTA photos of our members and officers at various PTA events. If you would like to submit a photo for PTA In the News, send an email to cdonaldson@pta.org with your photo and a description of the event!

description of the event!

Anthony Mullen comes from a lifetime of service in the public sector, first as a New York City police officer and then, to further transform the fractured lives of young people in crisis, as a teacher and mentor of teenagers who truly need a second chance. Because of his innovative approach, community focus, and teamwork with other teachers, Mullen was named the 2009 National Teacher of the Year by President Barack Obama at a White House ceremony on Tuesday, April 28, 2009.

Mr. Mullen will be a 2009 PTA National Convention Keynote Speaker. http://pta.org/2736.htm

and mentor of teenagers who truly need a second chance. Because of his innovative approach, community focus, and teamwork with other teachers, Mullen was named the 2009 National Teacher of the Year by President Barack Obama at a White House ceremony on Tuesday, April 28, 2009.

Mr. Mullen will be a 2009 PTA National Convention Keynote Speaker. http://pta.org/2736.htm

As CEO of National PTA, Byron makes a number of appearances and connections with organizations to advance out mission. Here are some highlights from various outings.

More information about Byron V. Garrett can be found on his PTA.org bio page: http://pta.org/byron_v_garrett.asp

V. Garrett can be found on his PTA.org bio page: http://pta.org/byron_v_garrett.asp

National PTA Ambassador CeCe Peniston, an international and multi-platinum recording artist visits a Chicago public school to promote the release of the PTA theme song, Above Horizons

National PTA Ambassador, CeCe Peniston, an international and multi-platinum recording artist, visited O.A. Thorp Scholastic Academy in Chicago to promote the release of the PTA theme song, Above Horizons

Horizons

National PTA Ambassador and international, multi-platinum recording artist CeCe Peniston promotes the release of the PTA theme song, Above Horizons at O.A. Thorp Scholastic Academy.

CeCe lead an arts encounter project with students, then gave a live performance of Above Horizons.

arts encounter project with students, then gave a live performance of Above Horizons.

PTA across America

Jumpstart's Read for the Record Campaign

Each year the National PTA hosts its Commitment to America's Children Gala to celebrate PTA initiatives and outreach.

This year's Gala took place at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago where PTA honored Mathew and Tina Knowles for their work on behalf of families and children in need.

Multi-platinum recording artist, CeCe Peniston provided a night of spectacular entertainment.

honored Mathew and Tina Knowles for their work on behalf of families and children in need.

Multi-platinum recording artist, CeCe Peniston provided a night of spectacular entertainment.

In loving memory of Shirley Igo, 1935 - 2008
National PTA President 2001 - 2003

National PTA President Jan Harp Domene and PTA staff visit the Calfiornia State PTA.

PTA attends a Read All About It! book signing to thank first lady Laura Bush and her daughter Jenna Bush for teaching our nation’s children.

See how a section of the Nation's Largest Teacher Thank You Card was made and assembled.

PTA President Jan Harp Domene's tour of schools in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Vermont.

The launch of PTA Community Connections Chicago, a project to raise awareness of PTA programming in Chicago and other urban areas. Events include the Up With People Show and the PTA Parent Leadership Summit.

Summit.

PTA events in Atlanta: Announcement of partnership with Spelman College and re-dedication of Serena Sloan Butler Park.

Photos from the 2008 PTA Legislative Conference

PTA President Jan Harp Domene visits Florida PTA's first Emerging Minority Leaders Conference.

PTA Healthy Lifestyles Awards for outstanding commitment to promoting health and wellness.

Photos from PTA's Start The Art Week events.

Photos from the 2007 Commitment to America's Children Gala.

Announcement of PTA and Microsoft PACT - A tool to help parents manage kids’ interactive media use.

PTA and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation pay tribute to the 60th Anniversary of Mendez vs. Westminster desegregation case.

PTA partners with Suave to host a Back to Beauty Moms-Only Field Trip with Jenny McCarthy.

2007 Walk for Healthy Kids participants.