Month: September 2017

The U.S. House of Representatives is about to take an important vote on education-make sure your voice is heard.

MICHIGAN PTA ACTION ALERT:

Today is an important day! After 7 years of inaction, Congress is currently considering an amendment to fund Statewide Family Engagement Centers. This bipartisan amendment would provide $10 million in critical resources for states and school districts to engage parents and families in their children’s education. The best way to make your voice heard is to call your Representative TODAY-it takes just a minute and will make a big impact.

Talking points and call-in information can be found at http://www.pta.org/TakesAction

Below are some helpful talking points to guide your call.

Talking Points for Calling your Representative
My name is___. I live at ___ and I am a member of the Michigan PTA.
Michigan PTA and I urge Representative ____ to vote yes for the bipartisan Statewide Family Engagement Centers amendment (DeSaulnier-Thompson #166) to fund the program at $10 million in fiscal year 2018.
Passing the amendment to fund Statewide Family Engagement Centers at $10 million would provide states with critical resources to engage parents and families in their children’s education.
Research shows that schools would need to increase spending by more than $1,000 per pupil to gain the same results as effective family engagement practices which Statewide Family Engagement Centers can support.
Can I count on Representative ___ to vote yes for this important bipartisan amendment for all children and families?

Michigan PTA Issues statement on DACA

Rights_and_Services_for_Undocumented_Children_Position_Statement_PS

FAQs_Immigrant_Students_and_Families_at_School

Part of the benefit of being a local Unit PTA member is that you automatically become a member of the Livonia PTSA Council, the Michigan PTA and the National PTA.  Each local Unit determines its own programs and events.  Each Unit is immediately recognized as a 501(c)(3) group upon being chartered.  PTA Units are supported at the National and Michigan PTA level.

It is the Mission of PTA to address the needs of all children, in every school, in every state, across the entire nation. Even if you’re not a member, PTA still works for your child.  We urge you to join us in support of all children.  Please see the following message issued by Michigan PTA:

CALL TO ACTION
PROTECTING “DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS”

Yesterday, September 5, 2017, the Trump Administration formally announced the end of DACA – the “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals”, an Executive Order that was signed by President Obama in June 2012. This program has protected nearly 800,000 young undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, from deportation.

Today’s announcement has given Congress a six month deadline to preserve the program’s protections before the DACA recipients begin losing their status on March 5, 2018.
We are asking each and every PTA Member to participate in a CALL to ACTION by contacting your Member
of Congress at (844) 241-1141 to demand that they:

1.) take a public stand defending DACA. Ending DACA hurts our economy and our communities, and targets our most vulnerable. DACA is a program that works and we must protect it.

2.) NOT to allow children protected under DACA to become a pawn in the debate over the funding for a “Border Wall”, or any other legislative initiative and, lastly,

3.) Over the next 6 months work to sign into law legislation that will give current and future undocumented children brought to the United States a legal pathway to citizenship. PTA has previously supported the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act and we will continue to support legislation giving undocumented students a chance to earn legal status if they came here as children. A law that protects children from deportation and offers citizenship should be the priority.

Understanding DACA
DACA does NOT guarantee or provide:
– a pathway to citizenship
– voting rights
– financial aid- permanent residence
– social security
– food stamps
– other federal benefits

DACA DOES provide:
– temporary protection from deportation
– the ability to work and pay taxes
– the ability to obtain a driver’s license

PTA remains committed to making schools a welcoming place for all students and families regardless of
immigration status. Attached is National PTA’s position statement and a very informative FAQ sheet for you
to share with your members.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Vice President for Children’s Advocacy,
Samantha Phillips at childadvocacyvp@michiganpta.org.