Blog Archives - SCCPTA

PTA Advocates, Take Action Now - Contact Your Legislators!

5/25/2017

PTA Advocate,

Keep the pressure on! The Trump Administration just released their proposed budget and as expected, it includes a massive and devastating $9.2 billion cut to public education.

President Trump’s budget proposal eliminates funding for educator professional development and for grants which help ensure students receive well-rounded educational opportunities, learn in healthy and safe school environments and have opportunities to use technology in the classroom.

Email your Members of Congress to tell them to fund our public schools and reject proposals that would undermine opportunities for all children!

Click here to take action!

Source: National PTA Legislative News Alert, 5/25/17

SCPS Message About Water Safety

5/23/2017

Dear SCPS Families,

Summer is just around the corner and many of you are already planning fun water-related activities. The Florida Department of Health in Seminole County and Seminole County Public Schools would like to remind everyone to be safe this Memorial Day weekend and during the summer months to come. Everyone plays a role in preventing illnesses, caused by germs in the water, and injuries, such as drowning.

One of the biggest hidden concerns is the amoeba called Naegleria fowleri, a free-living amoeba that infects the brain and central nervous system that can cause death. The amoeba lives in warm bodies of freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds, hot springs, and poorly maintained, minimally-chlorinated and/or un-chlorinated swimming pools. When in fresh water keep your head above the water, hold your nose shut or use nose clips, do not dive into water, and avoid digging in, or stirring up, the sediment.

If fever, nausea, vomiting, and stiff or painful neck are experienced after recreational water activities seek immediate medical attention. Do not wait! Inform medical staff of any fresh water exposure.

Also, remember to take simple precautions to prevent injury or drowning. Learn how to swim, and teach children how to swim, use life jackets, provide continuous supervision of swimmers, and know CPR. In addition, always prevent unsupervised access to pools.

We hope these simple tips will help you and your family enjoy a Healthy and Safe Summer!

For more information, please visit:
www.seminolecohealth.com
www.safekids.org
www.seminolesheriff.org

Thank you!

-Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) & the Florida Health Department - Seminole County

UV Sun Protection & Sunscreen Recommendations - From Skin Cancer Foundation

5/22/2017

The Skin Cancer Foundation grants its Seal of Recommendation to products that meet the Foundation’s specific criteria for effective UV sun protection. The Seal program covers many categories of sun protection, each with its own specific standards. Sunscreen products may be granted the Daily Use or Active Seal. All other sun protection products may be granted the Traditional Seal. Learn More about the Seal of Recommendation.

The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation is granted to sun protection products that have been reviewed by and meet the specific criteria of an independent Photobiology Committee. The Seal is a symbol of safe and effective sun protection that is recognized by consumers worldwide. One of the first programs offered by the Foundation, it quickly gained acceptance from consumers for setting the standard for effective sun protection. Sun protective products with the Seal include sunscreen, sunglasses, auto and residential window film and glass, awnings/umbrellas and clothing. The Seal of Recommendation appears on product labels, packaging, clothing hang tags, in-store promotions, catalogs, in print and TV advertising, and online.
Note: Some products that have received the Seal do not have it on their packaging.
Search for Products with the Seal

Find out which Seal of Recommendation to look for on different sun protection products. Read More

The Seal of Recommendation program is divided into several categories to better assist you in choosing quality sun protection products.

Daily Use
Active
Traditional

The Daily Use Seal is used for sunscreens that are intended to protect customers from incidental sun exposure, the kind that occurs over short periods of time and might include walking to and from the car, going to work, and running errands. Examples of Daily Use sunscreens include moisturizers, color cosmetics, foundations, eye creams and lip products. This seal includes a UVA protection requirement.

The Active Seal is used for sunscreens that should protect the wearer from extended sun exposure, such as exposure received outdoors during recreational activities. Examples might include high SPF products, sport sunscreens, zinc oxide/titanium dioxide sticks, and baby products. This seal includes a UVA protection and water resistance requirement.

The Traditional Seal is used for all sun protection products excluding sunscreens. Examples include sunglasses, auto and residential window film and glass, awnings/umbrellas, clothing and laundry products. The testing requirements include a ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 30 or higher for clothing and fabrics, and 99% or greater blockage of ultraviolet A (UVA) UVA and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation for sunglasses and UV films.

Learn How a Product Earns the Seal of Recommendation

SCCPTA Awards - Congratulations To Award Receipients!

5/18/2017

Seminole County Council PTA (SCCPTA) hosted the Annual Awards Breakfast Event on May 10th 2017, at the Legacy Club at Alaquah. The event gathered PTA/PTSA leaders from around the county with FLPTA Executive Director Jean Hovey, Ginger Flynn, SCPS School Board Chair Amy Lockhart, Member Tina Calderone, and SCPS Superintendent Walt Griffin, SCPS Community Involvement Manager Misa Mills, the Foundation for SCPS Director Davia Moss, and Seminole County Council PTA Board Members.
All expressed appreciation for the efforts of 17,000 PTA members in Seminole County and the support that PTA offers to all students and families, teachers and staff, along with the support offered by SCCPTA. PTA Programs and activities make a difference across the county throughout the year.

Winning Programs are as follows:

Newsletter Award

Elementary- Wilson Elementary PTA
High School- Lake Brantley HS PTSA

Social Media Award

Elementary- Rainbow Elementary PTA
Middle School- Galileo School PTA
High School- Lake Brantley HS PTSA

Top Child Advocacy Efforts Award

English Estates Elementary PTA

Top Health & Wellness Program Award

Elementary- Layer Elementary PTA
Middle School- Galileo School PTA
High School- Lake Brantley HS PTSA

Top Mission of the PTA Award

Elementary- English Estates Elementary PTA
Middle School- Galileo School PTA
High School- Lake Brantley HS PTSA

Top PTA Program Award

Elementary- Rainbow Elementary PTA
Middle School- Millennium MS PTSA
High School- Lake Brantley HS PTSA

Special Program Award

Goldsboro Elementary PTA

Top PTA Award

Elementary- Galileo School PTA
Middle School- Lawton Chiles MS PTSA
High School- Lake Brantley HS PTSA

Congratulations to each award winning PTA/PTSA! Congratulations to the PTA Leaders who were recognized with FLPTA Honorary Awards, Liz Merrill, Life Membership, and Laura Wise and Katie Burris, History Walk of Fame.

SCCPTA Leadership Training & Vendor Event, 5/20/17

5/11/2017

FLPTA Legislative Action - Please CALL today and tell your Senator to vote NO on Conforming Bill 7069.

5/8/2017

Florida PTA Takes Action - Our Children Are Worth MORE Than This - email sent by Florida PTA earlier today.

Late Friday afternoon a massive education bill was introduced through the budget process. This bill was negotiated behind closed doors, bypassing the democratic process of public input and the option for amendments. While testing reform, daily recess, and other good education policies have been placed inside this bill, it has a devastating impact on the education budget that will leave our most vulnerable children behind.

Now is the time to act! Please CALL today and tell your Senator to vote NO on Conforming Bill 7069. Our children are worth more than this.

Click the link below to log in and send your message:
https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/_OEI_Y6nhCR2RWSHSqD1rA

If you want to recieve this legislative alerts directly from Florida PTA, you can register with Voter Voice - Legislative Alerts at http://floridapta.org/advocacy/advocacy/capwiz-legislative-alerts

FLPTA Legislative Alert, bill 7069

5/8/2017

May 7, 2017 - FL PTA Legislative Alert

Late Friday afternoon, a massive education package was introduced through the budgeting process. While there are many valuable elements in this bill like sensible testing reform, parent friendly testing reports, daily recess, and important early learning initiatives, conforming bill 7069 will leave too many of our most vulnerable children behind. The Title I provision takes away our school districts' ability to effectively support our at-risk students. The required sharing of local tax dollars intended for school construction and repair diverts resources away from traditional public schools in all neighborhoods. Other provisions of this bill were never vetted in committee, thereby excluding essential input from parents and other community members.

As the largest child advocacy association in the state, the Florida PTA's mission has always been to serve and support EVERY child. Therefore, it is with a heavy heart that the Florida PTA must oppose conforming bill 7069.

Read FLPTA's full recap and recommendation at http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1104540460460&ca=c72d3503-aa21-4f47-94ed-193595e2ba4b

Welcome, Longwood Elementary PTA!

5/8/2017

Welcome to our newest PTA in Seminole County, Longwood Elementary PTA!

President: Maria Leigh
Vice President: Mellisa Lambert
Treasurer: Christina Pletcher
Secretary: Tresa Szurgot

Congratulations! We know you have an exciting year ahead in your new Longwood Elementary community!

#PTAProud

Message from SCPS - Snakes & Other Wildlife

5/4/2017

Dear SCPS Families,

Snakes are a part of Florida’s natural environment and a common concern for residents of our Central Florida community. Like alligators, bears, and other wildlife, snakes should be treated with respect and avoided if at all possible.

Earlier this week, a student at Markham Woods Middle School had an encounter with a possible venomous snake while in the P.E. field. With the current lack of rain and dry conditions, experts have informed us the chances of critters coming out from wooded areas in search of water is high right now and may increase chances of seeing such animals on our campuses and surrounding properties.

To be proactive, we want to encourage parents to speak to their children about snakes and other native wildlife, while also emphasizing the importance to treat them with respect and a “leave them alone” philosophy. Students should never attempt to approach snakes or any other wild animals at school, at home or elsewhere.

We would also like to advise caution to those students who are traveling near wooded areas to and from school to be extra cautious. We ask our walkers and bike riders to be aware of their surroundings and speak with a teacher or administrator immediately if they come across a venomous reptile or wild animal while on campus.

Below are some useful links regarding snake awareness for you to review with your children:

http://myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/wildlife/snakes/

http://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/dealing_with_snakes.shtml

https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/herpetology/fl-snakes/venomous-snakes/

In closing, we want to ensure you that we are working closely with our district Maintenance Department and school administrators to monitor our campus grounds regularly in an effort to hopefully avoid any further encounters. As always, we are deeply committed to the safety and well being of our students. Thank you!

Sincerely,
Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS)

National PTA Reflections Awards to SCPS Students - Congratulations!

5/4/2017

The Results Are In For National PTA Reflections Awards! Congratulations to these Seminole County students who are National Award of Excellence and Award of Merit winners in the National PTA Reflections Program!

Special Artist, Visual Arts, Award of Excellence, Nadia Bloom, "Dollmaking", Oviedo HS PTSA
Literature, Intermediate, Award of Excellence, Divya Thumma, "Different", Wilson Elem PTA
Music, Primary, Award of Merit, Justin Glener, "Heavy Metal", Heathrow Elem PTA

These students will be celebrated along with other winners at a red carpet event at National PTA Leadership Convention June 24 at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, NV where their artwork will be on display. Award of Excellence winners also receive a $200 Young Artist Scholarship, Silver Medal and certificate. Award of Merit winners receive a Bronze Medal and certificate.

We are proud of these creative students and all those who participated in the PTA Reflections program this year!