Family Matters—November 2018

Family Matters JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND POVERTY PROGRAMS

November 2018

A PUBLICATION OF THE 15TH DISTRICT PTA

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Tips for New Board Members Racial Equity Policy Building Children Up

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15th District PTA Contact List 2018-19

FROM THE PRESIDENT November is a time for giving thanks and sharing ourselves with those in our community. Last year, I reflected on some things I was thankful for, and I thought I would do that again this year.

I am thankful for all the Parent Teacher Association/Parent Teacher Student Association (PTA/PTSA) members who are actively working in our schools for our students. Every member who volunteers his or her time shows our students that we are there to support them. I know the students are thankful for your support and your smiles.

I am thankful that the community rose together and advocated for our school system to not be taken over by the state. I am very thankful that the Jefferson County Board of Education (JCBE) we elected in is still in charge of our district and still represents our voices in the community.

I am thankful for the elections so that I can use my voice and my vote for who I think is the best candidate. Many people in the world do not have this luxury.

I am thankful for the family that supports me while I support our local PTAs. Now I am asking you to help me give others this holiday season a reason to be thankful. The Clothing Assistance Program (CAP) will host the annual Take What You Can Tote event on December 8. This event is a great way to help our community for not only the holiday season but also for the winter season.

So, how can you help?

We are collecting the following items to give to our families: • Gently used clothing (men, women, and children) • Gently used coats, scarfs, hats, and gloves • Gently used shoes

• Gently used books

President Autumn Neagle

(502) 718-2590 15thDistrictPTA.President@gmail.com

President-Elect Adam Kesler

arkesler24@gmail.com (502) 413-1639

First Vice President—Program Sienna G. Newman sgnewman77@gmail.com (502) 410-9117

Second Vice President—Membership Shawn Summerville daaville@yahoo.com (502) 386-1455

Third Vice President—Ways and Means Eddie Squires pta.eddie@gmail.com (502) 930-3516

Fourth Vice President—Communication Liz Cannon Anncannon1968@gmail.com (502) 905-1233

Legislative Chair Taylor Everett

teverett@teachfund.com (502) 640-8323

Nutrition Initiatives Coordinator Andrea Wright

andrea.wright@jefferson.kyschools.us (502) 485-3199

Join us on December 8 and help us by volunteering, or the week before as we set up. Contact CAP at (502) 485-7062. Spread the word to all families. This is a free event, and everyone is welcome to come down and “Take What They Can Tote.” Find out more information at http://15thdistrictpta .org/cap/twyct/.

Male Engagement Cliff Irons

Remember that we are here to help, so please contact us. Thank you for all you do for our families and our schools.

15thdistrictpta.treasurer@gmail.com (502) 608-0839

Autumn Neagle, President (502) 718-2590 | 15thdistrictpta.president@gmail.com

Treasurer Brittney Bolyard Secretary Anna Elder

15thDistrictPTA.Secretary2017@gmail.com (502) 432-3023

Past President Heather Wampler

Adding New Voices The 15th District PTA recently added four new chairpersons to help with special projects. Two of them, Colene Williams and Bobbi Jo Kingery, were highlighted in the previous issue. Here are profiles of two more.

• Laquisha George has a daughter who is a sophomore at Fern Creek High School, and she serves as the treasurer of the Fern Creek High PTSA. George serves as the Diversity Chair of the 15th District PTA. George is a self-described people person and a native of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. “I joined the PTSA to make a difference for my child and my school,” George says. “It’s also a way to be in the know. I can share ideas, concerns, and experiences, and I can make positive changes to make the school year better for everyone. Joining the 15th District PTA affords me the opportunity to give back to my community on an even grander scale. Bottom line, I simply want to make a difference!”

• Erika Plantz has a son who is a junior at Fern Creek High, and she serves as the president of the school’s PTSA. Plantz now serves as the Hospitality Chair for the 15th District PTA, helping coordinate food and refreshments at PTA functions. “The reason I joined the Fern Creek High PTSA was to make a difference and help the kids out in any way I can,” Plantz says.

“I’m very passionate about doing what’s best for the kids. I got involved with the 15th District PTA for the same reason. I want to keep making a difference and helping where needed. I’m very passionate about everything I do.”

ironsclifford@gmail.com (502) 807-5695

Calendar of Events December 8 ������������������ Take What You Can Tote!

Clothing Giveaway 15 ����������������� Membership Dues Deadline 18 ����������������� Reflections Art Awards Program 24–Jan. 4 ���� Winter Break

hkwampler@gmail.com (502) 671-9451

Parliamentarian Sharon Whitworth swhitwo1@aol.com (502) 592-4185

JCPS Parent Relations Justin Willis

justin.willis@jefferson.kyschools.us (502) 439-8782

Title I Representative Zina Harris zyt.hars27@gmail.com (502) 807-1878

Recycling Chair Sharon Kesler

sharonkesler24@gmail.com (502) 413-1652

High School and Scholarship Chair Robin Weiss robin.e.weiss@gmail.com (502) 314-2401

On the Cover: Cherie Dimar, left, is the former State PTA President and talks about volunteering with current State PTA President Heather Wampler.

Academic and Learning Support The Diversity Equity, and Poverty Programs Department’s Volunteer Talent Center, in conjunction with partnerships of faith-based organizations, have put together a Promoting Academic and Learning Support (P.A.L.S.) Resource Guide. This resource guide contains information about academic support programs offered by churches, childcare providers, and community agencies affiliated with advocates who seek better educational results for all children.

Monthly Tip for New Board Members

If you need information pertaining to free or inexpensive education resources in your area, visit our website at www.15thdistrictpta.org/advocacy/PALS to download a copy of the guide.

Get trained! If you can’t make it to a community board training, check out the online training provided by National PTA. They have ones for most positions (President, Treasurer, Membership, or Programs).

Graduation Requirements

I highly recommend the following for every board member:

• Planning Your PTA Year

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) recently acted on a proposal to revise graduation requirements in ways that could deny a diploma to students who do not pass certain high-stake tests in high school. These requirements are currently under public comment until Friday, November 30.

This is your opportunity as a student, parent, or educator to speak up and tell the Kentucky Board of Education your thoughts on the new requirements.

The public hearing is scheduled for Thursday, November 29, at 10 a.m.

• Quick Guide to Taking & Approving Minutes (Local Unit Secretary if you are the secretary)

You can contact the board by calling (502) 564-3141 or emailing your comments to regcomments@education.ky.gov.

• Quick Guide to Budget Basics (Budget Basics if you are the treasurer) Check them out a www.pta.org /elearning.

To see more about this please visit our website at www.15thdistrictpta .org/advocacy/graduation.

• PTA Basics • Board Basics • Parliamentary Procedure

—Autumn Neagle, 15th District PTA President

School Board Candidates Forum Thank you to everyone who came to the School Board Candidates Forum on October 25.

This was a great event, and we were so happy that people came out to find out what the candidates had to say. Thank you to Kevin Wheatley, education reporter for WDRB 41 News, for being our moderator!

Thank you to the candidates for attending.

Our Facebook Live video is on Facebook, so please feel free to watch.

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Heather Wampler is the current Kentucky PTA president.

She hails from the largest district in Kentucky—Louisville.

Heather was the president of the 15th District PTA for four years. She has held other positions on the Louisville board and has volunteered extensively.

Cherie Dimar is the former state PTA president and current legislative commissioner. She also comes from Louisville 15th District PTA and formerly held the position of president.

We asked these two incredible leaders questions about their positions as former and present president of the Kentucky PTA.

Heather Wampler

1.

Now that you are state president, what would you say was the first challenge you had to overcome?

4.

A. At the local unit level, you impact your

A. The selling of half of our building, even

child’s school. At district level, you impact your community, and at state level, it is about the local, district, and advocacy at state and national levels. You can make such a difference in the life of a child.

though we were only using one floor of the second half. We had also gone from one full-time employee to two part-time employees. Reorganizing the space to be effective and efficient.

2.

You were the 15th District president for a term in Louisville. What differences, other than geography and number of people, are there between the district and state president?

A. At state, we have around 350 PTAs

across the whole state. There are countless counties, school districts, and each school has its own unique footprint.

3.

Cherie has left a wonderful legacy of hard work and advocacy and so much more. Can you name a few other things that you have learned from former President Cherie Dimar?

A. Teamwork makes the dream work! It

is so important to work together and agree to disagree. Always keep the PTA mission and values at the forefront of every decision.

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What advice would you offer someone who is thinking of volunteering on state board?

5.

The National PTA Conference is coming to Louisville in 2020! That’s exciting! What are a few things you and the new board are working on to make it a successful conference?

A. There are so many components to this

event. We want to show all our congresses how amazing Kentucky is and how compassionate Louisville is. Our committee and board are working hard, but we are always looking for more people to help.

Cherie Dimar

1.

We are so sorry to see you go! What will you do now that you have passed the baton to Heather? Will you continue to volunteer on the state board?

A. I now have more time to spend with family, travel, read, and pursue new interests. I am still on the Kentucky PTA Board as the immediate past president and the legislative commissioner.

2.

What duties as president will you miss doing the most? The least?

A. I will miss meeting and working with the many dedicated PTA volunteers across our state. I will not miss the administrative duties of the position.

3.

If you had one thing to tell Heather that would help her presidency, what would that be?

A. As you make difficult decisions—try to get

opinions from several trusted people, and sometimes it is necessary to have the board vote. Then make the best decision you can while always keeping the PTA mission in mind.

Accept that you won’t please everyone, then move on.

4.

Can you fill in the missing words?

A. I came into the state presidency feeling honored but overwhelmed. I am leaving the state presidency knowing there were some goals I wanted to accomplish but didn’t, but mainly feeling grateful for the opportunity to make a positive difference for our children and schools.

5.

What do you believe is the biggest challenge for the PTA as an organization?

A. It is becoming more difficult to find people who

are willing and able to be leaders and volunteer their time. We need to continually try to be relevant in today’s society.

Thanksgiving always brings the emotions of thankfulness! We are so thankful for these two incredible women stepping up and taking the torch to lead our state PTA in advocacy, training, awareness, accountability, and volunteerism. Thank you both for your vision of a better PTA.

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Racial Equity Policy: A Fresh Approach On September 13, the community came out to the Marion C. Moore School to have a conversation about the Racial Equity Policy. This night featured conversations with families, Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) District personnel, and the new Advisory Council for Racial Equity.

Each school and each JCPS division has to create a Racial Equity Plan. The Equity Scorecard was used to drive a lot of the school plans, and it was found that in every school in JCPS, when you account for lunch status, there was disparity among our students. It was also found that poverty is not the problem when it comes to teaching and learning because the data shows that between poor White students and poor Black students, there’s still a gap, so if poverty were the issue, there wouldn’t be such an alarming gap. So, we have to understand that, and we have to move that work forward unapologetically.

Some of the things they have done since or a little bit before the policy are as follows: • Partnership with the University of Louisville (UofL) in the Advance Program, Sit-In Program. Encouraging students, particularly students of color, to just sit in on the Advance Program. This will allow for the identification of a student’s gift in addition to benchmarks that will improve outcomes and increase access for students of color in the Gifted and Talented Program.

• The Competency, Awareness, and Responsiveness to Diverse Students (CARDS) Program, which allows teachers to go back to school to get their master’s degree or get their Rank I. They’re not just placing them in the College of Education; these are teachers who are already in the field and are going back to get a Culturally Competent or Diversity Literacy Certificate.

• Under the Males of Color Resolution: W.E.B DuBois Academy • Summer Camps in Alternative Schools • Focus on Our Girls of Color Since the majority of our students are students of color, the district is going to have to teach differently, reach differently, and respond in different ways, because more than 80 percent of our teachers are White, middle-class females.

All schools must submit a school plan, and they cannot shy away from the data and the inequities that they have. These plans will be outward-facing to the community so that you’ll be able to see those plans on each of the school’s website and hold principals accountable if they are not addressing what’s in their plan. Teams from central office are going into schools to hold them accountable and giving instant feedback. They’ll be reviewing systems and practices that may contribute to the marginalization of students. If the systems are in place, things keep going. The Racial Equity Policy is one way to ensure that the system is working well for all JCPS students.

The next Community Conversation is January 17 at the Academy @ Shawnee. To learn more about the Equity Score Card, visit www.jefferson.kyschools.us/about /accountability/equity.

—Laquisha George, 15th District PTA Diversity Chair

Three Simple Ways to Build Children Up There are three basic things that must be taken into consideration when building up the self-esteem of children.

First of all, children need and must have quality time that provides them with nurturing and unconditional loving attention.

When children feel that they are a priority and important in the sight of their parents, teachers, and any other role models, then they feel that they are of true significance in the circles of their daily lives. Nothing substitutes quality time with children.

Secondly, children require words of praise and affirmation to show them the proper validation for the accomplishments and growth that they make while developing.

This “language of love” in their world is like a warm blanket within a world that can, at times, be cruel and cold from negativity and bullying.

Third, children must be trusted and given opportunities to prove themselves as they work toward finding out who they are and what they are capable of accomplishing. Through being trusted with small tasks and opportunities, they will realize their strengths and find fulfillment in their steps toward success.

Try time, praise, and trust with your children and students. It will go a long way to help bring out the best in a child’s life and foundational development.

—Michelle L. Washington Author, Child Advocate Educator

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• Do homework

15th District PTA 319 South 15th Street Louisville, KY 40203 www.15thDistrictPTA.org

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15th District PTA

www.15thdistrictpta.org 485-3535

Kentucky PTA www.kypta.org 226-6607

National PTA

www.pta.org (703) 518-1200 or 800-307-4PTA (4782)

Twitter 15th District PTA @15thDistrictPTA twitter.com /ky15thdistpta

Clothing Assistance Program @PTA_CAP twitter.com/PTA_CAP

Facebook Get Connected!

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www.facebook.com /parentteacherassociation

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JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2018

Giveaway!

Saturday, December 8, 2018 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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every child. one voice.®

Clothing Assistance Program (CAP) 319 S. 15th Street Louisville, KY 40203 The 15th District Parent Teacher Association (PTA), in conjunction with Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS), invites community residents—especially those residing in the Louisville Metro Government Zones of Hope Neighborhoods: California, Newburg, Parkland, Russell, and Shawnee—to the Take What You Can Tote! Clothing Giveaway.

This event will provide each household representative with empty bags. Tables and racks of gently used clothing and accessories for men and women will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

This event will also include books and other special items that will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Once all items are depleted, no more will be available.

No uniform or children’s clothing will be included in this giveaway.

If inclement weather cancels this event, it will be moved to Saturday, December 15.

For more information, call CAP at 485-7062.

Diversity, Equity, and Poverty Division

J E F F E R S O N

C O U N T Y

P U B L I C

S C H O O L S

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND POVERTY | STUDENT EQUITY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

aDOPT A fAMILY

HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 12 6 TO 8PM LINCOLN ELEMENTARY PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL Do you picture enjoying a warm and unforgettable holiday this year? It is safe to say your holiday will involve friends, family and that special place you call home. For many families across Jefferson County, that picture of home is not as cozy and bright. Home may be the inside of a car, a family member's couch, a foreclosed home, an abandoned building, or a bed at a homeless shelter.

Make a Difference You have the power to make a big difference for a family during the holidays. Please help the Student Equity and Community Engagement Office put smiles on the faces of those truly in need.Your donations and generosity will be truly appreciated.

What to Donate Donations may include: •Gift Cards •Clothing •Toys •Meals *Clothing Sizes and wish lists will be provided.

All families will be assigned no later than November 27, 2018.

Please call the Giselle Danger in the Student Equity and Community Engagement Office, at 502-485-3650 or email homelessmlbx@jefferson.kyschools.us to participate.