PLEASE NOTE THE PTACHC MEETING WILL BE HELD AT ARL (next door to the DOE).  Monday, Oct. 6 at 7:30 pm. 

Be an Informed Voter When You Cast Your Ballot on Nov. 4th.

The education of our children is affected by decisions made by the Howard County Board of Education.  In addition to voting for a new president of the United States et al, we here in Howard County will be choosing three people to sit with the other 4 members on the Board of Education.   

There are six candidates running for the three open seats.   So how to decide who to vote for?   Watch The League of Women Voters BOE Candidates Forum.  It will be shown Live on October 13^th from 7 pm – 9 pm on Comcast Channel 95/Verizon42.  Rebroadcast will be Oct. 17, 19, 24, 26, or 31 from 7 – 9 pm.  PTA Votes!

 PTA COLLECTION DRIVE      

PTAs in Howard County are asked to help in 3 collection drives this school year. The drives meet PTA’s goals of child advocacy by promoting the welfare of children at home and in school. Howard County Public School System Pupil Personnel Workers will distribute these items that are collected to needy Howard County students.

Please inform your membership about this year's three PTA collection drives one month before the items are brought to the PTA Council General Membership meeting to ensure a successful response. Donations will be collected at the PTA Council General Membership meeting on the dates listed below. Thanks for your help in this collection drives that directly help children in our county!

1.  Coat Drive - November 10th    New or gently used, clean coats that are ready to wear (no need to repair) in sizes pre-K through; high school sizes.  Hats and gloves are also welcome.  Donations may be brought in bags or boxes to the general meeting.  Please make sure they are CLEAN and ready to wear. 

2.  Book Drive – TBD in January or February time period - New or gently used children, youth and adult books.  More information soon.

3.  School Supplies Drive - June 1, 2009   New school supplies filled backpacks will be collected at the general meeting or donations can be made at www.prepareforsuccess.org.  

October 16 – PTA PRESIDENTS MEET WITH BOE MEMBERS 

The Board of Education will meet with PTA presidents and the CAC at 7:30 p.m. on October 16 in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.  The meeting is an opportunity for members of the PTA and the CAC to discuss issues and concerns with Board members in an informal setting.

Board of Education Meetings 

Many policies and topics discussed at PTA Council General Membership meetings will be on the Board of Education meeting agenda during the upcoming months. Board of Ed. meetings are open to the public and are held at the DOE building in Rooms A & B. If you are unable to attend the meeting, the Board meeting are televised live (with repeats during the week) Comcast  95/Verizon 42.  To view the entire Board of Ed. agenda or the Cable 95/42 schedule, go to the HCPSS website at www.hcpss.org.  If you are interested in a particular agenda item, call the Board of Education Office at 410-313-7194 to confirm the time it will be presented.

Treasurer's Trove

Remember to send to Council a copy of your local units annual audit and budget.   This is per the MD PTA bylaws by Oct. 1. 

Nov. 1 - PTA Council Dues are due.   An email with the details will be sent to treasurer's and presidents.

By Nov 15. - all PTAs must file a 990N/99EZ or 990.  For more information, go to:  http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=96103,00.html

CALENDAR 

Oct. 6             PTACHC General membership meeting at the ARL

Oct. 11           Coffee and Conversation with BOE 9:30 am - 11 am at River Hill    

                        High Cafeteria

 

Oct. 13          LIVE on Comcast 95/Verizon42, the Board of Education Candidates 
                        Forum hosted by League of Women Voters 7 pm.  

                    Rebroadcast will be Oct. 17, 19, 24, 26, or 31 from 7 – 9 pm. 

                    Be an informed voter!

Oct. 16           BOE meets with PTA Presidents and CAC 7:30 pm at BOE

Oct. 29           PTACHC Sharing Session/ Workshop at Faulkner Ridge Center,           

                       10598 Marble Faun Lane Time: 7 pm - 9:30 pm  

2nd Monday Nov. 10       PTACHC General membership meeting meets at the ARL

Nov. 14/15  MD PTA Fall Convention  for info www.mdpta.org 

Dec. 1            PTACHC General Membership meeting at ARL 7:30 pm

Thank you for being an advocate for every child, one voice