March 17, 2006

Spring is almost here and before you know it the school year will be over.  Perhaps because this is my last year as a parent of a child in Montgomery County School this year has really flown by.  I could bore you to tears with my memories of how it was only yesterday that I was a kindergarten parent but I will spare you.  But I do really believe that this has been one of the quickest years in my life.  As I leave my role as a parent of a school age child I have many emotions.  I find myself constantly saying that “I wish I knew then what I know now!”  But that is one of the roles of the PTA we can share with parents  - the knowledge and experience that we have had throughout the years.  I will also admit to you that now I am in the final days of my PTA leadership I have many mixed emotions.  I am counting the days and the number of meetings that I have to attend that is true but my commitment to the children of Montgomery County has never faltered!  I feel as strongly today as I did sixteen years ago that the PTA has a responsibility to advocate for all children but my true passion is for those children whose parents, for whatever reason, are unable to advocate for their children.  The burden and responsibility of being an organization that speaks on behalf of over 140,000 children is enormous and at times daunting.  But if we are able to help even one child succeed we have fulfilled our mission.

As I leave the Montgomery County Council of PTAs I am very conscious of how important our nominating committee is.  They have been tasked with finding candidates who will lead our organization into the future.  I am totally confident that there are many qualified, passionate leaders throughout our county.  I look forward to hearing from our Nominating Committee at the meeting this month when they will announce the new candidates.  I would also like to remind every delegate that you will be tasked with voting within your areas for your area vice president and cluster coordinators.  Please come prepared to select leadership that will represent your local PTAs throughout the coming year.  MCCPTA is successful when the locals are confidant that the leaders that they have chosen will represent the positions of the organization as they advocate on behalf of all of MCCPTA.  We will have our election in May as our bylaws instruct.  I have invited a Maryland PTA officer to attend our meeting in May and oversee our election.  I look forward to “showing” off our delegates assembly to the leadership of the Maryland PTA.  Since becoming an officer of the Maryland PTA I have become even more convinced what a wonderful and successful organization that MCCPTA is everyday throughout the year for all of the children of Montgomery County.  You all have my admiration and devotion!

We were pleased to hear that our County Executive has announced that he is recommending full funding of the Operating Budget and the CIP.  We were very concerned that the CIP would be funded in the late years but we are now assured that the CIP is on track and on time.  Thank you to all of you for your hard work and support as we presented testimony on the

CIP before the BOE and the County Council.  

We will be presenting testimony on the Operating Budget before the County Council on April 5, 2006 beginning at 7:00.  We hope that you will come out and support us as we once again advocate for our children and their needs.

At our February delegates assembly the nominating committee nominated Ms. Sharon St. Pierre to finish the term as Vice President for Educational Issues. They also nominated Mr. Ted Willard to finish the term as Vice President for Programs.  These nominations were necessary because of the resignation of Ms. Shirley Brandman as Vice President for Educational Issues at our February Board of Directors meeting.  According to our bylaws I had appointed Sharon St. Pierre to finish the term of Vice President for Educational Issues and Mr. Ted Willard to finish the term as Vice President of Programs.  These nominations will be voted on at our meeting this month.  These positions will only be for the remainder of this year.  The nominating committee will be bringing forth the new slate of officers for the June 2007 year.  I do not know whom they have nominated and I will wait to hear just as you, but I have every confidence that they have found qualified people to serve our organization during the coming year. 

We will once again begin our meeting with business at the start of the agenda.  This month you will find attached to this letter a copy of a “proposed” resolution from the Gifted and Talented committee.  Please read carefully and come prepared to decide on next steps.

Don’t forget the upcoming Presidents and Principals annual dinner at Indian Springs Country Club, which will be on May 24, 2006.  Historically Principals have come as guests of their local PTAs and all MCCPTA delegates are invited to attend from their locals.  We will look forward to seeing you there.

It is time to start thinking about awards, which are handed out at the end of the year during the Presidents/Principals. MCCPTA invites you to nominate an outstanding volunteer who exemplifies the mission and objects of PTA, for the Maryland Life Membership. We also invite you to nominate a group who has demonstrated outstanding support for the education of Montgomery County youth. This is the MCCPTA Partners for Education Award (see attached nomination forms).

Please review the attached memo from the MD PTA regarding the Building Successful Partnership Training. Anyone interested in being trained please refer to the form for further information.

With the Prom and After Prom festivities quickly approaching, Montgomery County has put together a community forum on underage drinking. All are encouraged to attend. The forum will be held on Thursday, March 30^th. Please see attached flyer for more information.

Cindy