Livonia PTSA Council Courier

News for March 16, 2015

Vista Maria

Vista Maria

There are over 12,000 children in the foster care system in Michigan. You may not know who they are, but you see them every day: in the grocery store, at the bus stop or playing in the neighbor’s yard. They are just kids.


However, they are kids who have also suffered the pain of abuse and neglect, which may leave them with scars, both on the surface and deep within. These kids need compassionate adults who are willing to open their homes and help them heal. They need someone to stand by them, to support them in their most vulnerable moments, and protect them when they are scared. They need you. They need you to look into their eyes and see that they are worth loving, and they are worth saving.


It takes a community of caring adults to be the difference between a child’s heartache and a child’s happiness. Together we can help and heal our children so that they can not only see, but also feel, that they are loved.


There are many ways to join us, from donating and helping to raise awareness, to opening your heart and home to a foster child. I encourage you to contact us and learn more.


You can be the difference.

For more information, contact

Jeri Lynn Lasich


Foster Care Recruiter

Vista Maria

20651 W. Warren Ave

Dearborn Heights, MI 48127

313-253-6232

jlasich@VistaMaria.org

www.vistamaria.org


"Don't be ashamed of your story, it will inspire others."

PTA Shout Out to...

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2015-2016 Reflections

It's not too early to start thinking about your Reflections entries for next year! Current Reflections Chairs - have you announced next year's theme? Encourage your students to start to think about how they can...

Let your imagination fly...

Entries will be due in the fall.

For more information, check out our website: http://livoniaptsacouncil.org/work/reflections-arts-awards-competition/

OR our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/LivoniaPTSACouncil.Reflections

An Evening with your local legislators

Please join the Livonia PTSA Council for an evening with your elected representatives to discuss local issues and concerns.


Thursday March 26, 2015 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm


We look forward to welcoming:

State Senator Hoon-Yung Hopgood (District 6),
State Senator Patrick Colbeck (District 7),
State Representative Julie Plawecki (District 11),
State Representative Robert Kosowski (District 16) and
State Representative Laura Cox (District 19) joining us.

We will update as we add additional legislators.


Refreshments will be provided by the Franklin High School Patriot Inn. This event is open to the public and there is no fee to attend.


We do ask for an RSVP for planning purposes – please email John Grzebik at john.grzebik@livoniaptsacouncil.org

YMAD update

YMAD update

Debbie Pline, YMAD (Youth Making a Difference) chair confirms certificates have been ordered and printed! We had over 1,800 students participate this year!

We look forward to recognizing everyone's achievements at the YMAD celebration at Stevenson High School (due to renovations going on at Franklin High School) on April 21st. All participants and their families are invited. We are excited to welcome Doug Sheer who will be performing the magic show this year.
Does your PTA need catering? A fun event? Call the Patriot Inn!

Does your PTA need catering? A fun event? Call the Patriot Inn!

Have you heard about the Patriot Inn? The LPS Career Technical Center offers a Hospitality Management course:

Hospitality Management 1 is designed to provide the student with the essential knowledge and experiences in the food industry. The student will study basic food preparation and service.

The student will participate in the operation of the Patriot Inn restaurant and will apply the basic skills learned in the classroom. All students will be rotated through the various stations in the restaurant, which will follow as closely as possible the operation of the table service restaurants found in the food service industry.

What does that mean to you? You can contact the Hospitality Management program for catering services or to plan fun events for your group. Livonia PTSA Council has been thrilled to work with them to bake cookies, and provide refreshments for our programs. We have enjoyed working with Chefs Chris and Andy and their talented students. Give them a call and let them know PTA sent you!

Ms. Christine Bednarczyk
734-744-2655 x 47184
cbednarc@livoniapublicschools.org

PTA Training Tips

PTA President - how did I end up in charge???

Congratulations! You are the chief leader among leaders who make up your board. Your job is to lead your team to achieve PTA’s mission and fulfill your board’s legal and ethical responsibilities. Your chief board role is to create the environment that leads to effective teamwork. Consider the following tips:

1. Take it seriously. Your PTA is part of the rich history and legacy of an association with more than 117 years of achievements. Ensure your board knows its legal and ethical responsibilities and understand how they fit into PTA’s legacy.

2. Embrace change. Your board will contain change agents. Value what they bring to the table and do not view change as a threat but, instead, as inevitable.

3. Set a professional tone. Avoid petty issues, personality disputes, and rumor. If you stay mission-focused, your board will follow.

4. Accept that bad things happen. Words are uttered, people disappoint, and boards have ups and downs. No presidency is without a few bumps in the road. Don’t start assuming the bumps are personal attacks or affronts. Don’t let others push your buttons. Your board will mirror your behavior and your PTA will lose focus on what really matters. .

5. Leave a legacy of leadership. Look around you. Who has talent? Potential? What does your board need to know now and for the future? Leave your board stronger than when you arrived. Make your PTA’s nominating committee work hard because many qualified candidates are ready to assume leadership roles. You will create a tighter, more effective team, one that will shine for years to come.

6. Value individual’s strengths. Everyone has something to offer. Value the good each person brings to the board rather than concentrate on shortfalls. Identify and build on each board member’s strengths.

7. Define success. Boards that agree on the same definition of success are focused and work well as teams. Help your board set goals together. Where does your PTA team want to go? How will you know when it’s time to celebrate success together?

8. Adjust and flex. Recognize that everyone communicates and leads in a different manner and, to be an effective leader, you will need to adjust your style to meet the needs of your board’s members. This will help create an effective team with minimal misunderstandings.

9. Share the wealth. What opportunities can you open to other board members? Cohesive teams share responsibility and opportunities, and grow and learn together.

10. Keep it real. Presidents are not royalty, surrounded by minions t their beck and call. They are servant leaders, helping membership achieve PTA mission and facilitating the board’s work to serve children and families. Think of yourself as part of team, and build that team into a powerful resource for your community.


As a PTA leader, you will focus your community on the needs of your members and their children. Your leadership will motivate volunteers and persuade local decision makers. You and your team will communicate with teachers and administrators, collaborate with community partners and associations, raise funds and awareness, provide much-needed programs for students and families, encourage reading and the arts, and much, much more. Because you are a part of PTA leadership, you become a part of the rich history of PTA, an association with more than 117 years of experience helping children succeed.

Because of you and your fellow PTA members, the children and schools of your community will be more successful.

- See more at: http://www.ptakit.org/PTA-President/Welcome-and-Introduction/Welcome-and-Introduction.aspx#sthash.YL9go6N6.dpuf

Coming up:

March
26 @ 7 pm - Livonia PTSA Council evening with your legislators @ FHS Patriot Inn
27-29 Michigan PTA Convention in Lansing, MI

April
3-10 - Reminder - No School!
15 @6:30 pm - Livonia PTSA Council meeting - ELECTION OF OFFICERS @CHS library
15 @ 7:00 pm - presentation by Dr. Liepa on Proposal 1 @ CHS library
21 @ 6:00-8:00 pm - YMAD celebration @ SHS
29 - Reminder - No School!
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For more information about the Michigan PTA, click here:

www.michiganpta.org
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For more information about the National PTA, click here:

www.pta.org
About us

About us

The Livonia PTSA Council is a group of local PTA/PTSA units within the Livonia Public Schools District. The Council is organized under the authority of the Michigan PTA for the purpose of promoting conferences, communications, leadership development and coordination of the efforts of the local units.
15125 Farmington Road, Livonia, MI, United States julie.thompson@livoniaptsacouncil.org livoniaptsacouncil.org