Where: Frost Middle School - 14041 Stark Rd.

This year EVERY unit is required to update their PTA/PTSA bylaws. Michigan PTA has provided us with a new template to use to do this. You can access this template by logging onto Member Hub, in the files section, Unit Presidents hub.

IMPORTANT: Adjust the template for your unit but DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING WITH A # OR IT WILL NOT BE APPROVED!

Once you update the bylaws you will present them at your PTA meeting and allow discussion. You will post them either on Facebook, in your newsletter or on a bulletin board at school for 30 days. Then at your next PTA meeting you will vote on them. After they are approved you will need to upload them to Member Hub and send a copy to PEP@livoniaptsacouncil.org & kdummer@sbcglobal.net

Standards of Affiliation due December 1st!

All Units and Councils should be close to completing standards of affiliation for this year. After December 8th, we will begin issuing current letters of good standing that will expire on November 30, 2019 for units and councils that have completed all requirements. To be eligible for Reflections and other PTA perks, the December 1st date is FIRM and not negotiable. Units who still need the newest bylaws templates may request them from the Secretary-Treasurer at secretary_treasurer@michiganpta.org

This training allows teachers to develop the knowledge, skills & disposition of teacher leaders and foster a collaborative culture to support teachers development and student learning. They bring the knowledge, ideas and culture back to the LPS school they work at in hopes of raising the level of learning for all. Here is a quote from Churchill teacher Matthew Miga about Galileo & its benefits:

The Galileo Leadership Consortium has offered me the best possible professional development I have ever experienced. It has been an exciting journey to learn about best practices in education; how to be a teacher leader in service to students, colleagues, and the district; and how to help positively influence education. Without this opportunity, I would have missed out on learning about project-based learning, collaborative inquiry, a detailed training in Seven Habits, networking with other teachers in similar teaching situations, teaching like a pirate, and formative assessment (to name just a few of our topics).

An investment in Galileo is an investment in long-term educational growth. Although only a small portion of teachers are impacted, their reach extends beyond their individual classrooms. I have applied my Galileo learnings to working on a variety of group projects within the district: from textbook adoptions to developing student growth data to leading the district world language program. Without Galileo, I would have needed to teach myself important skills without the important support of experts in education and the element of timely reflection to grow. Any cent invested in teachers attending Galileo is a cent that leads to better education within our classrooms. My students and colleagues are better because I have developed as a leader, a teacher, and an educational expert.

Each year, the Livonia PTSA Council has donated money to LPS to help pay to make this training possible. With declining membership over the last 5 years we have made the decision to cut the amount we provide to LPS. Although we still believe this training is valuable to each building, where these Galileo Alumni work, we are reaching out to you, the individual PTA/PTSA's to ask if you would be interested in donating money to keep this training going.

If your unit is interested in donating or receiving more information about Galileo please contact Kellie Dummer, kdummer@sbcglobal.net. It might also be great to find a Galileo Alumni in your building and have them speak briefly at your next PTA meeting.

Continue your membership drive thru the fall & winter. Council has a goal of 4800 members this year and we are at 67% .

Michigan PTA is running monthly membership challenges. Below are the next few you can focus on.

Units that complete a monthly challenge must 1) use MemberHub to submit membership, 2) report the achievement to membership@michiganpta.org by the 28th of that month to be eligible for the drawing.

October: The T in PTA In Progress!
Units that achieve 100% of their staff and teachers as members and recognize those staff and teacher members in a unique way. (Only full-time instructional staff whose home base is your building)

November: "It's Great Doing Business with You!"
Units that recruit at least 10 more business memberships, public official memberships, or outside/community members “Public at large”.

November Bonus: Fifty more!
Units that have recruited 150 or more members by November 28th.