A new year is here, and though we are not halfway through January yet, circumstances continue to challenge all of us. Below, you will find resources for talking with your students or your families about current events, as well as resources for the upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. PTSA continues to stay connected to our district and our community, though we look forward to the day when we can all gather together again for meetings, events, and conversations.

Take care and be well,

Canandaigua PTSA

The mission, values, vision and beliefs of NYS PTA are clear: to support every child with one voice, to be the leading advocates for children, to make every child’s potential a reality, and to be a powerful voice for all children. We believe in collaboration, commitment, accountability, respect, inclusivity, diversity, differences, and in integrity.

NYS PTA has supported children, families and educators in NYS for the last 124 years. In those 124 years, and certainly today, there has been, and will continue to be, absolutely no place for hate, bias, or violence in PTA.

NYS PTA continues to stand ready to support every child, with one voice: no matter their race, ethnicity, zip code, income, gender identity, sexual orientation, or immigration status. PTA will be there for them, for ALL, always.

We understand that these are divisive times; however, all PTA leaders and members should believe in and remember our mission, values, vision and beliefs. We encourage our communities to do the same.

We truly hope all will continue on this journey with us. Together, we will make every child’s potential a reality. There is no other more important work.

https://nyspta.org/2021/01/06/an-open-message-to-our-communities-and-pta-family/

When Bad Things Are Happening

When news breaks of disaster or violence, your students may want to discuss a crisis as it unfolds. Here’s how.

TEACHING TOLERANCE STAFF

MAY 18, 2018

Leading Conversations After the Insurrection in Washington D.C.

In the coming days and weeks, we hope you'll offer students important context for the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol—and we'll keep sharing resources to help you do so. But we know you're likely already talking with students about what happened. We hope these resources help.

https://www.tolerance.org/the-moment/january-7-2021-leading-conversations-after-the-insurrection-in-washington-dc

NYS Updates on testing sites, guidelines, and more:

NYS PTA Resources about COVID-19 and its impact on schools:

https://nyspta.org/home/covid-19/

Taking care of our kids during COVID-19

How to support social emotional learning at home and at school:

https://www.edutopia.org/social-emotional-learning-parent-resources