What is the Baldwin-Whitehall Council of PTAs and What does it do for me?
The Baldwin-Whitehall Council of PTAs is an organization which encompasses all the PTAs and PTSAs in the Baldwin-Whitehall School District. Council brings together the resources of these organizations for the common good - OUR CHILDREN. With pooled resources, ideas and initiatives, we are able to accomplish much more and bring in assistance from around the district. Council serves as the next step in the hierarchy of the greater PTA. It folds into Region 3, which is encompassed in the PA PTA, which in turn is a part of the National PTA organization. Council also uses its combined resource power to advocate for positive change (ex. grading scale), support school initiatives and serve as a forum for discussions with the School Board of Directors and local School Administration.
- We are the key link in the line of communication between the Local, Region, State and National PTAs. The responsibilities of a council are to Inform, Inspire and Instruct by developing skills, promoting membership and building relationships between local units and providing service to the community.
- We provide information and inspire local unit PTA’s by setting examples through competent leadership and effectively run committees. The manner in which council leaders conduct meetings sets an example for local PTAs, simply by using proper parliamentary procedure.
- We work with the School Board and Administrators on issues that affect all schools in its area. Council can provide the forum for an unbiased presentation and discussion of a matter. Councils can serve as two-way channels of communication between the School Board and public and may work with other community groups to spearhead projects of concern for children and youth.
- We distribute information from the Region and State PTAs regarding legislation, membership, bylaws and education regulations to local units and council members
- We provide vision screening for all preschoolers district-wide
- We sponsor a School Board Candidates Forum for the community every other year prior to elections
Council is entirely financed by fundraiser's separate from those of the individual units.
The green Abitibi Recycling Bins located at each school, use of www.bwpta.clusty.com , our own Internet search engine and a spring Sarris Candies sale allow the Council to fund valuable programs.
Council provides through the Health and Safety Committee (with the cooperation of the Community Drug and Alcohol Task Force) programs such as; Drug, Alcohol and Character Education programs for students, funds Red Ribbon Week activities for all the local units school buildings, funds the D.A.R.E. graduation celebrations for the fifth grade students at Paynter Elementary. The Health and Safety Committee also provides and distributes the Parent Resources Library at Paynter and McAnnulty Elementary schools. As a courtesy for parents, discounted bicycle helmets are available at least once annually in McAnnulty and Paynter Elementary schools.Council receives no profit from these helmets. In addition, safety posters and other pertinent health and safety information is provided throughout the buildings at different times of the year. Coordinates the Alcohol Awareness Poster Contest within the District, which is sponsored by the Liquor Control Board (LCB).
Council also provides evening Parent Programs for parents district-wide, offers and provides when asked, Leadership Training for all the local units’ officers and chairmen, a soon to be established scholarship program, Reading Is Fundamental (R.I.F.) for McAnnulty and Paynter Elementary Schools, sponsors a celebration of the valuable Arts in Education initiative - Reflections, hold an annual Founders's Day dinner, holds an annual Kick-Off Breakfast at the first council meeting of the school year,
