Special ‘Year in Review’ Issue

National PTA’s Media Watch takes a look back at 2011 with a recap of earned media placements that totaled almost 10 million media impressions (number of people who saw the coverage based on circulation) and more than $1 million in estimated advertising equivalency (amount it costs to purchase equal advertising space). Across the country and around the world we were “spreadin’ the news” about PTA through print, TV and radio broadcasts media outlets, as well as online media and social networks. Happy Holidays and enjoy!

JANUARY

National PTA Issue Brief, PIRC Funding and Family Engagement
We rang in the new year with three feature stories in Education Daily, one of the education community’s premier media outlets. Coverage included: a front page report on an issue brief by National PTA and the Harvard Family Research Project (HFRP); an article about funding for Parent Information Resource Centers; and the role of family engagement in the reauthorization of education legislation.

Experts: Parents crave real-time data that makes sense Mixed messages, budget plan push out PIRCs, some say Federal family engagement role remains murky to some

FEBRUARY

Take Your Family to School Week, CCSS Parents’ Guides and PTA Wars in Time Magazine
It isn’t February without National PTA’s Take Your Family to School Week! However, February 2011 also included the launch of National PTA’s Common Core State Standards Parents’ Guides, as well as a TIME Magazine feature story on the education budget crisis and the efforts of PTAs across the nation to ensure their children receive the highest quality education possible.

Click here to see a full list of online and print media coverage for Take Your Family to School Week. Also, visit the Audio page in our newsroom to listen to radio coverage.

PTA guides may help parents grasp Common Core		Common Core Standards Explained – Thanks PTA!
PTA Issues Common-Standards Guides for Parents		National PTA Releases Parent Guides On The Common Core State Standards
PTA Wars

MARCH

White House Bullying Summit, Connect for Respect and Legislative Conference
March is typically a busy month for National PTA, but it was especially eventful during an action-packed week that included the launch of PTA’s bullying prevention campaign (Connect for Respect), at a White House Bullying Summit, as well as the association’s Legislative Conference.

Bullying issue reaches White House stage		National PTA Conference: Health and Human Secretary Speaking on Education

APRIL

Military Families Partnership and Announcement of the 2011 Mary Lou Anderson Art Grants
National PTA made two major announcements in April: a partnership with the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) to engage military families; and the recipients of the National Mary Lou Anderson Art grants. The partnership with MCEC received a major mention from First Lady Michelle Obama during a White House event, as well as a feature story in Education Daily. Two of the Mary Lou Anderson grants recipients were highlighted in their local media.

National PTA at White House Launch of Military Families Effort		White House launches military family  initiative
Grant Elementary School PTA in Tacoma Receives National Arts Grant		Ridgely Middle School PTA receives national grant

MAY

Family Engagement in Education Act of 2011, PIRC Funding and Teacher Issue Brief
In May, National PTA announced that it had again worked successfully with Congress to advocate for families and introduce legislation that will benefit children nationwide; The Family Engagement in Education Act of 2011. National PTA also worked successfully with Congressional members to fight for funding for Parental Information and Resource Centers, as well as released another issue brief with the Harvard Family Research Project on educating educators on parent involvement.

Bills use existing funds to revamp parent involvement Parent centers zeroed out; advocates eye FY ’12 budget Teachers need more robust family engagement training, support

Reflections and Teacher Appreciation Week
May also marked the announcement of National PTA’s 2010-2011 Reflections recipients, which always creates a buzz nationwide. Millions across the country also celebrated National PTA Teacher Appreciation Week. Below are only a few of the dozens of media mentions of Reflections award recipients, as well as a special video with Secretary Duncan honoring teachers.

Eaton student wins National PTA Reflections music award		Secretary Duncan Commemorates Teacher Appreciation at Randolph Elementary
Best Friends Place Among Fairfield's Art Honorees		National Honor for Hewitt Dancer
Winona High School Sophomore Wins National Honors

JUNE

Convention, New Officers and History Made Again
From our new installed and elected leaders to the resolutions passed, National PTA’s convention drew multiple news items.

New National PTA president Betsy Landers: 'We cannot balance the budget on the backs of families and children'		New National PTA president reiterates support for PIRC
Saylors wins praise for PTA accomplishments		Smyrna resident elected first black male president–elect of the National PTA
National PTA Passes Resolution Over Texting

National PTA Leads Special Section on Education in Chicago Sun-Times
In June, National PTA contributed a foreword for a special education supplement in the Chicago Sun-Times. The foreword, titled “Enough is Enough,” was in the June 2nd issue of the newspaper and was distributed to convention attendees.

SEPTEMBER

Common Core State Standards Training and Announcement of Partnership with the Dungys
In September, National PTA launched the third wave of its Common Core State Standards Initiative in two states and expanded its reach into local school districts for the first time. National PTA also announced a special partnership with former Buccaneers and Colts coach Tony Dungy, now an NBC Sports commentator, and his wife, Lauren, in September. The Dungys were named National PTA Honorary Membership Chairs. They will work with National PTA and Family First to develop programs to increase parent involvement in education.

Local PTA Group Begins Training on Common Core Standards		State PTA wins grant funding from national organization
Tony Dungy Announces Partnership With National PTA		Tony Dungy and wife announce educational partnership between Family First and National PTA
Tony and Lauren Dungy Visit Oak Grove Elementary

OCTOBER

Revisiting PIRC Funding, Q&A with Betsy Landers and Common Core State Standards
In October, National PTA was positioned in Education Daily as the lead organization that’s advocating for PIRC funds in 2012. Also in October, National PTA Betsy Landers took center stage in Public School Insights, a publication of the Learning First Alliance (of which National PTA is a member). The Common Core State Standards and PTA’s free parents’ guides (in English and Spanish) also picked up some media attention.

PIRC dollars dwindle; advocates push for FY 2012 funds		Advocating for Children and Families: An Interview with PTA President Betsy Landers
National PTA Parents’ Guides in Spanish – free, grade-by-grade resources		Introducing the English Language Arts Common Core State Standards
Common Core State Standards Will Create Greater Student Engagement

NOVEMBER

Healthy Lifestyles Month
As the childhood obesity epidemic continues to grow; media across the country is taking more and more notice of National PTA’s Healthy Lifestyles program. Healthy Lifestyles Month (November) helps call attention to the importance of childhood health and wellness, as well as provides grants to PTAs across the country to promote good nutrition and physical activity. Below are just about a couple dozen of media hits about this program.

Kraft Elementary among 10 schools nationwide to earn 'healthy lifestyles' grant		PTA Announces Healthy Lifestyles Grant Winners!
Clinton PTA receives grant to promote healthy lifestyles		Get kids interested in health during the National PTA's Healthy Lifestyles Month
Participate in the National PTA’s Healthy Lifestyles Month with TOPS		Hall monitor: A look at school news
Get kids interested in health during the National PTA’s Healthy Lifestyles Month		Lexington elementary’s PTA is one of 10 schools nationally to earn ‘Lifestyles’ grant
PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month		Stonewall PTA earns healthy lifestyles grant
PTA pushes Stonewall to be ‘Healthy and Fit’		Modern P.E. Classes during Healthy Lifestyles Month
National PTA's Healthy Lifestyle Month encourages families to get in shape		November Is Healthy Lifestyles Month!
Patch Picks For Healthy Families		Celebrate Healthy Lifestyles Month
Stonewall Elementary earns national "healthy lifestyles" grant		Schools try to curb childhood obesity

DECEMBER

Op-Ed on Agriculture Appropriations Bill
Two state PTAs leveraged an op-ed that was shared with all state PTAs. The op-ed criticized the U.S. Congress for missing an opportunity to unite our nation in the fight against childhood obesity and hunger when they passed an agriculture appropriations bill that included language to weaken the USDA’s school nutrition standards.  Click the links below to read more.

Betsy Landers and Scott Folsom: Hey Congress, pizza is not a vegetable		West Virginia PTA Calls on Congressional Delegation to Put Children First

Take Your Family to School Week Grants
The announcement of National PTA’s Take Your Family to School Week grants were just recently announced. A few media placements this month will kick-start the momentum for 2012 up to the commencement of this special week in February.

Two New Jersey schools receive National PTA grants		National PTA grants made to support family engagement in schools
Bedford Primary School PTA to receive $1,000 grant		$1,000 grant will enhance Franklin PTA's science fair in February

Announcement of 2012 Mary Lou Anderson Art Grants
National PTA’s most recent (and last 2011) news is about the recipients of the 2012 National Mary Lou Anderson Art grants. Below is the first media placement about the Mary Lou Anderson grants recipients.

Whiteknact Elementary School Wins National Arts Grant