Due to TS Eta – Cancelled until Further Notice!

Dear ACCPTA members,

As my term comes to an end, I want to recognize all the good that your members have brought to our school community over the last few years and to sincerely thank you for your work.

Over countless years, school board members have made the trek to Tallahassee to lobby legislators to protect and defend public education, almost always unsuccessfully.  The steady march toward privatizing public schools held sway. Then ACCPTA stepped in!  We were so gratified that you cared. We needed you. You developed relationships with legislators and brought them home to tour our most dilapidated schools, proof that citizens, parents and teachers as well as a few elected officials were watching and holding them responsible.  You made calls, wrote emails, and spoke up against harmful bills.  Your valiant efforts mitigated some of that harm, and I encourage you to keep up your good work.

Your enthusiastic support for the one mill tax referendum helped pass the most successful voluntary tax bill by one of the largest margins in county history.  With it, our students are able to get the benefit of a more enriched and well-rounded education.

On behalf of the board, a heartfelt thank you for being a devoted partner in our mutual effort to give our kids the best!

With appreciation,

Eileen Roy, Chair

Alachua County School Board

Greetings parents, teachers, students & community members,

PTA has always been about speaking up and advocating for all children, but this year our community has taken it to a whole new level, advocating for kids, their families, and teachers to help ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn and succeed, even through a pandemic. ACCPTA is proud to be a part of this amazing, community-wide effort.

Here are a few ACCPTA highlights from recent months:

• ACCPTA’s Facebook Group: Alachua County School Closure/Re-Opening Resources has brought together over 5000 members of our Alachua County school community to share resources, ideas, and perspectives.

• ACCPTA’s Back to School Survey, conducted the third week of school, captured feedback from almost 3,000 families, teachers and students, and results were shared with principals and district leadership.

• ACCPTA’s new Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee has been busy listening to diverse members of our Alachua County community in an effort to ensure that everyone feels safe, welcome and heard in PTA, as we strive to empower all families & students.

• All Children are Our Children President’s Program Award  – ACCPTA was honored to receive this award from Florida PTA for its advocacy for children in our community with special needs. Congratulations to our ESE committee for their comprehensive series of family workshops for ESE students.

• PTA Zoom meetings – Attendance at PTA Zoom meetings is breaking all records, and at many schools we’re seeing a whole new group of parents, teachers & caregivers at the table. Diverse voices bring new perspectives and ideas! 

In closing, I’d like to thank our SBAC teachers, staff and administration for their tireless efforts on behalf of our children and families. I would also like to thank our local unit PTA leaders for all they are doing to support their schools and families, keeping their communities connected no matter where their students are learning. 

Warmly,

Mary Benedict

ACCPTA President