Guest post provided by WSPTA Program Director Laura Peterson
Here is the first Programs Plug of the year to help keep you up to date on news about WSPTA programs. Your help is still needed to promote all our PTA programs so we can meet our goal for increased participation. If you have been thinking about getting involved with a Washington State PTA (WSPTA) level committee, the programs committee is also in need of members. Meetings are all virtual and it’s so much fun to help judge the student and PTA award entries. Learn more here.
The biggest news is that PTA awards and student programs will be due earlier than normal since the WSPTA annual conference will be held in April 2023. WSPTA Essay Contest, WSPTA Game Development Competition and Scholarship Program entries will be due February 15, 2023, and PTA awards will be due March 15, 2023.
WSPTA will be using a new online awards management system (AMS) for submissions. This AMS system will be used for all student programs and almost all PTA award submissions. Based on feedback from members, we are taking the opportunity to update all the PTA award applications before building them into the AMS. There is still a lot of testing that we need to do but it will be live in the early Fall time frame. In plenty of time before Reflections submissions begin. Be watching for updates. It will be very important that all PTAs have their ID number listed where students and families can find it so they can complete the online entry forms.
This year’s Reflections theme is “Show Your Voice!” and submissions to WSPTA will be virtual again. Local PTAs and councils can decide if they want to accept actual entries or stay virtual themselves. Submissions are due to WSPTA by January 19, 2023. Our virtual Reflections trainings will be September 15, 6:30 – 8:00 pm and October 22, 9:30 – 11:00 am. There will also be a virtual Reflections Submissions Review and Q&A on January 9, 2023, 7:00 – 8:30 pm. Registration is required to attend.
Entries for the Reflections theme search contest are due November 1 by completing the new online form.
This year’s theme for the Game Development Competition is “Curiosity”. This year students in grades 6-12 may participate individually or in teams to submit a board game or computer game. This program is funded by a private grant that provides winning teams $150/member.
For PTAs considering submitting an application for an Awards of Excellence award, be sure to consult the website so you know you have what you need.