President’s Message
Hello, Wisconsin PTA and welcome to the beginning of the 2022 – ‘23 PTA year!
Thank you all so much for the wonderful welcome over the last year! I am so glad to be able to get to know so many of the leaders who are moving the PTA mission forward. After this past year of celebrating 125 years of advocating for all children, we are so excited to dig into the important work that still needs to be done. We are still advocating for
- Safe & equitable schools for all children regardless of income or zip code
- School funding to cover the costs of qualified teachers and staff, including special education supports, school psychologists, school nurses, and school safety
- Nutritious school meals for all children
- Mental health supports in our schools for children, teachers, and families
Last year, I asked you to ask your community to join you in your mission to advocate for all children, join you to discuss the needs of the all children, and really look at how you can come together for the most vulnerable in your community. I am again going to ask you to take an inventory and ask some of the uncomfortable questions that the pandemic has highlighted:
- Does your board truly reflect the population you serve?
- Are others being excluded from programs due to the type of program or simply the name?
- What can you do to reach those people?
- Do your school administrators have avenues that you could use?
- Are there language barriers?
- Are resources accessible to everyone?
- How have we been able to make a change? Is it better? Is there more to be done?
Again, this year, Wisconsin PTA is coming together to have these uncomfortable discussions with local units, other statewide organizations, and legislators to work together on advocacy issues that affect children and public education and the equitable distribution of resources to provide all children the opportunity to grow, learn, and be successful as adult members of our society.
The Wisconsin PTA Board of Directors is also asking these questions and reviewing our last year. Although we were not able to reach all of our goals, we are taking the steps necessary to change. We will be continuing to operate without a central office without any paid staff. We now meet online and we are able to focus on the needs of our members and local units. We were able to work with our sponsors to provide local units with grants to help implement some new DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives. We had some amazing success with this and will continue with a new round of grants for 2022-’23 thanks to the generosity of our annual sponsor—Educators Credit Union.
Lastly, we want to encourage you to come together with us on Facebook, Twitter Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest. Join our Leaders Facebook Group—this is a private group for WI PTA leaders to come together, share ideas, ask questions, and get the help, support, encouragement, and understanding that comes from another PTA leader.
You are not alone—We are: Better together; Stronger together; Together again—together we can!!
Thank you for all you do!
Gena Kraemer
WHAT DRIVES US
Our Mission
The PTA’s mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.
As the largest volunteer child advocacy association in the nation, Parent Teacher Association (PTA) reminds our country of its obligations to children and provides parents and families with a powerful voice to speak on behalf of every child while providing the best tools for parents to help their children be successful students. National PTA and all of the branches under them are a not-for-profit organization of parents, educators, students, and other citizens who are active in their schools and communities. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who is concerned with the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.
BYLAWS, STANDING RULES & RESOLUTIONS
POLICY GUIDE, GOVERNANCE & WHERE WE STAND
OUR SPONSORS, PARTNERS & SUPPORTERS
ADVOCACY
Current Focus Areas
We partner with the leadership team of the Wisconsin After school Network.
We advocate for a better nurse/student ratio and better trained school staff for improved handling of health issues during school hours.
We advocate for health insurance for all children and have partnered with Badger Care to help spread awareness.
Our annual Walk for Healthy Kids provides mini grants for health and wellness programs. Substance abuse prevention, particularly awareness of inhalant abuse.
WHO IS WISCONSIN PTA?
Councils, Local Units & Members
Local Units and Councils are grouped in 8 geographical regions throughout Wisconsin and are assigned Region Advisors to assist local units. Check the Region Map to see who your Region Advisor is.
Councils are made up of three or more local units in a school district or region. These units work together to provide scholarships, provide PTA programs such as the Reflections Arts Program, and provide opportunities for leadership development for their local units. If you would like more information on your area council or how to start one, please email [email protected].
Check out our Local Unit Toolkit to find more resources on running your local unit.
- Show your support for the PTA Mission: to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for every child.
- Receive the Wisconsin PTA newsletter
- Opportunities to volunteer or attend our events
- Participate in advocacy campaigns
- Discounts from National PTA Sponsors
Request a visit from a board member, collaborate with the leadership team for training, or request a zoom meeting! Wisconsin PTA is a team of volunteers who have all had experience leading a local unit in one or more roles over the years. Combined we have over 100 years of experience and knowledge for you to call on and we are here to help!
National PTA connects all of the members, all of the 54 State PTAs (including Puerto Rico & US Virgin Islands), and provides more resources and leadership opportunities through its elected board of directors. As a member of your local unit, you are also a member of Wisconsin PTA, and National PTA. Learn more about the National PTA at pta.org.
Learn more about the PTA Difference.
