CHAMPAIGN PTA COUNCIL NEWS

    Nancy Holm, President, 2404 Peppertree Pl., Champaign, IL 61822  -  356-9153   -  email: nlholm@prairienet.org

http://www.prairienet.org/cpta                                                                                                          January 2005
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Champaign PTA Council will not have a regular meeting in February.  Members of PTA will be attending the annual PTA Founders Day Dinner on February 3 at the Hawthorn Suites in Champaign.  The main speaker that evening will be Dr. Morton Weir, former UIUC chancellor, who will discuss the effects of television violence on youth.  PTA units will also be presenting awards to individuals for their service to the schools.  Reservations for the dinner should be sent to Tim Clark by January 26.  Please call Tim at 351-6458 if you have any questions.  Reservation forms were sent to all PTA presidents, council representatives, and principals, as well as other district administrators and school board members.  If you need another copy, please see the council website at www.prairienet.org/cpta .  Please invite others who you feel would be interested in attending.

        That evening Champaign PTA Council will be presenting awards to Mr. and Mrs. Norm Lambert for their work on behalf of children in the community; to Dr. Margie Jobe, retiring Director of Special Education for Unit 4 Schools; and to Ann Campbell, longtime PTA member who has served previously as co-president of Champaign PTA Council and is currently on the PTA District 10 board and webmaster for council and District 10.

Next Meeting:
        Our next regular meeting will be on Thursday, March 3 at 7 p.m. at South Side School.  We will have a presentation and discussion about the district budget reduction plans at that meeting.

Informational Items:
        New Tax-exempt letter - The new tax-exempt letter for PTAs was sent to all PTA units in the mid-year packet that presidents received last week from the Illinois State PTA office.
        NAAPID - National African American Parent Involvement Day will be held on Monday, Feb. 14.  PTA presidents please discuss with your principal about how your PTA might assist with activities at your school that day and encourage parents to become involved.
        School Board Candidate forum - Champaign PTA Council is planning to host a school board candidate forum on Thurs., March 31 from 7 - 9 p.m. at the Mellon Building.  It will be an opportunity for all of the candidates to discuss their positions on the issues and answer questions from the audience.  More details will be sent in March.
        Public input on district budget planning - A number of meetings are scheduled to solicit public input on budget planning for next year.  Please plan to attend one or more of the meetings, or send your suggestions or comments on budget cuts or ideas for revenue enhancement to Superintendent Arthur Culver at the Mellon Bldg., 703 S. New St., Champaign, IL  61820; or via email at culverar@champaignschools.org. 

Important Dates:
        Jan. 25         Public meeting on Busing and Transportation issues - 7 p.m. - Mellon Bldg.
        Jan. 27         Special Board meeting - Facilities Study - 7 p.m.- Mellon Bldg.
        Jan. 31         Early Dismissal - School Improvement Day
        Feb.  3                 Founders Day Dinner - 6:30 p.m. Hawthorn Suites in Champaign
        Feb. 10         Special Board meeting - Budget - 7 p.m.- Mellon Building
        Feb. 14         Regular School Board Meeting - 7 p m. -Mellon Building
        Feb. 14         National African American Parent Involvement Day
        Feb. 17         Early Dismissal - School Improvement Day/Parent-Teacher conferences in the evening
        Feb. 18         No School - Parent/Teacher conferences in the a.m.
        Feb. 22         Key Communicator Meeting - 6 p.m. - Mellon Building
        Mar.  3         PTA Council meeting at South Side School - 7 p.m.