The Texas Legislature is currently in its 85th Legislative Session. Texas PTA is organizing a rally at the Texas Capitol building in Austin on February 25. At least 2,000 PTA members are expected to gather on the Capitol steps to raise awareness and support of Texas PTA’s legislative priorities, and to visit with our lawmakers. A full list of Texas PTA's legislative priorities can be found at https://www.txpta.org/legislative-priorities
Lewisville ISD Council of PTAs has selected the following four legislative priorities to emphasize.
Adequate and Equitable School Funding
Pursue an adequate and equitable solution for school funding while maintaining accountability and responsibility for educating the whole child.
What this actually means: Texas school districts recently lost a school finance lawsuit. Thus, the legislature has to voluntarily decide to evaluate school funding. The current funding system is outdated for example, the base of the formula is derived from a number that has not been evaluated since 1981. Texas needs to insist our legislators evaluate the funding provided to our students.
State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness
Advocate for reduced emphasis on state-mandated testing, focusing on grades 3-8, and monitor changes to STAAR for high school students, and limits on benchmark testing for all tested grades.
What this actually means: Texas has seven additional tests not required by federal law: 4th grade Writing, 4thgrade Social Studies, 7th grade Writing, 8th grade Social Studies, English I Writing, English II Writing, US History. Texas parents should advocate to reduce state-mandated tests.
State Accountability System
Pursue a new accountability system that is valid, reliable and balanced, focuses less on state assessment, and recognizes other attributes of a strong school program, including arts instruction and physical activity.
What this actually means: the state accountability system, how schools and districts are rated by the state, are primarily focused on STAAR. This gives too much weight to a test given on one day. The accountability system needs to include a variety of items that parents feel are important when they are evaluating their child’s school.
Oppose Vouchers
Oppose vouchers, including Education Savings Account Programs (ESA Programs), that allow state funds to be utilized in private schools that are not accountable to the taxpayer or the state.
ESA Programs allow eligible parents to use a portion of the funds the state expends for their student’s public school education to fund private school tuition, tuition at eligible institutions, and distance education, curriculum.
What this actually means: vouchers are public tax dollars that the government would allow students to use to attend private school rather than public school. Vouchers are not currently legal. This is a big priority for the the state’s budget is low.
Written by: Ancy Walsh, CHE PTA Council Delegate Representative
The PTA Volunteer Program is one of the best ways that parents can support the students and staff at our school.
Please review the brief descriptions of each volunteer area and indicate your preliminary interests. Your contact information will then be forwarded to the CHE PTA board member or committee chair that is in charge of that activity. Someone will be in touch with you soon.
Please be aware that Board Policy requires that each volunteer undergoes a background check before working with students. You will need to complete the background check during your VOLY account creation process. Go to VOLY now to get started:
Here are sign up opportunities to support our school, teachers, and students:
Event-Specific
Name | Date | Location | Commit | Details |
| Feb 4th-6th | Drop-Off (house) | 15-30 mins | The 2nd and 3rd Grade are hosting a Faculty Appreciation Lunch in February, and we are asking that the 2nd and 3rd grade parents help complete the shopping list. Thank you in advance for your help! |
Cartons for STEMNEW! | Feb 18th | Drop-off (STEM) | 15-30 mins | 2nd graders will be building windmills in a project called “Catching the wind.†They will experiment with different blade shapes and materials to see which properties enable the materials to catch the wind. Help Ms Sulak by donating empty paper juice or milk cartons. Please have your child deliver directly to the STEM class by Feb 18. |
Year-Round
Name | Location | Commit | Details |
CHE PTA Board and Coordinators NEW! | Various | Starting 2019-2020 school year | CHE PTA has various PTA Board and Coordinator positions available starting the 2019-2020 school year. Half of our board rolls off each year, and we would like to fill these spots to keep all of our current programming available! For more information on spots available and position descriptions, visit here. |
Toys and Trinkets for Specials (no sign-up needed) | Drop-off (CHE front office) | 0-15 min | The Specials teachers could use donated small toys or trinkets for their classroom treasure boxes (incentives for grand behavior) |
Castle Courier Spotlight Articles | Home | 30-60 min | max 1 per child; students write an article about a specific program, event, or club to be included in the bi-weekly Castle Courier newsletter. |
Kindergarten Lunch Duty | CHE | 30-45 min | 10:30am-11:00am lunch time; assist students and teachers in the cafeteria during Kindergarten lunch |
WATCH D.O.G.S | CHE | All Day | WATCH D.O.G.S. is a one-of-a-kind school-based, father involvement program that works to support education and safety. For more information please email, CHEWatchDogs@gmail.com |
Thanks for volunteering!