News & Events
Summer Leadership Academy
Summer Leadership Academy took place on August 22nd at Edsel Ford High School in Dearborn. Over 150 PTA/PTSA members from around the state attended presentations and workshops on topics related to officer training, legislation and leadership.
Photo caption: Summer Leadership Academy Attendees participate in a roundtable discussion.
In Response to President Obama’s Call to Service
Michigan PTSA Hosts ‘United We Read’
Michigan PTSA, in collaboration with Detroit Public Schools, Detroit Public Library, RIF (Reading is Fundamental) and Scholastic Books worked in support of education by focusing on literacy, book distribution and library card registration as part of President Obama’s “United We Serve” volunteer initiative.
Michigan PTSA’s ‘United We Read’ took place outdoors at Bennett Elementary School in Detroit, Michigan where approximately 350 students plus their family members were in attendance. Each student received a free book and/or Scholastic magazine thanks to generous donations by RIF of 256 books and Scholastic of 500 issues of Read and Rise magazine. Students proceeded to a craft section where they proudly made a bookmark for their new book!
Blue and red faces became prominent as the students and their family members enjoyed popcorn & sno cones. Excited students then settled in, shoulder to shoulder, on the steps of the school while Michigan PTSA Past President, Grace Preston, engaged them with a reading of Curious George followed by a discussion of the story.
Detroit Public Library Campbell Branch Manager, Laurie Townsend Stuart, joined in the festivities and provided a broad range of reading and library information. Library card applications were sent home to Bennett students in advance and were available at the event.
Bennett PTA President, Marisela Garcia, was on site to sign up new PTA members and share information about the PTA group and the school.
Representatives Kendra Howard and Brittany Minor stopped by to extend greetings and support from Mayor Dave Bing’s office.
The event was staffed by Michigan PTSA Board Members and student volunteers.
Photo caption: Summer Leadership Academy Attendees participate in a roundtable discussion.
Advocacy Day 
On May 19th, MPTSA’s annual Advocacy Day took place at the Radisson Hotel in Lansing. In addition to morning and afternoon breakout sessions, attendees met with legislators over lunch and sat in on general sessions with Charles Ballard (Department of Economics, Michigan State University) on Michigan’s Economy and Michigan’s Schools and Phil Power (The Center for Michigan) on Michigan’s Defining Moment.
Senator Gilda Jacobs (photo, right), Senator Raymond Basham and Representative Ed Clemente were awarded the Michigan PTSA Advocacy Award for demonstrating outstanding leadership and advocacy on behalf of children and youth.
Photo caption: Summer Leadership Academy Attendees participate in a roundtable discussion.
Michigan PTSA’s 91st Annual Convention
Michigan PTSA’s 91st Annual Convention was held in Kalamazoo this past April. Convention is always an enthusiastic time and election years bring an extra level of excitement to the event.
Michigan PTSA 91st Annual Convention Highlights…
The following officers were voted in by the convention delegates:
- President: Mary DeYoung-Smith
- President Elect: Shaton Berry
- Treasurer: Patti Parrett
- Secretary: Patricia Andreski
- Vice President for Leadership Development: Teresa Marhofer
- Vice President for Outreach & Support: Ruthann Jaquette
- Vice President for Children’s Advocacy: Kevin McLogan
- Vice President for Member Resource Development: Libby Benton
- Vice President for Student Involvement: David Squires
- Region F Director: Kathy Carter
Among the many awards presented, were the following:
- PTA Member of the Year: Tammy Bonifield, Herbert Hoover Elementary PTA, Livonia
- Educator of the Year: Sharon Kollar, Garden City High School PTSA, Garden City
- Council of the Year: Rochester Community PTA Council, Rochester
- Unit Newsletter of the Year: Whitmore-Bolles PTA, Dearborn
- Outstanding Unit for Parental Involvement: North Hill Elementary PTA, Rochester
- A complete list of awardees may be found on the Awards Page of the MPTSA website at www.michiganpta.org.
Congratulations to Fran Anderson Michigan PTSA Scholarship recipient, Andrew Lyon, from Edsel Ford High School in Dearborn. Andrew received a $1,000 scholarship to assist during his first year of college.
Key note speakers included:
- Debra Christian, award winning Storyteller
Stories to Strengthen: Tales from Life & Learning - Arezoo Rojhani, Ph.D., R.D., Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Western Michigan University
Practical Strategies for Prevention and Control of Childhood Obesity - Evelyn D. Taylor, National PTA Representative
National Standards for Family-School Partnerships - Dr. David Walsh, Ph.D., National Institute on Media and the Family
Say Yes to No
Photo caption: Summer Leadership Academy Attendees participate in a roundtable discussion.
Michigan PTA - 3300 Washtenaw Avenue, Suite 220 - Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
Email: director@michiganpta.org - Website: www.michiganpta.org - Phone: (734) 975-9500