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  • Reflections | SVPTA

    Reflections “What My Culture Means to Me” Is the theme for the 2026-27 Reflections Art Program, which has been bringing the arts to life for more than 10 million students since 1969. California State PTA and its members, families and kids are on the forefront of this amazing program, which increases community awareness of the importance of arts in education. How to Run Reflections at Your School View 4th District Powerpoint Guide View 4th District Training Video Create your online entry form here. Sign in to the correct google account Replace "Template" with your School Name Remember to "Restore" the missing file folders. This will allow you to collect the art entries for every category. Powerpoint to Virtual Form Setup 2024 2023 Understanding the Reflections Virtual Form Video 2023 Virtual Judging Steps (optional) All school winners are due to SVPTA by November 4th and MUST be submitted electronically. Look for more info to come on how to submit your winners. If you have any questions, you can schedule a phone or zoom call with Reflections Chair, so they can walk you through the steps - reflections@svpta.org Reflections encourages students of all ages to: Unleash creative talents and be inspired Express themselves imaginatively in their artwork Experience the fun and joy of making art Tap into critical-thinking skills to create art inspired by the annual theme Receive positive recognition for their original works of art Click here to see the winners of the CAPTA 2025-2026 Reflections Art Program. All students attending PTA schools sponsoring the program are invited to participate and submit original artwork in one of six areas: Dance Choreography Literature Photography Film Production Music Composition Visual Arts Artworks are submitted first to school-level PTAs, where they are first recognized, celebrated and judged by five grade-level divisions, while a non-judged Special Artists division celebrates student artists with special needs. School PTAs then choose a selection of entries to be judged by local PTA units, which are then sent on to councils and then districts for consideration. The final artworks submitted to California State PTA by districts are then considered for Outstanding Interpretation, Awards of Excellence or Awards of Merit. Outstanding Interpretation and Award of Excellence entries then go on to represent California in the final National PTA judging round. Forms and Resources Participant Forms National PTA Reflection CAPTA Reflections Page Reflections Chair reflections@svpta.org

  • Timeline | SVPTA

    Timeline & To Do List Summer August September October November Have a casual get together with your new board Add new check signers & take off old ones Update your website with new information Update Future Fund with your board info Attend SVPTA Meetings & Events Council Meeting - August 20th @ 6:30pm - SVUSD Board Room General To Dos Meet with your Principal Start your membership drive Upload docs to SVPTA At Your Executive Board Meeting Vote to recommend: ado ption of calendar and budget approval of programs, fundraisers & contracts Ratify your appointment of the Parliamentarian and committee chairs Last year’s Auditor - preliminary presentation of the year end audit for prior year - vote to recommend adoption Treasurer - preliminary presentation of the annual financial report for prior year - vote to recommend adoption Appoint a monthly bank reconciliation reviewer Appoint an audit committee if needed At Your Association Meeting Present and vote to adopt: Budget Calendar 2025-26 End of the Year Audit 2025-26 Annual Financial Report Present and vote to approve: Programs Fundraisers Any contracts Release funds after budget adopti on Ratify your appointment of the monthly bank reconciliation reviewer and audit committee (if needed) Introduce the board and committee chairs Attend SVPTA Meetings & Events SVPTA Training - September 17th @ 6:30pm via Google Meet Reflections Training TBD General To Dos Have all executive board and committee chairs complete the conflict of interest form - http://downloads.capta.org/toolkit/forms/ConflictWhistleblower.pdf . The treasurer should keep these. Treasurer should submit membership dues to SVPTA ($6.90 per member). Submit a minimum of 30 members by September 30th Reflections entries due at the school level - winners will need to be passed on to SVPTA Upload docs to SVPTA Attend SVPTA Meetings & Events SVUSD College & Career Fair - October 8 @ 6pm at ETHS SVPTA Roundtable - October 15th @ 7pm via Google Meet General To Dos File taxes and pay charity renewal fee Pay insurance premium - https://aim-companies.com/capta-insurance-renewal/ Treasurer should submit membership dues to SVPTA ($6.90 per member). Upload docs to SVPTA Attend SVPTA Meetings & Events SVPTA Council Meeting on November 19th @ 6:30pm - SVUSD Board Room General To Dos Turn in your school’s Reflections winners to SVPTA TBD Treasurer should submit membership dues to SVPTA ($6.90 per member) Upload docs to SVPTA January February March April May Attend SVPTA Meetings & Events SVPTA Council Meeting on January 21st @ 6:30pm in the SVUSD Board Room General To Dos Treasurer should complete the Worker’s Compensation form online https://aim-companies.com/capta-wcreporting/ Treasurer should submit membership dues to SVPTA ($6.90 per member) Treasurer, Membership & Secretary should hand off books to Auditor/Financial Review Committee Submit an application for a 4th District Award Upload docs to SVPTA At Yo ur Executive Board Meeting Vote to recommend sending members to Sacramento Safari At Your Association Meeting Elect nominating committee Approve sending members to Sacramento Safari Attend SVPTA Meetings & Events President's Roundtable - February 11th @ 7pm via Google Meet General To Dos Trea surer should submit membership dues to SVPTA ($6.90 per member). Provide notice to members: Election meeting - at least 30 days prior to the meeting Proposed slate - at least 28 days prior to the meeting Auditor/Financial Review Committee should have their review completed by the end of the month Upload docs to SVPTA Attend SVPTA Meetings & Events SVPTA Council Meeting & Election - March 19th @ 6:30pm - SVUSD Board Room General To Dos Treasurer should submit membership dues to SVPTA ($6.90 per member) Upload docs to SVPTA At Yo ur Executive Board Meeting Vote to recommend sending members to co nvention Preliminary presentation of the mid-year audit - vote to recommend adoption At Your Association Meeting Election Approve sending members to convention Presentation of the mid-ye ar audit - vote to adopt Attend SVPTA Meetings & Events President's Roundtable - April 15th @ 7pm via Google Meet Reflections Gallery - April 27th @ 6pm in the SVUSD Board room General To Dos Treasurer should submit membership dues to SVPTA ($6.90 per member) President-elect appoints budget committee with Treasurer-elect as chair President-elect should meet with the board-elect to discuss priorities for next year and develop the calendar Upload docs to SVPTA At Yo ur Executive Board Meeting Presentation of the historian report At Your Association Meeting Presentation of the historian report Attend SVPTA Meetings & Events End of the Year Council Meeting & Training - May 20th @ 6pm - Virtual Academy General To Dos Treasurer should submit membership dues to SVPTA ($6.90 per member) Upload docs to SVPTA At Your Last Executive Board Meeting Vote to recommend: adoption of calendar and budget approval of programs, fundraisers & contracts At Your Last Association Meeting Present and vote to adopt: Budget - release funds for summer expenses Calendar Present and vote to approve: Programs Fundraisers Any contracts

  • Advocacy | SVPTA

    Advocacy PTA at its heart is an advocacy organization. If you are the new advocacy chair for your PTA, thank you for taking this important position. PTA has a proud history of advocating for programs and legislation that help children be safe, healthy, and successful. Now, you are a part of that vital mission. You may wonder how to begin if you have never done this job before. SVPTA, Fourth District PTA and California State PTA are here to make your job easy! Ed100.org is also a great resource to learn more about California public education. With ADVOCACY at the forefront of our organization, here are resources supporting the importance of parent involvement in schools, as well as contact information to assist you in advocating for your child through local representatives, state representatives & various agencies. 01 The Power of Parents Research underscores the impact of parent involvement in schools. Power-of-Parents-Feb-2014.pdf (edsource.org) 02 PARENTS' RIGHTS - Did you know that parents and caregivers have legal, guaranteed rights to school and student involvement? It’s true: These laws and rules were created and put into effect by families, teachers and concerned community members and groups like the PTA who want the best for our kids. Parents' Rights - California State PTA (capta.org) 03 Proposed Legislation from the CA Assembly & Senate (if you have concern or support of certain bills, here is where you can go to provide your feedback) https://calegislation.lc.ca.gov/Advocates/ Legislator Contacts* *Please note, if you are writing your legislators, you cannot use your PTA title or position on any statewide issue. You must write them as a parent from their district. Find your legislator here - https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/ Contact the Governor You may contact Governor Gavin Newsom by mail at: Mailing address: Governor Gavin Newsom 1021 O Street, Suite 9000 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: (916) 445-2841 Fax: (916) 558-3160 Submit a comment online - https://www.gov.ca.gov/contact/ Any PTA district, council or unit may recommend action on legislation to the California State PTA Board of Managers. PTA districts, councils, and units are responsible for taking action on local issues originating in school districts, cities, regions, or counties. Laws enacted by local, state and national bodies are primary sources of public policy. Securing adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth is one of the purposes of the organization. Therefore, PTA maintains an active legislation program. PTAs can and must participate actively in the process through which public policy decisions are made. Legislative Chairman PTA is a child advocacy association. Its legislative mission is to speak on behalf of all children and youth at the local, state and federal levels. One of the Purposes of PTA is “to secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.” PTA promotes and encourages legislative advocacy for the education and welfare of all children and youth. Role of PTA legislation As local officers of the largest grassroots child advocacy organization in the state, PTA legislative advocacy chairs are responsible for demonstrating leadership on children’s issues at the local level by educating PTA members, community members and elected officials about PTA’s issues of concern and legislative priorities and goals. The California State PTA takes positions on issues/legislation based on position statements in the California State PTA Toolkit, California State PTA convention resolutions, California State PTA Legislation Platform and National PTA positions and convention resolutions. The unit, council or district legislative chair provides PTA members with information about PTA positions on current legislation and issues. Advocacy Resources Advocacy Communicator PTAs Nonpartisan Policy OC Voting Information Election Campaigns & the role of PTA Sacramento Safari Current Legislation CAPTA Resolution Process How to Make a Study 1st VP of Advocacy Janelle Z. advocacy@svpta.org

  • FAQs | SVPTA

    FAQS FINANCIAL *. INSURANCE * GENERAL * PROGRAMS & EVENTS Financial Financial Can we use Venmo or Zelle to accept payments? No. These types of apps are peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms which aren’t developed to serve groups, especially nonprofits like PTAs. A P2P platform’s primary role is exactly that — transactions between two individuals for personal means, like paying a friend back for dinner. Great for individuals, but not for PTAs. Can we use a debit card to pay bills? No, you can't use a debit card to pay bills, but you can use online payment systems. All expenses must be accounted for and reported in the monthly treasurer’s reports. An Authorization for Payment Via EFT/ACH/Bank Bill Pay Services form signed by two authorized check signers must be completed for all Electronic Funds Transfer/Bank Bill Pay Service A re we allowed to buy gifts with P TA money? PT A funds should not be used to purchase personal gifts, equipment for staff lounges and lunchrooms or for furnishings for principals’ offices. Personal gifts include gift cards and gifts for baby showers, Secretary’s Day, bereavements, weddings, or birthdays. If the membership determines that such items are necessary, the individual members can make personal donations to purchase the designated items. These donations should not be commingled with PTA funds. insurance Insurance Are we covered by our insurance? Insurance will cover all events as long as they meet our insurance guidelines (when in doubt, call or email AIM & verify). However, per my email with AIM, “ Your policy has a pandemic exclusion. There is no coverage for covid no matter where you have the event.” Meaning no coverage will be provided for COVID related issues. It is extremely important that we are following any COVID protocols/guidelines outlined by SVUSD. Will there be an online waivers/digital signing options for Parents through CAPTA? Or AIM? At this time, no, but stay tuned for more info. general General Who do I contact when questions come up? When asked questions you don’t know the answer, please bring them to the SVPTA President , & they will make sure to get the answers for you. SVPTA will also continue to help communicate information to the community. Please make sure & share our posts/messaging. Can PTA create resource lists for parents & distribute them (ex/babysitters, tutors, etc)? Neither the PTA or school sites should be collecting and/or recommending these kind of resources. This becomes an endorsement/promotion of such businesses, which neither SVUSD or PTA should be doing for many reasons, liability being one of them. There are current resources that are provided through SVUSD, including TLC & the community services group/catalog. Those resources can be shared. Regarding resources, parents can always start their own FB group. However, it should be separate from your PTA Facebook group/platforms. Can our PTA buy gift cards for our school staff members or volunteers? No. Giving a gift card is the same as giving someone cash. In addition, giving a volunteer cash or a cash equivalent like a gift card on behalf of the organization may cause them to be considered an employee or an independent contractor by government agencies. And the IRS considers cash gifts (including gift cards) as reportable income on the recipient’s tax filings. For these reasons, our policies and procedures expressly forbid giving gift cards purchased with PTA funds: “PTA funds cannot be used to purchase personal gifts for staff or volunteers, such as gift cards.” Can PTA get the word out about GoFundMe or Meal Trains for members in the community? Yes, the PTA may get the word out about any and all benefits/fundraisers being held for individuals or families in need or about local charities who are assisting those in need, regardless of who is organizing them. The PTA may also help with a fundraiser by advertising it and encouraging volunteers, but it cannot be an official PTA activity, and all money collected must go to the organization holding the fundraiser. Checks cannot be made out to PTA, and no deposits may be made to the PTA account on behalf of another organization or family in need. Programs & Events How do we get programs and events approved? Check out our step by step guide - https://www.svpta.org/presidents I have questions, who can I contact? Please contact our Programs Liaison . programs

  • Join Our Board | SVPTA

    Join Our Board SVPTA is looking to add a Financial Reviewer, Bilingual Liaison, Arts Advocacy and Diversity & Inclusion Advocate to our board. If you are interested in any of these positions, please fill out the inquiry form below. First Name Last Name Email SVPTA School(s) that your student(s) attend Which position(s) are you interested in? * Required Bilingual Liaison Diversity & Inclusion Advocate Arts Advocacy Finanicial Reviewer Send Thank you for your interest! We will be in touch will you soon.

  • Diversity & Inclusion | SVPTA

    Diversity & Inclusion Welcome to the SVPTA’s Diversity and Inclusion. We are committed to ensure that we PTA for ALL children and that every child has a voice. Spring Newsletter - English - Espanol What is DEI? What can I do in my own school for it to be more inclusive? Encourage your own PTA board to add a Diversity & Inclusive Chair position to help apply the D&I to all PTA efforts and activities. Include everyone at the PTA table Listen to ALL voices so your PTA may be an inclusive voice for ALL children. Have flexibility with meeting times. Offer a virtual and in-person option for all meetings to increase accessibility. Provide childcare for your meetings as needed. Integrate cultural holidays and events in all school and PTA calendars and communication Increase diversity in classrooms and in school libraries. If you are interested in learning more about Diversity and Inclusion please reach out to Sharon Dawson: dei@svpta.org

  • Programs & Events | SVPTA

    SVPTA Council offers many programs to benefit our units. Please click on the individual tabs for further information. Programs SVPTA Council offers many programs to benefit our schools. Please click on the individual tabs for further information. Programs: Arts Advocacy Advocacy Membership Reflections Special Education Programs & Events for School PTAS Work closely with your principal and office administrator and you can start planning together. If you have any questions, please reach out to - programs@svpta.org Approval Process https://www.svpta.org/approval-process Insurance Coverage View Fiduciary Agreement View Approvals from SVUSD Board of Education Meetings BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL APPROVED VENDOR LIST View CAPTA approved vendor list View

  • Funding | SVPTA

    Funding SVUSD Budget TBD Prop 28 Monies TBD One-Time Funding TBD Grants TBD

  • Distance Learning | SVPTA

    Distance Learning Read Aloud & Listening Story Time from Space Storyline Online (Stories read by Famous Actors) [PK-5th] Common Sense Media, The 25 Best Podcasts for Kids [All Ages] E-books & Online Reading Internet Archive (Open Library) Starfall [PK-3rd] Teach Your Monster to Read (requires parent login) [PK-1st] Wonderopolis [All ages] Scholastic Learn at Home [All Ages] Writing Read-Write-Think - Parent After School Resources [K-12] Story Bird (requires parent login) Story Jumper (requires parent login) Math You Cubed Math Tasks [K-12] Robert Kaplinsky Math Lessons [K-12] 3-Act Math Lessons [K-7] National Council of Teachers of Mathematics - Brain Teasers [6-12] National Council of Teachers of Mathematics - Interactive Math Games [PK-12] Open Middle Math Problems [K-12] Science California Academy of Science Webcams (all ages) Exploratorium - Read, watch, experiment (All ages) Monterey Bay Aquarium Webcams (all ages) Mystery Science (K-5) PBS Crash Course - Science and History/Social Science (9th-12th) PBS NOVA Wonders (6th-12th) San Diego Zoo Webcams (all ages) History/Social Science PBS Learning - News Depth [4th-7th] PBS Kids - Let’s Go Luna- Travel the World [K-2] PBS Kids - World Cultures [PK-5th] PBS - Above the Noise [6th-12th] PBS Learning - Crash Course - Science and History/Social Science [9th-12th] Visual/Performing Arts Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems Sketchbook Melody Prompts (9th-12th) PBS Art School (6th-12th) PBS Spark - Short videos of artists (Various ages) PBS Sound Field - Videos on all types of music (6th-12th) PBS Classical MPR Class Notes (1st-6th) English Language Development Biblioteca Virtual Infantil BrainPop en Español Colorín Colorado CommonLit Duolingo Khan en Español Nasa Ciencias en Español Newsela en Español Tween Tribune Español Take a Virtual Field Trip Museums with Virtual Tours Virtual Museum Tours 20 Virtual Field Trips to Take With Your Kids 33 National Park Tours You Can Take From the Comfort of Your Home San Diego Zoo Yellowstone National Park tour Planet Mars 360-degree tour Monterey Bay Aquarium live animal cameras Atlanta Zoo panda cam Houston Zoo webcams Georgia Aquarium beluga whale cam Farm Tours from FarmFood360 Experience Polar Bears on the Tundra Great Wall of China Boston Children’s Museum Virtual Tour Google Museum Collections 30 Virtual Field Trips 10 Tips for Parents Set up a daily family routine, including healthy eating and sleeping habits Provide a place and time at home for homework Check on assignments, homework and projects Talk each day with your child about his/her activities Promote literacy by reading to your child and by reading yourself Limit and monitor TV watching, gaming, social media and computer time Express high expectations and standards for your child’s learning Attend parent-teacher conferences, Open House and Back-To-School events Participate in decisions that affect your child’s education Tap into community resources with visits to a library, museum, zoo or theater and encourage participation in after-school clubs, sports and art activities

  • Approval Process | SVPTA

    SVPTA Council offers many programs to benefit our units. Please click on the individual tabs for further information. Step by Step Programs & Events Approval Process Some approvals can take up to 2 months. Please plan your events and programs with a realistic timeframe. 1 STEP 1 Check the AIM insurance guide to make sure the event or program is allowed. * Please NOTE that some items that are approved by AIM are not allowed on SVUSD school campuses - like bounce houses and petting zoos. Check with your school office manager if you have questions.* 2 STEP 2 Connect with your Principal to discuss and get approval for the event or program 3 STEP 3 Discuss at your executive board meeting and vote to recommend: event or program adding a line item to the budget, if needed any contracts to be signed ** Contracts should only be signed for events or programs taking place off campus or before or after school. All events or programs happening during school hours must be signed by SVUSD. ** 4 STEP 4 Once the event o r program h as been recommended for approval, at a general meeting vote to: approve event or program & adding a line item to the budget, if needed release funds approve any contracts to be signed ** Contracts should only be signed for events or programs taking place off campus or before or after school. All events or programs happening during school hours must be signed by SVUSD. ** STEP 5 Most events or programs now require SVUSD approval. Follow the quetions below to find out what you need to make this happen. 5 Is your event or program happening at your school? YES NO, but students will attend during school hours NO & after/before school or with adults only Go to the next question No further action is needed from SVUSD, but additional PTA insurance rules must be followed: STEP 6 Obtain a Hold Harmless Agreement and Evidence of Insurance from each vendor, concessionaire or service provider that is used. OR Choose a vendor from the CAPTA approved list of vendors . These vendors may be used without requiring any additional insurance information or the Hold Harmless agreement. STEP 7 Once approved and funds have been released at a general meeting you can sign the contract ( view the proper way to sign contracts ) and pay the vendor directly. Go to the next question When is your event or program happening? DURING SCHOOL BEFORE OR AFTER SCHOOL STEP 6 Work with your school office manager to get this event or program approved. They will give you details on what is needed and if your vendor has a blanket contract for the year. !! IMPORTANT !! Do NOT sign any contracts or pay the vendor directly. This all needs to be handled by the district. STEP 7 You will need to gift the payment for the event or program directly to the school district. Create a Fiduciary Agreement to be sent with a check written out to SVUSD and give them both to your office manager to send. For vendor payment, the office manager should submit an invoice to Accounts Payable in Fiscal Services after services have been rendered in order for payment to be issued to the vendor. If the vendor has any questions about payment, have them contact your office manager. STEP 8 Once your event or program has been approved at a SVUSD Board of Education meeting, your school office manager will receive a copy of the signed contract and you can schedule your event or program. View approvals from SVUSD Board of Education Meetings STEP 6 Download this AIM form . Fill in your PTAs info at the top and add Saddleback Valley Unified School District under "Additional Insured Information." Print and sign (electronic/ typed signatures not accepted) and email a scanned copy to capta @aim-companies.com . Have them email you a copy of the Certificate of Insurance with the addition. This will be good for the entire year. STEP 7 Email agreements@svusd.org to fill out a facilities request form. These vendors have already been approved BUT yo u must email agreements@svusd.org with your event info - date and time and a copy of the Certificate of Insurance from Step 6. STEP 8 Obtain a Hold Harmless Agreement from each vendor, concessionaire or service provider that is used. OR Choose a vendor from the CAPTA approved list of vendors . These vendors may be used without requiring any additional insurance information or the Hold Harmless agreement. STEP 9 Once approved and funds have been released at a general meeting you can sign the contract (view the proper way to sign contracts ) and pay the vendor directly.

  • CAPTA & 4th District | SVPTA

    CAPTA & 4th District Running Your PTA 4th District Leadership Tips CAPTA Tips for Leaders CAPTA Forms 4th District Forms Building Membership Financials CAPTA Finance Resource Page Insurance Coverage and Service 2024 Guide Advocacy CAPTA Advocacy for PTA Leaders 4th District Advocacy Communicator 4th District Advocacy/ Legislation Parliamentarian Parliamentary Procedure Bylaws & Standing Rules Nominations & Elections Social Media Guidelines for PTAs in California Advocacy Chart Guidelines for PTA Leaders and Members in California Training Videos CAPTA Virtual Summer Leadership Academy President, Part 1 & Part 2 Secretary Treasurer, Part 1 , Part 2 , & Part 3 Parliamentarian Basics Audits Reflections Membership Basics Legislation & Advocacy 4th District Training President General Financial Secretary Parliamentarian Auditor Membership Membresia (Spanish Membership) Reflections

  • Contacts | SVPTA

    Contacts VAPA COORDINATOR Sabrina Skeels sabrina.skeels@svusd.org SVPTA ARTS Kathie D. scomm@svpta.org SVPTA PRESIDENT Catherine B. president@svpta.org

Contact

Saddleback Valley Council PTA

SVPTA President

president@svpta.org

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