ACT Award

Purpose: The ACT Award recognizes individuals who have devoted time and effort to participating in PTA advocacy through a variety of activities. It was inaugurated at Convention 2007 after a preliminary review by PTA leaders at the Summer Leadership Conference of 2007. It is designed to highlight the many ways in which parent/family involvement in a child’s education and in PTA advocacy efforts can be accomplished while also highlighting the ease with which members can participate. The award has three areas of focus:

Advocacy

Connecting - Collaboration - Communication

Training

Eligibility: This award is available to PTA members who complete the required number of specified activities in each of three categories:  advocacy; connecting and training. There is one mandatory workshop which all applicants must attend, titled “You Are An Advocate”. This workshop will be offered at all NYS PTA events, but will have a limited enrollment to ensure that all attendees are able to participate in the hands-on workshop activity. The attendee should write the date they attended a mandatory workshop session on their “activity journal”.

In addition to the mandatory workshop, in each category (advocacy, connecting and training) the applicant attests that they have participated in a workshop or activity as listed on the “journal” by writing in the date they have so participated. There are a wide variety of eligible workshops, events and activities that are offered at state, region and local levels. All required activities must occur within two years of the applicant’s start date, which can be no earlier than November 16, 2007, the inauguration date of this award program.

Award: Award recipients will receive a specially designed commemorative pin upon completion of the requirements as listed in the award “activity journal”.

Individual applicants are responsible for maintenance of their “activity journal”. The activity journal must be completely filled out with all required information and must be signed by the Unit or Council President or Region Director. The starting date and completion date must be clearly indicated. Activity journals may be submitted at any time throughout the year. Please allow 4-6 weeks for receipt of the pin and congratulatory certificate. 

Submit to: NYS PTA, One Wembley Court, Albany, NY 12205-3830  Attn:  ACT

ACT Award Activity Journal - Revised 7/15/08

Purpose: The Advocate in Action Award was created in 2007 to acknowledge the involvement of PTA members in their child’s education as well as in their PTA. Members can self-nominate or can be presented with the award by their PTA. 

 Eligibility: Each applicant must be a PTA member who has participated in at least 7 of the 20 activities listed on the application. Activities range from attending PTA meetings regularly, to service as an officer or chair, to writing articles or letters to legislators, to speaking at a meeting of the Board of Education, to attending a parent-teacher conference. The unit president is not required to validate any of the statements of the applicant, except to confirm that the applicant is a member of the PTA unit. The unit president (or designee) then forwards the application with instruction to NYS PTA as to desired method of receipt of the certificate.

Application: Completed Advocate in Action applications should be submitted to the unit president or Region Director who signs it and sends it to the NY State PTA office on behalf of each applicant along with a cover sheet describing how the award certificates should be returned. This submittal form is available below. All Applications must be submitted by the Unit president or Region Director and must be accompanied by a completed submission form. Applications from individual members cannot be accepted. The application may be duplicated as necessary for additional applicants.

Award: Personalized certificates are prepared for each applicant. These certificates, suitable for framing, contain the signature of the NYS PTA president as well as providing a place for the unit president’s signature. The certificates can be emailed to the PTA president’s specified email address at no charge, or hard copies  of the certificates can be mailed to one address for the nominal charge of $1 per certificate.

Applications may be submitted at any time throughout the year. Please allow 4-6 weeks for receipt of certificates.

Submit to: NYS PTA, One Wembley Court, Albany, NY 12205-3830 Attn:  A I A Application

Advocate in Action Award Brochure
Advocate in Action Letter and Submittal Form

The purpose of this award is to recognize outstanding contributions to the welfare of children and youth or to a PTA organazation.

• Recipients must be PTA members who have been awarded a State Honorary Life Membership.
• The distinguished service award may be given only by the New York State PTA or by its regions, councils or units.
• The award is given to PTA officers or members who have served faithfully, but it is reserved chiefly for those who have devoted exemplary service to the maintenance and growth of the PTA. Service to children and youth may encompass work within the community and/or school.
• Recipient of the award receives a certificate and a Distinguished Service Pin.

Applications are sent directly to all units and council presidents or may be requested from the New York State PTA Office. The completed form should be accompanied by a payment of $75.00 payable to New York State PTA.

Deadline: The application form and accompanying payment must be received in the State Office at least four weeks prior to the presentation of the award.

NYS PTA Distinguished Service Award Application

Eligible workshops/events are noted by this boxed symbol in conference mailings.

Growth Through Leadership Phase Two Passport

New York State PTA Honorary Life Memberships are given to individuals in recognition of their contributions to the welfare of children and youth. A PTA unit, council or region may award an Honorary Life Membership.

• Recipient need not be a member of PTA.
• Recipient receives a pin and a presentation card as symbols of honor.
• Life memberships are given only to individuals, not as couples or groups.
• Honorary Memberships do not confer upon recipient's active membership status. this can be achieved only by the payment of annual dues to a PTA unit.

A request for a State Honorary Life Membership should be sent to the New York State PTA Office on a official form ( obtained from the PTA president or the State PTA Office) and should be accompanied with a payment of $55.00 to either of the Twin projects funds or two payments of $27.50 to each fund.

Deadline: The application form and accompanying payment must be in the State Office at least four weeks prior to the presentation of the award.

Note: The number of Teacher Fellowships and Jenkins Scholarships awarded in any year depends on the amount of money received by the funds from the previous year.

This is an honorary award.

Click here for NYS PTA Honorary Life Membership Form

The Jenkins Memorial Scholarship was inaugurated by the New York State PTA in October 1946 as a special Golden Anniversary Project. In 1947 the fund was established as a permanent project and a living memorial to the young people who lost their lives in military service during World War II. The project was named for one of them, Clifford N. Jenkins son of state president Margaret Jenkins. She was also later to become National PTA president. The purpose of the project is to assist outstanding students in preparing for the teaching profession.

The scholarship amount is $3,000.00:

- $700 to be paid at the end of the first two academic years,

- $800 to be paid at the conclusion of the third academic year,

- $800 to be paid upon receipt of official graduation transcript.

Eligibility: Public high school seniors who

- Plan to prepare for a teaching career,

- Plan to attend a college of the State University of New York for a baccalaureate degree in education OR plan to attend a two year community college before transferring to a baccalaureate degree program in education at a college of the State University of New York,

- Have not accepted scholarship(s) exceeding the monetary value of $16,000,

- Are enrolled in a school with at least one PTA in good standing in the school district.

Requirements:

- Recipient must complete their teaching degree and receive recommendation for teacher certification from the degree granting institution

Criteria:

- Character, personality, academic achievement and potential teaching ability.

Applications: Available in November each year.

Deadline: Completed applications with supportive data must be sent to the NYS PTA office postmarked, not metered, by January 15.

The deadline for submitting applications has passed. The committee is processing the applications and will begin the interview schedule on March 15th and 29th at the published locations. The Scholars will be notified in May.

Leadership Award in Honor of Jane Skrzypek

The Jane Skrzypek Volunteer of the Year Award was established in 1991 to honor the memory of Jane Skrzypek, a PTA leader who inspired others to volunteer. A mother of four from Hamburg, New York, Jane first became active in her local PTA unit. She served in many PTA positions including unit president, District Director for Western District, and New York State PTA Secretary until shortly before her death in May 1990. The award was renamed during 2006 to Leadership Award in Honor of Jane Skrzypek in order to better reflect the meaning of the award.

Jane Skrzypek patiently encouraged and nurtured many to assume leadership positions in PTA. This award is a fine way to recognize an outstanding leader in your PTA who, by their actions, inspires others to volunteer and assume leadership positions for PTA.

Read the application’s instructions carefully and submit the completed application to your PTA Region Director postmarked on or before June 15^th. The Region PTA will select one region winner to submit to the NYS PTA for selection of a state winner. All applicants will receive a certificate from their Region PTA. Every region winner will also be honored with an engraved clock. The NYS PTA Leadership Award in Honor of Jane Skrzypek will be presented to the State winner at our annual convention in November.

Thank you for taking the time to recognize someone in your unit or council who exemplifies Jane’s leadership qualities. Your nominee might be someone who is the quiet backbone of your unit or council. Perhaps they hold a PTA leadership position or perhaps they facilitate consensus building and participation as a team player rather than as a team leader. Regardless, we all have among us that special volunteer we just couldn’t do without… just as the New York State PTA can’t do without all of you!!

Each unit, council, or region may submit only one application per year. Applications are available for downloading by clicking below, from your Region Director or the State PTA office. The completed application should be submitted to your Region Director, postmarked (not metered) by June 15. For more information, contact the New York State PTA Leadership Development Coordinator.

The 2008 Award Applications are under review at this time. Watch here for State Winner anouncement. (06/19/08)

Newsletter Award

The PTA Newsletter Award is given to a PTA unit or council to recognize exemplary achievement in strengthening the connection between home and school through the PTA newsletter. The newsletter reflects the character of its PTA. An attractive, newsworthy, and timely newsletter serves many positive purposes.

Each region selects a winner from among its units and councils. That newsletter is then submitted to New York State PTA for consideration.

Region winners receive certificates of recognition from the NYS PTA. The state winner is awarded a plaque which is presented at the New York State PTA Convention. Applications are available from your region director after January 15 and completed applications are due to your region director postmarked by March 31.

The 2007-2008 award applications are being judged on the region level at this time. The state award winner will be announced at the November Convention. (04/09/08)

NYS PTA Region Deadlines for Reflections 2008-2009

03 – CENTRAL - November 21, 2008

04 - CENTRAL HUDSON - December 6, 2008

05 - SUFFOLK - October 28 & 29, 2008

06 - LEATHERSTOCKING - December 5, 2008

07 - GENESEE VALLEY - November 22, 2008

09 - MOHAWK VALLEY - November 24, 2008

10 - NASSAU - December 1 & 2, 2008

11 - NIAGARA - December 1, 2008

12 – NORTHEASTERN - November 21, 2008

14 - SOUTH CENTRAL - December 5, 2008

15 - SOUTHEASTERN - November 19, 2008

16 - SOUTHWESTERN - December 19, 2008

17 - TACONIC - December 16, 2008

18 - WESTCHESTER-EAST PUTNAM - December 8, 2008

19 - WESTERN - December 3, 2008

20 - NORTH COUNTRY - November 15, 2008

NYS Teacher of the Year 2009

2009 Teacher of the Year:

The application deadline for the 2009 New York State Teacher of the Year Award has passed.

The Teacher of the Year program recognizes and celebrates outstanding teachers throughout New York State.  Eligible teachers are appropriately credentialed, work directly with students in a public, private or charter school and have at least five years teaching experience.

Watch here for announcement of the winning 2009 New York State Teacher of the Year. 

PARP Award

Each year the NYS PTA PARP Awards Committee choses a winner of the New York State PTA Parents As Reading Partners (PARP) Award. The PARP program encourages students to read in a fun and exciting manner. It can involve not only parents and students, but teachers, staff, school board, librarians and local community leaders. In addition, a motivating program can inspire an entire school community.

Is there a Parents As Reading Partners (PARP) program in your community? Encourage someone familiar with the program to apply for the New York State PTA PARP Award. The Application is available below or by contacting your Region Director or calling the NYS PTA office at 1-877-5NYS PTA and requesting a copy be mailed to you.

Please be sure to adhere to the June 15th postmarked deadline to your Region Director in order to be included in the region selection of their winning application. Following the region judging each region sends their winning entry to the state committee for the selection of the state winner.

The postmarked deadline is June 15th and the application must be sent to your Region Director. 

The 2008 applications are under review at this time! Watch for announcement of State Winner in September. 06/19/08

Phoebe Apperson Hearst - National PTA Excellence in Education Partnership Award

This National PTA Award was established to recognize PTA units whose collaborative efforts with parents, families, educators and community members promote parent/family involvement with ongoing programs that encourage student success. The application is available by clicking below on the Phoebe Apperson Hearst Award or you can call the NYS PTA office to ask that they mail one to you. Completed applications are due to the NYS PTA office postmarked on or before April 1st.

Click here to go to National PTA website page for more information.

Recognitions for Special Volunteers

Honor a special volunteer – present them with the Golden Oak Plaque or the Diamond Award!

Are you looking for a special way to honor your most dedicated volunteers? New York State PTA is proud to introduce the Golden Oak Award plaque and the Diamond Award table-top sculpture. Each award is beautifully crafted, to make a distinguished presentation to an honoree. Both feature personalized engraving with the name of the award recipient, and bear the signature of our state president.

Proceeds from the Golden Oak and Diamond Awards will be dedicated to leadership development throughout the state. Make a positive contribution to the future of PTA, while at the same time honoring the dedication and excellence of members past and present!

Please allow 6 weeks for delivery.

Golden Oak Award Application
Diamond Award Application

Reflections Theme Search 2010-2001 Packet in PDF
Reflections Theme Search 2010-2011 Packet in Word

2007-2008 Reflections Program Winners REVISED 5/27/08

The Teacher Fellowship was established by the New York State PTA in 1961 to encourage excellent teachers to stay in the classroom by providing an opportunity for them to improve their teaching skills, update their professional knowledge and expand their professional horizons. In 1992, it was named to honor a Master Teacher, Richard Gazzola, who served on the New York State PTA Board of Managers for many years prior to his untimely death in 1991.

Grant: $1,000 for graduate study.

Eligibility - Applicant must:

- Be a full-time, non-substitute teacher in a New York State public school.

- Have obtained their masters degree and have completed at least one full year of teaching prior to applying.

- Be a member of the PTA unit of the school in which they teach or in which their children attend. The PTA unit must be in good standing.

- Not be the previous recipient of more than one Fellowship.

Requirements:

- Proposed course of study must be minimum of six (6) credit hours or be supported by a statement of the registrar of the supervising institution of comparable work to be undertaken.

- Study must be in a field to improve applicant’s teaching proficiency.

- Applicants must be planning to continue teaching in a New York State public school for at least one (1) year.

Criteria - Applicant will be judged on:

- Academic ability, professional promise, PTA involvement, and relevance of proposed graduate study to improve teaching proficiency

Deadline: completed applications with supportive data must be sent to the NYS PTA office postmarked, not metered, by June 20.

The 2008 applications are under committee review  and the winners will be announced on or about August 15 and receive a contractual agreement which must be signed and returned.

Youth Humanitarian Award - In Memory of Stanley Marcus

The Youth Humanitarian Award is presented to a high school junior or senior who best exemplifies the dedication to youth and zealous volunteer community service for which the late Stanley Marcus was known. Each PTA region winner is presented a plaque and the state winner is awarded $250 and an engraved pen and pencil set. Applications were mailed in January to principals in high schools where a PTA/PTSA exists. They are also available from your region director or by calling the NYS PTA office. Entries must be sent to region directors postmarked (not metered) by February 28.

The winner of this year's NYS PTA Youth Humanitarian Award in Memory of Stanley Marcus has been announced. Our congratulations go to Katherine Maher of Central Hudson Region.  Katherine, and all of this year's applicants, are to be commended for their vision and committment to being humanitarians.