Join the Mississippi PTA Friday and Saturday for the 93rd annual convention at the Natchez Convention Center.

It has been several years since historic Natchez has hosted this event; therefore, we are excited to bring this celebration back to this area!

You are encouraged to bring your PTA officers, students, school personnel, community leaders, parents and grandparents and anyone that supports children and education. There is something for everyone!

Workshops and speakers will be available to motivate, educate, inspire, empower and energize. Be sure to bring your walking shoes as we demonstrate healthy living through fitness — walking, exercise — and nutrition. We have partnered with the Mississippi Association of Educators to offer a free PRAXIS 1 Workshop. We have also partnered with Get2College Education Services Foundation to offer a free ACT workshop. You can register online for this at www.MissPTA.org.

The Reflections Program will showcase students from across the state in the arts.

This year there will also be a special emphasis on male involvement and youth leadership development — Putting the S in PTSA.

National President-Elect Otha Thornton will be present to share the direction of the National PTA and much more.

Nominating and leadership development committee representative, Charles Scott, will be available to discuss the many opportunities for leadership development throughout the state and national PTA.

The Mississippi Department of Education and MS PTA will provide implementation date on Common Core Standards. Other topics include legislative issues, mentoring ministers, conflict resolution, PTA officer training, bullying, completing the IRS 990, early childhood development, grant writing, male involvement, parental engagement and new reading programs through Scholastic Magazine — to name a few.

We will also have a boutique where you can purchase PTA shirts, pins, booklets and more. Roundtable discussions will give you the opportunity to share ideas with other PTAers. Don’t miss this one!

On Friday evening, awards will be presented to outstanding PTA units and scholarships awarded to high school seniors planning to major in education in a state college or university. Afterward will be a silent auction and a youth collaboration.

New partners for MS PTA will make this a memorable convention.

For additional information, visit the state website at www.MissPTA.org, contact the state office at 800-795-6123 or contact me at 601-445-4679.

A book launch by a state approved Accelerated Reader author — with a book giveaway— CEUs, vendors and exhibitors, new technology programs and two days filled with tools that will move your local units to another level is what is in store for this convention.

This is an election year! Don’t forget to bring your membership card and pick up your voting delegate card on site.

This is my personal invitation to you to come to the Natchez Convention Center to visit the exhibitors/vendors and/or attend some of the workshops as we continue to advocate for our children.

See you at convention.

 

Deloris Irving is the convention chair for the Mississippi PTA.