WE NEED YOU

Legislation Committee

It is a PTA's responsibility to promote the educational needs and values of the school community and to address how decisions by school administrators, the Board of Education and elected officials, meet those needs. Advocacy is an integral part of any PTA and occurs in every action designed to improve the lives of children.

The Legislation Committee's activities are designed to inform members and the community of pending and enacted legislation and proposals made by the Garden City Board of Education, including the District’s proposed school budget may have on our public schools. The Committee provides the tools necessary to empower members to be active participants in the decision process and affect positive change, by communicating concerns to key decision makers both within our district and beyond.

Through our affiliation with NYS and National PTA, we work to “secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth” and to support a system of free public education. The work of this Committee is nonpartisan and aligned with the National PTA and NYS PTA guidelines. The Legislation Committee works closely with District Administration, the Curriculum, and Health & Safety Committees other groups where appropriate to achieve PTA goals for children and youth.

Vice President Legislation

legislation@gardencitypta.org

“The overall purpose of PTA is to make every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children."

Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental health impacts the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of our children, families, and community. Although mental health remains a priority for the district and the PTA year-long, the Legislative Committee would like to use May as Mental Health Month to inform and supply the community with useful information from our school administration and other outside sources.

Coping Strategies with your children:

1. Practice Mindfulness: Being present, purposeful and nonjudgmental in the moment and existing within.

2. Proper nutrition, exercise and sleep have effects on mental health and mood. It helps to improve memory and concentration.

3. Connect with others.

4. Maintain structure, consistency, and predictability at home.

5. Have conversations with children about being part of a community.

Steps to Help Provide Stability and Support to Adolescents:

1. Maintain a normal routine

2. Talk, listen, and encourage expression

3. Give honest and accurate information

4. Teach simple steps to stay healthy

5. Be alert for any change in behavior

6. Reassure adolescents about their safety and well-being

Warning Signs for Adolescents in Trouble:

Pay attention to the following warning signs, which may signal you should seek help for your teen:

Their symptoms distract them in many settings — struggles are on their mind no matter what they do.
Grades or job performance get worse and stay that way over weeks or months.
Relationships suffer. They can’t get along with loved ones or they isolate themself.
Their moods feel out of control. Their usual coping strategies — the ways they deal with issues — no longer help to control their anger, worry, or sadness.
They take more risks. Exploring new things, including alcohol, drugs, or sex, is mostly common, but behavior that puts them or others in danger should be a warning sign.
They often think about hurting themselves or others. Many teens experience such thoughts occasionally, but they need immediate help if they can’t control them or they want to act on them.
They hear or see things others can’t, or their thinking gets confused or paranoid. Although rare, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, or fear that others are trying to harm them can be signs of a serious medical problem.

Helpful links:

Garden City High School newsletter:

https://www.smore.com/38j6n

Garden City Selfcare presentation :

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qMjI033s628snvRax2BS9nBuUZkPNwRu/view

How to Avoid Passing Anxiety on to Your Kids:

https://childmind.org/article/how-to-avoid-passing-anxiety-on-to-your-kids/

Parental Resources provided by the CDC:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/parental-resource-kit/adolescence.html

Crisis Intervention Resources:

https://www.gardencity.k12.ny.us//cms/lib/NY01913305/Centricity/Domain/1041/Crisis%20intervention%20resource.pdf