CHICAGO (January 9, 2008) — More than 30 U.S. schools, including two overseas, a special education and a Native-American school earned national awards from PTA.

PTA’s national office today announced it will award $1,897 to 32 PTA schools to help thousands of students and families celebrate PTA Take Your Family to School Week, February 10-16.

These PTAs are receiving cash awards to recognize Take Your Family to School Week activities they have planned that are innovative; inclusive; promote parent and family involvement in schools; emphasize the link between involvement and student achievement; and further PTA’s mission. Hundreds of PTAs submitted proposals describing different family activities they have planned, such as being a student in the 21st century, school tours, and parent workshops.

The PTA national organization is making these $1,897 awards in honor of the day and year PTA was founded (February 17, 1897). This special week gives today’s parents and families the key to the door of their children’s school experience. In 2008, the Take Your Family to School $1,897 Awards were sponsored by the AXA Foundation, Proud National Sponsor of PTA.

After much deliberation and evaluation, PTA national leadership chose schools from 22 U.S. states from across the country. And the winners are PTAs from the following schools...

Kaiserslautern Middle School; Germany
Naples Elementary School; Italy
Woodriver Elementary School; Fairbanks, Alaska
McIntyre Middle School; Montgomery, Alabama
SouthEast Valley Native American Elementary School; Phoenix, Arizona
Flora Vista Elementary School; Encinitas, California
Tustin Ranch Elementary School; Tustin, California
Magnolia Elementary School; Riverside, California
Margarita Middle School; Temecula, California
Fish Hawk Creek Elementary School; Lithia, Florida
Nova Eisenhower Elementary School; Davie, Florida
Campbell Elementary School; Fairburn, Georgia
Kell High School; Marietta, Georgia
Reese Road Elementary School; Columbus, Georgia
North Polk Central Elementary School; Alleman, Iowa
Sheridan School; Bloomington, Illinois
Clearwood Junior High School; Slidell, Louisiana
Washington-Kosciusko Elementary; Winona, Minnesota
Liggett Trail Elementary School; Blue Springs, Missouri
Clausell Elementary School; Jackson, Mississippi
Allen Middle School; Greensboro, North Carolina
Clinton School; Maplewood, New Jersey
Grand Avenue Elementary School; Baldwin, New York
Friends of Columbus Alternative High School; Columbus, Ohio
Parknoll Elementary School; Berea, Ohio
Richard Avenue Elementary School; Grove City, Ohio
Horace Mann Elementary School; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Harry C. Withers Elementary School; Dallas, Texas
Whittier Elementary School; Salt Lake City, Utah
Peak View Elementary School; Penn Laird, Virginia
Carson Elementary School; Puyallup, Washington
Roosevelt Elementary School; Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

Contact PTA’s national office to find out what activities PTAs and schools in your community have planned for PTA Take Your Family to School Week.

Take Your Family to School Week has been supported by education and community leaders, including Secretary Margaret Spellings, U.S. Department of Education; the National School Boards Association; the National Association of Secondary School Principals; and the National Association of Elementary School Principals.

About PTA
PTA comprises nearly 6 million parents and other concerned adults devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that prides itself on being a powerful voice for children, a relevant resource for parents, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who is concerned with the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.