Schools Nationwide Receive 1,897 Reasons to Celebrate PTA Take Your Family to School Week, February 10 - 16

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - 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.

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.

To view this release online, go to: http://www.pwrnewmedia.com/2008/pta010808/index.html

Contact Information: Contact: James Martinez Office: (312) 670-6782 Ext. 325 Cell: (773) 339-4533