PROGRAMS AND AWARDS

NATIONAL PTA BENEFITS

National PTA provides many programs and resources for local PTA units. Programs and resources are supported and made available through Utah PTA commissions and committees. 

National PTA Resources

At National PTA, our mission is to make every child’s potential a reality, so we are invested in your child’s success.

We’re parents too, so we know just how critical you are to your child’s future. That’s why we wanted to share our toolbox to help you navigate all of the academic, social and emotional milestones your child will experience.

These resources were created for you—the parent who’s always on the go, but still looking for a community that offers the best info to help your child excel at school and in life. 

For a list of National PTA Resources for your PTA and for families, visit: utahpta.org/npta-resources   

National PTA Programs

National PTA Programs provide a wide array of accessible, engaging and educational events that inspire, recognize and impact all students and their families. These FREE or low-cost programs are designed in best practice for effective family engagement to support the physical, social-emotional and learning needs of students while having fun!

For a list of National PTA Programs available to your PTA and Community, visit: utahpta.org/national-programs

NEW! “Where You Are” Programs

National PTA offers In-Person and At-Home Programs (Spanish) and Program Models (Spanish) to meet students and families where they are. Partnering with caregivers and schools, National PTA programs are designed to support the physical, social-emotional and learning needs of students while having fun!

To learn more about the New “Where You Are” Programs, visit: pta.org/home/programs add QR Code

Does your PTA want to host an engaging and empowering family night that supports academic success or promotes digital wellness? National PTA offers great options for PTAs to host families nights to bring their communities together. These programs offer complete outlines of how to run a fun and simple family night right out of the box. There are also grant opportunities associated with many of these each fall that will give you the funds to host one of these engaging events.

Family Reading Experience - pta.org/home/programs/family-reading

PTA Connected - pta.org/home/programs/connected

National PTA’s STEM Initiative - pta.org/home/programs/stem

Healthy Lifestyles - pta.org/home/programs/Healthy-Lifestyles

UTAH PTA BENEFITS

Utah PTA also provides many programs and resources for local PTA units. Programs and resources are supported and made available through Utah PTA commissions and committees.

Why does PTA use committees and commissions to accomplish their work? 

A PTA utilizes commissions and committees to effectively manage and delegate tasks across a diverse range of activities, allowing for focused work on specific areas. Commissions and committees help your PTA get things done! 

• Division of labor: By forming committees, the PTA can distribute responsibilities across smaller groups, enabling efficient work on various projects simultaneously. 

• Specialized expertise: Committees can be formed with individuals having specific skills or knowledge relevant to their focus area, leading to better decision-making and execution. 

• Increased engagement: Committees provide opportunities for more parents and teachers to actively participate in the PTA beyond just attending general meetings. 

• Improved decision-making: Smaller committee groups can facilitate open discussions and thorough consideration of options before presenting recommendations to the larger PTA board.

Developing goals and plans that meet the interests and needs of a school community are primary objectives of a local PTA board. These objectives can be met through the structure of commissions, committees, programs, and events.

• Commissions: At a local level, a commission is over several committees/programs/events, like an umbrella, with a specific issue or concern in mind.

  • Examples: Community Engagement, Education, Family Life, Health and Safety 

• Committees: At a local level, a committee is tasked to plan and carry out a specific event or program. Sometimes there is a committee and sometimes it can be chaired by a single person.

  • Examples: Reflections, safety patrol, student club, spelling bee, room parents, student leadership, membership, newsletter, and social media

• Programs: A PTA program is a program which the membership deems important to your school community through a needs assessment.

  • Examples: Grad night, spelling bee, Reflections, Battle of the Bands, School of Excellence, fundraisers, spirit nights/family nights

• Events: The place and time at which a PTA program happens. Usually a PTA program that is a one time thing.

  • Examples: Guest speakers at PTA meetings, family nights, art walks, carnivals, field day

For more information on how to organize a commission, committee, program or event, see president’s tool section of this handbook or utahpta.org/organizing-your-board

UTAH PTA COMMISSIONS

At the state level, Utah PTA commissions consist of Community Engagement, Education, Family Life, Health and Safety and are chaired by a Commissioners who also sits on the Utah PTA Board of Directors. Utah PTA commissioners along with community partners are there to provide program ideas and resources for specific areas of concern for local commissioners. Information on each commission can be found at utahpta.org under Resources. 

Utah PTA commissions and related areas of concern are available to support local units. Under each commission, is a brief description of the work of that commission and a link to programs and related resources for your local unit to adapt and use. Areas of concern may overlap among commissions.

As always, a needs assessment can help your PTA determine what the community needs are. Here are some areas that the Utah PTA commissions focus on. 

Community Engagement

The Community Engagement Commission will involve members of the community, business, religious, and government entities in improving the quality of life and education of all children. Working together opens new horizons of possibilities for our future.

For a list of Community Engagement Commission areas of focus, visit: utahpta.org/community-engagement 

Education Commission

The mission of the Utah PTA Education Commission is to become knowledgeable about the issues which affect the education of students in the state of Utah, to take positive action to further the Purposes of PTA in promoting the welfare of children and youth at home and at school, and to promote programs which benefit and strengthen education through parental involvement. 

For a list of Education Commission areas of focus, visit: utahpta.org/areas-focus-education-commission

Family Life

The goal of the Utah PTA Family Life Commission is to promote healthy family relationships, thus resulting in success of children in all aspects of their lives. Utah PTA believes that the first and most important teacher throughout a child’s life is the parent. The Family Life Commissioner aims to provide information and resources for parents and families as they encounter different stages and challenges of life. Specifically this includes early childhood, military families, digital wellness, family engagement, family relationships, and so much more related to the family life.

For a list of Family Life Commission areas of focus, visit: utahpta.org/family-life

Health

The goal of the Utah PTA Health Commission is to provide and utilize resources that are targeted to protect and improve the health of children and youth; to design, identify, and implement programs in areas of priority and concern; and, to build public awareness that will improve the quality of life for the children of Utah.

For a list of Health Commission areas of focus, visit: utahpta.org/health

Safety

The purpose of the Utah PTA Safety Commission is to advocate for children and youth in order to provide a safe environment at home, at school, and in the community; to involve parents, teachers, students, and community in safety issues; and to develop and implement programs that educate and inform to meet the needs of your community in safety issues.

For a list of Safety Commission areas of focus, visit: utahpta.org/safety

To join a Utah PTA Commission or to get more information, please contact the Advocacy VP or visit: utahpta.org/needs-you

UTAH PTA COMMITTEES

Utah PTA committees are organized groups that plan, promote, and carry out the activities, programs and events of Utah PTA. These Committees expand the opportunities for meaningful contribution and build a leadership pipeline by including more volunteers from all levels of PTA. Well structured committees dramatically increase Utah PTA’s capacity to accomplish its mission while providing program ideas and resources for specific areas of concern for local commissioners. Information on each of the Utah PTA Committees can be found at utahpta.org under the tabs of: Resources, Programs and Events. 

As always, a needs assessment can help your PTA determine what the community needs are. There are many great options to help your PTA build community and support student learning and academics while making friends and growing. 

The following are a list of Utah PTA committees. Local PTA members are always welcome to join committees. To learn more about our committees, please visit their pages on utahpta.org. You can also sign up for committees at: utahpta.org/needs-you

Director Committees

• Communications

• Leadership

• Membership 

Advocacy Related Committees

• Legislative Advocacy Committee

• Advocacy Resolutions Support Committee

• Digital Wellness Committee

• Special Needs Committee

• Trustlands Committee

General Working Committees 

• History

• Technology

• Givebacks

• Leadership Academy

• Student Leadership

Programs Committee

The Utah PTA Program Committee is a new committee designed to help spotlight special events and programs of Utah PTA. Each of the following events are under the Program Committee and work in tandem together to ensure each event run perfectly. Some of these committees will also have sub-committees and accompanying meetings to accomplish their goals each year. 

• Arts Grant

• Awards

• Battle of the Bands

• Diversity, Inclusion and Outreach (DEI)

• Grants

• Military Families

• Reflections

• School of Excellence

PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES CREATED BY PTA FOR PTA

While there are many programs that PTAs can use, the following programs have been created by National PTA and Utah PTA. They have been designed to help PTAs build their community and provide support to parents and families for specific issues they are facing.

National PTA School of Excellence

National PTA School of Excellence recognition program opens the lines of communication and critical thinking within school communities to make data-driven decisions that yield positive, long-term results.

National PTA School of Excellence is a recognition program that supports and celebrates partnerships between PTAs and schools to enrich the educational experience and overall well-being for all students. By enrolling in this program, your PTA and school administrators are making a year-long commitment in identifying and implementing an action plan for school improvement based on PTA’s National Standards for Family-School Partnerships and Transformative Family Engagement.

Those that exhibit improvement are honored as National PTA Schools of Excellence, a distinction that spans two years. Honorees receive celebration tools and automatic consideration for the Phoebe Apperson Hearst Award and a $2,000 grant for their school. PTAs are encouraged to renew their designation each year, or every other year, to continue to build on their momentum.

Your School of Excellence designation will help attract new, action-oriented PTA members who want to focus on the issues that affect our children the most. And being a National PTA School of Excellence will open the door to other honors and opportunities for your school.

Enrollment is open June 1 to October 1 each school year. To find more information and to enroll, visit: PTA.org/Home/Programs/National-PTA-School-of-Excellence

National PTA Take Your Family To School Week

Occurs during a designated week each February

PTA Take Your Family to School Week is a way to attract families to your school. Invite family members to step away from their daily grind and into the school during PTA Take Your Family to School Week. This special week is designed to connect families with their child’s school experience, and hosting PTA Take Your Family to School Week events will help strengthen the parent-school partnerships throughout the year.

By planning organized activities for families at the school:

• Parents gain a new perspective on their children’s school day.

• Teachers build positive partnerships with parents.

• Children know that their family cares and values education.

• Schools build an excellent reputation in the community as an open welcoming place for families.

• Studies show that a child’s academic performance increases when their parents become involved in their education.

Ideas for PTA Take Your Family to School Week:

• Open Gym Day: Get In The Game! Set up for volleyball, softball, kickball, or basketball on the school grounds.

• Family Food Functions: 

  • Host mealtime opportunities with options like “Guests and Goodies” or “Parents and Pastries.”

  • Evening meals: ethnic pot luck, barbecue, or indoor picnic where families bring food.

• Wall of Fame: Who’s Who at the School

  • Students interview teachers and adults at the school. They can use quotes, photos, pictures, and facts for a “Wall of Fame.”

  • School Lunch Together.

  • Parents go through the lunch line with their student and eat lunch together. Family Heritage Exhibit:

  • Families contribute artifacts that highlight the history and diversity of all the members of the school’s community.

Utah PTA Battle of the Bands

Battle of the Bands (BOB) is an official Utah PTA program for PTSAs.

Utah PTA’s Battle of the Bands is the only PTA program like it in the country. Beginning in 2002, a competition between high school bands was created. In its current form, there are three levels of competition.

School Playoffs

One band representing each school will move on to the multi-region competition. Each school that has more than one band applying to compete will hold a school competition. This will be run by the school PTSA president or BOB Chair. All school winner applications will be forwarded by the school PTSA president or BOB Chair to the region director or chair in charge of their multi-region competition by March 1.

Multi-Region Competition

Multi-region competitions will take place between March 1-31. The region director or chair will be in touch with all school winners with the date, time, and place of the multi-region competition. Three bands from each multi-region competition will advance to the state BOB. Each multi-region will decide which three bands will advance, some send first and second place and then the audience favorite, and some send the top three place bands. The multi-region competition winner’s application will be sent on to the Utah PTA Student Leadership Commissioner by the region director or chair. Multi-region entries due to Utah PTA by April 1.

State Competition

The state Battle of the Bands will include the three entries from each multi-region competition and may have other entrants through areas that may not have a multi-region, or there are other possible wild card entries. State BOB has traditionally been held around the end of April or beginning of May.

Rules are updated each year, so for a complete packet with rules and forms go to our website: replace with this link: utahpta.org/bob

Utah PTA Digital Wellness Video contest

The purpose of this video contest is to promote digital citizenship, safety and wellness through students’ creativity, tech and filming skills. 

Students Eligible to Enter

This video contest is open for students in grades 9-12 in the state of Utah at a PTA/PTSA school. Students may create a video as a group, but only one student can submit the video entry. If a group entry wins, the winning student will share the prize with the other students in the group.

Digital Wellness Video Topic

A new theme is picked each year and announced in the early fall. . Students may choose to focus on one or more aspects of the theme. For example, a student may choose to focus on how to be safe online and another student may choose how to be responsible with their use tech use, but students do not need to cover all three aspects. However, a student is welcome to cover each aspect if they would like. The theme is generally broad and open for different interpretations as there are many different aspects of being safe, kind and responsible online. Be creative and have fun.

For more information on this year’s theme and contest rules, visit: utahpta.org/video-contest

Utah PTA Family Health Night Toolkit

utahpta.org/family-health-night 

As a Health Commission we believe in whole-child wellness that will help to make every child’s potential a reality! Use the power of collaboration with school district health professionals and community partners to bring resources and fun to your school community. In the toolkit you will find Planning Materials, Printables, Digital Fliers and examples of Brochures you can use.

Utah PTA November Military Family Month

Concert and Essay Contest

Attention All PTA Families

Utah PTA and Utah National Guard Celebrate Military Family Month With a Concert Held Around Veterans Day Every Year.

Essay Contest

Utah PTA, in partnership with Utah National Guard, is also holding an essay contest for military families! The three winning students from elementary school, middle school/junior high, and high school from military families will be honored at this concert and receive a valuable prize!

A military family is one that has father, mother, sister, or brother who has served or is presently serving in the Active, Reserve, or National Guard (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard). If children live with guardians who are presently serving, they are also included.

The theme for the essay contest is “Why I Am Proud of My Veteran!” The essay must be no more than 500 words. You can email or send the essay to Utah PTA Military Family Specialist at militaryfamilies@utahpta.org. Word format is preferred. Deadlines for the essay and concert information will be posted on utahpta.org in the early fall. 

Utah PTA Red Ribbon Week

Red Ribbon Week is generally held the last full week in October.

In many schools, PTAs plan the Red Ribbon Week activities. Utah PTA in collaboration with prevention experts created a Red Ribbon Week Toolkit.

This toolkit is meant to be a helpful guide when planning Red Ribbon Week activities. Included in this kit are ways that adults can engage students in effective drug prevention messaging and activities that are based on prevention science and research. The categories and themes are meant to be guides in assisting adults to develop activities during Red Ribbon Week that will target their individual communities, schools, and students as needed. Activities are separated out by ages (elementary, secondary, or both) and include instructions, templates, and resources needed for implementation. Feel free to adjust activities and themes as needed.

To access the Red Ribbon Week Toolkit, visit: utahpta.org/brand-new-red-ribbon-week-toolkit

Utah PTA Suicide Prevention Toolkit

In a time when suicide is the leading cause of death among Utah youth, it is more important than ever for families, educators, and community members to be educated about suicide and suicide prevention. This evidence-based toolkit has been created by prevention specialists in collaboration with Utah PTA with a singular goal in mind: to help every child in Utah. It contains a combination of upstream, midstream, and downstream approaches designed to help children of all ages in their homes, at PTA activities, in the classroom, and more.

It is our hope that each PTA/PTSA will have a prevention specialist who can help implement these ideas throughout the year into things you are already doing, adding a prevention piece to as many activities as possible in order to keep the conversation going.

The activities suggested in the “School Support” section align with the Utah State Board of Education Core Standards for health and are designed to be used by educators and others in the classroom.

Activities are separated by ages (elementary, secondary, or both) and include instructions, templates, and resources needed for implementation. Feel free to adjust activities as needed.

To access the Toolkit, visit: utahpta.org/Suicide-Prevention-Toolkit

UTAH REFLECTIONS ONLINE GUIDE

Complete training materials are available at utahpta.org/ref.

Note to PTA presidents: Reflections is now 100% online and easier than ever to run. Open communication between local schools, councils, and regions is essential to keep the program running smoothly.

Schools must be in good standing by December 1 of each year or their entries will be excluded from participating in Reflections at the state level. Please make sure that your membership dues are paid and that your bylaws are current or renewed. Bylaws take time to renew because you are required to post them for 30 days - Change to 14 days.

Please provide your Reflections Specialists with contact information for your council/region specialists, including names, phone numbers, and email addresses. You also need to share contact information for your specialists with your council/region specialists at the earliest possible date so they will not miss out on trainings and deadline information. Sharing and using contact information between the levels is essential. Also, please provide your specialists with the information needed to register with National PTA, which includes your unit ID number and bylaws expiration date.

Getting Started 

1. Become an Admin for Your School in Utah Reflections Online.

   • • Reflections is run through Utah Reflections Online. To manage your school, you will need to designate at least one person to be your school’s admin.

     • Admin access should be set up by the level above you, but can also be set by the previous admin(s) for your school. If you are having trouble finding out who your admin is for the next level, please email reflections@utahpta.org and include your school name.

     • When you are set as an admin, if you did not already have a Utah PTA account, you will receive an email instructing you to create a password. You will then have access to log into Utah Reflections Online at utahpta.org/ref. If you already had an account, you will not receive an email. Individuals who have registered for convention, online training, or other Utah PTA programs or who have judged Reflections likely already have Utah PTA accounts.

     • Once you log into the system, click on the red Reflections Admin tab. You may now manage your unit, entries, and judging. Before you launch your program, delete any admins who are no longer involved in Reflections. To do this, click on the admins tab. You will then see all the admins listed for your school.

     • To remove an admin, click the red “Remove” button to the right of the name.

     • Trainings for Utah Reflections Online can be found at utahpta.org/ref.

2. Register Your PTA for Reflections

   • Register with National PTA at PTA.org/reflections. All schools, councils, and regions must register by November 1. This is not the same thing as being assigned as an admin for Utah Reflections Online. Registering helps National PTA collect data to monitor and improve the program.

   • Click on “Register with National PTA.”

   • You will need your school name, address, eight-digit PTA ID number, contact person, email, and phone number. For the contact person and phone number, please put the Reflections Specialist’s information and not the school’s.

   • You will see a confirmation screen, but will not receive a confirmation email. * Registering with National PTA will not make you an admin for your school. They are two separate processes.

3. Organize and Plan

   • Many hands make light work. Recruit others to be on your Reflections Committee. Back-to-school night is a great time to put out a sign up sheet.

   • Join the Utah PTA Reflections Facebook Group. This valuable resource will connect you with Reflections Specialists from all levels of the program.

   • Find judges. Remember judges should not be from your school and should have some knowledge of the category they will be judging.

   • Dates to remember: When are entries due to local schools? When are entries due to council? When are entries due to region? At the local level, you get to choose your own deadline. Find out now when the deadline is for the next level and set yours about a month before that date. This will give you ample time for checking entries, judging, scoring and recognition.

   • Every school is required to use Utah Reflections Online found at utahpta.org/ref.

   • Consider creating a dedicated Reflections email for your school and assigning that email as an admin. This way your school will always have online access and will only need to change the name and phone number associated with the account when a new specialist takes over the program.

   • Entries cannot be uploaded for your school without an admin being assigned. Any admin can add new admins for their level or below. Multiple admins are allowed.

The complete Local Leader’s Guide, rules, training videos, and everything else Reflections can be found at utahpta.org/ref.

UTAH PTA AWARDS

Recognition is key to the retention of volunteers and a staple of every successful organization. Here at Utah PTA, we are eager to support your efforts to award the contributors who go above and beyond throughout your school community. We refer you to our website: utahpta.org/awards, for everything you need to successfully carry out an awards and recognition program in your PTA.

Utah PTA is here to help assist you and your school in providing opportunities to recognize greatness at your school. While there are endless ways this can be done, we are happy to provide you with this meaningful opportunity.

Utah PTA Recognition Awards

Utah PTA Advocacy Award - This award is given to a local PTA or individual for excellence in their efforts to support and speak on behalf of children and youth.

Utah PTA Development Award - This award is given to a local PTA for excellence in program and/or leadership development. This award is encouraged for programs in schools that are in the first five years of their program – developing and improving the program. Remember, this is for a program not an individual.

Utah PTA Engagement Award - This award is given to a local PTA for excellence in the area of engagement. This can include engaging the community, businesses, faculty, parents, etc. Remember, this is for a program not an individual. 

Utah PTA Outstanding Elementary Educator - This award recognizes a professional educator currently working with students in grades preschool to 5th or 6th Grade (depending if 6th Grade is in your elementary or secondary school). State winners will be selected based on their relationship with students, parents, PTA, and the community.

Utah PTA Outstanding Secondary Educator - This award recognizes a professional educator currently working with students in grades 5th or 6th grade (depending if 6th grade is in your elementary or secondary school) to 12th Grade. State winners will be selected based on their relationship with students, parents, PTA, and the community

Utah PTA Outstanding School Administrator Award - To recognize an outstanding school administrator currently working with students on an elementary or secondary level. This can include assistant principals.

Utah PTA Outstanding Support Staff - This award recognizes any school support staff (custodians, secretaries, lunchroom staff, bus drivers, aides, etc.) currently working in schools in grades preschool to 12th grade. State winners will be selected based on their relationship with students, parents, PTA, and the community.

Utah PTA Outstanding Volunteer Award - This award is given to a volunteer who renders volunteer service to children through the education system and is making a positive difference. Nominees will be considered on the basis of quality of volunteer commitment.

Utah PTA Spirit of Inclusivity - This award recognizes an outstanding PTA/ individual who has organized an inclusivity event/activity using the PTA National Standards for Family School Partnerships. Examples: Welcoming families into the school community; communicating effectively; supporting student success; speaking up for every child; sharing power and collaborating with community; involving minority parents in PTA. If an individual, they must be a member of the PTA and exemplify the PTA Purpose and Mission.

Utah PTA Spirit of PTA Award - This award recognizes an outstanding volunteer who has given consistent and outstanding service through PTA. This person must be a member of the PTA and exemplify the PTA Purposes and Mission

LOCAL:

Each school can submit one award per category to Council | Awards should be completed online by January 31

COUNCIL:

Council approves and advances all qualifying awards to region | Awards should be evaluated and advanced to region by February 15

REGION:

Region Advances qualifying awards to state, with judging if necessary | Awards need to be judged and advanced to state by March 1

Utah PTA Membership Awards

The purpose of Utah PTA Membership Awards is to help increase membership by serving as a motivational incentive and to provide a meaningful reward to those schools who have promoted membership throughout the year.

PTAs may apply for as many awards as they would like. Many awards have similar criteria. Award applications can be found on the Utah PTA website https://utahpta.org/membership-awards.

To be eligible for any of the following awards, membership dues must be paid/submitted to Utah PTA by the due date. Winners may be promoted on social media.

Early Bird Award

(No application needed) Any PTA submitting 50% of the previous year’s membership by September 25th will be eligible to win! | PTAs who have met the criteria will be recognized and entered into a drawing for a buy one, get one free registration to the Utah PTA Leadership Convention. - Sep 25

On Target Award

(No application needed) Any PTA submitting 75% of the previous year’s membership postmarked by October 25th will be eligible to win! | PTAs who have met the criteria will be recognized and entered into a drawing for a buy one, get one free registration to the Utah PTA Leadership Convention. (2 winners) - Oct 25

Trailblazer Award

(No application needed) Any PTA submitting 100% + 1 of the previous year’s membership postmarked by November 25th will be eligible to win! | PTAs who have met the criteria will be recognized and entered into a drawing for a buy one, get one free registration to the Utah PTA Leadership Convention. (5 winners) - Nov 25

Beehive Award

(No application needed) Any PTA submitting 10% over the previous year’s membership postmarked by December 25th will be eligible to win! | PTAs who have met the criteria will be recognized and entered into a drawing for a PTA Tablecloth. (5 winners) - Dec 25

A Voice For Every Child Challenge

(No application needed) Given to PTAs that participate and meet the membership goal (set by Utah PTA) during the month of January for the purpose of increasing membership in preparation for the advocacy work of Utah PTA during the legislative session. | PTAs who have met the criteria will be recognized and receive a digital badge. - Jan 25

We {heart} PTA Contest

(No application needed) Given to PTAs that share the love of PTA with 14 new PTA members! Any PTA submitting 14 or more new PTA memberships by February 25th will be eligible to win! PTAs must have submitted PTA memberships prior to January 25th to be eligible. PTAs who have met the criteria will be recognized and entered into a drawing for a buy one, get one free registration to the Utah PTA Leadership Convention. (4 winners) - Feb 25

Super teachers & Staff Award

Awarded to local PTAs that have 100% membership of their full-time faculty, administration, and staff. | PTAs who have met the criteria will be recognized and receive a buy one, get one free registration to the Utah PTA Leadership Convention. - Mar 1

MARS (Men are Really Super) Award

Awarded to local PTAs whose PTA membership has at least 40% male members including fathers, grandfathers, and male community members. | PTAs who have met the criteria will be recognized and receive a buy one, get one free registration to the Utah PTA Leadership Convention. - Mar 1

Super PTSA Award

Awarded to any local PTSA with 40% or more student membership. PTSAs who have met the criteria will be recognized and receive buy one, get one free registration to the Student Leadership Convention. - Mar 1

Award of Excellence in Membership Promotion

Awarded to two local PTAs or PTSAs that exhibit excellence in promoting PTA membership through an innovative, comprehensive, and successful membership recruitment campaign. Winners will be recognized and receive a $100 donation to their PTA. - Mar 1

Double Your Membership

Awarded to local PTAs whose PTA membership is at least 100% over last year’s total membership by March 1st. PTA must have been organized and in good standing for a minimum of two years before application date to be considered for the award. | PTAs who have met the criteria will be recognized and receive a prize. - Mar 1

What is Your PTA Story?

Open to all PTA members. Submit your own, personal story about how you became involved in PTA and why you think it is important for all parents! Stories may be featured on Utah PTA social media. | One winner will be chosen to receive a PTA messenger bag. - Mar 1

Utah PTA L.E.A.P. Award

Leadership, Excellence, and Partnershipping (L.E.A.P.)

Leadership is often defined as “the art of getting or inspiring people to do something.” It is not the same as management, which is associated with accomplishing a task in an effective and efficient manner. A leader must often use different leadership styles, depending on the situation and group. People skills are a basic necessity in good leadership. A successful leader will involve everyone in the group in any decision-making that will affect them.

It is the desire of Utah PTA to recognize our committed volunteers. Within the membership of Utah PTA are leaders who steadfastly serve in various PTA positions and volunteer thousands of hours for the benefit of the children of Utah.

You can nominate any PTA leader for a L.E.A.P. Award. Here are a few facts:

A person can complete one, two, or even three levels in one year.

Someone else (like a president) can fill out applications for other people.

All LEAP Awardees will be recognized in the Leadership Convention program and with a LEAP pin with level indicator.

Many regions and councils also recognize awardees at spring trainings.

Any PTA board member can complete any level of the L.E.A.P. Awards. Nominate a vice president, chairman, and committee member today.

The application is an online form. The link to the application for the L.E.A.P. Award is: utahpta.org/leadership-excellence-partnershipping-leap-awards

Utah PTA recognizes our committed volunteers with our L.E.A.P. Award

Utah PTA Gold Star Awards

The Utah PTA Gold Star Awards were created to recognize the outstanding PTA and PTSA units in our state. Utah PTA designates PTA/PTSA units that have done all of the required items and the additional elective activities (about 20 items total) as Utah PTA Gold Star PTAs and PTSAs. There are four levels: Local PTA, Local PTSA, Council PTA/PTSA, and region PTA.

If you follow best practices for running your PTA/PTSA and if your PTA/PTSA is in good standing, you will most likely qualify for this award. We recognize that it may also be overwhelming to know how to do everything that needs to be done to be a PTA/PTSA in good standing. The award requirements are designed to help PTA/PTSA leaders know the items they can focus on to fulfill their roles in helping their students and their school communities.

Each Utah PTA Gold Star Designee will receive a framed certificate to display in their school and will be recognized and celebrated at Utah PTA Leadership Convention. We will also highlight designees throughout the coming year as we promote the program.

All local PTAs, PTSAs, councils, and regions should apply! Each level has its own set of requirements. Each level’s requirements and online application will be announced at the beginning of the school year. Information will be available online and through your region director.

All requirements, the online application and other tips can be found at: utahpta.org/Gold-Star-Leadership-Awards

Utah PTA Arts Grant and Supply Grant 

Utah PTA believes cultivating the arts is important to Utah’s children, and participation in the arts can make a notable difference in a child’s abilities, talents, and self-esteem. With support from the Utah Division of Arts and Museums, Utah PTA has grant money available to encourage local schools to develop, participate in, promote, and provide quality art programs. This grant is offered to schools annually to assist in this effort.

What is the Utah PTA Arts Education Grant?

The Utah PTA Arts Grant supports local PTA efforts for arts education activities in their school. Funds are granted one dollar for each dollar (1:1) the local PTA contributes, up to an amount set by the Utah PTA Art Education Grant Committee. Any local PTA/PTSA in good standing (current bylaws, current paid membership, and beginning and end of year paperwork submitted) is eligible to apply. The grant may be used to create or enhance an existing PTA arts program or project, hire a guest artist, provide professional development to teachers, purchase musical scores, instruments, theater rights, props, scenery, costuming, and expertise to support student performances and productions or any other art program needs. You are only limited by your imagination. 

You may not use this grant on general art supplies, field trips, student transportation, admission tickets, or funding expensive commercial art programs. Any supplies approved must be specific to the approved project. 

What is the Utah PTA Arts Education Fund?

It is a fund that supports local PTA efforts for arts education activities in their school. Funds are granted one dollar for each dollar (1:1) contributed by the Local PTA unit. Amount determined by the Utah PTA Arts Education Grant Committee.

Who is eligible to apply for Utah PTA Arts Education Grant?

Any Local PTA/PTSA with bylaws and membership in good standing.

What may the grant be used for?

The creation or enhancement of an existing PTA arts program or project. Musical scores, instruments, theater rights, props, scenery, and costuming, etc. Expertise to support student performances and productions. Any other art program needs. You are only limited by your imagination.

How do we apply?

Fill out and submit a Utah PTA Arts Education grant application. Application may be found online at www.utahpta.org/arts-educationsupplies-grant 

When is it due?

Applications are due on March 1.

Who awards the funding?

The Utah PTA Arts Education Grant Committee composed of parents, educators and community leaders award the grants.

When will the funds be awarded?

Funds will be available July 1 for the upcoming fiscal year.

What else is required?

The arts program must be developed and facilitated by the PTA in cooperation with the school administration. PTAs must match funds. PTAs must submit a final report form as soon as the arts program is finished or no later than June 1.

What is the Utah PTA Arts Supplies Grant?

It is a fund that supports Local PTA efforts for arts activities in their school. Funds are granted one dollar for each dollar (1:1) contributed by the Local PTA unit. This grant supports the supplies needed to run a PTA/PTSA art program and/or project. This is a separate grant. The amount of each grant is determined by the Utah PTA Arts Education Grant committee and is dependent on available funds. Recipients are determined by a drawing of eligible applicants.

Ideas for Arts Education Grants

• A dance instructor coming to instruct and teach children areas of dance.

• A bookmaking artist teaching children the art of bookmaking and making their own book.

• Learn the skills of poetry and carry out a poetry contest either in writing or out loud.

• Invite film makers to give instruction on how film is made. Have a film festival.

• Visual artists can teach skills to create a school project. (i.e. mural of students art)

• Have cultural groups come and teach their culture through art, dance, and music.

• Have students write stories that can be carried out on stage or a puppet play.

• Have storytellers come and share their expertise. Students can write stories and do the same.

• Invite music artists to share their music. 

• Have students create musical instruments.

• Create comic or cartoon stories of issues facing children today.

Things to Remember

As you apply for an Arts Education Grant, please explain what your PTA hopes to achieve and how the money will be used. Your PTA must provide matching funds. Grant applications are to be submitted by March 1, of each year and grant recipients will be notified by June 1 of the same year. To receive your first grant check, you must sign an agreement stating that you will provide a summary of your project at completion, or we will request a refund of the Grant money, and you will not receive the final grant payment.

Fill Out the Application

Please fill out the application online form as completely as you can. The available funds are limited and there needs to be a clear understanding of what your PTA would like to achieve. We will use the information in the first sections to contact you about the grant as necessary. Applications will not be considered if incomplete or matching funds are not obtained.

When filling out the budget summary, please include ALL monies you plan to spend, not only the money you are requesting from the grant.

Attach a letter of support from the school administration concerning the planned art project. Up to $500.00 is available per school year with a one-to-one match.

Follow-up Activities

Two-thirds of the grant amount will be paid out by August 1st. The remainder will be paid after the Utah PTA receives a brief evaluation and report of the completed program. The form for the evaluation and report will be sent with the initial payment.

If you have suggestions for streamlining the application and disbursement process, please share them with us. Send suggestions to artsgrant@utahpta.org. 

We wish you all the best as you plan and implement arts programs for our Utah children.

For complete rules, guidelines, timelines and grant ideas including writing tips and program ideas, visit utahpta.org/arts-education-grant