What did you miss at this year's Indiana PTA Legislative Day if you didn't attend?

On February 24th, 2010 over 250 members and representatives of Indiana PTA converged on Indianapolis to participate in our annual Indiana PTA Legislative Day. We spent the morning learning about federal and state legislative issues; getting an update from Dr. Tony Bennett, Superintendent of Public Instruction; visiting informative and fun roundtables; held a student panel discussion; and lunched with our legislators.  We had an amazing turnout from participants and legislators – increasing our numbers from last year!!!  We truly appreciate the time spent by the legislators to bring us all up to date. We also appreciated the flexibility of the legislators who attended and spoke with members not from their own areas.  The time they spent, especially with the students, was really terrific. Check out the day in photos below!

Thank you to every school that attended.

NE Region:  North Side High School; Fort Wayne PTA Council, Northwood Middle School, Northrop High School, Snider High School, Jefferson Middle School, Study Elementary School,  Forest Park Elementary School, Shambaugh Elementary School,  Irwin Elementary School, Price Elementary School, Shawnee Middle School, Blackhawk Middle School, Portage Middle School, Bloomingdale Elementary School, Bunche Towles School, Lakeside Middle School and Memorial Park Middle School; 

NW Region:   Gary PTA Council ( Banneker Achievement Center, Banneker Middle Honors Program, Glen Park Academy, DeBenard Watson for Boys, Williams School, Lew Wallace School and Webster School),  Hammond High School, Hammond Council PTA, Gavit Middle/High School, Columbia Elementary School, Laporte High School, Kessling Middle School, and Boston Middle School.

Central Region:  School #56, Pittsboro Elementary School, Hershey Elementary School, IPS #56, Stonybrook Middle School, Marion County PTA Council, Warren PTA Council, School # 74, and Brookview Elementary School.

Southern Region: Reitz High School, Harrison High School, North High School, Oak Hill Middle School, and Harwood Middle School.

Thanks to the following schools who sponsored a "Lunch for a Legislator:" Price Elementary School PTA; Shawnee Middle School PTSA; Portage Middle School PTSA; Kesling Middle School PTSA; Brookview Elementary School PTA; Forest Park Elementary School PTA; Brentwood Elementary School PTA; Northwood Middle School PTSA; Jefferson Middle School PTSA; School # 56 PTA; Fort Wayne Area PTA Council; Shambaugh Elementary School PTA; O'Bannon Elementary School PTA; Croninger Elementary School PTA; Northrop High School PTSA; Reitz High School PTSA; Hammond PTA Council; Hammond High School PTSA; Irving  Elementary School PTA; Lowell Elementary School PTA; Lane Middle School PTSA; Pleasant Center Elementary School PTA; Snider High School PTSA; Lakeside Middle School PTSA; Fishback Creek Public Academy PTA; Twin Branch Elementary School PTA; Maywood (Hammond) PTA; Eggers Middle School PTSA; Gary PTA Council; Hums Elementary School PTA; Lakeside Elementary School PTA (Indy); Bunche/Towles PTA; Price Chapman Academy PTSA; Memorial Park Middle School PTSA; Pat Taylor; Dexter Elementary School PTA; Moorhead Elementary School PTA; Harding Elementary School PTA (NW); Bloomingdale Elementary School PTA; Arlington Elementary School PTA; Blackhawk Middle School PTSA; Edison Elementary School, Mishawaka PTA Council, Glenwood Park Elementary School PTA, and Hess Elementary School PTA.

We also want to thank the Legislators that were in attendance! We had a great turnout. In addition, Senator Dennis Kruse (NE) spoke on the hot topics concerning education in the legislature now. Sen. Kruse was also honored with a Indiana PTA State Life Award from Jefferson Middle School PTSA.

It was one of the best Indiana PTA Legislative Days ever!  A special thanks goes to the following Indiana State PTA Board of Manager members who helped with this program:  Legislative Day Chairperson Theresa Distelrath and committee members.  We also truly want to thank the Indiana PTA office staff, Julie French for her efforts!