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Tag: PTA

  • How Arlington PTAs are helping address student food insecurity – WTOP News

    PTAs in Arlington have been getting creative to meet the needs of students in Arlington Public Schools who are experiencing food insecurity.

    There’s apple sauce and pasta in a tiny cabinet on the side of Hoffman-Boston Elementary in Arlington, Virginia.

    The food cabinet remains unlocked 24/7 and is available to students, with the goal of making sure no child goes hungry.

    The school’s PTA is also working with a food rescue group, with the goal of procuring leftover items from bakeries or farmers’ markets.

    PTAs and parent teacher student organizations across Arlington have long considered ways to help students who might be experiencing food insecurity. But in recent months, in the aftermath of the government shutdown and uncertainty surrounding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, they’ve stepped in to address the increased need.

    “What we found is that schools were coming to PTAs, realizing there’s a lot more need right now,” said Claire Noakes, president of the Arlington County Council of PTAs. “It’s really increased, and so PTAs have tried to almost be a triage in the situation, to rapidly respond in creative ways.”

    The responses have varied, but Noakes said at least 20 PTAs and parent teacher student organizations have stepped in to help.

    Since November, Long Branch Elementary’s PTA has been giving food bags to families in need. It has also partnered with Troy’s Kitchen to connect families with hot meals for the weekend.

    Discovery Elementary’s PTA has organized a gift card drive to assist families. And Claremont Elementary’s PTA has prioritized covering meals during school breaks.

    “Many of our PTAs have been doing food distribution for years,” Noakes said. “It’s just part of understanding that there is a large and unmet need. Because of grocery prices, because of uncertainty with SNAP benefits, what we saw is there was just such a broad-based need more recently. Within the last month or so, people have been turning up the dial quite high.”

    In some cases, that’s meant requesting donations, working canned foods drives, collecting donated gift cards and collaborating with school social workers. The groups also work alongside community organizations, such as the Capital Area Food Bank, too.

    “The impact right now is triage,” Noakes said. “It’s just to try to address the immediate needs.”

    Before the pandemic, Noakes said Arlington Public Schools distributed what she described as “student-friendly food” to kids. But the program paused during COVID closures, Noakes said, “and it didn’t really restart.”

    Noakes said many distribution sites are at or near schools, so it’s easy for kids and their families to access.

    There’s also an emphasis on “student-friendly food,” which she described as “food that even young children can eat and consume and prepare without much work. You could maybe have a single-serving item, mac and cheese, you pour some hot water, you microwave it, a young child can prepare and get food in their stomachs.”

    Community members can help address student hunger and food insecurity by volunteering with or donating to a PTA, Noakes said.

    “Reach out to the elected officials and to the superintendent and let them know that child hunger is a really critical issue to them, and that more needs to be done,” Noakes said.

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    Scott Gelman

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  • Walt Disney Elementary Hosts Burbank’s Only Día de los Muertos Festival October 18

    Disney Elementary Dia de los Muertos

    The Walt Disney Elementary Parent Teacher Association (PTA) will once again host its annual Día de los Muertos Festival, a joyous community celebration of Latino heritage, remembrance, and artistic expression on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on the Walt Disney Elementary School campus.

    What began as a small school-based cultural celebration has blossomed into one of Burbank’s most beautiful and anticipated community events created by dozens of dedicated volunteers. Each year, hundreds of families, students, and neighbors gather under strings of colorful papel picado to honor loved ones, celebrate life, and experience the rich traditions of Día de los Muertos. The transformation of the campus is breathtaking—vibrant altars glow with candles and marigolds, live music fills the air, and the scent of authentic cuisine mingles with laughter and joy.

    “Our Día de los Muertos celebration is a powerful way to honor loved ones, share stories, and celebrate the diverse cultures that make Burbank such a vibrant community,” said Myra Stephenson, President of the Walt Disney Elementary PTA. “Each year, this festival reminds us of what makes the Disney community so special. Seeing our campus transform into a sea of color and joy, at the hands of so many dedicated volunteers and community members is truly magical. We are incredibly grateful to the City of Burbank and our local sponsors for helping bring this event to life.” 

    The festival blends tradition, education, art, and community. Attendees can enjoy:

    • Ofrendas (Altars) lovingly crafted by families to honor loved ones who have passed
    • Music and Dance Performances, including traditional Aztec, salsa and folklórico dancers, mariachi, and more! 
    • Hands-on Crafts and Games, for children and families
    • Food Vendors: Tamales, pupusas, tacos, elote, fruta, and concessions will be available for purchase

    Walt Disney Elementary Annual “Día de los Muertos” Festival
    Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
    Location: Walt Disney Elementary School, Burbank, CA
    Time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
    Admission: $10 Adults (pre-sale is $5 through October 13); Kids are free 

    This event is supported in part by a Community & Events Program Grant through the City of Burbank.

    Thank you to our generous sponsors for their support:

    • Gain Federal Credit Union – Games
    • Chez Gagne – Concessions
    • Killswitch Inc. – Face Painting
    • East Valley Children’s Dentistry- Crafts

    For more details visit https://disneypta.org/dia-de-los-muertos 

    Press Release

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  • SnackSafely.com and Partners Launch Free-From Sample Program for Schools

    SnackSafely.com and Partners Launch Free-From Sample Program for Schools

    Program introduces free-from alternatives to teachers, school nurses, cafeteria planners, administrators and PTAs


    New York, NY, February 7, 2017 (Newswire.com)
    –
    ​​​​​​​​​SnackSafely.com, publishers of the Safe Snack Guide – a resource used by thousands of schools and tens of thousands of parents nationwide – announces the launch of an exciting new program to introduce allergy-friendly alternatives to traditional foods often consumed in classrooms and cafeterias.

    Conceived together with Enjoy Life Foods – the leading brand in the Free-From category – the program provides free samples, coupons, and offers for products delivered to teachers, school nurses, cafeteria planners, school and district administrators, and PTA representatives.

    We’re excited to launch a program to introduce schools to allergy-friendly alternatives that can be enjoyed by a wider community of children.

    Dave Bloom, CEO, SnackSafely.com

    The program features products and offers from Enjoy Life’s robust allergy-friendly portfolio of cookies, snack bars, seed and fruit mixes, and more, as well as WOWBUTTER Safe-For-School Soybutter, MadeGood Granola Bars, and Skeeter Nut-Free Snacks. All are peanut and tree nut free and free of other common allergens depending on the product.

    “An estimated 5.9 million children in the US are coping with food allergies, an average of two in every classroom,” says Dave Bloom, CEO of SnackSafely.com. “Many, my daughter included, have been excluded from participating in school activities because of their allergies. We’re excited to launch a program to introduce schools to allergy-friendly alternatives that can be enjoyed by a wider community of children.”

    “At Enjoy Life Foods, inclusion is one of our core values, but we understand that navigating a special diet at school can be restrictive to children across the nation,” said Joel Warady, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer at Enjoy Life Foods. “That’s why we’re proud to partner with SnackSafely.com on this widespread program that not only makes safe allergy-friendly foods available for the growing number of kids with food allergies, but gives parents, teachers, and everyone that plays an integral role in our children’s education peace of mind.”

    School/district employees and PTA representatives responsible for children with food allergies are encouraged to visit schoolsamples.snacksafely.com to learn more about the program and sign up.

    Manufacturer participation in the program is limited to those that have been accepted to the SnackSafely.com Manufacturer Partnership by agreeing to disclose detailed information regarding the processing of 11 allergens during the manufacture of each of their products. Membership is free to companies of all sizes.

    Note: These products may not be suitable for every child with food allergies. Always consult with the parent or caregiver before giving any food to a child with food allergies.

    About SnackSafely.com

    SnackSafely.com provides straightforward, actionable information to improve the lives of the 17 million Americans suffering with food allergies. We strive to eliminate anaphylaxis by leveraging our on-line properties to educate, advocate, and connect the allergic community with products and services that help toward achieving this goal.

    The firm employs a proprietary platform designed to foster greater transparency in food manufacturing with regard to allergens. Manufacturers join the SnackSafely.com Manufacturer Partnership at no cost by disclosing how 11 allergens are processed during the manufacture of each product, and in return receive free listings in the Safe Snack Guide and Allergence – our allergen product screening service. All companies large and small are encouraged to join the Partnership, which currently comprises over 60 manufacturers. To learn more, visit us at snacksafely.com.

    About Enjoy Life Foods

    Enjoy Life Foods is the leading brand in the growing Free-From category, featuring a robust portfolio of Certified Gluten-Free and Non-GMO Project Verified products that are free-from the eight most common food allergens, identified as milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans. Founded with the goal to create great-tasting, allergy-friendly foods, the Enjoy Life line includes cookies, snack bars, chocolate bars, baking chocolate, baking mixes, seed and fruit mixes, plant-based protein-infused ProBurst Bites, and lentil-based chips called Plentils, all available in natural and conventional grocers and mass retailers throughout the United States and Canada. Enjoy Life’s mission and brand promise is to deliver safe, better-for-you products free-from the top eight food allergens, but not free-from taste so everyone can Enjoy Life to the Fullest! To learn more about Enjoy Life, visit www.enjoylifefoods.com, ‘Like’ us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter or Instagram.

    About WOWBUTTER

    WOWBUTTER is the only peanut free & tree nut free spread with a taste & texture just like peanut butter that all kids already know & love!  Taste testing has shown this #1 kid preferred peanut free spread successfully satisfies the taste needs and nutritional requirements at the same time.  WOWBUTTER is nutritionally better than traditional peanut butter containing complete protein and is naturally a source of Omega-3.  Awarded a prestigious National Parenting Product Award in 2016, WOWBUTTER is fast becoming a new food staple for schools, camps and daycares across the country! For more information, please visit www.WOWBUTTER.com or email us at info@wowbutter.com.

    About MadeGood

    MadeGood® prides itself on providing families with a portable snack, packed with nutrition and flavor. The MadeGood Granola Minis and Granola Bars come in five delightful flavors and make the perfect anytime pick-me-up at school or on the go.

    Made in a dedicated nut free facility, MadeGood products are free from the following eight common allergens: peanut, tree nuts, wheat, dairy, egg, soy, sesame, fish and shellfish, so parents and teachers don’t need to worry about serving or enjoying them. They are also organic, gluten-free, Non-GMO project verified and contain the nutrients in one full serving of vegetables. Visit us at madegoodfoods.com and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/madegoodfoods

    About Skeeter Nut Free Snacks

    Skeeter Snacks, LLC was founded by two best friends frustrated by the lack of great tasting and safe snacks for their nut allergic children.  The company’s mission is to create products that are loved by all and help provide a safe and inclusive environment for people with nut allergies.  Skeeter Nut Free offers delicious and wholesome peanut and tree nut free products that can be enjoyed with any meal or as a snack.  All Skeeter Nut Free products are made in a dedicated nut free facility with an audited nut free supply chain and each production run is tested internally and by third parties before being released for distribution.  Skeeter Nut Free products meet the nutritional requirements of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act for inclusion in school nutrition programs as a whole grain and are served in schools across the country.  Skeeter Nut Free can also be purchased online, in retailers, and is offered as a complimentary snack on JetBlue Airways.  For more information, please visit us at skeeternutfree.com/schools/ or on Facebook at facebook.com/skeeternutfree.

    Media Contact
    ​Debra Bloom
    347-915-4777
    ​press@snacksafely.com

    Source: SnackSafely.com

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  • LearningRx – Reviews 10 Ways Parents Can Partner With Teachers

    LearningRx – Reviews 10 Ways Parents Can Partner With Teachers

    Brain Training company LearningRx shares tip on how parents can partner with teachers at learningrxblog.com

    Press Release
    –

    Aug 16, 2016


    Colorado Springs, CO, August 16, 2016 (Newswire.com)
    –
    ​​​​One-on-one brain training company LearningRx is sharing a list of 10 ways parents can partner with teachers. Here are a few from the list:

    1. Offer to help at home. Not everyone can volunteer in the classroom. Parents work, stay home with younger children, take care of sick or elderly family members, or live too far away to make multiple trips to school. But many teachers have things that can be done at home instead. “I have sorted and stapled piles of papers, cut out materials, done online research and sorted art materials into plastic baggies for a craft project,” says one mother of two. If you can spare even an hour a week, ask your child’s teachers what you can do at home to help with materials for the classroom.

    I love the tip about how any parent who donates funds to help a classroom can double their money!

    Tanya Mitchell, Mom of four school-aged kids

    2. Share good deals. Even if you can’t afford to buy a ton of extra school supplies for the classroom, you can share extra-special deals that you run across. “I make a list of businesses that are offering freebies during Teacher Appreciation Week and give them to my kids’ teachers,” says one mom. “It doesn’t cost me anything and they love knowing about places like Chipotle and Chick-fil-A that offer freebies or BOGO deals.” Sites like Donors Choose and Fund My Classroom let teachers in high-needs communities post requests for financial assistance for specific projects, equipment, field trips and events. “I would donate $25 and then use a promo code I’d find online to get a matching the donation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, so the teacher would instead get $50 toward her project,” says another mom. “Then I’d share the code with the teacher and other parents, so any parent in the class who donated funds could double their money.”

    3. Donate supplies. Time magazine reports that teachers spent, on average, $500 of their own money on classroom supplies. If you have contacts at stores or large companies, ask if they can donate supplies. (Some schools will even supply you with their tax ID number in order for the company to get a write-off.) You can also check yard sales and thrift shops to pick up cheap deals, or ask the teacher to create a list of classroom “needs” and “wants” that you can offer to copy and share with other parents.

    To see the full list, visit: http://media.learningrx.com/files/2016/08/PrintablePartnerWithTeacher-copy.pdf

    LearningRx, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is the largest one-on-one brain training organization in the world. With 80 Centers in the U.S., and locations in 40 countries around the globe, LearningRx has helped more than 95,000 individuals and families sharpen their cognitive skills to help them think faster, learn easier, and perform better. Their on-site programs partner every client with a personal brain trainer to keep clients engaged, accountable, and on-task — a key advantage over online-only brain exercises. Their pioneering methods have been used in clinical settings for 35 years and have been verified as beneficial in peer-reviewed research papers and journals. To learn more about LearningRx research results, programs, and their 9.6 out of 10 client satisfaction rating visit http://www.learningrx.com/.    

    Source: LearningRx

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