Santa Barbara Area Council of PTAs

In light of the recent tragic death of a child in Santa Barbara, PTA Council president Cheri Bode sent this letter to Superintendent Dr. Sarvis:

Dear Superintendent,

In light of the recent tragic gang related events that have taken place in the Santa Barbara Community, the Santa Barbara Area Council of PTAs feels compelled to provide you with our position on Gang Issues. We have been approached by the media over the past week who have been asking for comment. Our board met Thursday March 22 and approved the attached document to be provided to the media as our response to their requests.

The position comes directly from the PTA Toolkit and was originally drafted in 1989 and revised in 2002 by the over 1,000,000 membership of the California State PTA. You will see that PTA advocates for many activities, outreach and programs to be performed, many of these by the School Districts, some of which may already be in use.

Our Council like every other member of this community feel deeply saddened, shocked and horrified at the taking of a child's life by other children. The Council see's these events as a wake up call to the fact that all is not well in our community and in the lives of it's children.

The PTA was formed 110 years ago this year, it's original purpose was to advocate for the protection, health, safety and education of ALL children, by building strong relationships between children, parents, teachers, schools and entire communities and we hope to continue our work for another 110 years.

We would like to help in anyway we can, please call upon the Santa Barbara Area Council PTAs with any questions, concerns or needs you may have. We look forward to continuing our work together.

Warmest Regards,

Cheri Bode

President
Santa Barbara Area Council of PTAs

4.5.33 Gang Awareness

Adopted May 1989 - Reaffirmed January 2000 Community Concerns Commission

The California State PTA recognizes the harmful impact of gangs on our children and youth. Gang participation associated with drug trafficking and violent crime is increasing at an alarming rate in California.

Children in all parts of California are being threatened, harassed, and coerced into joining gangs. Gangs usually cause children to avoid family members, old friends and extra-curricular activities, and membership leads to personality and behavior changes. Most children and youth who join gangs become involved in criminal activities.

Education is the first and most important step in awareness of gangs and gang activities. Parents armed with such basic knowledge are better able to protect their children from gang involvement.

PTA advocates:

Conducting parent education meetings that provide up-to-date information, such as reasons why juveniles join, and recognition of gang characteristics and symbols;
School district staff development programs that include current knowledge about the dynamics of gang involvement;
The adoption of school district policies designed to protect children and youth who are threatened and/or harassed by gangs;
School district programs to help parents of gang-involved students more effectively work with their children;
School district strategies to assimilate gang-oriented students into the mainstream in academic, extracurricular, and social activities;
School district programs that provide counseling and direction to assist students who wish to leave gangs;
Gang awareness classes in schools;
Development of a list of community agencies, resources and speakers knowledgeable about gangs to be used in PTA/community programs;
The establishment of supervised programs as an alternative to gang involvement;
Support of citizen action groups such as Neighborhood Watch; and
The adoption of a school district policy which precludes the wearing of gang symbols/colors.

Source: California State PTA Toolkit

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In Santa Barbara as elsewhere, school boards and administrations, teachers and parents are grappling with the State budget deficit. In response to the crisis, the California State PTA has developed the following list of priorities:

California State PTA Budget Priorities
Class Size Reduction
As many PTA members know, fundamental changes in the California Class Size Reduction program are being discussed as one way to address California's budget crisis. Proposals include increasing the number of children in kindergarten through third grade classes to more than 20 students to one teacher.

The California State PTA was instrumental in promoting tbe 1996 legislation creating the K-3 Class Size Reduction (CSR) program. Last year, the State PTA Board of Managers carefully reviewed the class size issue and considered whether the K-3 CSR program should be changed to allow class sizes above 20. In March 2002, the State Board of Managers reaffirmed the organization's strong commitment to no more than 20 children in each kindergarten through third grade class.

The PTA position is consistent with research findings that show children derive substantial benefit from attending small classes in the early primary grades, and that improved performance continues after the children move into larger classes in the upper grades.

High Priority Schools
High Priority Grants established by legislation passed last year focused resources on schools in the bottom two deciles in the state's Academic Performance Index (API). PTA believes there is a need to maintain an emphasis on improving student performance in these schools. In times of limited resources it is especially important that we do not abandon these efforts.

Special Education
PTA strongly supports increasing federal funding for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to the 40 percent of additional costs, as promised when the original Education for all handicapped Act was passed in 1975. PTA opposes attempts by the state to divert increased federal funds received for special education to other programs

Child Nutrition
Child Nutrition has been a PTA issue since the organization's beginning years. PTA has consistently supported school breakfast and school lunch programs and urges adequate funding for these programs. PTA also supports nutrition education and other measures that promote good nutrition and encourage children to make healthful food choices.

Child Safety
Child Safety is also a PTA priority. PTA supports funding of programs and activities that promote safety of children in their homes, in school, and in the community, including prevention and intervention activities and safety education.

Parent Involvement
Parent Involvement continues to be a top PTA priority. Though parent involvement has not been a significant issue in the State Budget discussions, PTA will continue to support programs and expenditures that promote meaningful parent involvement in children's education.

For more information on the California State PTA's current legislative agenda, please go to the State PTA website, www.capta.org.