On April 8,  the Michigan Parent Teacher Association (PTA) held its annual convention, a chance for PTAs across the state to get together and share information. 

MI PTA also presents awards, this year judged by the Indiana PTA, to honor schools and councils in the state for the hard work and dedication in support of education. Farmington PTA Council and several Farmington PTA schools received awards at this year’s convention.

Wood Creek Elementary PTA received the award for MI PTA's new “Best Male Involvement Program," for their dad’s night reading event, which was a new program.

The Farmington PTA Council received several awards: “Council Awards – Certificate of Merit," “Council Awards – Certificate of Success” and “Council Awards – Certificate of Excellence." Farmington was the only council to receive the certificate of success and excellence award.   

The Farmington PTA Council presents many parent forums at the school levels and supports all the Farmington school PTA groups. This year, the council was also involved in the first “Pledge for Success” for all eighth grade families in the Farmington School District.      

Many Farmington schools also received awards for PTA Membership in the 2010 – 2011 school year. Farmington has more than 4,500 PTA members in 16 schools in the Farmington Public School system and is the fourth largest PTA council in the state of Michigan. 

Farmington added and received charters for one new PTA unit, Warner PTA, and three new PTSA units Dunckel PTSA, East PTSA and Farmington High PTSA.  Farmington PTA Council received the award for “Greatest Number of Business Membership” for the third year in a row, which is a testament to the businesses in our community that support the PTA.

Six schools received a certificate of merit for increasing membership by 25 more members that the prior year;  Alameda PTA, Forest PTA, Hillside PTA, Kenbrook PTA, Lanigan PTA, and Wood Creek PTA.  Highmeadow PTA and Forest PTA received a “Michigan Honor Roll” award and were the only two schools in the state honored for 100% membership.

The MI PTA organization has been an advocate for parents, and teachers and schools, and many programs have originated with school PTA groups. Currently the MI PTA is working hard to let Lansing know schools cannot afford more cuts to the educational system.  Having strong PTA membership from the Farmington area helps to have our voice represented in Lansing.