Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Thousands head to Long Beach for California PTA convention
File photo: Pupils listen to their teacher in a classroom on the first day of the school year.
(
Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP/Getty Images
)
Thousands of people are heading to Long Beach this weekend for the 112th annual state PTA convention.
There will be plenty of talk among parents and teachers about budget cuts, education reform and the disappearance of the once ubiquitous bake sale.
California PTA Vice President Colleen You says these days, bake sales are almost as rare as chalk and chalkboards.
"Many after school programs now are actually working with the students to prepare and grow foods," says You, "and when the children’s parents come to pick them up, they’re actually purchasing the foods and bringing them home and preparing them together."
It used to be that PTAs raised money for small ticket school items such as dictionaries and microscopes. Now, layoffs are prompting many PTAs to raise larger and larger sums to help pay for teachers and aides. Popular fundraisers include sales of gift wrap, magnets and notecards.
The convention’s motto “every child, one voice” is a reference to the organization’s advocacy for policymakers to undo budget cuts.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
