December Update

At the local level, Director Kirsten Shabanowitz recently represented the Hunt District PTA at the LCPS Pathway to Equity Community Conversation on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between LCPS and the Leesburg Police Department and Loudoun County Sherriff’s Department.  The panelists included representatives from MSAAC, SEAC, the Equity Committee,  LCPS Senior Staff, the School Board, Department of Criminal Justice, the Commonwealth Attorney for Loudoun County and the Leesburg Police and Loudoun Sheriff's Offices.  The conversation highlighted the roles of SROs in schools, accountability within the MOU, implicit bias and cultural competence training and how communities can be aware of this information.

We encourage our PTA leaders to:

1. Read the current draft of the Memorandum of Understanding between LCPS and LCSO
2. Consider hosting a collaborative conversation between the SRO assigned to your school building, school administration and the school community. Understanding what the role of the SRO is and is not can help to build trust around these positions. 

As a result of this session, it was recommended by MSAAC that several policy items relating to the MOU be brought before the School Board’s Legislative and Policy Committee for further review. We look forward to continuing important conversations around this document.

Virginia PTA Capital Day
All Hunt District PTA leaders and members are invited to participate in Virginia PTA’s 2021 Capital Day activities!  It is a great year to participate since everything is virtual…so no need to drive to Richmond.  The activities will occur over the course of several weeks in January and February, beginning with a 4-part Learning Lab series that kicks off on January 7th.  Then, on January 14th, Virginia PTA will hold its virtual rally – be sure to follow the Hunt District PTA’s Facebook page to see how you can participate.  And most importantly, we will be hosting Community Conversations with our local delegates and senators to discuss PTA priorities that are important to you, your students, and your school families.  For more information and to register, visit the Advocacy page on the Virginia PTA website. 


Virginia PTA Resolutions Submission
Last call for Virginia PTA Resolutions!  Do you know of an issue or concern that affects children and youth statewide and would benefit from a statewide solution?  If so, consider writing a resolution to address that issue.  January 11th is the submission deadline for resolutions to be considered at the March 2021 Virginia PTA Annual Meeting. For additional information, visit https://www.vapta.org/advocacy/adv3/resolutions-main or email advocacy@huntdistrictpta.org.


Laura Espiritu
Advocacy Committee Chair
advocacy@huntdistrictpta.org