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 “COVID-19 has presented many challenges for
families and schools. Now more than ever, PTAs nationwide are
working hard to ensure our students, families and educators are
safe, healthy and have what they need—focusing on social and
emotional wellbeing, resources for distance teaching and learning,
bridging the digital divide and addressing food insecurity,” said
Leslie Boggs, president of National PTA.
When most U.S. schools closed due to the pandemic, over 70 PTA grant
recipients were scheduled to host sponsored family night programs,
ranging from science festivals and math nights to Be Internet
Awesome events.
“All of our sponsors impacted by this situation agreed to allow the
grant money to be repurposed to meet immediate needs created by
COVID-19. These companies really stepped up, and with this money,
these PTAs will be able to make even more of a difference for their
school communities during this time,” added Boggs.
Collectively between TikTok, Google, Bayer Fund, Mathnasium and
Life360, over $160,000 in sponsored program grants is being
redirected immediately to address critical community needs.
Google, a founding sponsor of National PTA’s PTA Connected
initiative, was the first to agree to this pivot and also had the
largest amount of grants pending in the field.
In addition to the grant money, TikTok has named National PTA as a
beneficiary of its Community Relief Fund, donating $2M to the
association. A significant portion of this funding will be granted
in phases to district, council, region and local PTAs, with an
application opening June 1.
"We understand the importance of continuing educational success for
students who are physically away from the classroom and have been
inspired to see students and teachers connecting on TikTok. We are
grateful to our educators and the PTA for supporting critical K-12
programs for distance learning as well as addressing food
insecurity, and hope our donation towards these needs will provide
some relief to the families impacted by the COVID-19 crisis,” said
Eric Ebenstein, director of public policy at TikTok.
As another part of TikTok’s Community Relief Fund
effort, May 5—which coincides with Teacher Appreciation Week and the
global #GivingTuesdayNow campaign—TikTok will be celebrating the
critical work of educators and PTAs, including hosting livestreams
with TikTok creators and encouraging donations by TikTok users to
National PTA.
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The company has pledged to match up to $10M in
donations by TikTok users to National PTA and a handful of other
chosen beneficiaries through May 27.
National PTA has also kicked off a “family video challenge” on the
TikTok app to encourage families to show how they are learning
during this time of school closures using the hashtag #AlwaysLearning
and apply TikTok’s new Donation Sticker to their videos to allow
viewers to make donations to the association within the TikTok app.
In addition to providing the funding to PTAs and school communities,
National PTA launched a comprehensive webpage at PTA.org/COVID-19
with resources, tools and information to support families and
educators amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The association has also
focused several episodes of its Notes from the Backpack podcast on
topics of concern for families due to COVID-19. Further, National
PTA has been advocating for access and support for families and
schools for online learning, access to school meals, funding for
family engagement, and fiscal and policy relief for state and local
education agencies.
“COVID-19 has had a significant impact on families and our nation’s
education system,” said Nathan R. Monell, CAE, National PTA
executive director. “National PTA and PTAs across the country remain
committed to supporting and advocating for students, families,
schools and communities in this time of crisis.”
About National PTA
National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers,
administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the
educational success of children and the promotion of family
engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c) (3) nonprofit
association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all
children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a
strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to
anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the
education, health and welfare of children and youth. For more
information, visit PTA.org.
[Sent by: Illinois PTA] |
