This page highlights the latest Advocacy activities. Check the PTA newsletter for updates. Email advocacy@connpta.org. 

FY24-25 Impact

The overall purpose of the PTA is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. Below are some of the Advocacy Committee activities that helped families and educators to improve students’ lives during the 2024-2025 school year.

CONNversation Night - Money Talks

• Hosted Conn's District 4 WCPSS Board Member Toshiba Rice to answer questions from parents face to face (photo album)

• Raised parent and staff understanding with School Funding 101 presentation by Save Our Schools NC co-founder Susan Book

• Advocacy Committee member Phillips helped facilitate $550 food donation by CONNtrepreneur David Meeker, Trophy Pizza co-owner, for CONNversation Night: Money Talks

• Provided childcare and food at CONNversation Night: Money Talks to make the meeting more accessible for busy, low income caregivers.

• Worked with Conn staff to integrate budget lessons into 5th Grade Leadership Team activities with Ms. Jermyn and Financial Secretary Ball-Johnson. 

Conn Counts

• Created and distributed voter guide for Conn families in Wednesday folders

• Tabled and distributed voter guide at Walk to School Day in collaboration with Wellness Committee

• Conversations with over 20 different Conn families at playdates, as well as other supportive non-Conn parents and community members

• Distributed information about new voting procedures and Wake public library bond referendum

• Caffeinated adults, fed kids snacks and juice

• Provided chalk board kiosk to engage students in voting concepts 

• Tabled at Bike to School event to advertise playdates

Elected representative engagement

• Participated in advocacy efforts to ensure safe bike travel on Brookside Drive around Conn

• Members helped facilitate the selection of a new WCPSS District 4 Board Advisory Counsel representative

• Attended and spoke during WCPSS Board Meeting public comment periods

• Distributed Advocacy Committee-authored WCPSS School Board Public Comment Guide to prepare prospective speakers

More

• Collaborated with Secretary to revise website with more information about PTA roles

• Tabled at 2024 Raleigh Organizing Fair and shared WCPSS Board Comment Guide

• Authored Conn PTA Advocacy Committee ReadMe

• Conducted evaluation of two years' of Committe activities to recommend a framework for future team activities

• Advocacy Committee member Lewis served as a School Improvement Plan parent representative

Advocacy 101

WCPSS School Board Commenting Guide

NC School Funding 101 - Guide from Save our Schools NC

North Carolina state government 101 - PDF from EdNC for advocates

Every Child NC Advocacy Toolkit - English and Spanish guides on the Leandro Plan, public education policy, and public education elections. Guías en inglés y español sobre el Plan Leandro, política de educación pública y elecciones de educación pública.

Private School Voucher Toolkit - Comprehensive resources from Public Schools First NC

NC Child Advocacy Toolkit - Details the difference between advocacy and lobbying; includes tips for community-based, legislative, and digital advocacy; and shares the perspectives of child advocates and state legislators.

Understanding Legislative Advocacy for Children in North Carolina: A Guide to the General Assembly (NC Child)

Every WCPSS school is required to carry out a school improvement plan (SIP). According to WCPSS, "the purpose of SIP is to improve achievement and outcomes for every student by working to eliminate the ability to predict achievement based on socioeconomic status, race, and ethnicity. Every WCPSS school is charged with collaboratively and continuously analyzing data and making decisions considering the unique needs of the learning community and the district's strategic plan."

In other words, this is a school-run program; it is not affiliated with PTA. However, PTA does help recruit parent representatives.  

• If you would like to get involved, please reach out to Principal Corey at jcorey@wcpss.net or Assistant Principal Michael Warholik@wcpss.net.

• To view Conn's school improvement plan and learn more, use the credentials found in the right hand column on the Conn's SIP webpage. 

Every year, Conn admin works with PTA to vote in one or two parent representatives to serve on Conn's SIP Team. For the 2024-2025 school year, Ms. Kellee Lewis and Ms. Lauren Lankford are Conn's parent representatives.