Advocacy
from our PTA Council of Howard County representatives from CLES
Blene Bekure and Corinne Happel (ptachc@clespta.org)
Participate in Advocacy for Our Schools
The PTA receives questions like:
Why are all our fifth graders in portables this year?
How can we get a new playground and more green space for children to play outdoors in the shade?
Why isn’t Centennial Lane Elementary School on the 10-year long-plan master plan for capital funding in Howard County?
How can we share our thoughts about student cell phone policies?
Renovations are needed for the high school our children are districted to attend in a few years; these have been pushed back until 2036 when current kindergarteners will be high school seniors. What can we do to advocate for funding for important projects like this to happen sooner?
Whether you’ve asked these questions yourself or have other school-related concerns on your mind, joining the PTA is a great way to stay informed and to work with others to advocate for all students in Howard County. For concerns specifically about CLES, our principal, Mrs. Albright (tracey_albright@hcpss.org), is always a great first contact for your questions as well.
Starting this school year, we’ll be sending updates at least quarterly to registered PTA members with answers to common questions that families are asking and key points from PTACHC meetings.
The PTA Council of Howard County (PTA-CHC) welcomes our participation on advocacy issues throughout the year. There are usually shortages of community members advocating to fund our school system both at the local (Howard County) and the state level. Multiple issues are raised each year; the PTA-CHC cannot tackle all of them. School PTAs can pursue their own advocacy efforts. Individuals are also encouraged to advocate as needs/concerns arise.
Please contact our PTACHC representatives (ptachc@clespta.org) for any advocacy related ideas or concerns. They can work with you on advocacy issues or bring them up with PTA-CHC.
All school community members are welcome to register to speak in person or virtually at school board meetings that are usually held twice monthly. You can register to speak up to 3 minutes at each meeting on almost any topic that you have concerns about. There are also opportunities to speak to the Howard County Council and state legislature. All are welcome.
Announcements for November 2024
The PTA Council of Howard County is inviting all community members to show up for the APFO public testimony on Wednesday, November 6th at 7:00 PM at the East Columbia 50+ Center. Come in school spirit wear or come with signs in support of Howard County public schools. Kids are welcome to participate. You can sign up to speak or just show up in support.
Written testimony can also be sent to: apfo@howardcountymd.gov.
More info here:
Contact us.
Blene Bekure
Corinne Happel
CLES PTA representatives to the PTA Council of Howard County