PTA Communication Guidelines

PTA officers represent their unit, council, or district PTA. PTA is a diverse organization, and its leaders speak with one voice on behalf of all children. 

  • Presidents are the official representatives of their PTAs and may appoint others to officially represent the organization, as needed.
  • Know and reflect the official PTA positions. 
  • Do not commit the Association to programs, projects, or positions the Association has not voted to authorize. 
  • Do not mix personal with PTA opinions while representing PTA.

Purpose of PTA Communication

  • Connect families and schools. 
  • Encourage parent participation. 
  • Market the value and accomplishments of PTA. 
  • Promote joining PTA. 
  • Foster cooperation with the school. 
  • Work with the media. 
  • Promote PTA events that benefit the entire school community.
  • Inform every family in the school of the aims and accomplishments of the PTA. 
  • Encourage and highlight attendance at PTA meetings and family engagement in PTA projects and activities. 
  • Foster cooperation with the school in keeping parents informed about school functions, regulations and/or procedures on child-related issues.
  • Inform the community about PTA activities and school functions.
  • Express appreciation to those participating in or contributing to programs.
  • Tackle barriers such as language and culture. 

PTA communication is a team effort and it includes

  • VP Communications
  • Grade level parent network coordinators 
  • E News editors 
  • Webmaster 
  • Social Media Moderators 

Audience

  • PTA members and leaders 
  • Parents and caregivers 
  • Non-English speakers 
  • Public 
  • Teachers/Educators 
  • Media and opinion leaders and partners 

Process for Approval of PTA Communications

  • All PTA communication must be cleared with the PTA president and school principal before printing, publishing or posting. 
  • The principal is responsible for the accuracy of school information and compliance with the State Education Code and school district policy.
  • The PTA president is responsible for the accuracy of PTA information and compliance with PTA policies. (Article VI, Section 1i, Bylaws for Local PTA/PTSA Units) 
  • According to 6th district, PTA Social Media sites (including websites) that are administered and owned by the PTA and not the school, do not need the principal’s approval for posts but it might be a good idea to coordinate in order to maintain a good working relationship with the principal. 

Communication Dos 

  • Adhere to PTA noncommercial, nonpartisan and nonsectarian policies.
  • Use the PTA logo in all official PTA communications 
  • Moderate all PTA communication channels (Enews, WhatsApp, Parent Network, Instagram, and other social media platforms) 
  • Publish only a summary of actions taken from PTA association meeting minutes.
  • Get written permission before using photos, personal information about students or adults. Use of photographs or videos of children requires a Photography Release form available in English and Spanish 
  • Include all PTAC E News information in weekly site Enews publications
  • Note any scholarship opportunities for PTA sponsored events including parent education speaker events that charge a fee, to ensure everyone in the community can participate. 
  • Abide by copyright laws 

Do Not

  • Promote data or opinion collection, such as surveys, email addresses, or other information about our students, parents, etc. 
  • Promote for-profit businesses even if they are owned by district parents. 

Article Submission Rules from “Outside” Organizations (i.e. not your PTA, not your School) 

Which organizations are eligible to be published through your PTA’s channels? 

  • PAUSD PTA, PAUSD School/District Office, a PAUSD Student-led Club/Organization, or a Non-Profit, as listed on: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/tax-exempt-organization-search
  • NOT an After-School program at a PAUSD site – Please direct inquiry to your school site 
  • NOT a Sports or Enrichment Camp, Club, Program 
  • NOT the launch or event of a business venture, test-prep business, parent-blog, tutoring, etc. even if parent-owned or local to Palo Alto. This includes start-ups or print/online publications such as novels, websites, etc. This includes ventures or start-ups that are student-led. 

What is their submission about? 

  • An event/program/activity that directly benefits PAUSD students, staff, and/or parents 
  • NOT data or opinion collection, such as surveys, email addresses, or other information about our students, parents, etc.

If the organization makes it through this list, it is still up to each PTA to allow or deny the publishing of the article. Please be consistent and fair. Social Media Advocacy Chart 

Social Media and PTA Advocacy

Advocating is easy with the new social media chart. Tweet, post and share any items in the green column. Think twice before sharing items in the yellow section, and do not share items in the red column from a PTA account. 

For questions please contact communicationsvp@paloaltopta.org

California State PTA and National PTA positions can be found on the following websites:

http://capta.org/focus-areas/advocacy/position-statements 

https://capta.org/focus-areas/advocacy/resolutions 

https://capta.org/focus-areas/advocacy/current-legislation 

https://www.pta.org/home/advocacy/ptas-positions

Elections and candidates have their own section in the California State PTA online Toolkit:

http://capta.org/focus-areas/advocacy/election-campaigns 

Quick responses are important for social media, so this guide can help you feel comfortable re-tweeting,  sharing, and posting on social media. Some pre-planning can also help with quick responses. BUT always  remember, if in doubt, leave it out. This is offered as a guide – it is not an all-inclusive list. 

Be respectful | Be honest | Be discreet | Be responsible

Every Child. One Voice. Welcome to the website of the Palo Alto Council of PTAs. Our purpose is to foster collaboration, conduct leadership training, and coordinate the efforts of our site PTAs. This website is intended to be a resource for our PTAs to accomplish their Mission.