Advocacy
March 2026 – Buttressing an educated society
“I think we can all agree it’s better for us to have an educated society.”
~David Schapira, California Department of Education, Chief Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction
Why is advocacy with the PTA important?
“For 129 years, PTA has turned challenges into change. At the end of the day, the PTA mission is common ground with neighbors who have different political views. PTA remains a trusted non-partisan source of true information.”
~Robin Klau, Director, CA PTA LegCon26
How to be an effective advocate for all children:
1. Define your issue
2. Get the facts
3. Go to the right person
* Be reasonable
* Be respectful
* Be persistent
* Follow up
Stay Informed:
When you join our Arroyo Vista PTA, your membership extends to four other associations:
* Capistrano Unified Council PTSA
Here is a slide deck from CUSD’s Dr. Michael Gomez, Executive Director, State and Federal
Programs, breaking down the LCAP:
* Fourth District PTA
This is their monthly publication with an update about Sacramento Safari:
https://fourthdistrictpta.org/
* California State PTA
Posted by the Family Engagement Commission and the Legislative Advocacy Team:
https://capta.org/the-
* National PTA
Find out which bills in Congress National PTA supports, opposes and is monitoring.
https://www.pta.org/home/
Take Action:
Read and Learn
*Where does the money come from for a public education in California? Check out this slide deck and Chapter 8 in Ed100, the free information tool at your fingertips:
https://drive.google.com/
https://ed100.org/lessons/
* Looking for more information? Visit the Family Resource Center located in the District Office for a wide variety of topics:
https://www.capousd.org/
Use your Voice
* Immigration misinformation is rampant. Here is a slide deck provided by Sharon Cartagena, Directing Attorney, Youth & Family Advocacy:
https://drive.google.com/
and in her own words (scroll to the bottom of the page for the video):
https://capta.org/focus-areas/
* Write to your elected officials
The Governor’s initial budget suggests withholding funds required to be given to public education by Prop 98, the process by which the State of California disperses money to public education chosen by voters in 1988. By sending letters to our elected officials, you send a powerful message that your voice matters. Write your own or print, sign, and send these via USPS today:
https://docs.google.com/
*Sign this petition (learn more here):
https://www.raisethebase.org/
Show Up
Meet with the Superintendent of our school district to hear the most up to date information and ask questions
* Friday, March 13 8:30 AM Coffee with Chris
Philip Reilly Elementary School
24171 Pavion
Mission Viejo, CA 92692
* Tuesday, April 14 6:00 PM Superintendent Evening Forum
Don Juan Avila Middle School
26278 Wood Canyon Drive
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
Attend a Parent Workshop
*Follow the CUSD Family Resource Center on Instagram for updates to planned events
Attend an Advocacy Forum
* Friday, April 24 9:30 AM Advocacy Forum
Come learn how PTA leaders can support and advocate for all students and families including
immigrant students and families.
Fountain Valley School District Office
10055 Slater Avenue
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Arroyo Vista Advocacy showed up to the California State PTA LegCon 26 in Sacramento February 2-3, 2026. Here are some highlights:
*On Budget
*On Climate
*On Health
*On Literacy
*On AI (National PTA Position Statement)
Do you want to do more but are unsure how you can help? Reach out to Advocacy@arroyovistapta.org
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