NPTA Connecting Communites
104th Annual PTA Convention by Aleta McCallum-Fournier -7/2000-
“Connecting Communities for the Future” is the focus of the upcoming 104th annual convention in National PTA’s home town, Chicago, Illinois.
Geographically located in the center of the United States, many will find convenience in attending this exciting, fun and informative convention to be held in the Crystal Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency, Chicago, June 24-26, 2000.
Bring your walking shoes (and dancing shoes for out on the town later and the Post-Convention Party on the 26th) and be prepared to look, learn and share new knowledge and skills on the latest developments of education, health and technology. There will be 190 exhibit booths and the popular “Reflections Program” display featuring the honored work of the 1999-2000 award recipients.
There are Workshops, Roundtables, Advanced Seminars, 40 different Topics for the Break-out Sessions and don’t forget the PTA HQ and City Tours. Guest speakers for the convention this year are Herb Scannell, President of Nickelodeon; Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary and Richard W. Riley, Secretary, U.S. Department of Education.
Keep your children’s schedule open for the first time gathering of students from around the country, talking about their ideas and opinions, in the“For Students Only Rap Room,” on June 24th from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Chicago History
The word Chicago came from an Indian word which means strong or great and this great city began with Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, who built the first settlement in 1779 at the mouth of the Chicago River. In 1848 the Illinois and Michigan canal, which connected Chicago with the Mississippi River, was completed and Chicago began it’s role as a transportation hub. In 1893, Chicago hosted the World’s Columbia Exposition, where the first Ferris Wheel was debuted. The Exposition attracted nearly 26 million visitors during its 6 month run. In order to provide transportation to the fair, the city introduced the first elevated trains. Today the “L” train circles the city’s central business district, known as the “Loop.”
“The Windy City is a Mighty Pretty” and it does have many breathtaking sights to see! “Calamity Jane” would be in awe if she rode into town today and saw: The Tribune Tower- Home of the Chicago tribune, which is embedded with pieces of famous buildings including Hamlet’s castle, Taj Mahal and Westminster Abbey; Sears Tower- The World’s tallest building, with 110 floors (see article page 27); McCormick Place- the largest convention center in North America; Marshall Field Clock- At the corner of Washington and State Street, installed in 1897; The Art Institute of Chicago- For Art lovers of all ages; Wrigley Building- Landmark clock tower patterned after the Giralda Tower in Spain and much, much, more.
Herb Scannell, President of Nickelodeon, Addresses PTA
NICK..NICK..NICK..NA…NIC..NIC. NICK…NIC..EL..O..DE..ON – I’m sure you sang this beginning phrase correctly if you and your kids have been watching the RUG RATS, DOUG, Nick at Night and many other Nickelodeon TV favorites. Herb Scannell, President of Nickelodeon, will speak to us in Chicago at the National PTA Convention this coming June 24th.
Mr. Scannell will deliver his “Kids State of the Union” speech revealing the results from the unprecedented Nickelodeon/Time Magazine Research study on the current state of kids. “Some of the results from last years research,” says Scannell, “shows that kids want to spend more time with their parents; kids like being kids and they are most concerned about the problem of bullying.” He adds, “There’s a growing sense that kids today are different than yesterday.”
Scannell talks about his Nickelodeon programs with a keen eye and compassion on what kids want and what they are most concerned about. He believes that kids aged 9-14 are caught in the middle of an emergence of growth, something he calls “Kidsdom” and “Teensdom.” And there’s more pressure to grow up faster.
He remarks that “children’s programs need to be kid tested and kid approved. We do that at Nickelodeon. Our Kid to Kid news show lets kids pick the issues. Children need their thoughts and opinions voiced, heard and considered.” He adds, “The more you know about your child the better.”
Herb Scannell, a Boston born 13-year veteran of Nickelodeon, has developed many wonderful kid orientated programs that encourage healthy interaction with their families, friends and community. Nickelodeon has introduced us to the Rugrat gang, including Tommy, Angelica, and Chucky; Doug and his friends, Arnold and many others.
Providing education through entertainment is something Nickelodeon does often with their programs. Included in Nick’s program bag of goodies are: Cable In The Classroom which offers commercial free programming to teachers; internet service programs, including teachers.nick.com (a great resource for teachers ), The Big Help (encourages kids to take action in their community by helping) and Noggin’s new tv and online program (www.noggin.com) designed for ages two-12, is sparked by kids and features their questions, artwork and ideas.
Scannell’s Nickelodeon plans for the future include ; more great cartoons and shows with diverse characters; (they’re currently seeking hispanic talent); more programs where kids pick the issues; and connecting the TV to the internet.
Peter Yarrow’s “Don’t Laugh at Me” Program
Peter, Paul, and Mary will be singing their new song, “Don’t Laugh At Me”, at the National PTA Convention on June 25th. Peter Yarrow, the Peter of Peter, Paul and Mary, has plans in motion to teach children how to respect one another, refrain from name calling and to learn how to get to your “Ridicule Free Zone” when in a dispute or if a problem occurs with another child or person. (This is something that not only children should learn but adults too.)
Yarrow’s creative output and mission to help children is underway and ready for schools. He aims to change what he believes is a, “culture of disrespect.” His project utilizes music and the edutaining song, “Don’t Laugh at Me,”to inspire children to eliminate name calling and ridicule, which is where he says “big problems can begin.”
Included in Yarrow’s program packet is a CD; a 3 1/2 minute music video of “Don’t Laugh At Me” and a 60-page teacher’s guide which will be distributed free, primarily to schools, but also to psychologists, social workers, Boys & Girls Clubs, etc. who will use it as a springboard to help create a “safe space” for children in classrooms or after school.
The “Don’t Laugh At Me” song, originally written and sung by Steve Seskin and Allan Chanblin, was introduced to Peter Yarrow by his 27 year-old daughter. “Certain songs connect people’s hearts. When I heard this song I knew this was one of them,” expresses Yarrow. This song definitely gives you that “Peter, Paul, and Mary” song feeling as does “Blowing in the Wind,” “Puff the Magic Dragon,” “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” and others the group has so beautifully sung for us.
“We need a constitution of caring, a Peace Place, other wise known as what I call the Ridicule Free Zone,” says Yarrow. His plight is to “do something positive that will effect our children and society.”
Yarrow is not a stranger to challenges of humanitarian endeavors, as over the years he produced many events to advance the cause in which he believed, including festivals for peace at Madison Square Garden and Shea Stadium, the March on Washington in 1969 to end the war in Vietnam, Survival Sunday at the Hollywood Bowl (for the anti-nuke movement) and countless benefits for candidates, advocacies, schools, hospitals, the homeless, and human rights.
To get your free school packet of the “Don’t Laugh At Me Program” contact Peter Yarrow Productions at (212) 580-5308
For more information about the 104th National PTA convention go to : www.pta.org. v
