Happy Summer!!

We hope everyone has a great summer! Check back next week for PTA news and updates.

Congrats to the Grads!

Today was an exciting day with the graduation ceremony for all the 8th graders. I had the honor of speaking at the graduation this morning. I thought the ceremony was lovely and the students were obviously bursting with pride. It was a very nice sense of community and was touching as the class met for the last time before moving on to high school.

CeCe Peniston Performs at O. A. Thorp

CeCe Peniston, National PTA Release Inspirational Song
Above Horizons is a tribute to children, parents and teachers


CHICAGO (June 2, 2009) – Honoring the billions of children and child advocates around the world, international multi-platinum recording artist and Billboard star CeCe Peniston and National PTA made PTA’s new song available for download today at www.PTAmusic.org.

To celebrate the release of the song, called Above Horizons, Peniston is performing the song live today at a Chicago Public School (O A Thorp Scholastic Academy: 6024 W Warwick).

“I’m definitely happy to be part of an organization that helps children reach their dreams. When I was younger, my parents always dared me to dream and I haven’t stopped. So this is my tribute to the families, teachers and communities who help children reach their dreams through PTA,” said Peniston.

This is the first official PTA song released from the organization’s recording label, National PTA Recordings. Peniston began recording Above Horizons when she became a National PTA Ambassador in October 2008. Since then, she’s visited with hundreds of children across the country to reinforce the importance of an arts education and pursuing your dreams. She’s also performed at the U.S. Department of Education during PTA’s Reflections Gallery opening in February this year.

PTA’s message of parent involvement and student success is captured in the chorus:

We are the shoulders you can stand on, when you reach for something higher.
These are the arms that you can count on, when your dreams have been delayed.
We are the parents, we are the teachers, you are the eagles that fly above horizons.
Young conqueror;
You’re never alone.

The release of the song coincides with National PTA’s unofficial announcement of Downloadfundraiser.com as a PTA National Member Benefits Provider, and the “category exclusive” digital music retailer for National PTA.