During Tough Economic Times Parents Find Ways to Focus on Child Health

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - October 20, 2008) - As both the election buzz and economic worries grow, parents and schools still concentrate on their number one priority: the healthy, positive development of their children.

To recognize their outstanding (and pretty creative) efforts, National PTA is awarding 22 local PTA schools with grants of up to $1,000 in honor of PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month, November.

These PTAs are receiving cash awards to support PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month activities they have planned to promote health and wellness and parent involvement in their schools, emphasize the link between involvement and student achievement, and further PTA's mission.

PTAs from across the country submitted proposals describing different activities they have planned to help families increase their physical activity and learn to eat healthier, like walkathons, and health fairs, as well as bike-to-school programs and "family fit nights."

"While a lot of attention is on the presidential election, families everywhere are facing economic stresses that might make it difficult to put food on the table -- not to mention healthy food," said Jan Harp Domene, National PTA president. "So we're proud to recognize parents at the grassroots that are helping their schools and other parents remember that a healthy child is more likely to achieve. That's why PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month is so important, because it calls much needed attention to child health and wellness."

National PTA officials chose 22 schools from 13 different states!

Note: The award-winning PTAs represent the following schools:

--  McIntyre Middle School; Montgomery, Alabama
--  Huffman Elementary School; Anchorage, Alaska
--  Paul Banks Elementary School; Homer, Alaska
--  Wingland Elementary School; Bakersfield, California
--  Ernie Pyle Elementary School; Bellflower, California
--  Gold River Discovery Center; Gold River, California
--  Rosemont High School; Sacramento, California
--  Sunset View Elementary School; San Diego, California
--  Glenwood Elementary School; Thousand Oaks, California
--  Blanchard Elementary School; Fortson, Georgia
--  Mark Twain Elementary School; Kansas City, Kansas
--  Wallagrass Elementary School; Wallagrass, Maine
--  Westridge Elementary School; Kansas City, Missouri
--  MacArthur Elementary School; Binghamton, New York
--  Ken-Ton Special Education School; Buffalo, New York
--  Wildwood Forest Elementary School; Raleigh, North Carolina
--  Valley Vista Elementary School; North Royalton, Ohio
--  Parma Park Elementary School; Parma Heights, Ohio
--  Butler Creek Elementary School; Gresham, Oregon
--  Memorial Elementary School; McMinnville, Oregon
--  Alpine Elementary School; Alpine, Utah
--  Rockfish Elementary School; Afton, Virginia
    

Contact PTA's national office to find out what activities PTAs in your community have planned for the month.

PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month is supported by education and community leaders, including Action for Healthy Kids, National School Boards Association, National Association of School Nurses, National Association of Health Education Centers, and Family Voices.

About PTA

As the nation's largest volunteer parent organization, PTA comprises more than 5 million members, including parents, students, educators, school administrators, and business and community leaders. With more than 25,000 local units, PTA flourishes in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Department of Defense schools in Europe and the Pacific. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who is concerned about the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.

To view a media-rich version of this release, go to: http://www.pwrnewmedia.com/2008/pta_102008_2/index.html.

Contact Information: Contact: James Martinez E: O: (312) 670-6782 Ext. 325 C: (773) 339-4533