To Do: Complete National Program Award Applications

By:  Allison Kreifels, National Consultant Team

Every chapter does them so why not get recognized for them.  Here is your friendly reminder that National Program Award applications are due March 1.  Applications can be filled out through the online applications page that is accessed through the FCCLA website.

Applications should be completed by students.  Be sure to give them the questions that should be answered as well as any length specifications for each question to ensure the best possible responses.  In addition, encourage them to type their responses in a Google Drive Doc or Word document so that changes can be made and they can be easily copied and pasted into the online application.

So, don't delay.  Recognize your chapter and students today with a National Program Award application!  All chapters are recognized with a certificate and you could even win $500-$1000 for your chapter and be recognized on stage at the National Leadership Conference in Nashville, TN.

Make Your Mark

FCCLA Week:  the best week of the year for FCCLA members across the country.  Our students have the opportunity to show the nation what it means to be a part of the ultimate leadership experience.  FCCLA members have the biggest hearts and continue to serve those who need it the most.  These students model the way in their commitment to improving their families, careers and communities.  

FCCLA Week is special in that members across the nation unite to spread the word, not only about FCCLA, but about issues and causes that are important to their individual schools and communities.  It is truly amazing to see what a group of talented, driven, dedicated students can accomplish in one short week.

Check out some of the ways chapters celebrated National FCCLA Week 2013:

• Purple Day for March of Dimes
• Staff Appreciation Days
• Bake Sales for Share our Strength
• Go Orange Day for Share our Strength
• Facts/trivia in daily announcements
• Dress for Success Day
• Bag Hunger Day to raise money for childhood hunger prevention
• FCCLA Logo Scavenger Hunts
• Public Service Announcements
• FCCLA T-Shirt Days

Did you “Make Your Mark” in your families, careers and communities during National FCCLA Week 2013?  We would love to hear how you celebrated the best week of the year!

It's CTE Month!

February is Career and Technical Education Month.  This is the time where Career and Technical Education shines the brightest.  However, if we do not use spotlights, many people will not see the light.  I have been told that people do not know about Family and Consumer Sciences or Career and Technical Education because we do not tell people about us and what we do.  As a FACS teacher, I know that it is hard to “toot our own horns”, but the fact is, if we do not, the public will not know we exist.  At this moment, legislators are now saying that education needs to be teaching career skills, along with academics.  We have been doing this for years..  It is our time to show what CTE is truly about and the many benefits that students gain by being in our classrooms.  Here are a few ideas:

• Show off your students.  Have them do service learning projects for the community or for one of the National FCCLA National Outreach Projects.  You have two to choose from:  Share our Strength and March of Dimes.  Participate in FCCLA Week, February 10-16.  Have the students plan an activity everyday highlighting a national program in FCCLA.  Share your ideas and successes with FCCLA members on Facebook or Twitter.
• Host an open house of your student activities and class projects.  Invite parents, administration and, of course, the school board.  Don’t forget to invite the media to come and see what CTE is all about.  In a small school, collaborate with the other CTE programs and host the open house together.  Remember, we are all part of the same family and it is time for us to bond together to help each other spread the word.
• Spread the word about FACS and CTE by using social media.  Post pictures of your classroom activities and FCCLA on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.  If you don’t know how to use these valuable marketing tools, ask your students to help you. 
• Highlight all of your classroom successes, as well as FCCLA, to the school board, administrators, parents, and local media.  Let them know what is going on in the classroom.  Write to your congressmen and inform them what skills you are teaching in the classroom.  Have the students write testimonial letters telling what they have gained from their CTE experiences.  

These are a few of the ideas that you can do.  You are only limited by your own imagination.  Check out www.acte.org or your state CTE organization for additional ideas. 

Don’t miss this great opportunity to let people know what CTE is all about!