SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Arts programs,
translation services, health programs, nurses, volunteers and teachers
throughout California have been awarded $44,500 in California State PTA
2008 scholarships and grants.

    The largest amount of money went to cultural arts grants, with 10
recipients (school and district PTAs) getting a total of $10,005.

    Six winners were also provided with $9,000 for outreach translation
from the State PTA. Parent education grants totaling $2,665 went to five
recipients and $7,300 in Healthy Lifestyle grants went to six school PTAS.

    Thirty one individuals received education scholarships of $500 each;
including three nurses, nine PTA volunteers and 19 classroom teachers and
counselors.

    All the grant participants are part of the California State PTA and the
National PTA, which has 5.7 million members nationwide.

    Funding for the grants is generated by the PTA Honorary Service Award
(HSA) program, donations to the scholarship fund and money raised at the
Healthy Lifestyle walk at the annual state convention.

    The recipients of each grant and scholarship are chosen by the
California State PTA Scholarship/Grant Committee. Participants are either
nominated or apply for each award.

    For information about applying for grants, go to the California State
PTA website: http://www.capta.org/sections/programs/grants.cfm.

    The PTA is the nation's oldest, largest and highest profile volunteer
organization working on behalf of public schools, children and families,
with the motto "Every child, one voice." PTA volunteers work in their
schools and communities to improve the education, health and welfare of all
children and youth. The PTA also advocates at national, state and local
levels for education and family issues. The PTA is non-profit,
non-secretarian and non-commercial.

    Cultural Arts Grants were awarded to the following units to develop and
implement student-centered cultural arts programs, which complement the
California State PTA's commitment to quality arts education:

    Cleveland PTA, Oakland -- $1350.00

    Create student art portfolios, host a family and community art
workshop, and begin an entry wall mural at their school site.

    Eagle Peak Middle School PTA, Redwood Valley -- $1325.00

    Presentations of the program "Living Voices" to 6th- through 8th-grade
students.

    Leonard R. Flynn Elementary School PTA, San Francisco -- $1000.00

    "Storyteller" Readathon program combined with a school wide literacy
program.

    Fourth District PTA, Huntington Beach area -- $500.00

    Develop a cultural arts database for their county to enable the 160,000
members of 420 PTA schools to access arts opportunities for students,
teachers and parents.

    Grant Elementary PTA, Eureka -- $1000.00

    Provide basic art skills for 233 students, in conjunction with another
grant.

    Marshall Elementary School PTA. San Francisco -- $500.00

    Partially fund a performance by Greg Sarris, Chairman of the Federated
Indians of Graton Rancheria, formerly known as the Federated Coastal Miwok.

    Oak Hill Middle School PTSA. Salinas -- $530.00

    Partially fund the implementation of an art docent program for the
entire student body.

    Pleasanton PTA Council, Pleasanton -- $1500.00

    Partially fund 2 interactive plays for the 6,000 students and in their
council.

    Simi Valley PTA/PTSA Council -- $1300.00

    Partially fund art materials and supplies for four Title 1 schools.

    Special Education PTA of Redwood City -- $1000.00

    Conduct a school district-wide arts project on the theme of inclusive
schools. The artwork would be used to create art cards to be used as a fund
raiser to fund continued art projects.

    Outreach Translation grants were awarded to the following units to
translate PTA-written materials and oral presentations in an effort to
involve every member of the school community:

    Cleveland PTA, Oakland -- $150.00

    Chinese (verbally Cantonese) translation services for the spaghetti
dinner and art show, a school wide student and family event.

    Leonard R. Flynn Elementary School PTA, San Francisco -- $700.00

    Translate the parent handbook into Spanish

    Fourth District PTA (Orange County/part of LA County) -- $2875.00

    Translate printed material into Spanish and Vietnamese.

    Fremont Council PTA, Peralta District (East Bay) -- $3775.00

    Translation of membership brochure.

    George Peabody PTA, San Francisco -- $500.00

    Chinese translation at meetings.

    Special Education PTA of Redwood City -- $1000.00

    Translation of PTA written materials into Spanish.

    Parent Education grants were awarded to the following units to develop
and implement parent education programs and projects in such areas as
health, child development, child abuse prevention and parenting skills:

    Clark Magnet High School PTSA, Glendale -- $730.00

    Parent education program to help motivate students toward college and
beyond.

    Jamacha PTA, El Cajon -- $275.00

    Program on parenting issues, focusing on homework issues, building
positive self esteem, effective communication with your child and self
discipline.

    Marshall Elementary School PTA, San Francisco -- $500.00

    Program on healthy nutrition through "EJ's Cookin' with Class."

    George Peabody PTA, San Francisco -- $160.00

    Program on positive discipline for parents in English and Chinese.

    Special Education PTA of Redwood City -- $1000.00

    Presentation of 3 parent education events for parents of child with
special needs.

    Healthy Lifestyle grants were awarded to the following units to develop
and implement healthy lifestyle programs:

    John H. Eader PTA, Huntington Beach -- $2100.00

    SMART (specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic, timely) system
to get students active and healthy, by daily walking and healthy eating
education.

    Henry J. Kaiser PTA, Oakland -- $1500.00

    ALIVE! (actively, learn, initiate, volunteer, energize) program to
incorporate arts, activity and education in the school and the community.

    Maryland Avenue Elementary PTA. La Mesa -- $700.00

    Expand the current "Roadrunners" lap program to include all students.

    Redwood Hills Elementary PTA, Visalia -- $1180.00

    Talk Back to Your TV! Getting Smart about Media and Health program to
educate students and community about media messages and healthy lifestyles.

    Rolling Hills Elementary PTA, San Diego -- $950.00

    Expand the "Ranger Challenge" program, a positive exercise and
education program on the dangers of obesity for students.

    Tesoro High School PTSA, Las Flores -- $900.00

    Expand the "Move it Titans" program for all students that includes
education regarding healthy choices and exercise.