Are you a Unit In Good Standing
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Why Say’s Firefly?
PTA is the oldest and largest volunteer child advocacy association in the United States. PTA advocates by supporting and speaking up for children in schools, communities and before government bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children. When children are learning the art of advocating with real life situations, we should hold them up as examples of our future generations. Say’s Firefly being chosen as the Indiana State Insect is a great example of children advocating for something they believe in. It is also a symbol of accomplishment! The children, over a period of several years, had to persevere and work hard for what they accomplished. Thus, the firefly is being utilized as Indiana PTA’s symbol of accomplishment. Each year when your unit or council is confirmed to be in Good Standing, your PTA will receive a certificate of recognition. Your unit or council will then be eligible to display Kayla the Firefly’s image. Put Kayla the Firefly on your website, social media, newsletter, etc. to show that you have accomplished the annual requirements of being a PTA in Good Standing! About Say’s Firefly Say’s Firefly, affectionately known by Hoosier children and adults alike as the “lightning bug”, was named after Posey County naturalist, Thomas Say, who named it in the 1800’s. Who cannot remember catching lightning bugs growing up or watching children catching lightning bugs? This activity could be considered a Hoosier summer pastime! When Kayla Xu, a second grader at Cumberland Elementary in West Lafayette, realized that Indiana was one of only three states that did not have a state insect, she and her classmates decided it was time to right this wrong. Their champion was Say’s Firefly! Beginning in the 2014-15 school year, these children worked with legislators in their area, testified before the Senate’s Public Policy Committee and wrote letters to the General Assembly on behalf of naming Say’s Firefly as the state insect. They were unsuccessful. But they did not give up. They tried again. Being unsuccessful again. But Perseverance was Kayla's middle name. Finally, the 17-18 school year she and her current classmates were successful and Say's firefly became a state symbol. “This is a great way for young students to be involved in the civic process. It will promote good citizens, and it will bring attention to science and the outdoors,” said Gov. Eric Holcomb. Say’s Firefly became Indiana’s State Insect on March 23, 2018, when Gov. Holcomb signed legislation proclaiming it so. To learn more about Say’s Firefly visit: www.in.gov/dnr/entomolo/9718.htm. |
Is your PTA in "Good Standing"?
In order to be considered an Indiana PTA Unit in “Good Standing” your unit must submit the following items to the Indiana PTA State Office.
Should you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Indiana State PTA Office. ***If the items above are not on file in the Indiana PTA Office by the deadlines, your unit or council applications/submissions will not be considered for any awards, grants or programs.*** |