Kansas PTA

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4–8 and it is a perfect time to recognize the incredible educators who support, inspire, and make a difference for our students every day.

Did you know that National PTA offers a Teacher Appreciation Toolkit to help you celebrate? It includes ready-to-use flyers, certificates, cards, coloring pages, social media graphics, and more to make showing appreciation easy and meaningful.

Access the toolkit here: https://www.pta.org/home/events/PTA-Teacher-Appreciation-Week?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=PTA&_zs=Pf6sd&_zl=ba2x4

Let’s take this opportunity to show our gratitude and make our teachers feel valued across Kansas.

Now is the time to contact legislators! They return to Topeka on Thursday and could attempt to override the Governor's vetoes at anytime. They will likely adjourn for the 2026 session on Friday or Saturday. Take a quick moment to contact them using the easy links you can find here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HjHA4HyGhBknFXjEkOohqM_MYTKsMl2p4C45pKUuwe4/edit?usp=sharing

Please take these actions indicated below ASAP!

The legislature is keeping us on our toes...send an email to senators ASAP.

Find your state level senator (upper chamber) at openstates.org or use the easy email link at bit.ly/SMAC3-5-26Alert

Ask them to:
- Respect local control and the cell phone restriction policies SMSD has already implemented that allow for flexibility and adjustment as feedback is received from parents, teachers, and students.

- Oppose the unfunded mandate in the bill that is estimated to cost SMSD over $500,000 as districts must invest in storage equipment to keep phones securely stored and inaccessible to students.

KANSAS PTA Opposition
Kansas PTA stands opposed to the bill because of the importance of supporting local control for this and other issues where we see legislative overreach. Locally elected boards and administrators understand the needs and complexities of their districts best.

Kansas PTA supports districts implementing cell phone restrictions. The great majority of districts in Kansas have enacted cell phone restriction policies with input from teachers and parents. These local policies have community buy-in and allow for feedback and adjustments as districts learn what works well or what doesn't. Mandating strict requirements into state law doesn't allow for flexibility as circumstances arise within a district that may warrant a policy adjustment or an exception.