23rd District PTA is Making Magic!
July/August 2026 Newsletter
Welcome to 2026-2027, Riverside County PTA and PTSA Leaders!
You're officially one month into the new term, and I hope the "start of term" nerves have started to settle down and the "It's a new year, and there is magic to make!" excitement has started taking over!
This year, we are working hard to provide more resources and supports than ever to help ensure our leaders here in Riverside County have everything they need to be successful and keep the focus on the kids - from our brand-new spotlight workshops, to office hours, to trainings, to materials distribution days, we are focusing on "more" of what we can do to help you help kids!
In this newsletter, you will find links, attachment, and information to help your PTA or PTSA run smoothly and effectively throughout the year. We know it's a lot of information, but it really is designed to help support you and help you make sure your PTA's business is clean, clear, transparent, and purposeful!
In the coming months, we'll be sharing more information with you - and we hope this newsletter will help augment our association meetings to help keep you informed on the happenings not just in Riverside County, but with California State PTA and even National PTA.
We know many of you are brand-new leaders, and that's wonderful - no matter where you are in your PTA journey (brand-new, returning, or even a PTA veteran), we are always learning. That's what training and asking questions is for - so don't be afraid to reach out to us here at Twenty-Third District - we are so glad that you are here helping to make magic for kids and we are proud to support you!
We hope you have a wonderful August and back-to-school season, and please know that we are here cheering you on! Keep up the amazing work, Magic-Makers!
Kind Regards,
Becca Marks-Anderson
President
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You are receiving this newsletter as a PTA leader in Riverside County (Council or Unit), and you are a part of the Twenty-Third District PTA family. Families support each other, and we are here to support you! You matter, and we are very glad that you are here!
August Association Meeting for Twenty-Third District PTA - Don't Miss Out!
Just like our units and councils, Twenty-Third District PTA must conduct business - that means we need you! Presidents (or their alternates) are our voting body - so make sure you are there to get up-to-date information!
You are formally invited to attend the
August Twenty-Third District PTA Association Meeting!
Help us get 2026-2027 started off right! We will be adopting our calendar, adopting our budget, ratifying appointments, releasing funds, sharing information and reports, sharing how to take positions on bond measures, introducing and adopting programs and plans (and more!) to help make 2026-2027 the best year yet!
When: Aug 13, 2026 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/SRH5XZgvQVS8OWKArRZVGw
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Just click the link and register, and you'll be all set!
(If you don't see the confirmation email, please check your SPAM folder. Please email Webmaster@23rdDistrict.org for additional support.)
August Training Workshops [August 13, August 17-21]
It's that time again! Time for Round 3 of Twenty-Third District PTA 2026-2027 Leadership Training! These trainings are free to attend, and you can attend as many as you like. Don't forget the General Finance and your positional training!
Specific workshops are listed and are open for registration now. This round includes a complement of workshops that are designed to help support our leaders and give you the tools you need to be successful magic-makers for the 2026-2027 term of office, and includes two sessions of General Finance with real-time Spanish language interpretation. Many of these workshops were offered in previous rounds; however, if you missed it before - now is your time to take it!
You must register for each workshop you want to take, and links are tied to the individual registrant - so each person needs to register individually!
Click this link to access workshop options and to register now!
(Contact Webmaster@23rdDistrict.org for technical assistance or support)
August Spotlight Workshop: Building a Budget
You've asked, and we've heard you! In 2026-2027, Twenty-Third District PTA will be offering live, in-person spotlight workshops for leaders!
These workshops will focus on content areas that our leaders have asked to learn more about, and will include helpful handouts, interactive opportunities, and lunch! Each month is a different topic specifically chosen to help you!
August Topic: Breaking It Down: Let's Build a PTA Budget!
Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Time: 11:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. (Doors open at 10:45 A.M.)
Location: RCOE Murrieta Conference Rooms A&B
LUNCH IS PROVIDED FOR REGISTERED ATTENDEES. YOU MUST BE REGISTERED TO ATTEND.
**DON'T FORGET: KEEP YOUR SPOTLIGHT WORKSHOP COLLECTIBLES FOR CHANCES TO WIN PRIZES AT THE DECEMBER (IN-PERSON) ASSOCIATION MEETING!**
August Materials Distribution Day - FREE!
You've asked - we're making it happen! Additional materials distribution days are here!
(No Registration Necessary - This is a "walk-in" event)
The August Materials Distribution Date is:
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.
(Doors open at 1:00 P.M.)
Location: RCOE Murrieta Conference Rooms A&B
We have all kinds of materials specially designed to help support our leaders, and we want to give them to you - FOR FREE.
Leaders can:
- Pick-up prepared Treasurer Binders for 2026-2027
- Pick-up 23rd District PTA Financial Training Flip-Books (Your handy-dandy cheat sheet for all things finance - updated to include gift card and check card guidance!)* NOW AVAILABLE IN SPANISH
- Pick-up additional handouts and support materials (We have lots!)
- Pick-up 2026-2027 Reflections Program posters and program checklist!
- Meet Twenty-Third District PTA leaders and ask questions... AND MORE!
Please Note:
One set of materials is available per unit or council.
Materials can only be released to an officer of the unit.
Please communicate with your unit or council to see who will be stopping by to pick up materials!
Introducing: Office Hours for Support [August]
Sometimes, you have questions that need answers, and you just need one-on-one support to get the answers you need to feel comfortable moving forward!
Come see us! Someone from Twenty-Third District PTA will be at the dates, times, and locations below - just for you! You can drop off records for financial review, make arrangements to pick things up ahead of time, or just come chat to make sure you're on the right track.
With this in mind, Twenty-Third District PTA is starting a new support tool for our leaders - office hours! Each month, we will have hours available where you can meet with Twenty-Third District PTA leaders by dropping by the Twenty-Third District office, hop on Zoom, or come see us at a public location, to ask questions, drop off paperwork or other documents, or just double-check that you're on the right track!
Public location: August 4; 2:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Starbucks (Murrieta Hot Springs)
40735 Murrieta Hot Springs Rd.
Murrieta, CA 92562
Public location: August 14; 2:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Starbucks (March Air Force Base)
Public location: August 28; 3:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Beginning of the Term: Budgeting to Make Magic!
As the new year begins, don't forget that part of getting started for the new year is adopting the budget!
The budget is the plan for the fiscal year, and while it is flexible (and can be amended, if needed), the association must adopt the budget for the year for spending to happen! We are including the steps below.
- Adopt: The association adopts the budget to say, "This is our plan for the year, and how much we want to spend for each part of the plan. Think of the budget as creating little pots of money for each thing the PTA needs money for throughout the year.
To do this, we say: "I move to adopt the budget as presented." - Release: The association releases funds from specific line items to say: "We want to open up these specific pots (lines) of money and spend out of them." Think of this as releasing the rubber band that holds the pot of money closed.
To do this, we say, "I move to release the following funds (line item, amount), (line item, amount), (line item, amount), for a total of (amount.)."
The association releases the funds needed from one association meeting to the next. - Approve: The executive board approves specific expenditures from the released funds to say: "We want to buy these specific things."
To do this, we say, "I move to pay the bill to (name) for (reason) in the amount of (total)." - Ratify: The executive board and the association ratify expenditures to say, "We want to formally acknowledge we did what we asked for permission to do."
To do this, we say, "I move to ratify check #(insert) to check #(insert) and ACH payments (if there are any) in the total amount of (insert)."
This is the process that must be followed for PTA expenditures, and each part must be recorded in the minutes!
Have questions? Email Treasurer@23rdDistrict.org
Don't forget to forward manually received (cash, check, or electronic payments other than TOTEM) through channels monthly. In-council units remit to their council, Out-of-Council units remit to Twenty-Third District PTA. DO NOT MAIL CHECKS TO TWENTY-THIRD DISTRICT PTA. For manually remitted membership, contact Help@23rdDistrict.org to arrange for pick-up.
Don't Forget the Financial Review!
Don't forget - one of the business items for the first association meeting of the new year should be the adoption of the completed financial review from the prior year! 2025-2026 financial reviews should be nearing completion so that they can be presented for adoption!
Copies of adopted year-end financial reviews should be forwarded to the council (if in-council) or to Twenty-Third District PTA if out-of-council. Financial reviews can also be uploaded to FutureFund Connects. A completed financial review includes three things:
- Financial Review Report
- Financial Review Checklist
- Recommendations Page(s) (if recommendations are needed)
All three documents, plus the dates of adoption by the executive board and association must be present and included for the financial review to be considered complete.
Financial reviews can be completed by one of four ways (It's in your bylaws in Article VIII, Section 2), and no one involved in the financial review process may have served as a check-signer or handled PTA funds during the period that is being reviewed:
- An accountant or CPA (professionally trained to conduct audits), paid for by the unit as an authorized expense
- An accountant or CPA (professional trained to conduct audits), who volunteers their time to the unit
- This individual may be elected as an officer or appointed by the executive board and ratified by the association (never appointed by the president).
- An elected or appointed* financial reviewer [unqualified]
- If the elected or appointed financial reviewer is unqualified (not professionally trained to conduct audits), a financial review committee must be appointed by the executive board and ratified by the association. The members of the committee review the financial review after it is completed by the financial reviewer before it is presented to the executive board and association.
- An appointed financial review committee
- If there is no financial reviewer at all, a committee (wherein no members have been involved in the counting or management of PTA funds) may be appointed to complete the financial review. This committee is appointed by the executive board and ratified by the association.
All appointments and ratifications must be included in the minutes.
If your unit does not have a financial reviewer and the remaining options aren't feasible (or your unit is Out-of-Council and less than two years old), Twenty-Third District PTA can ensure that the financial review is completed for your PTA.
Questions? Need Help? Reach out to Bianca Corales at FinancialReviewer@23rdDistrict.org
Review and Renew: Submitting Bylaws
Bylaws submission is entirely virtual - no printing required! Councils and Out-of-Council units will submit directly to Twenty-Third District PTA, and in-Council units will submit to their council.
DO NOT SUBMIT BYLAWS THROUGH THE FUTUREFUND CONNECTS SYSTEM. TWENTY-THIRD DISTRICT PTA IS UNABLE TO PROCESS FUTUREFUND CONNECTS BYLAWS SUBMISSIONS FOR STATE APPROVAL AT THIS TIME. BYLAWS MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH CHANNELS FOR APPROVAL.
In Council units must be referred through the council. Out of Council units come directly to Twenty-Third District PTA for bylaws submittals.
Ready to submit? Reach out to Webmaster@23rdDistrict.org for the Bylaws Support Calendar, and we'll get you set up!
Bylaws must by renewed at least every five years from the date of the California State Parliamentarian's signature, and Twenty-Third District PTA will start sending out past-due notices soon to help keep units current!
Twenty-Third District PTA 2026-2027 Membership Challenges
Every member matters, and we want to help keep Twenty-Third District PTA units energized and excited about membership! That's why we have a whole list of membership challenges to guide us through 2026-2027 with the potential for units to win awesome PTA swag as a prize! Each month there is a new challenge, with a new opportunity to win a prize!
Our challenges handout is attached so you can see everything we have in store!
AUGUST CHALLENGE: SHARE YOUR THEME AND GOAL WITH US!
Every unit is different, and that means every theme and goal is going to be different! For example, this year, California State PTA is recommending a goal of 2% increase in membership over 2026-2027. Or your goal can be 5 members more than last year, or 100% teachers - it's up to you! Share your theme (and we've seen some awesome ones already!) and goal with us by the deadline for the opportunity to win a membership campaign banner set from Twenty-Third District PTA!
Submissions must be received by no later than 11:59 P.M. on September 5, 2026
Have questions? Reach out to us at Membership@23rdDistrict.org
[Awardees will be selected from submissions on the second Thursday of each month and announced on social media the following Monday. Awarded units will also be contacted directly to arrange for prize pick-up/delivery.]
Is Your PTA/PTSA Hosting the Reflections Program in 2026-2027?
Did you know that we gave away over 500 Reflections posters at the recent materials pick-up days? It's true! We also still have more to give away, and we'll be hosting another Reflections workshop during August training days to help make sure every unit that wants to participate in the program has all the information they need!
We want to ensure that every unit has the opportunity to participate in Reflections in a way that works for your site. The arts are essential, and every student deserves a chance to shine! Please know that we are here to answer questions and provide support as your PTA navigates the program. Have questions about how to celebrate? We can help! Have questions about how to make judging happen? We can help!
You'll find everything you need for the program in this folder: (click this link), including links to the new entry forms, leaders' guides, logos, graphics, and more!
Have questions? Reach out to us at Reflections@23rdDistrict.org.
ALL ENTRIES FROM COUNCILS/OOC UNITS ARE DUE TO 23rd DISTRICT PTA
ON DECEMBER 3, 2026 (IN-PERSON GENERAL ASSOCIATION MEETING)
*Please remember that for Twenty-Third District PTA only physical entry forms and physical submissions can be submitted. No online/virtual submissions or entry forms permitted. Submissions in Dance Choreography, Music Composition, and Film Production must be submitted on a flash drive/CD.
RCOE: Superintendent's Initiatives
Twenty-Third District PTA partners with Riverside County Office of Education in support of the Superintendent's Initiatives. What are they? The initiatives are five content areas that are dedicated to supporting students - meeting them where they are and helping them achieve success. These initiatives also offer a great launchpad to help inspire PTA programming at our schools - and units that complete programming aligning with three or more initiatives will receive special recognition at the Twenty-Third District PTA 2027 annual awards!
Find out more information in the attached flyer below!
Ed100: Check it Out!
Find out more at Ed100.com
Program Grants
Twenty-Third District PTA wants to support our units however possible!
Our goal is to make things better for kids, but that can be hard when funds are tight! That's why Twenty-Third District PTA has set up Program Grants! We want to help you make magic for kids!
Check out the attached handout for more information, including cycle dates and eligibility requirements.
FREE STEAM OPPORTUNITY: Explore NASA's JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) in Pasadena!
We are all about sharing cool opportunities for kids to explore - so check this out!
NASA's JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) is open to the public (visitors must register) on October 10-11 for Explore JPL!
This event will allow registered visitors to visit some of JPL's most iconic facilities and visit incredible facilities like the Space Flight Operations Facility, or the Spacecraft Assembly Facility, and even check out full-scale models of the Mars Rover!
If this sounds cool, get ready to register on August 29 (beginning at 9:00 A.M.), and click this link for more information: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/explore-jpl/
We Need Magic-Makers at Twenty-Third District PTA!
We know that volunteers can be hard to find, believe us! We have lots of big plans to help support our units here at Twenty-Third District and we would love to have you involved!
If you are interested in the following positions:
- Vice President of Membership*
- Vice President of Advocacy*
- Parliamentarian
- Reflections
- Family Engagement/Convention
- Student Representatives
Reach out to President@23rdDistrict.org and let us know!
[*In order to serve in an elected District office, an individual must have served on the District board for at least one year in the last five years, or have served a council in an elected position for a full two-year term within the last five years.]
PTA Trivia
Did you make it all the way through the newsletter?
This little blurb isn't in the table of contents, and that's because it's a surprise!
Can you answer the three PTA trivia questions below?
The first three people to email the correct answers to President@23rdDistrict.org
will win a PTA-themed prize, plus a shout-out at the Twenty-Third District PTA association meeting (and the next newsletter!)
(This month, we are focusing on finance - each month will be something different!)
- Question 1: When counting cash or checks, how many people must be present?
- Question 2: What three officers is a PTA legally required to have?
- Question 3: What are the four steps to follow for a PTA to spend money?
Happy Birthday to our Units Celebrating Birthdays in July and August!
July
- 2 - Cottonwood Canyon Elementary PTA (LEC)
- 8 - Frank Augustus Miller PTSA (RC)
- 9 - Canyon Lake Middle School PTSA (LEC)
- 9 - Pauba Valley Elementary School PTA (TVC)
- 11 - Luiseno PTSA (LEC)
- 12 - Megan Cope Elementary PTA (HSJ)
- 15 - Southshore Elementary PTA (OOC)
- 16 - Bell Mountain Middle School PTSA (OOC)
- 19 - Thompson Middle PTSA (OOC)
- 21 - Corona Fundamental Intermediate PTSA (CNC)
- 23 - University Heights PTSA (RC)
- 26 - Murrieta Valley High School PTSA (OOC)
- 27 - William Howard Taft Elementary PTA (RC)
August
- 2 - Mark Twain Elementary PTA (RC)
- 4 - Tahquitz High School PTSA (HSJ)
- 5 - De Anza Elementary PTA (HSJ)
- 10 - Summerwind Trails PTA (OOC)
- 15 - Eleanor Roosevelt PTSA (CNC)
- 17 - Callie Kirkpatrick PTA (OOC)
- 18 - Earl Warren Elementary PTA (LEC)
- 19 - Polytechnic High PTSA (RC)
- 19 - Abby Reinke PTA (TVC)
- 20 - Hans Christensen PTSA (OOC)
- 21 - Shivela Middle PTSA (OOC)
- 21 - Patricia Beatty Elementary PTSA (RC)
- 23 - Western Center Academy PTSA (HSJ)
- 25 - Anna Hause PTA (OOC)
- 27 - Edward Hyatt World Language Academy PTA (HSJ)
- 27 - Park Hill Bisons PTA (HSJ)
- 27 - SJE Tigers PTA (HSJ)
- 28 - Victoriano Grizzlies PTA (OOC)
- 28 - Temescal Canyon High PTSA (LEC)
- 29 - Magnolia Student Center PTA (OOC)
- 31 - Tournament Hills Elementary PTA (OOC)
Happy Birthday! Congratulations on another year of making magic for kids!
Twenty-Third District PTA - Contact Us Any Time!
Office Number
(951) 365-5102
Mailing Address
23rd District PTA
c/o Riverside County Office of Education
38670 Sky Canyon Dr. #200, Office #202
Murrieta, CA 92563
Email: Help@23rdDistrict.org
Website: https://www.23rdDistrict.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/23rdDistrictPTA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/23rddistrictpta/