80 SANTA CLARITA DELEGATES ATTENDING PTA CONVENTION.

Byline: Staff and Wire Services

LONG BEACH - Some 80 PTA representatives from across the Santa Clarita Valley gathered Monday to share ideas on parent involvement and education issues affecting children and their families.

The delegates are among some 5,000 members expected to attend the California State Parent Teacher Association's 105th annual convention, themed ``everychild.onevoice,'' which will run through Thursday at the Long Beach Convention Center.

``It's about getting new information - updated information about PTA and about leadership - and it's also about bonding with our PTA units in the valley,'' said Suzan Solomon, president of the Santa Clarita Valley Council PTA.

Sessions deal with topics including bullying, adolescent relationship violence, the No Child Left Behind Act, leadership, Internet safety, school finance, school health councils, approaches to help overweight children, indoor air quality and special-needs students.

PTA delegates also will consider four proposed resolutions on food allergy and anaphylaxis in schools; healthy lifestyles for all children; equitable funding of school transportation; and youth involvement.

``It's a way for parents and teachers to have input on what's going on in Sacramento,'' said Solomon, also a Newhall School District governing board member.

The PTA and the PTSA, which is the Parent Teacher Student Association for junior high and high schools, have been gaining traction at Santa Clarita schools. Just last month, Saugus High reorganized its informal site council into a PTSA in hopes of boosting parent involvement.

``PTAs are providing support to the common school - to provide programs that enrich the children's education opportunities and learn what's going on in the public education system,'' Solomon said. ``It strengthens the connection between home and school, so parents can make the best choices possible for their children.''