Welcome to the Area 18 Website.  I would like to personally thank you for your service and dedication to the children of Texas.    My name is Beth Crymes, it is my honor to serve you and Texas PTA as the Area 18 President.  This year I begin my nineteenth year in PTA.  I have served as President at the Elementary, Jr. High, High School and Council Level as well as Treasure, Secretary, Budget & Finance, Membership and Parliamentarian throughout my years in PTA.  I live in Arlington with Don my husband of thirty years.  We have two grown children, our son DT and daughter Amy.   Area 18 consists of seven Councils and two Cities with Independent Local Unit PTAs, they include Arlington ISD, Cedar Hill ISD, DeSoto ISD, Duncanville ISD, Grand Prairie ISD, Mansfield ISD and Red Oak ISD PTA Councils along with Kennedale and Lancaster Independent PTAs.  At the current time we have 194 local PTA and PTSA Units.  We hope to be organizing new local units this year and are excited about our area’s growth.  Last year our total membership topped 607,000 and I am hopeful that we will continue to grow.   Area 18’s focus this year will be to make sure our leaders at the Councils, Local Unit PTAs and PTSAs are trained and up to date on all National and Texas PTA information. Our goal is to support and service the councils and local units.  As our Councils prepare for their Officers and Chairmen trainings, our board members will be available to assist and provide trainers for Leadership Orientations and workshops. Please make sure you sign up with Texas PTA to receive emailed information and be sure you check our website on a regular basis for updates and upcoming events in Area 18.   Remember, our Area 18 Board is here to serve.  All of our Area Board members have served or currently serve in leadership roles on councils or local units so we understand the many challenges you will face. Please do not hesitate to contact any of us with your PTA questions no matter how large or small.  Again, thank you for your commitment and we wish you and your PTA a wonderful 2011-2012!   I am just a click or call away… Beth Crymes Area 18 President Texas PTA 817-475-2565  bcrymes@sbcglobal.net