Week 3: February 4 Policy Cutoff Looms, One Third of 2026 Session Complete
By Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org This Wednesday marks the first of many deadlines by which bills need to advance to stay under consideration this session. As a reminder, only about 10% of bills introduced actually pass both chambers and are signed into law by the governor. Here are the next few deadlines to keep in mind as lawmakers move towards the…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
Letter from the President – Immigration Enforcement and PTAs
Dear PTA Leaders, This is one of the most complicated and sobering letters I’ve ever written. The outrage, fear and uncertainty caused by the immigration enforcement actions of the past several months and most recently, the tragedies unfolding in Minneapolis, as well as increased activities in our state, raise questions we’ve not had to consider…
Category:
Leadership
Stay Current: Submit Membership Dues Monthly in Givebacks
By: Dianna Bailey, WSPTA Membership Director Your PTA is growing—great job! But to ensure your membership numbers are accurate and your members receive the full benefits of joining, it’s important that your president or treasurer is logging into Givebacks each month and submitting dues to WSPTA and National PTA. When new members join, they aren’t officially recognized—and don’t have access to valuable member benefits—until their state and…
Category:
Membership
Week 2: Write your Legislators during Focus on Advocacy Week
By Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org This week is Focus on Advocacy Week, when WSPTA members will have the opportunity to send a tailored email about Top 5 priorities and current issues each day, beginning today. Members of the WSPTA Advocacy Committee have made this easy by writing letters that can be personalized by you before sending to your legislators or specific chambers. Look for…
Week 1: See you at Focus Day!
By Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Parents and students will descend on Olympia today to meet with their state legislators during the annual Washington State PTA Focus Day. Members also will hear from Senators and Representatives over the lunch hour and will participate in a march around the capitol grounds in support of closing K12 funding gaps. If you weren’t able to travel to the State Capitol,…
2026 Legislative Session: And … We’re Off!
By Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Today marks the start of the 60-day session and it’s already setting off at a fast pace with public hearings on Governor Bob Ferguson’s proposed 2026 supplemental budgets and a variety of policy bills. Remember, all bills from 2025 are still eligible to move forward this year, but they’ll need to meet cutoff deadlines. And, legislators have been very busy “pre-filing” bills which will…
Student Members Matter: Be recognized for Including Student Memberships!
Student voices are powerful—and when students are members of your PTA, they’re not just part of the conversation; they’re part of the movement. To celebrate and encourage student inclusion, WSPTA is rolling out a new award this year for PTAs that are actively engaging with student members. 🎉 How to Enter: Go to https://wastatepta.org/events-programs/awards/membership/ and…
Category:
Membership
Family and Community Engagement | Navigating Big Feelings During Winter Break
By: Angela Farnsworth – Elementary Special Education Paraeducator and WSPTA Special Education Committee Member The holiday season can bring a lot of joy, and also a lot of stress. This is true for everyone but especially neurodivergent kids. A gap in support services, a lack of routine, and over-stimulating events can leave families feeling out of…
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Family Engagement
WSPTA Family and Community Engagement: Family Celebration Calendar – December
The first Friday of each month is “WSPTA Family Celebrations Friday” where relationship and curiosity meet observances. WSPTA highlights student-focused celebrations and wants to know what you and your family observe. Download the December 2025 calendar by clicking on the graphic below! We want to hear about your family celebrations! Fill out the form below…
Category:
Family Engagement
Motivate & Celebrate: Using Membership Incentives to Strengthen Your PTA
Everyone loves a little extra motivation—and in a PTA membership campaign, incentives can be a fun, effective way to boost engagement and reach your goals. When used well, incentives create energy, highlight your mission, and show appreciation for those who choose to join. But it’s important to remember incentives support the campaign—they aren’t the heart…
Category:
Membership