Jumpstart Next Year: Offer an Early Bird PTA Membership Option
By: Dianna Bailey, WSPTA Membership Director As the school year winds down, it might seem like a natural time to hit pause, but it’s actually the perfect moment to set up your PTA for success in the year ahead. One great way to build early momentum is by offering an Early Bird Membership Option. This allows families, staff, and community members to…
Category:
Membership
Autism Acceptance Month: Exploring Language, Speech and Understanding with Our Loved Kids
By Angela Dawson Have y’all heard about the young man, Viraj Dhanda? In just three short years, Viraj went from mastering basic math to conquering calculus. He scored a 35 out of 36 on the ACT and was recently accepted into MIT’s Class of 2029. This is the video capturing the moment he and his…
Category:
Family Engagement
Celebrate and Share: Why Membership Growth Success Matters
By: Dianna Bailey, WSPTA Membership Director Membership growth isn’t just a number; it’s a reflection of your PTA’s impact, your school community’s engagement, and the collective power of families, staff, and community members working together. When your PTA experiences growth, it’s worth celebrating and even more important to share those successes with your community. Recognition Inspires Engagement Sharing your membership milestones shows…
Category:
Membership
April Checklist for Councils Supporting Local PTAs
Ongoing Tasks Offer support to local PTAs who may be struggling with any of the SOA requirements. Encourage local PTAs in their membership campaigns. Work with your region director to support any local PTAs with fewer than 25 members. Work with your region director to support any local PTAs on the “not in good standing…
Category:
Leadership
April Checklist for Running Your PTA
Ongoing Tasks Attend any board and membership meetings Read meeting minutes and offer corrections Prepare reports for board and membership meetings Get educated: take advantage of in-person and online training opportunities Be familiar with your responsibilities and fulfill them Review and ask questions about monthly financial report Actively engage in a plan for membership growth…
Category:
Leadership
WSPTA Family and Community Engagement: Family Celebration Calendar – April 2026
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 April 2026 calendar by clicking on the graphic below! We want to hear about your family celebrations! Fill out the form below and your family story may…
Category:
Family Engagement
Week 9: Legislature Adjourns, Cuts $90 million from K-12 Education
By Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org The 2026 regular session of the 69th legislature adjourned “sine die” at approximately 8:25 PM Thursday, March 12th. House and Senate Democrats celebrated, counting among the “wins” the passage of 9.9% tax on households with an annual income greater than $1 million. ESSB 6346, the new income tax would begin in calendar year 2028, with tax collections starting in 2029. This…
Category:
Advocacy
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Legislative
Celebrate March with a Membership Challenge!
By: Dianna Bailey, WSPTA Membership Director Membership is what powers our PTA; every member strengthens our voice, expands our impact, and helps us advocate for students, schools, and families. The more members we have, the more we can accomplish together! To celebrate, we’re kicking off a March Membership Mania Challenge: Add 5 new members during the month of March, submit dues…
Category:
Membership
Week 8: It’s the Final Countdown
By Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Four days remain in the 2026 legislative session, with lawmakers planning to end on time – March 12 by midnight. They will leave town passing supplemental operating, capital and transportation budgets, hundreds of bills, and a tax on millionaires – ostensibly to support public schools and other priorities, but with specific carve-outs and earmarks funding many things, but not K-12…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
WSPTA Family and Community Engagement: Family Celebration Calendar – March 2026
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 March 2026 calendar by clicking on the graphic below! We want to hear about your family celebrations! Fill out the form below and…
Category:
Family Engagement