Closing the digital divide, one device at a time
Last fall, WSPTA members voted into the Top 5 a position in support of closing the digital divide, creating affordable and accessible connectivity, and making sure students had access to developmentally appropriate devices. Advocate Heidi Bennett urged members of the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee to adopt E2SHB 1365 as a good first…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA speaks out on lead in drinking water
After passing the House by a 94-4 margin, the Senate education committee heard public testimony on E2SHB 1139, taking action on lead in drinking water. Speaking for Washington State PTA was Gwen Loosmore, who urged committee members to protect student health, ensure sufficient funding for school districts, and pass the bill. Listen here.
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA supports funding flexibility
Vancouver parent Heather Lindberg testified in support of SHB 1208, LAP funding flexibility, before the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee on March 12. Lindberg asked the committee to pass the bill and move it quickly to the Governor’s desk to create predictability and stability for school districts that are starting budget preparations for…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
2021 Focus on Advocacy – March 15 Report
Governor orders more in-person learning this school year Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Perhaps the most interesting thing that happened this past week was Governor Jay Inslee’s announcement Friday, March 12, that through an emergency proclamation to be issued this coming week, all schools in Washington must offer the opportunity for in-person…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
Outline of March 12 Announcement to Require Schools to Offer an In-Person Learning Option
WSPTA received this outline of the March 12 announcement to require schools to offer an in-person learning option from Maddy Thompson, the senior policy advisor to the Governor’s office: Today the Governor announced that he is issuing an Emergency Proclamation early next week that prohibits all school districts from failing to offer all K-12 students…
Category:
Legislative
Supporting digital equity remains WSPTA priority
Last fall, members adopted a position to close the digital divide, improve affordable connectivity, and provide developmentally appropriate devices to students. Nancy Chamberlain shared the overall goal with the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee here, while Tori Emerson shared a more localized story with committee members, heard here. The bill they were testifying on…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA advocates for suicide prevention
Speaking in favor of 2SSB 5327, establishing a confidential youth tip line, Tanya Aggar shared some heartbreaking stories about youth suicides from the past week with the House Children, Youth and Families Committee. “Youth suicide is preventable, and the goal is zero. No more deaths,” said Aggar. Her testimony can be found here.
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA supports college credit bill
Speaking on behalf of Washington State PTA, parent advocate Natalya Yudkovsky asked the Senate education committee to pass SHB 1302 from committee. The bill would extend the opportunity for 9th graders to earn college credit when taking College in the High School courses. Also, at the request of WSPTA, bill sponsor Rep. April Berg, D-Everett,…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
Preparing for Transition – Phase 1
Believe it or not, it is not too early to start thinking about transitions in preparation for next year. To set up your PTA and incoming board for success it is important to start planning now. Imagine how you would want to begin a new term in your PTA, and create a plan to make…
Category:
Leadership
The Value of Councils
There are 29 councils in Washington, and 71% of all PTAs in Washington are served by councils. WHY is being in a council important? If a school exists in an area served by a council, it is more likely to have a PTA: 66% of schools served by councils have PTAs, while only 16% of…
Category:
Governance
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Leadership