Kids and Screens
Guest post provided by Sponsor, Recovery Café National conversions surrounding kids and screens tends to focus on the negative impacts while many of us understand a deeper complexity with our use and reliance. We do not aim to make a blanket statement that technology is harmful to kids, however, as with life, it is inevitable…
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News
Council Spotlight – December 2021
Thank you to Kent Area PTSA Council 9.7 for sharing the success of their new event that strongly promoted family engagement! Keep reading to learn more about this event the council leaders organized and their plans for the future. Since the pandemic we have not had the opportunity to do much but this October we…
Category:
Leadership
Family and Community Engagement News
Hello PTA Friends and Colleagues! As we enter a very busy and festive holiday season, I encourage all of you to consider how to make your PTA’s winter events, meetings, and communications inclusive. Inclusivity and diversity are terms that are often used interchangeably but mean different things. Our friends at National PTA have shared a…
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Family Engagement
2021 Membership Contest – Grow…Grow…Grow
The fourth membership contest for 2021-2022 ended on November 30. Thank you to the 405 PTAs qualified by earning a growth award by November 30. WSPTA Membership Director Amanda Cabana shares a video message announcing the winners:
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Membership
Tip of the Week – December 2
Special Donation Rules for 2021 If your PTA accepts donations, remind members and other potential donors of the special temporary COVID relief rules in effect for 2021: people who take the standard deduction for their 2021 tax returns may claim an above-the-line deduction of up to $300 for cash donations ($600 for cash donations for…
Category:
Leadership
December 2021 – Executive Director Message
Dear Members, Members and leaders of PTA amaze me regularly. You are incredibly dedicated, resourceful, and caring. This has been especially true through the pandemic. Local and council PTAs across the state have stepped up to support their students, families, and communities. You filled the many gaps that opened up when COVID-19 disrupted our lives…
Category:
Leadership
Tip of the Week – November 18
Holiday Gift Giving in a Snap As PTA leaders, you know the value of membership. And you realize that PTA membership is a voice for a child. As a membership organization, our PTAs need members so we, as an association, can accomplish the work we do to advocate for the education, family engagement, safety, health,…
Category:
Leadership
Tip of the Week – November 11
Gift cards, families in need & appreciation gifts With holidays approaching, many PTAs are considering gift cards as community support, recognition, or gifts. For a PTA, using gift cards is not the simple solution many would like it to be – there is a unique set of issues and considerations that need to be addressed before…
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Leadership
Gift Cards, Families in Need, and Appreciation Gifts
Many PTAs have questions around gift cards – whether the cards are for appreciation, or to give out to families in need. Gift cards are a complicated topic, and the IRS has a great deal to say about their use. We’ll summarize some of the most common issues around gift cards here. Gift Cards as…
Category:
Leadership
Can PTAs require COVID-19 vaccination to participate in meetings and events?
This fall, our back-to-school season has been exciting and – well, different! PTAs are contending with new state and school district rules on masking and vaccine requirements for volunteers. PTA leaders have many questions about what PTAs can or must do with respect to the public health guidance, executive orders and school district policies. Health…
Category:
Governance