Close

WSPTA Login

WSPTA Blog

February 11, 2020

Call to Action: Prevent Gun Violence – Concerning High-Capacity Magazines

Dear Washington State PTA member, Please contact your legislators and help advocate to support of the Washington State PTA’s top 5 issue “Prevent Gun Violence”. High-capacity magazines are used in the nation’s deadliest shootings, and common-sense restrictions will keep our communities safer. Click here to view a message from National PTA President Leslie Boggs encouraging…
Read More
Category: Advocacy , Legislative

February 10, 2020

It’s Time to Act Collectively For Our Children’s Safety

National PTA President Leslie Boggs speaks to WSPTA members This week WSPTA is asking you to join parent voices around the nation to take a stand against gun violence and high-capacity weapons. All children no matter where they live, learn and play, deserve a safe space to thrive. Please take the time to watch this…
Read More
Category: Advocacy , Legislative , Safety

February 10, 2020

2020 Legislative Session – Week 4 Recap and Look Ahead to Week 5

Friday cutoff first of many deadlines to March 12 session end Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Friday, February 7 was the deadline for policy bills to pass out of their respective policy committees. This first deadline usually catches most of the bills not destined to be awarded with enactment into law. The…
Read More
Category: Advocacy , Legislative


February 3, 2020

2020 Legislative Session – Week 3 Recap and Look Ahead to Week 4

20 days done, 40 to go Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Week 4 marks an important milestone in the 60-day session – the first cutoff. On February 7, bills with policy impact must pass out of the policy committee to remain alive. That means that most of the attention this coming week…
Read More
Category: Advocacy , Legislative

February 3, 2020

WSPTA Testifies on SB 6505, the OSPI Dual Credit Bill

Northshore parent Austina De Bonte testified on SB 6505, the OSPI dual credit bill on Friday, January 31, 2020. Austina shared that while we support SB 6505 we do have concerns due to the potential consequences for lack of additional funding for implementation. She spoke compellingly in support of removing barriers to accessing dual credit…
Read More
Category: Advocacy , Legislative

January 29, 2020

Family engagement critical to student success, Estep says

WSPTA Executive Director Andrew Estep shared WSPTA’s support for a workgroup focused on developing a framework and standards for family and community engagement in a Jan. 28 public hearing of the House Education Committee.  The proposed substitute to HB 2631 would include parents representing specific segments of the student population and a member from WSPTA.…
Read More
Category: Advocacy , Legislative

January 26, 2020

WSPTA supports bill to consider work group on life-threatening allergy issues

Parent volunteer and school nurse Laura Peterson testified in the House Education committee Monday, Jan. 20, in support of a bill that would create a workgroup to improve the prevention and treatment of students’ life-threatening allergic reactions in K-12 settings. The workgroup also would recommend ways to reduce the waste of autoinjectors like Epi-Pens, and…
Read More
Category: Advocacy , Legislative

January 26, 2020

2020 Legislative Session – Week 2 Recap and Look Ahead to Week 3

January 26, 2020 Focus Day meetings a success Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Nearly 100 WSPTA members visited Olympia on January 20, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, to focus on legislative priorities, meet with their legislators and testify on bills before the House and Senate education committees. In addition, Superintendent Chris Reykdal…
Read More
Category: Advocacy , Legislative

January 23, 2020

WSPTA Testifies on HB 2440 – The Time to Act is Now

One of WSPTA’s top 5 legislative priorities is Gun Violence Prevention, and this session one focus is on restricting access to high capacity magazines. Parent volunteer Gwen Loosmore testified in the House Civil Rights and Judiciary committee Tuesday, January 21, in support of a bill that would restrict the manufacture, sale, purchase, and possession of…
Read More
Category: Advocacy , Legislative