Call to Action: Best Practices for School Meals
Dear Washington State PTA member, WSPTA recognizes that schools play a critical role in providing access to adequate nutrition and the formation of healthy eating habits that are a cornerstone to health, well-being, learning, and academic achievement. For too many Washington students, meals at school are their only food for the day. Without adequate time…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
Testimony – WSPTA Supports Gun Destruction Bill
With the lobbyist for the NRA sitting next to her, Seattle parent Kate Levin did a fabulous job of sharing why the Washington State PTA supports HB 1010, a bill that would allow the Washington State Patrol to destroy confiscated guns rather than requiring the patrol to store and then sell the guns. Levin made…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Board Position Statement – Sexual Health Education
The WSPTA board of directors adopted a legislative position at their winter board meeting concerning equitable access to consistent and comprehensive sexual health education across our state. Current legislation on this topic is pending in Olympia and the parent voice will be important as local implementation phases in. Local PTAs and councils are encouraged to…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA President’s Power of Connection – February 2020
How can you tell if your PTA is “healthy”? One fairly easy and fun way is to apply for one or more of WSPTA’s Awards of Excellence. These are a celebration of how much impact a PTA has in their community, and recognizes PTAs for the great service and programs they provide to their members.…
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Leadership
2020 Legislative Session – Week 5 Recap and Look Ahead to Week 6
Lawmakers expect positive revenues February 19 Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Wednesday, February 19 is the next revenue forecast. Budget writers will meet to hear the most recent revenue projections for the 2019-21 and 2021-23 budget years. At this time, lawmakers are expecting a positive difference for the 2019-21 biennium, which could…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
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…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
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…
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…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
February 2020 – WSPTA Executive Director Message
Dear Members, Did you hear it? That loud bang? The one that came from Olympia when PTA descended upon the capitol? If you did not hear it, I am sorry you missed it. We had over 100 advocates attend our Focus Day and share their perspectives with our state legislature. Since we were snowed out…
Category:
Leadership
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…
Category:
Advocacy
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Legislative