Guest Post: State PTA Adopts Ambitious Agenda for 2018
By Cami Brix, Inglemoor High School PTSA 6.10.75 Approximately 200 delegates representing 134,000 members from across the state recently attended the Washington State Parent Teacher Association (WSPTA) 39th annual Legislative Assembly in Tacoma, Washington. The body adopted several positions for their existing legislative and public policy platform. Same event, new focus – WSPTA Legislative Director…
Guest Post: Legislative Assembly – A Student Advocate Experience
By Skylar Pfeil, Inglemoor High School PTSA 6.10.75 Preparing for Legislative Assembly I was honestly afraid and nervous about this new experience. After my mom and I arrived, everything seemed to move along at a fast pace. At the first general assembly, we learned about how the voting would work and the process to use…
Guest Post: Why Should Students Attend Legislative Assembly?
By Emily McKenzie, 5th grade student, Kokanee PTA 6.10.22 Why should students attend legislative assembly? Because even a 5th grader can make a contribution. Hello, I am Emily McKenzie and I attend Kokanee Elementary in Woodinville, Washington. When both my parents decided to attend the WSPTA Legislative Assembly on October 20 and 21, 2017, I…
State Assistant Attorney General asks Supreme Court to End McCleary Case
Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org In oral arguments before the Supreme Court on October 24, 2017, state Assistant Attorney General Alan Copsey asked the Court to find that the state is in compliance with amply funding education and to close the case. In the event the Court was concerned about the two-biennium…
Standards of Affiliation Reminder: TAXES
Nov. 15th is the Deadline to file your applicable IRS 990 form. Every PTA must file an information return with the IRS. WSPTA sample IRS instructions, log in information, and schedules can be found in the password-protected Leadership Guides page of the website under the category Nonprofit Compliance Resources, IRS (Internal Revenue Service). Which form…
Category:
Leadership
2017 WSPTA Legislative Assembly Recap
Delegates from across the state gathered for inspiration, advocacy education, networking, and to consider the addition of new positions to the policy platform, as Washington State PTA held its 39th annual Legislative Assembly, October 20-21. Some highlights of the WSPTA Legislative Assembly included an insightful and detailed update on the 2017 legislative session from WSPTA…
November Checklist for Running Your PTA
November Ongoing Tasks Attend any board and membership meetings Read meeting minutes and offer corrections Prepare reports for board and membership meetings Attend training Be familiar with your responsibilities and fulfill them Review and ask questions about monthly financial report Prepare articles for newsletter/social media Update website Participate, help, and communicate Monthly Tasks Insurance payments…
Category:
Leadership
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Training
Department of Health Launches Teen Marijuana Campaign
As a whole child advocacy association, WSPTA works with the Washington State Department of Health on many issues. Recently they shared with us their latest campaign, “Under the Influence…of You,” regarding talking with teens about marijuana. The Department of Health believe that partners like you are critical to successfully educating adults about the influence they…
Category:
Health & Well-being
Governor Jay Inslee has declared October to be Dyslexia Awareness Month.
WSPTA members adopted Resolution 18.32, “Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, and Dyspraxia” in 2016 to support early screening for signs and symptoms of language processing disorders including but not limited to dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, with parental notification; and to support legislation for funding to support training of parents, teachers and other school personnel in early identification…
Category:
Advocacy
3D Visual Arts Offered in This Year’s Reflections Program
We are excited to be offering 3D visual arts this year in the Reflections Arts Program. Check with your local PTA or council to see if they will be accepting these entries. If your council is accepting 3D entries, find out if they are accepting three photos of the piece or if they would like…
Category:
Reflections