Summer EBT Food Program Requires Support from Olympia
by Nigar Suleman, WSPTA Federal Legislative Committee, and Susan Baird-Joshi, WSPTA Federal Legislative Chair Due to the Public Health Emergency expiring, 2023 was the last year for Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) food benefits. Now, thanks to new federal funding initiatives, benefits that aim to reduce child hunger when school is not in session will…
Washington State PTAs and COVID-19
Updated on March 26, 2020, to include summary of topics. Updated on March 11, 2020, adding information on Childcare and Venue Rental Agreements. This post covers the following topics: Advocating for All, Childcare, Supporting Schools, Events and Activities, Venue Rental Agreements, Virtual Meetings, Donating to Families, and Media Inquiries. Our local PTAs and PTA councils…
National PTA’s Frequently Asked Questions Regarding COVID-19
National PTA provided this guidance through a newsletter sent March 18, 2020 The outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is a rapidly evolving public health situation. State and local PTAs must follow the direction and guidance of their respective health and education departments. In order to assist and support the most vulnerable children and families, PTAs should…
Category:
Health & Well-being
PTAs and Coronavirus: How We Deal
Grace Jurado, President, Northshore Council PTSA Guest Post Provided By Grace Jurado, President, Northshore Council PTSA Since March 5, all schools in the Northshore School District have been closed in an effort to slow down the spread of COVID-19 within our district boundaries. With Evergreen hospital and the Life Care Center both just a couple of…
An Easy Way to Connect Students On Your Campus
Guest Post Provided By: JC Pohl, LMFT I am so thankful that Lifetouch + Shutterfly was able to help us connect at the WSPTA Conference. What a special day! As a follow up to my keynote session, I wanted to ask you… Is every student on your campus connected? If they aren’t, let’s fix that…
Category:
Health & Well-being
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…
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Health & Well-being
Parents for Healthy Kids
National PTA and Action for Healthy Kids, with support from ALDI, have teamed up to create ParentsforHealthyKids.org, a new website that teaches parents how to get involved in school health and wellness to create healthier schools where kids can thrive. The site is unlike any other dedicated to school health—it’s by parents for parents, no…
Category:
Health & Well-being
Legislature Adjourns, Budgets/Education Unfinished
After a week of mundane business, punctuated with bill signings in the Governor’s office, the 2017 105-day session adjourned “sine die” Sunday around 11 a.m. Governor Jay Inslee is expected to officially call for a special session Monday. At a press conference April 21st, the Democratic governor expressed frustration that the Senate Republicans and House…
Push For Action To Help Children in Washington
The advocacy work of Washington State PTA is directed by our member-approved resolutions , principles, and legislative platform. Legislative Platform The Washington State PTA legislative platform is a two-year platform to mirror the Washington state legislative cycle. On the even-numbered years, the new platform is voted on by members at the legislative assembly in the fall.…
Breakfast after Bill Passes Major Hurdle
April 4 – Olympia – HB 1508, the Breakfast after the Bell bill, had a public hearing April 3, then passed out of the Senate Ways & Means Committee 20-3. This topic is on the WSPTA’s Top 5 list, and has been on the platform for at least the past three sessions. Advocates tirelessly worked to…