Protect Your School’s Title 1 Status and Encourage Families to submit their 2021-2022 Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) Applications
Did you know that the percentage of Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) students qualifies your school and district for federal Title 1 funds, as well as, the Washington State Learning Assistance Program (LAP) and Washington High Poverty LAP benefits? Applications for this 2021-2022 school year will affect next year’s allocations. So, it’s critical for families…
Category:
Advocacy
New Guidance on Reopening Schools – What Families Need to Know
State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, Governor’s Policy Adviser Maddy Thompson, and Department of Health’s COVID response director Lacy Fehrenbach met with WSPTA members for a webinar on August 10. The main topics for the hour-long event included the new school reopening framework and answers to questions about serving all students, meal service, childcare, and tracking attendance.…
Category:
Education
Tracking Absences under COVID-19
OSPI (Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction) has adopted emergency rules to address tracking “absences” in a time of COVID and the various approaches to instruction, including in-person, hybrid, and remote learning. The rules will be in effect for the 2020-21 school year. Read the four-page summary here.
Category:
Education
Washington State PTA’s Response to Federal School Safety Commission Report
After months of input, the Federal Commission on School Safety released its final report this week. The Washington State PTA (WSPTA) supports the National PTA statement expressing some concerns about several of the recommendations, including: The rollback of the 2014 guidance on school discipline from the U.S. Department of Education and Justice Department is particularly…
Local Public K-12 Education Investments – OSPI Tool
On March 30th, Superintendent Chris Reykdal sent every legislator a handout with information about the public schools within their legislative district. You can find all of those handouts on the OSPI website – use the drop-down box on the top left-hand side to choose a legislative district.
104th Annual #WSPTAconvention Summary
It was such a pleasure to welcome so many members to our 104th Annual #WSPTAconvention! Enthusiasm and energy filled the days and helped make this year’s event fun and gratifying. As in years past, we developed a program full of opportunities for PTA leaders to learn and grow in their leadership skills, discover the power of…
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Advocacy
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Awards
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Education
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Events
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Family Engagement
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Leadership
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Legislative
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Membership
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Programs
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Reflections
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Training
OSPI Receives Prestigious Washington State PTA Friend of Children Award
Tacoma, WA (May 3, 2017): The Washington State Parent Teacher Association (WSPTA) held its 104th Annual Convention the weekend of April 28-30 in Seattle, Washington, with over 850 state leaders in attendance. There, participants attended classes and honored those who continue to serve and support the vision of the association: “Making every child’s potential a…
Dueling Assessment Bills
Returning to Olympia for floor action May 2, the Senate passed SB 5891 (de-linking the biology end of course) and the House passed HB 1046 (de-linking all state assessments from graduation). Both bills passed unanimously. The House came on the floor at 10 a.m. and passed about a dozen bills, including breakfast after the bell…
Senate Budget Committee Hears Bill on Tax Increases, Bills Signed/Vetoed
On May 1, the Washington State Legislature will enter the second week of a 30-day special session. Senate budget committee heard testimony for and against tax proposals Wednesday, April 26. Parents, social services advocates and those seeking a more “progressive” tax structure testified in favor, while small and large business owners opposed. The Republican-controlled committee…
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Workgroups Reconvening
Washington state is making progress on an accountability plan for the success of all students OLYMPIA — APRIL 12, 2017 — Three workgroups – two that are reconvening and one that is new – are playing a key role in writing and developing Washington state’s education plan to the federal government. On Jan. 10, Superintendent Chris Reykdal…