9/20/21 General Membership Meeting Recap

Last week Council held their 1st General Meeting of the 2021-2022 school year. We appreciate all the local leaders from across the district as well as community and school partners who took the time to attend! Continue reading for a recap of this meeting.

General Updates from President Jane Chiodo:

• The Northshore Council PTSA continues to adapt to life during the Covid-19 Pandemic. One of these adaptations is the need to cancel the Presidents and Principals Luncheon for this year due to the ongoing pandemic.
• The district is now taking building reservations for events that happen on or after October 1st. Schools get first priority, PTSA second, then other groups.
• After October 18th, all volunteers on campuses will need proof of vaccination. For more information on this, visit the Northshore School District Volunteer page.
• Council should have directories of contacts for local PTAs/PTSAs available by request in November.
• Remember to update your contacts in memberplanet - officer names as well as your primary contact.

Open Council Positions: Council is still looking for a VP of Events. If you know anyone who would be a
good fit, please contact us! In October, Northshore Council will start to look for three people to be on the Nominating
Committee. Tip for Local PTAs: Discuss the Nominating Committee at your next PTA/PTSA meeting in order to start the process early. 

Upcoming Trainings and Opportunities: Legislative Assembly will be virtual and is scheduled for October 23th and 24th. Training will be available beginning in October. Upcoming training courses are listed on Council's Training Opportunities page.

Council Business: In our meeting we reviewed the Year End Financial Review, our Mission and Goals, and our Standing Rules. These updated documents can be viewed in the About Us section of our website.

NSD School Board Update: Director Dave Cogan shared updates from the Northshore School Board updates.

• Last school year NSD had 8 in- person graduations, 7 of which were outdoors.
• In Phase I of the Healthy Start Time Initiative and with the 2022-2023 School year, the district will start Phase II.
• NSD has held a number of vaccine clinics and are partnering with Snohomish Fire to do more this fall.
• NSD had a decline of 2.4% (represents 400 students) in enrollment but that decline was the lowest in any of the 16 neighboring districts.
• ​In August the school board adopted their budget for the year and that money includes money for inclusive play fields.
• The district has started a land acknowledgement notification before meanings.
• There will be a Bond and Tech Levy on the February 2022 special election ballot which will go towards remodeling older schools, increasing classroom capacity, and decreasing portables throughout the district.
• The current strategic plan will expire in 2022 and needs to be refreshed.
• The school board extended the Superintendent contract for 3 years.

Northshore Schools Foundation Update: Carmin Dalziel gave updates on the Northshore Schools Foundation and how they continue to work to give money to schools. She shared that classroom grants now have deadlines every other month. They also provide basic needs aid (crisis funds) now. Crisis funds are $200 per family that is sent to help buy gas, groceries and get people back on their feet. Each school has a staff care team lead available. Northshore Foundation are always looking for ambassadors at each school. The Bond and Levy committee will be available to come to general meetings, if needed. If you are at Kenmore School, the school foundation just received approval to do a cash disbursement for families in extreme need. Schools access these funds through the care team lead.

The business and updates part of our meeting adjourned allowing for time for breakout rooms. We were thrilled that so many local leaders participated in these rooms in order to share ideas, ask questions, and support each other!

We hope you will join us for our next General Membership Meeting on November 15th, 2021 @ 7pm.
For a full list of our upcoming meetings and events, check out our Calendar.