 Hello Northshore PTA Leaders!
Have you heard? National PTA has declared that PTA is more than just an acronym for Parent Teacher Association. PTA is a verb! The definition of PTA is to support your child’s potential. As leaders, we have the opportunity to PTA and support not just our own children—but so many more. These are uncertain times, but I know one thing for sure: our Northshore PTAs are strong and flexible and are continuing to make a difference and support our students, families and schools in wonderful ways. PTA-ing is what we do. However, the reality is that right now, doing it is not often easy or straightforward or even familiar—which can be kind of an overwhelming, scary thing. I am here to remind you that you are not alone. Northshore Council PTSA is here to help and we have lots of resources for you, including:
We have an amazing Council team this year ready to empower you to continue doing amazing things for our students, our school communities and beyond. Let’s get out there and PTA!!! Robin Zaback President, Northshore Council PTSA 6.10 [email protected]  Click here to take our Family and Community Engagement Survey
Our Family and Community Engagement (F.A.C.E.) team is committed to increasing awareness of the importance of
In order to determine how we can best serve our PTA/PTSAs, we have developed a short survey. We encourage you to take this important survey and also share it with your Board and General Members. Our goal is to learn more about community engagement and inclusive practices in Northshore PTA/PTSAs and use this information to explore how Northshore Council PTSA can provide stronger service in these areas. This short survey should only take 5 - 10 minutes. Please complete the survey by Monday, August 24th. We will monitor this year's progress with another survey in late Spring 2021. Special Thanks to Northshore HiCap Parents Council for use of the survey tool! On behalf of our team, our sincere thanks! Lauren Lewis - Council PTSA Family & Community Engagement (F.A.C.E.) Chair Michele Holowachuk - Northshore Council PTSA Special Education Representative Mary Khouzam - Northshore Council PTSA Co-Vice President of Events  All PTA/PTSAs must update their officer information in memberplanet, the membership database used by Washington State PTA (WSPTA). Updating officer information is a requirement for all PTAs per the WSPTA Standards of Affiliation. Doing so gives WSPTA and Northshore Council PTSA the means to contact a PTA/PTSA if a need arises as well as ensuring that all PTA/PTSA leaders are included in important WSPTA and Northshore Council communications.
Starting in July 2020, the way to communicate leader information in memberplanet is through its Committees Module. There are a number of resources to help local PTA leaders use and understand memberplanet. However, because the Committees Module feature is so new, the documentation and support is not yet very extensive. Due to the importance of updating officer information, Northshore Council PTSA has created a guide to help users navigate the process. Download the “Assigning and Updating PTA Leaders in memberplanet” guide to get started! For questions about the process or to share feedback about the guide, please email Robin Zaback. Resources:
  A board retreat can be a powerful way to kick-start your PTA's new year. If fact, it can be such a powerful tool that Washington State PTA considers having one to be a PTA best practice. A retreat is more than just a regular meeting-- it is an opportunity to:
 There are many things to consider when planning for your retreat. And planning a virtual retreat adds a few more items to that list.
 Great retreats also include a few key social elements that serve as ways to allow board members to connect, bond, and get to know each other-- all of which work to help build a more cohesive team:
The extended nature of a retreat means that a board can have time for conversations and discussions with more breadth and depth. Consider some of the following discussion areas and questions as you build your board retreat agenda:
Finally, remember that some of the most important work will happen after the retreat ends as ideas are put into action. Take time through the year to reflect and check-in with one another regarding discussions, action items, and progress toward goals. Resources:
 Join us on Thursday, August 13th at 7pm for ‘Northshore PTAs Connect’ – an online roundtable discussion for PTA/PTSA leaders to ask questions, share ideas and connect with one another. This will be the first in a series of roundtable events designed to support our local PTA/PTSA leaders as we navigate membership, programs and managing our organizations in an uncertain and ever-changing landscape.
This first roundtable discussion will feature a Focus on Membership - strategies, online join, memberplanet and more! As we work to support, engage and advocate within our school communities, we need member voices to inform and empower our efforts. Let’s brainstorm and strategize together on how to promote and share the value of our PTAs and grow membership virtually. Zoom meeting information: Topic: Northshore PTAs Connect Roundtable: Focus on Membership Time: Aug 13, 2020 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82964295289 Meeting ID: 829 6429 5289 Password: Available on Request* If you have questions or suggested topics you would like to see addressed in the discussion, please email Council PTSA President, Robin Zaback. We hope to see you there!!! *A meeting password is required to join. It will be sent to local leaders via email. You can also request the password by emailing Council PTSA Communications VP, Rachel Fitzgerald.  Get help buying groceries while schools are closed. The Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is coming up on the deadline for families to apply for the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program. The deadline is September 11th at 5:00 PM. This program provides families who’s children are eligible for free or reduced-priced meals a food benefit that allows them to buy groceries while schools are remote. Apply online at: www.WashingtonConnection.org or call 877–501–2233 (interpreter services available). Learn more about P-EBT by visiting http://ow.ly/4VzB50B63or.  |
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Northshore Council PTSA is a welcoming organization that works to support our Local PTAs and serve the children and youth of our community through advocacy, collaboration, education, engagement, leadership, and mentorship.