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.

Please note that capacity is limited to 100 people on a first come, first served basis. For those who are unable to attend, a video recording will be posted to our website by Friday, October 8th.

Logistics for those planning to attend:

• In accordance with King County health mandates, masks will be required for all in attendance.
  
• Doors will open at 6:45pm
• Parking is available at the Kenmore Community Club
• Additional parking is available along the street or at the Kenmore Park and Ride which is about a 5 minute walk to the venue.

Have a question for the candidates? Email us!
This forum will be hosted and moderated by the Northshore Council PTSA.

Additional Resources
July 15th School Board Primary - Candidate Q&A
King County Ballot Information
Snohomish County Ballot Information

November 2nd, 2021 General Election Dates & Voter Registration Information
September 28th - National Voter Registration Day
October 13th - Ballots mailed for King County
October 14th - Ballots mailed for Snohomish County
October 25th - Last day for voters to register or update voter information online
November 2nd - Last day for voters to register or update voter information in person​
November 2nd - Election Day

​Join us for ‘Northshore PTAs Connect’ – an online roundtable discussion for PTA/PTSA leaders to ask questions, share ideas, and connect with one another.

This evening (7pm) roundtable will feature a focused discussion on the topic of PTA Success. Local leaders will have the opportunity to ask questions and get support to make sure their PTA/PTSA is in good standing and on track to meet upcoming deadlines and SOA requirements. While there may be a focus topic, Northshore PTAs Connect Roundtables are an open discussion and there is always opportunity to ask questions and tackle emerging or ongoing areas of interest or concern.

Date: Thursday, October 14th
Time: 7:00PM 
Location: Online via Zoom

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81122278122
Meeting ID: 811 2227 8122
Passcode: Available upon request

Questions? Contact Council!

Northshore Council PTSA will be holding Office Hours on Thursday, October 7th from 12:30PM to 1:30PM. This is the perfect time to connect with Council leaders to ask questions, brainstorm ideas, or even just to say hello. So grab your lunch or a latte and come hang out with Council!

This time is designed to support our local PTA/PTSA leaders as you continue to navigate membership, programs, and managing your organization for the 2021-2022 school year. We hope you will join us!

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84525746722
Meeting ID: 845 2574 6722
Passcode: Available upon request

If you have questions and need to connect with Council prior to this, please visit our Contact Page for a list Council Officers and their emails.

September is Suicide Awareness month.
Many of us are unaware that suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34 and was the 10th leading cause of death overall in the United States in 2019. Among high school students, 1 in 5 has seriously thought about suicide, and nearly 9% have attempted. Four out of five teens who attempted suicide have given clear warning signs.

​These statistics are scary, but there is hope! We can prevent this tragedy by identifying and supporting young people who are struggling with mental health symptoms, including thinking about suicide. Some individuals and communities are more at risk than others, including people of color, indigenous peoples, and the LGBTQ+ community.

​Creating a caring community lets those in need know that they are not alone and that there is hope.  Remember, silence hurts us all.

It has been proven that asking the tough question, "Are you thinking of hurting yourself?" does NOT lead to suicidal tendencies. In fact, it can reduce ideations and attempts. We should encourage everyone to become comfortable talking about suicide and make sure to check on friends and loved ones. The more we talk about it and provide support and understanding, the more lives we can save.

If you suspect someone is struggling, ask them or tell someone who is in a position to help. Don't be afraid to reach out to the parents of your child's friends or the student’s school counselor about their struggles or warning signs you see. This could save a child’s life! Kids need to learn how to spot signs in their friends, too, and feel impowered to speak up when necessary. If your student needs advice or assistance, their school counselor is always a good place to start.

Signs to Look For & Steps to Take
There are quite a few things that have been associated with increased risk for suicide.  It is important to be aware of these signs:
• Prior suicide attempts
• Family history of suicide
• History of mental health conditions 
• Substance misuse
• Impulsivity or aggressiveness
• Serious family problems
• Breakups or other major relationship losses
• Access to means for self-harm 
• Social isolation
• History of traumatic experiences 

There are also several things that might indicate that the person’s thoughts of suicide are escalating or that there is more acute risk, including:
• Talking, joking, or posting online about dying or life not being worth living
• Feelings of hopelessness, shame or of being a burden to others
• Extreme sadness, anger, or irritability
• Planning or researching ways to die
• Withdrawal from others, saying or posting “goodbye” messages, giving away possessions
• Erratic or disorganized behavior
• Seeking means to self-harm

If you have observed any of these signs or risk factors, and are concerned about someone, here's 5 steps you can take:
► Start by offering compassion (not advice), avoid judgment, acknowledge their suffering, and just listen. 
► After that, ask them if they are thinking of suicide. Be calm and direct. Asking will NOT put the idea into their mind.
► If you are confident that they are not in immediate danger, and they have a mental health treatment provider, contact them for next steps. If they do not have a mental health provider, contact the person's primary doctor or pediatrician.  
► If you feel their life, or someone else’s life is in danger, then take away all objects that could pose a danger (medications, firearms, knives, ropes, chemicals).
► Next, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or any other resource listed. Call 9-1-1 in an emergency or last resort. Let the operator know that this is a mental health crisis.

After over a year of being at home, many families may feel discounted and be asking why they should support PTA. It can be hard to communicate your PTA's value with programs being offered virtually when families are used to attending PTA events in person or seeing the support your PTA does in the classroom.

That's why it's more important than ever to answer the question "Why PTA?" One great way of doing that is sharing with your families the reason why you support the PTA. Knowing WHY those leading your PTA serve is a great way to inspire other families to support your PTA by joining or donating.

Check out all the reasons that inspire your Northshore Council Leaders to PTA below!
​
Interested in making your own "Why I PTA" slides but need help? Contact Council's Co-VP of Membership, Melissa Kline.

You are invited to join our first Council Emergency Preparedness (E-Prep) Chair meeting.
Anyone in PTA/PTSA is welcome to attend our meetings, and we encourage all local PTA/PTSA E-Prep chairs to attend as well as PTA/PTSA Presidents and/or Vice Presidents or delegates.

In this meeting we share and obtain updates from the NSD Safety team and discuss opportunities where the PTA can provide support to our schools in the areas of emergency preparedness, safety, and security.  

Date: Tuesday, October 5th
Time: 11:00 AM to Noon, Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86752102942
Meeting ID: 867 5210 2942
Passcode: Available upon request


Agenda

• Introductions
• Council PTSA Emergency Preparedness Mission, Goals – Robin, Tracy
• Training Plan for new chairs – Robin, Tracy
• NSD Safety Goals and Updates – Henry Simon, Clark Combs
• Wrap-up – agreement on meeting schedule going forward.

If you would like the passcode in order to attend this meeting or have questions, please email Council's E-Prep Co-Chairs, Tracy Jokisch & Robin McKenzie. We look forward to seeing you!

Registration is now open for the 43rd Annual WSPTA Legislative Assembly!

PTA delegates from across the state will come together to update the WSPTA legislative platform. At legislative assembly, discover the power PTA has to advocate for the success of every child – the whole child. In PTA every member has an equal voice, and your input matters a great deal to the success of PTA's grassroots member-driven platform. PTA is needed more than ever right now, and you can help!

Key Things to Note:

• WSPTA Legislative Assembly will take place virtually October 23-24, 2021
• Classes, panels and general sessions will be accessed through the Whova app using either the desktop or mobile app. The app will be available starting October 8.
• Cost is $40 per attendee
• A subsidized rate of $10 is available to help members who may need a little assistance
• A reduced student fee of $10 is available, which gives a student an all-access pass to classes, education sessions, and caucusing
• Voting Delegates must be submitted by your PTA President no later than October 10th @ 11:59pm
• Registration Deadline for voting delegates is October 17th @ 11:59pm
• Registration Deadline for all other attendees is October 24th @ 12pm
• Deadline to submit a pre-filed amendment for consideration is October 24th @ 8am

During the 43rd annual Washington State PTA Legislative Assembly, delegates will decide the public policy positions that guide state and local advocacy work for WSPTA and its associated local PTAs and councils. To learn more about being a voting delegate, visit WSPTA's Legislative Assembly Voting Information page which includes the 2021 Voters’ Guide that has been created to help delegates prepare for the caucusing and general sessions.

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. The top five issues become our short-term platform and consist of our priority issues when advocating throughout the year. Other issues are placed on an “also supported” list. Learn about WSPTA's current legislative priorities and other supported issues by clicking here.

Be a part of the process and help direct the course for WSPTA advocacy by serving as a delegate for your PTA!  If you are interested in attending Legislative Assembly as a delegate for your local PTA, contact your local PTA president.
​
Check out the Legislative Assembly web page to learn more about this year's event.

A display board is a great tool to have at your membership table at events. It helps volunteers easily answer the question we often hear - “Why should I join PTA?” You could also ask to put the display board in your school office in the fall so staff and families can see what PTA contributes to your community.

​Recently, Northshore Council PTSA leaders attended the NSD Back-to-School Fair to highlight all Northshore PTAs and ask families to join their local PTA. We had a display board at our table to highlight what programs and activities are run through PTA. Check out Council's display board below for inspiration!


Some ideas to highlight when creating your display board:

• QR Code for Online Join
• Info on how to connect with your PTA (website, social media)
• Membership Goal
• Programs/Events your PTA sponsors
• Upcoming Events (next Family Night, General Membership Meeting)
• Membership Discounts (Find current ones on WSPTA's site)
• 10 PTA Membership Myths & Truths (download graphic from National PTA here)
• Awards Received (Membership Growth, WSPTA Awards of Excellence)

The theme search for the 2023-2024 Reflections arts program is underway! Students are encouraged to submit theme ideas that spark fun and creativity! In response to the winning theme, students from Pre-K through 12th grade will create original works of art in one or all the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts.​

The student who submits the winning entry will receive a $100 prize from National PTA. Past themes and duplicate submissions will not be considered. Submissions must by received via email by Nov. 1, 2021.

Click here to for a list of past themes. Submit your entry using the NEW online Theme Search form.
Questions? Email ptaprogdir@wastatepta.org.