Northshore Council PTSA Mission Statement 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, education, mentoring, collaboration, and leadership. Northshore School District Director Candidates Information |
District No. 2 | District No. 3 |
Board members represent the district at large although they must reside in specific geographical areas of the district. Voters within the Northshore School District boundaries are able to vote for all school board director positions.
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- Northshore Council PTSA School Board Candidate Forum
- League of Women Voters Snohomish County
- NSD Community Conversations Facebook Group
- 2023 Northshore School Board Candidate (questionnaire)
(Questions were submitted by the members of the closed Facebook group.)
- 2023 Northshore School Board Candidate (questionnaire)
Dates & Deadlines |
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October 18 King County: Ballots Mailed for General Election |
October 19 Snohomish County: Ballots Mailed for General Election |
October 20 Start of 18-day voting period (through Election Day). Accessible Voting Units (AVUs) are available at voting centers. |
October 30 Online and mail registrations must be received 8 days before Election Day. |
November 7 Deadline for Washington State voter registration or updates (in person only). |
November 7 General Election |
How Do I Register to Vote? Check your registration info at VoteWA.gov.
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If you are 16 or 17, become a Future Voter!
Sign up online at VoteWA.gov with your Washington state driver’s license, permit, or ID. Or you can fill out a paper registration form using the last four digits of your Social Security number and mail it in. You’ll be automatically registered to vote when you qualify. If you will be 18 by the November Election, you can vote in the Primary Election.
- Visit our Advocacy Page to learn more about Northshore Council PTSA's advocacy efforts including:
- WSPTA's Legislative Platform
- 2022-2024 Top 5 Priorities
- Ways to Get Involved
Please contact Council Co-VPs of Advocacy, Terra Droney & Holly Muenchow, at [email protected]
Roundtables are designed to support our local PTA/PTSA leaders with any questions they may have about the 2023-2024 Reflections Program. |
Click to pause slides or choose slides from thumbnails at bottom.
STEP 1: Register
STEP 2: E-learning / Attend Trainings
STEP 3: Promote
STEP 4: Judging
Northshore Council PTSA Reflections Co-Chairs: Jasmine Lee Fry and Foram Shah
- Facebook Groups
- Webpages
- Subscribe to our Reflections Newsletter and Read Past Issues HERE
WSPTA Legislative Assembly 2023
Saturday, October 21 & Sunday, October 22
Registration Open Until October 5 at 12 noon.
Virtual Event
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! 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 PTA, contact your local PTA president. |
- Tickets are $35/person for in person or remote. Sales end on October 5th, 2023 at 12:00 PM PDT.
- Subsidized rate of $10/person is available.
- Student ticket price is $10/student.
- Register here: https://bit.ly/2023LegAssembly
Important Dates and Deadlines:
- October 5 (noon): Registration ends (for delegates and audience members)
- October 6: Delegate confirmation request sent to PTA presidents
- October 10 (noon): Deadline for PTA presidents to respond if your PTA’s delegate list is incorrect
- Early October: Whova app will go live
- October 21 (8:00 PM): Amendment deadline
- October 21-22: Legislative Assembly general sessions
Voting Delegates:
During the 45th 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 Delegate Information page and the 2023 Voting Information page that has been created to help delegates prepare for the caucusing and general sessions.
About Legislative Assembly:
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.
It will be an incredible weekend of advocacy, education, and networking including informative guest presenters, workshops, panels, trainings, and of course, the important work of debating and voting on additions and updates to our legislative platform. This is an amazing opportunity to connect with PTA members and advocates statewide.
Check out the Legislative Assembly web page to learn more about this year's event.
More on Advocacy:
- Council's Advocacy Page
- Questions? Contact Council Co-VPs of Advocacy, Terra Droney & Holly Muenchow
Continue reading below for a recap of the meeting.
Council Business
We reviewed the purpose of Council and the benefits of contacting Council for help. Some of the advantages of Council is that we can help answer questions you may have in your local PTSA, communicate training, resolve conflict, or help you find answers on the Washington State PTA website. As a reminder, Council will not ask to review your books or report you to any agency - we are not the PTA Police. We are here to support our local PTA leaders. View the PTA Leaders Resource Chart that was shared with members at the meeting.
We had an open board position and Christine Roehnelt was elected Secretary for the 2023-2024 year. Installation of all Council members was made by WSPTA Finance Officer Liz Nord. 2022-2023 Council Co-President Mary Khouzam was recognized for all of her work last year.
During the meeting two breakout rooms were created. Membership Co-Chair Allison Torgesen presented and answered questions about memberplanet in one room while Brittany Hernandez, AIM representative, provided an overview of what you should know about your PTA insurance and answered questions in the second room.
The proposed budget for 2023-2024 was presented and approved by the members at the meeting.
Committee Updates
- Advocacy – Update from Holly M.
- On 10/3 from 6-7 pm, Council will be hosting an in-person School Board Candidate Forum. Submit possible questions to be asked at the forum by September 25, 2023
- Legislative Assembly will be held virtually on Oct 21 & Oct. 22. Registration is now open.
- Please join our Council hosted Advocacy Facebook Group for PTA leaders.
- Events – Update from Melissa B.
- Presidents and Principals is 10/26 from 11-12:30 at Brightwater Event Center. Digital invites will be emailed to the PTSA Presidents and Principals with a reservation link.
- Membership – Update from Allison T.
- Approx. 2100 members have joined Northshore PTA/PTSAs so far this year. There are only 7 PTAs that have not yet entered their members - that is good start for being so early in the year.
- Reflections- Update by Jasmine F.
- I am Hopeful Because… is the theme for this year's 2023-2024 Reflections Program.
- Council is hosting two Reflections Roundtables on 9/25 and 10/4. In addition to the two Council Roundtables, Jasmine is also presenting Reflections Leaders Training for WSPTA on 9/21 at 6:30 p.m. and 10/7 at 9:00 a.m.
- Student are invited to submit a theme to WSPTA for the 2025-2026 Reflections Program. Student with the winning theme will receive $100.
- Speaker and Events Grants Program – Update by Grace J.
- First grant cycle was this summer, Council did not receive any applications.
- Applications are open for the second Educational Speakers and Community Events grant cycle. Local PTAs/PTSAs interested in partnering with Northshore Council PTSA to host speakers or events may apply for a Northshore Council PTSA Educational Speakers and Community Events Grant. The grant deadline is 10/27.
- School Board Director Bob Swain
- The Northshore School District Graphics Center was cut from budget. Negotiations with a company/union are underway to explore third party printing. No official solution yet.
- In regards to the machines, no response yet as to what will happen to them. One machine was 100K to repair so that was taken into consideration when the print shop was closed.
- School design capital improvements are happening now with designers and committees.
- There is approximately $13.5 million saved from the Ruby Bridges building budget. This excess will stay in buildings and facilities.
- There will be budget cuts again next year, maybe $17-20 million. Board will be in study sessions to discuss cuts.
- Director Swain did not seek another term for School Board. Elisabeth Sotak, is running unopposed in the November election for his seat. The transition to the new school board member will take place after the election in December 2023.
- Student enrollment is approximately 200 more than budgeted.
- The Northshore School District Graphics Center was cut from budget. Negotiations with a company/union are underway to explore third party printing. No official solution yet.
- Dr. Srinivas Khedam – Assistant Director of Family Engagement and Resource Center at Northshore School District
- On 10/4 at 6:30 p.m. Superintendent Tolley will be hosting a Listening Session for Spanish Speaking families.
- The Family Engagement and Resource Center opened this summer. They receive referrals of families from NSD staff. Staff will check in with the family to see what resources are needed and NSD partners with the state and local agencies and connects them to help. Goal is to eliminate barriers for students and families. More information is on their website.
- Staff is currently working on 5 minute PowerPoint informational presentations, done by students. An example of a video they will do is “What is PTSA?”.
- He also shares his learning from immigrant communities.
The President ended the meeting with a review of the upcoming events. All of the events dates and times are listed on the Northshore Council’s Calendar.
We hope to see you at our next General Meeting on November 14th at 7 pm.
National PTA is seeking a theme for the 2025-2026 Reflections Program Year.
Please review the past themes listed here, as repeat themes will not be considered. Please direct any questions to [email protected]. The submission form requires the entrant to create an account with SM Apply. The form itself should take about 5 minutes to complete.
Here's a brief summary of what you will find on the application form, to assist with your preparation:
- Student Name
- Student's Theme Idea
- Student Address
- Student's School
- Parent/Guardian Contact Info
- Local PTA Name (if different from school name)
Scam Emails and Spoofing
The senders email may appear to come from another officer in your PTA such as the President or Treasurer, your bank or one of your vendors to help make the request look legitimate, but the email address is spoofed. There are things you can check for:
- Confirm the actual "from" address of the sender - don't rely only on the name that is shown.
- Does this email look and sound like other emails you have received from this person or institution?
- Does this email ask you to do something that is not in alignment with current financial or money handling policies?
- Often these emails will state the sender is unavailable in a meeting, or out of town, and sending money is an urgent matter.
- Text or call the sender using an already established contact to verify the authenticity of the request. Do not call the number provided in the email.
Common Scams
- Asking for gift cards. Remember gift cards are the equivalent of cash and if the email is acted upon, there is likely no recourse to get the money back.
- Requesting a wire transfer usually through peer to peer (P2P) digital money transfer services such as PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, CashApp, ApplePay, etc. Wire transfers and P2P digital services are not recommended for PTAs. Instead you should have a clear funds disbursement procedure that is well documented for your records.
- The email message may direct you to a spoofed website or otherwise get you to divulge private information such as bank account information or account passwords. The perpetrators then use this private information to commit identity theft or trick you to send money usually through peer to peer digital money transfer services.
- Note that the scammers are getting more convincing especially since the introduction of AI bots (Artificial Intelligence). In the past these emails could easily be spotted with the large number of spelling errors and poor grammar. Now scammers are relying on AI to get the wording (and the spelling) spot on!
- Note that the scammers are getting more convincing especially since the introduction of AI bots (Artificial Intelligence). In the past these emails could easily be spotted with the large number of spelling errors and poor grammar. Now scammers are relying on AI to get the wording (and the spelling) spot on!
There are a few things you and your board should be doing in order to protect your PTA:
- If you get an email from a fellow PTA officer asking to transfer funds, do not send money. Verify the authenticity of the request by phoning the officer using a phone number already established in your contacts.
- Establish clear lines of communication between board members.
- Do not let anyone rush you into making a decision because it needs to be done now. Scammers will use the sense of urgency to get you to bypass best practices.
- Make your entire board including chairs aware of these type of scams and remind the board of money handling best practices.
- Know your budget well. The best indicator of a potential fraudulent activity is a request that is made for something outside of your PTAs member-approved budget.
- Make sure your board of directors is well trained! View upcoming trainings here.
- Make sure you have well documented procedures and processes for money disbursement. (See below)
- Do not click any links or download any attachments in the suspicious email.
- Inform your board that Washington State PTA and Northshore Council will not ask you to transfer money, provide personal information, or provide banking information over email.
- Verify the identity of anyone who requests your personal information by using reliable, independent means.
- Never provide banking or confidential financial or personal information in response to a suspicious email or an unverified website or form.
In the unfortunate event that a scammer is successful, here are are some steps your PTA should follow if funds came from your PTA account:
- Contact your bank and put a hold on the account and stop payment on the scam payment.
- Call an emergency board meeting (Wait time can be waived if agreed upon by Board.)
- Email [email protected]
- Call AIM to confirm insurance, etc.
- Decide as a board if filing a police report.
- Does your PTA have a money handling policy?
- Has your PTA updated their policy to include online banking?
Need some help putting your money handling policies together or updating them? Council's money handling policies is available for you to use as a sample. Still have questions? Contact Council Treasurer Brenae Brix.
- Spoofing and Phishing - FBI
- How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams - FTC Consumer Advice
- Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) - FBI
If you got a phishing email or text message, report it. The information you give helps fight scammers.
- If you got a phishing email, forward it to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at [email protected].
- If you got a phishing text message, forward it to SPAM (7726).
- Report the phishing attempt to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Since the position of Secretary was not contested, the election will be by voice vote at the next General Meeting on Monday, September 18, 2023, at 7 PM.
Questions? Email Council President Rachel Fitzgerald.
We encourage local PTA/PTSA E-Prep chairs to attend and or 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.
2023 Meetings
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2024 Meetings
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Learn more about E-Prep and how to get involved.
Tuesday, October 3, 2023 | 6pm to 7pm
Northshore Administration Center
3330 Monte Villa Parkway, Bothell, WA 98021
Inform Your Vote!
The structured forum will be moderated by Northshore Council PTSA. Each candidate will be asked the same questions. Potential questions for candidates can be pre-submitted at https://forms.gle/ARFDPvGiuBBpnhew6. Please submit your questions by Monday, September 25, 2023.
The forum is free and community attendance is encouraged. However, distribution of campaign materials, including the carrying of signs, by candidates, volunteers or members of the public is prohibited.
(Links for each candidate below is from King County Elections website)
District No. 3 | District No. 2 |
Please contact Council Co-VPs of Advocacy, Terra Droney & Holly Muenchow, at [email protected].
Disclaimer: Northshore Council PTSA does not support or oppose any candidate (appointed or elected) for public office. This event is to assist the community in making an informed judgment in the election of its school board.
Tuesday, November 7, 2023 - General Election
Register to Vote: Voter information and registration can be found at http://vote.wa.gov/.
Update your registration if:
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Snohomish County Election Information: https://snohomishcountywa.gov/224/Elections-Voter-Registration
WA Secretary of State: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections
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, education, mentoring, collaboration, and leadership.
Roundtables are designed to support our local PTA/PTSA leaders with any questions they may have about the 2023-2024 Reflections Program. You are welcome to attend one or both of the sessions. Reflections Roundtables Monday, September 25, 2023 | 10 AM Register for Zoom link. Wednesday, October 4, 2023 | 7 PM Register for Zoom link. |
- Email Council Reflections Co-Chairs at [email protected].
- Check out Council's Reflection page, WSPTA Reflections Site, and National PTA Reflections Site
- Connect on Facebook by joining the WSPTA Reflections group and Council's Reflections group
- Sign up for Council's "Almost Weekly" PTA Reflections Communications with everything you need to know:
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