 It was great to see so many local PTA leaders in attendance for our 2nd meeting of the 20-21 school year!
The meeting kicked off with a Q and A led by our Superintendent, Dr. Michelle Reid. In addition to mentioning that the current plan with online schooling is to stay the course, she also answered many questions regarding topics such as homework, updates on the NSD curriculum resource web page, communication strategies for teachers and parents and building access for PTA’s. There was also a discussion regarding ideas for the district to provide some morale boosting activities for students and families to help with community building while we are still isolating at home for online learning. Dr. Reid welcomed ideas from the group and will investigate how to best provide some community building activities in the district. During the Council Business portion of the meeting, the membership elected Grace Jurado, Liz Nord and Jane Chiodo as the 20-21 Nominating Committee. Next on the agenda was a financial report given by Council Treasurer, Liz Nord. Her report included the Treasurer’s Reports for both September and October, presentation of the newly adopted money handling policy and an update regarding the fulfillment of the Standards of Affiliation. Liz noted that any PTA that needs to create or update their current money handling policy is welcome to use the council’s as a template found here. Lastly, there was an update regarding council goals which involved renaming the goal previously called Leading and Developing our Northshore PTAs and Leaders to Communicating with our Northshore Local PTAs and Leaders. Grace Jurado, Nancy Chamberlain and Melissa Kline worked together to create a new title and verbiage surrounding the elements of the action items in effort to create goals that are concrete and attainable. The membership unanimously voted to update the proposed changes to the council goals as presented. During this meeting we also heard from Northshore Nourishing Network (NNN) Director Sue Freeman. She shared information and tips for PTAs looking to start a successful food drive for their local units. Sue noted that the Northshore Senior Center needs canned vegetables, tuna and chicken for those looking to donate. It was suggested by a member that coordination for a food drive combined with school supply pick up days or porch pick up to gather food donations. Sue also shared that she has created helpful documents for suggested items to donate as well as how to start a free pantry. Learn more about NNN here. We then heard from community leaders including School Board Director Jacqueline McGourty, NSD Partnerships and Volunteer Coordinator Natalie Campbell and the Northshore Schools Foundation Executive Director Carmin Dalziel.
Lastly on the agenda was Council updates on Advocacy, Membership and F.A.C.E. as well as an update from our First Vice President, Jane Chiodo, regarding the WSPTA awards and the Speaker and Events Grants.
Council meetings are a great way to reach other PTA leaders and learn about what is happening in the district and PTA. We hope you will join us for our next general membership meeting on Thursday, January 21st!  The 100% Staff Membership Award is presented to local PTAs that enroll at least as many school staff members as there are full-time certificated employees at the school. This award recognizes the value of teachers and school staff as stakeholders advocating for all children through PTA membership. PTAs must be in good standing and submit a completed application form by March 15, 2021 to be eligible for this award. Recipients of the 100% Staff Membership Award will be recognized at the WSPTA convention in the spring. Check out the below flyer put together by Washington State PTA to help determine if you are eligible for this award! Click here to download or print the flyer.   Looking for ways to earn 100% Staff Membership this year? The 3 key recommendations made by all WA State Award Winning PTAs are to: ♦ Be welcoming! ♦ Communicate goals and the rewards for reaching goals ♦ Always have ways to join your PTA available, in paper or online Check out this list of ideas compiled from WA State PTAs and decide which strategies your PTA can work on to help accomplish 100% Staff Membership for this year!  The Northshore Nourishing Network (NNN) is a network of partner organizations and individuals. They work to gather information about local and even hyper-local food security resources across Northshore. Their organization aims to not only be a place to find food security resources for those in need, but also a place to find ways to help contribute by volunteering or donating. NNN has put together the documents below as handy reference guides for donating to food banks and little free pantries as well as a list of suggested food bank donation items that most needed. For more information and resources the NNN has put together, visit their website at http://www.nourishingnetworks.net/networks/northshore/
 Northshore Council PTSA will be holding online elections for the three (3) positions on its 2020-21 Nominating Committee on Monday, November 16, 2020.
The Nominating Committee is a special committee that holds the key to a successful PTSA. It is responsible for presenting the best qualified candidates to serve as the elected officers who will lead Northshore Council PTSA in 2021-22. The slated candidates are as follows:
Qualification Requirements:
Election Information: As there are only three candidates, the election will be conducted via voice vote at the next General Membership Meeting, on Monday, November 16, 2020: Topic: Northshore Council PTSA November General Meeting Time: Nov 16, 2020 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/91310708539 Meeting ID: 913 1070 8539 Passcode: *Available upon request. One tap mobile +12532158782,,91310708539# US (Tacoma) +16699009128,,91310708539# US (San Jose) Dial by your location +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) Meeting ID: 913 1070 8539 Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/adiesbXAOG Information about Northshore Council PTSA online elections procedures is available in its Electronic Voting (E-Voting) Policy. Questions? Please contact Northshore Council PTSA President Robin Zaback. *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.  Washington State PTA just hosted its first Virtual Legislative Assembly! Throughout the last few weeks, panels and classes were held over Zoom to help educate our Washington State PTA leaders. The 42nd Assembly then wrapped up October 24-25 with the general sessions and voting on issues and resolutions. This year's theme was PTA: Now More Than Ever. During the legislative assembly Washington State PTA and its local PTAs, councils, and members work together to develop short-term legislative issues and long-term PTA resolutions. The issues and resolutions can be used to advocate not only at state level with our elected representatives, but also within schools and districts to help support all children.  WSPTA Top 5 Legislative Issues: 1. Increase Access to Nursing, Mental Health, and Social Emotional Learning Staff 2. Support Students and Preserve Education Funding 3. Increasing Educational Equity by Closing the Digital Divide 4. Supports and Funding for Students with Disabilities and Their Families 5. Prevent and Reduce Gun Violence and Suicide Also Supported Issues: ♦ Equitable Identification and Services for Highly Capable Students ♦ Mitigating the Adverse Impacts of Climate Change ♦ Safe School Plans and Emergency Preparedness New and Updated Resolutions:
New Principle under the category of Safe and Nurturing Environments for Children and Youth: Washington State PTA shall identify and initiate education and action on public policy that provides safe and supportive settings and climates for children and youth. The association shall support:
Information and details about Washington State PTA’s full legislative platform can be found on their website: https://www.wastatepta.org/focus-areas/advocacy/  Our Washington State PTA leaders did a great job leading us through a legislative process that held true to the PTA spirit of consensus. Northshore PTSA council would like to thank our Washington State PTA Board of Directors, especially our president, Janice Kutzera, for the amazing amount of work they did to make this brand new virtual process not only flow smoothly, but also still allow delegates to use their voices to promote, defend, and oppose legislative proposals. We like to also thank Heidi Bennet, our Region 6 Advocacy Chair, who helped council and PTA presidents by developing a member survey that was sent out to PTA members in our region and informed voting delegates of the priorities of local members. Finally, thank you to our local presidents and advocacy chairs that shared out this survey! This is an exciting time in PTA to time to get your members involved. We know the state legislature will have a budget deficit and that school districts are facing added expenses due to the pandemic. We also know that children and their families are feeling frustrated and isolated. The PTA can help with education advocacy at a state level and with advocacy at a local level by forming personal connections to our members. It is time to PTA: NOW MORE THAN EVER.  How can you get involved in PTA advocacy? 1. Make sure you are signed up for advocacy information and action alerts through the Washington State PTA's Action Network! 2. Come to a Northshore Council general meeting or roundtable discussion! Our next General Meeting is November 16th at 7pm. See the full calendar on the Northshore PTSA website. 3. Mark your calendar for FOCUS DAY: January 18th, 2021 which is our opportunity to directly speak to legislators!  |
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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.