Category: Council Programs

Reflections Roundtable - 10/26

10/15/2020

Join us for a special Monday Night Roundtable focusing on Reflections!

This roundtable is designed to support our local PTA/PTSA leaders as with any questions they may have about the Reflections Program.

Date: Monday, October 26th
Time: 7:00PM
Location: Online via Zoom

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/99257796923
Meeting ID: 992 5779 6923
Passcode: *Available upon request

Round 1 - Educational Speakers and Community Events Grant

10/11/2020

Northshore Council PTSA is proud to announce the recipient in our first round of Educational Speakers & Community Events Grants for 2020-2021!

Kenmore Elementary PTA - Parenting on the Same Page - 10/21

This event is open to the Northshore community.

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. 2020-2021 grants are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis and applications will be reviewed by the Northshore Council PTSA until the Council Programs budget is used in its entirety. The submission deadline for the next round of Educational Speakers & Community Events Grants is November 27th, 2020.

For more information about the program and to download the application, visit our Educational Speakers and Community Events Grant Program page.

E-Prep Chair Training

10/1/2020

Attention all Emergency Preparedness (E-Prep) PTA Chairs

Join Council's E-Prep & Safety Co-Chairs, Robin McKenzie and Tracy Jokisch, for online training* on Oct. 6th @ 10am and Oct. 22nd @ 7pm.

Topics to be covered during these trainings:

Recap of Mission, Goals, & Values
Overview of roles for E-Prep Chairs & School E-Coordinators
Preparedness Advocacy Information
Creating a Culture of Preparedness
Tips for E-Prep Chairs
Connecting Chairs within feeder pattern
Council E-Prep Resources
Next Steps

These trainings are open to all Northshore PTA/PTSA E-Prep Chairs (new or returning), Presidents or Vice-Presidents, and active members interested in Emergency Preparedness & Safety.

Join the Zoom for Oct. 6th @ 10am. (Passcode is available upon request.)

Join the Zoom for Oct. 22nd @ 7pm. (Passcode is available upon request.)

*Note: This training is not an official WSPTA Approved Training and therefore cannot be used towards the training requirement listed in the SOA.

9/21 General Membership Meeting Recap

9/27/2020

It was the first meeting of the year, and we were thrilled to (virtually) see over 25 attendees from across the district participate! The membership unanimously elected two new officers to the board: Kimberly Ortiz for the position of Secretary and Diana Christiansen for the position of Vice-President of Advocacy. Thank you to each of them for stepping up to help lead Northshore Council PTSA! In addition to elections, members revised new goals, approved Standing Rules, and voted on an updated budget. Membership Chair, Melissa Kline noted how local PTAs were quite creative in their membership drives this year, ensuring easy, online join options for members to renew their memberships. (Find your PTA/PTSA by clicking here.)

We’re happy to announce the continuation of our Educational Speakers and Community Events Grant Program. Local PTAs are encouraged to apply solo or in collaboration with another local PTA! Deadline for the 2nd round of applications is Nov. 27th.

During this packed meeting, we also had the pleasure of hearing from community leaders, including School Board Director Jacqueline McGourty, NSD Partnerships and Volunteer Coordinator Natalie Campbell, each of whom shared updates and answered questions about recent projects and current initiatives, including exciting news about the ground breaking at the Northshore Concert Hall at Inglemoor High School and the opening of Ruby Bridges Elementary.

Northshore Nourishing Network Director Sue Freeman shared information on the increasing food insecurity facing members of this community. Ms. Freeman has been collaborating with Skyview Middle School PTSA to create a food pantry, and shared a plan to disseminate helpful information for those wishing to donate to foodbanks.

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 Monday, November 16th!

Reflections: The 2020 Virtual Edition!

9/21/2020

Due to our extraordinary circumstances, the 2020 Reflections program is going Virtual!

Even though parts of the Reflections Program will feel a little different this year, there are many aspects of the program that have not changed - especially the parts that are student facing. Students will still fill out their entry form, write their artists statement, choose a category and create their work of art using the theme "I Matter Because..."!

New for 2020! Online Submissions:

Council & WSPTA will only accept online submissions for 2020-21. Each Local PTA President and Reflections Chair will receive a specific link and instructions for online submission to Council in a couple weeks.
- Try to submit high quality scans or digital photos as all artworks will be judged digitally at Council and State levels.
- When uploading to Council, please use the following file name format so we can attribute the artwork to the correct student: Student First Name and Last Name - Arts Category - Form or Artwork. Note: There should be two submissions for each student, the entry form and the artwork.
Each local PTA can choose to accept submissions online, in person, or a combination of both. Make sure to set a due date that allows time to judge the submitted pieces in order to determine which 20 (+6 Special Artist) you will advance to Council.
- Please do not submit pieces to council that are not in compliance with the guidelines for each category found in the "Student Entry Packets".
- IMPORTANT: Encourage participants to read and follow all rules for submission for each category as if they would be submitting their actual pieces in person. Any submission that WSPTA sends to the National PTA for judging will need to be sent physically.
Once pieces have been judged, local Reflections Chairs will need to upload any pieces they are submitting to Council into the National PTA student entry portal AND upload the entry form and digital version of the art piece to Council by December 2nd, 2020.
Once you have submitted your 20 (+6 ) pieces:
- Council will judge the pieces to determine which will advance to WSPTA
- Council will share which pieces are advancing to WSPTA with Reflection Chairs and Presidents
- All pieces submitted to Council will be displayed at the Celebration Open House and/or Digital Showcase on January 9, 2021. We will announce details about this event to the best of our ability by end of November, but please note that an in person event is subject to district and county safety requirements.
- Council will digitally submit all pieces advancing to WSPTA.
  - WSPTA will judge and announce which pieces are advancing to National PTA.
  - Council will contact Reflections Chairs and Presidents who have pieces advancing to National PTA. As of right now, National PTA is requiring that state PTAs submit physical art pieces.

Below are some resources to help support your Reflections program:

Register for your Reflections program with the National PTA.
Promote Reflections in your community.
Entry forms can be filled out online. (Contact reflections@northshorecouncilptsa.org if you need assistance finding your National PTA number.)
Please sign up for our Northshore Council PTSA Reflections newsletter here. The newsletter and website are the primary sources of information for Reflections this year.
Our Northshore Council PTSA Reflections Facebook page is here and is a resource for you to exchange information and best practices.
The WSPTA Reflections Facebook page is another great resource!

Still have questions? Please contact Council's Reflections Chair, Rachel Northquist, at reflections@northshorecouncilptsa.org or call/text (425) 319-0016.

Council Program Fee

9/12/2020

This year it's even easier for your PTA/PTSA to pay the yearly Council Program Fee!

On your October Memberplanet invoice you will see a new line for $100 titled ‘Council Program Fees’. This will allow you to pay this fee through automatic deposit at the same time you pay your council membership fees.

A notice explaining more about the yearly fee and the payment process was emailed to local PTA/PTSA Presidents and Treasurers on August 31st. If you did not receive this email, or have any questions about the Council Program Fee, please contact Council Treasurer, Liz Nord.

2020-21 Reflections: I Matter Because...

8/19/2020

This year's Reflections Theme is "I Matter Because..."

The Reflections Program is a National PTA and WSPTA cultural arts competition. The purpose is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works for the theme of "I Matter Because...".

Reflections is so much more than "just an art contest." It helps kids take risks, be inspired, think creatively, receive positive recognition and be celebrated for their works of art. It also allows our community to celebrate our students' creativity!
Encourage art by offering Reflections at your PTA!

Council is here to help make it easy! Check the Reflections page on for regular updates, join the Northsore Council PTSA Reflections and Art Docent Chairs Facebook group and be sure to sign up for our "almost weekly" Reflections communications.

Dates to Note:

December 1 & 2, 2020 - Turn In Dates
January 9, 2021 - Council Celebration Open House

Please stay tuned for more information on turn-in methods and our Celebration Open House that will follow district and county public health requirements.

Questions? Contact Council's Reflections Chair, Rachel Northquist.

Educational Speakers & Community Events Grant Program 2020-2021

8/18/2020

Image: 2020-2021 Educational Speakers & Community Events Grant Program - Apply Today!

Educational Speakers and Community Events Grant Program 2020-2021

Applications* are now being accepted for Northshore Council PTSA's 2020-2021 Educational Speakers and Community Events Grant Program! This program is designed to help support Northshore PTA's in hosting relevant and timely speakers for our district families and to encourage them to create engaging events for our community. ALL local PTA's, within the Northshore School District and in good standing, may apply for a grant through a simple application process.

Find the application, program details, and past recipients by clicking here.

*2020-2021 grants are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis and applications will be reviewed by the Northshore Council PTSA (submission deadlines specified below) or until the Council Programs budget is used in its entirety.

Submission Deadlines for Applications
September 25, 2020 (Review by Council on Oct. 5th)
November 27, 2020 (Review by Council on Dec. 7th)
January 22, 2021 (Review by Council on Feb. 1st)

Emergency Preparedness Wrap-up, 2019-20

6/22/2020

The following is a summary of 2019/2020 Emergency Preparedness (E-Prep) activities.

We want to recognize and thank the following individuals for contributions to Emergency Preparedness, the Northshore School District, and our students:

Julie Beard (East Ridge PTA)

E-Prep Advocate: Supported our meetings with Northshore School District Superintendent Dr. Reid ensuring an E-Prep focus and she worked to bring attention to preventing child abuse and neglect; our community cares deeply about children and we know that school districts are one of our most important partners in keeping children safe. In 2019 she was a key participant in the Safe Schools Advisory Committee. Read the report.

Jennifer Blasi PTSA (Moorlands PTA)

E-Prep Advocate: Organized parents and lead regular meetings with district Superintendent Dr. Reid to ensure the focus on E-Prep including funding for food and water supplies, continued staff focused support, and mental health of our students.

Robyn Sims (Bear Creek PTA & Timbercrest PTSA)

E-Prep Leadership: Worked with PTA E-Prep chairs. Established feeder pattern working groups to share issues and resources to help each other. Helped identify common issues across feeder groups to focus efforts.

Graphic featuring awards certificates for each of the E-prep award recipients, incluindg Julie Beard, 2019-20 Emergency Preparedness Advocate; Jennifer Blasi, 2019-2020 Emergency Preparedness Advocate; and Robyn Sims, 2019-2020 Emergency Preparedness Leadership

Many thanks to our NSD team that has supported every Emergency-Preparedness (E-Prep) monthly meeting with updates and for giving PTSA parents a forum to vocalize both suggestions and concerns. We would like to specifically thank Clark Combs E-Prep TOSA, Bill Brooks, Security, and Henry Simon, Director Safety and Security, for their continued focus on the safety of our students and staff, security, and preparedness. Here are a few of the key things achieved this school year:

Tuff Shed for E-Prep supplies storage at Ruby Bridges elementary school will improve the storage environment for supplies.
Plastic bins have been delivered to every school for use in e-prep containers to store supplies and keep them safe.
20% of the food and water emergency supplies has been delivered to each school. A five-year plan has been established to rotate the food and water supplies in the E-prep containers.
Medical Emergency Trauma Kits went out to 21 sites, Pre-K to grade 5. All NSD sites have updated kits.
Fernwood Elementary held a reunification drill with students and parents. A large reunification with parents at an off-site location scheduled for the end of March had to be postponed due to COVID-19, hopefully it can be rescheduled for next year.
Each school now has a NSD-provided reunification kit that is customized by each school to fit their population needs.
E-Prep items delivered to schools included: hard hats, vests, safety glasses, gloves, solar chargers, bleed kits, large backpacks, headlamps, crowbars, knee pads, bull horns, and radios.
Woodinville High School is offering a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) elective course starting next year which will give our students training in disaster preparedness, leadership, teamwork, safety, first aid, CPR/AED, search and rescue, fire suppression, psychology and team organization.
Replaced existing mortise classroom locks with more secure functionality; installation of thumb turn locks with indicators in every classroom, is nearly complete.
Five visitor management pilot systems were obtained and NSD legal is working to ensure security of personal information.
Continuation of the NSD E-Prep TOSA position in 2020-21.
ACT (Antidote, CPR/AED, Tourniquet) to save a life training was provided to our PTSA e-prep group. ACT To Save a Life is a one hour first aid class that focuses on three skills you can use to save a life in the first few minutes of an emergency: Antidote for suspected opiate overdoses, CPR and AED training for cardiac arrest, tourniquet for severe bleeding control. Clark Combs is now prepared to do on-line or live training for our teachers in August before start of school.
During our COVID-19 event, NSD donated face masks, gloves, and gowns from school E-prep containers to a local hospital.
Northshore Council PTSA has donated funds towards 40 face shields for all NSD school nurses to use next year.

The Northshore Council PTSA E-Prep team is looking forward to next year’s opportunities to continue to help improve each school’s emergency preparedness and we will also be focusing on our family preparedness for emergencies and disasters. Next year you will also see an improved NS Council PTSA E-Prep webpage, on-line E-Prep meetings, meeting recordings and on-line training. One example is online CERT (Community Emergency Response Training), which will provide access to those who may have had trouble getting it and allow volunteers to acquire the CERT credential at their own pace. CLICK HERE for more info.

Have a wonderful and safe summer,

Robin McKenzie and Tracy Jokisch
Emergency Preparedness Co-chairs
Northshore Council PTSA 6.10
A Culture of Preparedness in our Community

Council Award Recipients - 2019-2020

6/5/2020

Each year, Northshore Council PTSA recognizes a few special people who have gone above and beyond in service to our community and who promote the well-being and education of children in our district and beyond. This year, Council was proud to recognize seven amazing individuals.

Northshore Council PTSA 2019-20 Oustanding Educator Award recipient, Gary Keeler

Outstanding Educator - Gary Keeler
The Outstanding Educator Award honors individuals who go beyond the normal expectations of their jobs to make the learning environment fun, beneficial and challenging.

Mr. Keeler was the principal at Bear Creek Elementary for quite a few years before moving over to lead Lockwood Elementary, where he retired. He came out of retirement this year to guide the Bear Creek community in its transition to a home for the Northshore Family Partnership. His community overwhelmingly expressed their gratitude and love for this “one of a kind” principal. They talked about his “kind and gentle leadership style”, his ability to listen and to be a problem solver and, most of all, about his compassion for his staff, families and students. Over his years of work in Northshore, he has worked tirelessly to put the needs of his students first and foremost in every decision he has made. One of his famous sayings is, "Folks, the kids are the heart of everything we do!"

Northshore Council PTSA 2019-20 Outstanding Advocate Award recipient, Mayela Martinez

Outstanding Advocate - Mayela Martinez
The Outstanding Advocate Award honors individuals for their continued and dedicated service to all children demonstrating a commitment to speaking up for children in the areas relating to health, welfare, safety, and education of children and youth.

Mayela has been a dedicated educator and advocate all of her life. She has been with the Northshore School District for over 20 years working in the dual language program, as an interpreter, with the ELL program and as a Family Outreach Liaison. Mayela goes above and beyond the call of duty for her students and their families making sure that needs are met, no matter where she has to look for the support that a student might need. She has provided invaluable outreach that is needed to communicate and engage the parents of our English learners. She has championed the Natural Leaders program at multiple schools and created a pipeline of engaged parents in grades K-12. Mayela was recently selected as the Regional Classified School Employee of the Year for Puget Sound ESD 121 by Office of Educator Growth and Development in the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and is a finalist for the Washington State Classified School Employee of the Year.

Northshore Council PTSA 2019-20 Outstanding Student Advocate Award recipient, Julia Gonzalez

Outstanding Student Advocate - Julia Gonzalez
The Outstanding Student Advocate Award recognizes students who have made significant contributions through leadership and service in their school and community.

Julia Gonzalez has been an advocate all of her life. She has been involved with WE Day events, has won the C.P. & Dorothy Johnson Humanitarian award, been asked by WSPTA to testify in Olympia on mental health and school advocacy, and was a keynote speaker at our 2019 Presidents and Principals luncheon. In 2018, she created the "ME Space" program at Northshore Middle School. "ME" stands for "Mental Emotional" or "Mind Escape" and the space is a dedicated room for students struggling with anxiety or overwhelming emotions to visit during the day when they need a mental health break. The program continues to serve 25-30 students every week, providing them with a safe space to reset and recharge so that they are able to re-focus on learning. Julia's program has inspired other schools within the district to create “ME Spaces” of their own.

Northshore Council PTSA 2019-20 Golden Acorn Award recipient, Jane Chiodo

Golden Acorn - Jane Chiodo
The Golden Acorn Award is presented to a Northshore Council PTSA volunteer in recognition of their dedication and service to children and youth.

In Jane’s first year serving on Council, she not only embraced her role as First VP, she quickly became an integral part across many aspects of Council, taking on projects such as editing and drafting existing and new standing rules and policies, spearheading the Speaker & Events Grant program, chairing this year’s Nominating Committee, planning and organizing our Reflections celebration, coordinating Awards and more. If there was a need-- Jane was there to help with grace, humor and an awesome ability to get things done. Her dedication and willingness to lead and serve have enriched Northshore Council beyond measure.

Northshore Council PTSA 2019-20 Golden Acorn Award recipient, Michele Holowachuk

Golden Acorn - Michele Holowachuk
The Golden Acorn Award is presented to a Northshore Council PTSA volunteer in recognition of their dedication and service to children and youth.

Michele is the Special Education Representative for Council (she also holds that position at BHS PTSA as well). Over the three years she has been on Council, Michele has done a great job connecting with the Special Education parent community at every school, working to ensure that each local PTA has a representative and gathering them together to share issues, concerns and how they can help and support each other. Michele also works to bring in presenters and education events showcasing relevant topics for the Special Education families in our district. She has also been working towards the creation of a Special Education resource fair. Her dedication to the Special Education community is phenomenal and she has helped to magnify their voice.

Northshore Council PTSA 2019-20 Honorary Lifetime Membership Award recipient, Grace Jurado

Honorary Lifetime Membership - Grace Jurado
The Honorary Life Membership recognizes an individual who has contributed significantly to a PTA at the local unit, council, or state level.

Grace has worked at many levels of PTA including local, council and region. She has served in many roles over the years including elected positions, chairs of events and as a volunteer. She is always ready to help, even when she is running out the door to go to work, her kids dance competition and sports. In her current role as Council president, Grace has created opportunities for our local units to connect and share information about how to work through the current COVID-19 crisis. Her leadership has been invaluable.

Northshore Council PTSA 2019-20 Outstanding Service Award recipient, Nancy Chamberlain

Outstanding Service - Nancy Chamberlain
The Outstanding Service Award is the highest volunteer award given by the Washington State PTA. It is awarded to someone who has gone beyond his or her own school community, job, or PTA in order to give dedicated volunteer service to children.

Nancy has been taking on leadership positions for 12 years. She has volunteered tens of thousands of hours in our school, council and state PTAs as well as in our communities in various positions. She has received multiple PTA awards including Golden Acorn, Outstanding Advocate at the school, council and just this year at the state level as well as earning the Crystal Level in the WSPTA Leadership Academy. During all that, she also served on at least eight time consuming education coalitions and workshops as well as co-moderated a NSD Discussion group on Facebook. Nancy is a true PTA professional and her work supporting students and families at the school, district and state level is incalculable.

Congratulations to this year's winners!

Northshore Council PTSA recognized its 2019-2020 award recipients at its general membership meeting on June 1, 2020 which was held online.

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