Applications* are now being accepted for Northshore Council PTSA's 2021-2022 Educational Speakers and Community Events Grant Program!

This program is designed to help support Northshore PTAs in hosting relevant and timely speakers for our district families and to encourage them to create engaging events for our community. ALL local PTAs, within the Northshore School District and in good standing, may apply for a grant through a simple application process.

Learn more about our grants program by clicking here.
Download & Print the 2021-2022 Grants Application Form

*2021-2022 grants are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis where applications will be reviewed by the Northshore Council PTSA or until the Council Programs budget is used in its entirety.

Submission Deadlines for Applications
September 24, 2021 (Review by Council on Oct. 4th)
November 26, 2021 (Review by Council on Dec. 6th)
January 21, 2022 (Review by Council on Feb. 1st)

Looking for a speaker or event to bring to your community? Check out our past Grant Recipients and our Community Resource Page for inspiration.

Questions? Email us!

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 Will Change the World By...".

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 out our Reflections page for regular updates and links to the student entry form and rules (available in English and Spanish), join the Northshore 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 3, 2021 - Council's Online Turn In Date
• January 2022 - Council Celebration Open House

Please stay tuned for more information on submitting entries to Council and our Celebration Open House that will follow district and county public health requirements.

Questions? Contact Council's Reflections Chair, Jasmine Lee Fry.

National PTA has announced the results of the 2020-2021 PTA Reflections!
Click here to see a full list of results from National PTA.

Council would like to extend a special congratulations to the following two (2) students from Northshore who both received an Award of Excellence from National PTA for their Reflections submissions:

• Amelie Fry - Visual Arts - Innovation Lab High School
• Owen Lorusso - Music Composition - Maywood Hills Elementary

You can check out their submissions and all the other amazing Northshore Artists on our Virtual Showcase website through June 18th, 2021.

Every year, we look for nominations for the following awards:

1. Outstanding Educator – Honors individuals who go beyond the normal expectations of their jobs to make the learning environment fun, beneficial and challenging. An educator is not limited to a teacher and may be defined as a teacher, assistant, specialist, support staff, administrator, or community member.
2. Outstanding Advocate – 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.
   
3. Outstanding Service - This 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. Note: This award may only be given by a council. Local PTA members are encouraged to nominate deserving volunteers to the council for this recognition.
4. Honorary Life Membership – Recognizes an individual who has contributed significantly to a PTA at the local unit, council, or state level. This special award can be given by a PTA unit, council, or region.
5. Outstanding Student Advocate Award - Recognizes students who have made significant contributions through leadership and service in their school and community.
   
6. Golden Acorn – A Golden Acorn Award is presented by a local PTA or council to a school or community volunteer in recognition of her or his dedication and service to children and youth.

Multiple submissions can be completed for multiple nominees!
Awards will be presented during our Spring Recognition Event.

​Learn more about Council Awards and see previous recipients. Questions? Contact Council Awards Committee.

Check out our 2020-2021 Reflections Virtual Art Showcase!

This is a multi-media Showcase event! Guests are able to view the dance and film pieces, listen to the music composition, read the literature pieces, and view the photography and visual arts pieces.

All 229 Northshore PTSA Council Qualifier student artworks are on display and we've listed the State Qualifiers and Judge's Choice Award recipients in each arts category.
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We wish we could be with you all in person but have great hopes for the in person Art Celebration next year! For now, visit the Virtual Art Showcase link so you can enjoy and marvel at the courage and creativity of our Northshore student artists!

Please note, the Virtual Art Showcase will be available for viewing for one week only: Friday, February 26th through Friday, March 5th.

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

• Woodin Elementary PTA - "Guide to Helping Your Children Succeed in Elementary and Beyond" (en español) presented by Sistema Escolar USA - April 6, 2021

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Local PTAs/PTSAs interested in partnering with Northshore Council PTSA to host speakers or events were able to apply for a Northshore Council PTSA Educational Speakers and Community Events Grant. 2020-2021 grants were offered on a first-come, first-serve basis and applications were reviewed by the Northshore Council PTSA. Submissions are no longer being accepted for the 20-21 school year, but this program will return in the fall of 2021. 

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

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

• Canyon Creek PTA, Ruby Bridges PTSA, Woodin PTA and Kokanee PTA - "Pandemic Parenting: Supporting Your Child's Mental Health During Uncertain Times" presented by Cher Anderton - 10/22
• Kenmore Elementary PTA, Canyon Creek Elementary PTA, Fernwood Elementary PTA, Kokanee Elementary PTA, Ruby Bridges Elementary PTSA, and Woodin Elementary PTA - "Inclusion in the Early Years" presented by Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee - January 28, 2021 (Open to the Northshore community - Register here.)
• Cottage Lake Elementary PTA and Hollywood Hill Elementary PTA - "A Solution for (Almost) Every Struggle: Parenting Outside the B.O.C.S." presented by Christy Keating of The Heartful Parent/Savvy Parents Safe Kids - Jan./Feb. 2021 (Open to the Northshore community - Register here.)
• Skyview MS PTSA, Canyon Park MS PTSA, Timbercrest MS PTSA - "Digital Safety - 101" presented by Jo Langford - January 28, 2021 (Open to the Northshore community - Register here.)
• Ruby Bridges PTSA, Skyview MS PTSA, Canyon Creek PTSA, Cottage Lake PTA, Woodin PTA - "School Wide Scavenger Hunt!" license purchased from Goosechase app - dates TBD (this license can be utilized by other schools within NSD - contact vp@northshorecouncilptsa.org for more information)

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 January 22, 2021.

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

*All events that are open to the Northshore community will have an RSVP link posted as soon as available. 

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.

• Director McGourty reported that the school board just finished up the last round of ongoing discussions with our legislators, presenting them with their list of priorities.  The most prominent priority right now is digital equity.  She also shared that the board has started the refresh of their five year strategic plan.  Director McGourty mentioned that the board has also resumed school visits and that being able to see what is happening the classroom as well as with the principals and admins has been refreshing!  
• Natalie Campbell spoke about the decision to pilot the Peach Jar flyer distribution program for one year.  As well as mentioning that there is continued support for the Art Docent program.  She noted that NSD is finishing their pilot with 6 Crickets and they are looking for input based on if they should continue the program, retool it or decide its not needed.  Natalie is continuing to work on an update to the PTA Resource Guide.  The guide will include reminders with regards to communications, what can be published on the website, accessibility standards, resources for translation and more. This will be especially helpful to those new PTA leaders in our district.
• Carmin Dalziel reported that the Northshore Schools Foundation’s classroom grant process is now open.  PTA leaders are welcome to request grants for their schools. They will be sending out postcards to teachers.  Right now there is a big focus on high school seniors.  NSF is currently offering classes on things like financial aid among other things for seniors and their families to take advantage of. Carmin shared that all though last year when COVID hit they gifted $200 gift cards for families from their Basic Needs Aid program.  Now that COVID is more of a normal situation the Basic Needs Aid fund will be reserved for emergencies.  NSF is working with the district to make sure that there is a CARE team at each school for students and families in need.  In total they have donated $94K towards the success of this program. For more frequent NSF updates please refer the NSF blog.

​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.

• VP of Advocacy, Diana Christiansen shared the top five legislative priorities and the WSPTA supported issues for 20-21.  Diana also wanted to share thanks for the candidates that participated in the candidates forum.  She also shared a PDF for how to share a pitch with legislators.  Reminder that Focus Day is January 18th, and that week will be Focus on Advocacy Week.  Check out our Advocacy page for more legislative updates including a link to sign up for the WSPTA Action Network.
  
• Membership Chair, Melissa Kline, shared that as a whole our district is at 52% for membership. There are 5 PTAs that have 75% of last years membership! She also explained how the 100% Staff Membership award is calculated and how to apply for it.  Melissa reminded members that personal connection is the best way to gain members.  More tips and suggestions are posted on our Membership webpage in the Membership Facebook group.
• F.A.C.E. Chair, Lauren Lewis, encouraged all to join the new F.A.C.E. and DEI Facebook group.  The group is for F.A.C.E. (Family and Community Engagement) & DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Chairs or anyone interested about learning and sharing more on these topics.  Lauren is working on putting together at least on event that is open for all PTAs to attend.  The biggest asks have been surrounding mental health and internet safety.  It was also highlighted that NSD has a strategic plan for inclusion – there is an inventory for all parent groups for a self-assessment.  The district spent time putting together these documents and there are clear takeaways.
  
• First VP Jane Chiodo shared that the next Educational Speakers and Community Events Grant application deadline is November 27th.  The final deadline will be January 22nd, 2021.  For more information click here.  Lastly, Jane spoke about the WSPTA Awards of Excellence program.  PTAs are encouraged to check out the different categories to look at the criteria for the award and which ones your PTA might be interested in.  Some examples of awards include the Standards of Excellence, Communications, Significant Actions, Newsletter and Outstanding Website.  Applications for awards are due by March 15, 2021.

​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!

​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

​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.