Are you concerned about the larger class sizes, lack of student and special education support, cuts to activity bus, sports, music programs or other shortfalls caused by lack of state funding for education?  Now is the time to advocate!

There are several important opportunities to stay informed and engaged before the 2026 Washington State’s Legislative session begins. In preparation for Focus Day, WSPTA will host Legislative Preview Zoom Calls on Dec. 10,  2025 and Jan. 8, 2026. We encourage you to attend the School Funding Crisis Town Hall in Bellevue on Jan. 7, 2026 to amplify our voices and hear from our legislators.

By attending WSTPA Focus Day in Olympia on Jan. 19, 2026 you can voice your concerns directly with your legislators. They appreciate hearing first hand from students and their constituents.

The number of advocates matter to our legislators, so please be sure to sign up with Northshore Council PTSA to attend Focus Day, as we are coordinating meetings with legislators in the 1st, 45th, and 44th districts. We hope to see you at these events!

If you are unable to attend Focus Day, but would like Northshore Council to share your concerns about the impact of budget cuts or other advocacy topics with our legislators, please Click here to share your advocacy story

PTAs please share this widely in your school and newsletters. Thank you for all you do to advocate for our kids and ensure their voices are heard.
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📅 FOCUS DAY – January 19, 2026
Join Northshore advocates in Olympia for WSPTA’s Focus Day and “Go to Bat for Kids”. This is a powerful opportunity to meet with our legislators, share our priorities, and advocate for closing funding gaps in public education. All WSPTA members are welcome. Bring your kids/teens to join in the fun!
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STEP 1: Click here to SIGN UP to attend FOCUS DAY with Northshore PTAS
Carpool opportunities are available.
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STEP 2:  Register with WSPTA for Focus Day today! The event is free. Sign up for a Capitol tour (limited space available).
Date/Time: Mon. Jan. 19, 2026
Location: Olympia

LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW ZOOM CALLS
📅 Legislative Preview – December 10, 2025 (Educational Zoom call)
Join Legislative Consultant Marie Sullivan and leaders of the Washington State legislature for a discussion about priorities during the 2026 legislative session.
Date/Time: Wed. Dec. 10, 2025    7:00–8:30 PM
Location: Zoom –  Sign up to attend the session.

📅 “What to Expect” Legislative Session – January 8, 2026
(Educational Zoom call)
Join WSPTA Legislative Consultant Marie Sullivan for an overview of what to expect in the 2026 legislative session, including post-election changes in the legislature, known session protocols, and how to best engage with the 2026 legislature during this short session.
Date/Time: Thurs. Jan. 8, 2026    7:00–8:00 PM
Location: Zoom –  Sign up to attend the session.
Help take action during the 2026 legislative session: Subscribe to WSPTA's Action Network Group

📅 SCHOOL FUNDING CRISIS: Town Hall - January 7, 2026
Washington State continues to fall short of fully funding K–12 education, and our students feel the impact every day. The School Funding Crisis Regional Town Hall on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 brings families, educators, and community members together from 10 school districts. With student testimonies of funding gaps, expert insights, and a legislative panel, this event amplifies our collective commitment to accelerating progress for Washington’s public schools. When we show up as a community, we strengthen our schools and our future.

Date/Time: Wed. Jan. 7, 2026    7:00–9:00 PM
Location: Newport High School Gym, 4333 Factoria Blvd SE, Bellevue, WA 98006
📝 Pre-submit your questions to Legislators for the Q&A panel.
February 2026 Election – NSD Funding Measures
Northshore School District will run three funding measures. District staff are prepared to present details to PTAs, HOAs, Faith Communities, Senior Centers, Rotaries, and more.

• To schedule a presentation, email [email protected].
• To support the bond and levies and help build voter momentum, connect with Citizens for Northshore Schools.

Announcements

• Council Office Hours
  • The remaining scheduled Coucil Office Hours for the school year have been cancelled, however, Council leaders can set up 1 on 1 meetings with local leaders to answer questions or concerns! Email us to set up a meeting! 
• WSPTA Upcoming Deadlines
  • WSPTA Programs have upcoming February deadlines for their student programs for the Essay Contest and Scholarship Program. The Awards of Excellence applications are due in March. Also, the applications for 100% Staff Membership Award and 100% PTA Membership Award are due in March. Visit the WSPTA website links for specific deadlines.

Community Partners

• School Board
  Director Elisabeth Sotak is our new liaison. Welcome Director Sotak!
• Community Partnerships & Volunteer Coordinator - Marco Garcia 
  Northshore School District's 6th Annual State of Our Schools will be on the morning of Feb 7th. Northshore School District is in need of a few volunteers from 6:30 am to 7:30 am to help with set-up. Treats will be provided and volunteers are welcome to stay for the event.  E-mail Marco Garcia if you are able to volunteer. 

 Council Business

• Bulk Mailing Permit Survey
  • ​​Council has maintained a bulk mailing permit which has been available for local PTAs to utilize. It has not been used much, if at all, the last few years.  A survey is being conducted to help determine if there is a need to renew the bulk mailing permit or let it lapse. A motion passed to cancel the bulk mailing permit with an amendment that council can renew the permit if it is determined from the survey that there is a need to renew the permit from the local PTAs. Complete survey here. 
• ​Seeking Grants Proposal Committee Members 
  • Holly M. volunteered to chair the committee. Council is seeking two or more local PTSA leaders to join her in researching and formulating the grant. The grant is about trying to achieve more equity in the PTSAs. Council would like to appoint volunteers to the committee during the next board meeting in February.  Contact Council President, Rachel Fitzgerald, if you would like to volunteer for this committee.
• Letter to School Board and Superintendent Tolley
  • Diana C. presented a draft letter to be presented to the school board and Superintendent Tolley regarding concerns about the 2024-25 budget cuts. The letter was drafted by a committee formed at the December 2023 board of directors meeting. A motion passed to amend the letter and it will be read and emailed to the Northshore Council Board and Superintendent Tolley. The letter will be signed by Northshore Council PTSA Members and Board of Directors. Read letter here. 

Council Committee Updates

• Membership
  • ​Please encourage people to become members of their local PTA. The Great PTA Sign Up Day is January 31. WSPTA goal is to increase membership across the state by 5000 members. 
• Nominating Committee
  • ​If you would like to nominate yourself to be part of the 2024-2025 Northshore Council PTSA Board, please contact the committee by emailing ​[email protected] or complete the nomination form by January 31, 2024. We have many key positions open. Also, looking for a Co-VP of Events. Learn more about the positions. 
• Events
  • First meeting of the Reflections Reception Committee is being held on January 18. If you are interested in joining the committee, please contact Melissa B. An in-person Reflections Reception to celebrate our Northshore students will be held on Thursday, March 14. More details coming soon. 
• Reflections
  • ​There were 211 entries from across the district. We have 51 entries moving up as state qualifiers.  
• Advocacy
  • Focus Day was Monday, January 15, 2024.  Northshore was represented by 25 leaders, students, NSD staff, and school board directors. They traveled to Olympia to meet with legislative representatives and senators and advocate for our students and schools.  

After the meeting was adjourned, membership was invited to join Co-VP's of Advocacy Terra Droney & Holly Muenchow to discuss how to continue the advocating momentum after Focus Day. 

We hope to see you at our next March 18, 2024 at 7PM via Zoom. Register for Zoom meeting link.  

Questions?
Email Council's Co-VPs of Advocacy, Terra Droney and  Holly Muenchow at [email protected].

​On Presidents Day, about 25 Northshore PTA parents and students travelled to Olympia and met in person with three lawmakers that represent our district, Representatives Berg, Donaghy, and Kloba. Joining them was Interim Superintendent Mike Tolley and School Board Director Sandy Hayes. 

Leading up to and during Focus Day, members of Northshore PTSA Council met with all nine Senators and Representatives that cover the large territory of Northshore School District.  These advocates shared the Top Washington State PTA Legislative Priorities including Special Education Funding, Addressing Student Mental Health, Gun Safety and Suicide Prevention, School Safety, and Addressing Critical Gaps in Funding. Specifically, students and their families shared how educational policies and gaps in funding directly impact them. They also advocated for specific laws like raising the cap on Special Education Funding and Universal Highly Capable Screening.  Here is a complete description of Washington State PTA's Platform.  

Focus on Advocacy - Q&A "Office Hours" is being offered by WSPTA. This is an open opportunity to have your questions answered by experienced WSPTA Advocates and learn how to best hold effective meetings with legislators. There is no formal program, please just come by and let us help you. Register to receive meeting link. 

• February 01 | 12pm - 1pm | Online
• February 01 | 7pm - 8pm | Online

​Would you like to discuss more on how your PTA can participate this year? Please contact Northshore Council's VP of Advocacy, Jennifer Drury.

​As we wrap up another school year, Council would like to take a moment to recap some of the amazing advocacy work that has been done this year.

​We also want to thank all of our local PTA Advocacy Chairs, for the work they do at their school and within their community to advocate for all children, and our PTA members, who help strengthen our voice by being a part of the oldest and largest child advocacy organization in the country!

In October, PTA delegates came together for the 43rd Annual WSPTA Legislative Assembly. During this event, PTA delegates were able to learn, listen, debate and vote on additions to our grassroots legislative platform.

​Three new resolutions and two amended resolutions were approved during the 2021 Legislative Assembly!

New resolutions:

1. Improving Literacy and Educational Outcomes (18.42) - adopted
2. Increasing Access and Affordability of Post-Secondary Education (18.43) - adopted as amended
3. Improving Outcomes for Children and Youth in Highly Mobile Populations (2.27) - adopted as amended

 
Amended resolutions:

1. School Construction Bond Reform (18.20) - amendments adopted
2. Student Assessment and Testing (18.13) - amendments adopted

The 60 day 2022 Washington state legislative session ran from January 10th to March 10th. This included the February 2022 Focus Week where PTA Members advocated to elected officials about WA State PTA's Top 5 Legislative Priorities for the current legislative session. 

Some key accomplishments from this year's legislative session include:

• SHB 1590 will provide school districts with enrollment stabilization funds for the 2021/22 school year equal to half of their enrollment decline from the 2019/20 school year. It will also allow school districts to use 2019/20 enrollment levels to set limits on levy funds collected in 2023.
• 2SHB 1664 will increase state funding for nurses, social workers, psychologists, and counselors in phases through the 2024/25 school year. Note: Northshore already pays for a lot more nurses and social workers than are funded by the state, this increase in state funding will not necessarily lead to an increase in these staff positions, but it will add some money to NSD's budget. It is a step in the right direction. 
• E2SHB 1153 will require most school districts to adopt a language access policy and procedures that will help them engage with non-English speaking families.
• ESHB 1699 will temporarily allow school districts to rehire retired school staff without jeopardizing their retirement benefits. This may help with our current staff shortage problem.
• SSB 5933 establishes a school seismic safety grant program that will help schools make renovations to increase safety in case of earthquakes and tsunamis.
• ESSB 5078 will limit the sale of high-capacity magazines to no more than 10 rounds of ammunition.

The end of the legislative session means it’s time to start looking and planning ahead. Here are a few actions you can take before the school year is over:

• Thank your legislators! We’ve had some great wins this session, so it’s always a good idea to send legislators an email thanking them for their work.
• Organize a Voter Registration Drive - It’s never too early to register to vote, especially since in Washington State, 16 and 17 year-olds can pre-register and automatically receive their ballots when they turn 18. And 17 year-olds can vote in a primary election, as long as they turn 18 by the time of the general election. Organizing a high school voter registration drive is easier than you think, particularly when you partner with the League of Women Voters Seattle/King County. They have a wealth of information on how to conduct a drive, and often are able to help you on-site with registration forms, signs, buttons, and stickers.
• Organize a Candidate Forum - This fall, the whole WA State House and half of the Senate are up for re-election this fall, so consider holding a candidate forum. Candidate forums are a great way to get your community engaged in the electoral process, and to voice your issues to the candidates. WSPTA has a Candidate Forum Toolkit to help you have a successful event.
• Connect with Advocates Across WA State - Want to hear what’s going on with advocacy in other regions across the state? Have information or insights to share? Or are you just looking for an online advocacy community? Join the FB group WA State Parent Legislative Chairs.
• Save the Date for the 2022 Legislative Assembly, October 15th & 16th - At the 2022 Legislative Assembly, delegates will debate and vote on these submissions and whether to add them to our platform. This year is especially important as we will be voting on a new Top 5 to focus on over the next two years. Check with your local PTA about including a budget line to send delegates to the 2022 Leg Assembly if you don't currently have one.

Council Business:

• November 15th, 2021 meeting minutes were accepted as presented.
• Serena Xu, Northshore Council PTSA Treasurer, reported that the mid year financial review will take place on Monday January 24th.
• The Nominating Committee was elected and includes: Diana Christiansen, Jasmine Fry, and Cherry Holmes. Click here to learn more about serving on Council in the 2022-2023 school year or to make a nomination.

Bond & Levies Support/Opposition Vote:
Council's Board of Directors put forward the issue of supporting the bond and levies that are on the February ballot.
During this meeting, both the pro and con positions on the issue were presented before calling for a motion to determine our PTSA’s support of or opposition to the bond and levies. Council would like to announce that the motion to support the Northshore School District Bond & Levies on the February 8th Ballot was passed unanimously. Learn more...

District Updates:

• We heard form NSD Partnerships & Volunteer Coordinator Marco Garcia who discussed how he organized a COVID testing clinic and food donations packages.
• NSD School Board Updates were provided by Director Amy Cast which included reviewing the monitoring report and the budget.

Council Committee Reports:

• Advocacy: Diana Christiansen & Jen Drury provided updates regarding the recent Focus on Advocacy Week as well as information on signing up for the action alerts which can be found here: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/subscribe-to-wsptas-action-network-group
• Educational Speakers and Community Events Grants Program: Mary Khouzam, Grants Committee Chair, reminded us that there was still time to submit grant applications for the Jan 21st deadline. She also announced that the date may be pushed but that this decision is still pending. If you have further questions, please reach out to the Grants Committee.
• Reflections: Jasmine Lee Fry, Reflections Chair, reported that the online showcase will be up and running at a later date as it is still be worked on. Council's Reflections Results now available!
• Mental Health Committee: Melissa Kline, Co-Chair for the Mental Health Committee, provided an update regarding what the committee has been working on including advocating for more resources, putting out articles, and working with counselors on flyers and communication materials. The committee also put out a call for action - asking local PTA leaders to check how accessible mental health resources were at their school. Learn more about that here.
• Membership: Co-Chairs, Hanisha Bakshani and Melissa Kline, provided an update that we have 5181 members across the district with many of our local PTAs already earning a WSPTA Membership Growth Award. The more members we have the stronger our voice is in the district!
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: DEI Chair, Cherry Holmes, hosted a DEI roundtable meeting early in the school year. Cherry asked for feedback on "What does DEI mean in your PTSA/School?" - send your response here.
• PTA Support: VP of Elementary Support, Grace Jurado, asked that you please reach out with any questions or concerns or if you need any help. VP of Secondary Support, Brenae Brix, discussed that families are looking for more information on preparing around college and a local parent has volunteered to provide this information. This parent is partnering with Council to provide an info night on March 16th about preparing for college. More information will be coming soon. Middle school career days are being worked on at several middle schools. It will be a half day and presented within the students classroom.
• Emergency Preparedness: Co-Chairs, Tracy Jokisch and Robin McKenzie, reported to us that an additional 117 Stop the Bleed! kits were obtained this round. That is a total of 862 kits in the district. The next meeting for E-Prep is Feb 1st at 11am and the guest speaker will be Deb Fuller. Learn more...
• Special Education: Laura Staneff will soon be joining council as our new Special Education Chair.

We hope you will join us for our next General Membership Meeting on March 21st, 2022 @ 7pm.
For a full list of our upcoming meetings and events, check out our Calendar.

​Every meeting started with the number one priority of the Washington State PTA, Mental Health. Advocates asked that representatives work to fund and create policies that support mental health in our schools and communities.
Additional Asks Included:

• Advocating for legislation surrounding Safe Gun Storage
  
• Advocating for legislation supporting Youth Suicide Prevention
  
• To fully fund Special Education
  
• Funding for education remain stable through this time of lower enrollment due to the pandemic

Throughout Focus on Advocacy Week, in addition to meeting with legislators, PTA advocates were asked to email their elected officials to advocate for children. Council and many of our local PTAs promoted Focus on Advocacy Week using social media accounts, websites, and newsletters to encourage members to participate as well.

Throughout the next sixty days, the Washington State Senate and House will debate and vote on issues that directly affect children and families in Washington State. If you would like to be kept up to date on these issues, please subscribe to Action Alerts.

Northshore Council would like to thank the legislators and their assistants who met with us during Focus on Advocacy Week!
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• Senator Manka Dhingra; assistant Ashley Jackson
• Representative Davina Duerr; assistant Ann Dasch
• Representative Roger Goodman; assistant Sydney Oliver
• Representative Shelley Kloba; assistant Brian Haifley
• Representative Larry Springer; assistant Lacey Stanage
• Senator Marko Liias; assistant Jeremy Knapp
• Representative Lillian Ortiz-Self; assistant Israel Rios
• Representative Strom Peterson; assistant Joshua Apata
• Senator Derek Stanford; assistants Stephen Cardamenis, Stella Mason and Chloe Lameire

Council would also like to recognize the PTA Advocates who took time out of their week to participate in the meetings:

Legislative session is upon us and starting Monday, January 17th, ​it's
​WSPTA's Focus on Advocacy Week!!

Here's a brief run-down on what you can expect out of this week long event and how you can get involved!

When is Focus on Advocacy Week?
This week long event runs Monday, January 17th through Friday, January 21st

Who should participate?
Anyone who wants to advocate for students, teachers, or their school community! Advocacy is for everyone and now is the perfect time to get involved.

Where does this take place?
This year, Focus on Advocacy Week is virtual! That means anyone wanting to participate can do so from their phone or computer.

What is the Legislative Session?
The Legislative session is the time when our senators and representatives work on bills. They will be debating, reading emails, and holding meetings about current bills for the session.

What is Focus on Advocacy Week?
Focus on Advocacy Week is the week where we as PTA members focus on calling, writing, and having meetings with our
legislators. We do this to get our Legislative Priorities into the hearts and minds of our elected officials and to educate them on what our members need and want.

Why does Focus on Advocacy Week matter?
This is the best time to get our priorities heard by our representatives. Washington State PTA members voted and approved our top 5 issues that we believe lawmakers should work on. Now is the time that we bring these issues to the forefront of their work. See below for a list of our Top 5 Issues as well as how PTA plans to put equity at the center
of everything we do with our 2020-2022 Legislative Priorities.

How can someone participate?
1. Sign up for the WSPTA's Action Network Group to get timely alerts.
2. Find your Washington State Legislature Representatives.
3. Fill out this Focus Day Interest Google Form to schedule meetings with legislators
3. Set aside time during Focus on Advocacy Week to call and email. WSPTA has designated each day next week to a different focus topic:
   ◘ Monday, January 17 – Call to Action: Focus on dismantling racism
   ◘ Tuesday, January 18 – Call to Action: Focus on equity
   ◘ Wednesday, January 19 – Call to Action: Focus on mental health and wellness
   ◘ Thursday, January 20 – Call to Action: Focus on preserving and flexing funding
   ◘ Friday, January 21 – Call to Action: Focus on safety and emergency preparedness
4. Join Marie Sullivan, Washington State PTA’s legislative consultant, on January 11th from 7-8pm over Zoom as she presents Preparing for the 2022 Legislative Session - Your Questions Answered.
5. Check out the awesome videos and one page issue documents available on Washington State PTA’s Advocacy page about each of the priorities.
6. Spread the word! Invite others from your PTA community to join you in connecting with state legislative leaders. Use the hashtag #WSPTAOneVoice to share about Focus on Advocacy Week through your PTA's, and even your own, social media accounts. Remember to share updates via your PTA's other channels such as website or emails.

Check out the image below from WSPTA to see how PTA is putting Equity at the Center of Everything We Do with our 2020-2022 Legislative Priorities. Click here for a printable version.

​We're fresh out of Legislative Assembly and gearing up for Focus Week which will take place January 17 - 21, 2022!

Let us know how we can support advocacy efforts at your school! Please complete Council's short Advocacy Efforts Survey to help us serve you better.

Additionally, Council's Co-VPs of Advocacy, Diana Christiansen and Jennifer Drury, are happy to speak at one of your PTA's board or general meetings or talk with folks one-on-one about questions they have about getting involved in advocacy at all levels. Please reach out to us at [email protected].