January Meeting Recap

At the January 23, 2020 Northshore Council PTSA Membership meeting, local PTA leaders, school district representatives and community leaders were in attendance.

The first part of the meeting focused on PTSA business and updates, including review of minutes and finances and a membership update. Local PTAs were encouraged to participate in the Washington State PTA Membership Contest through February 14th.  PTAs simply need to keep adding in new members.  Each PTA which reaches a minimum threshold (on average 5 new members) will be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card. Our current Council Goal is 8400 members. We currently have 7392.

School Board Director McGourty shared that at a Roundtable Event with students and U.S. Representative del Bene there was discussion about the relevance of the SBAC exam, funding school programs that are fee-based like summer music programs and mental health programs for students.

Sue Freeman of Northshore Nourishing Networks invited people to visit their website and Facebook page to find resources for feeding our communities like “How to Start Your Own Foodbank” and the new Hopelink Mobile Foodbank.

District Partnerships Coordinator Natalie Campbell shared information about upcoming events, including a district-sponsored presentation and discussion of the film, "Never Alone," noting that though tickets were sold out, they had started a waitlist.

Northshore Council PTSA's Nominating Committee is still taking recommendations for Executive Committee for 2020-21.  Visit the website for more information.

The Reflections Celebration on January 11 was a big success with 27 PTAs participating and great turn-out at the reception.  We had 67 state qualifiers and 54 pieces received Judges Choice.  The Leota Staff were very welcoming and helpful.

At Washington State PTA Focus Day in Olympia on January 20, a group of Northshore PTA members met with nine of the legislators who represent our school district to encourage them to support our PTA priorities.  Please subscribe to the WSPTA Action Network (linked on the Advocacy Page of WSPTA's website).  There will be an Advocacy Week with a writing campaign, February 24-28. 

The Council has awarded the rest of the budgeted grant money for the year to Kenmore Middle School for Artspring, Kenmore Elementary PTA for a screening of Angst, Inglemoor PTSA for “Top Three Parenting Hacks to Help Your Teen Manage Emotions” and Bothell PTSA for “Diversity Night”.  There will be more funds available next year! 

The meeting concluded with an overview of the 2020 Census by representatives of the U. S. Census bureau.

Please join us at our next General Membership Meeting on
March 16, 2020 at the NSD Admin Building at 7pm!