On MLK Day, the Northshore Council PTSA Advocacy team visited Olympia with local PTA members, students, and district leaders to urge legislators to keep K–12 funding a priority this session. We met with Senator Lovick, Representative Berg, and Representative Donaghy from the 44th District, Senator Stanford, Representative Kloba, and Representative Duerr from the 1st LD, and Senator Dhingra’s legislative aide, as well as Representative Springer and Representative Goodman from the 45th LD. We spoke up about how NSD’s budget cuts over the last 3 years have left our students in overcrowded classrooms with loss of preferred classes, electives, and enrichment. We asked them to remember our Kids are an Investment- Not an Expense! If you would like to sign up for action alerts, visit https://actionnetwork.org/forms/subscribe-to-wsptas-action-network-group If you would like to learn more about Council's Advocacy work or how you can get involved, visit our Advocacy page. Council would also like to recognize the PTA Advocates who took time out to participate on focus day:
 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. 📅 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! STEP 1: Click here to SIGN UP to attend FOCUS DAY with Northshore PTAS Carpool opportunities are available. 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.
  On January 16, 2024, Northshore Council PTSA held a virtual General Membership Meeting. We would like to say thank you to all of the local leaders from across the Northshore School District, as well as community and school partners for taking the time to join us! Continue reading below for a recap of the meeting. Announcements
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. Wondering how you can make a difference in school funding? Join Council's Co-VPs of Advocacy, Terra Droney and Holly Muenchow to learn about Focus Week (Jan. 15-19) and discuss how to advocate for school funding at the state level. Join Us for Focus on Advocacy Day - Monday, January 15, 2024 in Olympia! Register and find more information here.
Questions? Email Council's Co-VPs of Advocacy, Terra Droney and Holly Muenchow at [email protected]. Actions You Can Do Now:
SAVE THE DATE:
WSPTA members and students are invited to put on their "PTA Blue" and join us IN PERSON in Olympia to advocate for children and schools with elected officials. Gather in the Columbia room with us to network and hear speakers. We will also be offering docent-led tours of the Capitol grounds. The event is from 9:00 am – 2:30 pm. The agenda with speakers listed will be added here in Eventbrite and in the Focus on Advocacy newsletter when it is available. More details and information can be found on the Focus on Advocacy webpage. More on Advocacy:
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.  Northshore advocates meeting with Representative Berg.  Northshore advocates meeting with Representative Donaghy.  Northshore advocates meeting with Representative Kloba. More on Advocacy:
 Council's VP of Advocacy, Jennifer Drury is scheduling virtual appointments with our legislators leading up to Focus Week. Please indicate your interest in participating in any or all of these activities by completing this short survey by February 5, 2023. Focus on Advocacy Week is scheduled for February 6 - 10, 2023. During this week, members can participate in daily calls to actions. Subscribe to WSPTA Action Network. Focus Day will be Monday, February 20, 2023 (Presidents Day), in Olympia and members are encouraged to meet with their legislators about our 2023-2024 Legislative Priorities. Washington State PTA is planning speakers and tours. 2023 Legislative Panel Preview Key leaders of the Washington State Legislature provided a preview of priorities for the 2023 Legislative Session. You can watch the 2023 Legislative Panel Preview on WSPTA's YouTube page. 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. Would you like to discuss more on how your PTA can participate this year? Please contact Northshore Council's VP of Advocacy, Jennifer Drury. More on Advocacy:
|
Archives
October 2026
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
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.