Washington's Superintendent of Public Instruction, Chris Reykdal, opened by sharing many of the challenges facing our schools this year and next, especially budget shortfalls. We also heard from OSPI and superintendents across the state how challenging it is to get school buildings funded, built, and updated with the latest safety features. And of course, we added and updated the WSPTA platform for legislative issues and resolutions on topics including:
Updated 2023 - 2024 Legislative Priorities
October 2023
Important Advocacy Dates:New or Amended Resolutions for Consideration Deadline: The deadline to submit new or amended resolutions for consideration at the business meeting held in May during convention is noon on November 15, 2023. Find more information and the submission form on the WSPTA Resolutions webpage. Upcoming Advocacy Dates: December 13, 2023 Legislative Session Preview – Legislator Panel January 3, 2024 What to Expect in the 2024 Legislative Session – Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant January 15, 2024 Focus Day in Olympia (kids welcome!) January 15 – 19, 2024 Advocacy Week (virtual) Please note Focus on Advocacy is happening a month earlier this year. Visit WSPTA Focus on Advocacy page for more information and an advocacy toolkit. More on Advocacy:
 Elementary Art 4 Northshore A group of parents, educators, and visual artists began an awareness and action effort to secure consistent and frequent visual art instruction from certified art educators for K-5 students in Northshore School District. Schools across the country and in Washington state already offer this instruction. Visual Art is important: the benefits on both well-being (mental health, social-emotional learning, reducing stress) and on future positive outcomes (higher engagement, success in school and life, creative future, and the global economy) are well documented. The catalyst for this effort was the passing of SB 5878, March, 2022. This bill requires visual arts and performing arts in Washington State's education systems, especially in elementary schools. Visual arts taught by certified art teachers in elementary schools was eliminated in 1967. A volunteer Art Docent program has filled this gap. With certified visual art educators providing a consistent and frequent foundation, the Art Docents will be able to further enhance the artistic experience of all students. This group has met with NSD district leaders, community groups, and individuals about this cause. A Statement of Support was developed and is available for individuals to endorse and find further ways to engage in this effort. The creation of a Facebook Page allows people to be informed and connected. The group has also led a letter writing campaign, invited individuals to speak at school board meetings, presented at multiple elementary school PTA meetings, and attended legislative and district meetings.
Related Links: Facebook Page: Elementary Art 4 Northshore: Support the Implementation of Senate Bill 5878 Statement of Support: https://forms.gle/kLv7f1y2mdj1zHRC7 Senate Bill 5878: SB 5878, March, 2022 Do you have an advocacy effort you would like highlighted in our blog? Email Council's VP of Advocacy, Jennifer Drury.
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:
 At the 44th Annual Legislative Assembly members from across the state came together to learn, debate, and vote on the new legislative priorities WSPTA will focus on for the next two years. In addition to the issues the delegates ranked as the top five, an additional eight issues were added to the "also supported" list. Jennifer Drury, Cherry Holmes, and Kim Ortiz represented Council as voting delegates. In addition to Council delegates, there were PTA leaders from across Northshore schools that attended either in-person or remotely as delegates for their PTAs.
In addition to voting on the legislative priority issues, delegates approved one new resolution "4.16 Equitable and Impactful Family Engagement in Education" and amendments to resolutions 2.23, 18.36, and 18.40 that encompass issues on gun violence, highly capable, and students with disabilities. Learn more about the resolutions. Thank you all for advocating for our students! More on Advocacy:
 WSPTA Legislative Assembly 2022 Registration is NOW OPEN for WSPTA's Legislative Assembly! WSPTA's 44th Annual Legislative Assembly When: Saturday, October 15th & Sunday, October 16th Where: Hybrid - Bellevue College / Remote PTA delegates from across the state will come together to update the WSPTA legislative platform. At legislative assembly, discover the power PTA has to advocate for the success of every child – the whole child. In PTA every member has an equal voice, and your input matters a great deal to the success of PTA's grassroots member-driven platform. PTA is needed more than ever right now, and you can help! Be a part of the process and help direct the course for WSPTA advocacy by serving as a delegate for your PTA! If you are interested in attending Legislative Assembly as a delegate for your local PTA, contact your local PTA president. Key Things to Note:
Voting Delegates: During the 44th annual Washington State PTA Legislative Assembly, delegates will decide the public policy positions that guide state and local advocacy work for WSPTA and its associated local PTAs and councils. To learn more about being a voting delegate, visit WSPTA's Legislative Assembly Voting Information page which includes the 2022 Voters’ Guide that has been created to help delegates prepare for the caucusing and general sessions. About Legislative Assembly: The Washington State PTA legislative platform is a two-year platform to mirror the Washington state legislative cycle. On the even-numbered years, the new platform is voted on by members at the legislative assembly in the fall. The top five issues become our short-term platform and consist of our priority issues when advocating throughout the year. Other issues are placed on an “also supported” list. Learn about WSPTA's current legislative priorities and other supported issues by clicking here. Check out the Legislative Assembly web page to learn more about this year's event. More on Advocacy:
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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.