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In This Issue
WSPTA Region 6 Public Charter School Forum
Seattle Special Education PTSA General Meeting
Capacity Information Update
Invitation to Provide Feedback on the Family, Student and Staff Surveys
PTA and the Law
SCPTSA General Meeting
Proposed Changes for the Transportation Plan for 2012-13
Free Programs for English Language Learners
Be Here, Get There Attendance Campaign
WSPTA Outstanding Service Award Nominations
Men's Essay Contest
Important Dates:  

 

January 17:

WSPTA Charter School Forum, Washington MS, Seattle

 

January 17:

Seattle Special Education PTSA General Meeting, JSCEE

 

January 18:

Vote on 2012/13 Transition Plan and Short-Term Capacity Management Plan 

 

January 26:

Region 6 PTA & the Law, Lincoln HS, Seattle 

 

January 31:

SCPTSA Art Grant Deadline

 

February 13:

SCPTSA General Meeting, JSCEE

 

February 4:

Region 6 PTA & the Law, Cleveland HS, Seattle 

 

February 20:

Focus Day in Olympia, WA 

 

March 1:

WSPTA Outstanding Service Award Nominations Due

 

March 1:

WSPTA Men's Essay Contest Entries Due

 

March 10:

Emerging Minority Leaders' Conference, Renton 

 

March 22:

Region 6 Spring Training (location and time TBA) 

 

May 4-6:

WSPTA Convention, Doubletree Hotel, SeaTac

 

More Information 

 (206) 364-7430

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear PTA and PTSA Leaders,

 

The Reflections Celebration last Thursday evening was wonderful. Thank you to all of the Reflection Chairs and to SCPTSA VP of Enrichment Diane Sandoval for her great work and emceeing the event. It was great to see the giant smiles on the kids' faces (and a few nervous smiles, too) as they got their awards, to hear them play their music, and listen to them talk about their inspiration behind their work. The theme for next year's Reflection program is "The Magic of the Moment." If you would like to learn more about Reflections for your school, please contact Diane at [email protected].

 

Please feel free to share information in this newsletter with your community.

 

Sincerely,

Lauren McGuire

President, Seattle Council PTSA

WSPTA Region 6 Public Charter School Forum

Tuesday, January 17

6:30-8:30pm at Washington Middle School Cafeteria, 2101 S. Jackson St., Seattle 98144

 

You are invited to attend the WA State PTA Forum on Public Charter Schools hosted by Region 6 PTA. The event includes a review of the PTA Charter Issue that was passed this fall, National PTA policies on charter schools and WA State PTA resolutions/issues that will impact any prospective bill. The format includes pro and con presentations and questions from the audience.


In addition, new legislation was proposed last week that could allow "alternative forms of governance for certain public schools." Click here to see House Bill 2428 and Senate Bill 6202.

Moderated by C.R. Douglas, Q13 Fox, Political Analyst
 

If you have any questions please contact Heidi Bennett, WA State PTA Region 6 Legislative Chair at [email protected]

WA State PTA Region 6 Charter School Forum 

Seattle Special Education PTSA General Meeting

Tuesday, January 17

7:00-9:00pm at the John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence, Room 2700

 

Please join us for our Seattle Special Education PTSA General Meeting on Tuesday, January 17. We are pleased to welcome Stacy Gillett, Ombudsman from the Governor's office of the Education Ombudsman.  Stacy will cover the Procedural Safeguards related to Student Discipline for students receiving Special Education Services.  She will also share thoughts on promoting a school climate, policies, and procedures that focus on understanding challenging behavior and teaching positive/expected behavior rather than punishing children.

We hope you will join us!

Seattle Special Education PTSA

Capacity Information Update 

 

The School Board introduced the Short Term Capacity Management and New Student Assignment Plan: Transition Plan for 2012-13 at the Wednesday, January 4 School Board Meeting.  Click here to see a copy of the plan. 

The Board is proposing two changes since Jan. 4:

- Changing the geozone for Cleveland HS
- Further adjustments to the John Stanford boundaries.  Click here to see the changes.

The plan will be voted on January 18. The plan includes:

  • Opening of the Boren site in West Seattle to serve as an interim site for a K-5 Option STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Program commencing in September 2012 
  • Changing the Geozones Thornton Creek, Queen Anne Elementary, South Shore Pre K-8 and Cleveland HS
  • Adjusting the boundaries for the John Stanford International School
  • Installing portables at various locations throughout the district as may be needed to meet capacity management needs
  • Guaranteeing 5th grader Spectrum students a Spectrum Assignment in Middle School. Students newly eligible to Spectrum will need to complete a form during Open Enrollment.

School Board Briefing/Proposed Action Plan

Invitation to Provide Feedback on the

Family, Student & Staff Surveys

Wednesday, January 25

6:30-8:00pm at JSCEE, Room 2700

-From SPS

 

Each spring Seattle Public Schools administers a survey to all families, school staff and students asking questions about instruction, leadership, and family engagement. We invite teachers, family and community members to join us on Wednesday, January 25 to provide feedback on the surveys. The agenda for the meeting includes an overview of last year's survey results, small group discussion to gather feedback on improving the surveys and Q&A.

For questions, comments, & accommodation requests please contact [email protected].

PTA and the Law

Thursday, January 26, 6-9pm at Old Lincoln HS site
4400 Interlake Ave N, Seattle 98103

Saturday, February 4, 9am-noon at Cleveland HS

5511 15thAve S, Seattle 98108

 

Region 6 will offer two more sessions of PTA & the Law this winter.  One will be on Thursday, January 26, 5:30 check-in, 6-9 pm class at the Lincoln High School site in Seattle; the second will be on Saturday, February 4, 8:30 am check-in, 9 am - noon class at Cleveland High School in Seattle.  The registration fee of $40 (postmarked by January 24) covers as many board members, administrators or general members, as your PTA wishes to send.  If someone in your group wants to attend the January 26 session while another person in your PTA can only come on February 4, that's okay - just indicate who is coming when on the attached form. 

Registration Form

 

Leanne Hawkins
Region 6 Director, Washington State PTA

[email protected]

SCPTSA General Meeting:

School Budget Nuts and Bolts

Monday, February 13
6:30-8:30pm at the John Stanford Center


Join us at our next Seattle Council PTSA General Meeting where we will discuss the nuts and bolts of school allocations plus an update on the State Budget and how that impacts SPS.  This is a great opportunity for PTA/PTSA Presidents, Treasurers, PTA Budget Committee members and BLT (Building Leadership Team) reps to understand school budgets.  Been through school budgets lots of times before?  Come share your experiences with PTSA leaders who are new to the process.

SCPTSA Board member Andrea Baumgarten will facilitate this discussion.  District officials will be there to help answer your questions.

Seattle Council PTSA

Proposed Changes for Transportation Plan for 2012-2013

-From SPS

 

Each year, SPS reviews its transportation plan and it is voted on by the School Board.  The proposed changes were introduced to the School Board and will be voted on Wednesday, February 1.

 

The following is a list of transportation that will no longer be provided as the two year grandfathering period established with the New Student Assignment Plan will end this June: 

 

For Middle Schools - Regular Education District Transportation will only be for students living within their Middle School service area. APP transportation for Hamilton and Washington will continue from their linked Service Areas. ORCA card public transportation will continue to be provided for those students residing outside of the school of attendance Service Area.

For Ingraham High School - District provided transportation from the Rainier Valley area will no longer be provided. District provided shuttle bus service to & from the Northgate Transit center will be provided for school year 2012-2013.

For K-8 Option Schools - All District transportation outside of the Service Area or Linked Service Area. ORCA card public service will be provided for all 6-8 grade students outside of the transportation areas. Exceptions: TOPS pilot program continuing for one more year. Supplemental shuttle service from Eckstein Service area for Salmon Bay K-8 students. ORCA card public transportation provided for students to arrive at shuttle pick-up point. Pinehurst K-8 grandfathered transportation continues for one more school year in tandem with Olympic View transportation.

School Board Presentation 

For more information contact Tom Bishop at [email protected]

Free Programs for English Language Learners from Seattle Public Library

 

This winter, the Seattle Public Library will offer many free programs for English language learners.  These programs will include computer-based ESL classes, traditional ESL classes and citizenship classes. For more information on any of these programs call 206.684.0849, or contact Valerie Wonder, Outreach Services Program Manager at [email protected].

Library Branches 

Literacy and ESL Calendar 

Be Here, Get There Attendance Campaign:  Student Absence Rate at Lowest Level in Five Years

-From SPS and the Mayor's Office

 

The City of Seattle and SPS continue their work on the attendance campaign, and the initial results show attendance rates are improving with the absence rate at the lowest rate for the past five years.  For the entire month of January, the school with the best attendance record will receive a visit from a Harlem Globetrotter and an assembly for the entire school.  Additionally, each high school will receive a prize pack with four Harlem Globetrotters tickets and a free large pizza donated by Papa Murphy's to raffle off in the month of January

WSPTA Outstanding Service Award Nominations

-From WSPTA

 

Do you know an active PTA member in your community deserving of state-wide recognition? The Washington State PTA is seeking nominations for our Outstanding Service Award to be presented this spring at the WSPTA Convention. This is a perfect opportunity for local units and councils to discuss with their Board of Directors who has gone beyond his or her own school community, job, or PTA in order to give dedicated volunteer service to children. This person is concerned with every child throughout Washington State, and has worked to help them achieve their potential. The nomination form is available here and must be postmarked by March 1, 2012.

 

The committee would also like to clarify that it is acceptable for an individual to nominate someone. Simply put your name on the line marked for the president.

Men's Essay Contest 

-From WSPTA

 

Men make a difference in the lives of the children they care about, and children are more successful in and out of school when they have the guidance of an involved male role model. Washington State PTA advocates fro all children and families, and as part of that advocacy we are promoting a statewide essay contest that explores this vital relationship - from our children's perspective.

More information and 2011-12 application

Please be advised that all entries into the "Men's Essay Contest" need to be submitted to the WSPTA office; 2003 65th Ave. W. Tacoma, WA. 98446. Deadline for entries to the office is March 1, 2012