eNews: WSPTA Emerging Minority Leaders Conference

Are you interested in supporting education city-wide? Would you like to learn more about SCPTSA? It's the time of year we are thinking of next year's SPTSA board, and we invite you to contact us if you are interested, or know someone who may be interested. Please contact executiveVP@seattlecouncilptsa.org for more information.

Also, this week the School Board will vote whether or not to support basic instructional materials waivers for individual schools. The School Board will also introduce an item to determine whether or not SPS will renew its contract with Teach for America. For more information on the School Board, click here.

Please feel free to share this information with your school community.

Sincerely,

Lauren McGuire

President, Seattle Council PTSA

WSPTA Emerging Minority Leaders Conference
Saturday, March 10

8:30am-2:00pm, Puget Sound Educational Service District, Renton, WA

The Washington State PTA Emerging Minority Leaders Conference offers you an opportunity to enhance your leadership skills, network with community leaders from within and outside of PTA, and learn more about PTA and its vision that every child's potential become a reality.

More information and the registration form

Community Meetings on Arts Education

-From SPS

Seattle Public Schools, the Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs and community arts organizations are partnering to create a comprehensive arts plan focused on increasing quality arts education access for all K-12 students. To help shape the visual and performing arts plan, the city and district are hosting a series of five community meetings in March.

Families, students, teachers, artists, arts administrators and supporters of an equitable and well-rounded education for all are encouraged to attend. Join in the discussion about arts education, creative learning and student success. Provide input and help create the arts plan for Seattle Public Schools.

The North Meeting is 6:30-8:30pm, Tuesday, March 13 at Ballard High School, 1418 N.W. 65th St.
The Central Meeting is 1-3pm, Saturday, March 17 at Garfield High School, 400 23rd Ave.
The Southeast Meeting is 6:30-8:30pm, Monday, March 19 at South Shore K-8 School, 4800 S. Henderson St.
The Southwest Meeting is 6:30-8:30pm, Thursday, March 29 at Chief Sealth International High School, 2600 S.W. Thistle St.
The Youth Meeting is 1-3pm, Saturday, March 31, at the Meany Building (location of Nova High School and Seattle World School), 301 21st Ave. E. The Youth Meeting is intended for middle and high school participants and will be led by young people.

Translators for Spanish, Somali, Chinese, Vietnamese and Tagalog will be at the Southeast Meeting, March 19. Translators for Spanish, Somali and Vietnamese will be at the Southwest Meeting, March 29.

More information

Meet the New Principal for K-5 STEM in West Seattle

Tuesday, March 13

6:30-8:00pm at Madison Middle School, 3429 45th Avenue SW, Seattle, 98116

-Hosted by Seattle Council PTSA

This is your opportunity to meet Dr. McKinney, hear her vision/teaching philosophy and ask questions. Dr. McKinney has more than 22 years of educational experience. She comes to Seattle with a decade of classroom teaching, service as an Assistant Principal and Principal in two Arizona school districts, and a doctorate in education from the University of Arizona.

District officials will be available for questions, and light refreshments will be offered.

Deadline for Men's Essay Contest has been Extended

-From WSPTSA

The deadline for the Men's Essay Contest has been extended until Thursday, March 15, 2012. More details about the essay can be found by clicking here. Please let your kids know about this great opportunity!

US Department of Education Parent Forum

Saturday, March 17

9:30-3:00pm at Rainier Beach High School (Auditorium/Cafeteria), 8815 Seward Park Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98118

-From SPS

All parents and families are invited to attend this Parent Forum sponsored by the US Department of Education and the Seattle Alliance of Black Educators, in partnership with Seattle Public Schools. More information and the registration form.

Finding Your Voice Parent Institute

-From the Office of the Education Ombudsman (OEO)

Saturday, March 17

9am-2:30pm at the New Holly Gathering Center, 7054 32nd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118

Parents and family members of students in public schools are invited to attend OEO's free Finding Your Voice Saturday Institutes. Join other parents and learn how the public school system works, how to better communicate with schools, how to prepare your student for college and how to become an education advocate. Register at: www.parentprep.org.

WSPTA Region 6 Spring Leadership Conference

Thursday, March 22

5:30-9:00pm at Nathan Hale HS, 10750 30^th Ave NE, Seattle, 98125

The Region 6 Spring Conference, "Staying on Track for Success", will be held at Nathan Hale High School in north Seattle the evening of Thursday, March 22. This conference is another opportunity for executive committee and other key leaders to take required training.

Registration form

Description of classes and roundtables

Philip B. Swain Scholarship

-From the Alliance for Education

The Alliance for Education is seeking applications for the Philip B. Swain Scholarship! This renewable scholarship awards $1,000 to a graduating senior in Seattle Public Schools. Graduating SPS seniors with a 2.50 cumulative GPA or better, who anticipate fall 2012 college enrollment, and who can demonstrate financial need should apply now. The deadline for applications is Friday, May 4, 2012.