eNews: Opportunities to Meet the New Seattle Public Schools Superintendent

We hope you had a smooth start to the beginning of the school year! Please note that there are a number of important dates coming up that we ask you to inform your members about.

Superintendent Banda will be holding five community meetings where he will discuss his vision for Seattle Public Schools. The dates, times and places are listed in the article below.

There will be three community meetings held by Seattle Public Schools to discuss the Building Excellence IV (BEX IV) Capital Levy Project. The dates, times and places for those meetings are also listed below.

On Monday, October 15, the Seattle Council PTA will hold it's General Meeting at the John Stanford Center from 6:30-8:30pm. More information to follow.

Sincerely,
Jo Cross-Whiter
e-News Editor SCPTSA

Opportunities for Families, Community Members to Meet New Seattle Schools Superintendent

-From SPS and SCPTSA

Seattle Public Schools is partnering with the Seattle Council PTSA to sponsor five community meetings for SPS families and community members to meet Superintendent Jos� Banda in September and October.

During the meetings, the Superintendent will briefly talk about his vision for the school district, followed by informal conversations with those in attendance. Those meetings are scheduled from 6-7:30pm on the following dates:

Monday, September 17 - Mercer Middle School, 1600 S. Columbia Way

Tuesday, September 18 - Rainier Beach High School, 8815 Seward Park Ave. S

Monday, October 1 - Bryant Elementary School, 3311 N.E. 60th St

Tuesday, October 2 - Concord International Elementary School, 723 S. Concord St

Monday, October 8 - Hamilton International Middle School, 1610 N. 41st St

"Our schools serve as centers for learning community-wide, and it is critical that we engage families and community members in supporting them," Banda said. "I am firmly committed to developing strong school-community partnerships to enhance academic outcomes for all of our students."

In addition, Superintendent Banda will hold open office hours on the last Thursday of every month during the school year, starting September 27. Each appointment will last 15 minutes, and can be in person in the Superintendent's office at the John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence, or via telephone. To schedule an appointment, contact Venetia Wallace by phone at 206-252-0167 or via email at vhwallace@seattleschools.org.

BEX IV September 2012 Community Meetings Schedule

-From SPS

Seattle Public Schools will host three community meetings on September 20, 24 and 27 to share information and ask for comments about building construction projects to be included in the Building Excellence IV (BEX IV) Capital Levy package. Once approved by the School Board, the BEX IV Capital Levy resolution will be submitted to Seattle voters in February 2013.

The community meeting dates are:

Thursday, September 20, 6:30-8:00pm at Whitman Middle School

Monday, September 24, 6:30-8:00pm at Madison Middle School

Thursday, September 27, 6:30-8:00pm at McClure Middle School

For more information on BEX IV, please visit: www.bit.ly/SPSBEX

We Need You! SCPTSA is Currently Seeking Four New Board Members for the 2012-2013 School Year

The Seattle Council PTSA has the following Council positions open for the 2012-2013 year: Central Area Director, NW Area Director, SW Area Director and Reflections Chair.

If you know of any great candidates who are interested in issues that affect every child; who routinely attend meetings; is interested in city-wide issues and has a strong commitment to education, please submit their names to us. SCPTSA welcomes potential Board candidates who represent our Seattle communities; who have diverse viewpoints and backgrounds and have the time and energy to make positive changes for all children. Please submit your recommendations to Lauren McGuire and Rita Sheckler at president@seattlecouncilptsa.org.

Low-Cost Class Available from the IRS to Understand the IRS Filing Requirements for PTAs

Wednesday, September 12

8:30am to 4pm, at the University of Washington

PTAs can register for the upcoming IRS workshop at UW in Seattle. The cost is $50 for people who are not members of Washington Nonprofits and $35 for those who are members. The one-day workshop, presented by experienced Exempt Organizations specialists, will explain what 501(c)(3) organizations must do to keep their tax-exempt status and comply with tax obligations. This popular introductory workshop is designed especially for administrators or volunteers who are responsible for an organization's tax compliance as well as those interested in careers in the nonprofit sector.

More Information

Seattle Public Schools Seeks Nominations for School-Family Partnerships Advisory Committee

-From SPS

Seattle Public Schools is seeking nominations for its School-Family Partnerships Advisory Committee to the Superintendent. The committee will be comprised of parents/families/guardians who reflect the diversity of Seattle Public Schools families. To be considered, the nomination form must be turned in by Friday, September 14.

Three Simple Ways to Keep Your Board and PTA Members Informed

-From Region 6

1. Keep your board members informed by registering them with the State PTA

Registering your Executive Board and key board members/chairs is important, as it is a means for them to receive support from their Regional and State Directors. This includes all your officers and chairs - Treasurer, Legislative, Membership, Outreach, Communications,
Reflections, etc. It will enable them to join list serves, get updates and access other important information.

2. Enter your PTA events, board and general meetings on the SPS Calendar

Seattle now has online calendars that communities can access from the SPS and school websites. This is a great tool so parents and members can know when your PTA events and meetings are. Even if your meetings are the same day as last year, new families don't know this information. The new SPS calendar makes it simple to see each school calendar. Take advantage of this new technology. To have your dates listed, speak to the administration at your school.

3. Collect postal addresses and email for all members

PTA Membership provides information from the State PTA, Seattle Council and your local unit in a variety of means - both to home postal addresses and email addresses. Please collect this info on your membership forms and enter it into the State Membership database so your members can stay informed, participate in events, offerings, activities and legislative issues.

HEAD'S UP - The 2012-2014 LEGISLATIVE ISSUE SURVEY IS COMING

The "WA State PTA Legislative Survey" is being finalized now and you should be ready to distribute it via email, and also as a hand-out, at your September PTA General meetings. This year's survey includes a wide range of topics that include: Revenue/Funding, Reform Bills, English Language Learners, Math, Literacy, Opportunity Gap, Standard Based Grading, Early Learning, Discipline, Family Engagement, School Signage, Highly Capable and Special Ed.

What is most important to your members? Send out the survey multiple times so you can get the best response. The state will compile the online replies and you can add in any paper copies returned.

SAVE THE DATE: Legislative Assembly, Friday, October 19 and Saturday, October 20 at SeaTac. Costs and details to come. The Seattle Council PTSA is offering scholarships if your PTA needs financial help to send representatives.

Heidi Bennett, WA State Region 6 Legislative Chair

Heidi@Bennettdirect.net

Nominations are Open for the Washington State PTA Outstanding Advocate Award

-From WSPTA

Deadline for entries is September 15

Washington State PTA is one of, if not the, premier child advocacy organizations in the state, and here's your chance to recognize someone you have observed to standout in this arena. The Outstanding Advocate Award is offered by the Washington State PTA Board of Directors to recognize and honor an individual for continued and dedicated service to ALL children, and a demonstrated commitment to helping create strong policies relating to the health, welfare, safety, and education of children and youth. This is your opportunity to nominate an individual for statewide recognition, presented at Legislative Assembly. Applications must be post-marked by September 15, so download the nomination form here and help us recognize an outstanding advocate.

Help Your PTA Learn More about the School Levies and How to Support Them

-From Schools First

Two crucial levy renewals will be on the ballot this school year. The first, an Operations Levy, funds approximately 30% of the District's operating budget. Past operating levies partially paid for instructional programs; costs related to full-day kindergarten; a sixth period at high schools; student activities such as athletics, drama and music; bilingual and special education services; textbooks and classroom supplies; transportation and security. The second, a Capital Levy (BEX IV), funds building and infrastructure projects. It is expected that BEX IV will, in part, be used to address over capacity issues in the District by creating new or improved classroom space.

Historically, many PTAs have endorsed the levies, provided a PTA donation to the campaign and school parents have actively volunteered to support passage of the levies. Schools First, the non-profit, volunteer coalition that campaigns for renewal of the levies, has speakers available to come to one of your meetings to share information about the levies and discuss the endorsement/donation process. Please contact Kerry Cooley-Stroum, who will be on the Scholars at Garfield/PTA Academic Committee this year, at kcs@seanet.com for more information, and to schedule a brief presentation for your September board meeting. More information is available at www.schoolsfirstseattle.org.

Thank you,

Greg Wong, Schools First President

K-12 Arts Plan Mid-Point Meeting

-From SPS

Thursday, September 27

6:30 to 8:30pm at City Hall's Bertha Knight Landes Room

The Seattle K-12 Arts Learning Collaborative will share a report on the progress of the development of a comprehensive K-12 arts plan to increase quality learning opportunities for all students in Seattle Public Schools.

The goal of the collaborative is to ensure all students in all Seattle Public Schools have opportunities to learn through the arts, helping them to be successful in school and in life. Last spring, many in the community shared their vision for a new Arts Plan in a series of community focus-group meetings. The school district released a report with findings from those meetings. Find out more about the progress of the plan and the important role the arts play in building 21st-century skills at the mid-point meeting.

Children are welcome. Free supervised arts activities for school-aged children will be provided. Space for children's arts workshop is limited. RSVP is required to Jenny Crooks, or (206) 684-7084. Download a flyer

City Partners with Seattle Public Schools to Offer Meeting Space in School Libraries

-From SPS and the Mayor's Office

Seattle Mayor, Mike McGinn, and Seattle Public Schools Superintendent, Jos� Banda, announced a new partnership called "Evening Community Meetings in School Libraries" to open every school library in Seattle for use by community and neighborhood groups. Groups will be able to sign up online for a fee of only $15 to hold meetings in school libraries after school hours.

Any local community group or nonprofit organization is eligible to sign up, but the libraries are not available for business or commercial uses, or for events that have admissions or fees. Reservations will be available from 6 - 9pm Monday through Thursday during normal school calendar academic business days.

Click here to sign up for a user account, submit a request for space, and read the Seattle Public Schools rules and regulations (including the payment process and insurance requirements). The fee is $15 plus any applicable custodial or heating and cooling costs. Rental does not include use of computers in the library. You can find more details about the program in a fact sheet at seattle.gov/media.

WSPTA'S Legislative Assembly to Consider 18 Proposed Issues

-From WSPTA

Washington State PTA's 34th annual Legislative Assembly will be held October 19 and 20 at the Seattle Airport Marriott Hotel in SeaTac. Delegates will decide WSPTA's advocacy agenda for the 2013 and 2014 legislative sessions, and you'll certainly want to make sure your members' voices are heard as part of the process. A total of l8 proposed issues will be up for discussion, and will be reviewed, debated and either approved or rejected during the two-day session. Although the schedule is still being finalized, it is clear that the large number of issues will require the full two days, so plan on coming early on Friday and staying all day Saturday. You can review the list of issues, along with links to background information, on WSPTA's new Legislative Assembly Blog. As in the past, there will be a paper survey and an online survey for you to collect perspectives from your members, and both should be available on the blog mid-week. Information about registration and hotel reservations for the Legislative Assembly is available here.