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In This Issue
Take 5 for KIds
BEX IV September 2012 Community Meetings Schedule
Change to the Reflections Webinars
PTA & the Law
Legislative Basics and Legislative Workshop
Opportunities for Families, Community Members to Meet New Seattle Schools Superintendent
We Need You! SCPTSA is Currently Seeking Two New Board Members
Attend WA State PTA Legislative Assembly
Help Your PTA Learn More about the School Levies and How to Support Them
Important Dates:

 

September 24:

BEX IV Meeting, Madison MS

 

September 27:

BEX IV Meeting, McClure MS

 

October 1:

Superintendent Meeting, Bryant Elementary

 

October 2:

PTA & the Law,

Shoreline Center

 

October 2:

Legislative Basics and Legislative Workshop, Shoreline Center 

 

October 2:

Superintendent Meeting, Concord International Elementary

 

October 8:

Superintendent Meeting, Hamilton International MS

 

October 15:

SCPTSA General Meeting, JSCEE 

 

More Information 

(206) 364-7430

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Dear PTA and PTSA Leaders,

 

Please note a correction to last week's Q&A

 

Question: When does a PTSA need a business license? If we sell T-shirts, does that require us to get a business license?

 

Answer: A PTA as a business needs both a State and City license.  The State doesn't require PTA's to file B&O tax returns, but the City does (usually annual returns).  If your PTA sells anything, from
spirit wear to baked goods, your PTA needs to have a city business
license. You can deduct one time fundraisers - such as carnivals, and auctions and cultural events like school plays.

 

Thank you,

Rita Sheckler

Co-President, Seattle Council PTSA

 

Take 5 for Kids and Take the WA State PTA Survey

-From Region 6

 

WSPTA 2012 Issues Survey  

 

What is most important to your PTA members? Take a quick PTA Survey and vote for your top priorities. Washington State PTA lobbies on behalf of all members for the well-being and education of Washington youth. Delegates will be meeting this October to determine our new 2 year platform.

 

There are 18 issues under consideration ranging from revenue, special education, highly capable, professional development, discipline, school safety zones, ELL, literacy, continuing the basic education reforms, grading and family engagement. More information on each issue can be accessed in the new Legislative Assembly Blog or you can click on each issue in the WSPTA 2012 Issues Survey. But hurry, this survey closes on Sunday September 30, 2012. Questions, contact Rita Sheckler, SCPTSA Co-President ([email protected]) or Heidi Bennett, Region 6 Legislative Chair ([email protected]). 

 

BEX IV September 2012 Community Meetings Schedule

-From SPS

 

Seattle Public Schools will host two more community meetings on September 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:

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

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

 

More information on BEX IV and a video link.  

Change to the Reflections Webinars
-From National PTA

The Reflections training webinars for Local PTA Units have changed due to an unexpected increase in participation.  Please forward the following links as soon as possible to those participating.

Wednesday, September 26 at 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/641951646

Thursday, September 27 at 7 p.m. EST/4p.m.  PST
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/214652574

You can access both audio and visuals by registering above. We appreciate your flexibility to join us.

National PTA Reflections

PTA & the Law

Tuesday, October 2 

5:00pm-9:00 pm at Shoreline Center 18560 1st Ave. NE, Shoreline, WA  98155

-From Region 6

 

Your PTA board of directors is responsible for the fiscal, moral and legal obligations of your local unit, which is a non-profit corporation subject to state and federal regulations.  PTA & the Law is here to help you stay on track for success!

 

State PTA leaders will conduct this three hour interactive workshop.  You will meet other Region 6 PTA leaders and get the answers to questions that will help you guide your PTA in the coming year.

 

Even if you have attended the class before, state and federal regulations keep changing.  PTA & the Law lets you become an expert on those changes without having to pore over IRS and wa.gov websites.

 

Topics include:  The Nature of your PTA; Protection from Liability; What it Means to be a Non-Profit; State and Local Tax Matters; Auctions - and many more.  The $40 fee covers as many executive committee officers, board, and committee chairs as you would like to send.  Please plan on attending!

Registration Form

 

List of dates for other PTA & the Law Classes

 

Legislative Basics and Legislative Workshop

Tuesday, October 2

7:00-8:30pm at the Shoreline Center, 18560 1st Ave. NE, Shoreline, WA 98155

Free event, please RSVP to [email protected] to ensure enough materials

-From Region 6

 

Need more information on being a Legislative Chair or want to know more about Legislative Assembly?  Attend the "Legislative Basics and Legislative Workshop." This free double class will cover the basics of being a legislative chair, what is advocacy, how to engage your school, your PTA and your state legislators. It also includes a workshop on legislative assembly, how it works, more info on the issues and why every PTA needs to be represented.  

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

-From SPS and SCPTSA

 

SPS and the Seattle Council PTSA are co-hosting three more community meetings.  During the meetings Superintendent Banda 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, 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  

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

 

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

 

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 [email protected].   


Attend WA State PTA Legislative Assembly and Have Your PTA Represented

Friday and Saturday, October 19 and 20

SeaTac Marriot Hotel (Hotel reservations must be made separately)

-From Region 6

 

Join us for the premier advocacy, legislation training and planning event of the year! Local units and councils send delegates to our statewide Legislative Assembly to develop our statewide legislative platform and to learn how to effectively advocate for children at all levels. Any PTA member can attend but you must have a delegate card to vote.

 

Register before 10/3 and Save!   The costs per person (no meals or hotel) is $145 with the early registration, or $185 after 10/4. Seattle Council PTSA offers grants for those who need financial help. Click here for the leadership grant form and contact SCPTSA Co-President, Rita Sheckler [email protected] for approval. Students are welcome and can receive a discounted rate.

 

Register online or  download mail-in registration form.  

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 [email protected] for more information, and to schedule a brief presentation for your October or November board meeting.  More information is available at www.schoolsfirstseattle.org.

 

Thank you,

Greg Wong, Schools First President