Important Dates:
October 15: SCPTSA General Meeting and Information Session on Charter Initiative 1240, JSCEE October 20: Family Symposium, Chief Sealth HS November 6: Election Day December 3: Reflections Deadline More Information
(206) 364-7430
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Dear PTA and PTSA Leaders,
Congratulations to the following PTAs for enrolling 50% of the previous year's membership by September 30 and achieving BRONZE Level:
Jane Addams (K-8) PTSA
Alki PTA
Daniel Bagley PTA
Beacon Hill International School PTA
Blaine PTA
Bryant PTSA
Concord PTA
Pathfinder PTSA
Green Lake PTA
Greenwood PTA
Friends of Hawthorne PTA
Highland Park PTA
Lafayette PTA
John Stanford International School PTSA
Laurelhurst PTA
Loyal Heights PTA
McDonald PTA
McGilvra PTA
Montlake Community PTA
John Muir PTA
North Beach PTA
Olympic View PTA
Partners at Lowell School PTA
John Rogers PTA
Sand Point PTA
Sanislo PTA
Schmitz Park
SNAPP PTA
Van Asselt PTA
Viewlands PTSA
View Ridge PTA
West Woodland PTA
Whittier PTA
Eckstein Middle PTSA
Madison Middle PTSA
Whitman Middle PTSA
The Center School Community Association
Garfield High PTSA
Rainier Beach High PTSA
Roosevelt High PTSA
West Seattle High PTSA
Lauren McGuire and Rita Sheckler
Co-Presidents SCPTSA
-Please note that the SCPTSA president email address is not working at this time. We hope to have it fixed soon.
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Seattle Council PTSA General Meeting: Update from Superintendent Jose Banda and Information on Upcoming SPS Levies
Meeting Followed by Informational Session on Charter School Initiative 1240
Monday, October 15 at the John Stanford Center Auditorium
Snacks and Socializing: 6:30 to 7:00pm
General Meeting: 7:00 to 7:45pm
Informational Session: 7:45 to 8:30pm
General Meeting
The Seattle Council PTSA will host our first General Meeting of the year. We have a packed agenda.
Update from Superintendent: Jose Banda will discuss the latest happenings in SPS.
Seattle Council PTSA Business: We will be electing our Nominating Committee at this meeting, among other things.
Levies Presentation: We will hear information on the upcoming operations and BEX IV levy that will go before voters in February, 2013.
A note on voting at SCPTSA General Meetings: Our meetings are open to PTA leaders, members and other interested community members; however, voting is limited to members of the Seattle Council PTSA. At this meeting, the Seattle Council PTSA will elect a Nominating Committee. Each local PTA and PTSA in Seattle is a member of the Seattle Council PTSA, and each gets one vote. That vote typically belongs to the President of each PTA or PTSA. If the President cannot attend, another member of the PTA's executive board or an assigned delegate may vote in their place.
Information Session on Charter School Initiative 1240
The Charter School Initiative will be on the ballot this November. This is a hot topic, and we want Seattle PTA leaders and members to have the opportunity to better understand what is inside this initiative so you can make an informed decision when you vote. Ramona Hattendorf, Government Relations Coordinator of the Washington State PTA, will be answering specific questions about the initiative as it is written. There will also be SPS staff there to discuss potential impacts on the district.
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REFLECTIONS 2012-2013
The Reflections Art Program is a National and State PTA cultural arts competition. The purpose of the program is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works. Each year, Reflections challenges students to create art that supports a specific theme. This year's theme is: "The Magic of a Moment." A student may submit an entry in any one of six arts areas - Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts, Film/Video and Choreography/Dance. Only original works of art are accepted. Applications may be downloaded from http://www.wastatepta.org/programs/reflections. You will need a student entry form and a rules and guidelines form for the area in which your student is interested in submitting. Submissions are judged in five divisions: Primary -- Preschool - Grade 2; Intermediate -- Grades 3 - 5; Middle/Junior -- Grades 6 - 8; Senior -- Grades 9 - 12; Special Artist. All submissions are due to SCPTSA by December 3rd. Selected work will be exhibited at the Seattle Center, Harrison Street Gallery, from Dec. 10th-31st; the artist reception will be on Sunday, December 16th, from 2-4, at Seattle Center. Finalists could go on to the state and possibly national levels. If you have any questions, please contact your school's Reflections Chair or SCPTSA Reflections Co-Chairs Leanne Hawkins (hawkins1022@msn.com) and Daphne Dejanikus (dsdejan@hotmail.com).
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We Need You! SCPTSA is Currently Seeking Three 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, SW Area Director and Legislative 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 at laurenscptsa@gmail.com
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Family Symposium at Chief Sealth International High School
Saturday, October 20 from 10am - 3:00pm
-From SPS
Families, students, staff and community members of Seattle Public Schools are invited to participate in the annual Family Symposium scheduled for Saturday, October 20 at Chief Sealth International High School. Workshops, speakers and information will help families and schools partner for student success.
More Information
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REGISTER TO VOTE!
ANY SENIORS or GRADUATES OUT THERE that will be 18 by November 4
Students or Military can register with their local home address and have ballots sent to their current location.
For more info go to: VOTE.WA.GOV and click on "VOTERS"
Dates & Deadlines
October 19, 2012 - General Election ballots mailed
October 29, 2012 - Deadline for in-person new registrations
November 6, 2012 - General Election
Also, thanks to everyone who took the PTA Survey, there were over 5,000 responses!
Heidi Bennett
WA State PTA Region 6 Legislative Chair
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Mini Grants from SDOT
-From Seattle Department of Transportation
During October, International Walk to School month, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is accepting applications for mini grants of up to $1,000 to fund projects that educate students about pedestrian and bicycle safety and encourage walking and biking to school.
Both private and public schools, PTAs or other school-related non-profit groups may apply. The activities must support the overall goal of educating and encouraging more walking and bicycling to school.
Mini grants have helped schools start student safety patrol, attentive-driving programs, anti-idling campaigns, as well as bike safety education programs. Martin Luther King Junior Elementary School used their Mini Grant to purchase safety patrol equipment and start a new student safety patrol program. Graham Hill Elementary used funding to make traffic circulation changes on school property that increased safety for students walking and biking to school. Salmon Bay K-8 started a peer-education bicycle safety program. They can even fund creative classroom activities that explore the benefits of walking and biking to school. Ballard High School students used a mini grant to produce a documentary film about the Seattle Bicycle Music Festival.
For more information about International Walk to School Day.
How to Apply for a Mini Grant
More information and mini grant application
Send completed applications to Brian Dougherty, Safe Routes to School Coordinator at brian.dougherty@seattle.gov by end of business day Friday, November 2. Recipients will be announced by Wednesday, December 3.
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WSPTA: Oppose I-1185
-From WSPTA
Washington State PTA is calling on citizens to reject Initiative 1185 and instead support efficient and effective approaches to budgeting for education and children's services.
"Children are relying to the state legislature to pay for the education they need," said Washington State PTA President Novella Fraser. "The state needs to resolve long-standing issues of under-funding and not get bogged down in extended debate over issues like tolling fees. Now is not the time to tie legislators' hands."
I-1185 requires a two-thirds legislative majority, or voter approval, for tax increases as well as legislative approval for any new or increased fees. The measure would continue policy that has been ruled unconstitutional in superior court on multiple grounds. Washington State PTA opposes placing "super majority" barriers to funding that kids rely on. The state is not supplying adequate funding for its schools and now more than ever families rely on programs like Apple Health for Kids and state food assistance. Read more
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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.
The costs per person (no meals or hotel) is $185. Seattle Council PTSA offers grants for those who need financial help. Click here for the leadership grant form and contact SCPTSA Co-President, Lauren McGuire at laurenscptsa@gmail.com for approval. Students are welcome and can receive a discounted rate.
Register online or download mail-in registration form.
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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 October or November board meeting. More information is available at www.schoolsfirstseattle.org.
Thank you,
Greg Wong, Schools First President |
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