Important Dates:
January 24:
WSPTA Focus Day, Olympia
January 31: Region 6 PTA Training, Ingraham HS, Seattle
More Information
(206) 364-7430
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Dear PTA and PTSA Leaders, The start of the new WA State Legislative session is upon us and we need EVERY PTA MEMBER in WA to help support K-12 Education. WA State PTA Focus Day is less than 2 weeks away, so now's the time to take action. It's critical that our Legislators hear from us so they can make the decision to fully fund K-12 education. You can help by doing 3 things: - Recruit 1 or 2 or more PTA members to attend Focus Day in Olympia on Thursday, January 24. If every PTA can do that, we will have an impact in terms of numbers, and have the chance to meet with all our Seattle Legislators. See the article below for more information.
- Not everyone can attend, but everyone can tell their legislators about an issue that affects your school. At your next PTA board or general meeting (preferably before January 24), "Take 5 for Kids" and hand out index cards. Ask members to write a postcard and then make 2 copies (as we all have three legislators). Take them to Focus Day or contact us to arrange for delivery. You can also collect cards all session, so make this a regular habit. Suggestions for Take 5 for Kids
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Sign up for WA State PTA Legislative Action Alerts (Cap Wiz) which allows you to automatically receive notices on the WA State top priorities and get connected with your elected officials in Olympia. The WA State PTA Action Center allows you to communicate your views with lawmakers via targeted e-mail, letter, fax, and more. Sign up today and promote this in your newsletters.
Let us know how this goes and if you have any questions or need help. Thank you very much for all you do for Seattle's kids and hope to see you at Focus Day 2013. Sincerely, Linnea Fichter SCPTSA Legislative Chair linnea@fichters.net, 206-679-6571 South-end contact Heidi Bennett WA State Regional Leg. Chair
heidi@bennettdirect.net 206-781-5566 North-end contact
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Join Hundreds of PTA Members in Olympia on Thursday, January 24 for FOCUS DAY 2013
Every year, WA State PTA Members rally on the steps of the Capital to make our voices heard in the campaign to fully fund and support K-12 education. Get your children off to school and then come down to Olympia to help support our campaign. This is a great way to meet your legislators and learn more about the legislative process. Washington State is in the bottom 10% for state funding; our legislators are accountable, so let's rally for schools and students!
When: Thursday, January 24, from 10:00am to 2:00pm
Where: State Capital Building, Olympia
What:
Pre-rally meeting at 11:00am
Rally in the rotunda at noon
Programming and meeting with legislators 12:30-2:00pm
REGISTER TODAY at WA STATE PTA. This event is free but please register so that organizers know who's attending for legislator meetings, and to help arrange carpools. You can also buy lunch but that option ends on January 18.
Questions, contact Heidi Bennett, Region 6 Legislative Chair or Linnea Fichter, SCPTSA Legislative Chair.
More information
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Seattle Public Schools to Update Strategic Plan - Seeking Community Volunteers for Task Force
-From SPS
Nominations due by January 17
Seattle Public Schools is starting the process of revising the current Strategic Plan, Excellence for All. The updated plan will guide academic and operational priorities for the next three to five years and include ongoing benchmarking to measure the District's performance. A Stakeholder Taskforce will be formed, made up of between 60 and 80 people, who will provide feedback. In addition, the taskforce is seeking five more taskforce members to be selected randomly from a list of nominees.
To be eligible to serve on the taskforce in one of the open seats, you must be a Seattle resident. Contact Anita DeMahy at 206-252-0040 or andemahy@seattleschools.org by January 17, 2013 to nominate yourself. Please include your name, phone number, email address, and if you are affiliated with a school or community organization. Each person will be assigned a number and a random drawing will take place to fill those slots.
More information
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Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration - "Let Freedom Ring"
Monday, January 21
9:30am at Garfield HS, 400 23rd Ave., Seattle
-From MLK Seattle Celebration Committee
The Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee will host its 31st annual region-wide Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration on Monday, January 21, 2013, with the theme: "Let Freedom Ring!"
On Monday, January 21, 2013, workshops will begin at 9:30am, the rally at 11am, and the march to the Federal Building on 2nd Avenue at 12:30pm. All events at Garfield High School, located at 400 23rd Ave. Seattle, WA. This is an event you do not want to miss!
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PTA Support is Essential to Successfully Renew Seattle Public School Levy Funding. Get Involved Today!
The phrase "It takes a village" is never more relevant than when it comes to renewing our public school levies. Continuing our levies will ensure that the basic educational needs of Seattle Public Schools' nearly 50,000 students are met, especially as the school population is set to grow.
The campaign and our students need every PTA to help get out the vote by endorsing, donating and signing-up for a phone bank TODAY. Ballots arrive in voter mailboxes on January 23!
Phone calls are one of most effective ways to remind voters to support our schools and students! Contact Kerry Cooley-Stroum for more information or to sign-up for a phone bank. You can endorse our levies and contribute at www.schoolsfirstseattle.org.
As a reminder, these levies are not new taxes, but renewals of two critically important funding sources.
OPERATIONS LEVY: Accounts for more than 25% of operating funds including day-to-day basic needs such as ELL and Special Ed programs, as well as teaching, and 6th period for high schools.
CAPITAL LEVY (BEX IV): Provides essential funding to maintain and improve our existing schools, such as earthquake safety upgrades at 37 schools, wireless in every school and other technology improvements, plus renovating and expanding schools to meet Seattle Public Schools' growing student population.
Questions, contact Heidi Bennett, School's First Board Member and PTA Region 6 Legislative Chair, or contact Kerry Cooley-Stroum to help get out the vote for our school levies today!
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Region 6 PTA Training
-From Region 6
We have a Mid-winter conference coming up on Thursday, January 31 at Ingraham High School (North Seattle). Remember that all officers must attend PTA approved training during the year. This is your opportunity to network, receive training, and have some fun. Please let me know if you have any questions.
More information
Sarah DuCette
Region 6 Director
ptareg6@wastatepta.org
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City Departments to Host Workshop on Community Grant Opportunities
Thursday, January 17
-From the City of Seattle
The public is invited to a January 17 workshop on upcoming matching fund opportunities for community-initiated neighborhood or technology projects. Hosted by Seattle Department of Neighborhoods and Department of Information Technology, it will be held from 6:00-7:30pm at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW.
The workshop will present information on the criteria and application guidelines for the Technology Matching Fund and the Small and Simple Projects Fund which award matching funds to neighborhood groups.
More Information
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