Reminder to Renew Charitable Organization Registration

This notice is to remind PTSA chapters that your organization is due to renew its registration with the Charities Program on or before May 31, 2013.

The Charitable Organization Registration/Renewal Form is available online.

1. Find the Charitable Organization Registration/Renewal Form.

2. Fill it out, print, sign and mail with the $40 renewal fee to:

Secretary of State's Office

Charities Program

PO Box 40234

Olympia, WA  98504-0234

3. If the renewal is received after May 31, 2013, the total filing fee will be $90 ($40 renewal fee + $50 late fee).  To avoid late fees, please mail 7-10 days prior to the due date noted above.  You may also receive a renewal postcard by regular mail.  Please disregard if you have already mailed your renewal.

Please keep in mind that the annual filing requirement with the Charities Program is separate from and in addition to any filing requirements you may have with the Corporations Division of the Secretary of State.

If you have any questions, please contact a Charities Customer Service Representative directly at (360) 725-0378 or by email at charities@sos.wa.gov .

New Funding Resolution

A resolution urging the Washington State Legislature to address K-12 funding has been submitted.  For details about this resolution, click here.

Part II of Teens, Marijuana & Alcohol:  Helping Youth Develop Refusal Skills

- from RHS PTSA

Wednesday, April 10

7-8:30pm

Roosevelt High School Library

Youth who are taught refusal skills are more likely to refrain from using drugs and alcohol. Frank Couch, SAMA's Executive Director and Youth Addiction Specialist will facilitate a conversation "Helping Youth Develop Refusal Skills" which will give parents tools they can use to influence their child's healthy behaviors.

Science and Management of Addictions (SAMA) is a privately funded non-profit organization based in Seattle, Washington with the mission to eliminate the disease of substance addiction in youth by advancing research, education and treatment. SAMA provides long-term intensive outpatient treatment and continuing care for adolescents, young adults and their families.

SPS Seeking Applicants for New Native American Advisory Committee

 -from SPS

Seattle Public Schools is seeking applicants for a newly formed Native American Advisory Committee.

The committee will advise Superintendent Jos� Banda on implementing Native American Education in Seattle Public Schools. It will be comprised of Native families, Native Community Representatives, Native SPS staff, Native Community Representatives, Native Higher Education Representatives and Native Students who represent the diverse Native American population of Seattle Public Schools. 

The initial committee term is April 2013-June 2015.

Nomination forms are available here. Nominations can be made by mail to PO Box 34164-Mailstop 32156, Seattle, WA, 98124 or via email at naeac@seattleschools.org.   The deadline for submission is April 15, 2013.

Those selected will be notified by April 22, and the first meeting will be held April 29 at a location still to be determined. 

Youth & Law Forum

Saturday, April 27

8:30 - 2:00 pm

MLK Fame Community Center

www.youthandlaw.com

The Forum is an annual event that runs from 8 am to 2 pm and focuses on educating Seattle youth regarding legal and social issues, such as becoming familiar with the law, what to do if a police officer approaches you, and gangs.  This year, the focus is on gun violence, and age appropriate presentations will be given to elementary, middle school, and high school aged children, as well as parents.  The Seattle Police Department has prepared a skit, as well as an informational session.  As well, many other important people in our community will attend and present to the children, including judges, lawyers, the Sheriff's Office, and city council member, Bruce Harrell. 

New Online Tool Will Alert Parents to Late Buses

 -from SPS

Wondering if your child's school bus is running late? A new feature on the Seattle Public Schools Transportation website provides parents with updated information about any bus routes that may be delayed.

Clicking this link -- www.seattleschools.org/latebus -- takes visitors to the "Late Bus Alerts" page, which is updated throughout the day whenever a bus route is running more than 10 minutes behind schedule. The new web-based tool supplements existing automated notifications that are sent out via the "school messenger" system for any routes that are running more than 15 minutes late.

"We designed this feature with parents in mind, because it allows them to access the information from their smart phone or other device rather than having to call into our transportation control center,"

Ellen Reyes, Assistant Manager of Transportation Business Operations. "While the new tool doesn't estimate the actual arrival time of a school bus, it does reassure parents that their child's bus is on its way so that they can plan their schedules accordingly."

Parents are always welcome to contact transportation by phone at (206) 252-0900 for updates.

SCPTSA Seeking Nominations for the 2013-14 Board

Bring your passion for schools to a higher level! Seattle Council PTSA is the connector between local PTA's, the Seattle School District and Washington State PTA. Through Seattle Council PTSA you can address issues that impact all of Seattle Public Schools.

Do you have an interest in issues that go beyond your local school and affect children throughout the district? If so, we need you! Transportation, capacity, family engagement and district policies are just a few areas that SCPTSA is currently working on. SCPTSA board members have a number of opportunities to serve on committees in the district, as well as meet with district officials and school board members. SCPTSA works with all local PTA's throughout Seattle, including outreach, education, training and troubleshooting.

We are currently looking for looking for people to serve on our Executive Committee for 2013-14. 

The board meets monthly at the John Stanford Center. Are you interested in helping, but are not sure what role is right for you? Contact us so we can learn about your interests! Please email Ann Weber at executiveVP@seattlecouncilptsa.org.