eNews: Spring Training for Board Members

Please save the date for the Seattle Council PTSA's Spring Training meeting on June 3rd at Mercer Middle School. More information will be coming later this week. This is a great opportunity for incoming Board members to meet their WSPTA training requirement for next year!

I hope you all are enjoying the spring.

Sincerely,

Lauren McGuire

President, Seattle Council PTSA

Metro to Make Service Cuts

- From King County Metro

Metro faces a $75 million annual shortfall and will have to cut service by up to 600,000 hours, or 17 percent, beginning in fall 2014 unless new funding becomes available. Roughly two-thirds of Metro bus routes might be eliminated, reduced or revised, and this will inevitably impact families with middle school and high school age students. Learn about what's at risk.

A hearing regarding proposed service cuts will be on Tuesday, May 14 at 4 pm, and will take place at Union Station, 401 S Jackson St. Can't attend? Submit your comments online.

Family Symposium

Saturday, May 18

Seattle Public Schools will be holding a Building Bridges for Summer Learning symposium on Saturday, May 18, 10:00-2:30 pm at Garfield High School. There will be workshops for families, staff, and community partners regarding how to prevent student summer learning loss and a Summer Learning Community Resource Fair.

A light morning snack and lunch will be served. Supervised children's activities, transportation, and interpreters will be available. All families are invited to attend this free event.

Attention Treasurers:

May 25th is the deadline for your final membership payment. If you have new members since your last payment, now is the time to print up the form and send in your check. Please use the form provided by the state website and mail it with your check. If you have any duplicate entries, contact the state membership office to clear them.

Also, remember to mail in your Charitable Solicitation form before the end of May to avoid a penalty and keep your charitable status current.

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.

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 .

Mini-Grant Applications Available

- From King County Mental Health

The King County Mental Health, Chemical Abuse and Dependency Services Division (MHCADSD) is allocating funds to local Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs), Parent Teacher Student Associations (PTSAs) and community/school associations for the support of safe, drug-free prom and graduation events. MHCADSD will select organizations to receive funds up to $1,000 that will be for safe, drug-free prom and graduation events involving youth from high schools in King County. Funds may be requested for prom-only, graduation-only, or both prom and graduation; however, the total amount available will remain at $1,000 maximum per organization and high school.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early and must submit the required Mini-Grant Application by the first week of June 2013.

For more information, contact Jackie Berganio at:
jackie.berganio@kingcounty.gov

Youth Leadership Summit

June 20-23, 2013
- From National PTA

At the 2013 Youth Leadership Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio, rising sophomores and Juniors will gain valuable new leadership skills and learn specific ways to reduce bullying and improve school environments. Register for an experience that broadens your knowledge, provides exciting new insights and connects you to a network of other youth leaders. Attend:

Innovative workshops on inclusiveness, listening, decision making and resiliency.
Interactive keynote discussion on bullying
Trainings for PTA's Connect for Respect program
Networking events with other youth from across the country
Fun outings
And more!

Registration is only $250 per student. Each registrant must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. Registration for adult chaperone is only $125. Register now through June 1. Visit www.pta.org for more information.

Fall Community Meetings

- From SPS

Seattle Public Schools will host five community meetings in Fall 2013 to present information and seek public comments about changes to the District's attendance area boundaries for the 2014-15 school year and beyond. (Boundaries will not change for the 2013-2014 school year).

Enrollment is on the rise at Seattle Public Schools and additional classroom capacity is needed in a number of fast-growing areas. Updating boundary assignments will help plan for future growth in the District.

Seattle voters approved the Building Excellence IV (BEX IV) Capital Levy in February and projects include replacement or modernization of 17 schools. Boundaries will need to be aligned with these projects - and with enrollment growth in mind. Equitable access to services and programs will also play an important role in boundary revisions.

The initial focus of boundary revisions will be at the elementary, middle and K-8 schools levels with high school revisions to be addressed at a later time.

Meetings are scheduled from 6:30-8:00 pm as follows:

Mon., Sept. 23 - Mercer Middle School Lunchroom

Tues., Sept 24 - Nathan Hale High School Commons

Wed., Sept 25 - W. Seattle High School Commons

Mon., Sept. 30 - Meany Building Lunchroom

Tues., Oct. 1 - Ballard High School Commons