A Word From Council
 This week many of our PTAs will be leading their communities in appreciating the educators and staff at their schools. We took a quick glance at some of our PTAs' websites and we've seen everything from sandwich, salad and bagel bars, to coffee and donuts, and pizza- and pie-themed events!
Thank you so much to all our PTA leaders for acknowledging the great work that our educators and staff members do each day for our children. Thank you for encouraging your community to show their appreciation, too. In the spirit of love and appreciation, we want you to know that we are very thankful for YOU, our wonderful PTA volunteers!
—Brandi Comstock and Yumna Green, LWPTSA Council Co-Presidents
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THIS WEEK
May Membership Meeting
 Our next LWPTSA Council Membership Meeting is coming up this Thursday. All PTA leaders are invited to attend.
When: Thursday, May 5 at 9:45 am
Where: Online via Zoom
Meeting Documents:
Agenda
Draft April 2022 Meeting Minutes
Proposed 2022-23 budget
Treasurer's Report for April 2022 will be shared at the meeting on Thursday
Questions? Please contact our LWPTSA Council Co-Presidents.
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LWPTSA Council Scholarship Recipients
 Lake Washington PTSA Council is pleased to announce the recipients of our 2022 Academic Scholarships. With the support of our local PTSA’s, our annual scholarship auction, partners such as the Lake Washington Education Association, and private donors, we are able to award two $500 staff scholarships and fifteen $1,250 student scholarships. This year, an additional Perseverance Scholarship and an additional At-Large Scholarship are funded in honor of Gabriel Martin Morelli, a former LWSD teacher. We are thankful to his family for their generous support of our scholarship program. [continue reading]
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Report Your PTA's Officers to WSPTA
Each PTA is required to report its list of newly elected officers to the Washington State PTA. Beginning May 1, local PTAs can input their 2022-23 board members in the "Committees" module of the Memberplanet membership system, where the database administrator may assign board roles to names within the PTA’s database. Instructions are outlined here.
Please note: The individuals to be assigned these officer roles must already have records within the database. If you need help adding records to the database, you can find guides here.
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NEXT WEEK
Sustainability Committee Meeting
 The LWPTSA Sustainability Committee meets monthly and focuses on raising awareness around sustainable initiatives district-wide, sharing resources, and connecting with one another. Community members are always welcome!
When: Tuesday, May 10 at 11 am
Where: Online via Zoom
Please send questions to our Sustainability Chair, Nirali Shah.
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NEXT WEEK
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee Meeting
 The LWPTSA Council's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee meets monthly and focuses on networking opportunities for PTA leaders, sharing of DEI resources, and helping PTAs find answers to their DEI questions. Local DEI chairs and PTA leaders are welcome to attend and to join our DEI Facebook group.
When: Wednesday, May 11 at 6 pm
Where: Online via Zoom
Please send questions to our DEI Chair, Sequoya Lange.
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In Celebration of Our Reflections Artists
 With more than 350 entries submitted to LWPTSA Council this year, selecting the highest caliber entries to move onto the WSPTA level was quite the challenge. The 66 entries that earned recognition are now available to share with the community in our online Reflections art gallery.
Fifteen of these submissions also received recognition at the WSPTA level, with four of them earning Outstanding Interpretation and moving on to the national level. (Judging is wrapping up, and winners will be announced May 1.) Thanks to Pallavi Garg for creating this gallery to celebrate our artists!
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LWPTSA Council Board 2022-23
The following officers were elected at the April 14, 2022 membership meeting to serve for the 2022-2023 PTA year. Thank you for your willingness to serve!
We will open the floor for nominations and hold elections for the open positions for the 2022-2023 term at the May membership meeting, which will be held virtually this Thursday, May 5 at 9:45 am. If you are interested or have questions about these roles, please contact our Council Co-Presidents.
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WSPTA Convention Registration Ends Soon
May 20-22 in Lynnwood, WA, and Online
 Registration for the 109th WSPTA Convention ends May 12 at noon! This year's convention will be held in person at the Lynnwood Convention Center, with a remote option as well, from May 20–22.
Remember, voting delegates will need to attend in person, as there won’t be an online voting option available. WSPTA has secured reduced hotel room rates at the Embassy Suites by Hilton, 20610 44th Avenue West, Lynnwood, WA. Reduced rates are available until Thursday, May 5, 2022.
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More WSPTA News & Events
Advocacy Submission Process Open
 At the next Legislative Assembly, delegates will debate and vote on these submissions and whether to add them to our platform. This year is especially important as we will be voting on a new "top 5" legislative issues to focus on in the next two years. See submission instructions and deadlines at the bottoms of the following pages:
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Congratulations, National Reflections Winners!
 This year, National PTA received more than 900 student entries from 47 state PTA congresses in all the available Reflections categories. Of those submissions, we are thrilled to award more than 200 student artists on the national level!
Congratulations to all of the 2021-2022 "I Will Change the World By…" National PTA Reflections winners and our seven Outstanding Interpretation awardees! [see complete list of winners]
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More NPTA News & Events
Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week!
May 2–6
 It's time to give the educators in our lives a special thanks for all that they do during Teacher Appreciation Week. National PTA has assembled a toolkit containing downloadable and digital resources to help thank the deserving teachers in your schools.
Also, join us live on Facebook TOMORROW, Tuesday, May 3 at 4 pm Pacific Time for "A Teacher's Perspective" panel discussion. The panel will be moderated by Lisa Ann Walter of the ABC sitcom "Abbott Elementary," and will feature US Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona, National PTA President Anna King, NEA President Becky Pringle, and a diverse group of educators from across the country.
 Notes From the Backpack: Fostering Student Motivation
Fostering motivation is an important part of a teacher's job. Educator, veteran high school teacher and Education Week writer Larry Ferlazzo shares his insights on how to motivate students. Learn what teachers most want you to know about student motivation, get tips on how to get your child to do their homework and chores, and more. [listen to podcast now]
2022-2023 Reflections Theme: Show Your Voice!
Register Your PTA to Participate
 Each year, more than 300,000 pre-K through grade 12 students participate in the National PTA Reflections program, creating original works of art in response to a student-selected theme. We are excited to announce the theme for the next school year: Show Your Voice! The theme was submitted by Jason Yevin from the Salk/Macarthur PTSA in New York. Registration is now open! Let National PTA know if your PTA will be participating.
 National PTA 125th Anniversary Convention
June 14–19 in National Harbor, MD
Attendees will hear from engaging keynote speakers, advocate for public policy priorities during a Hill Day Experience, and participate in interactive workshop sessions. (A virtual-only option is also available.) For more info, visit the National PTA website.
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 Plan Now for LWSD Print Center Graduation Orders
Graduation season is upon us! If you are looking to order yard signs, banners, posters, etc., please send your orders to the LWSD Print Center at LWSDprintrqst@lwsd.org. The deadline to order these items is two weeks before your expected graduation date. [visit LWSD's Print Center page for more info]
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Help Honor LWSD's School Lunch Heroes
 Between preparing healthful food, adhering to strict nutrition standards, navigating food allergies, and offering service with a smile, LWSD's Nutrition Services team members have a lot on their plates. To recognize School Lunch Hero Day this Friday, May 6, take a moment to show our LWSD lunch heroes how much they're appreciated! [more about School Lunch Hero Day]
Some ideas to help make this day special:
- Promote School Lunch Hero Day on signs in front of your school. Feature this day in your PTA's newsletters and social media. Scroll to the bottom of this page for shareable images.
- Round up volunteers and/or students to make signs, banners or posters to decorate the cafeteria. Feature photos of your school's lunch heroes and describe why they are special.
- Use these downloadable, printable thank you cards. [English | Spanish]
- Encourage families to donate books to your school library in honor of a lunch hero. [printable bookplate]
- Recognize your school's lunch heroes during morning announcements or during lunch period. [sample proclamation]
- If possible, arrange for volunteers to lend a hand in the serving line while Nutrition Services team members are treated to a "sit-down" lunch with student leaders serving them.
- Include School Lunch Hero Day in your PTA's Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week. Consider providing your school's lunch heroes with a special perk or treat for the day.
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Lake Washington Schools Foundation News
Improving Every Student's Success and Well-Being in LWSD
 Increasing diversity in school library collections. Funding Battle of the Books. Feeding food-insecure families. Reducing youth depression and anxiety. These are just a few of the things we are doing for students and families in the Lake Washington School District. If you care about the success and well-being of students in our community, learn more about Lake Washington Schools Foundation's work by watching our spring benefit video premiere.
Executive Functioning Skills: A Webinar for
Middle & High School Students and Parents
Thursday, May 5 from 7–8 pm
The past two years have not been easy for students. Many have come out of remote learning with a loss of their executive functioning skills. These include how to organize, plan, prioritize, manage time, maintain focus, self-assess, and study efficiently. Join Mary Pat O'Neil, independent college counselor, and Nancy Colburn, certified ADHD coach, as they discuss symptoms of executive function loss, and strategies to improve skills, along with answering audience questions. Register here for our May 5 webinar.
Parent Chat Webinar: Understanding Anger
Wednesday, May 11 at 7 pm
Our next Parent Chat is "Understanding Anger: Strategies for Parents." Identify myths about anger, reflect on the messages we received and those we convey to our kids about anger, and learn anger control and conflict resolution strategies. Register here for our Spring Parent Chat series.
Register Your Child for a Kids Coming Together Event!
Kids Coming Together is a program that provides opportunities for local youth in grades 3–8 to make new friends and connect with their community through service events led by high school students. Check out our calendar of upcoming events!
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Upcoming Dates & Reminders
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May Board 'To Do' List
- Register to attend WSPTACon2022, May 20-22: Make sure to send delegates to vote on bylaws amendments and other association business to support your PTA’s interests.
- Participate in Staff Appreciation Week, May 2–6.
- Work with your PTA's treasurer to set June deadlines for reimbursements. Get the word out to volunteers and school staff.
- Plan transition meetings for outgoing and incoming board members.
- Work with incoming board members to identify candidates for non-elected board and chair positions.
- Hold the last membership meeting to complete unfinished business. Approve budget and approve any changes to standing rules. Review yearly goals & objectives set in September. Consider updating budget to allow for 2021-2022 membership pre-sales. Standing rules updates may include removing reference to an exact membership fee amount and changing to say something such as, “Membership dues will not exceed $15 for an individual member.”
- Report new officers to WSPTA: Input newly elected officers starting May 1 into the Memberplanet membership database system.
- Review the End of Year Database checklist for tasks (located on the Leadership Guides page, under "Membership").
- Charitable Solicitations Renewal due May 31.
- Recognize and thank volunteers for their efforts this past year.
- If your PTA incorporated in May, your annual Corporation Renewal is due on May 31. The annual corporation report is due regardless of your PTA’s annual income and is separate from the Charitable Organization Registration/Renewal.
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Dates
- May 2–6: National Teacher Appreciation Week
- May 5, 9:45 am: Council Membership Meeting
- May 10, 11 am: Sustainability Committee Meeting
- May 11, 6 pm: DEI Committee Meeting
- May 12, Noon: WSPTA Convention Registration Deadline
- May 17, 6:30–8:30 pm: Special Education Group Resource Fair
- May 19, 9:45 am: Council Board Meeting
- May 19, Noon: May Lunch & Learn
- May 20–22: WSPTA Convention 2022
- May 27: LWSD LEAP Day (No School)
- May 30: Memorial Day (No School)
- June 2, 9:45 am: Council Membership Meeting
- June 8, 6 pm: DEI Committee Meeting
- June 16, 9:45 am: Council Board Meeting
- June 17: Last Day of School in LWSD
LWPTSA Council Meeting Dates | Full LWPTSA Calendar | LWSD Calendar
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Corporate Renewals Due
Due in May: Alcott, Clara Barton, Eastlake, Ella Baker, Inglewood, McAuliffe, Rose Hill Elem
Due in June: Carson, Einstein, Franklin, Lake Washington HS, Redmond HS, Rosa Parks, Timberline MS
Full List of LWPTSA Incorporation Dates
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The Lake Washington PTSA Council 2.8 (LWPTSA) serves
local PTAs in the Lake Washington School District.
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