A Word From Council
 One of the beautiful things about PTA is that it is a dynamic organization that embraces change. Thanks to term limits and yearly elections, there is always an opportunity for new leaders to get involved.
LWPTSA Council is actively looking to grow new PTA leaders. We have a number of open board positions for 2022-23, and as co-presidents, we would love to talk to you about our open positions and answer any questions you may have. We sincerely hope you will consider joining our team!
Brandi Comstock and Yumna Green, LWPTSA Council Co-Presidents
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April Membership Meeting Recap
Thank you to all who attended our membership meeting on April 14. Here are the draft minutes and documents shared at the meeting:
The next membership meeting will be Thursday, May 5 at 9:45 am. See the meeting schedule on our website. Any questions? Please contact our LWPTSA Council Co-Presidents.
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TOMORROW
Come Learn About ALICE Protocols in LWSD
Quick Links: Register | Email Questions | Download a Flyer to Share
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THIS WEEK
Adulting 101 Workshop
Quick Links: Register | Email Questions | Download a Flyer to Share
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Timberline Middle PTSA, You Rock!
 This month’s You Rock! Award goes to Timberline Middle School PTSA for their “MLK Day On” service event. More than 70 students and family members participated in service projects to provide comfort items for victims of trauma and isolation. Well done, Timberwolves!
The You Rock! Award recognizes LWPTSA Council PTSAs or individuals in the district who, through time, creativity and community, help students build for the future by doing something worth sharing with the rest of the district. You Rock! Awards are presented at monthly Council member meetings. Nominate a worthy recipient!
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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 on May 5, 2002 at 9:45 am. If you are interested or have questions about these roles, please contact our Council Co-Presidents.
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Register Now for WSPTA Convention
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.
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More WSPTA News & Events
Tomorrow: WSPTA 2022 Legislative Debrief
Register to join online to hear from WSPTA Legislative Consultant Marie Sullivan, as she recaps the 2022 legislative session and looks at bills that didn’t pass that might make good positions for our Fall Legislative Assembly. The evening will end with a Q&A.
When: Tuesday, April 26, from 7–8:30 pm
Where: Online via Zoom; register here
 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:
Help Plan Next Year's Reflections Program
 The WSPTA Reflections committee has developed a survey to help plan for the 2022-2023 program. This survey should only take a few minutes and is geared toward Reflections chairs or coordinators on a local level. Please share the survey link with them. The survey closes on April 30.
Essay, Game Development & Scholarship Awards Celebration
Register here to attend this virtual program celebrating our essay and game development contest winners and scholarship recipients. We will hear authors' winning essays and view game programs. Share your congratulations with these inspiring students through the live chat feature.
When: Thursday, April 28, from 6:30–7:30 pm
Where: Online via Zoom; register here
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NPTA News
Teacher Appreciation Week Toolkit
May 2–6
The pandemic has ushered in a new way of teaching and learning. From in-person to virtual to hybrid learning (some all in one school year!), our students have faced challenging yet innovative times in their learning and development—and teachers have been at the heart of it all! It's time to give the educators in our lives a special thanks for all that they do during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 2–6.
National PTA has assembled a toolkit containing downloadable and digital resources to help thank the deserving teachers in your schools.
2022-2023 Reflections Theme: Show Your Voice!
 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.
Share How You PTA
 How does your PTA promote its value? NPTA is seeking examples of annual reports (video, print or web-based), one-pagers and/or videos created by PTAs to tell your community what you've done during the year and how your PTA provides value. Examples may be from current or past years. Send us your examples by May 1. National PTA may share your examples to train others.
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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 on 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
Witness Our Programs at Work in the LWSD
Be the Bridge Spring Benefit—April 28 at Noon
Are you a parent or relative of a student in the Lake Washington School District? Are you an LWSD staff member? Do you care about the success and well-being of students in our community? If so, you'll want to go behind the scenes with us to see our programs at work, hear stories of resilience and kindness, and witness how we are making a difference for students in the Lake Washington School District!
Hurry! Grab your FREE TICKET to watch our livestream spring benefit!
Parent Chat Webinar: Anxiety in Elementary-Aged Children
Wednesday, April 27 at 7 pm
Anxiety in young people continues to be on the rise, sometimes starting at a very early age. At our next Parent Chat, learn to recognize the signs of anxiety and to use strategies to support your elementary-aged child. 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. Our next event is:
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.
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Upcoming Dates & Reminders
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April Board 'To Do' List
- At your April board meeting, have the budget committee present the budget. The board votes to recommend it to the membership at the next membership meeting.
- Elect new 2022-2023 officers and approve the proposed budget at a membership meeting. Your proposed slate of officers must be publicly published 15 days prior to the election at your membership meeting. Officers must be elected by June 30, but sooner allows time for transitions and training. Report newly elected officers to WSPTA in May when requested.
- Make plans to attend WSPTA's convention in May. This hybrid convention will be held virtually and in person (Lynnwood Convention Center), May 20-22, and counts as training for next school year.
- Consider recognizing volunteers with a Golden Acorn or other WSPTA individual award.
- Plan for Staff Appreciation Week, May 2–6. Harvest ideas on how to create a unique program to show your school's staff how much they are appreciated.
- Was your PTA incorporated in April? If so, then your annual Corporation Renewal is due April 30. The annual corporation report is due regardless of your PTA’s annual income and is separate from the Charitable Organization Registration/Renewal, which is due May 31.
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Dates
- April 26, 7 pm: Active Assailant Protocols (ALICE) in LWSD
- April 28, 9:45 am: Council Board Meeting
- April 28, Noon: LWSF "Be the Bridge" Spring Benefit
- April 30, 11 am: Adulting 101 Interactive Workshop
- May 2–6: National Teacher Appreciation Week
- May 5, 9:45 am: Council Membership Meeting
- May 11, 6 pm: DEI Committee Meeting
- May 19, 9:45 am: Council Board Meeting
- May 20–22: WSPTA Convention 2022
LWPTSA Council Meeting Dates | Full LWPTSA Calendar | LWSD Calendar
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Corporate Renewals Due
Due in April: Evergreen, ICS, Redmond MS, Rockwell
Due in May: Alcott, Clara Barton, Eastlake, Ella Baker, Inglewood, McAuliffe, Rose Hill Elem
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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