A Word From Council
 Selena Sloan Butler's Legacy
Next week, PTA leaders from across the council, along with administrators, teachers and staff from across the district will meet virtually to celebrate Founders’ Day and the founding of PTA as an organization that works to better children’s education, health and safety. This month we are highlighting the work of Selena Sloan Butler, the founder of the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers (NCCPT). Mrs. Butler was an educator, and when she couldn’t find a preschool for her Black son in any neighborhood in Atlanta, she began a preschool in her own home. Selena knew it was incredibly important for parents to be involved in their children’s education. As her son grew older, she worked tirelessly to improve the education in her child’s public school, and then expanded her efforts city-wide.
In 1911, with the support of other parents, she started the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers (NCCPT) in Atlanta, Georgia, the first organization of its kind in the United States. The programs of the NCCPT were modeled on the National Congress of Teachers and Parents (now known as National PTA). The mission of the NCCPT worked to improve the lives of all children and teachers, regardless of race, in their schools and their homes. This month, as we mark the founding of PTA and as we observe Black History Month, it is important to recognize Selena Sloan Butler and the impact she has had on PTA and public education in the United States. This year marks the 52nd anniversary of the merging of the NCCPT and the National PTA. In 1970, when the two groups joined together into one entity, Selena was posthumously recognized as one of National PTA’s founders.
We look forward to celebrating with our PTA presidents, our school and district administrators, and our special guests next Friday at our Council Founders' Day.
- Brandi Comstock & Yumna Green
LWPTSA Council Co-Presidents
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Roundtable on PTA Enrichment During COVID
Do you have questions about the "PTA Enrichment Guidelines During COVID" that your AVP emailed to you last week? Find answers and support as you navigate managing your organization's enrichment classes in an uncertain and ever-changing landscape. Join LWPTSA Council for a roundtable to network and brainstorm!
When: February 16 at 12 pm
Where: Online via Zoom
Questions: Email Council Co-Presidents Brandi and Yumna at president@lwptsa.net
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We are excited to celebrate Founders' Day 2022 virtually on Friday, February 25. Information for registered attendees was sent this weekend. If you or someone you know did not receive the information, please email founders.day@lwptsa.net.
The event will begin at 11 am with socializing and networking on Airmeet. You will be able to join the event for technical troubleshooting beginning at 10:30 am. Registered attendees will receive their Airmeet invitations by Tuesday.
We look forward to seeing you on Friday, Feb. 25!
Send questions to Felice Nightengale & Deborah Robertson at founders.day@lwptsa.net.
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Nominations for LWPTSA Council Board
 Our Nominating Committee — Felice Nightengale, Jo Sampaio and Susan Davis — is seeking candidates for the Council Board of Directors for next year. If you, or someone you know, has a passion for children/youth and the programs that help them succeed, please consider submitting a nomination for the 2022-2023 Lake Washington PTSA Council Board of Directors. All nominations, including self-nominations, are welcome.
Please send nominations via email to LWPTSA Nominating Committee at nomcomm@lwptsa.net.
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A Message of Thanks
 Lake Washington PTSA Council would like to thank our membership for their support of the three LWSD levies. We would also like to extend sincere thanks to all the PTAs, organizations and individuals who endorsed and supported the levies, and to the Lake Washington Citizens Levy Committee and their volunteers for their tireless efforts to educate the community about the importance of voting yes for these levies. Our community responded, and all three levies are on track to pass. Thank you! You rock!
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Free 'Far From the Tree' Screening
 Presented by LWSD and LWPTSA
On February 25 and 26, join other LWSD families in watching "Far From the Tree," an inspiring and heartwarming documentary film about families meeting extraordinary challenges through love, empathy and understanding, based on the award-winning and best-selling book by Andrew Solomon.
This movie is appropriate viewing for adults and students in middle school and up. For more on the movie's age recommendations and reviews, visit https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/far-from-the-tree.
Registered attendees will receive access to a link to view the movie during a 48-hour window starting on Friday, February 25. The movie will be followed by a roundtable discussion for viewers on Tuesday, March 1 at 6 pm via Zoom.
Register at: https://tinyurl.com/farfromthetreelw
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Grants Available to Local PTAs
Did you know that LWPTSA Council offers grants to local PTAs to help cover the cost of speakers for parent education events and student assemblies? Grant application forms can be found on our website. For more information please feel free to reach out to our parent education chair, Amy Bodie.
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Special Education Group Meeting
Join Special Education Chairs and families and caregivers of students receiving special education services. Meet our new LWPTSA Special Education Co-Chairs and hear from LWSD Executive Director of Special Services, Shannon Hitch.
When: February 18 at 7 pm
Where: Online via Zoom
Please send questions to Huma Zarif and Kaity Mason.
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Lunch & Learn on LWSD Equity Efforts
 Please join us for a discussion with LWSD Director of Equity and Family Engagement, Pablo Ortega, on the topic of LWSD's equity efforts and policies. Register to join this online discussion.
When: February 24 at noon
Where: Online via Zoom
See the Lunch & Learn schedule on our website. If you have any questions, please contact Mindy Lincicome, LWPTSA Council Executive Vice President.
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LWPTSA Scholarships Available
 The Lake Washington PTSA Council is pleased to roll out its 2022 Scholarship Program! Council offers several student scholarships and two $500 staff scholarships every spring. This year’s Student Scholarship Program will include 13 scholarships of $1,250 each:
- 8 Merit scholarships
- 1 LWEA/Teeley scholarship (funded by the LWEA)
- 1 Perseverance scholarship
- 1 Turn Around scholarship
- 1 L.E. Scarr 2-year, technical or vocational scholarship
- 1 At-Large scholarship
Applications for both staff and student scholarships are due by midnight on March 25, 2022. The Scholarship Program is funded by money raised at the Council’s annual Scholarship Auction, by annual donations from the 44 PTSAs in our Council, the LWEA, and by donations from the greater community.
Send questions to Kristen Dorwin at scholarships@lwptsa.net.
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WSPTA Region 2 Training Class
The Region 2 Service Delivery Team will be offering an online training class this week. This is an excellent class for all PTA leaders to attend, regardless of your PTA role.
- Thursday, February 17 at noon: Managing Your Nonprofit
Register online at eventbrite.com.
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WSPTA Awards of Excellence
Any PTA in good standing is eligible to apply for one of the many Washington State PTA's Awards of Excellence. The award application process has changed this year and is completely online. All award applications are due by March 15, 2022. Awards will be recognized at the WSPTA convention in May. Details and applications are located on the WSPTA website.
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National PTA Podcast
The latest Notes From the Backpack podcast (episode 54) is titled "Why Aren't There More Black Teachers?" Guest speaker Sharif El-Mekki discusses how underrepresentation of Black teachers has repercussions for all of our children, and for Black children in particular.
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Superintendent Message
Dr. Jon Holmen, LWSD Superintendent
February has brought with it a number of unique events which I need to recognize, express gratitude for, and consider what is next in this unique school year.
Over the last two years we have been in a constant state of responsiveness as the conditions and requirements related to COVID-19 have shifted and changed. With each shift and change, it has required staff to change their practices, families to develop a new understanding of protocols, and students to adjust their day-to-day protocols. This year we have had two significant surges of COVID, and each had unique features and impacts. The most recent surge of the highly contagious variant created some of the most challenging school conditions that we have had to face.
As you are aware, we have had to deal with a staffing shortage that we have never experienced before. With the rapid decline in cases we are seeing in February, an emergency staffing protocol and over 100 individuals being willing to attain emergency substitute credentials, we have seen less unfilled classroom positions. – continue reading
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Lake Washington Citizens Levy Committee
 Lake Washington Citizens Levy Committee (LWCLC) would like to thank all the PTAs who voted to endorse and support the three LWSD levies on the ballot. PTAs who voted to support and have not yet made a donation to the effort are still welcome to do so. You can use this letter as a request for a donation. Thank you.
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Lake Washington Schools Foundation
Lake Washington Schools Foundation Sponsors Battle of the Books
For the third year in a row, LWSF is supporting academic enrichment and equitable access across the district through the purchase of books and eBooks for the Battle of the Books competition in all LWSD middle schools. Learn more here.
Free College Planning Webinars for High School Students and Parents
Let us help you get ready and feel confident about the college application process! Register for these upcoming Find Your Fit webinars:
Parent Chat Webinar: Mental Wellness Across Cultures
Every culture has a different way of looking at mental health. At the next Parent Chat on February 23, learn how to navigate cultural differences in support of your children's mental health. Register at www.tinyurl.com/BIMWinter2022.
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- Feb. 15, 7 pm: Special Education Group Meeting
- Feb. 16, noon: PTA Roundtable — Enrichment Guidelines During COVID
- Feb. 17, 12 pm: Managing Your Nonprofit Training
- Feb. 24, 9:45 am: Council Board Meeting
- Feb. 24, noon: Lunch and Learn on LWSD Equity Efforts
- Feb. 25, 11 am: Founders' Day Celebration
- Feb. 26–27: Screening of 'Far From the Tree' Documentary
- Mar. 1, 6 pm: Roundtable Discussion on 'Far From the Tree' Documentary
- Mar. 3, 9:45 am: LWPTSA Council Membership Meeting
- Mar. 8, 11 am: Sustainability Committee Meeting
- Mar. 9, 6 pm: DEI Committee Meeting
- Mar. 15, 7 pm: Special Education Group Meeting
- Mar. 17, 9:45 am: Council Board Meeting
- Mar. 17, noon: Lunch & Learn
LWPTSA Council Meeting Dates | Full LWPTSA Calendar | LWSD Calendar | WSPTA Calendar
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About Us
The Lake Washington PTSA Council 2.8 (LWPTSA) serves local PTAs in the Lake Washington School District.
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