A Word From the Presidents
This week we celebrate the founding of PTA with our annual Founders' Day celebration. It is the second consecutive year that our celebration will be a virtual one. PTA presidents, school principals and up to 3 additional guests per PTA are welcome to attend. We look forward to seeing many of our PTA leaders, along with district administrators, teachers and staff on Friday as we take the time to highlight our Reflections program, recognize our PTA award winners, and honor the legacy of PTA—an organization that works to better all children’s education, health and safety.
Sincerely,
Brandi Comstock and Yumna Green
president@lwptsa.net
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We are excited to celebrate Founders' Day 2022 virtually this Friday, February 25. Each PTA may invite 5 attendees, and registered attendees will receive their Airmeet invitations by Tuesday.
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.
If you have questions or if someone you know does not receive their invitation, please email founders.day@lwptsa.net.
We look forward to seeing you on Friday!
Felice Nightengale & Deborah Robertson
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Nominating Committee Seeks Recommendations for Next Year's Board
 The LWPTSA Council board meets the third Thursday of the month during the school year, and meetings are typically held during the day. Board members also attend the monthly membership meeting on the first Thursday of the month.
This week we're featuring the position of secretary. The board secretary is responsible for providing timely and accurate minutes for LWPTSA Council board and membership meetings. They also manage attendance and contact lists for the local units. The secretary attends two agenda-planning meetings a month. The total time commitment is a couple hours a week. This position can be held between two people. If you or someone you know would be a good fit for this position, please send their name and contact information to nomcomm@lwptsa.net.
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Lunch & Learn: LWSD Equity Efforts
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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Free Screening: 'Far From the Tree' Documentary
 Presented by LWSD and LWPTSA
February 25 through 27, LWSD families are invited to watch a free screening of "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 Common Sense Media.
Registered attendees will receive access to a link to view the movie during a 72-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: tinyurl.com/farfromthetreelw
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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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Parent Education Grants
Did you know that 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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Training Opportunities
Every elected PTA officer needs to attend one WSPTA-approved training class each year. And every board needs to have one elected officer attend PTA and the Law each year.
 Here are upcoming WSPTA-approved training opportunities:
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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 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 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 55) is titled "Helping Kids Understand Money." Jen Hemphill, certified financial planner and host of Her Dinero Matters shares tips from her experience as an accredited financial advisor and as a mom. Learn how to talk about money with children of all ages and how you can help them to become financially responsible It is now live on the National PTA's website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and several other podcast platforms.
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Lake Washington Schools Foundation News
LWSF 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 e-books for the Battle of the Books competition in all LWSD middle schools. Learn more here
Save the Date for Our Annual 'Be The Bridge' Spring Benefit
Mark your calendar! On Thursday, April 28 at noon, join us for an engaging livestream experience to hear inspirational stories, laugh with entertaining speakers, and learn how your contribution can "be the bridge" to success for students in our community!
Learn more at www.lwsf.org/be-the-bridge. Registration opens soon!
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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Upcoming Dates & Reminders
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February Board To-Do List
- Make sure your nominating committee is in place to prepare for 2022-2023 officer elections this spring.
- Conduct a mid-year financial review as a best practice. An annual financial review is required by many insurance providers.
- Apply for WSPTA membership awards for 100% staff and/or 100% membership.
- Apply for WSPTA Awards of Excellence. The deadline to apply for these awards is March 15.
- Advertise WSPTA's student programs: the WSPTA Essay Contest, WSPTA Scholarship Program, and WSPTA Game Development Competition. The deadline for these programs is March 1.
- Was your PTA Incorporated in February? If so, then your annual Corporation Renewal is due 2/28. Please note that for this year, PTAs that file their annual corporate reports in January and February will need to do so using the paper forms because the Secretary of State's online filing system will be unavailable. In addition, the cost of the filing fee has increased. 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
- 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. 25–27: Screening of 'Far From the Tree' Documentary
- Mar. 1, 6 pm: Roundtable Discussion on 'Far From the Tree' Documentary
- Mar. 2, 10 am: Effective Budgets Training Class – Register
- Mar. 3, 6 pm: PTA & the Law Training Class – Register
- Mar. 4, 9:45 am: Council Membership Meeting
- Mar. 7, 7 pm: Managing Your Nonprofit Training Class – Register
LWPTSA Council Meeting Dates | Full LWPTSA Calendar | LWSD Calendar
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Corporate Renewals Due
Due in February: Audubon, Kamiakin MS, Redmond El, Rush, Thoreau
Due in March: Dickinson, Finn Hill MS, Juanita El, Keller
See full list of LWPTSA incorporation dates.
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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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