President's Message
 As most of us have heard before, “It isn’t the destination, but the journey that is important,” and this is so true for PTA. The best part of PTA isn’t our programs, after-school activities, or the meetings – it is building a community that is connected with one another. Our PTA journey and our connections are different this year, and it is important for us to foster our bonds and build our relationships with one another.
I am thrilled to see how our local PTAs have pivoted to provide support and connection within our communities. I’ve seen relationship building happening through virtual pumpkin patches, spirit days, membership campaigns, after-school programs, staff appreciation days, and much more! LWPTSA Council has also worked to modify our programming and continue to connect, support, and serve as a relevant resource to our member PTAs, our students, schools, families and communities. We had an amazing response to our 4th Annual New and International Families Welcome Event that was held virtually, in partnership with the LWSD. Our monthly Special Education Group Meetings have continued to have incredible attendance. Our Parent Education programs have had over 250 people sign up to attend. Our Scholarship Auction has transitioned from an in-person event to an online auction with the focus this year being on experiences rather than things. Our Reflections program has moved online and our Council Reflections Chairs are keeping up with the new program changes from National and Washington State PTA, all while supporting our enthusiastic local Reflections Chairs. We have also seen increased interest in our PTAs attending Legislative Assembly this weekend and sharing their time and voices to advocate for our children at the state and local level.
Time and again, we see our PTA leaders changing course to meet the needs of our families. This year is so different from any other year, and yet we are continuing to see our PTA leaders be “PTA-flexible” and do their best to create connection and build relationships – even as we’re at home. To steal from popular culture, this may be the most dramatic school year yet, but we are all here for the right reasons, and on this journey together.
- Brandi Comstock, LWPTSA Council President
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October is Disability History Month!
 LWPTSA Council Special Education group presents:
- Understanding Legacy: Disability Rights History in the US by Eric Warwick, Defending Democracy Fellow for the Western States Center
Learn about disability history and its implications for the present-day movement to build towards disability justice.
- When: Tuesday, October 20
- parent networking from 6:30 - 7PM
- presentation from 7 - 8:30PM
- Where: Join via GoToMeeting Or dial (646) 749-3122 with Access Code: 343-200-021
Please send questions to the Special Education Group Chairs at specialeducation@lwptsa.net
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National PTA Grant Update
 We are pleased to share some of the work underway that came out of The National PTA’s Transformative Family Engagement and Whole Child Learning Grant received by LWPTSA Council in the spring of 2019.
Findings from parent focus groups held in the summer of 2019 were collected, shared and discussed with key stakeholders. One key finding was that some parents, and in particular families from other countries, felt they needed more supports as their children moved from elementary into middle schools and again from middle into high schools. The grant committee created a Tool Kit for families whose students are moving up to 6th and 9th grades and into new schools. The Tool Kit contains information parents view as essential to supporting kids in school – in other words – a tool kit for parents by parents, with key inputs from school staff and administration. Here is a sample of a generalized high school tool kit.
Join us for a Tool Kit presentation on Thursday, October 22 at 7PM.
Online via GoToMeeting or dial 872-240-3212 with Access Code: 652-600-357
In the coming months, Council will focus on the 4 I’s of family and community engagement: Inclusive, Individualized, Integrated and Impactful. We will work with local PTSAs on how to practically apply the 4 I’s and take their events to an exciting and important new level of family engagement.
For questions contact Irene Neumann and Swarnima Aswinkumar, Grant Co-Chairs, at engagementgrant@lwptsa.net.
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WSPTA Legislative Assembly
We aren't able to socialize in person during Legislative Assembly, so we want to socialize virtually! We will be hosting a LWPTSA Council Social and Game Night on Friday, October 23 for all attendees from our council. Please join us at 7PM for a game, a place to socialize and chat, or a time to discuss the upcoming legislative issues and votes. Zoom link or Meeting ID: 938 2328 2537 and Passcode: 478475
Legislative Assembly general sessions will take place on Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25. The business will include voting on the standing rules, proposed legislative issues, principles, and resolutions.
NOTE: All voting delegates should have received emails from Zoom on Saturday, October 17, and Sunday, October 18. Voting delegates will also receive an email the day before each session. If you don't see the emails, first check your junk folder, then contact WSPTA support at support@wastatepta.org.
Visit WSPTA's Legislative Assembly web page for additional information.
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The Time for Reflections
 Every year, National PTA and all of its affiliates give students of all ages and abilities the opportunity to express their artistic creativity. This year, visual arts, photography, literature, music composition, film production and dance entries will demonstrate the theme, "I Matter Because...".
Over 35 PTAs in Lake Washington PTSA Council will collect entries in the next couple of weeks which will then be evaluated and the highest scoring works from each local PTA will advance to the LWPTSA Council for another round of judging. We are excited as our PTAs have adapted to allow for electronic submission and evaluation so that this amazing program can continue in our current socially-distanced, remote-learning circumstances!
In addition to entries for this year, students have the opportunity to express their creativity by participating in a contest to propose the theme for the Reflections program two years from now (2022-23!).
Local PTA chairs are invited to join us for our second training/Q&A session on Monday, October 26 at 7PM where we will explain the electronic submission process for Council. More information about this year's Reflection program can be found on the LWPTSA website.
Tanya Dimpsey and Mindy Lincicome, LWPTSA Council Reflections Co-Chairs
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Save the Date: Council Scholarship Auction
November 10 - December 2
 This year, we are doing things differently. The Council Scholarship Auction will be online for the first time! You are invited to bid on experiences from the comfort of your own home from Nov. 10 - Dec. 2. The online auction link will be posted on our website once it is live. New this year, we will be accepting direct donations for scholarships. Don't miss the opportunity to help raise funds to recognize the amazing work of Lake Washington School District seniors and staff. All proceeds go to the LWPTSA Council Scholarship Fund.
We began our scholarship program over 35 years ago to assist graduating seniors and staff across the district with the costs of continuing education. We thank our local PTSAs and our community partners such as the LWSD Central Leadership team, Lake Washington Schools Foundation, Lake Washington Education Association and individual donors to help make this a successful virtual event.
Thanks for continuing the tradition of giving scholarships. For questions, please email auction@lwptsa.net.
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You Rock: Samantha Smith Elementary PTSA
 Samantha Smith Elementary PTSA was awarded LWPTSA Council’s You Rock! Award at our October 2020 General Member Meeting for promoting community spirit and engagement. Read more about some of the things they did.
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 across our council. We look forward to celebrating some of the amazing work that goes on in our council. Don’t hesitate to nominate a person, committee or program from your PTA. To submit a You Rock nomination please email yourock@lwptsa.net
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October Membership Meeting Recap
Thanks to everyone who attended our Council Membership meeting on October 1, 2020. Here are documents that summarize the meeting:
Don't forget all PTAs in our council have two opportunities to win free registration to the 2021 WSPTA Convention. All PTAs that participate in Legislative Assembly and send confirmation of registration to secretary@lwptsa.net by October 23 will have one drawing entry. And in addition, all PTAs that complete officer training and email secretary@lwptsa.net by October 30 will have one drawing entry. Drawing results will be shared at the November membership meeting to be held the evening of November 5 at 7PM.
See the meeting schedule on our website. Any questions? Contact Brandi Comstock, LWPTSA Council President
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Brown Bags renamed to Lunch & Learns
 In response to feedback from the community, LWPTSA Council is changing the name of our Brown Bag events to Lunch and Learn events. You still provide your lunch and we still provide the speakers. Same format, different name.
Thank you to our community members who joined us for our first event of the year - LWSD Equity Efforts and Policies with Gloria Henderson, LWSD Director of Opportunity, Equity and Inclusion. Gloria's slide deck is available on our website for a limited time. Our next Lunch and Learn will take place at noon on November 19, 2020 and our topic will be School Options. The meeting link for that event will be published in early November. See the 2020-2021 schedule on our website. If you have any questions, please contact Yumna Green, LWPTSA Council Executive Vice President.
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New & International Families Welcome Events
Our 4th annual welcome events were a great success. We are thankful to collaborate with Lake Washington School District on this program to welcome new families to our communities. Thank you to all who helped spread word of these events. Here are links to videos and more for PTAs to share.
Questions? Contact Danit Erlich, VP of Family and Community Engagement.
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Voter Tool Kit
 Your voice counts! Our Voter Tool Kit gives you all the key dates and info in one place. All Washington state ballots were mailed by October 16 and King County ballot drop boxes opened on October 16.
Join our LWPTSA advocacy social media group or email Jason Moore, LWPTSA Advocacy VP, with questions.
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Superintendent's Message
Dr. Jon Holmen, LWSD Superintendent
Annually, October is recognized as National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Our children, aside from remote learning, have a higher level of access and opportunity to potentially explore and communicate through digital applications, wireless phones, internet browsers, and video game consoles. As a parent, it feels like a never-ending journey to set and maintain appropriate boundaries and safeguards. It is an important part of parenting today to maintain diligence and persistence related to the online content and spaces being frequented by our children.
As adults, we are also at risk of falling victim to a cyber-security breach or hack. Our continued vigilance and awareness can keep us and our families safe from those seeking to harm us in the digital world. Continue Reading
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School Board Message
Mark Stuart, LWSD School Board Vice President
Not even the combined talents of Ray Bradbury, Rod Serling and Stephen King at their most creative peaks could have dreamed up a more bizarre world for teachers to teach in or students to learn in… or, especially parents to work and parent in.
Remote learning, synchronous, hot spots, asynchronous… all words I doubt were in our collective vocabularies regarding schools until 2020. This month, just when we thought we had encountered every obstacle to teaching, learning, and living, Mother Nature threw in a windstorm causing sporadic power outages interrupting lessons and tossing students, teachers and parents into a maze of undesired constraints. Continue Reading
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Bienestar Emocional Para La Familia
Padres Unidos por la Educación RHS was awarded a Lake Washington PTSA Council Parent Ed grant last school year for a series of emotional wellbeing workshops but had to reschedule due to COVID-19. We are happy to announce they will be hosting the workshops virtually via Zoom over four Mondays starting October 19. The workshops conducted in Spanish presented by Susana Valencia. Download the flyer.
For more info, visit Padres Unidos por la Educación RHS on Facebook.
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Lake Washington Schools Foundation News
 Go "All in for Kids” with LWSF
The Lake Washington Schools Foundation recognizes the challenges faced by LWSD students and families and continues to adapt and innovate to meet the changing and growing needs of the LWSD community! Your support will provide youth mental wellness resources, food for food-insecure students, mentoring for young students, college-prep support, and much more. We can’t do this without you! Join us in being “All in for Kids” by donating at: www.lwsf.org/allinforkids2020
Join Balance in Mind for Parent Chat! Talk with mental health experts and other parents in a safe and supportive environment. Get details and register for Parent Chats.
- Parenting a Child with Special Needs: October 21 at 7:10PM
- Supporting Your Child as they Navigate Painful Experiences: November 4 and November 18 at 7:10PM
Upcoming Find Your Fit events! Independent college counselor Mary Pat O’Neil offers “office hours” to address questions about the college application process. Find Your Fit events are FREE to attend but registration is required.
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Washington State PTA Updates
 The WSPTA Essay Contest explores the important and varied influencers in the lives and education of children. The Essay Contest is open to all students in K-12 across the state. The application deadline is March 1, 2021. Find guidelines, application forms and more on the WSPTA website.
The WSPTA Game Development Competition is open to students in grades 9-12 attending a school with a PTA in good standing. New this year: to ensure all students have an equal opportunity to participate, a new category has been added for best board game. No prior knowledge of programming is required. This year's theme is Hope. The deadline for submissions is March 1, 2021, and information can be found here.
Amendments for the WSPTA Uniform Bylaws are due by 11:59 pm on November 15, 2020. Access the submission form.
Washington State PTA Officer Nominations will be accepted up until 11:59 pm on November 15, 2020. Learn more and submit a nomination on the WSPTA website.
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OSPI K–12 Internet Access Program
The K–12 Internet Access Program was announced October 1. It allows students from low-income families to connect to their learning online from home at no cost to them. OSPI will cover the costs of internet connectivity for eligible students for the remainder of the 2020–21 school year. Read the announcement.
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- Oct 20, 6:30PM: Special Education Group October Meeting [GoToMeeting link]
- Oct 21: Wear Orange for Unity Day
- Oct 22, 7PM: School Transitions Tool Kit Presentation [GoToMeeting link]
- Oct 23: Contest Deadline for submitting Legislative Assembly Registrations to secretary@lwptsa.net
- Oct 23, 7PM: LWPTSA Council Social & Game Night [Zoom link]
- Oct 24-25: WSPTA Legislative Assembly
- Oct 26, 7PM: Reflections Q&A [GoToMeeting link]
- Oct 30: Contest Deadline for submitting completed officer training to secretary@lwptsa.net
- Nov 5, 7PM: LWPTSA Council General Membership Meeting
- Nov 10: LWPTSA Council Scholarship Auction begins
- Nov 12, 10AM: Sustainability Committee Meeting
- Nov 17, 6:30PM: Special Education Group October Meeting
- Nov 19, NOON: November Lunch and Learn on School Options
See more dates on the Lake Washington PTSA Council 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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