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A weekly newsletter from Lake Washington PTSA Council 2.8.
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Weekly Waves

News to Use Right Now
October 26, 2020

A Word from Brandi

Brandi Comstock, LWPTSA Council PresidentWe are looking for a new person to serve as the Area VP for the Finn Hill area. You don’t have to live in or near the Finn Hill area, but you do need to have an interest in helping to support PTAs. Email me with questions or interest.  

We are building out our training schedule for the next two months and want to hear from you! Please fill out this brief form to let us know which classes you would like to take.   We are also happy to host an individual training for your board!

The district has provided clarification regarding PTA funding of teacher and staff equipment and supplies while working from home. PTAs are discouraged from providing grants for at-home equipment, including chairs, monitors and printers. Teachers and staff do have the ability to check out supplies from their school and the district to be used at home, although we know that not every item staff may want is on that list. Using PTA grant monies to purchase or reimburse equipment may result in purchasing equipment that does not work well with district technology. Purchasing monitors and furniture also creates issues of support, inventory, and equity across the district. School staff do have funds available to them to purchase supplies to work from home.

Got a question? Please email me at president@lwptsa.net.
Submit a Training Request

Join the Nominating Committee

We are looking for three volunteers to serve on the LWPTSA Council Nominating Committee. Our Standing Rules require us to have a Nominating Committee elected by our December Meeting. Serving on the Nominating Committee is a great way to learn about council and is a limited time commitment!  Please email Brandi Comstock with any questions or nominations.

Training Challenge & Opportunities

trainingEvery 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. Did you know that folks who attended classes at the 2020 WSPTA Convention in May have fulfilled this training requirement?

All of our PTA boards that meet WSPTA training requirements before the end of October are eligible for a drawing to win one admission to the Washington State PTA Convention. To enter this drawing, PTAs should email secretary@lwptsa.net by October 30 once all training requirements are met. Congratulations to the following three PTAs who have been entered into the drawing so far: LWHS PTSA, Redmond HS PTSA and Tesla STEM PTSA.

Here are upcoming WSPTA-approved training opportunities: Need training? LWPTSA Council is here to help. Drop us a line! Find lists of WSPTA-approved training classes we can provide on our website.

Connecting With Council

We are excited to add a fun new Council social program!  
We would like to invite you to join us for some social time and events with a small group of people interested in the same topic as you.  Feel free to join one group, or multiple groups as you like.  We are keeping these groups intentionally small and we hope you'll make some connections.    
Yoga Me: Monday, November 2, 5 pm
Crafting Corner: Wednesday, November 11, 5 pm
Talking (Cupcake) Turkey: Thursday, November 12, 7 pm  

Scholarship Assessments Due Nov. 5

stopwatch with word deadlineWe are looking forward to another successful scholarship program this year, and local PTA participation is key! Our scholarship program is largely supported through our auction and through an annual assessment from each local PTSA. Each PTA is assessed $125 towards this program annually.

To date council has received assessments from the following PTAs: 
  • Audubon PTSA, Ella Baker PTSA, Dickinson PTSA, Lakeview PTSA, Mann PTA, Wilder PTSA
  • Finn Hill Middle PTSA, Redmond Middle PTSA, Rose Hill Middle School PTSA, Timberline Middle School PTSA
  • Eastlake High PTSA, International Community School PTSA, Juanita High PTSA, Lake Washington High PTSA, Tesla STEM PTSA
Please use this invoice to submit assessments. Send invoice questions to Anmol Bhate, LWPTSA Council Treasurer

Reflections Training Tonight!

Please join us this evening to review and discuss the process LWPTSA Council will use for collecting the Reflections entries advancing from our local PTAs.  We are also happy to answer other questions you may have about the Reflections program!  We will post the presentation to the LWPTSA Council Reflections Facebook group and to the Council website after the session.

When: Mon, Oct 26, 2020 7 - 8PM
Where: Join online at https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/151771333
Or dial (669) 224-3412 with Access Code: 151-771-333

If you have questions please contact Council Reflections Chairs Tanya & Mindy at reflections@lwptsa.net.

Reflections Theme Contest

Reflections Theme SearchNational PTA is seeking a theme for the 2022-2023 Reflections program year. The student who submits the winning entry will receive $100 and his or her theme will be presented at the annual National PTA Convention in June 2021.

2020-2021 Reflections Theme Search Entry Form. The due date for submitting a theme search entry is November 1, 2020.

Scan and submit signed entries by email to laura.peterson@wastatepta.org.

Scholarship Auction Details - Due Nov. 5

Scholarship AuctionThank you for your creativity and flexibility to help make this auction happen this year! We are thrilled with all of the amazing experiences that will be offered. Auction experiences need to be turned in by Nov. 5. 

If your auction experience is being hosted by a member (i.e. a cooking class) and you do not have a gift card from a business, please fill out this gift certificate template or create your own. This way, it will be clear what is being gifted, when it expires, and other important details.

Digital Turn In:
  • Send auction experience (gift cards, etc.) to auction@lwptsa.net. A confirmation email receipt will be sent in return
  • Include: the name of your PTSA, estimated value of your experience, brief description, auction experience gift card or certificate
  • Digital items can be turned in starting now until Nov. 5 (the earlier the better to help us get the online auction set up)
In-Person Turn In:
  • Sign up for a turn in time on Nov. 4 or 5. If there is not one available when your are, just let us know. We will help figure it out. 
  • Include: the name of your PTSA, estimated value of your experience, brief description, auction experience gift card or certificate.
The online scholarship auction will take place from Nov. 10 - Dec. 2. All proceeds go towards the LWPTSA scholarship fund. For over thirty years, the LWPTSA Council has awarded scholarships to LWSD seniors and staff. Got questions? Please email the Auction Committee at auction@lwptsa.net.

Voter Tool Kit

vote buttonYour voice counts! Our Voter Tool Kit gives you all the dates and information in one place. 

All Washington State ballots were mailed by October 16 and King County ballot drop boxes opened on October 16. Got questions? Email Jason Moore, LWPTSA Advocacy VP, at advocacy@lwptsa.net

Legislative Assembly Recap

Over 50 PTA members from our Council attended WSPTA's Legislative Assembly this weekend. 
Here are the Top 5 Legislative Priorities for 2020-2021:
  1. Increase Access to Nursing, Mental Health, and Social Emotional Learning Staff
  2. Support Students and Preserve Education Funding
  3. Increasing Educational Equity by Closing the Digital Divide
  4. Supports and Funding for Students with Disabilities and Their Families
  5. Prevent and Reduce Gun Violence and Suicide
Visit the WSPTA website for further details.

Thank you to all of the delegates who shared their weekend to help support our kids and communities!
District & Partner News

Apply for Free & Reduced-Price Meal Programs

While all students may be provided free meals through the end of December, it is still critical that eligible families complete the application this fall. Information obtained from meal applications is used to determine student eligibility for a number of school programs. In addition, the information drives funding and supports to schools.

The application process is simple and confidential. There are no citizenship requirements for participation, and immigration status is not requested or disclosed.

Download the application at lwsd.org/meals
Download a flyer to share with your communities.

Facility Feedback Wanted by Oct. 30

The LWSD Facility Advisory Committee (FAC) is offering an opportunity to tour a virtual “open house” to learn about their recommendations, and to provide feedback before they move their recommendations to the School Board for approval. Visit this website to provide feedback https://lwsdgrowth.participate.online/. This feedback opportunity is open now through October 30, 2020. Visit the LWSD Facility Advisory Committee’s webpage for more information about the committee.

Bienestar Emocional Para La Familia

Padres Unidos por la Educación RHS is hosting a series of emotional wellbeing workshops virtually via Zoom over the next 3 Mondays (October 26, November 2, November 9) . The workshops will be conducted in Spanish by Susana Valencia. Download the flyer.

For more info, visit Padres Unidos por la Educación RHS on Facebook.

Washington State PTA Updates

Washington State PTA logoThe 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: 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.

Screenagers Film Invitation

Screenagers logoAudubon Elementary PTSA would like to invite LWSD families to a virtual screening of Screenagers - Growing Up in the Digital Age. Recommended for ages 10+.

Register for the screening here. This screening opportunity is available now through November 6, 2020.

Lake Washington Schools Foundation News

LWSF logo Be All in for Kids - Donate Today!
We are in the final week of our annual All in for Kids Fall Fundraiser! We are so appreciative of the donations that we have received from the LWSD community! The funding raised by this campaign is essential to providing the programs we bring to LWSD students. If you are able, please make a gift at: www.lwsf.org/allinforkids2020

Balance in Mind Parent Chats
Talk with mental health experts and other parents in a safe and supportive environment. For details and registration go to: www.lwsf.org/youthmentalwellness.  
- Supporting Your Child as they Navigate Painful Experiences: November 4 and November 18 at 7:10PM

Pantry Packs Update!
Weekend food packs have begun distribution to schools and students across LWSD! If you know of a student who is experiencing food insecurity, please reach out to the school’s Pantry Packs Coordinator. To learn more about the program visit: www.lwsf.org/pantrypacks

LWSF is searching for Ambassadors at every school
Ambassadors are key communication liaisons between your school and the Foundation to help keep school communities informed on upcoming events, activities and more! Email Maya@lwsf.org to learn more and see how you can get involved. 

National PTA News

LWSD Remote Learning Resources

  • Free Meals - LWSD offers free meals daily to children ages 1-18. Get details and pre-order at lwsd.org/meals
  • Childcare Resources - Emergency or critical support for families that cannot otherwise be with their children during the day due to work responsibilities outside of the home.
  • Community Resources - Resources including health, wellness, food, finances, technology, Internet, legal and more.
  • Technology Support - Family technology access support is available seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for student laptop, passwords and other technology questions. Email: ftaccess@lwsd.org or call 425-936-1322
Have a remote learning question? Please check the Frequently Asked Questions or submit a question.
Upcoming Dates & Reminders

October Board To-Do List

  • Elect a nominating committee at your next membership meeting. 
  • Review and work on your Standards of Affiliation Checklist.
  • Complete all elected officer and board training by the end of October and send confirmation to secretary@lwptsa.net
  • Upload membership records into memberplanet.
  • Was your PTA Incorporated in October?  If so, then your annual Corporation Renewal is due 10/31. The annual corporation report is due regardless of your PTA’s annual income and is separate from the Charitable Organization Registration/ Renewal.

Dates

  • 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
LWPTSA Council Meeting Dates  | Full LWPTSA Calendar | LWSD Calendar

Corporate Renewals Due

Due in October: Mead
Due in November: Sandburg, Twain
See full list of LWPTSA incorporation dates

About Us

The Lake Washington PTSA Council 2.8 (LWPTSA) serves local PTAs in the Lake Washington School District. 

Our Partners

Weekly Waves is edited by: LWPTSA Council Communications Chair Sarah Rock and LWPTSA Council President: Brandi Comstock. Email us at waves@lwptsa.net
Award - Standards of Excellence Award Winner - PTAs Taking Significant Action  
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Copyright © 2020 LWPTSA Council 2.8, All rights reserved.


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