A Word from Brandi
As we move into November it is a time many of us are reminded to be thankful. This year has brought many new challenges, personally and professionally. I know, some days I have a hard time being grateful for things that I have. I hope that each of you as something for which you can be thankful. I’d like to take a minute to share my heartfelt gratitude for each of you. I appreciate that you have shown up and that you keep showing up, repeatedly for our students, families, staff, teachers, and community. The care and support you show, the thoughtfulness and deliberation in this new way of PTAing, the meetings and questions and phone calls and emails, the enthusiasm for your programs and the challenges you share; all of these things fill me up and I am appreciative for each and every one of you: the work you are doing, the time and effort you spend, and the fact that so many of you PTA as a verb. I am full of gratitude for the community you are creating for our kids.
Got a question? Please email me at president@lwptsa.net.
|
|
General Membership Meeting Recap
Thanks to all who attended our November membership meeting. Congratulations to Rose Hill Middle School PTSA and Alcott PTSA for winning our Legislative Assembly and Training Challenge drawings respectively. Both PTSAs will receive a paid registration to the 2021 WSPTA Convention! Thanks to the Timberline area PTAs for sharing their signature programs and challenges.
Here are documents shared at the meeting:
The next membership meeting will be Thursday, December 3 at 9:45AM. See the meeting schedule on our website.
|
|
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Co-Chairs
 We are happy to announce the appointment of Sabeet Sidhu and Sequoya Lange as our Council Co-Chairs of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. You can email at diversity@lwptsa.net.
Please help inform our work as we make plans for the year by taking this short Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Survey.
Interested in DEI but don't know where to start? National PTA has many diversity, equity and inclusion resource and a toolkit on their website.
|
|
Virtual Roundtables This Week
Got a question? Need some feedback or support? Join Council at a virtual roundtable discussion this week.
|
|
LWPTSA Scholarship Auction
 Join us online for our first-ever online scholarship auction starting on Nov. 10. Browse and bid on over 50 auction experiences, including cooking classes, local restaurant gift cards, wine tasting, photography packages, artwork, game nights, and more. Individuals can also make a direct donation to the scholarship fund.
Please help us get the word out! Share the auction flyer or postcard with your membership, friends and family. All proceeds go to scholarships for LWSD graduating seniors and continuing education scholarships for staff. Support our students and get some holiday shopping done at the same time!
Thank you to our generous community partners and donors. Thanks for continuing the tradition of giving scholarships.
Auction Opens: Tuesday, November 10 at 8PM
Auction Closes: Wednesday, December 2 at 8PM
Visit the Auction Catalog
Got questions? Please email the Auction Committee at auction@lwptsa.net.
|
|
Council Connections
 Join us for some social time and small group events with Council volunteers. Sign up for any and all topics that pique your interest. Get to know a small group of people and do something fun for yourself. Email president@lwptsa.net with questions.
|
|
Volunteers Wanted
- Nominating Committee - We are looking for two 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!
- Finn Hill Area Vice President - you don't need to live on Finn Hill. You just need a willingness to lend a helping hand and support PTAs.
- Scholarship Committee Chair or Co-Chairs - help us award scholarships to deserving seniors and LWSD staff!
Please email Brandi Comstock with any questions or nominations.
|
|
Financial Reminders
- The 2020 Scholarship Assessment is due now. We have received 37 assessments to date and only 7 are outstanding.
- Insurance Renewal - If your PTA is insured by AIM your coverage ends December 1. Make sure to review coverage with your board to determine if coverage is adequate. For example the Council Board voted to add Media Liability coverage this year.
- IRS Tax forms (990/990EZ) are due November 15. Don't forget to to file Form 8822-B if your responsible party changed this year.
- Financial Review committee - Have you appointed this important committee?
|
|
Sustainability Meeting - Nov 12
Council's next Sustainability Committee meeting is Thursday, November 12 at 7PM. This meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams. Please email the Sustainability Chair for the meeting invite.
Our Sustainability Committee is made up of chairs from PTAs across the district. If you’re interested in learning about sustainability efforts, we encourage you to attend! Please send questions to Sustainability Chair Stephanie Lecovin.
|
|
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:
Bellevue PTSA Council is also sponsoring a class on Civil Discourse - Thu, Nov. 19 at 10AM, registration required.
|
|
|
Would you attend a President training if offered? If yes, email president@lwptsa.net.
|
|
Special Education Group Meeting
 Join us for a special presentation from the TIES Center, the national technical assistance center on inclusive practices and policies. LWSD was selected as the model district for OSPI's Inclusionary Practices Professional Development Project. Twain Elementary is one of the UW Haring Center's demonstration sites!
Learn how to best partner on inclusive remote learning so that all students learn and have their unique needs met.
- Topic: Partnerships to Support Academic Engagement in Inclusive Environments
- When: November 17, 7-8:30PM
- parent networking from 6:30-7PM
- presentation at 7PM
- Where: Zoom link or dial 253-215-8782 with meeting id: 998 0907 7968
Please send questions to the Special Education Group Chairs at specialeducation@lwptsa.net
|
|
Lunch & Learn: LWSD School Options
 Join Dale Cote, LWSD Assistant Superintendent for School Support Services, for a conversation about LWSD's School Options. Bring your lunch and learn with us!
See the Lunch & Learn schedule on our website.
|
|
Understanding Youth Substance Use
 We are pleased to invite Jerry Blackburn of Influence the Choice to shine light on the impact that substance use has on youth development and look at community prevention strategies we can all support. This event will include a panel discussion as well as time for questions.
Please send questions to parent.ed@lwptsa.net
|
|
Reflections Entries to Council
 The time has come where our local PTAs are reviewing Reflections entries and getting ready to send the strongest ones on to the Council-level competition. A big thank you to our local Reflections chairs for the time and energy they are investing to allow our students this opportunity for artistic expression!
Here are quick reference links. They are also posted on our website and in the Facebook group.
If you have any questions or problems, contact Council Co-chairs Tanya Dimpsey and Mindy Lincicome
|
|
LGBTQ+ Panel
Join us for an evening of sharing and learning – find out about supports in our schools and how you can be a valuable ally! Parents, caregivers, guardians, grandparents, aunts, friends, uncles and students are all welcome to attend.
- When: Wednesday, December 2
- Where: 7 – 8:30PM
- Please RSVP here and the webinar link will be sent to you prior to the event.
- Download a flyer to share
Got questions? Please email parent.ed@lwptsa.net
|
|
Eastside Native American Education Program
The Eastside Native American Education Program (ENAEP) is hosting a series of virtual events to celebrate Native American Heritage Month in November. Admission is free.
- Nov 9: Showcasing Flags of our many Nations and a Tlingit Tribe presentation
- Nov 16:ENAEP Native Art Museum
- Nov 23: ENAEP Frybread Cooking Fest
- Nov 30: Favorite Books by Native Authors
All events will be held at 6:30PM via Zoom. For more information or the event link, contact Mary Wilber at mwilber@lwsd.org or 425-936-1402. Learn more about the Eastside Native American Education Program (ENAEP).
|
|
Lake Washington Schools Foundation News
 #LWSFGivesThanks all month long!
As Lake Washington Schools Foundation looks back on 15 years serving the LWSD community, we invite you to join us on a journey of gratitude. During November we’ll be sharing positive stories about local businesses, volunteers, and community members using the hashtag #LWSFGivesThanks. Follow us on Facebook for these heartfelt stories!
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.
- Taming Teen Stress: November 18 at 7:10PM
Got Questions about the College Application Process? The Counselor Is In!
Are you wondering how COVID-19 has impacted college applications? College timeline? Need advice on college essays? Parents and high school students are welcome to bring their questions and independent college counselor Mary Pat O’Neil will provide the answers! For free registration, visit: www.lwsf.org/findyourfit
- The Counselor Is In: November 13 at 4PM
|
|
Washington State PTA Updates
 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.
|
|
LWSD Remote Learning Resources
Have a remote learning question? Please check the Frequently Asked Questions or submit a question.
|
|
|
Upcoming Dates & Reminders
|
|
|
November Board To-Do List
- Review insurance and renew coverage.
- File IRS forms (990 or 990EZ or postcard) by November 15.
- Elect a nominating committee at your next membership meeting.
- Recruit and appoint a financial review committee to prepare for mid-year review in January.
- Review and work on your Standards of Affiliation Checklist.
- Consider what WSPTA Awards of Excellence your PTA is interested in applying for this year and assign responsibilities for who will be filling out the application(s), collecting the supporting documents, and submitting by March 15.
- Was your PTA Incorporated in November? If so, then your annual Corporation Renewal is due 11/30. The annual corporation report is due regardless of your PTA’s annual income and is separate from the Charitable Organization Registration/ Renewal.
|
|
Dates
- Nov 9, 3PM: Middle/High School PTA Roundtable [GoToMeeting link]
- Nov 10, 10AM: Elementary PTA Roundtable [GoToMeeting link]
- Nov 10: LWPTSA Council Scholarship Auction begins
- Nov 11, 5PM: Connections - Crafting Corner, signup here
- Nov 12, 2PM: Advocacy Roundtable [GoToMeeting link]
- Nov 12, 7PM: Connections - Turkey Cupcakes, signup here
- Nov 12, 7PM: Sustainability Committee Meeting [email chair]
- Nov 12, 6PM: Training - Using Digital tools to Communicate with Your Members, register here
- Nov 14, 9AM: PTA and the Law webinar, register here
- Nov 15: IRS tax forms due (990 or 990EZ)
- Nov 16, 7PM: Training - Roles and Responsibilities of the Board
- Nov 17, 10AM: Training - Pump Up Your Communications
- Nov 17, 6:30PM: Special Education Group Meeting
- Nov 17, 7PM: PTA and the Law webinar, register here
- Nov 19, NOON: Lunch and Learn on School Options
- Nov 19: Reflections online turn-in day
LWPTSA Council Meeting Dates | Full LWPTSA Calendar | LWSD Calendar
|
|
Corporate Renewals Due
Due in November: Sandburg, Twain
Due in December: Juanita HS, Kirkland MS and RSAR
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.
|
|
|
|
