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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
January 11, 2021

A Word from BrandiBrandi Comstock, LWPTSA Council President

Hello fellow PTA leaders. I know that this first week back to school after the break has been full of news, some of it positive and hopeful, and some of it challenging and emotional as there is a lot going on in the country and right here in our own community. I very much want to reiterate to you all that it is incredibly important to take some time for yourselves – even if it is five minutes a day to do something that recharges you.  As I am sitting and writing this article, I received a message in a group text, “…so, I’m pretty wrung out to be honest.” I think that is how so many of us are feeling. It is okay to feel your feelings and take time to “put on your own oxygen mask.” In case you’re wondering, the general consensus in the group text was, “Stay away from social media, put on your shoes, and head outside for a walk.” I am taking that advice and I hope you can do that too.

PTA Impact - Survey Response Requested

We are looking for your feedback regarding all 44 PTAs impact to our schools and community. Please have one person from your PTA fill out this brief survey regarding your budget and planning from the 2019-2020 school year (LAST year). Please complete the survey by January 15 so that we are able to compile the information for the district and the school board. All information will be presented as a summary and no individual PTA will have their information shared. Thank you for your help!
Complete the Survey
Got a question? Please email me at president@lwptsa.net.

Membership Meeting Recap

Thanks to all who attended our January 2021 membership meeting last week.
  • Congratulations to Margaret Mead PTSA for earning a You Rock! award for their How To video series
  • Thanks to the Rose Hill area PTAs for sharing highlights from this year. (See the meeting slides for more details.)
  • Thanks to all who asked questions about LWSD's Pathway Forward. We collected all the questions from the meeting and shared them with LWSD leadership. If you have additional questions please submit them via this form.
Here are the draft minutes and documents shared at the meeting: Got a question? Please email Council President Brandi Comstock at president@lwptsa.net. The next membership meeting will be Thursday, February 4, 2021 at 7PM. See the meeting schedule on our website.

Reflections Results Announced

blue ribbon awardThe LWPTSA Council Reflections committee is pleased to announce the results from the 2020-21 competition. We received 338 entries from 36 PTAs, and we are so impressed by the creativity and ingenuity of students in our district. We also want to give tremendous thanks to our 35 volunteer judges who evaluated the entries across 26 category combinations. 
 
We are recognizing 75 entries with awards of Outstanding Interpretation, Award of Excellence, and Award of Merit. Sixty-five of those entries will advance to the WSPTA level of the competition. For a complete list of winners, click here or visit our website.
 
We look forward to sharing this amazing art with you through a virtual slideshow later in January.
 
Questions? Please contact LWPTSA Reflections Chairs, Tanya Dimpsey and Mindy Lincicome.

Support Students - Join Us!

  • 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. The time commitment for this role is approximately 6-8 hours per month. Contact: president@lwptsa.net
  • Scholarship Committee Chair or Co-Chairs - help us award scholarships to deserving seniors and LWSD staff. Contact: programs@lwptsa.net

Join a roundtable discussionAdvocacy Roundtable

Calling all Advocacy Chairs and those interested in advocacy! Join us for an online roundtable discussion.

Sustainability Committee Meeting

hand holding a green earthCouncil's next Sustainability Committee meeting is Thursday, January 14 at 7PM
  • When: Thursday, January 14 at 7PM
  • Where: Join via GoToMeeting or dial in via (872) 240-3212 with Access Code: 582-754-021
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.

Sustainability Tip & Contest

Does hearing about plastic pollution make you feel too overwhelmed to take action? Are your kids having to educate YOU about the plastics crisis and what to do about it? This month we want to help your family take small steps to have a big collective impact on our planet by reducing plastic waste at home. Here are three steps to get started and a sustainability contest!

Please send questions to Sustainability Chair Stephanie Lecovin.

special education groupSpecial Education Group Meeting

Join other families and caregivers of students receiving Special Education services. Join us to share your tips and tricks for facilitating and aiding in virtual instruction. Find camaraderie in and perhaps even solutions for your education-related woes.
When: Tuesday, January 19 at 7PM
Where: Online via GoToMeeting
Please send questions to specialeducation@lwptsa.net.

Lunch & Learn: College & Career Pathways

Lunch & Learn logo Did you know there are multiple ways for LWSD high schoolers to meet the requirements for graduation? Bring your lunch and learn with us the third Thursday of the month. The January topic is College and Career Pathways with Donneta Oremus, Director of College and Career Readiness for LWSD.
self care

Self-Care Series

We are launching a new self-care series for 2021. Come join us the third Friday of the month at 5PM for a one-hour segment on tried and true strategies for maintaining your equilibrium. All are welcome!
  • What: The Power of the 22 Second Hug
  • When: Friday, January 22 at 5PM
  • Where: Online via GoToMeeting or dial (312) 757-3121 with Access Code: 751-400-157
View the schedule on our website or download a printable flyer.

Transform Your PTA's Family Engagement

Find out how to apply a few simple techniques to make your PTSA more Inclusive, Individualized, Integrated and Impactful and why it is important. Book a customized presentation for your PTSA Board with Swarnima Aswinkumar and Irene Neumann at engagementgrant@lwptsa.net. Added bonus: we'll become members of your PTA (how can you turn down that offer?!).

School Transitions Tool Kit Award Opportunitytool kit graphic

Calling all middle and high school PTAs! The LWPTSA Council has made available two $500 awards to be used towards any Family Engagement activity, such as a parent education or international night event. Customize the tool kit and share it with your incoming parents to earn a drawing entry. Earn a second drawing entry by translating the tool kit to another language.
The award drawing will be held at the March general membership meeting (one gift per PTSA). Find details here. Please send questions to Swarnima Aswinkumar and Irene Neumann at engagementgrant@lwptsa.net
membership spotlight

Membership Dues Subsidies

WSPTA has changed its interpretation of using PTA general funds to provide membership subsidies. WSPTA now interprets WSPTA Uniform Bylaws to permit a local PTA to designate part of its general funds to pay for membership dues, in accordance with the following new WSPTA policy:

Section 3.2.5 Membership Subsidies and Gifts
A local PTA may offer full or partial membership subsidies to persons requesting them and must create written procedures and internal controls documenting subsidy criteria for any such program. Membership subsidies may be funded through restricted donations and/or through general funds designated by the local PTA for this purpose. Unused funds in the membership subsidy budget line items carry over year to year but may only be used to subsidize the cost of PTA memberships.


Read the full article about these changes and how they might work for your PTA.

Membership belongs to each of us, so don’t hesitate to talk to everyone you can! Contact Council Membership Chair Jen O’Donnell at membership@lwptsa.net if you have any questions. 
training

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:
PTA News

WSPTA Region 2 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Roundtable

Please join us for a DEI Roundtable! Learn about WA State's Fall 2020 PTA Resolution on dismantling institutional and systemic racism. We will also share some practical strategies handed down from National PTA on how to help facilitate these efforts. Come share and find out about the activities and initiatives that local units are doing, as well as challenges. DEI, FACE and advocacy leaders are strongly encouraged to attend; everyone is welcome!
umbrella with dollar sign

Protect Your PTA

How do you protect your PTA? This is an opportunity to bring all your insurance questions about coverage, how to evaluate coverage, and how to differentiate between a PTA and school event. AIM CEO, Elgin Allen, and Washington State PTA Executive Director, Andrew Estep, will be available to answer your questions.

When: Wed, January 20 at 7PM
Registration required:  register via Eventbrite

focus on advocacyWSPTA Advocacy

WSPTA is moving to an ongoing “Focus on Advocacy” program to keep members informed and engaged throughout the session, keeping our efforts focused on the mission. Learn more on the WSPTA website.
  • Save the dates for Advocacy Week: January 18 - 22, 2021. Subscribe to the WSPTA Action Network so you can participate from home or wherever you may be.

WSPTA Awards of Excellence

WSPTA Awards of ExcellenceAny 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, 2021. Awards will be recognized at the 2020 convention in May. Details and applications are located on the WSPTA website.

National PTA Updates

LWSD & Partner News

LWSD Pathway Forward Update

On January 6 LWSD Superintendent Dr. Holmen announced the plan for the return to in-person services this spring. If you missed the event, you can watch the replay or download the presentation on the district website at lwsd.org/pathway-forward.

Elementary students have the option to return for in-person services starting in February and middle and high schools are expected to have an in-person option sometime in March. Details are still being developed for the middle and high school in-person model.

If you have questions about LWSD's Pathway Forward, please submit them to the district using this form.

Lake Washington Schools Foundation News

LWSF logo Save the Date for our Virtual Spring Event – March 25, 2021
Our Annual Spring Event is going virtual! Please plan to join us for an inspiring day of giving, learning and connecting! If you are interested in being a sponsor for the event or part of the matching pool, please contact Maya at maya@lwsf.org.

Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainings for LWSD Staff
We are proud to be partnering with the district in providing Youth Mental Health First Aid Training to district staff. Our goal is to train over 150 staff this year. You can help us reach this important goal by helping sponsor a LWSD staff member! To learn more about this program or to help us reach our goal, visit www.lwsf.org/youthmentalwellness.

Balance in Mind Events for Parent & Teens
  • Parent ChatsRegister today for the winter session. Chats are held on Wednesdays at 7PM.
    • January 20 - Body Confidence and Healthy Eating with Rebecca Manley
    • February 3 - Talking Consent with Christy Keating
  • Balance in Mind’s Instagram  @balance.in.mind is a destination for teens to gain inspiration, learn self-care tips, and more! 

New Find Your Fit Webinar: Standardized Testing - What Now?
January 13 from 7-8PM 
Join independent college counselor Mary Pat O’Neil and guest Matt Steiner of Compass Test Prep to learn how test scores are used in the admission process, the differences between test-optional and test-blind, and strategies behind submitting or not submitting test scores. To register, visit www.lwsf.org/findyourfit
Upcoming Dates & Reminders

January Board To-Do List

  • Elect a nominating committee at your next membership meeting if you haven't already done so. 
  • Conduct a winter membership campaign.
  • Conduct a mid-year financial review as a best practice. An annual financial review is required by many insurance providers.
  • 1099-MISC due for independent contractors.
  • Annual Combined Excise Tax form due to Department of Revenue by January 31 to remit sales/use tax (if applicable) 
  • 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) and collecting the supporting documents. The application deadline is March 15, 2021.
  • Was your PTA Incorporated in January? If so, then your annual Corporation Renewal is due 1/31. The annual corporation report is due regardless of your PTA’s annual income and is separate from the Charitable Organization Registration/ Renewal.

Dates

  • Jan 12, 5PM: WSPTA Region 2 DEI Roundtable [Zoom link]
  • Jan 14, 2PM: Advocacy Roundtable [GoToMeeting link]
  • Jan 14, 7PM: Sustainability Committee Meeting [GoToMeeting link]
  • Jan 18 - 22: WSPTA Advocacy Week
  • Jan 19, 6:30PM: Special Education Group Meeting [GoToMeeting link]
  • Jan 20, 7PM: WSPTA Region 2 Protect Your PTA [registration link]
  • Jan 21, NOON: Lunch and Learn on College & Career Pathways
  • Jan 22, 5PM: Self-Care Series: The Power of the 22 Second Hug
  • Feb 2, 10AM: Emergency Prep Committee Meeting
  • Feb 4, 7PM: Council Membership Meeting
LWPTSA Council Meeting Dates | Full LWPTSA Calendar | LWSD Calendar

Corporate Renewals Due

Due in January: Peter Kirk, Mann, Rose Hill MS
Due in February: Audubon, Kamiakin MS, Redmond El, Rush, Thoreau

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.
Questions? Email: waves@lwptsa.net
Award - Standards of Excellence Award Winner - PTAs Taking Significant Action  
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