A Word from Council
Conversations have continued regarding around students returning to school and students remaining in a virtual learning environment. We are keeping track of the updated guidance in order to provide support to our member PTAs. This week we are sharing specific things families can do in support of all children.
- Parents can use their voices to advocate by contacting the Governor's Office, the WA Department of Health, OSPI, and our state legislators and representatives regarding mitigating the distance measures for schools.
- Parents can also provide input around waiving the building attendance and seat time requirements of students that want to continue in a remote learning model.
- It is also incredibly helpful for legislators and other decision makers to hear from students, in their own words, how the learning situations affect them.
Please feel free to contact any member of our board if you have any questions.
-Brandi Comstock, LWPTSA Council President
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March Membership Meeting Recap
Thanks to all who attended our March 2021 membership meeting last week. Do you have questions that you’d like to ask Superintendent Holmen? Please ask your questions here.
Here are the draft minutes and documents shared at the meeting:
Got a question? Please email Council President Brandi Comstock at president@lwptsa.net. See the meeting schedule on our website.
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LWPTSA Council Board Nominations
 The Nominating Committee is still accepting nominations for the 2021-22 Lake Washington PTSA Council Board of Directors. Please send nominations, recommendations or questions to our Nominating Committee at nominations@lwptsa.net.
- LWPTSA Council 2021-2022 Nominating Committee: Meredith Cain, Kristen Dorwin, Chitra Ramalingam
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
 As you do the work of PTA, consider how you can view it through the DEI lens.
- Your PTA's nominating committee does the important work of identifying the future leaders of your organization. Are there any barriers to getting a diverse group of candidates before your nominating committee?
- Your budget committee plans your PTA's income and expenses for the next year. Does your proposed budget accurately align with your PTA's values and goals around diversity, equity and inclusion?
- If your PTA is thinking of adding a new DEI role, do you have a job description for the role?
For help with these questions or others, please contact Council DEI Co-Chairs Sabeet Sidhu and Sequoya Lange.
All PTA leaders are welcome to attend the March DEI committee meeting on Wednesday, March 10.
Looking for a virtual community? Join our DEI Facebook group.
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Sustainability Tip: Lead by Example
Last month, we shared ideas for how families can take simple steps to reduce their plastic waste by making some lifestyle changes at home. This month we’re going to apply the same concept to our PTAs as we did to our homes by looking at the activities and programs our PTAs support and assessing whether any of them involve unnecessary plastic. This should be a group effort and it won’t get done overnight. Even if your PTA doesn’t change much this year, you can start planning now and set the stage for next year!
Read more and learn about the contest for PTAs!
The next Sustainability Committee Meeting will be held March 11, 2021 at 7PM. To RSVP or learn about sustainability efforts, please email Sustainability Chair Stephanie Lecovin.
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March Lunch and Learn
 You bring the lunch, we'll bring the speakers. Join us for a Community Support Services Roundtable at our March event featuring speakers from Youth Eastside Services, Eastside for all, Hopelink and The Arc of King County.
See the Lunch & Learn schedule on our website for future dates. For questions please email Yumna Green at evp@lwptsa.net.
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Self-Care Session #3
 Why the Great Outdoors is Our Happy Place
March is when we welcome Spring into our lives! We’re so lucky to live in an area with plenty of outdoor forests, mountains, trails and hikes. Come learn about the whys and wheres of taking in the Pacific NW’s great outdoors!
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Effective Communication For High Schoolers
 All high school students in Lake Washington School District are invited to an Effective Communications Workshop on Wednesday, March 24 at 6PM. Students will learn the 3 C's of communication, how to have difficult or challenging conversations and tips for communicating over social media. This workshop is free but registration is required.
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Parent Education Events
Best Ways To Boost A Child's Brain with Staci Danford
Save the dates for this 2-part workshop. Staci Danford will talk about how brains work and share with parents some simple strategies to help create positive transformation. Staci will show how to help your child think smarter, build healthy relationships and let go of limiting beliefs. All parents of elementary and middle school aged children are welcome.
Suicide Awareness with UW's Forefront
Come learn in a friendly and nurturing environment, how to help your child or friend through a suicidal episode. Learn about what signs to look for, how to have important conversations with your child around this topic and how to access resources. The mission of University of Washington's Forefront is to focus on reducing suicide by empowering individuals and community to take action. All are welcome, but especially recommended for middle school parents, high school parents and also high school students.
- When: March 25 at 7PM
- Where: Online, details coming soon
Got questions about either event? Please email Hae Sue Park and Irene Neumann, Parent Ed Chairs
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LWPTSA Scholarships Available
 The Lake Washington PTSA Council is pleased to roll out its 2021 Scholarship Program! We are offering 14 $1250 student scholarships and two $500 staff scholarships this spring. Applications for both staff and student scholarships are due by NOON on March 25, 2021.
Send questions to Reva Ramachandran and Andrea Stoppani at scholarships@lwptsa.net
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Special Education Group Meeting
Our next virtual monthly speaker meeting will be held April 20, 2021 at 7PM. Yordanos Gebreamlak, Senior Education Ombuds with the Office of the Education Ombuds, will present on the intersection of disability and race.
Please send questions to the Special Education Group Chairs at specialeducation@lwptsa.net
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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.
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Unity & Healing with Erin Jones
 Join a virtual conversation with Erin Jones, champion for change and social justice, on Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 7PM. This event is presented by Peter Kirk PTSA with support from Lake Washington PTSA Council and Lake Washington Schools Foundation.
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WSPTA Awards of Excellence
Any PTA in good standing is eligible to apply for 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. Details and applications are located on the WSPTA website.
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Jan Harp Domene Diversity Award
 National PTA is now accepting applications for the 2021 Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion Award. Equity drives the PTA mission and focusing on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion is critical to our success. Applicants can apply in writing or by video submission and in English and Spanish at PTA.org/DiversityAward. The application closes March 14, 2021 at 8PM PST.
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WSPTA Convention 2021
Save the dates for the 108th WSPTA Convention, taking place virtually from May 18-23, 2021. Details are being finalized but expect plenty of webinars, subject-area panels, coaching sessions, keynote speakers and celebration. Details will be shared on the WSPTA website.
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Lake Washington Schools Foundation News
Calling all Virtual Table Captains for “Be the Bridge: An Evening Benefit” on April 29 at 7PM
We are looking forward to bringing our community together for an inspirational and entertaining virtual event. Table Captains are essential to the success of this event. Please consider stepping up to bring the crew from your school together to support kids. Email maya@lwsf.org to learn more! Registration and further details coming soon.
Pantry Packs March Madness Fruit & Nut Food Drive
You can support Pantry Packs by providing the following items: Trail Mix, Fruit & Veg Cups (no foil lids), nuts, jerky, and more! Please make sure all are in individual packets with expiration dates of at least 3 months out. Drop-off dates/times: March 10, 13, 17 and 20 between 12-2PM. Longer list of food items available and more info at www.lwsf.org/pantrypacks. You can also donate via their Amazon Wish List!
Balance in Mind Events for Parent & Teens
- Community Forum: What You Need To Know About Teens, Marijuana, Vaping & Street Drugs – Hear an LWHS parent’s story of loss, teen drug use, OTC synthetics and their effects, risks, talking to teens, and more on March 9 at 7PM. To register, visit tinyurl.com/BiMMarchForum
- Parent Chats - Register today for the winter session. Chats are held on Wednesdays at 7PM.
- March 31 - Body Image & Healthy Eating
- April 21 - Reimagining Success for Kids’ Mental Health
Find Your Fit Event: Understanding What College Costs & How to Pay Less
Join independent college counselor Mary Pat O’Neil and college financial planning consultant Peg Keough on March 30 from 7pm-8pm as they discuss the cost of college, common myths about paying for college, understanding the timeline for applying to college, and more. Registration is required.
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LWSD Pathway Forward Update
Learn more about Lake Washington School District's plans for return to in-person services at lwsd.org/pathway-forward.
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Upcoming Dates & Reminders
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March Board To-Do List
- Apply for Membership Achievement Awards. The deadline has been moved to March 15 this year.
- Apply for WSPTA Awards of Excellence. The deadline to apply for these awards is March 15.
- Survey membership to identify priorities for the coming year and inform budget planning.
- Consider providing volunteer recognition with a Golden Acorn or other WSPTA individual award.
- Treasurer should recruit a budget committee to draft next year’s budget. Committee should be approved by the board.
- Make plans to attend WSPTA's Convention in May. The convention will be held virtually from May 18-23, 2021.
- Was your PTA Incorporated in March? If so, then your annual Corporation Renewal is due 3/31. 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
- Mar 10, 5PM: DEI Committee Meeting [TEAMS link]
- Mar 11, 7PM: Sustainability Committee Meeting [Zoom link]
- Mar 18, 9:45AM: Council Board Meeting
- Mar 18, NOON: Lunch and Learn [GoToMeeting link]
- Mar 19, 5PM: Self-Care Series #3 [GoToMeeting link]
- Mar 23, 7PM: Parent Ed Brain Boosting Workshop #1
- Mar 24, 6PM: Effective Communication Workshop for High Schoolers [register]
- Mar 25, NOON: Council Scholarship Application Deadline
- Mar 25, 7PM: Suicide Awareness Parent Education Event
- Mar 30, 7PM: Parent Ed Brain Boosting Workshop #2
LWPTSA Council Meeting Dates | Full LWPTSA Calendar | LWSD Calendar
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Corporate Renewals Due
Due in March: Dickinson, Finn Hill MS, Juanita El, Keller
Due in April: Evergreen MS, ICS, Redmond MS, Rockwell
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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