A Word from Council
In the midst of recent updates and announcements by federal, state, and local officials related to education, we have heard several versions of, “What will happen to our students in the fall?” Here are two specific advocacy areas that can support students in their chosen educational model in the fall.
- Families and students can advocate for adjusting the current 6-foot distance requirement of students in classrooms. Many (but not all) of our primary classrooms can hold an entire class of students with a 3’ distancing requirement. At the secondary level, this same 3-foot distance requirement allows 12-15 students in a classroom at a time.
- Families and students can also advocate for an adjustment to the seat time requirement for in-person learning. The state legislature requires students to attend 1,027 hours of in-class time. Other types of instructional activities have been counted as in-class hours this year, including synchronous and asynchronous learning. For families that would like their children to continue learning in a hybrid or fully remote model next year, those alternative instructional models would need to be allowed to continue.
The Lake Washington School District covers three legislative areas including the 1st, 45th, and 48th legislative districts. Use https://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/ to find your legislators and contact them to advocate for what is best for your family.
Please feel free to contact any member of our board if you have any questions.
-Brandi Comstock, LWPTSA Council President
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Reflections: WSPTA Finalists Announced!
 WSPTA released the results of their round of judging in the National PTA Reflections art competition this week. We are excited to announce that 15 LWPTSA Council student entries are among those earning state-level recognition! Seven of those entries earned the highest level of recognition, Outstanding Interpretation, and will be advancing to the national level competition. National PTA Reflections results should be announced by May 1.
Thank you to Council Reflections Chairs Tanya Dimpsey and Mindy Lincicome, all local Reflections chairs, and all volunteer judges who made this program possible.
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LWPTSA Council Board Nominations
The 2021 LWPTSA Council Nominating Committee is pleased to submit the following slate of nominees for the 2021/2022 Lake Washington PTSA Council Board. Elections will take place during the Council Membership meeting on April 1, 2021 at 7pm. Download a signed copy of the Nominating Committee Report.
- Co-Presidents - Brandi Welke Comstock and Yumna Amien (Green)
- Executive Vice President - Melinda Lincicome
- Secretary - OPEN
- Treasurer - Michelle Rocamora
- Vice President of Advocacy - Michelle Obenaus
- Co-Vice Presidents of FACE - Hae Sue Park and Swarnima Aswinkumar
- Co-Vice Presidents of Programs - Anuraga Gowtham and Cristiane Wegmann
- Area VP Evergreen - Deborah Robertson
- Area VP Finn Hill - Kristen Dorwin
- Area VP Inglewood - Manda Mangrai
- Co-Area VPs Kamiakin - Muusa Liinpaa and Dorothea (Thea) Warner
- Area VP Kirkland - Meredith Cain
- Area VP Redmond - OPEN
- Area VP Rose Hill - OPEN
- Area VP Timberline - Stacy Hatch
Respectfully submitted,
LWPTSA Council 2021-2022 Nominating Committee: Meredith Cain, Kristen Dorwin, Chitra Ramalingam
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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 with a guest speaker from Washington Trails Association.
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Teen Communication Workshop
 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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Best Ways To Boost A Child's Brain
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.
- When: March 23 and 30 at 7PM
- Registration: http://bit.ly/BoostBrain2021 (Note: due to high interest, these workshops may be moved to a different platform but registration is via this link.)
Got questions about these workshops? Please email Hae Sue Park and Irene Neumann, Parent Ed Chairs
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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 high school students.
For help now, contact Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 or Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio: 888-628-9454
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LWPTSA Scholarships Available
 The Lake Washington PTSA Council is pleased to roll out its 2021 Scholarship Program! We are offering fourteen student scholarships and two staff scholarships this spring. Applications for both staff and student scholarships are due by NOON on March 25, 2021.
Learn more about the 2021 scholarship program. 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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Phishy Email from a PTA Leader?
 "From: President1@similar-name-to-my-pta.org, Hey can you buy some gift cards and send me the codes?"
Many PTA leaders across the state have been targeted by phishing emails like the example above. A phishing email is a bogus email with harmful intent carefully designed to look like a legitimate request (or attached file) from a site or person you trust. Its purpose is to get you to give up confidential personal information, give up funds or download something containing a virus.
Read more in this article from Washington State PTA.
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WSPTA Awards of Excellence - DUE TODAY
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 TODAY, March 15, 2021. Details and applications are located on the WSPTA website.
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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 17 and March 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
- 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
- May 5 - Social Media and 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 to apply is TODAY, March 15.
- Apply for WSPTA Awards of Excellence. The deadline to apply for these awards TODAY, 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 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 [register]
- Mar 30, 7PM: Parent Ed Brain Boosting Workshop #2
- Apr 1, 7PM: Council Membership Meeting
- Apr 5-9: LWSD Spring Break
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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