A Word from Council
 Our Council logo includes a powerful reminder that inclusion is at the heart of all we do: “every child. one voice.” PTSA is an organization that supports and advocates for every child in our diverse community. There has been a rise in attacks, crimes, and rhetoric against Black, Brown, and most recently, Asian people in our country and LWPTSA Council is committed to raising awareness through education, working with our local PTA leaders, and supporting our community so that all children feel safe and welcome.
The WSPTA has already passed a resolution on dismantling institutional and systemic racism and published a news release confirming a stand of solidarity with our Asian American community. Thanks to the work of our DEI chairs, LWPTSA Council is planning to present a statement for our membership to vote on at Thursday's meeting. In the meantime, we wanted to share a list of family resources for talking about race.
-Brandi Comstock, LWPTSA Council President
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Membership Meeting On Thursday
Our April membership meeting will be held this Thursday, April 1 at 7pm. This is our last evening meeting of the year. We will hold elections for the 2021-2022 Council Board.
Here are the documents for 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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Legacy of Resilience: A Holocaust Story
 Lake Washington PTSA Council invites parents and teens to a Holocaust remembrance talk on Monday, March 29 at 6 pm. Daphna Robon will share the story of the survival and resiliency of her parents, Imre Friedmann and Naomi Kraus. This story is sure to inspire us to appreciate our differences as well as our commonalities as people, and to never forget. Learn more about Ms. Robon. This talk is recommend for parents and high school students.
When: TONIGHT - Monday, March 29 at 6PM
Where: Register at tinyurl.com/HolocaustLegacySpeaker
Flyer: Download a flyer to share
Questions: Please email Danit Erlich, Council's VP of Family and Community Engagement (FACE)
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Membership Contest
Don't forget the third WSPTA membership contest is underway now! All PTAs in good standing that add seven members between March 1 and the April 5 billing report will qualify to win a prize. The prize for this contest will be a custom 18×12 event table sign. No special form is needed for this contest, just make sure to add members to the memberplanet database. Got memberplanet questions? Visit the memberplanet page on the WSPTA website to find helpful how-to videos and more!
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.
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Wednesday Wellness - March 31
 LWPTSA Council is hosting a Wednesday Wellness series this spring for Lake Washington School District families! All are invited to join for a free virtual fitness class on Wednesdays at 6PM. The first session will be this Wednesday, March 31 featuring yoga with certified yoga instructor Irene Neumann. Download a flyer for details and to share with others.
Please send questions to Danit Erlich, Council's VP of Family and Community Engagement (FACE)
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Calling all Students - Earth Day Videos Wanted
 April 22nd is Earth Day! It’s a reminder for us to come together and celebrate something we all have in common - our wonderful world as our home, our playground, our teacher. Lake Washington PTSA Council's Sustainability Committee is creating an Earth Day Video and is looking for 10-second videos from any and all LWSD students.
Learn more about Our Sustainability Committee
Got questions? Email Sustainability Chair Stephanie Lecovin and earthday@lwptsa.net.
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Best Ways To Boost A Child's Brain Part 2
 In the 2nd part of this series Staci Danford will focus specifically on “when we’re having a bad day” and how to build joy. Steeped in neuroscience, Staci's engaging talk will show you how to help your child think smarter, build healthy relationships and let go of limiting beliefs.
All caregivers and parents of elementary and middle school students are welcome. Did you miss part 1 of this series? Watch the recording of part 1 from now through April 22, 2021. Learn more about Staci Danford at www.thegratefulbrain.com.
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Come and get your Parent Ed Grants!
There are three more $500 parent education grants available to local PTA this year. Download the application and apply today! A parent education talk is a wonderful way to engage with and provide direct value to your parent community.
Got a question about this workshop or need some parent ed ideas? Contact Hae Sue Park and Irene Neumann, Council's Parent Ed Chairs.
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Self-Care Session #4
 Gratitude as the Ultimate Mood Enhancer
Speaker Staci Danford will share ways to use scientific gratitude to change the way your brain works. Brain research shows that wiring your brain for gratitude raises happiness levels and increases in your ability to handle adverse life situations.
For questions, please email Hae Sue Park and Irene Neumann, Parent Ed Chairs
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Special Education Group Meeting
LWPTSA Council Special Education Group's next virtual monthly meeting will be held April 20, 2021 at 7PM. Yordanos Gebreamlak, Senior Education Ombuds of the Governor’s Office of Education Ombuds will present on the intersection of disability and race. She will discuss how the lens of disability justice can guide caregiver and student involvement, advocacy, and equity work.
- Topic: Equity Means Disability Justice – at the Intersection of Disability and Race
- When: Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 7:00PM
- Where: Join via https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/961179397 or by phone at (571) 317-3112 with Access code 961-179-397
Please send questions to the Special Education Group Chairs at specialeducation@lwptsa.net
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Creating Healthier Indoor Environments
 Lake Washington PTSA Council's Sustainability Committee invites all to join and listen to a panel of experts from Washington State Department of Health, US EPA, and LWSD. Panelists will discuss how environment affects learning, behavior, and health. Learn ways to create safer, healthier and more inclusive environments at school and at home. Save the date for this event on Wednesday, April 21 at 7PM.
For further information, contact sustainability@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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Washington State PTA Stands in Solidarity with Asian American Community
WSPTA released the following statement on March 23, 2021:
Washington State PTA (WSPTA) recognizes and acknowledges that all children are affected by violence against our fellow citizens. Last week's events in Atlanta add to a long history of abuse and inequity in our country. National PTA President Leslie Boggs stated, "National PTA condemns the shootings in Atlanta and other recent violence against Asian Americans. Our association stands firmly against racism in all forms and denounces all racial violence in our country. The acts of hate have a profound effect on the communities impacted, and our nation must do better."
Read the full statement here.
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WSPTA Convention 2021
Registration is open now for the 108th WSPTA Convention, taking place virtually from May 18-23, 2021.
- Keynote speakers include: Caylin Moore, Leslie Boggs and Brooke Brown.
- Registration is $70 for adults and $35 for students.
- Check the schedule of events to find training and sessions of interest. Don't forget attendance counts for NEXT year's WSPTA training requirements.
- Voting and business will be conducted at the May 22 annual meeting. PTA presidents should watch their inboxes for an email regarding voting delegates. The deadline for PTA presidents to submit voting delegates is 6:59am on May 3.
Details will be shared on the WSPTA website.
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Use Brain Breaks to Help Your Kids Recharge and Refocus
From National PTA's "Our Children" digital magazine
Are your young learners sitting in front of a computer screen multiple hours a day as part of remote learning? Do you see them getting antsy and reckless after sitting there for an extended period? Children have short attention spans. This makes it very important for them to take brain breaks—mental breaks designed to help students stay attentive and focused. Read the full article and share with your PTA community.
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National PTA News & Updates
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Lake Washington Schools Foundation News
Register for our "Be the Bridge" Evening Benefit on April 29 at 7PM
You are invited to Be the Bridge! You’ll hear stories of ingenuity and determination, laugh with surprise guests, and discover how your contributions make a difference for students. Can you be a Table Captain for your school community? Please consider stepping up to be a Table Captain or partner with a friend to host a virtual table! You can learn more by emailing tena@lwsf.org. To register, visit www.lwsf.org/bethebridge.
Balance in Mind Events for Parent & Teens
- Parent Chats - Register today for the spring 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 at 7PM 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
- 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 29, 6PM: Legacy of Resilience: A Holocaust Story [register]
- Mar 30, 7PM: Parent Ed Brain Boosting Workshop #2 [register]
- Apr 1, 7PM: Council Membership Meeting [GoToMeeting link]
- Apr 5-9: LWSD Spring Break
- Apr 14, 5PM: DEI Committee Meeting
- Apr 15: Earth Day Videos Due Date
- Apr 15, 10AM: Sustainability Committee Meeting
- Apr 15, NOON: Lunch and Learn
- Apr 16, 5PM: Self-Care Series #4
- Apr 20, 10AM: Emergency Prep Committee Meeting
- Apr 20, 7PM: Special Education Group Meeting
- Apr 21, 7PM: Creating Healthier Indoor Environments Panel [register]
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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