Published monthly by: Lake WA PTSA Council 2.8
P.O. Box 98039, Redmond WA 98073 | 425.936.1216
President: Jane Dulski
News Editor: Janitzia Pizarro
Volume 34, Issue 6
February 2014

 

 

Happy February!

I hope that you have all taken time to send in your ballot for the February special election. As a Council, we appreciate the time that many of you have spent being a part of the campaign to make our community aware of the levy and bond measures. PTA at its foundation is an advocacy organization and levy years like this one sure do bring this aspect to light! This year, the LWPTSA Council formalized a more direct role with the Lake Washington Citizens Levy Committee. We know that many of you have also been a part of this effort - thank you! Along the same lines, I also hope that many of you are able to attend the WA State PTA Focus Day. This event is great illustration of our important presence at the state level.

I am also excited to announce that I have been appointed as Interim Region 2 Director by our State President to fill in the remaining 4 months for 2013-2014 term. If I am elected in the current Region 2 elections, my 2 year Board of Directors' term will begin 6/1/14. It is a great honor to represent Lake Washington School District along with the other five Councils on the Eastside. Our region represents about one-third of the total state membership. We are grateful to Barbara Martin, WA State PTA Vice President for stepping in as our Acting Region 2 Director up until this point. I will be working with Barbara in my transition to the state board but also continuing as your Council President. I work with an amazing group of dedicated volunteers on the Council board that make this dual role possible.

Thank you to those leaders who have made training a priority for your PTA/PTSA. The Region 2 Service Delivery Team (which also includes many of our Council officers) is looking forward to seeing many of you on Saturday, February 8. In-person training is the most beneficial way to learn from the instructors and each other, let alone to network with other leaders. Please contact me if you need to discuss other training options for untrained elected board members.

Finally, I look forward to celebrating volunteers and the founding of PTA at our annual Founders' Day Luncheon on February 28.

Jane Dulski, President

 

Your Vote countsVote Yes, Yes, Yes!

If you have not mailed your ballot yet, DO IT NOW! 

February 11, 2014
In This Issue
January Meeting


Thursday February 6

9:30-11:30 am,

LWSD Resource Center - Board Room.

 

Please print any meeting documents you would like to have with you prior to the meeting. There will be a very limited number of paper copies available. Thanks!

Council Says Thanks
  
Thank YouCouncil gratefully acknowledges the Redmond Area leaders for providing refreshments for our January General Meeting, and the district for providing the coffee service.
 
Our thanks also go to Advocacy Vice President Beth Sigall for her hard work organizing the Focus Day trip to Olympia. Thanks Beth for not letting us lose sight of our most important mission as part of PTA.
  
Gratitude is the Best Attitude 

We all know how nice it is to be thanked for our time and effort in everything we do. But did you know that a personal thank you to a volunteer can actually increase the likelihood that they'll do it again?

Here are some tips and some examples from our local school PTSA leaders.

 
It's Halftime - Time to Reflect and Recharge
 
Look back and be proud of all that we have accomplished together 

We've reached the halfway point of the school year. This is an ideal time to reflect back on what we've accomplished so far in our advocacy work in Lake Washington PTAs.

I'm so fortunate because my job as Vice President for Advocacy allows me to meet with, learn about and help facilitate the amazing work that is going on in Lake Washington schools. Our members across the district have engaged in an impressive array of advocacy efforts. And wow - have we been busy! Check out some of our accomplishments! Read More

 Region 2 Mid-Year Conference

 

Coming this Saturday February 8. Registration is now open online
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Registration is now open online for the Region 2 Mid-year Conference.  Please click here to visit the Eventbrite Registration for this event.  

 

When registering online, please be prepared to indicate the number of people from your unit attending as well as which class each person is planning to attend.     

                                                                                 

PTA and the Law class size will be restricted due to space constraints. Priority will go to those units that have not yet completed the training requirement. Others will be registered on a first-come, first-served basis. Questions? Please contact Barbara Martin 

 

Founders' Day Luncheon Reminder

 

Coming Friday February 28, 2014
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Local Unit Presidents: Space is limited. If you have not done so yet, please mail your group's reservation by Monday, February 10.

 

A few reminders for Luncheon attendees:

  • Sahalee dress code prohibits wearing any kind of denim
  • Please silence your mobile phone during the event
  • Sahalee Country Club address: 21200 NE Sahalee Country Club Dr, Sammamish
  • Further directions can be found at www.sahalee.com 
Would you like to be a leader at the Council level?

 

Council accepting recommendations for all elected positions for 2014-2015
We have cookies Join us as a leader on the Lake Washington PTSA Council Board (or nominate someone) to help us advocate for students and to offer support and guidance to our local PTAs/PTSAs.

We are accepting recommendations for the following positions:
  • President
  • Executive Vice President
  • Secretary
  • Treasurer
  • Vice President - Programs
  • Vice President - Advocacy
  • Area Vice Presidents for: Evergreen, Finn Hill, Inglewood, Kamiakin, Kirkland, Redmond & Rose Hill
Click Here for Job Descriptions

Have a recommendation? Please let us know...
  • Their name and contact info
  • Position of recommendation
  • Any experience (PTSA or leadership) that you think qualifies them
  • Your contact info
Please submit your recommendation by February 28, 2014 to nomcomm@lwptsa.net
 
Council Scholarships Available

 

Deadline to apply is April 7, 2014, 6:00 pm
graduate-woman.jpg Each year, the Lake WA PTSA Council awards several $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors and at least two $500 scholarships to LWSD certificated teachers for continuing education.

 

All student scholarships are $1,000.00 and will be awarded as follows:

  • Qualification based on achievement and community service only
  • One scholarship to the top candidate at each of the 6 LWSD high schools (6 awards)

  • A minimum of two at-large scholarships selected from all of the remaining applicants

  • The Adria Klein Memorial Scholarship, selected at-large

Additional qualifications required

  • The Dr. L.E. Scarr Scholarship awarded to a student who will attend a vocational/technical school or community college

  • The LWEA/Karen Bates Scholarship for a student pursuing an education degree

Student applications are available at all six high school career or counseling offices. Staff may contact Sheila Hagerman, LWEA administrative assistant, for an electronic copy. Both student and staff applications can be downloaded from the Council website. The application deadline is 6:00 PM, April 7, 2014.

 

Wendy DeLong, Scholarship Chair

425.824.5673

 

 

Prepare

 

Mark your calendars! Spread the word! Maintain your unit in tiptop shape by attending PTA training seminars and workshops.

 

Region 2 Mid-Year Conference - 
PTA & The Law **
Saturday, February 8,
Sign-in starts 8:30 am
9:00 am - noon

Region 2 Mid-Winter Conference - Afternoon**
Saturday, February 8
General session: 1 pm
Session 1: 1:25-2:25 pm
Session 2: 2:35-3:35 pm
  
** Fulfills the WSPTA training requirement for 2013-14 elected officers
  
For questions about the training requirement, contact WSPTA Region 2
  
Also, check out the
  
  kids_learning.jpg

Best Practices
  
A few tips to make your organization run smoothly

February is a busy month for reflection and applying for recognition. These things may seem unimportant, but completing them go a long way to giving your unit extra credibility and acknowledges the hard work that you do all year long.

 

Consider doing either a written survey or an online survey of your membership. You might want to do this in early spring to get feedback on the year to date and to plan for the next year.  

Very carefully go over the Best Practices Checklist (on the back of WA State leadership handbooks) and catch up where you can.

 

Continue putting together your Standards of Excellence award application for the March 1 deadline. Take care when filling out the application so that it does not get returned to you. Remember to apply for Communication and Newsletter Awards, and for 100% Membership award.

You should also consider applying for Honor Unit and Unit Taking Significant Action.

If you know of an Outstanding Local Unit, nominate them.

 

Review your own PTA goals to see if you are meeting them.

 

Attend Region 2 Mid-Year Conference on February 8 at LWSD Resource Center.  


About Us

 

Board of Directors 

Website 

Calendar 

Leadership Directory 

Meetings 

Advocacy 

Membership 

Emergency Preparedness 

Special Needs 

Financial Information 

Region 2 Service Team 

Washington State PTA 

National PTA 

 

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Our Partners

 

Lake WA School District 

LWSD School Board 

LW Education Association 

LW Schools Foundation 

LW Citizens Levy Committee 

 

 

Advocacy

 

Advocacy Links

 

2013-14 WSPTA Legislative Platform 

Top 5 Leg Issues 2013-14 

WSPTA Advocacy 

Advocacy Action E-List 

Legislative Assembly Blog 

PTA Takes Action Network 

Find Your Legislator
WA State Governor 

Superintendent of Public Instruction 

Office of the Education Ombudsman 

Register to Vote  

Special Needs

  
LWPTSA Special NeedsNext Meeting:
Tuesday February 25, 7-8:00 pm Presentation
8-8:30 pm Q&A
Agenda - Samm Room
  

Topic: Getting Ready for college!

  

Presented by Kim Thompson M.S.W. Associate Dean of Student Affairs - Shoreline Community College  

 

Kim Thompson talks about the difference between services provided in high school versus in college for students with disabilities. Her presentation includes an overview of the differences in disability laws, as well as essential information for preparing students with disabilities to successfully transition from the K-12 system to Higher Education. Ms. Thompson describes the benefits of using the system correctly and the pitfalls of failing to do so. This presentation will be of benefit to

parents of middle and high school students with disabilities (on IEPs or 504s), and for those currently in high school as juniors and seniors.

 

Ms. Thompson holds a Bachelor's degree in psychology from Seattle University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Washington. She has been a counselor and administrator in Higher Education for over 20 years. 

 

Go to LWPTSA Special Needs page for detailed topics of future meetings (to the extent known). Contact Us for questions.

To be added to the LWPTSA Special Needs Group email distribution list, contact Margaret Adams, Special Needs Chair
 
Upcoming Special Needs topics
March: An Ombuds from The Governor's Office of the Education Ombuds will present on IEPs and 504s

April: Nancy Rosenberger will speak on Dealing with Behavior Challenges at Home See full description here

May: Drs. Brock and Fernette Eide will present on their book Dyslexic Advantage

 

Money Matters

piggy_bank_money.jpg 

Treasurer's Report
Balance as of 1/31/2014:
Operations: $ 40,761.08
Pay Pal: $ 100.00
Scholarships: $ 23,239.13
Full Report: Click Here

Corporate Renewals Due

February: Audubon, Redmond El, Rush, Thoreau, Kamiakin MS

March: Dickinson, Juanita El, Keller, Finn Hill

When is yours due? Click Here

Now that we're back into our routines after Winter break, it is time for the


For your money matters questions, contact Shelley Flores, Council Treasurer 

 

Membership Update

 

We're 15K and growing!

Enrollment update: 15,335 members.

 

The 100% Membership Award deadline is fast approaching. Is your PTSA close but not quite there?  Read some 100% membership success stories here.

 

Looking for membership enrollment and payment info?  Check out the WSPTA's Leadership News Blog.

  

Upcoming membership dates:

March 1 - 100% Membership Award deadline

March 30 - Platinum level deadline

May 25 - Final membership service fees due (separate payments to state and council) 

 

For more membership info, contact Krista Wall, Council Membership Chair

 

 

Open Chair Position

 

Our Council currently has an open chair position for the new Anti-Bullying Advisory Committee (A-BAC). The Chairperson will attend the district A-BAC meeting, liaison with school A-BAC representatives and report back to our Council Board. Please contact Jane at president@lwptsa.net if you have an interest in filling this important role.

 

And the Winners Are ....
  
Congratulations to the winners of the 2013-2014 LWPTSA Council Reflections program! Judges selected the following Outstanding Interpretation (1st place) winners to advance to the state round of competition.

 

PTA ReflectionsDANCE CHOREOGRAPHY

Primary (K-2): This is My Dance Floor by Chase Bailey, AG Bell El

Intermediate (3 - 5): I Dreamed and Believed by Lilla Orban, Mead El

High School: Living the Dream by Brielle Garcia, Juanita High School

 

FILM PRODUCTION

Primary (K-2): Believe, Dream, Inspire by Milana Veera, Audubon El

Intermediate (3-5): The Concert by Naomi Leites, Norman Rockwell El

Middle School: Rainbow by Jasmine Zhang, Redmond Middle School


LITERATURE

Primary (K-2): The Story of My Tennis Life by Madhumitha Satishbabu, Audubon El

Intermediate (3-5): Runaway by Chloe Connolly, Wilder El

Middle School: Conservation by Sanjay Raman, International Comm. School

High School: The Girl in the Mirror by Emma Shipman, Lake Washington High School

 

MUSIC COMPOSITION

Primary (K-2): Fairies in the Forest by Irene Vega-Hernandez, Margaret Mead El

Intermediate (3-5): Getting Closer, Almost There by Samarjit Kaushik, Louisa May Alcott El

Middle School: In Search Of by Patrick Liu, Redmond Middle School

High School: Draw My Life by Nora DeWater, Redmond High School

 

PHOTOGRAPHY

Primary (K-2): Spider Web by Penda Hoge, Robert Frost El

Primary (K-2): Reflections by Nicola Tzenov, Audubon El

Intermediate (3-5): Comes to Life! by Kelsie Williams, Samantha Smith El

Middle School: Be Yourself by Marly Johnson, Inglewood Middle School

High School: Freedom by Karen Lee, Lake Washington High School

 

VISUAL ARTS

Primary (K-2): Rock and Roll Piano by Eula Dagal, AG Bell El

Intermediate (3-5):   Speaking for the Trees by Khushi Lam, Rachel Carson El

Middle School: Brighter Side of Life by Himani Nijhawan, Inglewood Middle School

High School: A Spirited Soul by Zoe Guckenheimer by Lake Washington High School

Special Artist:   The Lava Dice by Owen Luschei, Emily Dickinson El

Winners at the state competition will be announced in April!-stay tuned!

For a complete list of award winners, please Click Here 

 

 

'Trust
Me...Meet Me...Work with Me' A teacher's perspective on family engagement

 

Reprinted from National PTA's publication "Our Children", January 2014, Volume 39, Number 3
   
Teachers will tell you that it's difficult for a child to succeed in school without the support of his or her parents. While research shows that teachers are the most important in-school factor in a child's education, teachers cannot do it alone. Involved parents tend to have a more positive view of teachers, which results in improved teacher morale. Read full article
classroom-children.jpg
  
What is child advocacy?
  

Reprinted from The Child Advocate, A Monthly Publication of the Washington State PTA. December 2013, Issue 4, Volume 22

 

Advocacy means standing up for another person. Parents are natural advocates for their children. This can take place at school, in the community or at the state and national level. Whether you are concerned about special education, school bullies, or many other issues, you can use your voice to make a difference. Read full article

Teen Drivers: Keeping Them Safe on the Road

 

Reprinted from The Child Advocate, a Monthly Washington State PTA Publication December 2013, Issue 4, Volume 22

 

Developing safe teen drivers is a joint effort for parents, teens and driving educators. Before turning your family car keys over to your teen, have a conversation with your student driver about: speeding, texting, drinking, teen passengers, seatbelt use, road distractions and other topics on driving safely and responsibly. This conversation can help save lives. Be sure to make time for this important talk.  Read full article 

Local Units Highlights & Happenings

  

Wilder Elementary Front - After

 

Wilder Elementary Landscape Renovation

Wilder Elementary School's Landscape Renovation took home the January 2014 YOU ROCK!

Award from LWPTSA Council. Before PTA and Leanne Ludwig, Wilder's landscape was outdated, overgrown, contained empty areas, reduced recess visibility and was not optimized for student safety/walking traffic. After the project was completed, the school had walking pathways, better visibility of kids at recess and was a source of pride for the community. The project took the entire community's help and cooperation. After a plan was developed and presented to the PTSA board, school administrator approval and support was sought.

Wilder - Before

Then PTSA funds were requested before the project was submitted for approval

by the LWSD (District Community Projects

Brian Buck, bbuck@lwsd.org).

 

After that, the Wilder PTSA Beautification Committee went into in action for purchasing, prepping and planting the new landscape. By using community contacts and donations, Wilder was able to save almost $5,000 in supplies, making the project's final budget less than $3,000. Not only does Wilder have beautiful landscaping, they came together as a community to make it happen and that is just as valuable as the lovely planting beds. If you have questions about how your PTA could get started with your own project, Leanne Ludwig is willing to answer them. LeAnne Ludwig leanneludwig@Hotmail.com 

 

Reminder: The You Rock! Award is granted to PTSA units or individuals in the district who, through time, creativity and community, help students build for the future by doing something worth sharing with the rest of the district. Anyone can nominate a worthy recipient. The award will help us all keep our eyes open wherever we go in the district and hopefully will allow us all to learn from some of the innovative work that is done every day at every school by our very dedicated PTSA members. Please take time and tell us about a program at your school that you think other PTA/PTSAs could benefit from. To find out more or to nominate our next Awesome Rock Award recipient, visit our website lwptsa.net, or contact Judy East, Council Vice President.

 

Lake Washington School District
Traci Pierce
Traci Pierce, Superintendent

 

Superintendent's Message

 This past Sunday, two of our board members and I, along with superintendents and board members across the state, attended the annual legislative conference hosted by the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) and the Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA).

The legislative conference provided an overview of the work and focus of this year's legislative short session. It included "hot topics" of particular interest to school districts, particularly school funding. Read More 

Lake Washington Education Association

 

Read Across America

Kevin Teeley, President
Kevin Teeley, President

The National Education Association (NEA) annually sponsors Read Across America.  NEA's Read Across America focuses attention on how important it is to motivate children to read in addition to helping them master basic skills.

 

Read Across America will take place on March 3, the birthday of children's author Dr. Suess. We encourage you to get involved in a celebration in your school.

 

NEA has a wide variety of resources and materials to help you to make your event a success.

 .

The research is clear, children who are read to, and who read for pleasure, are significantly more successful in school than children who do not. Give your children a head start on success!

 

 

Lake Washington Schools Foundation

 

Announcing the 2014-2015 Reaching For Success Grants 

LWSFLearn more about the application and award process at the grant-writing workshop on February 6, 2014, from 4:00 to 5:30 PM, at the Lake Washington School District Resource Center. Grant applications are due on February 28th at 4:00 PM.

 

More information about the application process, including the grant application form and guidelines can be found at www.lwsf.org/teachers.html. For questions, please contact the foundation office at 425-936-1414, or email grants@lwsf.org.

 

Lake Washington

School Board 

 

Bond, Levy and Overcrowding solutions

Jackie Pendergrass
Jackie Pendergrass, President

As you read this, the school levy and bond election is just a few days away. Our school board cannot thank each and every one of your volunteers who helped in getting factual information out to family and friends about these measures. From PTA contributions, endorsements, delivery of door hangars, providing stamps for postcards, sending emails, writing letters, posting on Facebook and talking, you have been absolutely fabulous. And to top it off, for the first time in my over 20 years of working on levy/bond campaigns, we have 100% of out PTAs endorsing all measures and 100% contributing to the campaign committee to assist them in providing materials, ads and mailings. THANK YOU!!!

 

As the new year began, our Board said good-bye to long time Board member, Doug Eglington and said hello to our new member, Mark Stuart. In addition to our levy/bond work, the Board is working with the district on providing temporary solutions for schools that filled to the brim while we wait for the election results and hopefully the start of construction of new schools. The legislative session is in full swing. There are a number of bills that we are keeping our eyes on as well as wondering what the Legislature will do regarding the Supreme Court report that they are not doing enough to fully fund education. Seems to be a debate on will there be a supplemental budget or not.

 

Just a reminder, if you have not mailed in your ballot, please do so right away. And remind everyone you know to do so as well. Every vote counts - especially when you need 60% to pass a bond measure.

 

About LWSD School Board 

School Board Meetings 

About Us

 

The Lake Washington PTSA Council strives to provide support and guidance to our local unit leaders and the parents within the school district.
Office Hours


You are welcome to stop by for a chat on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month 9:30 am - noon, LWSD Resource Center, 1st Floor.   

 

LWPTSA Council
  

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