In observance of the holiday season, the WSPTA office will close
at noon on Friday, December 23 and will re-open Tuesday, January 3rd.
Thank you to each member, volunteer, leader, and supporter for all
of your hard work throughout the PTA year and have a happy holiday season.
GREAT WOLF LODGE MEMBER BENEFIT UPDATE!
As we
approach the New Year, there is one big change taking place with the Great Wolf
Lodge Discount Program. The change is, the discount code provided allows
WSPTA members to book at any Great Wolf Lodge in the US and
receive a discount!
FOCUS DAY 2017
January
16 | State Capitol | Registration
Have
you registered for 2017
Focus Day? In order to receive your free Top Five Platform t-shirt,
you will need to register! Learn more about Focus Day here.
Following
the release of Governor Inslee's proposed budget,
which includes $3.9B in education funding, WSPTA advocates will hear
from the Governor himself.
Ready to
Rally? WSPTA advocates will be rallying on the capitol
steps to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday by celebrating
Education as a Civil Right, alongside many other Washington State advocacy
groups.
Meet Your
Legislators. The main reason for Focus Day is learning about
Washington State PTA (WSPTA), our advocacy an legislative platform,
and meeting with your legislators to talk about the importance of our
Whole Child advocacy! Don't miss this opportunity for an exclusive audience
with your elected officials.
In
addition to the Governor, new Superintendent of Public Instruction
(SPI) Chris Reykdal will also spend time with us in the
rotunda. Chris will talk about his vision for the Office of Superintendent
of Public Instruction, and his top priorities during the first 100
days of office.
Kids are
welcome! There will be kids’ activities available in the Columbia Room.
EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT (ESSA) & YOUR CHILD
Washington’s
ESSA Consolidated Plan represents a serious turning point in
our state’s educational system. It continues the path of innovation and
excellence in education, and positions 1.1 million students for a more
successful future. The Consolidated Plan is being created as part of the
requirements of the 2015 reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, entitled Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The Office
of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) must submit the
ESSA Consolidated Plan to the U.S. Department of Education for approval by the
end of December 2016. If you have questions about ESSA, please contact Sherry Krainick,
WSPTA Learning Assessment Coordinator.
WSPTA//GAME DEVELOPMENT COMPETITION
Submit
to Intent Form Due January 9
The
WSPTA//Game Development Competition is a new Washington
State PTA STEM-based program that supports student success for students in
grades 9-12. The purpose is to provide an opportunity for students to use their
creative talents by expressing themselves, either individually or in teams, by
creating a computer game.
Got Game? Learn
more about the competition here.
Note: The General
Rules for Participation have been updated to include information about
usage of acceptable game engines. In general, participants may use any game
engine that fits their needs or skills but they must read and understand the
terms and conditions for use.
NEW PTA FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY
Boosterthon
We
understand that choosing the right fundraiser can feel overwhelming. Over the
past 15 years, Boosterthon has developed a proven system that raises
schools (on average) 70% more than their previous fundraiser. It's
just one of the many reasons why 1,900 elementary schools across America choose
Boosterthon's fitness and character-building experience year after year. Learn
more.
STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH LAUNCHES VIDEO CONTEST
The
slogan for the Listen2YourSelfie youth marijuana prevention
campaign is “Remember what’s important. Forget marijuana.” This video contest
gives teens 13-18 the chance to shape the campaign, win a GoPro and appear in
future campaign ads. We want to make this campaign more youth-led by learning,
“What’s important to you?”
For more
information, visit www.Listen2YourSelfie.org/contest or
follow #Listen2YourSelfie.
PTA MEN'S ESSAY CONTEST
March
1
This
statewide essay contest explores the important contributions that men make in
the lives and education of children - from our children's perspective. All men
involved in a child's life - fathers, uncles, grandpas, brothers, step-fathers,
mentors, neighbors, pastors, coaches, and friends - impact the children they
care about. Learn more here.
WELCOME TO THE FOLLOWING NEW PTAS
The
following is a list of PTAs/PTSAs that have chartered during the 2016-17 PTA
year:
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