ADVOCACY UPDATE - Edited November 9, 2020
submitted by: Jenn Snyder, Advocacy Chair
Advocacy! Getting our voices heard in helping our children reach their fullest potential.
All residents are welcome to attend regular board meetings. The board provides a public comment period at the beginning of each meeting. During public comments, individuals may address the school board. Those interested in speaking should sign up prior to the meeting on a sheet available at the back of the board room. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of the month at 4pm and the fourth Monday at 7pm.
COVID-19 Update: In accordance with social distancing guidelines, school board meetings and study sessions will be conducted online and viewable to the public through a live stream until further notice.
Thank you to Barby Taheri, Jennifer Snyder and Melissa Kline for representing Skyview PTSA at Legislative Assembly the weekend of Oct. 24-25th. Although the event was virtual, Washington State PTA voted on the Top 5 Legislative Priorities for the next two year platform. There were also 3 supported issues, resolutions and a new principal added.
Top Five Legislative Priorities
Also Supported (listed alphabetically)
(More details on each of the Top Five Legislative Priorities and Supported Issues above.)
Want to get more involved with advocacy? On Thursday, November 12th, 7-9pm, Heidi Bennett Region 6 Advocacy Chair will lead a group discussion on the new WSPTA legislative platform voted in at Legislative Assembly and Advocacy basics to get ready for 2021.
Senator Jamie Pedersen (43rd), Representative Gerry Pollet (46th), and Senator David Frockt (46th) who all sit on the K-12, Higher Ed &/or Budget committees, will join us to give their perspectives on the new ​platform and the upcoming legislative session.
Register HERE.
Several hundred stakeholders participated in the development of this community-wide strategic plan, including students, parents, and caregivers, educators, community members, members of the Board of Education, and leaders from local government, business, higher education and community-based organizations. Therefore, everyone has a stake in its promise and a role in its successful implementation. The plan consists of three key components: NSD’s Goals and Measures for learning, growth, and excellence for every student; The Four Building Blocks & Professional Practices that anchor effective instruction in every school and every classroom, every day; The Educational Strategies that will sustain an equitable, hightrust, responsive, and continuous learning culture, thereby ensuring that each student meets or exceeds high standards of academic and social-emotional success.
Review the Strategic Plan here.
Northshore School District COVID-19 Resources:
https://www.nsd.org/covid19
OSPI Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance & Resources for families:
https://www.k12.wa.us/about-ospi/press-releases/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-resources
Join the WSPTA Action Network Group - Sign up to receive timely information and action alerts during the Washington State Legislative sessions. This is a very easy way to make your voice heard.
Contact your state legislators via emails and/or phone calls. Click HERE to find your local Washington State Legislative. https://app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/
Local Advocacy Representatives
Skyview Middle School: Jennifer Snyder
Northshore Council: Diana Christiansen
Region 6: Heidi Bennett
Washington State PTA: Sherry Rudolph
Let your state legislators know how important funding our children’s education is to you via emails and/or phone calls! Click HERE to go to the Washington State Legislative page for contacts.
Helpful Links
Please see the following helpful advocacy links to read legislative news and keep up on WSPTA’s advocacy through their Grassroots Connection blog.
Northshore School District: School Board Contacts
https://www.nsd.org/our-district/leadership/school-board
Washington State PTA Region 6
https://www.wastatepta.org/pta-leaders/pta-regions/region-6/
Northshore Council PTSA 6.10
http://www.northshorecouncilptsa.org/
Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
Chris Reykdal, Superintendent (elected position)
https://www.k12.wa.us/
Ask OSPI a question:
https://www.k12.wa.us/about-ospi/contact-us/online-forms/ask-ospi
Washington State PTA Advocacy Site
http://www.wastatepta.org/advocacy
National PTA Advocacy Site
https://www.pta.org/home/advocacy
National PTA Advocacy Toolkit
http://www.pta.org/advocacy/content.cfm?ItemNumber=1927&navItemNumber=558
Voter Registration
General Election -- Tuesday, November 3, 2020
Are you registered for the next election? Register to vote (or update your voter registration) with the Washington Secretary of State - https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/register.aspx
