You can become part of PTA’s efforts to make sure children are healthy, safe and well-educated. We give you tools and a collective, powerful voice so you can build a better community and provide kids the support they need.
News Briefs
WSPTA JOINS UP WITH WASHINGTON TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION TO KEEP KIDS SAFE ON THE ROAD
Many careful parents think that they’ve done their job when they get their child to simply buckle his seat belt, but until a child is 4’9” tall, the seat belt doesn’t fit correctly and a child could be ejected from the vehicle in a collision or suffer severe internal injuries or a broken spine. This short (3 minute) video, a joint project with the PTA and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, will provide you with the knowledge to make the best choices for your children. Click here to watch video. For more information, go to www.nhtsa.gov or www.wtsc.wa.gov
Washington State PTA Recognized With Two Top National PTA Awards (July 8, 2014) - The Washington State PTA, was the recipient of the very prestigious Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion Award and was awarded with the President’s Exceptional Business Practices Award at the National PTA Convention in Austin, Texas on June 19-22, 2014.
The Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion Award recognizes only one state, council, district, or local PTA, nation-wide, who works diligently to understand and embrace the diversity of all individuals, understands the differences yet commonalities in their communities, and to work to foster outstanding achievement in the areas of diversity and inclusion.
This year, WSPTA had a five-phase outreach plan: phase one, holding two outreach summits, one on each side of the state, where PTA leaders, learned many facets of strengthening relations through outreach activities; phase two, conducting regional meetings to develop action plans to increase, retain and diversify PTA membership by reaching out to underrepresented groups; phase three, holding a certificated outreach skills training workshop, that provided PTA leaders with critical training in cross-cultural competency, community project management, public speaking, social-emotional learning, and other areas to enhance communications; phase four, planning, executing, and implementing region outreach action plans; and, phase five, hosting an outreach luncheon at the 101st Annual WSPTA Convention, highlighting outreach and family engagement.
The National PTA President’s Exceptional Business Practices Award is not an award that is solicited for by state PTAs, but is given in acknowledgement of what has been seen and witnessed by NPTA. On stage National President Otha Thornton told the other state congresses, “Washington State is a role model for all other states to follow.”
The WSPTA worked to make best business decisions available to ensure that its resources do the most good for members, schools, communities and children; focused on sustaining the association through family engagement/outreach, membership, local and state advocacy, programs, more partnerships with communities, businesses, advocacy partners and state-level partnerships; and created leadership education opportunities to provide an upward mobility training platform.
“This award is a testament of WSPTA’s approach towards transformational leadership this year -- making hard decisions, pulling together as a team to keep our mission in focus, strengthening our association and moving forward to be a strong resource for our leaders and a powerful voice for kids,” said WSPTA President Heather Gillette.
WSPTA Endowment Established (May 30, 2014) -
Exciting things are happening for PTA! Late last week the Washington State PTA signed the paperwork for the WSPTA Endowment with the goal to further our vision to make every child’s potential a reality by eventually using interest earnings from the endowment for operating and providing grants within WSPTA.
Smart Snacks: New Rules on School Fundraisers (May 22, 2014) - Beginning July 1, 2014, all foods sold to students on the school campus during the school day, including fundraisers, must meet nutrition standards under the Smart Snacks rule. Under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, flexibility was given to provide exemptions for school-sponsored infrequent fundraisers that do not meet the standards. State Child Nutrition Agencies have the authority to set the number of exempted fundraisers permitted per school year. If the State Agency does not designate a number, it is assumed that there are no exempted fundraisers.
This is not being mandated by the Washington State PTA. It is a Federal program and mandated from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. We have not received information from the Washington State Department of Agriculture, or the Washington State Health Department on their policy concerning this initiative, or the number of exempted fundraisers permitted per school year. As more information becomes available, we will keep you informed.
Please see links below for additional information regarding the Smart Snacks program.
USDA Memo
Smart Snacks Information Sheet
WSPTA JOINS UP WITH WASHINGTON TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION TO KEEP KIDS SAFE ON THE ROAD
Many careful parents think that they’ve done their job when they get their child to simply buckle his seat belt, but until a child is 4’9” tall, the seat belt doesn’t fit correctly and a child could be ejected from the vehicle in a collision or suffer severe internal injuries or a broken spine. This short (3 minute) video, a joint project with the PTA and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, will provide you with the knowledge to make the best choices for your children. Click here to watch video. For more information, go to www.nhtsa.gov or www.wtsc.wa.gov
Washington State PTA Recognized With Two Top National PTA Awards (July 8, 2014) - The Washington State PTA, was the recipient of the very prestigious Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion Award and was awarded with the President’s Exceptional Business Practices Award at the National PTA Convention in Austin, Texas on June 19-22, 2014.
The Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion Award recognizes only one state, council, district, or local PTA, nation-wide, who works diligently to understand and embrace the diversity of all individuals, understands the differences yet commonalities in their communities, and to work to foster outstanding achievement in the areas of diversity and inclusion.
This year, WSPTA had a five-phase outreach plan: phase one, holding two outreach summits, one on each side of the state, where PTA leaders, learned many facets of strengthening relations through outreach activities; phase two, conducting regional meetings to develop action plans to increase, retain and diversify PTA membership by reaching out to underrepresented groups; phase three, holding a certificated outreach skills training workshop, that provided PTA leaders with critical training in cross-cultural competency, community project management, public speaking, social-emotional learning, and other areas to enhance communications; phase four, planning, executing, and implementing region outreach action plans; and, phase five, hosting an outreach luncheon at the 101st Annual WSPTA Convention, highlighting outreach and family engagement.
The National PTA President’s Exceptional Business Practices Award is not an award that is solicited for by state PTAs, but is given in acknowledgement of what has been seen and witnessed by NPTA. On stage National President Otha Thornton told the other state congresses, “Washington State is a role model for all other states to follow.”
The WSPTA worked to make best business decisions available to ensure that its resources do the most good for members, schools, communities and children; focused on sustaining the association through family engagement/outreach, membership, local and state advocacy, programs, more partnerships with communities, businesses, advocacy partners and state-level partnerships; and created leadership education opportunities to provide an upward mobility training platform.
“This award is a testament of WSPTA’s approach towards transformational leadership this year -- making hard decisions, pulling together as a team to keep our mission in focus, strengthening our association and moving forward to be a strong resource for our leaders and a powerful voice for kids,” said WSPTA President Heather Gillette.
WSPTA Endowment Established (May 30, 2014) -
Exciting things are happening for PTA! Late last week the Washington State PTA signed the paperwork for the WSPTA Endowment with the goal to further our vision to make every child’s potential a reality by eventually using interest earnings from the endowment for operating and providing grants within WSPTA.
Smart Snacks: New Rules on School Fundraisers (May 22, 2014) - Beginning July 1, 2014, all foods sold to students on the school campus during the school day, including fundraisers, must meet nutrition standards under the Smart Snacks rule. Under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, flexibility was given to provide exemptions for school-sponsored infrequent fundraisers that do not meet the standards. State Child Nutrition Agencies have the authority to set the number of exempted fundraisers permitted per school year. If the State Agency does not designate a number, it is assumed that there are no exempted fundraisers.
This is not being mandated by the Washington State PTA. It is a Federal program and mandated from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. We have not received information from the Washington State Department of Agriculture, or the Washington State Health Department on their policy concerning this initiative, or the number of exempted fundraisers permitted per school year. As more information becomes available, we will keep you informed.
Please see links below for additional information regarding the Smart Snacks program.
USDA Memo
Smart Snacks Information Sheet
Deadline Dates
Coming soon!
Upcoming Events
WSPTA Leadership Conference
August 2, 2014
Highline Community College, Tukwila
WSPTA Annual Legislative Assembly
October 24-25, 2014
Vancouver Hilton, Washington
WSPTA 102nd Annual Convention -- April 17-19, 2015, Bellevue Hyatt Hotel, Bellevue, WA ...Click here
Coming soon!
WSPTA Leadership Conference
August 2, 2014
Highline Community College, Tukwila
WSPTA Annual Legislative Assembly
October 24-25, 2014
Vancouver Hilton, Washington
WSPTA 102nd Annual Convention -- April 17-19, 2015, Bellevue Hyatt Hotel, Bellevue, WA ...Click here
Events
You can learn from experienced leaders at region trainings and leadership conferences, and statewide conventions and workshops. In addition to targeted classes, these events are opportunities for you to network with other PTA leaders from your region or across the state and further develop your own leadership and advocacy skills. …Details
You can learn from experienced leaders at region trainings and leadership conferences, and statewide conventions and workshops. In addition to targeted classes, these events are opportunities for you to network with other PTA leaders from your region or across the state and further develop your own leadership and advocacy skills. …Details
Programs
You can support the youth in your community with programs from the state and National PTA. These include support for the arts, parent engagement, college or career preparation, and more. Better yet, your PTA/PTSA can apply for a grant and design your own. …Details
You can support the youth in your community with programs from the state and National PTA. These include support for the arts, parent engagement, college or career preparation, and more. Better yet, your PTA/PTSA can apply for a grant and design your own. …Details
Regions
Local PTAs enjoy the support of experienced PTA leaders who make up the service delivery teams that organize training in each geographic region. This means you can find support close at hand. Your region director is your point person for training and networking. …Find your local connection
Local PTAs enjoy the support of experienced PTA leaders who make up the service delivery teams that organize training in each geographic region. This means you can find support close at hand. Your region director is your point person for training and networking. …Find your local connection
Advocacy
For more than 100 years, PTA has advocated for kids on the local, state and national level. Child labor laws, universal kindergarten, school breakfast and lunch programs, and universal immunization—these are all things we take for granted today but were each hard fought victories for PTA. PTA is committed to supporting legislation that protects children and ensures every child gets a great education. …Learn about our priorities
For more than 100 years, PTA has advocated for kids on the local, state and national level. Child labor laws, universal kindergarten, school breakfast and lunch programs, and universal immunization—these are all things we take for granted today but were each hard fought victories for PTA. PTA is committed to supporting legislation that protects children and ensures every child gets a great education. …Learn about our priorities
Membership
Members are the lifeblood of PTA. You provide the passion, leadership, and hard work needed to achieve PTA’s vision that every child’s potential becomes a reality. In addition, PTA membership includes access to valuable benefits offered through National PTA. …All about benefits
Members are the lifeblood of PTA. You provide the passion, leadership, and hard work needed to achieve PTA’s vision that every child’s potential becomes a reality. In addition, PTA membership includes access to valuable benefits offered through National PTA. …All about benefits
Outreach
The Outreach Committee’s vision is to see “The diversity that is present in our community reflected in our membership”. We do this by reaching out to those who have differences in age, culture, economic status, educational background, ethnicity, gender, geographic location, legal status, marital status, mental ability, national origin, organizational position, parental status, physical ability, political philosophy, race, religion, sexual orientation, and work experience. …Learn more about our Outreach
The Outreach Committee’s vision is to see “The diversity that is present in our community reflected in our membership”. We do this by reaching out to those who have differences in age, culture, economic status, educational background, ethnicity, gender, geographic location, legal status, marital status, mental ability, national origin, organizational position, parental status, physical ability, political philosophy, race, religion, sexual orientation, and work experience. …Learn more about our Outreach
Resources
All parents want what is best for their children, and here you can find links to our online parenting magazine, The Child Advocate and a host of parenting resources, from suicide prevention to online learning. You can also find links to Washington State PTA’s Uniform Bylaws and volunteer recognition program. …Parent Resources
All parents want what is best for their children, and here you can find links to our online parenting magazine, The Child Advocate and a host of parenting resources, from suicide prevention to online learning. You can also find links to Washington State PTA’s Uniform Bylaws and volunteer recognition program. …Parent Resources
Leadership Resources
The Leadership Resources section of our website provides current members and leaders information to help them build a strong local PTA or council and meet their responsibilities to comply with state and Federal laws that govern tax exempt nonprofit corporations. …Leadership Resources (User Name and Password required)
The Leadership Resources section of our website provides current members and leaders information to help them build a strong local PTA or council and meet their responsibilities to comply with state and Federal laws that govern tax exempt nonprofit corporations. …Leadership Resources (User Name and Password required)