Week 1: See you at Focus Day!
By Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Parents and students will descend on Olympia today to meet with their state legislators during the annual Washington State PTA Focus Day. Members also will hear from Senators and Representatives over the lunch hour and will participate in a march around the capitol grounds in support of closing K12 funding gaps. If you weren’t able to travel to the State Capitol,…
2026 Legislative Session: And … We’re Off!
By Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Today marks the start of the 60-day session and it’s already setting off at a fast pace with public hearings on Governor Bob Ferguson’s proposed 2026 supplemental budgets and a variety of policy bills. Remember, all bills from 2025 are still eligible to move forward this year, but they’ll need to meet cutoff deadlines. And, legislators have been very busy “pre-filing” bills which will…
Student Members Matter: Be recognized for Including Student Memberships!
Student voices are powerful—and when students are members of your PTA, they’re not just part of the conversation; they’re part of the movement. To celebrate and encourage student inclusion, WSPTA is rolling out a new award this year for PTAs that are actively engaging with student members. 🎉 How to Enter: Go to https://wastatepta.org/events-programs/awards/membership/ and…
Category:
Membership
Family and Community Engagement | Navigating Big Feelings During Winter Break
By: Angela Farnsworth – Elementary Special Education Paraeducator and WSPTA Special Education Committee Member The holiday season can bring a lot of joy, and also a lot of stress. This is true for everyone but especially neurodivergent kids. A gap in support services, a lack of routine, and over-stimulating events can leave families feeling out of…
Category:
Family Engagement
WSPTA Family and Community Engagement: Family Celebration Calendar – December
The first Friday of each month is “WSPTA Family Celebrations Friday” where relationship and curiosity meet observances. WSPTA highlights student-focused celebrations and wants to know what you and your family observe. Download the December 2025 calendar by clicking on the graphic below! We want to hear about your family celebrations! Fill out the form below…
Category:
Family Engagement
Motivate & Celebrate: Using Membership Incentives to Strengthen Your PTA
Everyone loves a little extra motivation—and in a PTA membership campaign, incentives can be a fun, effective way to boost engagement and reach your goals. When used well, incentives create energy, highlight your mission, and show appreciation for those who choose to join. But it’s important to remember incentives support the campaign—they aren’t the heart…
Category:
Membership
Prevent Unauthorized Recording of Your Virtual Meetings
There is an increasing occurrence of virtual meetings being recorded and posted without consent or knowledge of PTAs. We hope this blog can provide some guidance on steps your PTA can take to try to protect itself from unauthorized recordings. Be Careful of AI Meeting Assistants and Bots Many AI meeting assistants (such as Otter.ai,…
Category:
Safety
Family & Community Engagement | Disability in Schools
There is no better time than now to raise awareness about disability and the profound ways it can touch all our lives. Whether through a family member, a close friend, or personal experience, most of us are connected in some way to someone with a disability. These shared stories remind us of the importance of keeping…
Category:
Family Engagement
The Value of PTA Membership: More Than Just Joining
When people think of joining the PTA, they often imagine fundraising or planning events—but the truth is, PTA membership is so much more. It’s about connection, community, and creating real impact for all children. A Voice for Every Child At its core, PTA is an advocacy organization. When you join, you’re adding your voice to…
Category:
Membership
WSPTA Family and Community Engagement: Family Celebration Calendar – November
The first Friday of each month is “WSPTA Family Celebrations Friday” where relationship and curiosity meet observances. WSPTA highlights student-focused celebrations and wants to know what you and your family observe. Download the November 2025 calendar by clicking on the graphic below! We want to hear about your family celebrations! Fill out the form below…
Category:
Family Engagement