WSPTA Speaks on Digital Equity
Washington State PTA continues to testify in favor of solutions that bridge the digital divide and lead to improved and equitable access to broadband infrastructure. Hear Nancy Chamberlain testify on HB 1460 in the House Finance Committee. Legislators have several competing ideas on broadband solutions; WSPTA will continue to monitor and speak out for students…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA seeks amendment to benefit parents and students on College in the High School
HB 1302 would allow 9th graders to earn college credit for taking a College in the High School course. Currently, 9th graders may take the course but aren’t eligible to earn college credit. This bill would change this. After reviewing, WSPTA decided to ask for two amendments to strengthen the bill regarding notification, clear guidance…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
2021 Focus on Advocacy – February 8 Report
Cutoff week expected to be a busy one Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org This week is expected to be quite busy, as policy committees schedule bills for public hearings and votes in advance of the February 15 deadline for bills to be out of policy committees. Friday marks the last day for…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Weighs in on Universal Broadband – Part 2
Sharing WSPTA’s digital equity position adopted last October at the Legislative Assembly, Nancy Chamberlain addressed the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee February 3 on SB 5383, a bill that would authorize public utilities and ports with retail sales for broadband, but only after a private company does not object to the expansion project. Chamberlain…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Testifies: Computers are like books; should be basic education
The pandemic exposed what many parents and students already knew – that digital equity was not universal across our state and school districts. Speaking in favor of HB 1450, Northshore parent Nancy Chamberlain asked House Education Committee members to think of computers and digital devices like books – they are today’s basic education, said Chamberlain.…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Supports Access to Mental Health Resources
Tanya Aggar, a parent in the 41st legislative district, testified before the House Education Committee on February 2, asking members to pass HB 1373 and to add an amendment to include a website for safe storage of firearms. The bill would direct school districts to make several national mental health webpages available on the school…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Supports Bill To Establish Youth Suicide Review Team
Sharing her personal experience with youth suicide, WSPTA member Melissa Kline spoke in favor of HB 1354, a bill that would create a Washington Youth Suicide Review Team to review the circumstances related to suicides occurring among youth up to age 24. Kline asked the House Children, Youth & Families Committee to consider an amendment…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
February 2021 – Executive Director Message
Dear Members, As a life-long learner, I am always taking courses, reading books, and otherwise trying to develop my talents and hone my skills. A few years ago, I took a couple of online courses in executive leadership. At the time, I wanted to learn more about what it meant to be an “executive.” I…
Category:
Leadership
Online Financial Review
Thank you to Northshore Council PTSA 6.10 for allowing WSPTA to share their recent blog post on our site. Governance. Powered by PTA. Financial Reviews right now can be an overwhelming prospect. As a treasurer, you want to make sure your review committee can access all documents easily and smoothly with the added difficulty of…
Category:
Governance
WSPTA Speaks Out Against Gun Violence
SB 5078 would enact limits to high-capacity magazines in an effort to reduce gun violence. Hear Gwen Loosmore, a Mercer Island parent, represent WSPTA on this important bill. Modeling WSPTA best practices to leave them with a few keywords, Dr. Loosmore ends with, “The whole point of high-capacity magazines is to allow the gun to…
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Advocacy
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Legislative