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2017 Construction Bond 
​VOTE ON TUESDAY FEBRUARY 14TH to support the bond and show your love for Shoreline Schools! The bond will replace 2 middle schools, Einstein and Kellogg, build and new Parkwood Elementary and Children's Preschool Center. These buildings will help the district prepare for expected enrollment growth and ease overcrowding in the elementary schools. WE NEED A 60% SUPERMAJORITY TO PASS and 16,000 votes to certify the election! More details on the Bond 2017 page on this site, Vote YES for Shoreline Schools page and Shoreline School District
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​FOCUS DAY FOR EDUCATION  
January 16, 2017 | Capitol Building, Olympia
 
FOCUS DAY HAS SOLD OUT!!
We are so excited about Focus Day this year as the event has sold out - first time in four years! Registration was for the morning program in the Columbia Room but there are still many events available for those who didn't register. And we hope you do!!!
  • Education is a Civil Right rally on the capitol steps. WSPTA is a co-sponsor of this event and Barbara Martin, Washington State PTA Board President, is one of the speakers along with the Washington Education Association (WEA), students, teachers, etc. Please arrive at 10:15am as the rally starts at 10:30am.
  • WSPTA has the Rotunda and we hope you attend that program as well. The program starts at noon, and Barbara will make remarks; Chris Reykdal, the new Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), as well as Governor Inslee. It will be great!

Not Able to Attend?
Be sure to follow the excitement via #FocusDay and #WSPTAproud.​
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December 2016 Update 
What can we do now? 
No matter who you are and what you believe, the last couple of weeks were tough. Families are feeling a lot of uncertainty, and in some cases, fear and depression. If you lean progressive, you saw the election go the way that you were not expecting. If you lean conservative, it's tough to celebrate publicly when you live in Western Washington. One of the best ways to feel better and empowered to effect change that you care about by acting locally. "Local" can be within your school, within Shoreline or Lake Forest Park, it can be within the county or region, or even State level. Encourage your student if they want to support an issue or volunteer at an event for a cause that is of interest to them. Here are some ideas to share with your families:

1) Volunteer to fill a committee or leadership role in your school!  
Ask yourself what you can do to help your school?
  • Are you bilingual - you could be a translator or help translate materials for the staff, or support a student club/activity.
  • Your school has teams, clubs and other programs, like Natural Leaders or WatchDOGS, that could use more parent participation. Contact the school administration or website for contacts. 
  • Check with your PTA President or Principal for needs. Are you available sometimes during the day? Consider volunteering for PTA event support, classroom helper, or as a library volunteer. Parent participation and engagement in school is one of the best ways to ensure that our kids are in a successful school.

2) Support local groups and organizations that do good work in our community.  The WORKS has opportunities on Wednesday evenings. Hopelink in Shoreline has many ways to help. Turning Point supports local at risk students and immigrant families.  Volunteer at the YMCA, Teen Feed, or your place of worship. There are so many opportunities to donate your time or money to help make a difference in our community -  and great ways for your students to get service hours too!
 
3) Join a walk or event that benefits a cause you can get behind as a family. 
  • Consider health related causes like the American Heart Association, Diabetes, Alzheimers, Autism Walks, or WA State PTA advocacy or another group that supports Basic Education Funding etc. WA State PTA's Focus Day is in Olympia MLK Day Jan. 16th! 
  • If politics is something your family wants to follow, consider attending a Town Hall meeting, or attend the Seattle Women's march on January 21st.
  • ​Call or write a letters to Congress. Why call? Check out this article, and these Contacts and Tips for when you write letters. Calling and leaving a message and writing a letter are both more powerful and effective than sending an email or survey.
  • Follow a bill or two. Visit this page, which gives you a list of bills by topic. Choose a topic that interests you, and follow the bill on the link that will give you sponsors contacts. Remember that you can follow a bill to support it or to see it defeated.
  • Invite someone to coffee just to express your views or to get information. City Council, School Board, King County, Washington State, Legislative representatives... as a constituent or student they want to hear from you! Contact: Shoreline City Council, Shoreline School Board, WA State contacts. 

4) Teens can apply to be a Page in the Washington State Legislature. During each week of the legislative session students ages 14 to 16 from across the state serve as legislative pages, who assist with the Legislature's work by making deliveries and performing other necessary tasks. This is a fabulous opportunity for students to learn about the Legislature's role, its process, and its participants. Page School is a joint program of the House and Senate. 
 
5) Get involved in the upcoming Shoreline School District construction bond campaign, or focus on voter registration. 

Ultimately, we are in this together. Looking at the new Washington State PTA Legislative platform, and you will see issues that touch all of us. These are issues that address the whole child; every child; health, safety, welfare, and education. What matters to you? Talk about it, and choose an action.


Shoreline School District Bond Election Coming in 2017!
Did you know that a bond election is coming up on February 14th?   All registered voters residing within the Shoreline School District are eligible to vote on this bond that proposes to: construct an Early Learning Center at the Shoreline Children’s Center site to co-locate the tuition-based preschool, Head Start and Early Childhood Education; rebuild Parkwood Elementary School; and rebuild both Einstein and Kellogg Middle Schools.  The Shoreline School Board unanimously approved the $250 million bond proposal to address challenges with increased student enrollment and decreasing facility conditions. Shorewood PTA, Shoreline PTA Council, City of Shoreline, and other local PTAs have endorsed and/or supported this bond campaign.  For more information, please go to:  http://www.shorelineschools.org/bond.  You can also check out: http://www.voteyesforshorelineschools.org and on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/voteyesforshorelineschools/. The 2017 Shorewood bond campaign team will be asking for your support in posting yard signs, volunteering for sign waving, making a donation, and spreading the message to support this campaign. We all need to work together to make our school community stronger and safer for our students and for the future families in Shoreline.   
 
Important Links!

Register to vote!
See details and links: www.sos.wa.gov/elections/myvote/olvr.html

WSPTA Handout 
What does the state tax dollar buy?

MCCLEARY UPDATE: http://waschoolexcellence.org/ 
WA State Education News! Take action!

Follow our WA State Bill Tracker


Make State Legislator Appointments!

To make an appointment with your legislators, either in Olympia or their local office, visit the District Finder or call the Legislative Information Center (360) 786-7573.  


Region 6 Advocacy E-News


 
WSPTA Board President Statement on Supreme Court Decision on McCleary
Tacoma, WA (August 13, 2015): Washington state’s highest court issued an order sanctioning the state for failing to develop a plan to fully fund K-12 education per the court’s 2012 McCleary decision. The governor and lawmakers will meet Monday to begin addressing the court’s recent decision. 

The Washington State Parent Teacher Association (WSPTA) President Barbara Martin, issued this statement today concerning the Supreme Court’s ruling on McCleary: “Fully Funding McCleary is the WSPTA’s number one legislative priority and we are extremely pleased with the Supreme Court decision to ensure that fully funding education and holding the legislature responsible to comply with the constitution, is in the best interest of Washington’s children and will provide them with the best education possible.” 


Supreme Court News
In an unprecedented manner the Washington State Supreme Court has decided to fine the legislature for failure to live up to its constitutional "paramount duty" to education.  It has decided that they must pay $100,000 a day in sanctions starting immediately. #McLeary2015
 
http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/29781035/washington-state-ordered-to-pay-100k-a-day-in-sanctions-for-failing-to-fully-fund-education
 
http://www.king5.com/story/news/politics/2015/08/13/court-wa-fined-100000-per-day-education-funding-failure/31639493/
 
http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/politics-government/article31008216.html
 
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/politics-government/article31008225.html

100-plus Years of Focused Advocacy

2015-16 
Funding McCleary - fund basic education 
Create Positive School, Social Emotional Learning 
Increasing Capital Funding 
Increased Access to Higher Education 
Breakfast After the Bell 
Access, Equity & Opportunity for Students w/Disabilities             and Special Needs 
Closing Opportunity Gaps 
Equal Access for ELL Students 
Family and Community Engagement 
Inclusive Special Education 
Playground Safety 
Investing in Teacher Professional Learning
Regulating Child Restraint and Isolation in Schools 
      

2012-2014  
Advance Basic Education Reforms  
Fund Education First  
Close the Opportunity Gaps  
Revenue for Kids  
Access to Highly Effective Teachers 

2010-12  
Improve and Fully Fund Basic Education  
Strengthen Math And Science Instruction  
Literacy Screening And Instruction  
Reduction In Force/Layoff Policies;  
Fund Education First in the State Budget Process; (Tie)
New Compensation Model That Rewards for Teacher Effectiveness (Tie) 

2008-10  
Basic Education Funding;  
Strengthen Math and Science Curriculum and Education; Washington State Assessment Systems Improvements;
Support State Board of Education CORE 24 Framework Support Rational Approaches to Teacher compensation

2007-08  
K-12 Education Funding;  
Math and Science Education;  
Quality Teaching;  
Student Support Services;  
Special Education Funding

2006-07  
K-12 Education Funding;  
Math and Science;  
Simple Majority;  
Reduce Class Sizes;  
School Recess 

2005-06  
K-12 Education Funding;  
Re-definition of Basic Education;  
Simple Majority for Levy Passage;  
Multiple Measures;  
Math and Science

2004-05  
Simple Majority for Levy Passage;  
Critical Support for Education Reform;  
Education Funding Study;  
K-12 School Facilities;  
Highly Capable Programs

2003-04  
Children’s Health Care Access;  
Simple Majority for Levy Passage  
Alternative Assessments;  
Tax System;  
Education Funding Study

2002-03  
Protect I-728;  
Basic Education Act;  
State Tax Structure;  
Simple Majority,  
Prevention and Early Intervention Programs 

2001-02  
Anti-bullying;  
Protect I-728;  
Flexible Compensation for Teachers;  
Homeless Youth;  
Technology in Schools

2000-01  
Teacher Salaries;  
Safe Schools;  
Technology;  
Homeless Youth;  
Violence Prevention in Schools 

1999-00  
Education Funding;  
Educational Issues;  
Violence Prevention;  
Early Childhood/ Childcare;  
Graduated Drivers Licenses 

1998-99  
Classroom Size;  
Define and Fund Basic Education;  
Levy/Bond Reform;  
Violence Prevention/Intervention;  
Access to Weapons 

1997-98  
Definition of Basic Education;  
Responsible State Budget;  
Registered Sex Offenders;  
Access to Weapons by Youth; 
Repeal of Levy/Bond Validation Requirements

1996-97  
Defining and Funding Basic Education;  
Access to Weapons by Youth;  
Fiscal Growth Factor;  
Juvenile Justice Reform;  
Levy/Bond Election Reform 


1995-96  
Conflict Resolution and Anger Management;  
Juvenile Justice Reform;  
Levy/Bond Reform;  
Weapons in Schools;  
Fiscal Growth Factor 

1994-95  
Classroom Size;  
Gang Violence Prevention/ Intervention;  
Classroom Aides;  
Levy/ Bond Reform;  
Define Basic Education


1993-94  
Gang Violence Intervention/Prevention;  
Reduce Class Size; 
 Redefine Basic Education;  
Levy Election Reform;  
Tax Reform 


1992-93  
Children At Risk;  
Counseling K-12;  
Class Size;  
Outcome Based Education;  
Gang Violence Intervention/Prevention 


1991-92  
Class Size;  
Learning Assistance Programs for AtRisk Students;  
Tax Reform;  
K-6 Counseling;  
Responsible Education Budget


1990-91  
Responsive Education Budget;  
Learning Assistance Program for At-Risk Students;  
Self Esteem, Parenting Education Programs;  
Quality Education;  
Child Abuse 


1989-90  
Quality Education;  
Common School Construction Fund;  
Tax Reform;  
Special Needs/At -Risk Children;  
Child Abuse 


1988-89  
Quality Education;  
Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Abuse;  
Elementary School Counseling;  
Tax Reform;  
Fully Funding/Expenditure of Public Funds


1987-88  
Quality Education;  
Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Abuse;  
Elementary School Counseling;  
Tax Reform;  
Fully Funding/Expenditure of Public Funds 


1986-87  
Quality Education;  
Comprehensive Full Funding/ Expenditure of Public Funds;  
Drug and Alcohol Abuse;  
Child Abuse;  
Tax Reform 


1985-86  
Quality Education;  
Comprehensive Full Funding/ Expenditure of Public Funds;  
Drug and Alcohol Abuse;  
Tax Reform;  
Child Abuse 


1984-85  
Majority Passage of Levy/Bonds;  
Comprehensive Full Funding;  
Child Abuse;  
Drug and Alcohol Abuse;  
School Safety


1983-84  
Levy Majority Passage;  
Child Abuse;  
Comprehensive Full Funding;  
Drug and Alcohol Abuse;  
Teacher Quality and Capability


1982-83  
Levy Majority Passage;  
Child Abuse;  
Comprehensive Full Funding;  
Comprehensive Health Curriculum;  
Stronger Drunk Driving Laws