Seattle Council PTSA e-news
Sept. 24, 2009

Congratulations to our newest PTSA! The Jane Addams PTSA held it charter meeting Sept. 23 and signed up 80 members at its first meeting. Also: PTSAs are reforming at Aki Kurose and Rainier Beach, and a Seattle Council PTSA advocate is working with the Leschi community� Citywide, we ended last year with 14,065 members.
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Concerned about H1N1 (Swine Flu)? http://www.seattleschools.org/area/safety/panflu.xml
New Student Assignment Plan: http://www.seattleschools.org/area/newassign/index.html
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In this issue:
Seattle Council PTSA general meeting Oct. 5. There will be a vote; we need a quorum
Assignment maps to be posted Oct. 6
Changes proposed for grading, graduation
Community chats for superintendent, school board directors
Seattle Council PTSA board: No on I-1033
Levy meeting Sept. 28. Critical funds up for renewal
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Key dates:  THIS SATURDAY, Sept. 26 - Region 6 Fall Leadership Conference, PTA and the Law. � Oct.1-2 - Legislative Assembly. Be part of the change � Oct. 5 - Seattle Council PTSA general meeting. VOTE REQUEST FOR NO on I-1033. Guest Speaker: Sup. Goodloe-Johnson (on the year ahead)
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-----ASSIGNMENT, CAPACITY-----------------------------------
Assignment maps go live Oct. 6
Feedback needs to be quick. Here’s the process:
Map 1 Oct. 6. Feedback. Revisions
Map 2 Nov. 3. Feedback. Revisions
Boundary map introduced to board Nov. 4
Board vote Nov. 18
Please help spread the word in your communities that new attendance lines are being drawn; that the first map won’t be the final one; and that folks should check the second map, too. SPS will be looking for data-driven reasons to make adjustments and will be seeking input. DON’T ASSUME YOUR COMMUNITY KNOWS ABOUT THIS. Area directors with the Seattle Council PTSA will check in with PTA leaders to help gauge feedback and concerns. Parents should send comments to both the district and the school board.
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Assignment plan summary: If you have not yet, you should review it. It’ll answer many questions parents may have: http://www.seattleschools.org/area/newassign/summary_final.pdf
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Capacity heads up: Assignment maps will be for current buildings and current population. No new schools slated for additional students in the pipeline for high school.
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Curious about enrollment numbers? Here are early counts:
http://www.seattleschools.org/area/siso/enroll/2009/p223.xml
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-----DISTRICT POLICY CHANGE--------------------------------
Graduate with D average? Board considers grading policy
Impact: Significant. Degrees would be awarded with a D average (rather than current C). Failing a class would be included in the GPA. Half grades would be allowed (minus and plus). Athletes could play with D average.
If you have an opinion: contact your school board director: Go to http://www.seattleschools.org/area/board/index.dxml, click on name of director. (Their pages list which schools they represent). Proposed changes will be voted on Oct. 7.
-Final recommendations
http://www.seattleschools.org/area/board/09-10agendas/091609agenda/gradingcommitteerecommendations.pdf
- Board policy change, graduation requirements:
http://www.seattleschools.org/area/board/09-10agendas/091609agenda/c15.00.pdf
- Board policy change, middle and high school grading:
http://www.seattleschools.org/area/board/09-10agendas/091609agenda/d15.00.pdf
- Action report for board:
http://www.seattleschools.org/area/board/09-10agendas/091609agenda/gradingreport.pdf 
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----DISTRICT NEWS, ENGAGEMENT-------------------
Community coffee hours for superintendent: Discuss the issues that matter to you. Relaxed Q&A. Times, locations:
Sept. 28, Hamilton MS, 4-5 p.m.
Sept. 28, Rainier Beach HS, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 29, Aki Kurose MS, 12-1 p.m.
Sept. 29, Highpoint Community Center, 6:50-8 p.m.
More info: http://www.seattleschools.org/area/strategicplan/Community_Coffees_Flyer_Final.pdf
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Community meetings with board directors
Visit director’s pages for times, locations.
- Sherry Carr representing Bagley,
B.F. Day, Green Lake, Greenwood, Hamilton International Middle School, Middle College AIH at Wilson Pacific, Olympic View, Sacajawea, Seattle Evening School, Stanford International School, Whittier
- Peter Maier representing AS#1 at Pinehurst,
Broadview-Thomson, Home School Resource Center, Ingraham, J. Rogers, Loyal Heights, Middle College at The Mall Academy, Nathan Hale, -North Beach, Northgate, Olympic Hills, Summit K-12, Wedgwood, Whitman
- Steve Sundquist representing Alki, Arbor Heights, Concord, Cooper, Denny, Gatewood, Highland Park, Lafayette, Madison
, Middle College at SSCC, Pathfinder, Roxhill, Sanislo, Schmitz Park, Sealth, Southwest Interagency, West Seattle Elementary, West Seattle High School
- Mary Bass representing Garfield, Gatzert, Leschi, Lowell, Madrona, Meany, Nova, Stevens, T. Marshall, T.T. Minor, Washington
- Michael DeBell representing Adams, Ballard, C. Blaine, The Center School, Coe, Hay, Lawton, McClure, Salmon Bay, Secondary Bilingual Orientation Center, West Woodland
- Harium Martin-Morris representing Bryant, Eckstein, Laurelhurst, McGilvra, Montlake, Roosevelt, Thornton Creek at Decatur, TOPS at Seward, View Ridge
- Cheryl Chow representing Aki Kurose, Beacon Hill, Brighton, Cleveland, Dearborn Park, Dunlap, Emerson, Franklin, Graham Hill, Hawthorne, Kimball, Maple, Mercer, Muir, Orca, South Shore K-8, Rainier Beach, South Lake Alt. at Hughes Building, Van Asselt, Wing Luke
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Strategic plan quarterly report:
http://www.seattleschools.org/area/strategicplan/Strategic_Plan_Update_Sept_2009.pdf
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Have conflict you need help with?
The Office of the Education Ombudsman works with families, educators and schools around the state to help them resolve conflict. Five most common areas: Special education; partnerships between educators and families; discipline; bullying/harassment; enrollment. All communications are private and confidential. Learn more, request services: http://www.governor.wa.gov/oeo/
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Mapping student success
School Beat: http://www.seattleschools.org/area/news/subscribe.xml
This twice-a-month electronic newsletter, covers district and school-based news. Share the link! Send in story ideas to goodnews@seattleschools.org. (Sept. 14’s top story? Rolling out Measures of Academic Success �� brief computer-based assessments that help teachers track student progress and use data to provide personalized instruction. MAP will provide assessment in reading and math three times a year: September/October, January and April/May.
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-----PTA INFO--------------------------------------------------
Fall Leadership Conference and PTA and the Law workshop. STRONGLY ADVISED:
Saturday, Sept. 26, 8:30-4 p.m.
8:30-9:30 a.m. breakfast and keynote speaker
9:45-12:30: leadership training
1-4 p.m.: PTA and the Law
Who’s this for? All officers and key PTA team members. If you’re a president or treasurer and have not taken PTA and the Law, you should. If you’re feeling green and could use boost (or job description) this is DEFINITELY for you. Cost is per unit. That means it’s $40 for one or $40 for ten, so you might as well car pool and bring the board. (Prize goes to local unit sending most attendees!) Classes cover the how-to’s for officers, as well as briefings on levies and bonds, PTAs and school administrators, and grant writing (!). Questions? Contact Region 6 director Sudene Snyder, ptareg6@wastatepta.org,  (425) 481-1682. To get info, register:
http://www.wastatepta.org/regions/region_6/region_calendar.html
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Seattle Council PTSA general meeting: The year ahead
All units should send a voting delegate. All PTA, PTSA members are welcome.
Monday, Oct. 5
In the Commons at Garfield High School
6:30 light dinner; 7-8:30 p.m. meeting
NEED QUORUM: New bylaws will be voted on. ALSO: SCPTSA board will ask council to take a no position on I-1033. GUEST: Sup. Maria Goodloe-Johnson will speak on district priorities, the assignment plan and family engagement.
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Best Practices for Inclusive Schools
Conference hosted by Seattle Special Ed PTSA. Saturday, Oct. 17 in the John Stanford Center Auditorium. Info on Seattle Spec Ed PTSA: http://www.seattlespecialedptsa.org/
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2010 membership fees:
$8.50 covers national, state and council assessments.
Here’s the breakdown:
$1.75 for National PTA
$5.25 for WSPTA
$1.50 for Seattle Council PTSA
Local units can decide whether to add their own fee. Check your unit’s standing rules.
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DEADLINE NEAR: Order your Official PTA kit:
(800) 307-4782. http://www.pta.org/ptakit_register/
Cost: Free if ordered before Oct. 1. Afterward: $35.
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Key Ingredients for Successful Students
September’s Child Advocate magazine is now online. Please share the link:
http://www.wastatepta.org/resources/child_advocate/index.html
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Fundraisers: Raffle ticket lid is higher
The maximum price a raffle ticket can be sold for has recently increased from $25 to $100. More info in the Gambling Commission Raffle Newsletter http://www.wsgc.wa.gov/Newsletters/5-164.pdf
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NEW STATE PTA BYLAWS, including rule change on electronic voting:
If the state allows something, that means your unit can, too. For a current copy of Washington State PTA’s Uniform Bylaws: http://www.wastatepta.org/resources/bylaws/index.html.
Guidelines on how to implement e-mail, mail and electronic voting:
http://www.wastatepta.org/leadership/elections/Electronic_Mail_Voting_Protocol.pdf
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-----PTA ENRICHMENT----------------------------------------
Beauty is � Celebrating Seattle kids’ art
November deadline for holiday show
We’re pairing the PTA’s annual Reflections art contest with a Winterfest show at the Seattle Center. Original artwork must be submitted through a local PTA or PTSA. Entry areas: Literature, music composition, photography, visual arts, film/video and choreography/dance. Contact: VP of Enrichment Stephanie Barnett at enrichment@seattlecouncilptsa.org or 206-931-4405. Let’s spotlight the creativity of our young artists
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Got art?
Every school should have an arts and enrichment coordinator to run the Reflections contest and coordinate with school and district staff on enrichment opportunities. All arts or enrichment coordinators should contact Stephanie Barnett, VP of Enrichment for the Seattle Council PTSA, at enrichment@seattlecouncilptsa.org or 206-931-4405.
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Arts eNews
http://www.seattleschools.org/area/arts/arts_eNews/current.xml
Share this link with your community. The monthly newsletter lists programs, events and activities. ALSO: funding, advocacy, research and resources. THE GOAL? To strengthen partnerships between schools and the arts community. Want to know more about this effort? Contact Kathleen Allen, SPS Community Arts Liaison, at kpallen@seattleschools.org.
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-----PTA ADVOCACY------------------------------------
Oct. 2-3: Washington State PTA’s Legislative Assembly
SeaTac Marriott Hotel
So what are the next steps are for basic ed funding? Teacher compensation? Get background info, learn how to advocate, and help determine state PTA priorities. Up for vote: Fund education first; increase funding for highly capable; allow weighted GPA.
Proposed issues:
http://www.wastatepta.org/advocacy/headlines/Issues_2009_Leg_Assembly_proposed_platform.pdf
For more info, to register:
http://www.wastatepta.org/meetings/leg_assembly/index.html.
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Seattle Council PTSA board opposes I-1033
The vote was unanimous. This initiative, put together by Tim Eyman, would limit the state’s general fund expenditures in any one calendar year to the amount of revenue received in the preceding calendar year, plus an adjustment based on changes in the general population and a national inflation index.
IMPORTANT: That means it would lock in all of the significant cuts to education and services to children and families that the state legislature made in order to balance the state’s budget during the current economic crisis. Districts receive between 76% and 93% of their funding from the state general fund. Locking in cuts to the general fund means locking in cuts to schools. Cut out of current budget: cost of living increases for teachers and the student achievement fund (also called “class size reduction” fund)
Background info, including fiscal analysis:
http://www.wastatepta.org/advocacy/index.html
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Get connected
- Grassroots listserv: Get weekly updates on top PTA issues when the legislature is in session.
- Contact Team: Calls and visits to legislators are critical. Want to join the team?
- Action Alerts: Advocacy is just a click away: PTA staff sends out messages with background, requested action and sample message. You click, change as desired and send along
Choose your action: Click on PTA speaks up, then Online Listserv Signup Form
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SAVE THE DATE: PTA Focus Day is Monday, Jan. 18. Bring along your kids and honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with some civic engagement.
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--COMMUNITY NEWS----------
Community forum: Student learning and great teaching
Wednesday, Oct. 14
Doors open at 5:30; pizza at 6; program 6:30-8 p.m.
Campion Tower Ballroom, Seattle University Campus, 914 E. Jefferson St.
The Alliance for Education invites you to participate in a community forum to explore a report by the National Council on Teaching Quality, titled Human Capital in Seattle Public Schools.
The forum will include a presentation of the report by Kate Walsh, Executive Director of NCTQ, followed by roundtable discussions about what this report means for our community and students.
To register, request information, contact Rachel Hug at 206-205-2322 or Rachel@alliance4ed.org
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WANTED: Host families for exchange students: Contact: Alyssa Gregson, exchange student representative with International Student Exchange: adyan2s@hotmail.com
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Online homework help from Seattle Public library:
http://www.spl.org/default.asp?pageID=audience_teens_homework
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-----LEVY RENEWALS-------------------------------
SPS’ levy meetings set
The Operations Levy (24 percent of SPS’ operating fund) and the Building, Technology and Academics III Capital Levy will be voted on in February 2010. Learn more:
Monday, Sept. 28, 6:30-8 p.m., Eckstein Middle School, 3003 NE 75th St. Interpreters will be available. See also: http://www.seattleschools.org/area/levy-info/index.html
Send comments to: 2010levies@seattleschools.org or mailed to Levies 2010, Seattle Public Schools, M.S. 22-336, P.O. Box 34165, Seattle, WA, 98124-1165.
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Schedule a presentation at your school
SchoolsFirst, the citizen’s group that works to pass Seattle school levies, will come to you. Visit www.schoolsfirstseattle.org/, click on How You Can Help tab. How important is this? Critical. The operations levy alone covers about every fourth teacher. Many thanks to those PTAs who’ve contributed to the campaign. Remember: 1 to 2 percent of your budget underwrites the biggest fund-raiser of the year.
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----FUNDING SCHOOLS: PHASE II --------------------------
Is the state meeting its duty?
Washington State PTA and 70+ members of the Network for Excellence in Washington Schools (or NEWS) say NO and are arguing the case in court. TRIAL UPDATES: http://www.waschoolexcellence.org/daily_trial_updates.
Become a Friend of News: http://www.waschoolexcellence.org/node/64
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Education Finance Reform (bill 2261) follow-up tool
Every PTA leader should know about and have a basic understanding of finance reform passed last April. Over the course of the next decade it will overhaul how schools are funded and determine teacher compensation, length of school day and graduation requirements. The Washington State PTA has posted this tool online at:
http://www.wastatepta.org/advocacy/HB2261/index.html
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Ramona Hattendorf, president
Seattle Council PTSA
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Got an e-news or newsletter editor? Make sure they get the Seattle Council PTSA bulletins. Send an email to info@seattlecouncilptsa.org to sign up.