Please see our Council flyer explaining the importance of advocacy for PTA.
UPDATES FROM COUNCIL ADVOCACY CHAIR
Hi Everyone~
I hope you are staying safe and enjoying the beautiful snow. For those of you who sent kindergartners and first graders to school, I hope they enjoyed their first week back. February 15 was policy cut-off day for the legislature. That means any bills that are in committee from the house of origin (Senate or House; the chamber of the Legislature the bill was first introduced) have to pass out of them to be read into the record with the exception of bills that are in the House Fiscal Committees, Senate Ways and Means, and Transportation Committees. In example, a bill that was introduced in House Education would have to pass out of that committee in order to stay alive to continue in the process of hopefully becoming a law. If a bill does not pass out of the committee, then that bill is considered dead.
Not only have our legislators been busy with getting bills introduced and out of committees, they have also been busy hosting virtual town halls as well. Last week, the 38th and 44th legislators each hosted virtual town halls. I hope that some of you were able to attend. This is a great way to ask questions and listen to responses of other questions being asked by constituents like yourself who live in the same district. These town halls were on Facebook Live and on YouTube. You could submit questions ahead of time either by email, SurveyMonkey, or in the chat so no speaking involved! For those of you who are in the small sliver of the 21st District that our school district falls within, there is a virtual town hall this Wednesday, February 17, 6:00-7:00 PM. Check our Council Facebook page for the info.
THANK YOU to all of you who joined me on the legislative meetings we’ve had. I hope that you got some of your questions answered and will continue to reach out to your legislators. They want to hear from YOU!
Lastly, I wanted to mention to you another opportunity to learn about a topic that many of us probably don’t know much about — redistricting. As you know, we had a United States Census last year and the next step is to redraw legislative and congressional districts based on the data from the census. Some of our districts may change boundary lines or a new district may be created based on our population. The League of Women Voters of Snohomish County are putting on a series of classes about this. They are FREE so if you want to learn more about this, I encourage you to sign up. The first class is this Thursday, February 18 (with morning or evening options available). For more details, please visit their website:
https://lwvsnoho.org/redistricting/
Happy Advocating!
Lizzy Sebring
Advocacy Chair
Hi Everyone~
I hope you are staying safe and enjoying the beautiful snow. For those of you who sent kindergartners and first graders to school, I hope they enjoyed their first week back. February 15 was policy cut-off day for the legislature. That means any bills that are in committee from the house of origin (Senate or House; the chamber of the Legislature the bill was first introduced) have to pass out of them to be read into the record with the exception of bills that are in the House Fiscal Committees, Senate Ways and Means, and Transportation Committees. In example, a bill that was introduced in House Education would have to pass out of that committee in order to stay alive to continue in the process of hopefully becoming a law. If a bill does not pass out of the committee, then that bill is considered dead.
Not only have our legislators been busy with getting bills introduced and out of committees, they have also been busy hosting virtual town halls as well. Last week, the 38th and 44th legislators each hosted virtual town halls. I hope that some of you were able to attend. This is a great way to ask questions and listen to responses of other questions being asked by constituents like yourself who live in the same district. These town halls were on Facebook Live and on YouTube. You could submit questions ahead of time either by email, SurveyMonkey, or in the chat so no speaking involved! For those of you who are in the small sliver of the 21st District that our school district falls within, there is a virtual town hall this Wednesday, February 17, 6:00-7:00 PM. Check our Council Facebook page for the info.
THANK YOU to all of you who joined me on the legislative meetings we’ve had. I hope that you got some of your questions answered and will continue to reach out to your legislators. They want to hear from YOU!
Lastly, I wanted to mention to you another opportunity to learn about a topic that many of us probably don’t know much about — redistricting. As you know, we had a United States Census last year and the next step is to redraw legislative and congressional districts based on the data from the census. Some of our districts may change boundary lines or a new district may be created based on our population. The League of Women Voters of Snohomish County are putting on a series of classes about this. They are FREE so if you want to learn more about this, I encourage you to sign up. The first class is this Thursday, February 18 (with morning or evening options available). For more details, please visit their website:
https://lwvsnoho.org/redistricting/
Happy Advocating!
Lizzy Sebring
Advocacy Chair
WOULD YOU LIKE TO MEET WITH A LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE?
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17: 21st Legislative District Town Hall
This is a Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/washington-house-democrats/21st-district-virtual-town-hall/1933115496826474/
If you or anyone on your team is interested in participating in either of these meetings, please contact our Advocacy Chair, Lizzy Sebring: rungal20@msn.com
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17: 21st Legislative District Town Hall
This is a Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/washington-house-democrats/21st-district-virtual-town-hall/1933115496826474/
If you or anyone on your team is interested in participating in either of these meetings, please contact our Advocacy Chair, Lizzy Sebring: rungal20@msn.com
GET READY FOR LEGCON 2021!
🙋♀️LegCon Hill Day is back between March 9-11, and it’s virtual! Meetings with members of Congress may look and feel different this year, but Hill meetings remain an enormously important advocacy tool. Register for LegCon 2021 by February 4 to participate in Hill day. #PTALegCon
https://www.mylibralounge.com/sites/202103nptalc/attendee/en/welcome/?lib_SGU=DD18EF7C-0CC1-4B9C-87EC-7AF3A4377BDA&lib_CST=8762B050-571C-4673-A302-213D21706C63
The cost is $50, which is far less expensive than taking a trip to Washington, DC. We encourage any PTA leader who is interested in attending this LegCon event to pay for the registration cost using an Advocacy line item within that PTA's budget. When you register, to select your role just choose “Other”.
🙋♀️LegCon Hill Day is back between March 9-11, and it’s virtual! Meetings with members of Congress may look and feel different this year, but Hill meetings remain an enormously important advocacy tool. Register for LegCon 2021 by February 4 to participate in Hill day. #PTALegCon
https://www.mylibralounge.com/sites/202103nptalc/attendee/en/welcome/?lib_SGU=DD18EF7C-0CC1-4B9C-87EC-7AF3A4377BDA&lib_CST=8762B050-571C-4673-A302-213D21706C63
The cost is $50, which is far less expensive than taking a trip to Washington, DC. We encourage any PTA leader who is interested in attending this LegCon event to pay for the registration cost using an Advocacy line item within that PTA's budget. When you register, to select your role just choose “Other”.
WSPTA "TOP 5" LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM:
2020-2021 WSPTA SUPPORTED ISSUES:
- Increase Access to Nursing, Mental Health, and Social Emotional Learning Staff
- Support Students and Preserve Education Funding
- Increasing Educational Equity by Closing the Digital Divide
- Supports and Funding for Students with Disabilities and Their Families
- Prevent and Reduce Gun Violence and Suicide
2020-2021 WSPTA SUPPORTED ISSUES:
BOND RESOURCES FOR PTAs:
- Taking Positions on Ballot Measures (Washington State PTA resource)
- Conducting a PTA Endorsement Vote (Washington State PTA resource)
- District approved language you can use to promote the presentation. You can customize the Word document and send out as an attachment or save it as a picture. You can also simply use the approved language in your communication. (Everett Public Schools resource)
FORMER ADVOCACY EVENTS
Thursday, February 11, 2021: 38th Legislative District Town Hall
Wednesday, February 10, 2021: 44th Legislative District Town Hall
Thursday, February 4, 2021: Q&A Session with Rep. John Lovick from 44th Legislative District
Monday, February 1, 2021: Q&A Session with Rep. April Berg from 44th Legislative District
Thursday, January 28, 2021: Q&A Session with Rep. Mike Sells from 38th Legislative District
Saturday-Sunday, October 24-25, 2020: WSPTA Legislative Assembly
Tuesday, April 28, 2020: Everett Public Schools Capital Bond Vote
BOND RESOURCES FOR PTAs:
Monday, January 20, 2020: Focus Day
Members of Everett PTSA Council celebrated Focus Day by visiting our State Capitol in Olympia and meeting with legislators to discuss key PTA legislative priorities and supported platforms. Interested participants contacted our Advocacy Chair to arrange meetings and carpools.
POST-EVENT SUMMARY (PER ADVOCACY CHAIR): Focus Day was a great day filled with lots of meetings with legislators. Our own Laura Peterson testified before the House Education Committee about improving the prevention and treatment of students with life threatening allergic reactions. PTA leaders met with State Representatives, heard from Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal, testified at committee hearings on bills related to children and education, and learned so much. Thank you to all the PTA leaders who advocate in big and small ways on a daily basis. Your voice makes a difference!
Saturday-Sunday, October 26-27, 2019: WSPTA Legislative Assembly
This annual event provided an opportunity for PTA leaders from across Washington state to learn more about advocacy, vote on resolutions and issues, and network with PTA peers. Interested participants contacted our Advocacy Chair or signed-up on the WSPTA Legislative Assembly website. At the event, attendees participated in legislative discussions pertaining to our WSPTA Legislative Principles and WSPTA Legislative Platform.
LOCATION: Bellevue College - 3000 Landerholm Circle SE, Bellevue, WA 98007
POST-EVENT SUMMARY (PER ADVOCACY CHAIR): We adopted 1 NEW legislative principle, 1 NEW legislative issue that will be added to our also supported issues on the platform, AMENDED 1 legislative issue, adopted 4 NEW resolutions and adopted 15 AMENDED resolutions. There was a lot of good debate and amendments to the proposed issues, principles, and resolutions. It was our new parliamentarian’s first Legislative Assembly and he did a great job. It’s not easy when there are people lined up at the For and Against microphones making motions to amend, extend debate time, or close debate while others are standing at the Information microphone to ask a question about the process; all of this is happening fairly quickly and at the same time! Thank you!
Monday, October 7, 2019: School Board Candidate Forum
Everett PTSA Council hosted this free event, which gave community members an opportunity to submit questions and hear from the candidates running for seats on the Everett Public School Board. The moderator for this event was Nancy Chamberlain, current WA State PTA Finance Officer and immediate past WA State PTA Advocacy Director. We appreciate her willingness to moderate this event for us.
THE CANDIDATES:
April Berg, Brian Hollingshead, Jamyang Dorjee Nhangkar, and Andrew J. Nicholls (Unable to attend due to a schedule conflict)
Thursday, February 11, 2021: 38th Legislative District Town Hall
Wednesday, February 10, 2021: 44th Legislative District Town Hall
Thursday, February 4, 2021: Q&A Session with Rep. John Lovick from 44th Legislative District
Monday, February 1, 2021: Q&A Session with Rep. April Berg from 44th Legislative District
Thursday, January 28, 2021: Q&A Session with Rep. Mike Sells from 38th Legislative District
Saturday-Sunday, October 24-25, 2020: WSPTA Legislative Assembly
- The Top 5 Legislative Priorities were decided.
- The remaining issues of Safe School Plans and Emergency Preparedness, Equitable Identification and Services for Highly Capable Students, and Mitigating the Adverse Impacts of Climate Change will be added to the "Also Supported" list of our short-term legislative priorities.
- Nine Resolutions were voted on and approved.
Tuesday, April 28, 2020: Everett Public Schools Capital Bond Vote
BOND RESOURCES FOR PTAs:
- Official 2020 Capital Bond information (Everett Public Schools resource)
- Taking Positions on Ballot Measures (Washington State PTA resource)
- Conducting a PTA Endorsement Vote (Washington State PTA resource)
- District approved language you can use to promote the presentation. You can customize the Word document and send out as an attachment or save it as a picture. You can also simply use the approved language in your communication. (Everett Public Schools resource)
Monday, January 20, 2020: Focus Day
Members of Everett PTSA Council celebrated Focus Day by visiting our State Capitol in Olympia and meeting with legislators to discuss key PTA legislative priorities and supported platforms. Interested participants contacted our Advocacy Chair to arrange meetings and carpools.
POST-EVENT SUMMARY (PER ADVOCACY CHAIR): Focus Day was a great day filled with lots of meetings with legislators. Our own Laura Peterson testified before the House Education Committee about improving the prevention and treatment of students with life threatening allergic reactions. PTA leaders met with State Representatives, heard from Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal, testified at committee hearings on bills related to children and education, and learned so much. Thank you to all the PTA leaders who advocate in big and small ways on a daily basis. Your voice makes a difference!
Saturday-Sunday, October 26-27, 2019: WSPTA Legislative Assembly
This annual event provided an opportunity for PTA leaders from across Washington state to learn more about advocacy, vote on resolutions and issues, and network with PTA peers. Interested participants contacted our Advocacy Chair or signed-up on the WSPTA Legislative Assembly website. At the event, attendees participated in legislative discussions pertaining to our WSPTA Legislative Principles and WSPTA Legislative Platform.
LOCATION: Bellevue College - 3000 Landerholm Circle SE, Bellevue, WA 98007
POST-EVENT SUMMARY (PER ADVOCACY CHAIR): We adopted 1 NEW legislative principle, 1 NEW legislative issue that will be added to our also supported issues on the platform, AMENDED 1 legislative issue, adopted 4 NEW resolutions and adopted 15 AMENDED resolutions. There was a lot of good debate and amendments to the proposed issues, principles, and resolutions. It was our new parliamentarian’s first Legislative Assembly and he did a great job. It’s not easy when there are people lined up at the For and Against microphones making motions to amend, extend debate time, or close debate while others are standing at the Information microphone to ask a question about the process; all of this is happening fairly quickly and at the same time! Thank you!
Monday, October 7, 2019: School Board Candidate Forum
Everett PTSA Council hosted this free event, which gave community members an opportunity to submit questions and hear from the candidates running for seats on the Everett Public School Board. The moderator for this event was Nancy Chamberlain, current WA State PTA Finance Officer and immediate past WA State PTA Advocacy Director. We appreciate her willingness to moderate this event for us.
THE CANDIDATES:
April Berg, Brian Hollingshead, Jamyang Dorjee Nhangkar, and Andrew J. Nicholls (Unable to attend due to a schedule conflict)
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ADVOCACY CONTACTS:
Everett PTSA Council Advocacy Chair: Lizzy Sebring, rungal20@msn.com
Region 7 Advocacy Chair: OPEN (Acting Advocacy Chair is Lizzy Sebring)
WSPTA Legislative Director: Nancy Chamberlin - ptalegdir@wastatepta.org
WA State Advocacy Webpage (Legislative Platform, how to take action): www.wastatepta.org/focus-areas/advocacy/
Sign up to take action with "Voter Voice": https://www.votervoice.net/WAPTA/register
HELPFUL LINKS:
Find and Contact Your Legislators
WA State Legislative Resolutions
Advocacy and Legislative Resources
U.S. Department of Education
WA Family Engagement
Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
Washington State Office of the Education Ombudsman (OEO)
WSPTA
WSPTA Bylaws
WSPTA Directory
Conducting PTA Endorsement Vote PDF
