Message from Everett PTSA Council President Valerie Cunningham
The Everett PTSA Council recognizes the fear and uncertainty many families are experiencing due to recent immigration enforcement actions. We want our community to know that we stand together in supporting the safety, dignity, and well‑being of every student and family in our district. Our mission remains clear: to uplift, inform, and advocate so every child feels safe, included, and supported at school.
Washington State PTA’s recently adopted resolution on the Rights and Services for Immigrant Families provides important guidance for our collective advocacy. We encourage all local PTAs to stay informed and engaged as we navigate these challenges together.
The Everett PTSA Council recognizes the fear and uncertainty many families are experiencing due to recent immigration enforcement actions. We want our community to know that we stand together in supporting the safety, dignity, and well‑being of every student and family in our district. Our mission remains clear: to uplift, inform, and advocate so every child feels safe, included, and supported at school.
Washington State PTA’s recently adopted resolution on the Rights and Services for Immigrant Families provides important guidance for our collective advocacy. We encourage all local PTAs to stay informed and engaged as we navigate these challenges together.
What PTAs Can Do Now
Below are actions PTAs can take while remaining nonpartisan and aligned with state guidelines:
Support Families
Below are actions PTAs can take while remaining nonpartisan and aligned with state guidelines:
Support Families
- Share “Know Your Rights” information from trusted, nonpartisan sources.
- Provide district‑approved resources for immigrant families, including community and mental‑health supports.
- Connect with families to understand their needs and avoid unintentionally creating fear or confusion.
- Consider how you "advertise" for your PTA events to help families feel safe to attend your events on school property.
- Talk with your school principal about procedures if immigration enforcement agents appear on or near school property.
- Ask whether staff have received training on how to respond to enforcement presence.
- Encourage families and PTA members to sign up for Action Alerts from Washington State PTA and National PTA.
- Contact legislators—individually, not on behalf of PTA—to support the rights of immigrant students and ensure access to education, food, and healthcare.
- Remember that PTAs must remain nonpartisan.
- Volunteers cannot speak on behalf of the school district and should remain calm if unexpected situations arise at PTA events.
- Members may take part in community or partisan activities as individuals, not representing PTA.
Standing Together
While these times may feel uncertain, our collective strength remains in how we support and uplift our communities. Every action we take—every conversation, every shared resource, every advocacy effort—helps ensure that all students feel safe, valued, and able to thrive.
We stand with our families. We stand for every child.
With care and solidarity,
Valerie Cunningham, Everett PTSA Council President
While these times may feel uncertain, our collective strength remains in how we support and uplift our communities. Every action we take—every conversation, every shared resource, every advocacy effort—helps ensure that all students feel safe, valued, and able to thrive.
We stand with our families. We stand for every child.
With care and solidarity,
Valerie Cunningham, Everett PTSA Council President
Everett Public Schools Related Policy and Procedure
A Letter from WSPTA President Tori Emerson
WSPTA President, Tori Emerson, responds to concerns shared by many of you. Read her letter regarding immigration enforcement activities impacting our students, schools and communities.
Resource List from WSPTA
This list of resource links is not intended as legal advice. Please contact an attorney with any legal questions.
Links to Resources:
WSPTA President, Tori Emerson, responds to concerns shared by many of you. Read her letter regarding immigration enforcement activities impacting our students, schools and communities.
Resource List from WSPTA
This list of resource links is not intended as legal advice. Please contact an attorney with any legal questions.
Links to Resources:
- Immigrant Resource Center
- Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
- OSPI
- OSPI January 2025 guidance to schools:
- Washington State Attorney General
- Immigrant Safety Plan for Youth and Children (LCYC working with DCYF):
The Children’s Network For Kids: What to Do If You're Worried About ICE
You’re not alone. This guide is just for you, to help you feel safer, stronger, and supported.
You’re not alone. This guide is just for you, to help you feel safer, stronger, and supported.
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Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN)
The Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN) Deportation Defense Hotline is the only statewide hotline exclusively dedicated to serving immigrants and refugees, particularly undocumented immigrants, in the state of Washington. WAISN serves all immigrants and refugees of every race, ethnicity, embodiment, gender identity, sexuality, nationality, location, language, and culture. Call: 1-844-724-3737 Monday to Friday: 6 am to 6 pm We speak Spanish and English. Interpretation available in nearly 300 languages.
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Acerca de la Línea de Defensa contra la Deportación
La Línea de Defensa contra la Deportación de la Red de Solidaridad de Inmigrantes en Washington (WAISN, por sus siglas en inglés) es la única línea de apoyo estatal dedicada exclusivamente a atender a inmigrantes y refugiados, sobre todo a inmigrantes indocumentados, en el estado de Washington. Brindamos servicio a inmigrantes y refugiados de toda raza, etnia, identidad de género, sexualidad, nacionalidad, localización, idioma y cultura. Call: 1-844-724-3737 Lunes a viernes: 6am a 6pm Hablamos español y inglés. Interpretación disponible en casi 300 idiomas.
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Check out more resources from Seattle Council PTSA here!
This page is not intended as legal advice. Please contact an attorney with any legal questions.
This page is not intended as legal advice. Please contact an attorney with any legal questions.