Northshore Council will provide Online Meeting Hosting for local PTAs/PTSAs this 2023 - 2024 school year! This can be used by any local PTA/PTSA that wants Council to host a Zoom meeting for them. Please note that max number of attendees is 100 and that this service is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Here is how it works:
Questions? Contact us!
Please take a few minutes to check the links for your school. Need to update a link? Email [email protected].
You are welcome to attend one or both sessions!
Office Hours are the perfect time to connect with Council, ask questions, or even just stop in to say hello! This time is designed to support our local PTA/PTSA leaders as you begin to navigate membership, programs, and managing your organization for the upcoming year. We hope you will join us!
If you have questions and need to connect with Council prior to this, please visit our Contact Page for a list Council Officers and their emails. ![]() Awards are a great way for PTAs to show their community how much they appreciate them and to celebrate the dedication of those who support your PTA's mission and goals! Many PTA's do this through WSPTA's formal volunteer award recognition program which allows for local PTAs to award for outstanding educator, advocate, student advocate, and volunteer (Golden Acorn), as well as the honorary life membership award. A portion of the cost of the awards goes directly toward the WSPTA Scholarship Program benefiting students. This means the gift given to our amazing volunteers becomes a gift that keeps on giving by helping students pay for continued education. Council is excited to share in the celebration of our local |
PTA |
Award / Recipient |
Canyon Park Middle School PTSA |
Golden Acorn: Tina Neil Outstanding Advocate: Patricia Herrera Outstanding Educator: Malisa Spencer |
Fernwood Elementary PTSA |
Golden Acorn : Aleah Dometita Outstanding Educator: Alison Fada |
Frank Love Elementary PTA |
Golden Acorn: Renae Sowald Outstanding Advocate: Katie Long Outstanding Educator: Amanda Sympson Outstanding Educator: Rebecca Wynkoop |
Innovation Lab High School PTSA |
Golden Acorn- Heather Bloom Outstanding Educator- Dr. Ashley Crisp Student Advocate- Victoria Tchervenski |
Kenmore Elementary PTA |
Golden Acorn: Maria Cone Golden Acorn: Patti Foster Outstanding Educator: Dana Plant |
Kenmore Middle School PTSA |
Golden Acorn: Jessica Read Outstanding Educator: TBA Outstanding Advocate: Christine Roehnelt |
Kokanee Elementary PTA |
Golden Acorn: Fatima Padela Golden Acorn: Ramesh Chundru |
Leota Middle School PTSA |
Golden Acorn: Dawn Simpson Outstanding Educator: Gary Warmbrodt Outstanding Educator: Douglas Poage Outstanding Advocate: Tony Van Zeyl Outstanding Student Advocate: Julien Wong |
Lockwood Elementary PTA |
Golden Acorn Award: Izabela Michnicki Outstanding Advocate Award: Sean Schoenfeldt Outstanding Educator Award: Bryce Wallace |
Maywood Elementary PTA |
Golden Acorn: Julia Cole Golden Acorn: Mary Irving Outstanding Advocate: Nicole Dibble Outstanding Educators: Lisa Vorwerk Outstanding Educators: Jeremy Lainer |
North Creek High School PTSA |
Golden Acorn: Karen Cohen Golden Acorn: Melissa Kline Outstanding Advocate: Saskia Mizushima Outstanding Educator: Christine Serica Outstanding Student Advocate: Jayden Lock |
Northshore Family Partnership PTSA at Bear Creek Campus |
Golden Acorn: Alynda Silcox Golden Acorn: Suzie Madsen-Kostopoulos Outstanding Advocate: Lauren Galloway Marantz Outstanding Advocate: Leslie Connor Outstanding Educator: Leslie Harwood Outstanding Educator: Todd Parker |
Shelton View Elementary PTA |
Golden Acorn: Lisa Groce Golden Acorn: Faustine Wiley Golden Acorn: Cheryl Whaley |
Sunrise Elementary PTA |
Golden Acorn: Shannyn Houtrouw Golden Apple: Sheri Padget |
Timbercrest Middle School PTSA |
Golden Acorn: Terri Kashi Outstanding Educator: Johnny Ho Outstanding Educator: Nikolas Gregg Outstanding Student Advocate: Ben Comer |
Wellington Elementary PTA |
Goden Acorn: Maryam Zarrabi - Worrell Outstanding Advocate: Diana Cherry Outstanding Educator: Jennifer Deskin Lifetime Award: Emily Williams Wellington Way Parent: Carol Bates Wellington Way Student: Ryan Bower |
Westhill Elementary PTSA |
Golden Acorn: Ericka Coleman Outstanding Educator: Noelle White Outstanding Educator: Sandra Lamb |
Woodin Elementary PTA |
Golden Acorn: Lorena Espinoza Outstanding Advocate: Theresa Cussac Outstanding Educator: Kirsten Jackson |
Woodinville High School PTSA |
Golden Acorn: Debi Niemi Golden Acorn: Lynn Smith |
Woodmoor Elementary PTSA |
Golden Acorn: Jill Benoit Golden Acorn: Jennifer Homes Golden Acorn: Amy Robinson Outstanding Educator: Ann Delano Outstanding Educator: Nycole Swearingen Outstanding Educator: Evelyn Romero Perez Outstanding Advocate: Kim Skrla Honorary Lifetime Membership: Sandy Hayes |
PTAs all across Northshore School District are in need of volunteers. Volunteers for your school's PTA/PTSA are the ones responsible for all the amazing things PTAs accomplish throughout the year including things like:
- Family Events
- Classroom Grants
- Advocacy Efforts
- Funding for Field Trips
- Staff Appreciation
- Parent Education Events
- And so much more!!
Currently, NSD PTAs are in the process of electing officers for next school year. Without elected officers, PTAs are not able to fund programs and are even at risk of closing.
Contact your school's PTA/PTSA to find out how you can help & encourage others to do the same! No experience necessary to become a volunteer. In fact, Northshore Council PTSA & WA State PTA provide support and training for PTA leaders all throughout the year.
Myth: Volunteering for PTA has no impact on my child's school experience.
Fact: Not only does volunteering for PTA connect you with other parents and teachers at your school, it also shows your child that you are interested and invested in their educational experience. Research has proven that parental involvement within the child's school increases academic achievements and decreases behavior issues. Additionally, volunteers are the ones who make PTA programming and support possible in order to better each and every child's school experience! |
Fact: Anyone can be a PTA Volunteer! A parent with a full time job who is only available in the evenings or weekends, a grandpa who wants to stay active during retirement, an auntie who wants to teach a fun hip-hop class after school, a neighbor from down the street who wants to give back to their community - all of these people and so many more make great volunteers!
Fact: PTAs in our Middle Schools & High Schools need volunteers as well, but it may look a bit different than it did in elementary. Many of the volunteers at the secondary level are "behind the scenes" helping to coordinate teacher grants, planning end of the year grad celebrations, or working with the ASB to increase resources. And, of course, all levels of PTAs need volunteers to fill the role of their executive board which includes positions such as President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Fact: While it's great to have dedicated volunteers return each year, PTAs welcome and need new volunteers each year! There are term limits for elected volunteers, events that are growing in attendance, and new program ideas being suggested - all of which benefit from an increase in new volunteers.
Myth: I don't have the experience to be a PTA Volunteer.
Fact: There is no experience necessary to volunteer! In fact, there are supports for new and returning PTA volunteers such as training classes, resource guides, online toolkits, and ways to connect with other PTA volunteers to ask questions and get help (such as Council's Facebook groups, office hours, and website). |
PTA is a membership-driven association. Sustaining and growing membership builds PTA's power as advocates and change makers not only in your own school community, but also at district, state, and national levels. WSPTA recognizes PTAs for their work growing membership as well as for achievements in membership. |
WSPTA Membership Awards in 2022-2023!!
Membership Achievement Awards
100% PTA Membership Award The 100% PTA Membership Award is presented to local PTAs that enroll at least as many members as there are full-time enrolled students at the school associated with that PTA. This is the ultimate achievement in PTA membership and recognizes that every child in the school community has a paid PTA member to be their voice.
| 100% Staff Membership Award The 100% Staff Membership Award is presented to local PTAs that enroll at least as many school staff members as there are full-time certificated employees at the school. This award recognizes the value of teachers and school staff as stakeholders advocating for all children through PTA.
|
To highlight the importance of membership growth, Washington State PTA recognizes local PTAs for enrolling more members than they did in the previous year. As PTAs achieve incremental increases in membership growth, they are recognized for each milestone they reach.
- Bronze Award: recognizes local PTAs, in good standing, for enrolling at least one more member than their previous year’s total membership.
- Silver Award: recognizes local PTAs, in good standing, for enrolling PTA members equaling at least 105% of their previous year’s total membership.
- Gold Award: recognizes local PTAs, in good standing, for enrolling PTA members equaling at least 110% of their previous year’s total membership.
- Platinum Award: recognizes local PTAs, in good standing, for enrolling PTA members equaling at least 120% of their previous year’s total membership.
Questions? Contact Council's Membership Chair, Kim Ortiz.
Visit Northshore Council Membership Page
Awards work to celebrate the efforts of local PTAs and Councils in a variety of different areas. The criteria reflect a strong knowledge and application of best practices and the submission process can be rigorous. These awards are truly reflective of the dedication and strength of these PTAs and the powerful contributions they make to their communities.
This year's recipients included:
2022 - 2023 WSPTA Awards Recipients
Standards of Excellence for PTAs & Councils
Recognizing the effective use of WSPTA best practices as a guide for local PTAs and Councils to be child-focused, responsible to members, knowledgeable, fiscally responsible, involved, and well-trained.
Leadership Service Award
The purpose of this program is to recognize and acknowledge leadership skills attained by PTA leaders throughout all levels of the association
|
Outstanding Communication Strategy
Recognizing the effective use of multiple communication channels to reach members and community.
Outstanding Newsletter Recognizing the effective use of newsletters as a communication tool.
Outstanding Website Recognizing the effective use of websites as a communication tool
|
We would like to create a list of all of our local PTA award winners to share with the community. These volunteers deserve to be celebrated!!!
If possible, please let us know your award winners by Thursday, June 1st so they can be celebrated in our last eNews for this school year!
Learn more about local PTA/PTSA awards.
Questions? Email Jenn Snyder at [email protected].
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/8/1/11811744/published/local-pta-awards.png?1679194382)
WSPTA has a formal volunteer award recognition program allowing local PTAs to award honors for outstanding educator, advocate, student advocate, and volunteer (Golden Acorn), as well as the honorary life membership award.
Awards are a great way for PTAs to show their community how much they appreciate them and to celebrate the dedication of those who support your PTA's mission and goals!
Local PTAs should appoint an awards committee who will gather nominations, review them, and choose the award recipients. This can be done during a meeting or some PTAs even choose to have the previous year's award recipients chair this committee. Check your Standing Rules as it may say who is on the committee. When the awards committee advertises for nomination submissions, it can be done via social media, newsletters, website, email, or even school flyers. To make it even easier for members to submit nominations, the awards committee can create an online submission form using tools like Google Forms or Survey Monkey.
For recognizing the award recipients, your PTA can hold a volunteer recognition event or take time during a Membership Meeting to celebrate them. WSPTA offers a variety of items your PTA can order online to celebrate your award recipients including certificates, pins, plaques, and even yard signs!
- Golden Acorn – presented to volunteer(s) in recognition of their dedication and service to children and youth in your community.
- Outstanding Advocate – Honors individuals for their continued and dedicated service to ALL children demonstrating a commitment to speaking up for children in the areas relating to health, welfare, safety, and education of children and youth.
- Honorary Life Membership – Recognizes an individual who has contributed significantly to a PTA at the local unit, council, or state level. This special award can be given by a PTA unit, council, or region.
- Outstanding Student Advocate Award - Recognizes students who have made significant contributions through leadership and service in their school and community.
- Outstanding Educator – Individuals who go beyond the normal expectations of their jobs to make the learning environment fun, beneficial and challenging.
Does your PTA give out a Golden Acorn award? Maybe an Outstanding Educator, or an Outstanding Advocate award? Or more? Please let us know by completing this form.
We would like to create a list of all of our local PTA award winners to share with the community. These volunteers deserve to be celebrated!!!
If possible, please let us know your award winners by Thursday, June 1st so they can be celebrated in our last eNews of the school year!
We would like to say thank you to all of the local leaders from across the district, as well as community and school partners for taking the time to join us!
Council Business:
After reviewing and approving the meeting minutes from our September General Membership meeting, Council Treasurer Serena Xu presented the October 2022 financial report for review, as well as requesting volunteers for the Mid-Year Financial Review Committee. Please email Serena Xu if interested in serving on the committee.
Next on the agenda, Communications VP Jenn Snyder proposed changes to our social media policy by adding Instagram, as well as removing our inactive YouTube account, which were then approved by vote.
Co-President Mary Khouzam asked for volunteers to serve on the Nominating Committee. If you would like to serve on the Nominating Committee, please email the Council Co-Presidents at before December 16th. The election of the Nominating Committee will take place at the January 19 General Membership meeting.
Community Partners:
- Northshore School District - Community Partnerships and Volunteer Coordinator Marco Garcia announced that COVID vaccine requirements have been lifted for volunteering in NSD schools, and will no longer be required. He also shared that Parent Square (district communication tool) will launch for all staff in January 2023, and for all paraeducators in February 2023. The NSD Communications newsletter will now be sent out to families on Mondays, with submissions due the Wednesdays before.
- NSD School Board - School Board member Amy Cast (shared via Council Co-President Rachel Fitzgerald, as Director Cast was unable to join us) let us know that the superintendent search has been awarded to GR Recruiting, who will now move forward with developing a profile of what staff and families are looking for in a superintendent. The search is to be completed by Spring 2023.
Thank you community partners for joining us!
- Advocacy - Jennifer Drury let us know that Coffee Conversations with NSD families has been a success, as well as ongoing conversations with the NSD School Board. Focus Day will be held on February 20th, and we are encouraged to email our legislators rather than send postcards, since the cards are not read anymore due to a lack of storage space in the legislative offices. Jennifer also shared that we would like to have more conversations with NSD students to give them an opportunity to share their ideas and thoughts regarding advocacy work in our schools. Legislative Assembly took place in October, and the Top 5 Priorities to focus on this year were determined to be 1) Addressing the Student Mental Health Crisis, 2) Addressing critical gaps in Education Funding, 3) Preventing and reducing gun violence and suicides, 4) Addressing funding, inclusion, and supports in Special Education, and 5) Building and maintaining safer school facilities.
- Membership - Kim Ortiz shared that we are now at 99.9% of last year’s membership numbers, with several schools above 100% of their last year’s membership numbers. Those schools are Cottage Lake Elementary, Frank Love Elementary, Sorenson Early Childhood Center, Shelton View Elementary, Westhill Elementary, Kenmore Middle School, Timbercrest Middle School, Bothell High School, and Woodinville High School.
- Reflections - Jasmine Lee Fry (via Rachel Fitzgerald, as Jasmine was unable to join us) shared that the deadline for local submissions is on December 2nd.
- Speaker and Events Grants Program - Grace Jurado shared that Northshore Council is the only Council that has all members in good standing, and only one grant request has been received for this grants quarter. The deadline for the second round of grants was November 25th. More information about the Council's next round of Educational Speakers and Community Events grant requests can be found on our blog.
Before adjourning the meeting, Co-President Mary Khouzam gave a thank you to those who planned and coordinated the Presidents and Principals Event, and reminded everyone to complete and submit the Presidents and Principals Event survey. Mary also shared that Council is looking for someone to volunteer as VP of Events, and another volunteer is needed to serve as Council’s Family and Community and Engagement (F.A.C.E.) Chair. If you are interested in volunteering, please email the Co-Presidents as soon as possible.
After adjourning our meeting, attendees were given an opportunity to join two training sessions (“Volunteers and How to Find Them”, and “Roles and Responsibilities of the Board”).
Please join us for our next General Membership Meeting on January 19th at 7pm via Zoom!
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