We have reached 2,512 PTA members from across Northshore PTA/PTSAs as of September 18th!
Did you know that your PTA can earn monthly membership growth awards from WSPTA? Achieve bronze, silver, gold, or platinum level based on your member percentages.
Need some help with memberplanet? Check out the WSPTA Membership Database page for helpful how-to videos as well as answers to frequently asked questions. Membership Resources:
Visit Council's Membership page for more tips and links to past articles. Questions? Contact Council's Membership Chair, Kimberly Ortiz.
If you would like the zoom link and passcode to attend this meeting, or have questions concerning Emergency Preparedness, please email Council's E-Prep Chair Robin McKenzie. We look forward to seeing you! Mark Your Calendars: E-Prep Chair Training October 11th at 7PM | Online Please visit our blog for E-Prep Chair Training information. ![]() Welcome back for the 2022-2023 school year. We are excited to have our first meeting of the new school year. We invite you to attend and share ideas. Open to All! Date: Wednesday, October 12th, 2022 Time: 6 PM Location: Online via Zoom Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71180094000? Meeting ID: 711 8009 4000 Passcode: *available upon request* The goal of this committee is to promote mental health awareness and partner to bring relevant trainings, events, and resources to our community.
For questions about the mental health committee and for the meeting passcode, please email [email protected]. Visit our Mental Health Awareness page for more information and resources. ![]() PTA Advocacy What we care most about in the world is our children, which is why PTA was founded over 125 years ago. PTA was created as an advocacy organization to protect and promote the well-being of kids. And because it is so important to us, it is no surprise that arguments around what is best for students can be the most heated conversations we have. In person, we tend to moderate our views and listen more carefully to what others have to say, and as we all know, social media discussions can lack the benefits of nuance and body language. These past few years have limited our ability to meet in person, but it is no less important for us to listen, collaborate and strategize together to support our school communities. Northshore Council PTSA encourages civil discussion about important and controversial issues. We encourage data driven conversations as well as personal narratives to learn what supports are best for our students. We urge our community members to listen to each other with open minds and hearts when considering how to create thriving, effective, safe, and inclusive schools for all students. Having an open discussion and voting on a position, encourages civil discourse and helps ensure a PTA is representing its membership. As a 501c3, non-profit organization, PTAs and PTSAs, must be careful to maintain their non-partisan status. If a PTA decides to take a stance on an issue, the best practice is to write a resolution which states its position and present it the membership for a vote. PTAs should avoid posting personal opinions of members that may be construed as the view of the PTA. But when a resolution is passed by the PTA Board or its membership, this should be clearly communicated to its members. National and State PTA pass resolutions on many of the issues we face in our schools and communities. Refer to the District’s Strategic Plan and National and State PTA resolutions as you advocate for Northshore students. (see links below) And do not hesitate to reach out to Northshore PTSA Council if you have questions or need resources. We are here to support all the PTAs of Northshore School District. We thank our local PTAs for all their work advocating for their communities. It can be hard work, but it is important, and it was the reason PTA was founded. We would love to have you join us for Washington State PTA’s Legislative Assembly on October 15 – 16th when we vote on our resolutions for the coming year and legislative session. For more information on PTA Resolutions and the District Strategic Plan, see links below. Accessed on 9/16/2022: Northshore School District Strategic Plan National PTA Resolutions WSPTA Resolutions More on Advocacy:
Northshore Council PTSA is offering a FREE Parent Education Webinar.
We Want to Hear from You!Buckle up for a new school year! ![]() It’s time to change gears after an action-packed or re-energizing summer. Whether you are bummed that the carefree days of summer are over, or ready to slow down with a cup of pumpkin-spiced coffee, the time is here. Let’s make it as seamless as possible for ourselves and our kiddos. Here are some reminders to tuck away as we get ready to speed through another year. First: Have you heard of the new Suicide and Crisis Hotline 9-8-8? It is a nationwide number that rolled out this summer for mental health crises and is free, confidential, and available 24/7/365. By calling or texting 9-8-8, you will be connected to trained crisis counselors at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This does not replace 1-800-273-TALK (8255), it is in addition to it- either option works. There is even an option for Spanish speakers as well as 250 other languages, deaf, hard of hearing, and TTY users, as well as veterans and service members. Printable Resources: 988 America's Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline Fact Sheet 988 Poster 2 (samhsa.gov) 988 Suicide and Crisis Prevention Line poster in Spanish (samhsa.gov) ![]() Second: As we change gears, let’s try to strengthen our kids' Protective Factors as we go into a new school year. We don’t know yet what challenges may arise at home or in the world. Protective Factors help to promote resilience and connectedness with others, therefore they're less likely to engage in suicidal behavior. Here are some examples from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration):
![]() Third: We should practice self-compassion and care for ourselves! You take REALLY good care of your kids, right? Well, who is taking care of you? You MUST take time to care for yourself in order to be fully present and effective for your kiddos and family. This means taking care of yourself physically (your body), mentally (your mind), and emotionally (your soul). Take little (or big!) bits of time to replenish your energy, promote your well-being, and reduce stress. This will help your whole family. You are very important and worth it! Additional Resources:
This article was brought to you by Northshore Council PTSA's Mental Health Committee.
For past articles and more resources, please visit our Mental Health Awareness page. ![]() Registration is NOW OPEN for WSPTA's Legislative Assembly! WSPTA's 44th Annual Legislative Assembly When: Saturday, October 15th & Sunday, October 16th Where: Hybrid - Bellevue College / Remote PTA delegates from across the state will come together to update the WSPTA legislative platform. At legislative assembly, discover the power PTA has to advocate for the success of every child – the whole child. In PTA every member has an equal voice, and your input matters a great deal to the success of PTA's grassroots member-driven platform. PTA is needed more than ever right now, and you can help! Be a part of the process and help direct the course for WSPTA advocacy by serving as a delegate for your PTA! If you are interested in attending Legislative Assembly as a delegate for your local PTA, contact your local PTA president. Key Things to Note:
Voting Delegates: During the 44th annual Washington State PTA Legislative Assembly, delegates will decide the public policy positions that guide state and local advocacy work for WSPTA and its associated local PTAs and councils. To learn more about being a voting delegate, visit WSPTA's Legislative Assembly Voting Information page which includes the 2022 Voters’ Guide that has been created to help delegates prepare for the caucusing and general sessions. About Legislative Assembly: The Washington State PTA legislative platform is a two-year platform to mirror the Washington state legislative cycle. On the even-numbered years, the new platform is voted on by members at the legislative assembly in the fall. The top five issues become our short-term platform and consist of our priority issues when advocating throughout the year. Other issues are placed on an “also supported” list. Learn about WSPTA's current legislative priorities and other supported issues by clicking here. Check out the Legislative Assembly web page to learn more about this year's event. More on Advocacy:
![]() Northshore Council PTSA will be holding a virtual election for its open board position of Secretary on September 19, 2022. The slated candidate is as follows: Secretary: Claudine Miller VP of Events: No nominations were received Council will continue to seek volunteers for VP of Events with the goal of holding an election for it at a future General Membership Meeting. Virtual nominations for these positions closed on Friday, September 9, 2022. Brief Job Descriptions:
Qualification Requirements: Per the 2021-2022 Council Standing Rules:
Election Information:
Since position of Secretary was not contested, the election will be by voice vote at the next General Meeting on Monday, September 19, 2022, at 7PM: Join Zoom Meeting* https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84425995147? Meeting ID: 844 2599 5147 Passcode: *Available upon request*. Please contact VP of Communications, Jenn Snyder for the meeting password. Questions? Email Co-Presidents Rachel Fitzgerald and Mary Khouzam |
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Northshore Council PTSA is a welcoming organization that works to support our Local PTAs and serve the children and youth of our community through advocacy, collaboration, education, engagement, leadership, and mentorship.