In a clear win for children, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled unanimously today that the state was violating its constitutional paramount duty to amply K-12 education. The ruling

This is a historic victory, and starting today we have a new conversation. No longer are we going to petition over loss of school days or access to all-day kindergarten.

Starting today, the cuts stop and funding starts.
Starting today, our top priority – a basic education that prepares all kids for college and career -- is also the state’s top priority. 
Starting today the legislature’s job just got a lot harder.

The high court’s decision validates all of the work Washington State PTA members put into the passage of ESHB 2261 in 2009 and SHB 2776 in 2010, and with our work this past year to protect all-day kindergarten, highly capable funding and an intact school year.

This decision sets the stage for the next step – finding a stable, adequate source of revenue to meet the needs of schoolchildren.

THE RULING
Not only did the high court point out that ample funding is “considerably more than just adequate,” the court ruled the state was consistently giving districts less money than actual costs. It identified ESHB 2261 as a “promising” reform package that if fully funded would remedy deficiencies in the K-12 funding system.

It reiterated that “ample funding for basic education must be accomplished by means of regular and dependable tax sources.”

Finally, the court said it would stay engaged to help facilitate progress in the state’s plan to fully fund basic education by 2018. 

THE PLAN
ESHB 2261 defines a basic education as “the opportunity for students to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to meet graduation requirements, intended to allow them the opportunity to graduate with a meaningful high school diploma that prepares them for postsecondary education, gainful employment, and citizenship.” It requires the state to fund:

·         180 full days, grades 1-12
·         180 half days for kindergartners, to be increased to 180 full days
·         1,000 instructional hours in grades 1-12, to be increased to 1,080 hours in grades 7-12
·         450 instructional hours in kindergarten, to be increased to 1,000 hours
·         Opportunity for students to complete 24 credits for high school graduation
·         Enhanced funding for Learning Assistance Program, Transitional Bilingual Instruction Program, Highly Capable Program and special education for students with disabilities
·         17 to 1 class size ratio in grades K-3 

SO, STARTING TODAY, NO MORE DELAYS. We have children to educate and we have a new definition of basic education to roll out.

Washington State PTA is part of Network for Excellence for Washington School (NEWS) and was party to this lawsuit. See full NEWS coverage:  A monumental and historic victory. You can learn more about NEWS and its 382 member groups athttp://www.waschoolexcellence.org/

Today, the Washington Supreme Court ruled the Legislature can’t continue to cut education. In fact, they must add funding and come up with a plan for a fully-funded education system.

The court provided the catalyst the Legislature needed to act. Yet legislators are in a tough position. The economy continues to struggle. They need to hear from you – all of you.

Please sign this petition asking legislators to make the tough decisions needed this year to begin fully funding basic education. A court ruling without legislative action won't cut it. 

Let's face it - we've been asking for more school funding for years, and you might think that a petition won't make a difference. But the political and economic landscape have changed, and even though you are tired and frustrated, this will make a difference. Now is the time for every one of us to act. Sign this petition, and ask your friends to join you.

Our kids are counting on you!

You are invited to attend the WA State PTA Forum on Public Charter Schools hosted by Region 6 PTA. The event includes a review of the PTA Charter Issue that was passed this fall, National PTA policies on charter schools, WA State PTA resolutions/issues that will impact any prospective bill with pro and con presentations.

The format includes pro and con presentations and questions from the audience. Presenters include:

• Ramona Hattendorf: Government Relations Coordinator, Washington State PTA 
  
• Olga Addae: President, Seattle Education Association, (Teacher’s Union) Con Speaker 
• Beth Sigall: Lake Washington School District, PTA Member, Pro Issue Submitter 
  
• Dr. Wayne Au: Assistant Professor, Education Program, UW- Bothell, Editor, Rethinking Schools, Con Speaker 
• Robin Lake: Associate Director, Center for Reinventing Education, UW Bothell, Pro Speaker 
• Moderated by C.R. Douglas, Political Analyst, Q13 Fox News 

Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, from 6:30 – 8:30pm Washington Middle School Cafeteria 2101 S. Jackson St, Seattle 98144

From S. Jackson Street go south on 20th Ave South, take first left onto S. Weller St, (going around the Franz Bakery). At 20th Place South, parking lot is on your right, school entrance is to the left.

Questions: contact Heidi Bennett, WA State PTA Region 6 Legislative Chair
heidi@bennettdirect.net 

The PTSA Grants Committee is pleased to announce the grants fully or partially funded for Fall 2011. We received a total of eighteen requests totaling $12,139.  Consideration was given to the number of students served by the grant, long term benefits, alternative funding sources and the nature of the request.  We allocated $3,514 to eight separate grants.  Thank you to the hard working Grant Committee volunteers:  Diana Aghabegian, Sarah Streun , Kristin Scheyer and Patty Jordan. If you have any questions, contact Julie Moynihan, jamoynihan@aol.com.

Art:  
Art Supplies and Pottery Glaze - $100
Choir:  
Professional accompanists to play at the concert in December-$134
Science:  
Entire 6th grade class to go the film- Chimpanzee-$1280
5 DVD’s that support physics and  7th grade science curriculum--$170
Social Studies:  
In school presentation for all 7th graders- Red Scarf Girl-$500
A class set of the Jr. Scholastic student magazine-$200
Front Office: 
Add or replace equipment for the ping pong tables-$100
Foosball table-$130

Eight Walkie Talkies for the office staff and custodians-$900

TOTAL AMOUNT ALLOCATED $ 3514

We would like to thank Mat Anger and Glyn Nordstrom for donating their foosball tables. These tables will be put to good use besides having them for special events; Principal Anderson would like to have them out during lunch periods.

Chinook Staff Appreciation...a great way to thank our wonderful teachers and staff!

To thank our amazing staff at Chinook, we have put together a monthly luncheon or special treat in addition to Staff Appreciation week in May.  We are looking for volunteers to coordinate these days.  Please click on the link below to sign up! 

http://tinyurl.com/StaffAppreciationCoordinators


There are 80 staff members at Chinook.  As the coordinator, you will be responsible for planning and coordinating for that particular day to get volunteers to donate the items that you request.  You will put together a list of items that you will need for that particular day, and send an email to kodiakkorner@gmail.com for volunteers to sign up.
If you have any questions or ideas, please let us know!

Thank you,
Kelly Massey (425.753.7247)
Cat Heed (425.941.3244)

Did you capture a great moment? Catch a candid worth sharing? This year's yearbook needs your contribution!  We know many parents capture fantastic moments in the lives of Chinook students, and we'd love to use your shots! Please send any great pictures of academics, sports, social events and candid moments of Chinook students during the 2011-2012 school year to: chinookyearbookpics@gmail.com.

In the title of your email please name the picture category (WEB, Black & Orange Social, First Day of School, etc.).  In the body of the email please list the first and last names as well as grade of students included in the shot. (Name the students from left to right.) In addition to the typical moments listed above, some special categories we'd like to include this year  also include "Twins & Triplets" and "Friendship through the Years" to show side by side shots of your students who may have shared their first days of school together for many years, even back to preschool! Please contact Cathi Hackett at hackettc@bsd405.org with any questions or additional ideas.