Feb. 12, 2009
Winter Dinner and Best of Washington Awards
|
|
The WFIS eMemo is a publication of
Washington Federation of Independent Schools
435 Main Ave So
Renton, WA 98057
425-228-WFIS(9347)
Judy Jennings
Executive Director
Jan L. Morrison
Assistant to the Director
| |
 Season's Greetings, One and All ...
As we enter this time of rest and renewal before the new year begins, we wish you the very best in all things, now and in the year ahead.
Washington Federation of Independent Schools |
Congratulations!
After what seemed to be the longest campaign in history, the American people have spoken. The Washington Federation of Independent Schools (WFIS) congratulates President-Elect Barak Obama and we wish him the wisdom, vision, patience and skills to lead our great country. As we have heard from Vice-President Elect, Joe Biden, it is time for us to come together and put the divisiveness behind us that has been so pervasive in our country. After very hard-fought campaigns on both sides, it is time for all Americans to unite, to move forward and claim the aspirations that are inherent in our democracy.
Among those aspirations is that our country affords all people the opportunity for a better life. For many years, that better life's key has been education. We need not only a strong public school system, but we must continue to honor the pluralistic nature of our society by recognizing the tremendous contributions from our nation's private schools as well. The vast majority of these schools are highlighted by a strong mission and vision, sound fiscal policies, academic excellence and a vibrant, supportive "voluntary community". We believe these traits can be instructive to our entire educational system. WFIS will continue to work with all of the educational entities in Washington to further that pluralistic view so critical to our times.
At the state level, we also wish to extend our sincere congratulations to Governor Chris Gregoire for her election to a second term. We look forward to working with the Governor's office on the upcoming issues of our day.
Judy Jennings, Executive Director |
|
CAPE Outlook
The December 2008 issue of CAPE Outlook, a monthly newsletter from the Council for American Private Education, is available for download as a free PDF document by clicking here or by entering the following URL in your browser:
In Outlook this month:
Obama's Ties with Religious and Independent Schools
Obama-Biden Transition Project
What Is Next for School Choice?
And more!
|
|
WFIS Executive Board Meeting Highlights
November 20, 2008 - WIAA Building, Renton, WA
Martin Mueller, Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction with OSPI updated WFIS on current issues affecting private schools and education in Washington.
-
Private School Enrollment Reports were due by December 1
-
A Task Force, including Executive Director, Judy Jennings, will begin meeting to draft qualifications for digital/online learning sites, public and private, to become approved by SBE.
-
528 private schools were approved this year.
-
The state economy has forced budget cuts to OSPI of $400 Million in the current year.
-
The Department of Early Learning, the Community/Technical Colleges system are also facing major budget cuts.
-
Core 24 has been approved by the State Board of Education, but will not begin until there is state funding to underwrite it.
-
Title I regulations and accountability are undergoing major changes.
-
Health/Safety Rules promulgated by the Department of Health have been proposed and approved but will not take effect until at least June of 2009, depending on the 2009 legislature's funding.
Randy Dorn, Superintendent-Elect, joined WFIS Board members for lunch and presented his vision for his new administration:
-
He is looking at ways to change the school funding paradigm.
-
He desires to streamline the WASL into a diagnostic tool that will help kids.
-
He wants to improve the dropout rate.
-
He wants high school guidance systems for all students that focus on career and technical post-secondary opportunities.
-
He believes the future of education is innovation, quality and efficiency. "The best investment in the future is to keep education at current levels, not bail out failed corporations."
WFIS Business:
-
The budget was reviewed and the board requested adjustments be made to reflect actual school membership.
-
The Best of Washington Award winners for 2008-09 were selected and the Columbia Award winner was chosen by the Executive Board.
Top of Page |
|
U. S. Dept. of Ed Releases New Publications
The U.S. Department of Education's (ED's) Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, in collaboration with ED's Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center, is pleased to announce the release of two new publications from our Lessons Learned series. The two new publications are:
They are in the process of developing one additional Lessons Learned document entitled: "Responding to Infectious Disease: Multiple Cases of Staph Infections in a Rural School Community". Should be released soon.
For More Information, Contact:
Sara Strizzi
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools
Phone: (303) 346-0924
Email: sara.strizzi@ed.gov
| |
H. R. 1424 Extends Teacher Deduction
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (H.R. 1424) includes a two-year extension of the $250 deduction allowed to teachers in private and public schools for expenses incurred for certain classroom materials. The extension language of H.R. 1424 is provided below, followed by the section of the IRS Code that it extends.
-------------------------
EXTENSION LANGUAGE IN H.R. 1424:
Sec. 203. Deduction for certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers.
(a) In General- Subparagraph (D) of section 62(a)(2) (relating to certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers) is amended by striking "or 2007" and inserting "2007, 2008, or 2009."
(b) Effective Date- The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007.
-------------------------
SECTION 62(a)(2)(D) OF IRS CODE:
(D) Certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers
In the case of taxable years beginning during 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, or 2007, the deductions allowed by section 162 which consist of expenses, not in excess of $250, paid or incurred by an eligible educator in connection with books, supplies (other than nonathletic supplies for courses of instruction in health or physical education), computer equipment (including related software and services) and other equipment, and supplementary materials used by the eligible educator in the classroom.
|
|
WFIS Holds Successful Fall Workshop
On November 13, 2008 at Spring Valley Montessori School, WFIS held its annual Fall Workshop. Thanks to the Washington School Information Processing Cooperative (WSIPC), Educator Resources, School Employees Credit Union, Rush Team Apparel, 24/7 Educational Services and Bell Anderson Insurance Agency for sponsoring the event.
The day long conference featured several speakers from both public and private agencies. Nancy Bernard from the Department of Health outlined the new School Health and Safety Rules. Kathe Taylor, Policy Analyst for the State Board of Education and Jack Schuster, private schools SBE representative introduced the new high school graduation requirements as well as the newly adopted Math Standards and proposed Science Standards. Representatives from Canfield and Associates, a statewide risk management company presented timely seminars regarding confronting personnel problems and strategies for administrative and faculty team-building. New 403b regulations and its implications for private schools were reviewed by Shawn Hansen of Clark Nuber CPA Firm and Alan Dick of The Multnomah Group. Since these regulations take effect on January 1, 2009, it is imperative for private schools to make sure their accounting procedures are reflective of the changes. Also on hand were Bob Wilkin of Educator Resources and Richard Rock of the School Employees Credit Union, who addressed issues of employee benefits and identify theft, respectively.
Rounding out the day, was lunchtime speaker Michael Bindas, staff attorney for the Seattle Chapter of the Institute for Justice. He reviewed the School Choice movement's progress throughout the country over the past several years. Currently, there are 27 states with Choice programs and several states with pending legislation. He also recounted the history of the Blaine Amendment and its influence on current educational policy in Washington state as well as the current legal challenges they are pursuing on behalf of several special needs students in northwest Washington.
|
|
WFIS Best of Washington Award winners have been selected!
Announcement pending notification of all winners ... stay tuned!
|
Photography Scholarship
The Professional Photographers of Washington is pleased to announce that applications are being accepted for the 2009 Student Photographer of the Year Award, which is open to all high school seniors in Washington State, graduating in the year 2009. This year the scholarship has been increased to $2000. One Student will receive the $2000 scholarship grant, which will be used to further the applicant's study in the photographic arts.
A panel of professional photographers who are members of the Professional Photographers of Washington will select the finalists.
The Student Photographer of the Year will be chosen based upon photographic and scholastic studies, and the student's wish to continue their studies in the photographic arts. The Application postmarked deadline is March 28, 2009, and the winner will be announced in June of 2009. For more information or to receive
an application, contact Anita Weston 425-776-4426.
Applications, information, and past Student Finalists are also available online at http://www.ppw.org.
The Professional Photographers of Washington was founded in 1952, "To create, foster and promote the exchange of thoughts and ideas freely, among photographers, so as to advance the art and profession of photography" and is an affiliate organization of the Professional Photographers of America.
Professional Photographers of Washington
P.O. Box 82249
Kenmore WA 98028
|
|
The Bulletin Board
OSPI informs us that a number of schools have not yet completed their enrollment reports. If you are one of them, please contact Laura Moore immediately at Laura.Moore@k12.wa.us
---oo0oo---
Register for Washington State Library E-Mail Updates! To receive this wealth of information on a regular basis, go here now:
---oo0oo---
Hood Canal Bridge Closure: The six-week bridge closure will allow WSDOT to replace the east half of the bridge. Completing this project will provide residents and travelers a newer, safer, more reliable bridge.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is working with community leaders and the media to make sure that people are prepared for the closure in May-June 2009. In order to make sure that people are prepared and can plan accordingly, we are asking for your assistance.
WSDOT can provide you with brochures or other information about the Hood Canal Bridge closure so that you can pass that information along to parents, students, employees and others who live on the Olympic Peninsula or who use the Hood Canal Bridge. With your help, we can make sure that everyone is prepared.
Communication Ideas:
-
-
Encourage people to sign up to receive Hood Canal Bridge Project e-mail updates ("HCB News" on the project website).
-
Forward project updates to your e-mail lists.
-
View (and share) the project web camera.
-
Post a display board or brochures about the project at your office or workplace.
-
Publish articles/information in your newsletter or other publications.
-
Request a speaker from the Hood Canal Bridge Project team to speak to your members or colleagues.
-
Schedule a construction site tour.
-
Promote the importance of planning ahead so travelers can find alternate options.
-
Contact the Hood Canal Bridge Project Office to share other ideas for outreach and communication activities.
On behalf of the Hood Canal Bridge Project team, thank you for your assistance.
| |
|
|
|
