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February 11:
Winter Dinner and Best of Washington Awards
April 22:
June 21-22:
Statewide Private Schools Conference
(Save the Date!)
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The WFIS eMemo is a publication of
Washington Federation of Independent Schools
P. O. Box 449
DuPont, WA 98327
253.912.WFIS(9347)
Judy Jennings
Executive Director
Jan L. Morrison
Assistant to the Director
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The Washington Federation of Independent Schools (WFIS) is the umbrella organization for private education in Washington State. With seventy percent of the independent student population enrolled in member schools, WFIS is the only statewide vehicle for regular communication and strategic development between the many different constituencies. WFIS schools are affiliates of the Catholic dioceses in the state; the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI); the Christian Schools International (CSI); Lutheran Schools; Montessori schools; the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools (PNAIS); the Seventh-day Adventist Schools (SDA); and numerous other religious and independent institutions, including the Waldorf Schools, Hutterian Brethren, and those institutions with sponsorship within the Jewish and Islamic communities. The WFIS Board of Directors consists of eighteen school heads representing the major constituencies chosen regionally by their respective bodies. WFIS is networked with similar organizations in other states through the Council for American Private Education (CAPE).
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 2010 Legislature Convenes
January 11 marked the opening of the 2010 Legislature in Olympia. Lawmakers are facing a difficult and short mid-biennium session which ends in March. A slow economy, slumping state revenues, a state treasury short by billions of dollars, all provide a challenge of epic proportions for representatives and senators alike. Each party has their view of how to address the budget shortfall. One wants to raise taxes both on individuals and businesses; the other wants to lower taxes, provide business incentives and restore the health of the state's small businesses.
By the end of the first week, over 800 bills have been introduced by both parties to seek remedies for our state's difficulties. 150 of those bills are specifically education related. To date, the representatives and senators are reviewing those bills that made it out of committee from last year's session to see if they want to put those forward again, proposing new legislation and working on their priorities for this session.
As always, you can count on WFIS to be in Olympia, meeting with lawmakers, testifying at hearings on behalf of our private schools, networking with like minded organizations, and keeping you informed of matters that effect all of our schools. I have included some bills that may be of interest to you thus far in the session. As bills move forward, we will apprise our constituents of their progress.
How can you be prepared to help in the event our legislators need to hear from their constituents?
1. Open your e-mail when you see the term "WFIS Legislative Alert." We will provide you with talking points, if necessary.
2. Know who your legislators are in your district. If you do not know, you can go to www.leg.wa.gov to find your district.
3. Forward the information to your board, faculty, staff and parents. Ask them to contact their legislators immediately. It is amazing how influential parents can be in persuading legislators.
4. Continue to monitor.
As a former private school administrator, I know how hard it can be to find the time to do all that is required to run an effective school. I know it takes time to contact legislators. The goal of WFIS is to be that legislative advocate on your behalf. This will be our fortieth year doing just that. Stay tuned--we could be in for quite a ride.
Judy Jennings
Executive Director
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Invitations are in the mail for the Seventh Annual
WFIS Winter Dinner and
Best of Washington Awards!
To be held Thursday evening,
February 11, 2010, at
The Liberty Theater in Puyallup
Keynote speaker for the evening will be
Stephen Dinger, M.Ed., Superintendent
St. John's Lutheran School in Bakersfield, CA
A Blue Ribbon School
(and former WFIS Executive Director!)
Please join us for this fun-filled evening celebrating the contributions of
Washington's Best in Private Education:
Outstanding Program Director
Jackie Matthews
Exceptional Administrator
Chris Gavin
Outstanding Public Official
Mike Colbrese
Exemplary Grandparents
Darrell and Anne Jesse
Teachers of the Year
Wayne and Darla Pumphrey
Outstanding Patrons
Fulton and Lorraine Buntain
2010 Columbia Award Recipient
Robert E. Christian
If you do not receive your invitation in the mail please contact Jan Morrison at jmorrison@wfis.org
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The January 2010 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: http://www.capenet.org/pdf/Outlook351.pdf
In Outlook this month:
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Congress Bars New Students from Scholarship Program
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USDE Webinar for Private Schools
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Chicago School in USDE Spotlight
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Intel Schools of Distinction Awards
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And More!
Outlook is sponsored by NAIS's School and Student Services, providing comprehensive financial aid services for private schools. Learn more at sss.nais.org.
Top of Page
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New WFIS Member Benefit!
WFIS members are now able to
post job openings
on the WFIS web site! Simply go to www.wfis.org/member, enter your school code and password and post your open positions! |
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The Bulletin Board
PNMA Sponsors Love and Logic Seminar:
January 23, 2010 - 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Seattle University, Pigott Hall, 901 12th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122
BOB SORNSON, Ph.D. will guide teachers and parents in how to lay foundations for successful learning environments. LOVE & LOGIC ® applies to the unique challenges faced by all who guide and support young children. Active Learning in a Supportive Setting will involve everyone in reflective exercises and skill building.
PROFESSIONAL CREDITS: 6 S.T.A.R.S or 6 Clock Hours REGISTRATION open online through Thursday, January 21 includes Free Parking on SU Campus at 12th & Marion and Lunch Buffet. Use secure Paypal online for immediate confirmation.
To Register: http://pnma.org/events
Evangelical Christian School in Memphis is conducting a Headmaster search. A full profile and application link is available at: Headmaster Search Profile
Application Deadline for Photography Scholarship - March 20, 2010. The Professional Photographers of Washington is pleased to announce that applications are available for the 2010 Student Photographer of the Year Award, which is open to all high school seniors in Washington State, graduating in the year 2010. The winning student will receive a $2000 scholarship grant, which will be used to further the applicant's study in the photographic arts.
A panel of 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 achievements and the student's wish to continue their studies in the photographic arts.
Applications must be postmarked by March 20th, 2010. For more information contact Anita Weston, 425-776-4426.
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. Contact Anita Weston for an application anita@fowlerportraits.com.
Haas Foundation Adopt-A-School Program. The Haas Foundation is committed to helping schools serve students in need. We know that budgetary pressures are impacting your school, your district, your families and your students. Many schools are seeing an increase of students in jeopardy from not participating in school programs or activities due to increasing activity fees. Many are seeing more students in need of basic school supplies, clothing or other personal needs. This year's Adopt-A-School Drive is designed to increase support for your school's Haas Fund and can help you address these issues. http://www.haasfoundation.org/adoptaschool/
Colonial Dames Scholarships. The mission of the Colonial Dames is to preserve the traditions of National heritage, to encourage a popular interest in our country's past, and to facilitate the education of both teachers and students in the studies of American history.
We are offering scholarships that must be applied for by March 5, 2010 and must be used by December 31, 2010. You may apply in more than one category. Since 1998, the Washington Society of The Colonial Dames of America has granted over $200,000 in scholarships to Washington state history teachers.
- Up to $1,000 contribution for continuing education relating to American history.
- Up to $1,000 contribution for curriculum development.
-Up to $1,000 contribution for travel and tuition to attend educational seminars relating to American history.
- Up to $1,000 contribution for teacher enrichment project/program.
Any history teacher or support personnel who plans to continue teaching grades 5 - 12 in Washington State is eligible to apply. Read more about what our scholarships can be, and have been, used for by other teachers who have won our scholarship. For further information please contact us.
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School Indoor Air Quality Monitoring Stations. K-12 schools are encouraged to borrow one of our free portable indoor air quality monitoring stations to help in promotion of healthy school environments. The stations are designed to be placed in classrooms, offices, or other rooms. They provide useful information about room ventilation, cleanliness, comfort, and assist in evaluating the heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) system. The air meters measure carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, humidity, temperature, and airborne particulate (dust) levels. Participating schools share their indoor air quality monitoring results with the Department of Health through a secure Web site. The shared data is transmitted anonymously without identifying information. The data will help us evaluate the impact of room and building characteristics on indoor air quality as well as identify general conditions and trends in schools throughout our state.
To find a contact in your area, see:
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Bills of Interest
House Bill 2834 (Prohibiting gang and hate group activity in schools). Introduced by Rep. Tim Probst, (D) (D) on January 14, 2010, provides that, by September 1, 2011, each school district must enact an antigang policy or modify an existing policy to prohibit criminal street gang and hate group activity on school property and school vehicles, and at all school activities. (See also SB 6511) .
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=104286
Senate Bill 6511 (Prohibiting gang and hate group activity in schools). Introduced by Sen. Steve Hobbs, (D-Lake Stevens) (D) on January 15, 2010. (See also HB 2834) .
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=105157
House Bill 2835 (Establishing school safety zones).
Introduced by Rep. Tim Probst, (D) (D) on January 14, 2010, designates school properties and adjacent areas as school safety zones in which certain activities are prohibited, including disorderly conduct, malicious mischief, gang activity, stalking, and threats against school property, students, and personnel. (See also SB 6512).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=104288
Senate Bill 6494 (Delaying state board of health rules that impact school districts). Introduced by Sen. Rodney Tom, (D-Medina) (D) on January 15, 2010, recognizes that the legislature cannot practically implement the state board of health's new or amended rules pertaining to primary and secondary school facilities without an extended phase-in period in light of other budget constraints. Prohibits implementation of the rules until the legislature has formally funded implementation of the rules through the omnibus appropriations act or by statute .
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=105140
Senate Bill 6517 (Creating the" all start" preschool program). Introduced by Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, (D-Bothell) (D) on January 15, 2010, creates the all start voluntary preschool program for three and four-year olds to make early learning opportunities available to every three and four-year old child in the state. Requires the department of early learning to: certification; develop preschool programs; review the early childhood education and assistance and head start program standards; and, coordinate, and implement services and programs for children from birth to age three. (See also HB 2867) .
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=105163
House Bill 2776 (Setting funding distribution formulas for K-12 schools). Introduced by Rep. Pat Sullivan, (D-Covington) (D) on January 13, 2010, specifies basic average class size to range from about 25 students in kindergarten through the third grade, to almost 29 students in high school. The act requires reducing the amount of students per class in kindergarten through the third grade, to 15 students per class by 2015-16. The act also allocates money per student at a school, with each allocation more than doubling by 2011-12 and calls for the allocation of more money for student transportation.
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=103585
House Bill 2996 (Including approved private schools in record check rules). Introduced by Rep. David Quall, (D-Mt. Vernon) (D) on January 20, 2010, includes approved private schools in the superintendent of public instruction's record check information rules, which require written procedures for access to information obtained in connection with employment applications or certifications. (See also SB 6619). http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=105967
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