The Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP), alongside its student leadership division—the Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL)—has been nationally recognized by the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) for outstanding achievement in school communications.

Recognizing special days and awareness months is an opportunity to build community, highlight values, and celebrate the individuals and events that shape our school environments. These observances support a culture of belonging, appreciation, and learning. By honoring diverse contributions and causes, schools model empathy, curiosity, and respect—qualities that help shape students into thoughtful, engaged citizens.

Washington Breathes is gathering information about resources available to middle and high schools to assist students who are using commercial tobacco products and who are dependent on nicotine. Through this survey, we hope to better understand cessation resources or programs that schools are utilizing, as well as identify needs and barriers. We recognize that many schools are struggling with the amount of youth vaping and nicotine use, and want to understand what supports are needed.

A bruising, budget challenged session has concluded and the Governor has acted. Below is a brief summary of pension, health care and other legislation that will impact school districts, present staff and future retirees. The work to implement the changes begins…

Washington Breathes and the Rutgers Center for Rapid Surveillance of Tobacco are asking educators to complete a simple survey to help us gather photos of products and information about the amounts of e-cigarettes, vape pens, cigarettes, oral nicotine pouches, and other commercial tobacco products from students that have accumulated in your school or school district.

Spring is a season of change in schools and in Olympia, with students, staff, and legislation all in transition. As we wait for final decisions on the state budget and key bills, leaders are also looking ahead to the 2026 session with curiosity and hope—especially around AI and student-centered reforms. While funding gaps remain a concern, especially in special education and MSOC, there's momentum building for long-term improvements.

OLYMPIA –– Every year, the AWSP Board President selects someone to receive the AWSP President’s Award. The award goes to someone who is a relentless advocate for principals and assistant principals, and the principalship, in the education of each and every student (AWSP’s mission). Woody Howard, the 2024-25 AWSP Board President and principal at Ben Franklin Elementary School in Vancouver Public Schools, selected Erin Lucich this year. Erin is the Director of School Improvement and Educational Leadership in ESD 112.

The science of reading is a large body of research consisting of multidisciplinary studies from the fields of education, neuroscience, developmental psychology, and cognitive psychology. This body of research explains exactly how the human brain learns to read and explains the best practices for quality reading instruction in the classroom. Join Lexia on June 18 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. for an exclusive event focused on the science of reading

You’d think that school administrators would be quite healthy. You walk countless steps in hallways, classrooms, and common areas throughout the day and often into the evening. You’re surrounded by curriculum that touts self-discipline. You observe teaching practices that help make tasks manageable. You understand how important movement is for our bodies and brains. Despite having tools and information for being healthy, many of us fall short of our ideal health markers, such as low cholesterol, ideal blood pressure and resting heart rate, ideal nutrition, and consistent movement.

OLYMPIA –– Raenette ("Rae") Sasaki Wood is the fourth winner of AWSP's Annalee Braley Membership Award. Her devotion to mentoring fellow leaders, supporting Leaders of Color, and advocating for the needs of principals and assistant principals demonstrates why she so perfectly honors and carries forward Annalee’s legacy.

Educators and school leaders recognize that academic achievement is only one part of a student's success story. Thriving in school and life is deeply tied to students' emotional well-being, relationships, and sense of belonging. That's why now, more than ever, sending students to AWSL Summer Programs isn't just a leadership opportunity; it's an investment in their overall growth and the health of your school community.

Whether you’re looking for an in-person session or need a virtual option, several choices are available through 2025 and into the 2025–26 certification year. Please note: the Office of Native Education is the only entity authorized to facilitate this training.

Recognizing special days and awareness months is an opportunity to build community, highlight values, and celebrate the individuals and events that shape our school environments. These observances support a culture of belonging, appreciation, and learning. By honoring diverse contributions and causes, schools model empathy, curiosity, and respect—qualities that help shape students into thoughtful, engaged citizens.

Spring is a season of change in schools and in Olympia, with students, staff, and legislation all in transition. As we wait for final decisions on the state budget and key bills, leaders are also looking ahead to the 2026 session with curiosity and hope—especially around AI and student-centered reforms. While funding gaps remain a concern, especially in special education and MSOC, there's momentum building for long-term improvements.

During National Assistant Principal Week, we asked school leaders across Washington, “What makes your AP amazing?” and "What do you love about being an AP?" Your heartfelt responses reminded us once again why strong leadership is vital for thriving schools and students.

Join us for the AWSP Spring Forum on May 1, 2025, from 4:00 to 5:30 P.M., where you'll connect with fellow school leaders and dive into breakout sessions designed to uplift, inform, and energize your leadership practice.

Spring is a season of change in schools and in Olympia, with students, staff, and legislation all in transition. As we wait for final decisions on the state budget and key bills, leaders are also looking ahead to the 2026 session with curiosity and hope—especially around AI and student-centered reforms. While funding gaps remain a concern, especially in special education and MSOC, there's momentum building for long-term improvements.

At AWSP, we’re always looking for new, fun, and meaningful ways to explore the world of artificial intelligence—and share those discoveries with you!

As the session moves toward Sine Die, now is the time for both houses to coordinate and negotiate their differing budgets and bills that have made it past both houses. Note, both House and Senate budgets will be released 3/24 so the status of much of what is covered below may be clarified by inclusion or exclusion within any budget.

Since 2017, with the help of a grant from the King County Academy of Family Physicians, they have reached nearly 10,000 students in grades 9-12 at more than two dozen Washington State high schools. The presentation has been vetted by Lisa Love, Director of Health Curricula for Seattle Public Schools. The Superintendents of the Tacoma and Edmonds school districts recommend it to their health instructors and it has been enthusiastically received by students, teachers, and administrators. Administrators and teachers at Edmonds are working to make education on firearm injury prevention a standard part of the health curriculum.