Each year, AWSP’s Advocacy Advisory Council has the opportunity to select a state-level public servant who has demonstrated support of principals and the principalship in the education of all students. For 2021, the Council selected Senator Sam Hunt as AWSP’s 2021 Torch of Leadership Award winner. Senator Hunt is a Democrat representing the 22nd legislative district, which includes Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and the surrounding areas.

In partnership with AWSP, OSPI would like to hear directly from building administrators about how to best support you and your colleagues with beginning the implementation of your district’s SSB 5030/Comprehensive School Counseling Program (CSCP) plan this coming year. Your feedback will inform our collaborative work with AWSP to develop resources, tools and training that can help you to feel inspired, hopeful, and ready to leverage SSB 5030 to support improved student outcomes through the CSCP.

Last year was quite a year, to put it mildly. I suspect that we are all hoping to return to a bit more normalcy in 22–23. We know, though, that there will be a lot of change moving forward. Here are some school safety thoughts to help navigate the changes and find a new normal. Comprehensive school safety plans, sometimes referred to as Emergency Operations Plans or EOPs), are required by law (RCW 28A.320.125). This is not new. What is new, though, is the fact that now, for the 1st time, we have some required data around those plans. We will be collecting more this school year, as well.

How in the world did it get to June? We are almost halfway through 2022 and I am not sure how that happened. I learned a long time ago the days can go by so slowly, BUT the years, they fly by. This seems more true now than ever. I know many of you have already completed your 2021 | 2022 school year, however, a few of us (myself included) still have a couple of weeks of celebration and milestones to push through. The finish line is in sight, so remember to find joy in the work EVERY single day. You are amazing and YOU are making a difference in the lives of so many. Be well and remember to drop me a line if you need any support. Happy June, Cindy.

AWSP is recruiting principals with 5+ years of school leadership experience to participate in the AWSP Mentor Program. If you’d like to give back, apply to serve as a mentor as part of our mentoring cadre. Are you a new principal or AP? Apply for a mentor!

Sign up to reserve your spot in the 2022-2023 school year My Disability Roadmap Webinar/Podcast Series featuring Samuel Habib, Dan Habib, and the groundbreaking adults with disabilities featured in their new film.  Register to join some or all of these nine rich discussions on inclusive education, postsecondary transition, and disability rights.

I always ask, “Have you asked your students yet?” This question opens the door to possibilities and discoveries. Students are the experts at being students. I will say that again so that it can truly marinate… students, are the experts at being students. Adults are no longer the experts; they are. We get to use our lived experiences and positionality to support students achieve academic and social success.

These resources are sent out weekly to leaders in special education and Section 504. Each post contains tips and resources on a variety of topics that are meant to keep you informed and up-to-date.

When you’re ready to jump into some professional reading, check out this list of books that our staff created based on some of the books that we are reading or that we hear others mention. We also provide some tips for engaging your staff in a book study, if that is something that you are considering.

These resources are sent out weekly to leaders in special education and Section 504. Each post contains tips and resources on a variety of topics that are meant to keep you informed and up-to-date.

As a recovering principal, you never forget the experiences you faced. Traumatic, high-stress events become permanently ingrained into the rest of our lives. And as much as we try to forget and move on, all it takes is one reminder and we are right back to the moment, the event, the decisions, and all the related emotions. On May 24, 2022, we were all given a reminder through yet another horrific school shooting and the tragic deaths of innocent students and teachers. For those in education, these unimaginable events generate additional emotions and trauma. And for principals and assistant principals, the emotions become even more complex and traumatic. Complex because we move from anger and defeat to shock, horror, sadness, and, unfortunately, the relief it wasn’t at our school.

Have you heard? High-needs schools that operate the School Breakfast Program (SBP) are required to implement a Breakfast After the Bell (BAB) program and give students adequate time to eat their breakfast for the 2022-23 school year. OSPI has all the information you need to create a plan to make this happen. Not sure if your school is required to operate a BAB program? Need some creative resources to make your program successful? Check out the School Breakfast Program page on OSPI’s website.

There is no need to struggle again through the details of the most recent school shooting tragedy. Nor is there a reason to struggle through the other tragedies which followed in rapid succession. The stories are the same. The stories are all different. The stories are all devastating. The often-repeated, fundamental questions we hear most often these days are: How can we ensure that our schools are safe? What can we do?

These emails are sent out weekly to leaders in special education and Section 504. Each email contains tips and resources on a variety of topics that are meant to keep you informed and up-to-date.

How in the world did it get to June? We are almost halfway through 2022 and I am not sure how that happened. I learned a long time ago the days can go by so slowly, BUT the years, they fly by. This seems more true now than ever. I know many of you have already completed your 2021 | 2022 school year, however, a few of us (myself included) still have a couple of weeks of celebration and milestones to push through. The finish line is in sight, so remember to find joy in the work EVERY single day. You are amazing and YOU are making a difference in the lives of so many. Be well and remember to drop me a line if you need any support. Happy June, Cindy.

These emails are sent out weekly to leaders in special education and Section 504. Each email contains tips and resources on a variety of topics that are meant to keep you informed and up-to-date.

Often what is good for the goose is good for the gander. When we think about what works for teachers and mentoring, we often forget to think one step ahead about how this same information can support school leaders. If you’re interested in Principal Mentoring, did you know that AWSP is refreshing its Principal Mentoring Program? Check out our updated webpage. Learn more about how to request a mentor or sign up for our free mentor training. We are looking for leaders who want to ensure no leader “goes it alone!"

Another tragedy. Another senseless act. Another experience that creates fear in our system. I’m numb. My emotions are all over the place as I begin to wrestle with how do we (adults) support our communities through yet another horrific and vile act of violence The answer is, I don’t know. What I know is that our communities deserve grace, patience, and love as we mourn, hurt, cry and be angry. What I know is that our students deserve to know they are loved, and worthy of love.

These emails are sent out weekly to leaders in special education and Section 504. Each email contains tips and resources on a variety of topics that are meant to keep you informed and up-to-date.

If you’re reading this and you know a phenomenal leader, please take a minute and nominate an incredible school leader for Principal of the Year or Assistant Principal of the Year. And if you are nominated, I promise it’s worth your time to apply. The program is so much more than just the prestige of winning an award — it’s a source of pride and celebration for your staff, students, district, and community. It was also a life-changing experience for me. You’ll find the letter I wrote to AWSP below. Not only will you see an experience of a lifetime, but I’ve come back a better leader for my school because of it.