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  • The Only Constant is Change: A Look Ahead to the 2025 Legislative Session

    Roz Thompson, Government Relations and Advocacy Director, AWSP
    Sep 05, 2024
    As we move into fall, we are closer to the important general election in November that will elect a new President and Governor and numerous new legislators and other statewide elected officials. Three initiatives are on the ballot as well. The makeup of legislative committees and leadership positions will change somewhat as a result of the elections, so significant change in Washington’s political landscape is coming.
  • Rep. Paul Harris Wins AWSP’s 2024 Torch of Leadership Award

    Roz Thompson, Government Relations and Advocacy Director, AWSP
    Sep 04, 2024
    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. We’re thrilled to announce that our 2024 Torch of Leadership Award is presented to Representative Paul Harris (R-Vancouver), who currently serves on the Health Care & Wellness, Appropriations, Education, and Rules committees.
  • Communicating Effectively About the Science of Reading

    Jolie Rotar, Field Marketing Manager, Lexia Learning
    Sep 03, 2024
    In addition to all the work of running a school building, school administrators must also take on the role of instructional leader, supporting and coaching teachers, and communicating with families about their children’s learning in meaningful, accessible ways. As school and district leaders across the country begin navigating the challenging yet necessary shift to science of reading-based instruction, they have more on their plates than ever. Fortunately, the science of reading can help Washington administrators engage in these conversations with specific knowledge drawn from rigorous research. Lexia® is eager to support school leaders in sharing information in open, clear, and critically reflective ways that help them push their schools and districts toward meaningful change.
  • Ideas and Tips to Start the Year Off Right With a Great Back-to-School Newsletter

    David Morrill, Digital Media and Services Director, AWSP
    Aug 26, 2024
    You know what time it is…pumpkin spice latte season. Even more importantly, it’s back-to-school time all around the state. Some of you have been back at it for a week or more, and some are starting soon. Either way, writing an effective back-to-school email newsletter is crucial for principals to communicate important information to teachers, parents, and students. Start the year on the right foot by creating a great culture with clear and helpful communication with your school community.
  • Supporting Students with Childhood Apraxia of Speech

    Allison Jones, Parent, Arlington School District
    Aug 26, 2024
    Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), sometimes called verbal dyspraxia, is a neurological motor processing speech disorder in which the brain has trouble getting the tongue, lips, and jaw to move correctly for speaking. Not everyone is aware of this speech disorder. As parents come into the school year with a child who has a new or recent diagnosis, they may be terrified and overwhelmed sending their child to public school knowing they struggle to communicate. As principals and school administrators, it is important to have a brief understanding of CAS and how you can support these students and advise their teachers.
  • Washington State Learning Standards Review: Language Arts, Math, and Science Now Available

    Angela Allen, Associate Director of Learning Standards, OSPI
    Aug 20, 2024
    Periodically, the state is required to review and revise the state’s learning standards, which define what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. Following a year-long process of working with teachers, school and district leaders, and community partners, drafts of revised standards in English language arts, math, and science are now available.
  • Todd Whitaker Shares What The Most Successful Principals Do

    Jenn David-Lang, Founder, The Main Idea
    Aug 19, 2024
    I summarized a classic book for you this month. Todd Whitaker recently updated his popular book from almost 25 years ago, What Great Principals Do Differently. Imagine if you were fortunate enough to be assigned the ideal principal mentor. This is a book that feels like a conversation with that mentor as he shares bite-sized pieces of advice from his time as a principal (and his research). The ideas are spot-on and you can implement them tomorrow. Oh, and he shares anecdotes to help you remember these tips, too. This book puts all those pieces of advice in one place — it compiles the 20 things that Whitaker has found separates the good from the great principals.s in education.
  • New Emergency Discipline Rules From OSPI Now In Effect

    Roz Thompson, Governmental Relations & Advocacy Director, AWSP
    Aug 16, 2024
    The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) just filed emergency rules clarifying and updating Chapter 392-400 WAC Student Discipline (see OSPI Rulemaking Activity website). OSPI plans to also conduct permanent rulemaking concerning Student Discipline. The emergency rules are effective immediately and the permanent rules are anticipated to be in effect by the 2025–26 school year. OSPI worked in collaboration with our team at AWSP, practicing principals, assistant principals, and teachers, as well as the Washington Association of School Administrators, the Washington Education Association, and the Washington State School Directors' Association to guide the updates and rule clarifications. These changes reflect important shifts in enhancing the learning environment through leadership and policy integration at the local level.
  • School Celebration Newsletter | August - October 2024

    Cindy Sholtys-Cromwell, Principal, Kelso Virtual Academy (K-12), Kelso School District
    Jul 29, 2024
    Most of us are just beginning our school year this August, and it is my hope you will find this School Celebration Newsletter Edition helpful as you begin to plan. I am making a few changes this school year to the School Celebration Newsletter. I’ll send it out quarterly now. In addition to including my traditional list of some of my favorite days to celebrate I am now including specific strategies you can use with your staff to support their educator well-being. I want to encourage YOU to utilize these research-based strategies also. In my work as an Associate for Educator Wellness with Solution Tree, I have been inspired by the research and writings of Dr. Tina Boogren. Dr. Boogren is at the forefront of educator wellness to support novice to season veterans throughout the school year. I encourage you to look into her research this year.
  • Implementation of I-2081, the Parents’ Bill of Rights

    Roz Thompson, Governmental Relations & Advocacy Director, AWSP Jul 22, 2024
    Jul 29, 2024
    In March 2024, the Washington State Legislature passed Initiative 2081 (I-2081), known as the Parents' Bill of Rights, effective June 6, 2024. While some provisions overlap with existing law, there are conflicts with federal law. The initiative expands the definition of "record" to include medical, mental health, and other student-specific documents. OSPI is collecting and reporting questions, comments, and concerns from Washingtonians about the initiative's implementation to the Legislature monthly.

Like to Write?

We're always looking for guest contributions. If you have a passion to write and things to share, email David about a guest post or a role as a recurring guest blogger. 


For More Information 

David Morrill | Communications & Technology Director | (800) 562-6100

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