AWSP Blog

Students in foster care often face academic and social/emotional/behavioral challenges beyond those experienced by their non-foster care peers. When students are connected with a caring adult, are attending school regularly, and have the supports they need, they are more likely to be successful in school and in life. Establishing a building point of contact will support coordination of resources and facilitate compliance with state and federal laws related to students in foster care.

As Washington State considers future funding for outdoor education, there is no better time to have your voice be heard!  The Center for Economic and Business Research (CEBR) is working on behalf of the Washington State Legislature to learn more about the outdoor education opportunities currently being offered to students (if any), as well as your desires for the future.

Remember HB 1216 (2019) which created requirements around an optional School Resource Officer (SRO) program? Well, 1216 has been replaced! ESHB 1214 (2021) expands and modifies that earlier legislation and impacts the work of not just SROs, but all K–12 public school safety and security classified staff or contractors.

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In our kickoff episode for the 2021-22 school year, we discuss the recent mandate from the Governor about required vaccinations for K12 employees, Superintendent Reykdal comparing the fight against the delta variant to a chess match, reaching out to us in case of conflicts, a survey to develop a plan to fund outdoor school programs, an OSPI grant to help ASB funding impacted by HB 1660, a great new resource to share from Chad’s Legacy Project and the SMART Center on mental health instruction, the 2021 Healthy Youth Survey, our amazing ProLearning offerings, networks, networks, networks, and the “Triple A” for school leaders.

Teachers and students alike recognize the importance of reducing the stigma of mental illness and the benefits of good mental health. Proven benefits include increased student productivity and, more importantly, reduced suicidal ideation. The stigma associated with mental illness has contributed to a well-documented eight to ten-year delay from onset of mental health issues and illnesses to delivered services, with many never even receiving care. While some students may now be receiving mental health education, systemic inequities also exist in terms of availability, delivery, and depth of content. Two obstacles largely contribute to this inequity.

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.

Looking ahead, ‘21-‘22 is going to be a busy year. As we begin to kick it off, COVID still plays a major part in our school safety preparation efforts. Masks. Distancing. Hand washing. And that’s just the starters. Over the course of this year’s blogs, I plan to address several other school safety topics as well: school mapping, HB 1214, HIB, drills, equity, threat assessment, behavioral health, data requirements, and more. If you have a topic you would like to see included, please let me know.

The State Board of Education wants to hear from you about graduation and how students show they are prepared with the skills needed to thrive in life after high school. Learn more about this work and get an opportunity to provide feedback during a listening session.

As part of our celebrity Summer Conference news interview series, Dr. Scott Seaman and Communications & Technology Director David Morrill joined Kraken broadcaster Everett Fitzhugh to talk about his path to the NHL as the first black play-by-play hockey announcer. He has a unique story about culture and belonging and shares how the Kraken is breaking down barriers and creating a diverse, inclusive staff in a sport where that's the exception and not the norm. Everett has great stories, insight, lessons, and plenty of humor. You'll want to watch all the way to the end for this one.