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  • Legislative Update | January 15-19, 2024

    Roz Thompson, Governmental Relations & Advocacy Director, AWSP
    Jan 19, 2024
    It was another busy week in the Legislature as the House and Senate Education Committees continued hearing a plethora of bills related to special education funding, new curriculum and graduation requirements, simple majority for bonds, and more. AWSP signed in support of the various bills that would increase funding in special education and update the health standards to include more information, resources, and instruction related to fentanyl. But, similar to the State Board of Education and the WEA, we shared the message that for the bills related to computer science, financial literacy, agricultural literacy, and Holocaust and genocide education, we would rather see a comprehensive look at the graduation requirements in order to strategically envision potential changes for future students.
  • Retirement & Health Benefits for January 19, 2024

    Fred Yancey, The Nexus Group LLC
    Jan 19, 2024
    The Session continues. Introductions of new bills and committee hearings continue as legislators work to deal with proposed bills. A reminder that if a companion bill appears to not be moving, that means the other bill will be the prime for action.
  • Highlighting Inclusionary Practices at North Pines Middle School

    Ashley Barker, Inclusionary Projects Director, AWSP
    Jan 17, 2024
    North Pines Middle School is a beautiful, state-of-the-art building located in the heart of Spokane Valley. When you enter the facilities, it seems like any middle school in Washington State. It is abuzz with students and typical boisterous middle school activity - staff greeting students at the door, students greeting one another, and staff urging students to get to class. Then, the bell and quiet set in, and the learning starts. There are so many layers to the work happening in our schools across the state to set the learning conditions for our students. North Pines is one of the most diverse schools in the Central Valley School district, and they have taken their job to provide equitable, rigorous learning opportunities for their students seriously.
  • Legislative Update | January 8-12, 2024

    Roz Thompson, Governmental Relations & Advocacy Director, AWSP
    Jan 12, 2024
    The 2024 Legislative Session kicked off this week, and it will be a 60-day sprint to the finish. Hundreds of new bills were pre-filed, hundreds of bills are still in play from last year, and hundreds of new bills are being introduced, which makes for lots of reading and a massive bill tracking list. The first cut-off of the session is January 31, when bills must pass off the floor of their house of origin, so this list will be much shorter in just a few weeks. Whew.
  • Retirement & Health Benefits for January 11, 2024

    Fred Yancey, The Nexus Group LLC
    Jan 11, 2024
    The second year of the 68th Washington State Biennial Legislature has begun. Given that this will be a ‘short’ session, the pace will be brisk (an understatement). Numerous bills have been and will continue to be introduced. Some are good ideas; others are not, and some are just plain silly. Hearings have started. A caveat: There are always more bills proposed that will survive the entire process. (Thank goodness!) With that in mind, below is a report and comments on selected bills that may or may not remain as the session unfolds. The point is that until hearings on selected bills are scheduled, most are just titles and text with no explanations or fiscal notes. As these become available, more detail will be presented in this report.
  • Washington State Selects Two Amazing High School Students for the United States Senate Youth Program

    Roz Thompson, Governmental Relations & Advocacy Director, AWSP
    Jan 09, 2024
    The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) announces that high school students Ms. Gianna Patrice Frank and Ms. Mahika Kavya Malladi will join Senator Patty Murray and Senator Maria Cantwell in representing Washington during the 62nd annual USSYP Washington Week, to be held March 2 — 9, 2024. Gianna Frank of Marysville and Mahika Malladi of Redmond were selected from among the state’s top student leaders to be part of the 104 national student delegation. Each delegate will also receive a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate study.
  • Fall Forum Reflection: No School Leader Stands Alone

    Julie Woods, Community & Member Relations Coordinator, AWSP
    Jan 08, 2024
    As we embrace the new year, it's important we take a moment to reflect and report on our AWSP Principals’ Fall Forum that took place in November - a testament to the resilience and collaborative spirit of Washington's school leaders. The virtual gathering provided a unique opportunity for regional connections, idea sharing, and the reaffirmation that, in our shared journey, no school leader stands alone.
  • Update on Government-to-Government Required Training and Dates

    Jack Arend, Deputy Director, AWSP
    Jan 05, 2024
    House Bill 1426 passed in 2021 and it requires that administrators who renew their administrator certificate on or after July 1, 2023 must complete a five-hour Government-to-Government Relationships Training. Administrators also need to complete 10 clock hours related to leadership standards and 10 clock hours related to equity before renewing their certificates.
  • Is Media Literacy and Digital Citizenship Like Flossing or Ice Cream?

    Mark Ray, 2012 Washington State Teacher of the Year, Former Chief Digital Officer, Vancouver Public Schools
    Jan 05, 2024
    Whether your focus is social and emotional learning or preparing 21st century graduates, like ice cream after a big meal, there is always a little space to help your kids build media literacy and digital citizenship skills in the classroom or library. These webinars will build your understanding of these topics and help you find strategic connections to what’s already happening in your schools.
  • School Celebration Newsletter | January 2024 Edition

    Cindy Sholtys-Cromwell, Principal, Loowit High School and Kelso Virtual Academy (K-12), Kelso School District
    Jan 04, 2024
    This past year is one that provided me a variety of opportunities to learn, grow and become a better person and principal. As we turn the page into the New Year I want to encourage you to reflect on the positive memories of last year. It is important to honor the incredible work you have done to support your staff, students, and families you serve through this school year.

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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