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Start Strong: Cathy Sork Shares Nine Ways to Boost Student Engagement from Day One
How you start the school year matters. The first days and weeks set the tone for everything that follows — and no one knows that better than Cathy Sork, 2024 AWSP Elementary Principal of the Year and principal at Dorothy Fox Elementary in Camas. In her recent article for NAESP’s Communicator, Cathy shares nine creative,…
Learn MoreYou are the Architect of Your Impact: Start the 2025–26 School Year with Purpose
You are the architect of your building’s culture, its systems, and its commitment to learning. That’s not small work—that’s transformational. So here’s your invitation: Before the first bell rings, take some time to reflect. What do you want to be true about your school by October? What will you design now to make that vision…
Learn More2025 Schools on the Rise Winners
The Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL) and the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) will present 42 schools across the state with our Washington Schools on the Rise Award this fall. This is double of the submissions from the 2024 award year.
Learn MoreThe Influence of Leadership – Remembering Dr. Gay Selby
Dr. Selby was a legend whose influence on others across our state and country is truly unmeasurable. We remember her fondly at AWSP.
Learn MoreExpand Access to Books for Your Students with AWSP’s Partner, Books Are Fun
AWSP has partnered with Books Are Fun to promote their Book Blast program, which is already making an impact in schools across Washington. Every student receives at least one brand-new, age-appropriate book. There’s no cost to your school—no invoices, no budget concerns. The Book Blast team handles 90% of the work, minimizing the lift for…
Learn MoreAWSP and AWSL Bring Home National Communication Honors from NSPRA
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.
Learn MoreJune Holidays & Recognition
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.
Learn MoreSchool Survey on Nicotine/Tobacco Cessation Resources
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…
Learn MoreRetirement & Health Benefits – Final Update 2025
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…
Learn MoreSurvey: Confiscated Tobacco Products in Washington
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.
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