Search Results
United States Senate Youth Program Winners 2025
The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) is pleased to announce that high school students Ms. Ashlye Ruth Triebs and Ms. Ellie Xue will join Senator Patty Murray and Senator Maria Cantwell in representing Washington during the 63rd annual USSYP Washington Week, to be held March 1 - 8, 2025. Ashlye Triebs of Vancouver and…
Learn MoreSchool Celebration Newsletter | January – March 2025
According to Dr. Tina Boogren, a Solution Tree’s research expert, educators are now entering the season of “Finding Balance” – a time to focus on recalibration and renewal over the next 9–10 weeks. With this in mind, this quarter’s “School Celebration Newsletter” is packed with simple, actionable ideas to celebrate your staff while also prioritizing…
Learn MoreLegislative Update 1.10.25
The 2025 legislative session kicks off on Monday, January 13th and along with a new year, as usual, comes lots of changes. 2025 will be a long, 105-day session where over 2,000 bills will be introduced, and where the biennial operating, capital, and transportation budgets will be adopted by the Legislature and signed by Governor-Elect…
Learn MoreShould States Ban Cell Phone Use In Schools?
In the 22-23 school year, my Building Leadership Team decided cell phones were limiting students’ ability to access their education to the degree that we needed a schoolwide intervention. By June of 2023, a survey to all certificated teachers showed that 98% of staff wanted a more stringent cell phone policy and that 88% of…
Learn MoreAI: A Game-Changer for Students with Disabilities
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming education, especially for students with disabilities. A recent Associated Press article highlights how AI tools are helping students like 14-year-old Makenzie Gilkison, who struggled with dyslexia, succeed academically.
Learn MoreThinking about Retirement? 2025 Edition
Since covering pension/retirement/health insurance issues on behalf of WASA and AWSP, there are a few important points we have learned. This is just a brief summary of selected retirement related topics. One needs to check with the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) and the Health Care Authority (HCA) for definitive answers to questions about their…
Learn MoreJanuary Holidays & Recognitions
Here is a list of January recognitions and holidays, along with suggestions on how to observe and celebrate them within your school community.
Learn MoreYOUR ACTION NEEDED: 20-Minute Seated Lunchtime? Submit Your Thoughts by January 14!
OSPI has posted proposed rule changes to WAC 392-157-125, requiring a minimum 20-minute seated lunchtime in K-12 public schools. This was done in response to a state audit from 2019. We know that while some of you meet this requirement already, for many of you, these suggested rules would create significant challenges for buildings and…
Learn MoreHearMeWA Youth Advisory Group
The Attorney General’s Office is recruiting youth to serve on a statewide Youth Advisory Group for the HearMeWA Program. HearMeWA is a free statewide program for youth up to age 25 who are dealing with a range of challenges, from stress and anxiety to threats and abuse.
Learn MoreHappy Holidays and Office Closure
2024 has been a great year thanks to all of you! We hope that you are able to truly rest and enjoy the holidays during the next couple of weeks. Please note that the AWSP office will be closed Friday, Dec. 20 at noon through Friday, Jan. 3.
Learn More