Advocacy

Advocacy

Advocacy is at the heart of what we do by empowering students and our members to have a voice at local and state levels in matters that focus on the health, well-being and safety of our children. 

LEGISLATIVE

We work to raise awareness and encourage our community to have a voice with respect to legislation that aligns with WA State PTA's Legislative Platform.  

WSPTA Legislative Priorities for 2024-2026

1.        Closing the Funding Gaps

2.        Addressing the Student Mental Health Crisis

3.        Addressing Funding, Inclusion and Supports in Special Education

4.        Preventing and Reducing Gun Violence and Suicide

5.        Expanding School Construction Funding Options 

Legislative Assembly (Oct 26-27)

This year, the WA State Legislative Assembly will adopt their 2024-2026 Legislative Platform. So we know how to best represent the Ella Baker community, take this 2-question survey and help us understand your priorities with respect to our students and their future. Thank you!

2024 LWSD Levy – SUPPORT  

 The Ella Baker PTSA membership has voted to support and endorse the 2024 LWSD Levy. If approved, the district will use the funds to rebuild and enlarge the remaining facilities across the district that have not been updated since LWSD began a modernization plan over 25 years ago. https://www.lwsd.org/2024-levy

 

November Ballot Initiatives 2109 & 2117 – OPPOSE  

 The Ella Baker PTSA membership voted to oppose two state initiatives that are on the ballot this fall as they negatively affect children and families in Washington State. This is in alignment with the position taken by our Washington State PTA and Lake Washington PTSA Council. 
 
Initiative 2109 - repeals the state capital gains tax – a critical and significant source of revenue for public education. In 2023, according to the WA State Department of Revenue, the tax only affected 3,895 taxpayers (0.2% of all households), but raised $895 million in revenues, all of which is required to go towards supporting education and schools within Washington State. 
 
Initiative 2117 - repeals and blocks the state’s Climate Commitment Act. Through the CCA, payments from top polluters are reinvested directly into our homes, schools, and communities. For school districts, The CCA directly supports energy-efficient schools, zero-emission buses, safe routes to school -- benefiting students and their communities. 

 

Focus on Advocacy Day (TBD most likely Jan or Feb)

WSPTA hosts a day where PTSA members get a chance to meet with their state representatives and senators to share the PTA mission and priorities. You will be provided with everything you need to know to schedule and hold a successful meeting with your legislators. And if you can’t make it to Olympia, you can schedule a remote meeting instead! Email advocacy@ellabakerptsa.org if you are interested or want more information.

 

Focus on Advocacy Week (TBD most likely Jan or Feb)

 WSPTA will be asking members to act virtually with daily calls to action. Each day will focus on an important part of the WSPTA platform. Subscribe to the WSPTA Action Network so that you receive the daily calls to action for this week and periodically throughout the legislative session. You will be provided with easily customizable messages that the action alert system will automatically send to your legislators. It is easy to do and only takes a few minutes!

 
 

FAMILY ASSISTANCE & PANTRY PACKS

The PTSA works closely with the school to support and meet these needs once identified. If your family is need of assistance for back-to-school items, food, scholarship for school events, clothing or other items, please contact our school counselor.

We also assist in finding volunteer drivers for the Pantry Packs program.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

We work to ensure we are organized, informed and prepared in case of an emergency by managing emergency supplies and providing preparedness education.

E-Prep Resources

LWPTSA Emergency Preparedness - Meets regularly to share resources within our district.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION (DEI)

We are committed to bridging the disparities in our communities by being more diverse, equitable and inclusive in our efforts. Please read our Black Lives Matter Statement.

DEI Resources

Resolutions & Position Statements

SUSTAINABILITY

Our goal is to promote sustainable practices within PTSA and our school community by being more mindful of the resources we consume and their impacts on local and global communities, especially those disproportionately impacted by climate change and environmental hazards.

Sustainability Resources

Resolutions & Statements:

SPECIAL EDUCATION

Our goal is to help foster a community of families of children receiving services and/or accommodations. We advocate for meaningful inclusion and promote Disability Acceptance.

Special Education Resources

  • LWPTSA Special Education Group - Meets monthly to share resources within our district.

  • Outdoors for All – Enriching the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities through outdoor recreation.

  • Game to Grow – Using games of all kinds for therapeutic, educational, and community growth.

  • Athletes for Kids – Enhancing the lives of children who have disabilities and special needs and the high school athletes who mentor them.

  • Friendship Circle - Leveraging the positive impact of friendship, understanding, and shared experience to transform the lives of children and teens with special needs and typically developing teens.

  • Aspiring Youth – Helping students as they navigate their social world.

  • Basic Beginnings - Providing children with autism and other special needs the opportunity to gain the necessary basic life and social skills to build confidence and independence for his or her future.

  • Social Skills Lab - Home-based and virtual teletherapy speech sessions, evaluations and virtual peer/friendship groups.

  • Washington Autism Alliance - Access to healthcare, education and services for people with autism spectrum disorders & related intellectual and developmental disabilities.

  • Arc of King County - To further the civil rights movement for all persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities to thrive as equal, valued, and active members of the community. 

Questions? Want more information? Contact Advocacy@EllaBakerPTSA.org for more information.