February 2021
The Advocate
supporting Washington independent education
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Dear Private School Community and Friends,
It has been a roller-coaster of a year. With fits and starts, and many loops, private schools have held on tight and provided an exciting and safe ride for students, families and staff.
Most private schools have been open to in-person learning since August or September. Others are starting up now. Either way, private schools have offered strong academics, with unwavering attention to the social/emotional well-being of their students.
Private schools have taken the time to build strong connections to other private schools, public schools and public entities. The recognition that we are all on this roller-coaster together has made a significant difference in the recovery of school life in all settings.
When this is over, we may be breathless and a little dizzy, but we will be stronger for the experience. And perhaps much more appreciative of the Merry-Go-Round.
With care,
Suzie
Suzie Hanson
Executive Director, Washington Federation of Independent Schools
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FEBRUARY IS PRIVATE SCHOOLS MONTH |
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WA Private Schools lead the way supporting communities
Private schools made rapid transformative shifts on all fronts to ensure students could succeed during the pandemic. The diversity of independent schools in the WFIS collective brought creative and varied solutions to the table. Together schools provided essential support to school leaders in what was and is, at times, a rather lonely position.
WFIS provides Integration, Connection, and Advocacy.
The unifying voice of WFIS has shown itself to be highly effective in supporting schools, changing education policy, and advocating for what school communities need.
Whether its PPE, access to vaccinations, health department involvement, reasonable countermeasures, or even changes in health guidance, WFIS is leading the way. Most importantly, WFIS has connected schools to one another for the benefit of the whole.
Share your stories by using #WAprivateschools. Check out @WFISchools to see the stories and photos of teachers and staff doing great work despite the challenges of COVID.
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The State of Washington Proclamation |
WHEREAS, Washington is home to more than five-hundred non-public schools approved by the Washington State Board of Education; and
WHEREAS, these schools – through the active participation and commitment of their sponsoring communities, leadership, faculty, staff, families, and volunteers – are committed to the education of their students; and
WHEREAS, these schools have been instrumental in supporting the state’s mandate for safety during the COVID-19 crisis in conjunction with fulfilling their paramount duty to educate students; and
WHEREAS, by providing these safe learning environments, non-public schools are crucial partners in our Washington State education system;
NOW, THERETOFORE, I Jay Inslee, Governor of the state of Washington, do hereby proclaim February, 2021, as Private Schools Month in Washington, and I encourage all people in our state to join me in this special observance.
(signed) Governor Jay Inslee
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WFIS ENGAGING WITH STATE AGENCIES |
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OSPI & Private Schools
OSPI's Chris Reykdal and Michaela Miller continue to meet monthly with private school leadership to align expectations and navigate regulations.
It was Chris Reykdal who said he "strongly believes that students’ academic and social-emotional health is best supported when doing in-person learning in classrooms." We appreciate his early support in allowing schools to reopen safely to in-person learning.
EANS:
OSPI is managing the Emergency Assistance for Non-public Schools (EANS).
The application is not yet available, nor is the formula that will determine the amount of funding per student.
Some key facts:
- Only non-profit schools are eligible.
- EANS funding will NOT be considered taking federal dollars.
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Schools can only take the 2nd round of PPP OR EANS, not both. A school may apply for PPP, but must leave the money in the bank to remain eligible for the EANS.
Vaccine roll-out to schools:
All school employees are eligible in the B2-B4 tier intended for mid-March. Locations will primarily be in Kaiser facilities, but county officials are mapping some locations in voids where public or private schools could be utilized.
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Early Learning
WFIS has worked with the many organizations within the Early Learning Action Alliance (ELAA) and with the Pacific Northwest Montessori Association (PNMA), to ensure that early learning programs are not burdened by State regulations and are funded appropriately.
The needs of our Early Learning Programs, made clear in WFIS' weekly conversations with Directors, have wended to the ears of legislators, agency leads and advocacy organizations. Together we are raising awareness of the continuous care our programs have offered children ALL YEAR, throughout COVID.
There is a catastrophic shortage of teachers available for children ages 0-6. Yet current mandates and requirements for new teachers are a serious entry barrier to the field. Licensing requirements are overwhelming program administrators. Access to high quality programs is limited for low-income families because the subsidy system is overly complicated and underfunded. Subsidy rates provided by the State require schools to underwrite students, therefore limiting many students who could greatly benefit from the programs.
WFIS is working every day to maintain diversity in EL programming in Washington, to allow the industry to remain separate from the public system, to ensure innovation and parent choice. We thank our early learning programs for showing up at the weekly meetings and building a strong network of support. Your commitment is making a difference. WFIS will continue to fight for those dedicated to the care and education of young children.
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SBE & WFIS collaborate to work out the kinks
The State Board of Education began private school oversight just a year before the chaos of COVID. This required building proprietary systems and learning - a ton!
The SBE office is small, but mighty. Their effort to learn about the private school community is greatly appreciated. Meeting weekly with WFIS, Executive Director Randy Spaulding and his team are invested in strengthening the private school office, talking through issues, and making decisions that are good for students and schools.
Authority for waivers in emergency situations:
HB 1131, soon to be law, allows the State Board to grant private schools waivers if unable to fulfill the 180 days or 1000 hour requirement. The SBE is working on the way schools will indicate their need for a waiver.
Improvements to the upcoming Annual Approval:
Annual Approval / Re-Approval is just around the corner (March 15 - April 15). Thankfully the form will now preload existing data and retain the applicant's place on the form.
Health & Safety Inspection & Documentation being clarified:
WFIS has resourced input from accreditation organizations, insurance companies, and regional safety authorities to help the State Board hone a set of expectations that are reasonable and effective. Stay tuned for details!
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2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION SNAPSHOT |
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Advocating on issues private schools care about goes beyond education agencies
Almost halfway into the regular legislative session, there have been 992 bills introduced. Outlined below are some of the bills of interest. SB signifies a Senate Bill: HB a House Bill. These bill have not made it through to law yet.
School Safety
WFIS pushed hard throughout the summer to ensure private schools could safely reopen to in-person education and would not be prevented from doing so. Schools have been community partners in aligning with the Governor's safety protocols and demonstrating, first hand, that appropriate countermeasures keep people safe.
Equity & Inclusion
HB 1404 supports eliminating barriers to highly capable student assessments and assistance. It allows Saturdays and in-school opportunities for the assessments.
HB 1162 reduces the number of credits required for high school graduation from 24 to 20, and applies the revised credit requirements to the graduating class of 2021 and subsequent classes.
Early Learning
HB 1370 provides early learning facility grants and loans to plan, renovate, purchase, and construct early learning facilities. Religious entities are included.
SB 5136 p rohibits charging fees for child care licenses until June 30, 2023.
HB 1213 & SB 5237 are c omprehensive early learning companion bills championed by ED House Chair, Rep. Tana Senn and ED Senate Chair, Senator Claire Wilson. They include a path for accessible health care for teachers, increases in subsidy rates, and expansion of the advisory council on which WFIS has a seat.
School Choice
Without in-person learning at many public schools, families are looking for alternative solutions including, but not limited to, private schools, neighborhood pods, and homeschooling. Many parents believe their tax dollars should support alternatives to the public system.
WFIS testified in support of SB 5200, which would establish a tax credit scholarship for children with disabilities or living in the foster care system. The bill died, but the conversation has not.
Miscellaneous of interest
HB 1016 designates June 19, commonly known as Juneteenth, as a state legal holiday.
SB 5147 explores alternative school calendars.
SB 5249 supports mastery-based learning.
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Engage your legislators!
- Getting students and teachers safely back in the classroom
- Recognizing educators are uniquely positioned to observe and support students experiencing crisis
- Acknowledging teachers and administrators' critical care of communities
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WHY LEAD BILL WAS A 'NO' FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS |
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HB 1139- the Lead Testing Bill, passed the Appropriations Committee without private schools included in the bill. Instead it requires public schools to test for lead in their drinking water. The impetus for the bill was generated from a multiyear pilot study of 551 drinking water fountains in public elementary schools. The study revealed 82% had elevated lead levels above 5ppb and 49 percent had lead contamination of 15+ parts per billion in one or more drinking water outlets.
Lead can be found in the soldering compound that holds drinking fountain pipes together. Filters can be added to remove the lead. There are many testing organizations throughout Washington. Many private schools are testing for lead and do not have lead in their water.
We thank Representatives Lisa Callan, Mike Steele, Skyler Rude and Alex Ybarra who took the time to listen to the concerns about this bill. Private schools should be included in the development of legislation that impacts our schools.
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WFIS KEEPS SCHOOLS CONNECTED & INFORMED |
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WFIS connects with federal, state and local agencies to make sure the private schools perspective is heard and rights are protected. Our success this year is bolstered by the active participation of our members. School leaders shared communication with their families, teachers, local health departments, county councils, and local papers to help us nimbly shift from one topic of concern to the next.
Federal level advocacy
The chain of communication began with collaborative meetings, at first daily and now weekly, of fellow State CAPEs (Council for American Private Education) leaders relaying the good and bad of what was going down in their states. Pooling ideas and resources not only became efficient for time management, but critical in defining a unified stance on the myriad of details related to Federal stimulus packages, ever-changing health directives, effective in-school protocols, and the array of myths needing debunking.
Inside WA State
WFIS has relationships with OSPI, the Governors Office, Department of Children Youth & Families, WA Department of Health, and both sides of the Senate & House leadership. But the new front line of advocacy quickly turned to the regional county level. This is where the private schools ability to network has shined!
Before the pandemic, private schools and county health departments really had little reason to get to know one another. What began as confusing and sometimes combative conversations has evolved into a collaboration. Private school leaders meet online regularly with their county health officials and public school leaders. Together we have been able to support each other and the public school systems with their plans for reopening to in-person learning.
WFIS is proud to have been part of fostering these strong relationships, nationally and locally.
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STAY CONNECTED. BE HEARD. JOIN WFIS. |
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Interested in becoming a WFIS member or partner organization? Have questions about private schools? Need media content? Contact WFIS--Info@wfis.org
WFIS social media @WFISchools highlights positive happenings and
creative adaptations taking place in independent education in Washington.
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PARTNER & SPONSOR INFO FOR SCHOOLS |
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