June 2023 The Advocate strengthening independent education in Washington

Dear Friends of Private Schools, Private schools sustained the trust built with parents, students, and staff in recent years by overcoming challenges with students' academic loss and missed opportunities for social connection. The teacher shortage continues to impact schools. Private schools look for educators who connect with the school's mission. They use innovative ways to attract new talent. Creating teacher mentorship programs and leadership cohorts are just some of the ways private schools attract and retain teachers. Private schools debunk the myths about whom they serve and how. Many private schools and specifically approved private NPA schools successfully educate and care for students with disabilities and learning differences. The private schools enroll and offer financial support to thousands of students from low-income families. And they offer an alternative environment to traditional common schools. Private schools provide integrated studies and depth of knowledge to all of their students. They take pride in knowing and challenging each student. As parents see their children return to a more familiar place emotionally, the exhaustion felt by school staff has started to subside. Independent education is an essential option for students. We are proud of our private schools' dedication to the well-being and education of over 80,000 children. With gratitude to our school leaders, teachers, and staff, Suzie Suzie Hanson Executive Director, Washington Federation of Independent Schools

WFIS Annual Membership Drive What makes WFIS such a strong and effective advocacy organization is the collaboration of dedicated school leaders from diverse communities of private schools in WA State. WFIS was formed over 50 years ago to sustain mission-based education and ensure independence. Weekly member conversations via Zoom help WFIS recognize issues schools are facing and build momentum and opportunities for change. Our Friday Weekly Updates connect school leaders to the most current information while forecasting topics schools should prepare for. Plus, WFIS member schools feel confident knowing they have quick access to a dedicated team to help navigate complicated problems or to answer questions whenever they arise. The collaboration of WFIS school leaders has helped private schools have a strong voice in Olympia. WFIS members can look for their membership renewal to arrive on June 1 via email. Contact us if your school is not yet part of WFIS but considering joining. Please read the 2023-24 academic year closing letter from WFIS Board Chair Peter Fackenthall.

POLICY AFFECTING PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Federal Funding -EANS II- Stripped from Washington's Private Schools by State Legislators OSPI allotted nineteen private schools $3.7M designated by Congress as emergency relief funds through the EANS 2 Program or ARP EANS for private schools to support low-income students most impacted by COVID. Each private school received a letter from OSPI with an amount and a timeline of September 2024 to spend their funds. Washington State was given $45.3M of EANS 2 funding to support its low-income students attending private schools. OSPI gave the schools $3.7M of the $45.3M; the rest, $41.6M, went to Governor Inslee's Office. The $41.6M windfall wasn't enough, and in a surprise move, legislators took half of the $3.7M budgeted and, in many cases, already spent by the private schools and diminished the timeline from a year to less than a month for schools to spend the funding. We want the approximately $1.8M of EANS 2 funding to go, as promised, to the private schools. The schools need this funding to pay teachers who have already provided services to children this year and to honor the schools' commitment to families to provide needed services next year. WFIS is working with private schools, advocacy organizations, legislators, OSPI, the Governor's Office, and the US Department of Education to rectify the situation. Please reach out to EANS@k12.wa.us if you have any questions.

EANS I reimbursements due by June 30 Schools that received EANS I funding allocations need to spend the funding now. If not, the private schools will lose about $5m on June 30. EANS I is the Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools federal relief program approved by the Department of Education in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provides emergency financial assistance to eligible non-public schools across the country. The State Government changed the EANS I allocation. As a result, OSPI only received authority to spend $9.2 million in the 2023-25 biennium, which starts on July 1, 2023. As of May 1, EANS I schools had $14.1 million left to spend, which means OSPI would lose the authority to pay the difference between these two amounts after June 30, 2023. EANS I schools can still submit reimbursements (claims) until November 15, 2023, for goods/services received as of September 30, 2023, but OSPI will be limited to paying $9.2 million. WFIS encourages all schools to send reimbursement requests to OSPI by June 30. Please reach out to EANS@k12.wa.us if you have any questions.

WA State 2023 legislative session summary WFIS advocated for many issues this year, including but not limited to meaningful and efficient oversight of educator CCDEI training, NPA programs, and boarding schools; inclusion of private school students in access to college in the classroom opportunities; and reinstatement of a private school seat on the PESB board. There is a lot to report in our 2023 session recap. You can learn more about what WFIS and partners worked on for our schools and communities.

Teacher Credentialing requirement This spring, the State Board of Education sent a memo clarifying teacher certification requirements for private school teachers. The law has not changed. The memo was in response to a couple of situations that prompted the State Board to feel they needed to clarify the law to the public and private schools. The State Board's expectation is that schools hire certified teachers for classrooms unless there is an exception for unusual competence or the teacher is teaching a subject not available in a public school. A certified teacher or administrator must then supervise that person. Again, this law has stayed the same. Please take a look at the memo for the specifics.

Public-Private Partnerships

PESB representation for private schools Currently, there are no private school representatives on the Professional Educator Standards Board. This board comprises twelve members appointed by the Governor, most practicing educators. Private Schools had two positions on this board before it was reorganized. PESB Executive Director, Erica Hernandez-Scott, has been encouraging private schools' inclusion on the board. Yet the Governor's latest round of appointees announced in February included no assignment to a private school applicant. The PESB is responsible for policy and oversight of Washington's educator preparation, certification, assignment, and development (RCW). In addition, PESB members work to strengthen the State's educator workforce through initiatives that address educator shortages, reduce barriers to the profession, and increase workforce diversity.

WFIS Board & Workgroup representatives               Thank you to the school leaders who stepped up and represented private schools on boards and workgroups that make decisions on education policy.

Jan Brown State Board of Education    April Shiosaki Blossoming Hill Montessori Early Learning Advisory Council Dave Mayer Seattle Archdiocese Temporary Licensing Subcommittee      Debbie Schindler Pacific Christian Academy                              Private School Advisory Committee Chair Dee Hirsch Discovery Montessori Early Achievers Review Subcommittee                                                        Mike Patello Christ the King Parish                                                    OSPI School Safety and Student Well-Being Advisory Committee                                                                             Mark DeJonge Bellevue Christian School                                      WA Interscholastic Activities Association

PEAB recognition Professional Educator Advisory Board (PEAB) representatives collaborate with fellow educators from both public and private schools to inform all education degree programs at colleges and universities in WA State. WFIS appoints educators from private schools to serve a three-year term in these important positions. Thank you to the many private school teachers and administrators currently serving!

Teacher PEABs Charlotte Huebner of Holy Trinity Lutheran School on Highline College PEAB Taryn Dillon of Skagit Valley Adventist on Skagit Valley College PEAB Angelica Calcote of Bellarmine Preparatory School on University of WA Tacoma PEAB Emily Weston of Annie Wright Schools on Pacific Lutheran University PEAB Samantha May of Sagebrush Montessori on Walla Walla University PEAB Shelly Backstrom of Three Rivers Christian School on Lower Columbia College PEAB Angie Mossey of Northwest Christian School on Whitworth University PEAB

(Teacher PEABs cont) Michaela Monks of St. Madeleine Sophie School on the WEA- pilot teacher residency for inclusivity & special education Patrick Segadelli of Gonzaga Prep on the Washington State University PEAB Toni Busby of Rogers Adventist Schools on Walla Walla University PEAB Kimberly Grycel of Lynden Christian Schools on Woodring College of Education PEAB Ester Seidl of St. Joseph Marquette Catholic School on Yakima Valley College PEAB Judy Catrejon of Upper Columbia Adventist Academy on Eastern Washington University PEAB

Admin PEABs Barbara Bolanos of St. Patrick Catholic School on Pacific Lutheran University PEAB Amanda Saxby of Cascade Christian Academy on Central WA University PEAB Archie Harris & Brain Harris of Upper Columbia Conference on Walla Walla University PEAB Julie Deppa of The Bear Creek School on Washington State University PEAB Sandi Wollum of Seabury School on University of Puget Sound PEAB

FEDERAL UPDATES

The Nation's Report Card WFIS is asking that all schools invited by NAEP to participate in the national test please do so. The participation of private schools in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is essential for examining the picture of K-12 education in the United States and informing future policy decisions. Private schools represent about 24 percent of schools nationwide and educate about 9 percent of the students. Therefore, to have a complete picture of the academic achievement and progress of the nation's students, selected schools must participate in NAEP. School and student selection is randomized. Schools can expect to be contacted during late summer and early fall. The assessments' administration will likely occur in February and March 2024. Sampled schools enjoy flexibility in selecting the date their students' assessment is conducted.

WFIS has spoken with school leaders selected in previous years, all of whom report the experience as wonderful and with no challenges. Check out the video link and learn more at the NAEP Private Schools webpage.

Stronger Connections Grant access for private schools? The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act allows school districts to apply for the Stronger Connections Grant Program. It will only be available to Districts with a 40%+ poverty level IF the District applies for the grant. Districts that qualify and are applying should be in contact with their private schools to discuss the best uses for the funding. The Stronger Connections Grant (SCG) program funding is specifically targeted at Safe and Healthy Students Program activities. For more info, go to OSPI's Student Support page and look for the Stronger Connections Q&A.

CAPE Summer Institute in July This July, the State CAPE Network will gather in Asheville, North Carolina, for its second in-person conference this year. In addition, the members of State CAPE meet weekly by Zoom to share notes on education policy in each state. The agenda is rich for conversations and includes these topics: The Power of Coalition Building Hot Legal Topics with Fisher Phillips Amicus Briefs The Changing Educational Landscape Early Learning: What conversations should private schools be having? Private School participation in NAEP 

HEALTH & SAFETY RESOURCES

Immunization resources for schools The updated DOH webpage School and Child Care Immunizations Information for Families outlines expectations and steps for families. In Washington, all children <19 can receive routinely recommended vaccines for free from healthcare providers participating in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.  School Module for Immunization Data Management The DOH School Module is a free online registry of immunization records available to all schools. The system is secure and easy for tracking student school-level immunization information. Here is a list of schools already using the School Module. If you want to access or have questions about the School Module, please email schoolmodule@doh.wa.gov. Students who will be four years old on September 1 Booking doctors’ appointments is difficult. Schools can encourage parents before leaving on summer break to get an appointment. DOH has provided some sample letters: Parent Immunization Reminder Letter for Students 4 Years of Age and in Español – Spanish (PDF) Tdap Notification Sample Letter  | Español – Spanish Updated HPV and Meningococcal letters Schools must notify parents with students in grade 6 and annually after that about HPV and Meningococcal disease and vaccine. (RCW 28A.210.080) Updated sample notification letters: School K-12 Resources on www.doh.wa.gov/SCCI HPV Letter for Private Schools HPV and Meningococcal Letter (combination) | Español – Spanish Meningococcal Letter

WA Clean Buildings legislation and rulemaking Tier I Buildings (50,000+ square feet) have been identified and contacted by the Department of Commerce. Tier 2 Buildings (20,000+ square feet) will be identified and contacted with a letter in July 2025. The Department of Commerce (DOC) is hosting a series of Clean Buildings Expansion webinars to ensure community members can provide input and set reasonable expectations before the December 2023 deadline set by the legislature. Below is a summary of the May 18, 2023 webinar: Recording HERE. Tier 2 buildings: Will not need to perform an energy audit. Will have different standards than Tier I buildings.  Will need to do benchmarking, make an energy management plan, and monitor EUis.  Come 2029, target benchmarking will be set for Tier 2 buildings. The goal is to use data gathered now to inform those rules. This gives the building users and owners time to evaluate the success of implementing low/no-cost energy management methods.  For Tier I Buildings, a Qualified Person must be trained and have legal responsibility for the Clean Building Standards. However, for Tier 2 buildings, a designated Qualified Person is not required. However, the DOC will provide training if a Tier I Building owner wants. For more information, please see WA Clean Building Standards.

The next rulemaking workshop will be Thursday, June 15, 2023 (click on the link to register) to discuss Energy Management Plan (EMP) and Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Program requirements for Tier 2 buildings.

DOH Guidance for 2023-24 academic year Learn to Return, DOH, and OSPI hosted the May 18 webinar to clarify the latest shift sunsetting most in-school testing programs. An outline of changes to school & childcare guidance for the rest of this year and next year was also summarized: Schools that do not have an RN on staff to administer tests or delegate testing duties will need to shift to distributing self-tests for home use or providing information on where families can access testing. DOH has removed the mask order, but employees around anyone with covid symptoms are to wear PPE as referenced in the L&I guidance for employees https://www.lni.wa.gov/agency/outreach/coronavirus/requirements-and-guidance-for-preventing-covid-19 Reporting positive results of at-home tests to the local health is not required. Only in-school testing results, which schools cannot do without an RN or an RN-designated person, will need to be reported to the state following the end of the public health emergency on May 11. DOH no longer recommends exposure notifications of individual cases to students, staff, and families. Notification must be made only if there is an outbreak in the school or childcare.  DOH is expanding Flu, RSV, and other respiratory illness recommendations: No new requirements, but will provide a new paragraph for best practices and resources.   Expired COVID tests can still be used if they pass the quality control check: https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-01/421037-ExpiredCOVIDTestFAQ.pdf?uid=6466650003348 The official K12 School & Childcare Guidance was released on May 30, which goes into specific detail on the above while providing COVID prevention suggestions specific to school settings. 

STAY CONNECTED. BE HEARD. THRIVE.

Be a part of a system that works - Join WFIS! Small but mighty is a motto often applied to private schools and the WA Federation of Independent Schools. Fill out this form if you are an SBE-approved private school in WA interested in learning more about being part of WFIS.

The active participation of our members bolsters our shared success. Tell us what you think! Tell us what your students and teachers need to succeed! Are you interested in becoming a WFIS partner organization? Have questions about private schools? Need media content? Contact WFIS--Info@wfis.org

WFIS Keeps Schools Connected & Informed The unifying voice of WFIS is highly effective in supporting schools, changing education policy, and advocating for our school communities. Our membership is growing & getting stronger each year. WFIS is a community hub to share ideas, exchange resources, and gather moral support. WFIS Supports Schools Access to information, interpretation of rules, connection to resources, and lending an ear: WFIS gives schools year-round confidence that they are a vital part of this community of impactful schools. WFIS Thrives on Integration Coalescing the broad perspectives of the independent school communities throughout WA State began over 50 years ago. WFIS has connected schools for the benefit of the whole of private education. There is no question that our schools succeed in educating students, responding to parent needs, and ensuring the support of staff and teachers. WFIS is Advocacy WFIS connects with federal, state, and local agencies to ensure the private schools' perspective is heard and rights are protected. In addition, we provide state agencies with detailed insight into the needs of our diverse communities. Whether Early Learning or K12 guidelines, health department involvement, reasonable countermeasures, or legislation - WFIS is leading the way.

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