Join us at WFIS Members' weekly Zoom meetings

Tuesday at 2:00 pm for K12 school leaders.

Thursday at noon for Early Learning directors.

At this week's Zoom, the K12 Leaders discussed:

• Background checks for staff and volunteers
• School nurses
• Clean Buildings legislation & next steps
• WFIS Member Survey 
• 'Accessing Title Funds' presentation by Teresa & Gail from Catapult

Early Learning Leaders discussed:

• Brightwheel early learning software
• Enrollment contracts
• The curriculum push related to the 'Science of Reading'
• Transition-to-K bill and potential impacts

For Next Week's Zoom- A Special Guest!

Brightline will be joining Zoom next week. Brightline is a mental health organization providing children ages 18 months to 18 years with virtual therapy, psychiatry, and coaching. Brightline is partnering with WFIS to initially work with private schools in Washington and then expand to support public schools. 

Tuesday, 4/18 2:30 pm & Thursday 4/20 12:30 pm

We are excited to provide private school families critical access to mental health support opportunities.

How to advocate for Title Funds within the Districts:

Title IA, Title IIA, Title III, Title IVA

Schools sometimes need help to get approval for training or services from the Districts for Title Funds to which students or teachers are entitled. Additionally, some schools avoid Federal Title Funds because of the fear that "strings" may impair their ability to adhere to their mission.

Catapult's Teresa Gregory shared her expertise on various Title Funds, and we encourage all schools to watch the Zoom recording. We will be hosting Teresa to continue the discussion on IDEA as that topic is equally as complex.

Do you have specific questions about Title Funds relating to your school? Please contact Teresa Gregory or Gail Weaver, as Catapult is a trusted partner of WFIS and the state CAPE organization.

Additionally, Michelle Doyle Educational Consulting offers school leaders FREE intro-level training modules on seven distinct types of federal education programs. To learn more, please see this Principals Academy info sheet.

Private School Participation in Federal Programs

WFIS strongly encourages all non-profit private schools to file this application that only commits schools to MAYBE using Title Funds in the future. Should your school seek support through something like the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (Title IV, Part A), this application must already have been filed.

Due Monday, April 17 - OSPI allows no exceptions to the application due date. Review the Education Data System Log-In Instructions for steps on accessing the system.

Approved, non-profit private schools must complete their intent to participate in federal programs for the 2023–2024 school year by the deadline or they will be considered not participating.

View the Private Participation in Federal Programs webinar PDF that OSPI ombudspersons hosted in late February. Here is the Federal Programs Application webinar with OSPI, viewable on Youtube.

WFIS Feedback Survey

The WFIS Board of Directors emailed a survey request to the Heads of Schools (member schools only) for feedback on WFIS' work. Here is the survey.

Answers to three brief questions help ensure that WFIS is doing its best work.

Thank you for your participation.

NonPublic Agency Bill takes another turn

The Floor Striker Bill, 2ESSB5315, written by Republican Representatives Couture and Rude and agreed upon by Rep Santos, passed the House this week, relabelling an "NPA" to an "Education Center." WFIS and fellow advocates opposed this shift but worked with the House to make the bill palatable should it pass. The Senate agreed with our objections and ruled that the House amendment was outside of the scope and object of the original Senate bill. So now the bill goes back to the House, and they can:

1. remove the amendment and just pass the Senate version of the bill, 
2. try adding a different amendment to the bill and then send it back to the Senate again, or
3. do nothing and just let the bill die. 

SB5315 directly impacts 27 private schools that have worked all session to help craft a bill that works for the schools and their students. The House and Senate have just one week before this legislative session ends.

Expect another Seattle Times article on this issue this weekend.

CCDEI bill dies this session

The CCDEI clock hour bill, HB 1377, which was supported by legislators, private schools, and the Professional Educators Standard Board, died this week.

Erica Hernandez-Scott, Director of the PESB, supports the bill and will establish an infrastructure so that they are ready to implement the bill should it pass next year. Thank you to the many private school leaders involved in tracking, commenting, and advocating for this bill.

In the meantime, private schools that provide clock hours can partner with approved CCDEI clock-hour providers, including colleges and ESDs, and offer courses or use the PGP flexibility.

Licensing Boarding Schools

SB5515 passed both the Senate and the House.

This bill directs DCYF to investigate referrals of alleged child abuse or neglect at boarding schools. It also requires DCYF to license living accommodations at boarding schools effective July 1, 2025, unless the school is exempt from licensing.

To be exempt, a school must be accredited by a nationally recognized accreditor that sets standards for the residential part of the program that are similar to licensing requirements. Boarding school leaders will be invited to the table to craft the licensing rules.

HB1550 and shifting ideas on Transitional Kindergarten

Transitional Kindergarten is controversial in Washington State to anyone providing early education. It is completely supported by the Governor and many public school districts despite the evidence in California that TK programs are directly responsible for closing down existing early ed programs, limiting options for parents, and funneling children into large institutions, some of which are ill-equipped for the work.

The Transition to Kindergarten bill tries to hold accountable public schools that want to open up their Kindergarten classes for younger students. Advocates supporting the T to K bill have asked for:

Standards and oversight. Teachers with a firm grounding in early childhood development utilizing developmentally appropriate curricula and pedagogy. A safe environment for four-year-olds. And parity in ratios and class sizes consistent with child safety standards.

Mandatory coordination and collaboration with other early learning providers. This ensures that children are getting the education and services they need where they need them.

Planning and prioritization. A guarantee that the state’s limited dollars are focused on children who lack access to quality early learning.

WFIS has mixed feelings about TK and will continue to discuss its perspective at the Zoom meetings on Thursdays.

Updated HPV and Meningococcal letters

Schools are required to notify parents with students in 6^th grade (and annually thereafter) about HPV and Meningococcal disease and vaccine, as outlined in RCW 28A.210.080. DOH has sample notification letters that have been updated in the School K-12 Resources and Sample Letters on www.doh.wa.gov/SCCI and are listed below:

• HPV Letter for Private Schools
• HPV and Meningococcal Letter (combination) | Español - Spanish
• Meningococcal Letter

Students who will be 4 years old on September 1

The DOH requests that schools notify parents early (now) about the vaccines their children need for the next school year. Booking doctors' appointments is difficult. Start early!

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

State Board of Education April Board meeting

RCW 28A.195.010 requires the SBE to annually approve private schools to operate in Washington. Schools that were presented for approval at the April 12, 2023 board meeting are listed here. Annual approval closes on 4/28/23.

The next meeting is scheduled for June 27-29 in the Renton area. SBE shifted its meetings to be on the even months of the year. 

Fisher Philips 2023-2024 School Year Planning webinar

FREE for WFIS Member schools, Fisher Phillips education industry group lawyers Kristin Smith and Micah Dickie will present an overview of topics you should be considering and quick tips for content and implementation. Everything from campus safety to employee and board training will be covered in this fast-paced, one-hour session. 

When: Next Thursday, April 20 at 10am PST

Register here

"We talked about the important work happening in the Legislature and why it’s so important to have our young ones engaged and ready to make a difference in their community. Their visit will play a critical role in developing a positive relationship with their government." - Sen Javier Valdez, e-newsletter

Suicide Postvention: How to Create Preventative Environments

Postvention, or how a school responds after a suicide, is not an endpoint. Suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention is a cyclical process in which a well-informed postvention process supports future prevention efforts. 

Exposure to death by suicide is one of the highest risk factors for suicide. Therefore, postvention becomes integral to creating a preventative environment within the school community.

Puget Sound ESD

Wednesday, June 7, 9:00-11:00 am via Zoom

$25 per person

Register here through PSESD (only 12 spaces remain - filling fast!)

SAM Spring Educator Workshop

The Seattle Art Museum is hosting a special Educator Workshop: Global Textile Studio on Saturday, April 22, from 10:30 am - 4:00 pm. Fiber artists will discuss their artistic practice and introduce a weaving activity to use in the classroom.

In this workshop, educators will explore tools and techniques from around the world connected to textiles, weaving, and cloth. Get inspired in the galleries, bring ideas to life in the studio, and hear from fellow educators about art-making in the classroom.

The registration fee for this event is $35, or $30 for SAM Members. If cost is a barrier at all, please contact EducatorPrograms@seattleartmuseum.org. This event includes resources and Washington State Clock hours. Classroom educators, paraeducators, subject area coaches, and administrators are welcome to attend. 

Retaining good employees: a pillar of Culture and Success

Workforce Hub's latest blog dives into employee retention, why it's essential, and how to retain employees more effectively within your business.

Schools face unique challenges in keeping their employees happy, but investing in these tried and true benefits will help:

• Education and training
• Development and growth opportunities
• Ongoing performance feedback
• Recognition and rewards
• Workplace amenities

What WFIS has been reading ....

New data on learning innovation

Novel approaches to school are changing how students engage in learning. Whether you’re a policymaker, non-profit, or local school leader doing the work to compare new approaches in education can be daunting. 

The Canopy project is a partnership between the Center on Reinventing Public Education and Transcend which has gathered information about a diverse set of innovative learning environments designed to advance equity and student-centered learning. This research and portal will allow education leaders, school designers, and researchers the ability to review a diverse set of learning environments in the months ahead.

How campus symbols and imagery inform your campus communication strategy

Walk on any school or college campus and you will quickly get a feel for the culture of the place, but it is likely not just from words spoken.

Read more from Ian Symmonds & Associates.

After a traumatic event, how can teachers best help students?

Check out the KQED article with advice for parents and teachers on how to talk to students about gun violence, community trauma, grief and mental health.

SBE's Private School Approval application due by 4/28

The annual SBE Private School Approval Renewal application is due.

Tips for Successful Applications:

1. The application hates Google Chrome. Use a different system if you can.
2. If you have two campuses, fill out two applications.
3. Username is the Head of School email address. Always.
4. The Head of School must sign the Certificate of Compliance.
5. Health inspections must happen every three years in Districts where local health departments inspect schools. Keep the paperwork at the school.
6. Only upload inspection paperwork IF you are a new school or are in a new building.

New schools (applying for the first time) or existing private schools opening an additional campus will use the 2023-2024 New Private School Application. No login is required. Your new campus will be assigned a building code after approval.



Nicole Mulhausen, Private Schools Manager at the Washington State Board of Education, provides Wednesday Office Hours, March 1 - April 19, from 11:30–12:30 for application support in a Q&A session.

Become a 2023-24 Clock-Hour Provider

Now is the time to apply to be an approved Clock Hour Provider for the 2023-24 school year.

Complete OSPI's 2023-24 Clock Hour Provider Application by August 1, 2023. *No extensions will be granted.

After applying, you will receive an automatic confirmation. If you do not receive a confirmation, please contact Kelli Adjepong.

Quick Links & Contacts for 2022-23

DOH Decision Tree

WA State Labor & Industries HELSA & PPE usage

Updated School & Childcare Guidance 2022-23 released 10/25/22

Private School's Annual Reporting Requirements listed for 2022-23.

COVID TESTING

DOH has indicated they are working on ways to support COVID testing for next school year. WFIS awaiting details!

Expired COVID-19 Tests FAQ and RapidAntigenTestDateExtensions.pdf

Employee Safety

L&I Requirements & Guidance for Preventing COVID-19 after May 11