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ADVOCACY

VEPTSA partners with our community and PTA Levels in advocacy work

SPS Well-Resourced Schools

In October 2024, SPS proposed a plan to close 4 schools in the fall of 2025. This plan included closing North Beach Elementary School, moving that community to Viewlands starting next fall. The proposal had significant impacts on Viewlands as it would more than double the school population. Viewlands has been advocating for all students through this process.

Please use the accordian below for more information on updates and ways to partner with us in advocacy work.

Follow up to SPS Well-Resourced Schools plan

On November 21, Superintendent Dr. Brent Jones shared an update on the SPS District website that they will cancel upcoming community meetings previously planned to discuss school consolidation and closure proposals. This decision reflects the volume of concerns raised by families across the district about the significant impacts of these plans. You can read the full announcement on the SPS website.

Read our recent email update on WRS plans and the letter Viewlands and Northbeach PTA presidents sent to the District addressing the following concerns:

  • Overcrowding: Enrollment projections for 2023-24 were inaccurately low. If this occurs again it results in school overcrowding impacting facility space and drop-off/transportation capacity.
  • Boundaries: Understanding the future of boundary changes for Viewlands, with the expectation of additional district changes in the coming years.
  • Facilities: Ensuring appropriate facility space for Special Education Programs and kindergarten/preschool rooms.
  • Funding: Potential loss of school-wide Title I qualification and its impact on programs.
  • Staffing: Staffing Resourcing may fail to achieve desired staffing ratios due to large enrollment. For example, a half-time librarian for nearly 600 children results in children attending the library every 2-3 weeks.

 

Information about SPS Well-Resourced Schools plan can be found on the Seattle Public Schools (SPS) website.

Viewlands Elementary PTSA is communicating with other PTAs and Seattle Council PTA on this matter. The team is working on putting together some community listening meetings, and will put forward plans that we welcome the community’s feedback on.

Viewlands Principal Carrie Wheeler will not be able to provide any additional information than what is provided on the SPS website. We encourage you to reach out directly to SPS with feedback and to also work with VEPTSA. Principal Wheeler currently needs to manage the school year which just started and already has a full plate. Let’s support her and our teachers who are also affected by the well-resourced schools updates.

We will get through this challenge together.

 

Here are ways to get involved:

  • Become a VEPTSA Member! As a member you can vote on the initiatives and programs VEPTSA supports. This year Membership is available at no cost for anyone in our community (use the code provided on our membership page to receive a free membership). Membership is open to anyone in our community, including extended family members and neighbor supporters. Join today!
  • (For current families) Join community conversation with other Viewlands parents in our Well-Resourced Schools (WRS) social group on the Konstella App. In Konstella, select Directory, then select Browse Social Groups, then join the SPS Well-Resourced Schools updates group.
  • Volunteer to be VEPTSA Advocacy Lead! Contact our team to learn more.
  • Attend our monthly Board or Fall/Winter/Spring General Meetings. All are welcome to join us, however only members can vote at meetings. Meeting dates are in the Konstella app and also on our membership page.
  • Contact Seattle Public Schools. Provide feedback and ask questions of SPS via Let’s Talk.
  • Email Liza Rankin. Director Rankin is the SPS Board President and District 1 (North Seattle) Representive. Send email to liza.rankin@seattleschools.org.

Local Advocacy Groups:

  • Seattle Council PTSA (SCPTSA). The SCPTSA is our local PTSA partner supporting advocacy work. Visit SCPTSA website to learn more. Follow Seattle Council PTSA (SCPTSA) on Facebook or Instagram.
  • Visit All Together for Seattle Schools. Learn ways to advocate for our Seattle students and schools right now.
  • Visit Fund SPS. Get involved by signing petitions, attending meetings, or learning more about how to advocate for fair funding policies.

News :

Stay tuned for more updates from VEPTSA advocacy team!

WSPTA Focus on Advocacy

WSPTA Focus Day in Olympia was January 15, 2024!

You can continue advocating for education in WA state by signing up for WSPTA advocacy alerts, or use the easy forms under each category to quickly compose a message to your state senators about important issues.

Visit the WSPTA action page to learn more >

WSPTA Legislative Priorities

Every year in October, the WSPTA meets with PTA/PTSAs all over WA state to draft next year’s legislative priorities. Here are the 5 Legislative Priorities of WSPTA for 2024-2025:

  • Closing the funding gaps
  • Addressing the student mental health crisis
  • Addressing funding, inclusion, and supports in special education
  • Preventing and reducing gun violence and suicide
  • Expanding school construction funding options

Learn more about WSPTA Legislative priorities >

Central & North Seattle Schools PTA Alliance

Central & North Seattle Schools PTA Alliance (CANSSPA) was formed to address equity in education in Central and North Seattle schools. In 2023, VEPTSA members voted to officially participate in CANSSPA, supporting their 3 pillars: Information sharing and community building, Resource sharing, and Collective advocacy.

Learn more about CANSSPA >

School Levies

Seattle voters can vote on levies that help support Seattle Public Schools like Viewlands.

Learn more about the impact of school levies >

Advocating for Gun Violence Prevention Measures

Viewlands VEPTSA adopted the National PTA position statement on gun violence in May 2018 as we work together towards advocating for the safety of children and youth.

Review the National PTA gun safety and violence prevention position >

 

Join VEPTSA Advocacy Team!

We are continually increasing our advocacy work at the school, district, and state levels, and welcome all advocates to be involved. Whether it’s making connections within our North Seattle community, letter writing, or testifying at the local/state level—we have a place for you!

If you are a passionate advocate who wants to lift our community needs and support Viewlands at the legislative and other levels, please consider joining the VEPTSA Advocacy Team!

Reach out if you have questions or would like to connect about Advocacy work.

Viewlands Elementary PTSA (VEPTSA)
PTSA unit ID number 6.15.340.

 

Viewlands Elementary School

10525 3rd Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98177

 

Main School Office Phone: 206-252-4400

Viewlands Elementary School website

Viewlands Elementary PTSA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

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