Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging – Lake Washington PTSA Council 2.8

About DEIB at LWPTSA Council

The Lake Washington PTSA Council is committed to advocating for institutional and systemic changes that ensure equity, justice, respect and inclusion of all children. Council strives to be anti-discriminatory, inclusive and to welcome all voices. We are seeking to learn from our community, and grow as individuals and as an organization.

In May 2025, our council board voted to change the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee name to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, to reflect the importance of belonging as a necessity for the well-being of all children. [Read about this change]

Advocacy Skills in the Education System – Lake Washington PTSA Council 2.8

About the Advocacy Skills in the Education System Initiative

The Lake Washington PTSA Council is proud to announce the launch of Advocacy Skills in the Education System (ASES)—a dynamic group open to PTA leaders, parents, staff and students from across the Lake Washington School District who share a passion for creating positive change in our schools and community.

This committee serves as a platform for learning, collaboration and action. It is thoughtfully designed to equip participants with the knowledge, tools and confidence needed to effectively advocate for the issues that matter most to their communities.

Join us and help make every voice heard!

More information forthcoming as new sessions will be scheduled.

Sustainability – Lake Washington PTSA Council 2.8

2025-2026 Sustainability Chair: Chayanika Das

Email Sustainability@LWPTSA.net

The LWPTSA Sustainability Committee is made up of local sustainability chairs and interested community members at schools across the district. The committee has worked on a range of issues, including food recovery, waste reduction, composting, green cleaning, no-idle zones, herbicide-free schools, and engaging and supporting students in their efforts to combat climate change and create a livable planet.

Sustainability Committee Meetings

Sustainability Committee meetings for 2025-2026 will be a mix of in-person meetings at the LWSD Resource Center (16250 NE 74th St., Redmond WA 98052) as well as online sessions via Zoom. Note the varying locations and meeting times as specified below. Contact Sustainability {at} LWPTSA.net with any questions. (Schedule/locations are subject to change. Any changes will be communicated via our website, our newsletters and Facebook Group.)

Date & Time	Location	Topic	Additional Info
Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025 10–11:30 am	Sammamish Room	Green Team with guest speaker from King County Green School Program	Meeting Slides LWSD Green Team Guidelines KCGSP
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025 7–8:30 pm	Zoom	Waste Reduction and Waste Audit Guest Speaker: KCGSP & Recology
Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2024 7–8:30 pm	Zoom	Energy Conservation
Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 7–8:30 pm	Zoom	Water Conservation
Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 10–11:30 am	Sammamish Room	Earth Day Week and more
Tuesday, March 3, 2026 10–11:30 am	Zoom	Garden & Share Table
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 10–11:30 am	Sammamish Room	Transportation
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 10–11:30 am	Zoom	Getting Ready for Next School year and open discussion

Advocacy

Legislative Priorities Top 5 Legislative Priorities for 2025 – 2026

Washington State PTA shall advocate for legislation, policies, and budgets that ensure the financial stability of all school districts, by prioritizing K-12 education in the state’s operating budget, and by closing existing gaps in basic education funding for MSOC (Materials, Supplies and Operating Costs), special education services, and student transportation, so that state funding reflects and keeps pace with actual costs.

Washington State PTA shall support legislation or policies that ensure all students have access to the behavioral and mental health resources and preventative measures they need to thrive, including funding for:

Reduced ratios of students to mental health professionals
Programs and incentives to recruit, train, and retain mental health professionals
Resources to assist families
Training and support for educators and administrators

Washington State PTA shall advocate for legislation or policies that:

Fully fund special education services including eliminating the cap
Simplify the safety net reimbursement process
Address the statewide special education staffing shortage
Implement inclusionary practices while continuing specially designed instruction and accommodations when beneficial
Address disproportional identification, referrals, and discipline
Provide training in best practices for student and classroom support
Ban isolation and reduce restraint of all students

Washington State PTA shall advocate for legislation or policies that prevent and reduce gun violence and suicide including:

Fund school-based mental health services
Require permits for firearm purchases
Incentivize safe storage of firearms and medications
Restrict bulk weapons purchases
Prohibit firearms in sensitive places including parks and public buildings
Fund community-based prevention and intervention programs

Washington State PTA shall advocate for legislation or policies that:

Increase overall state funding and funding options for school construction projects and improvements
Provide equitable funding options so all school districts across the state can complete capital projects and improvements
Lower the 60 percent super-majority to pass bonds to no more than 55 percent with a strong preference for a simple majority of 50 percent Also Supported

Legislative Priorities (listed alphabetically by title of position)

Washington State PTA shall support legislation, policies, and funding that ensure equitable digital inclusion and access for all students, families, and staff by implementation of a statewide digital equity plan, including adoption of best practices and strategies for use of technology to improve student education and behavioral health outcomes. Washington State PTA shall advocate for legislation or policies that equitably provide funding, resources, and technical assistance to schools to:

Reduce greenhouse gas pollution and waste
Improve indoor air quality and resilience to climate impacts
Meet WA Clean Buildings Performance Standards requirements
Access local, state, and federal funding opportunities
Educate, enable, and equip students to participate in solutions Washington State PTA shall advocate for legislation or policies that create a state budget that maintains key programs previously funded by the Federal Government that support the whole child, including healthcare coverage, food insecurity assistance and other vital programs that support our state’s children, youth and families until such time as Federal funds are restored

Other resource: Money Talks: From the State to the District, How School Funding Works in Washington on Vimeo

Advocacy in Action

Washington State PTA participates in advocacy year-round about issues impacting children, families, and schools. Washington State PTA also participates in a number of coalitions, workgroups, and committees that align with our mission. This important work ensures that parents have a seat at the table and that their voices are reflected when important decisions are being made.

In addition, Washington State PTA communicates to policymakers by signing on to letters with other education, civic, civil rights, and advocacy organizations to amplify our collective messages to the state and federal legislature.

Letters to policymakers