December 2023

We're not asking for a seat at the table. We're already here.

December 06, 2023

What We’re Up To

Event Recap: Parents Introduction to 504s and IEPs

Thank you to everyone that registered and attended the two November workshops and group discussions. It was well received and we look forward to repeating them again in the near future.

Feedback from families was extremely positive. We are excited to implement what we learned in the next sessions. Future topics will include 504/Individualized Education Program (IEP) management, addressing concerns, and building a more robust and identity-affirming IEP, as well as how 504s and IEPs carry over into special programs like Highly Capable education.

Parents, caregivers, educators, and school staff, please email Emily McLeod at [email protected] if you’re interested in being part of our family advocacy meeting program when it launches in your area.

Listening to Our Communities

We understand that Washington’s charter school communities, families, educators, and students have a wide range of experiences across the state depending on school model, location, and so many other factors.

We also know that there are some shared experiences across charter schools and would love to learn more about what’s going on and what you’re thinking.

Please let us know your thoughts in this survey. It will take around 5 minutes to finish. Feel free to share the survey link with others in your school community. We’ll report back on the results in a future newsletter.

Charter Sector News

Rainier Prep Seeks More Staff

Rainier Prep in Seattle, WA is looking for talented, hardworking, mission-aligned people to serve as the school’s Operations Coordinator, Family Engagement Manager, Special Education Teacher, and Substitute Teacher.

Summit Olympus Seeks Spanish Teacher

Summit Olympus in Tacoma, WA is looking for a collaborative, project-based learning Spanish teacher to teach, mentor, and advocate for a group of students that you’ll follow year to year.

Whatcom Intergenerational High School Seeks Community Engagement Board Members

Bellingham charter school Whatcom Intergenerational High School (WIHS) is seeking as-needed community volunteers to support youth and families struggling with regular school attendance.

For more information and to apply: https://tinyurl.com/wihs-ceb

Why Not You Academy Seeks Board Members

Why Not You Academy (WNYA) in Des Moines, WA, is seeking dedicated individuals to serve on their school’s Board of Directors. To apply: https://tinyurl.com/WNYA-Board-Application

Washington State Board of Education Releases Draft 2024 Charter School Report

The Washington State Board of Education (SBE) makes rules and sets the state’s requirements for graduation. They also have the authority to approve school districts who want to authorize charter schools and have a representative on the Washington State Charter School Commission who participates in authorizing and renewing charter school contracts.

One of their duties is to create an annual charter school report for the Governor, Legislature, and public at large.

SBE recently released a draft report for 2024 that will be discussed at their December 7th board meeting. The Washington Charter School Commission, Spokane Public Schools, and the Washington State Charter Schools Association (WA Charters) all participated in reviewing and editing early drafts of the report.

Here is the 11-page draft executive summary and the 98-page full draft report. Read it over and let us know them know what you think! To ask a question or submit public comment, here is the SBE online Contact Form.

  • To learn more about SBE’s statutory duties for charter schools and read legislative reports from past years, visit their Charter Public Schools page.

  • For more on who they are and what they do, please visit their About Us page.

Upcoming Community Events

Black Girls Code Seattle Holiday Funday

Saturday, December 9th, 12:00 PM-2:00 PM

TAF Bethaday Community Learning Space, Seattle

Black females ages 7-17 (as well as young males and other scholars who are not Black females) and their families are welcome to join in learning how to code games and other fun activities.

Local Charter School Board Meetings

Find your Commission-Authorized school here, then click on the school page for where to find information about your school’s monthly board meeting times and agendas.

For Spokane Public Schools-Authorized charter schools (Lumen High School and Pride Schools) please go here and scroll down to find your school and the link to their board members and meeting schedule.

Washington State Board of Education

Thursday, December 7, 2023, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM

Online Only Meeting

For information on all Washington State Board of Education (SBE) meetings (past and future), click here. You can also view past meetings on TVW.

Washington Charter School Commission

Thursday, December 14th, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM

Hybrid Bimonthly Meeting at Highline College, 2400 S 240th St, Conference Center Building 2, Des Moines, WA

Zoom option: https://zoom.us/j/3607255511 | Dial (646) 558-8656 | Meeting ID 360 725 5511

Washington Charter Schools Association

Wednesday, January 10th, 6:30 PM

2024 Session Kick-Off

Wednesday, January 24th, 6:30 PM

January Session Update