What We’re Up To

Zoom Event: Parents Introduction to 504s and IEPs

Please join Eric Willard, WA FAB Board member and special education advocate, at the following days and times for a workshop and group discussion about 504 Plans (504s) and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs):

• Thursday, November 16th at 6:30 pm

• Thursday, November 30th at 6:30 pm

These events are focused on charter public school families whose children have 504 plans or IEPs—or who may be in need of additional support to access their education—and open to all families, community members, and staff.

REGISTER: https://tinyurl.com/parents-introduction

Family Advocacy Meeting Program In The Works

In line with our organizational goals to build and enhance the capacity of educators and families in the “4 C” areas of capabilities, connections, cognition, and confidence, we are developing a family advocacy meeting program based on meetings we held beginning in 2020 and on what we’ve learned from advocating alongside families and educators since then.

Many thanks to Ya’Vonne Hubbard, a Summit Atlas and Summit Sierra parent, who helped us by creating the basic framework and first drafts of meeting guides. After our first round of edits is done, we plan to conduct a pilot run with members of our board and team to gather feedback and identify areas that need to be adjusted to better serve our communities.

Once we have gathered and applied the feedback, we will present the program to charter schools — starting in the Tukwila area — and train them on how to implement the program with their families. Our goal is to launch this program by the 2025-2026 school year.

Seattle Foundation Neighbor to Neighbor Grant

We are excited to announce that Seattle Foundation has awarded us a Neighbor to Neighbor grant (N2N) to help bring our family advocacy meeting program to Tukwila area charter parents! We are grateful for their support and look forward sharing what we’ve learned and learning from our fellow charter parents as we implement the program.

We Want to Hear from You!

Charter Sector News

Rainier Prep Seeks Family Engagement Manager

Rainier Prep in Seattle, WA is looking for a collaborative, adaptable, mission-aligned person to serve as the school’s Family Engagement Manager. To take a look at the job description: https://tinyurl.com/rp-family-engagement-manager

To apply: https://www.rainierprep.org/careers/

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

Information from their recruitment flyer:

Renewal and Expansion Season Is Over

Updates on the Commission’s Complaint Process

Thank you to the families who joined one or both of the Commission’s Complaint Process Focus Group meetings to discuss ESHB 1744 and the required new online complaint system. You can read feedback from the first meeting and from the Commission’s talks with other agencies here.

It was great to hear from parents of students from Why Not You Academy, Summit Atlas, Summit Sierra, Impact | Commencement Bay Elementary, Impact | Puget Sound Elementary, and Spokane International Academy, as well as from parents of students that used to be enrolled in a charter school.

The complaint process information and a complaint form are now live on the Commission’s website. It should also be posted prominently on the website of each of the Commission’s authorized schools along with their own complaint processes. If at all possible, a charter school’s complaint process should be followed before filing a complaint with the Commission.

Upcoming Community Events

Local Charter School Board Meetings

Find your Commission Authorized school here, then click on the school name for where to find information about your school’s 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 Charter School Commission

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

Hybrid Bimonthly Meeting at South Seattle College, Seattle, WA

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

Washington Charter Schools Association