What We’re Up To

Happy New Year to our incredible charter school community! We begin 2025 energized and ready for an exciting year. We have concluded our work on the Family Meeting Toolkit and are almost ready for it to launch. We continue to keep our finger on the pulse of what families and communities need from their charter schools and so we are always interested in what is important to YOU!

If you are interested in learning more about what we do or joining us in our work, reach out to us via our Connect with Us form.

Digital Life Series With Rainier Prep

In November, Tiffany and Emily wrapped up the Digital Life Workshops with Rainier Prep by hosting a panel comprised of the school’s leader, Karen Lobos, two parents and an occupational therapist who specializes in teen mental health. The panel presented different perspectives on topics such as appropriate screentime, device and website use, monitoring services for parents and practices to try with your child at home around their device usage. We will be hosting a listening session in February for all families who attended these workshops to hear about how the series impacted their family’s digital life at home.

Families and Students Go to Olympia

The legislative session as started in Olympia and on January 30th, charter school families and middle-schoolers from Rainier Prep Public Charter School and Summit Atlas partnered with JT Williams, Regional Director of Advocacy at Washington State Charter Schools Association to meet with senators and representatives about supporting the important and valuable choice of charter schools in Washington state! It was an educational experience for the students to visit the capital and speak out on behalf of charter school choice.

Visit With Somali Health Board

This month, WAFAB’s Eric Willard was invited to share information about 504s and IEPs with the Somali Health Board. Read on to hear about his experience:

“I’m so grateful to the Somali Health Board and community for welcoming me to speak about 504s and IEPs. It was inspiring to see so many parents and caregivers dedicated to making sure the children in their community receive the education and support they deserve.

“We had a great discussion about the steps needed to request an evaluation, what to do if an IEP isn’t being followed or isn’t working, and how to request a meeting when new needs arise. A big focus was on the importance of having a skilled interpreter at meetings and in communication with the school—so that families fully understand the process and can advocate for their children with confidence.

“The kindness, engagement, and determination of everyone in the room were truly moving. It’s clear that this community is committed to ensuring every child gets the support they need to thrive!”

If you would like to learn more about 504s and IEPs, please let us know!

Advocacy in Action: IEP & SPED Tips

If you're concerned about your child's progress, don't wait for the next IEP meeting—reach out to the team as soon as possible. Request a progress report and confirm reporting cadence In your IEP. Ask for specific data on how your child is tracking toward their goals. If needed, you can formally request an IEP meeting to discuss adjustments, additional supports, or reevaluations to ensure your child stays on the right path.

Each month, we will feature a new tip from our IEP & SPED Advocate, Eric Willard. If you are in need of advice or advocacy, please reach out to him: [email protected]

Upcoming Community Events

WA Charters

Legislative Session Updates

These virtual events are for charter public school families, friends, staff, and community members to come together and learn about the progress of our legislative priorities and steps you can take to help support our priorities.

February:

• When: February 19, 2025 at 6:30pm

• Where: Register online to join the Zoom by clicking this link

March:

• When: March 19, 2025 at 6:30pm

• Where: Register online to join the Zoom by clicking this link

To learn more about Upcoming Events and WA Charters’ legislative priorities and learn how you can get involved, visit the Advocate page of their website.

Charter School Commission

WA Charter School Commission Meeting

The Charter School Commission meetings are open to the public. Families and community members are invited to attend and provide public comment if they’d like to. Attending meetings is a valuable way to stay connected to what is going on in the charter sector in Washington state.

Details for the next meeting:

Want to talk to WAFAB?

_{Want to talk with a fellow parent about concerns with your student’s education? Let us know! We can chat confidentially with you one on one or host a small group online (and sometimes in person) and help you come up with an advocacy action plan. Click here to connect with us.}