Grassroots
Where’s the Student Voice?
Posted on 26. Jan, 2010 by Maggie.
it’s here. Check it out, it’s LEV’s blog for students. Its called the Soapbox!
Continue Reading
Rally in Olympia
Posted on 13. Jan, 2010 by Mike.
On Jan. 18th, which is also the day we honor Martin Luther King, the Washington State PTA will hold their Focus Day in Olympia to fight for school programs and funding. Unfortunately, it’s become an annual tradition since school budgets have been cut year-after-year due to reductions in state funding.
Last year, I attended the rally on the Capitol steps with hundreds of other parents, educators, students and advocates. Legislators came out of the woodwork to hear remarks from passionate parents and students about what our schools need. This year is another crucial year for education in Olympia.
YOU can attend and make a difference for your local schools by registering today on the PTA’s Focus Day website.
If you live in the Seattle area, Seattle Council PTA has graciously offered a free bus down to Olympia. To catch a ride on the bus, please RSVP with your name, email, number of folks in your group (kids & adults), school/association and a cell phone number to bus@seattleCouncilPTSA.org. The pick-up is at 7:30 AM at the John Stanford Center at 2445 3rd Avenue South in Seattle in the front parking lot on Lander.
See you in Olympia!
Continue Reading
PTA activist testifies at QEC
Posted on 05. Nov, 2009 by Mike.
Seattle PTA activist Heidi Bennett took time off work to drive down to Olympia and testify at the Quality Education Council (QEC) meeting on Nov. 3. The QEC is a state task force of legislators and policymakers working to shape the future of Washington’s public schools. They are charged with implementing the landmark education reforms in ESHB 2261.
Heidi gave impassioned remarks about the state of our public schools. She expressed her embarrassment that our state consistently underfunds basic education and graduates kids who are not prepared for life. Heidi called on the QEC to be bold, take the extra step and do what’s right to help our kids succeed in school and life.
Watch PTA activist Heidi Bennett’s testimony to the Quality Education Council.
Continue Reading
My hands are dirty, dirty with democracy.
Posted on 04. Nov, 2009 by Maggie.
Ok, I’ll admit it. I’m 22 years old and last year Obama made me want to vote for the first time. I came home for the weekend from college so I could help vote him through the primaries and things have changed ever since. I think someone gave me the democratic bug (no, not H1N1) and I have been hitting the polls with full force ever since.
So what’s the reason for the three-year-lag in getting my voting gears rolling? Some might call it youthfulness, apathy, or laziness even-but I know there has to be more to it than that. I guess I never thought my vote mattered!
We were all sparked by the 2008 election, no matter which party you party with. But young people really got sparked. I never felt more like a member of my own generation than when I dove headfirst into democracy. Who’s with me?!
This year, when 2009 election time rolled around, I still had the democratic bug, bad. Despite being an “off year” for voters, not only did I vote, but I recruited five friends to vote, helped lead two phone banks for the no on 1033 campaign, spent my Saturday doorbelling TWICE (shout out to Laura Grant and Trick or Vote!!) and took part in an important yearly ritual: election parties.
Maybe the bug that bit me was on beast mode, but I don’t think so. I hope not, actually. I want young people to prove that I’m not an anomaly. I didn’t see many student faces out there last night… and for now I will just assume it’s because they were at home being good studiers. But LEV’s college intern Genna was actually doing her homework at the no on 1033 party last night, so, I’m just saying… When Genna asked herself the tough question of “do I celebrate political triumph or do I educate my mind?” She chose both.
A big thank you to everyone in Washington State-especially all my young people who voted and volunteered this year-for rejecting 1033 and approving Ref 71. It’s because of these results we can continue to do our work at LEV!
Continue Reading
What do all great parents need to know?
Posted on 04. Nov, 2009 by Kelly.
Join LEV Foundation for a conversation with world-renowned Stanford Professor Carol Dweck on Nov. 12th at Seattle Public Library to find out how to help maximize your child’s potential whether your child is 6 months or 16.
Conversation with Dr. Carol Dweck
Thursday, November 12th from 7 to 9 PM
Seattle Public Library
1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle
FREE public event
RSVP to Kelly at info@educationvoters.org or via our Facebook event page.
And, Lisa Brummel, Senior VP for Human Resources at Microsoft Corporation and co-owner of the Seattle Storm Women’s Basketball Team, and Kristin Rowe Finkbeiner, founder of MomsRising, will join Dr. Dweck for a lively discussion about how to foster a growth mindset in education, business and sports.
Dr. Carol Dweck is one of the world’s leading researchers in motivation and renowned author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.
Continue Reading
Bellingham: Join us tomorrow night at an Early Learning Town Hall
Posted on 03. Nov, 2009 by Frank.
You are invited to a special meeting with the Director of the Department of Early Learning, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Thrive by Five Washington.
Early Learning Town Hall Meeting
Wednesday, Nov. 4th from 7:00 - 8:30 PM
St. Luke’s Community Education Center
3333 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham 98225 (MAP)
Download the Event Flyer (PDF)
Email Frank at info@educationvoters.org to RSVP for this Early Learning Town Hall Meeting.
It’s a chance to have your voice heard by the leaders who have the power to affect the cost and quality of preschool, childcare and early learning for all children in Washington State, including your children.
Here are some questions to think about:
- Do you believe it’s time for preschool to be part of basic education?
- Is the cost of childcare going through the roof?
- Do you think full-day kindergarten is key?
Good, bad, funny, or sad–our leaders want to hear about it. Your feedback will help shape early learning recommendations for the 2010 Legislative Session. We need you to ensure Washington’s Early Learning Plan will help your children succeed in school and life.
Continue Reading
Mark your calendars
Posted on 30. Oct, 2009 by Frank.
If you live in Bellingham or East of Seattle, we have two events next week where you can truly make a difference.
You are invited to a special meeting with Bette Hyde, the Director of the Department of Early Learning, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Thrive by Five Washington.
It’s a chance to have your voice heard by the leaders who have the power to affect the cost and quality of preschool, childcare and early learning for all children in Washington State, including your children.
Early Learning Town Hall Meetings
Wednesday, November 4th from 7:00 - 8:30 PM
St. Luke’s Community Education Center
3333 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham 98225 (MAP)
Download the Event Flyer (PDF)
Thursday, November 5th from 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Kirkland Women’s Club
10052 NE 137th St Kirkland 98034 (MAP)
Download the Event Flyer (PDF)
Send me an e-mail at info@educationvoters.org to RSVP.
Continue Reading
Join us tonight in Tacoma
Posted on 29. Oct, 2009 by Frank.
Join us tonight in Tacoma at an Early Learning Town Hall where you can truly make a difference.
You are invited to a special meeting with the Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn, the Department of Early Learning, and Thrive by Five Washington.
It’s a chance to have your voice heard by the leaders who have the power to affect the cost and quality of preschool, childcare and early learning for all children in Washington State, including your children.
Early Learning Town Hall Meeting
Thursday, October 29th, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Tacoma Community College
Early Learning Center Classroom, Bldg 2-114
6501 S. 19th Street, Tacoma (MAP)
Download the Event Flyer (PDF)
Email frank@educationvoters.org to RSVP for this Early Learning Town Hall Meeting.
Good, bad, funny, or sad–our leaders want to hear about it. Your feedback will help shape early learning recommendations for the 2010 Legislative Session to be delivered to Governor Gregoire next month. We need you to ensure Washington’s Early Learning Plan will help your children succeed in school and life.
Continue Reading
Tonight: Two events, one tough decision
Posted on 28. Oct, 2009 by Kelly.
You’ve got two choices tonight in Seattle to help shape the future of education in our state.
Option 1: K-12 Education Listening Tour
Wednesday, October 28, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Van Asselt Elementary Library
(at African American Academy)
8311 Beacon Ave. South, Seattle 98118 (MAP)
State Senators Rosemary McAuliffe and Eric Oemig would like to hear your personal stories about your child’s experience in Seattle Public Schools. They’d like to hear what’s working and what’s not.
Here are some questions to think about:
- What does your school need to improve academic achievement for kids?
- Is your child receiving the support he or she needs from teachers and school staff?
- Do you feel your child is receiving the education he or she needs to attend college or a job training program?
Option 2: Early Learning Town Hall Meeting
Wednesday, October 28th, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
The New School at South Shore in the library
4800 S. Henderson Street, Seattle (MAP)
Download the Event Flyer (PDF)
Bette Hyde, the Director of the Department of Early Learning, Nina Auerbach, CEO of Thrive by Five Washington and key staff from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction want to hear your personal stories about preschool, childcare and early learning in Washington State.
Here are some questions to think about:
- Is the cost of childcare going through the roof?
- Do you believe it’s time for preschool to be part of basic education?
- Do you think full-day kindergarten is key?
Let us know which event you plan to attend. RSVP to info@educationvoters.org.
Continue Reading
You’re invited to an education town hall with Senate education leaders in Seattle
Posted on 26. Oct, 2009 by Kelly.
What’s your child’s experience with the quality of education at his or her school? What’s happened as a result of state budget cuts? What are your thoughts about the education reforms passed this year?
Parents and community members are invited to give feedback on these questions and much more at an Education Reform Town Hall with two key education policymakers, State Senators Rosemary McAuliffe and Eric Oemig. Your ideas and personal stories will help shape policy and legislation during the 2010 legislative session.
Education Reform Town Hall Meeting
Wednesday, October 28th from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Van Asselt Elementary Library
8311 Beacon Ave. South, Seattle 98118 (MAP)
If you can attend, please RSVP to Kelly at info@educationvoters.org.
Why should you attend?
Senators McAuliffe and Oemig are members of the Quality Education Council, the workgroup that will build an education system that gets every child Ready for Life.
They want to hear your feedback on the vision to implement education reforms that will strengthen Washington’s public schools. These changes will better prepare our students for college, job training and the workforce.
Who should come?
Parents and community members who have a stake in the future of Washington’s public schools should attend this forum.
This is a great opportunity to talk to two of our state’s education leaders before they begin crafting education policy during the 2010 legislative session.
