To get posts off the main page, select “archive” to store them under the archive link.
Meeting Items included:
For more detailed information: 3/03/2011 meeting minutes
Thank you!
This message has been sent to you by The Washington Coalition For Gifted Education. Comments or questions can be sent to wagifted@earthlink.net or grevewandi@gmail.com If you wish to have your name deleted from our mailing list, send a notice to wagifted@earthlink.net.
Wagifted is back on line after a period away. Fortunately, it was a quiescent period in the legislature without many key votes being called for – and thus we continued to “lie low” on contacting legislators.
That slow period seems to be behind us with the rush this week of floor action on pending bills prior to the March 7 deadline to “pass or die.” You will likely be hearing from us soon regarding contacting legislators on specific issues.
Meanwhile, there is another opportunity for you to directly connect with your legislators. Most of them will be back in district on March 12 for Town Hall meetings. While we haven’t yet seen the complete schedule, the Coalition has received a number of notices from individual legislators about these sessions and we have passed them on to advocates in their districts so they can plan to attend.
We encourage you to keep an eye out for notices in local media of Town Halls or other public meetings with legislators next week and make plans to attend. When and if we obtain a complete schedule, we will forward it on to you. If you need to plan ahead, you can contact your legislator’s office and ask if a Town Hall is scheduled.
What issues should you comment on in these Town Hall meetings?
1. Express support for education funding in general. Revenue forecasts continue to be grim and wrenching cuts are likely for all basic education programs in the next biennial budget. The easy cuts (as bad as they have been) have already been made and only the tough ones remain.
2. Express support for continued state funding of Highly Capable Programs. Please do not compare them with any other programs as the purpose and funding sources of these other programs are very different from HCP. HCP is solely state and local funded which places it in a class of its own. It needs to stand on its own merits.
Some legislators say that since local districts spend up to $5 of their own money on gifted programs for each $1 received from the state, lack of state funding will not jeopardize their continued existence. This is not true, expect in a few exceptional districts. Why spend limited local dollars on a program the state is unwilling to fund?
Express a willingness to participate in the pain of budget cuts so long as they are proportional to the cuts other programs are taking.
3. Strongly support the legislature moving forward with full implementation of the education reforms of ESHB 2261 and SHB 2776 as scheduled. Pending bill SSB 5475 will delay implementation of all aspects of education reform to an uncertain future date. We need to keep faith with the intent and purpose of the reform legislation and move forward now.
If you have the opportunity to make only one brief statement, this is the most important one.
Thank you for your continued activism and support of Highly Capable Programs.
February 21, 2011
Dear Neighbors,
This session of the legislature has now moved through committee cutoff dates, which means that hundreds of bills which did not make it out of committee are stalled for the rest of the session. We will now be spending more time in floor debate working through the bills which are still moving.
This is also a time of intense work on the budget. As a member of the House Education Appropriations and Oversight Committee, I am prioritizing our commitment to basic education and making sure that we follow through on the education reforms which were started over the past few years.
What I’m working on
· HB 1864, my bill to protect debtors from unfair practices and make them less likely to end up in jail, was approved by the Business & Financial Services Committee by a 13-0 vote. I am proud of this unanimous vote, because it reflects extensive bipartisan negotiations to craft a bill which is practical and focused. Click here to watch the committee testimony. I will keep you updated as this important bill moves through the process.
· HB 1422 is a bill I sponsored which would authorize a program to convert byproducts from the lumber industry into aviation biofuel. This bill pushes forward on technology for renewable energy. Using sources of fuel which are grown here will reduce our need for imported oil, and efficient conversion of biomass to fuel dramatically cuts pollution from the current practice of burning wood waste in open piles. Yesterday, the bill passed out of the House, and it now goes to the Senate.
· I have been working on many other issues: click here for a full list of bills that I have sponsored, and here for my latest video update, which includes Unemployment Insurance reform and a bill to help out homeowners who are struggling with foreclosure.
The “Brian Walsh Act” advances out of committee
When is a duty-related death not a duty-related death? For the family of Officer Brian Walsh, the answer turned out to be when you die of a heart attack while securing a crime scene. Walsh, a Federal Way police officer, died last year in the midst of responding to a call. Although the federal government found that Walsh – who was a 34-year-old healthy non-smoker – died a duty-related death, the state of Washington did not see it that way.
In order to help Officer Walsh’s widow and three children, as well as spare other families from being denied survivor benefits in these situations, I cosponsored the “Brian Walsh Act”. It clearly establishes a nexus between the onset of a heart attack or stroke, and the duty that an officer or firefighter was performing for his or her job at the time. At the recent public hearing for the bill, the testimony of Officer Walsh’s widow moved many committee members to tears. The Brian Walsh Act passed the Labor and Workforce Development Committee and is now awaiting action in the House Ways and Means committee.
1st District Town Hall Meetings
Next month, the citizens of the first district will have the opportunity to have their voices heard through one of our country’s greatest civic traditions: town hall meetings. I will join my seatmates, Senator Rosemary McAuliffe and Representative Luis Moscoso, for three town hall meetings on Saturday, March 12. The times and locations are as follows:
10:00 am – 11:30 am Northshore Senior Center (Bothell)
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm Cathcart Elementary School (Snohomish)
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Mountlake Terrace Library
These meetings will be a great opportunity for you to share your opinion and hold your elected officials accountable. I encourage you to come and make your voice heard.
In the meantime, please do not hesitate to email me at Derek.Stanford@leg.wa.gov or call my office at (360) 786-7928.
Sincerely,
Derek Stanford
Guest Speaker will be rescheduled:
We regret that our announced guest speaker, Stephen Martin, has taken ill and won’t be able to speak at our meeting on March 3rd.
Our general membership meeting will go forward beginning at 6:30, and will include electing next year’s board of directors for CPA, as well as a recap of Gifted Education Day and discussion of other CPA activities coming soon.
We are working to reschedule Mr. Martin to our May meeting. Thank you and we’ll see you at 6:30 on Thursday, March 3rd at Terrace Park Commons.
Challenge Parents Association Board of Directors
Dear friends:
We’re already halfway through this year’s legislative session! Some bills I prime-sponsored or supported have received bi-partisan support and passed in the House. I am even more convinced that in order for people of our District to thrive and for local small businesses to succeed, we need strong public structures. Now is a crucial time to hear your perspective on how we may do just that in Olympia – and what you think needs fine tuning.
That’s why I am excited to have you join me, Senator Maralyn Chase, and Representative Ruth Kagi for a joint 32nd District Town Hall on Saturday, March 12th to give you a brief update ranging from economic development, jobs and tax reform, the State’s budget, transportation and other policy issues.
We’d also like to hear from you which issues you’re most concerned about and also have your voices heard on HOW we may best meet the needs of our community.
The structure of this Town Hall meeting will be:
A. Policy and budget updates from Senator Chase and Representatives Kagi and Ryu
B. Listening session
What: 32nd Legislative District Town Hall
When: Saturday, March 12th, 2011 – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Where: Third Place Commons: 17171 Bothell Way Northeast, Lake Forest Park
Who: Contact my Legislative Assistant at (360) 786-7880 if you need any additional information, or please call me on my cell phone at (206) 605-1588.
I look forward to seeing you there! If you are not able to attend, please feel free to call in or email me with your thoughts and concerns.
Best wishes to us all,
Representative Cindy Ryu
32nd Legislative District, Position #1
House Democratic Caucus Assistant Whip serving on:
Transportation, Community Development & Housing, Business & Financial Services, and Rules Committees
(206) 605-1588 Cell
http://www.housedemocrats.wa.gov/category/cindy-ryu/
Please contact my Legislative Assistant for appointments and other assistance:
(360) 786-7880
PO Box 40600 Modular Office F-106
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
Challenge Parents Association
Presents
Stephen B. Martin
Advanced Learning Consultant
Gifted Education Expert / Advocate
President, WAETAG: Washington Association of Educators of the Talented and Gifted
Member of the Washington Coalition for Gifted and Talented Leadership Team
Certified Facilitator, SENG: Serving the Emotional Needs of the Gifted
Please join us for an evening with this dynamic speaker and education consultant as he discusses the most powerful ways that parents of Gifted Children can ensure their children’s success in and out of school. He will discuss the differences in the three state wide advocacy groups: Northwest Gifted Child Association, Washington Association of Educators of the talented and Gifted, Washington Coalition for Gifted and Talented … and will explain why we need all three. He will share exciting new opportunities that SENG is offering and why you should jump on board now! Finally, he will answer those burning questions you have about your special needs child and what you need to know most of all- right now!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
6:30 CPA General meeting and presentation of slate of officers for next year
7:00 Speaker event
Terrace Park School Commons
Please bring other interested parents who might benefit from this important knowledge!
All are welcome. This event is free and refreshments will be provided.
Dear Challenge Program Families,
The Challenge Parents Association (CPA) welcomes you to a new semester! Our primary role is to support gifted education at Terrace Park School. As parents of Challenge Program children, you are already members of CPA. There is no membership fee. We advocate for and support highly capable students, their families and teachers. Our main goals for the 2010-2011 school year are:
Communicate
We aim to keep you informed about events and changes you may not hear about through usual channels. We regularly update the Challenge Spot,www.challengeparents.org with news and information of interest to our Challenge Program families. Please make sure you are subscribed by email or RSS feed to stay informed.
Participate
Your participation in your child’s education happens on many levels. There will be opportunities for you to help out in the classroom, on field trips, around school, and at the district and state levels, and participate in discussions at our meetings. Please become as involved as you can.
Advocate
CPA advocates for the needs of gifted children at the school, district, and state levels. We invite you to attend CPA general and board meetings, the Edmonds School District board meetings, and Gifted Education Day in Olympia. The students need programs that meet their unique needs, and you can help to keep funding in place and continued critical legislative support by letting your voice be heard. Call, email, or write to your District Officials, Edmonds School Board members, and your local, state, and federal representatives.
We’re all in this together!! As parents and primary advocates of highly capable children, we need to be more involved socially, politically, and financially in the support of our gifted learners’ needs.
It is essential that we work to ensure the continued success of our Challenge Program.
We know every family’s budget is unique, so we’d like to offer you flexibility in how frequently and how much you contribute to CPA. We’ve had a suggested donation of $90 per semester ($180 per year) for families with one student in Challenge and $150 per semester ($300 per year) for families with two or more Challenge students. But, we appreciate any amount your family can contribute. We also are happy to accept your donations annually, each semester, monthly or whenever is convenient for you. We will send out a donation form each semester but you can pay what you can, whenever you can. You will receive a tax receipt from CPA in January of your total donations from the previous calendar year. Every bit counts! We will keep you informed of how your dollars are being spent to enrich your child’s educational experience.
Our fund drive goal for 2010-2011 school year is $10,000, and ask for your support to reach our goal.
If your employer matches donations, use this opportunity to double your contribution to CPA!
Be a part of the challenge!
Thank you! Please visit the website to download the Spring 2011 Pledge Form and return to your child’s teacher or send in your donation to:
Challenge Parents Association
P.O. Box 3371
Lynnwood, WA 98046-3371
The Robinson Center for Young Scholars is delighted to continue our very successful Extreme
Math! Saturday Series. This spring, we will offer a number of classes for various age groups: 2nd-
3rd graders, 4th-5th graders, and 8th-12th graders. The goal of this program is simple: to provide
students in the Puget Sound region with an inspirational, challenging, and unique math
experience.
Beyond age/grade specifications, there are no criteria for admission, though some classes have
prerequisites in order for students to make the most of the class. The only absolute requirement is
that the student is interested and WANTS to do this.
Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis, and full tuition is required within five days of
registration; students’ places in class will not be finalized without full payment. Checks are to be
made out to the University of Washington. Unfortunately, at this time we cannot accept credit
cards for this program. Register online at our website starting Monday March 7 at 8 a.m.
Classes will be held at the Robinson Center on the University of Washington campus: Guthrie
Annex 2. (See http://depts.washington.edu/cscy/about-us/contact-us/ and
http://washington.edu/maps for directions.)
Dr. Linda Silverman, Ph.D.
Director of the Gifted Development Center in Denver, Colo.
Wednesday, Feb. 16, 7 p.m.
Greater Tacoma Convention &
Trade Center, Commerce Room
1500 Broadway, Tacoma, WA
$10 suggested donation
Register to:
halleyg@seabury.org
Limited number of walk-up spots
available: register early to
guarantee your place.
Gifted children are expensive and time-consuming. They usually need less sleep
than you do, ask more questions than you can answer, want 100 percent of your
attention 24 hours a day, have obsessive hobbies, react intensely to everything,
endlessly long for a best friend who understands them completely, hold perfec-
tionistic standards for themselves and you, want to know the meaning of life when
other children only want to know how to whistle, and keep their bedrooms in a
condition you can never show company.
In order to be the perfect parent, you need unlimited funds, unlimited patience,
an encyclopedic mind, and someone to sleep for you. In this session, we will be
discussing such issues as coping with the characteristics of giftedness; siblings and
birth order; understanding introversion; and keys to successful parenting. You will
receive an owner’s manual, “Guidelines for Parents of the Gifted,” which contains
suggestions for harmonious family life.
There will be a question and answer period, but I don’t have all the answers.
Trust yourself! No one knows your child better than you do.
Event presented by:
Seabury School
925 Court C
Tacoma, WA 98402