Advocacy
Legislative Family Assistance & Pantry Packs Emergency Preparedness DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion)
Rights & Services for Immigrant Families Sustainability Special Education
Advocacy
Advocacy is at the heart of what we do by empowering students and our members to have a voice at local and state levels in matters that focus on the health, well-being and safety of our children.
LEGISLATIVE
We work to raise awareness and encourage our community to have a voice with respect to legislation that aligns with WA State PTA's Legislative Platform.
WSPTA Legislative Priorities for 2024-2026
1. Closing the Funding Gaps
2. Addressing the Student Mental Health Crisis
3. Addressing Funding, Inclusion and Supports in Special Education
4. Preventing and Reducing Gun Violence and Suicide
5. Expanding School Construction Funding Options
Legislative Assembly (Oct 16-17)
This year, the WA State PTA Legislative Assembly will adopt their 2026-2028 Legislative Platform. If you are interested in attending and representing the Ella Baker community, please email advocacy@ellabakerptsa.org. For more details:https://www.wastatepta.org/events-programs/legislative-assembly-2026
Focus on Advocacy Day (TBD most likely Jan or Feb)
WSPTA hosts a day where PTSA members get a chance to meet with their state representatives and senators to share the PTA mission and priorities. You will be provided with everything you need to know to schedule and hold a successful meeting with your legislators. And if you can’t make it to Olympia, you can schedule a remote meeting instead! Email advocacy@ellabakerptsa.org if you are interested or want more information.
Focus on Advocacy Week (TBD most likely Jan or Feb)
WSPTA will be asking members to act virtually with daily calls to action. Each day will focus on an important part of the WSPTA platform. Subscribe to the WSPTA Action Network so that you receive the daily calls to action for this week and periodically throughout the legislative session. You will be provided with easily customizable messages that the action alert system will automatically send to your legislators. It is easy to do and only takes a few minutes!
FAMILY ASSISTANCE & PANTRY PACKS
The PTSA works closely with the school to support and meet these needs once identified. If your family is need of assistance for back-to-school items, food, scholarship for school events, clothing or other items, please contact our school counselor.
We also assist in finding volunteer drivers for the Pantry Packs program.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
We work to ensure we are organized, informed and prepared in case of an emergency by managing emergency supplies and providing preparedness education.
E-Prep Resources
LWPTSA Emergency Preparedness - Meets regularly to share resources within our district.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION (DEI)
We are committed to bridging the disparities in our communities by being more diverse, equitable and inclusive in our efforts. Please read our Black Lives Matter Statement.
DEI Resources
LWPTSA DEI Committee - Meets monthly to share resources within our district.
National PTA "Notes from the Backpack" Podcast - Conversations with caregivers, experts and educators offering ideas and strategies to help our children succeed in and out of school.
Equity Work - Ella Baker Elementary School (lwsd.org)
Resolutions & Position Statements
LWPTSA Equity Resolution, Advocating for an Anti-Racism, Equity and Inclusion in Education Policy - Allows PTSAs to advocate for a strong policy that addresses areas that need change, commits to ongoing review, and centers underserved and marginalized students, families, and educators - with a goal of all students having a sense of belonging, navigating a safe learning environment, and being equipped to succeed.
National PTA Position Statement - Inclusive Curricula in K-12 Education
National PTA Position Statement - Addressing Systemic or Institutional Racism
National PTA Position Statement - Shared Responsibility in Educational Decision Making
Rights and Services for Children in Immigrant and Mixed-Status Families
Lake Washington PTSA Council gathered resources to help families feel informed, supported, and aware of their rights to Safe and Inclusive Schools and Essential Services; they clarify protocols around Limited Cooperation with ICE in Protected Locations. The resources also include practical guidance for Community Response Preparedness and Steps to take during a Law Enforcement encounter.[More info and 1-page flyers]
WA Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN) Resources:
- Bystander & Observer Guidelines: https://waisn.org/bystander-and-observer-guidelines/
- Deportation Defense Actions Flyer: https://waisn.org/deportation-defense-actions-flyer/
- Keep Washington Working Flyer: https://waisn.org/kww/
- Deportation Defense Hotline Flyer: https://waisn.org/deportation-defense-hotline-flyer/
Questions? Email LWPTSA DEIB Chair Morgan Sampson, Diversity@LWPTSA.net
SUSTAINABILITY
Our goal is to promote sustainable practices within PTSA and our school community by being more mindful of the resources we consume and their impacts on local and global communities, especially those disproportionately impacted by climate change and environmental hazards.
Sustainability Resources
Ella Baker Green Team 2024 Recap - see what Baker Bears have done to make Ella Baker even more sustainable.
LWPTSA Sustainability Committee - Meets monthly to share resources within our district.
LWPTSA Waste Reduction Best Practices Guide - Resource for PTSAs to reduce waste when planning events/activities including CMA-approved (compostable) products.
LWSD Green Team Advisor Guide - Resource for Green Team Advisors within LWSD.
King County Green Schools- An LWSD partner providing resources to schools with a goal of becoming a "Sustainable School". Ella Baker Elementary has achieved Level 3 status by focusing on Waste Reduction, Energy Conversation and Water Conservation. PTSA will continue to support Ella Baker in these areas.
Resolutions & Statements:
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Our goal is to help foster a community of families of children receiving services and/or accommodations. We advocate for meaningful inclusion and promote Disability Acceptance.
Special Education Resources
LWPTSA Special Education Group - Meets monthly to share resources within our district.
Outdoors for All – Enriching the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities through outdoor recreation.
Game to Grow – Using games of all kinds for therapeutic, educational, and community growth.
Athletes for Kids – Enhancing the lives of children who have disabilities and special needs and the high school athletes who mentor them.
Friendship Circle - Leveraging the positive impact of friendship, understanding, and shared experience to transform the lives of children and teens with special needs and typically developing teens.
Aspiring Youth – Helping students as they navigate their social world.
Social Skills Lab - Home-based and virtual teletherapy speech sessions, evaluations and virtual peer/friendship groups.
Washington Autism Alliance - Access to healthcare, education and services for people with autism spectrum disorders & related intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Arc of King County- To further the civil rights movement for all persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities to thrive as equal, valued, and active members of the community.
Questions? Want more information? Contact Advocacy@EllaBakerPTSA.org for more information.