Agencies and Committees
WFIS represents the interests of private schools on agency boards and working groups and serves as the official liaison organization for independent schools with OSPI and the Department of Early Learning.WFIS Agency and Committee News
Childcare crisis ripples through every part of WA State
WFIS values our collaboration with fellow members of ELAA on early learning issues. We make sure private school early learning directors are kept abreast of the complexities of policy and advocacy work during weekly meetings, and gain valuable insight from them about how proposed policy and changes will resonate in our schools.
Sweeping childcare reform moving in Legislature
Depending on where they fall in the state’s median income, families with a household income within 60% of the state median income would earn eligibility for the program, though copayments would vary. The act would also increase childcare subsidy rates, expand services to providers, reduce copays and increase eligibility for the Working Connections Child Care and Early Childhood Education and Assistance.
CDC states COVID-19 spread is rare when schools use safe practices
New research finds that, when schools practice mandatory masking, social distancing, and frequent hand-washing, COVID-19 transmission is rare. even among close contacts of those who test positive.
Inslee announces statewide move to Phase 3 of recovery plan
The state’s reopening plan will return to a county-by-county approach and includes return to spectator events and Phase 1B, Tier 2 vaccine eligibility.
Biden announces teachers are essential workers, urges all states to vaccinate educators ASAP
President Biden wants K-12 back open for in-person learning as a vaccinated workforce. He wants State’s to treat in-person learning like the essential service that it is, including child care. Today he is directing every state to prioritize vaccination of educational workforce.
OSPI-Kaiser plan still on track for educators to be vaccinated as a group
WFIS supports schools that wish to reach out locally to establish an employee vaccination relationship. As the advocate for private schools, WFIS will continue to engage & advise leaders of the OSPI-Kaiser plan to develop systems that work for schools, to ensure all staff in a school receive the vaccination equitably and efficiently.
WIAA Update on school sports
Rick Skeen is the Private Schools Representative on the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) as well as the Athletic Director at Kings Schools. The following details from Rick are the result of consistent WIAA efforts to return students to sports safely.
AESD Bulk PPE, 2nd Round deliveries update
Private schools who elected to participate in the Bulk PPE Purchasing through their regional ESD should have been notified of the delays in some items being delivered already. Here are the latest details from ESD112 which is the coordinator for all 9 regional ESDs.
Emergency Assistance for NON-public Schools (EANS)
The Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools application was submitted by the Governor on Friday, February 5. The Federal Government has 20 days to release the funding. In the meantime, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction is crafting an...
COVID-19 Vaccinations for School Employees
The expectation is that in March all staff from all schools will have access to the vaccination.
About our work
WFIS representatives work with State Agencies, including the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), The Department of Children Youth & Families (DCYF), The Department of Health (DOH) and others to advocate for the particular needs of private schools.
WFIS representatives communicate regularly with WFIS leadership and member schools so that dialogue includes the needs of private schools.
WFIS works directly with the executive directors of the accreditation organizations in Washington to protect the integrity of accreditation and our schools. We refer to these leaders “Constituency Leaders” and rely on their in-depth understanding of their schools to guide WFIS’ policy decisions.
WFIS is in Olympia during the legislative session, building relationships with Legislators and their staff, collaborating with lobbying organizations with similar goals, as well as reading and contributing to legislation to be ensure private schools are considered when law is crafted and when it is passed.