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
The call for “Ending Isolation Practices in WA K-12 Schools”
The League of Education Voters hosted a webinar on the use of restraint and isolation. Luckily some of our schools were in attendance to help clarify the difference between private schools and the Nonpublic Agencies cited in The Seattle Times article. Legislators are...
Early Learning Providers: details on $0 Health Care
You can help your staff take advantage of a $0 health care premium. DCYF is partnering with Washington Health Benefit Exchange and Yakima Neighborhood Health Services to inform early learning staff about the Health Care Premium Assistance for Employees of Child Care...
Gov Inslee recognizes Feb 2023 as Private Schools Month
Sure feels good to be appreciated!
Share your experience – Transitional Kindergarten
Early learning and childcare programs around the state are experiencing localized challenges and benefits with the growth of Transitional Kindergarten (TK) in the K-12 system. Lawmakers have asked for more information about what is happening on the ground for existing...
SBE visits Silverwood School
The State Board of Education visited Silverwood School in Poulsbo this past week to experience and highlight an innovative learning environment. The school shared its philosophy on building community with family, outdoor exploration, and social and emotional learning....
DOH survey: Promoting childhood immunization
DOH is developing a campaign to encourage families to catch up on immunizations. They are interested in hearing from different types of professionals, including health care providers, schools, and child care staff. They want insight into what materials and resources...
DOH shares reminder on using expired tests
Though there isn’t anything new, the Department of Health's goal is to reassure schools & parents that they can continue to use those expired tests, especially the new BD Triplex that some districts are adding to their testing program. Expired COVID-19 Tests FAQ...
2023–24 Special Education State Design Team, IEP Focus Group
The OSPI Special Education State Design Team IEP focus group will meet in 2023 and continue recruiting student, family, community, and education partners to participate. Partners will be invited to provide feedback in multiple ways, including attending virtual...
BD Triplex Testing webinar resources & links
Here are resource links from Tuesday 1/17/23 meeting hosted by Corina McEntire, COVID-19 Regional Response Coordinator at ESD112. Please reach out to your local ESD contact with any additional questions. The BD Veritor SARS-CoV-2 & Flu A+B, also known as BD...
NEW Funding: Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) Stronger Connections program
OSPI recently received additional funding for Title IV, Part A through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) of June 2022. This is new money and will go out in competitive grants that OSPI thinks will happen in the March-May timeline. However, they are awaiting...
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 ensure private schools are considered when law is crafted and when it is passed.