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
DCYF & PNMA establish robust system recognizing Montessori for “credit”.
After many years of discussion and relationship building, the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCFY) and Pacific Northwest Montessori Association PNMA have established a system recognizing the Montessori teacher credentials of AMS, AMI, or MACTE accredited...
Early Learning Directors meet with DCYF Licensing Lead
The following summarizes the conversation between the DCYF Licensing Department Lead, Judy Bunkelman, and the private schools' early learning directors. This is an overview for those who missed the meeting. Thank you to Judy Bunkelman for joining the meeting! The DCYF...
Washington state to extend a pandemic graduation waiver program until 2024
The State Board of Education is proposing to extend the Emergency Graduation Requirement Waiver for students for one more year as-is (up to 2 credits), step down what can be waived the following year (1 credit), and expire the waiver after that. This will support...
DOH Updated Guidance for K12 schools & childcare now in one merged document
The WA State Department of Health's NEW Requirements and Guidance to Mitigate COVID-19 Transmission in K-12 Schools, Child Care, Early Learning, Youth Development, and Day Camp Programs take effect March 12 to coincide with the lifting of general indoor masking...
A most positive shift during the 2021-22 school year
This school year has been full of local, county, and state agency meetings for the WFIS staff. WFIS Member school leaders have remained updated of this work through our weekly Member Zoom meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays, as well as our WFIS Member Weekly Update...
The future of equity in educator standards
What are your thoughts on the new law implemented by ESSB 5044, which will regulate professional learning on equity, cultural competency, and dismantling institutional racism for all public and private school educators?
WIAA meeting recap
WFIS' Private Schools Representative on the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) is Mark DeJonge, Director of Athletics at Bellevue Christian Schools. Here are some highlights from the WIAA Board Meeting on Sunday September 26, 2021: There...
Preparing for Wildfire and Smoke Season
The Child Care Health Program of King County has a detailed reminder to talk to teachers about change in daily schedule dictated by air quality due to fires. Things to think about: recess alternatives, kids with asthma, and air inside buildings.
Updated School Guidance is here
WFIS has pulled some of the key highlights from the WA State Department of Health Summary of July 28, 2021 Changes for schools to grasp below. As always, we encourage everyone to read the full guidance and bring questions and concerns to WFIS for further...
OSPI Contractors for EANS Direct Services
WFIS will be providing school leaders with opportunities to engage each of the three contracted EANS service providers. Schools interested in utilizing these services, must ensure the details are outlined in your EANS application and reflected in the budget.
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.