Legislative and Policy Advocacy
We work with legislators and policy makers to ensure that legislation in Olympia affecting schools and education is crafted with the particular needs of private and independent schools in mind.WFIS Legislative and Policy Updates
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...
Should kids be inoculated against COVID to attend Washington schools? It’s being studied.
January 11, 2022 in the Bellingham Herald The Washington state Board of Health is considering a proposal to require COVID-19 vaccinations for all K-12 students, and some people are not happy about it. The board has scheduled a virtual meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 12,...
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?
Childcare Aware’s Deeann Puffert meeting with WFIS Early Learning Directors
Deeann Puffert, Chief Executive Officer of Childcare Aware of Washington met with the early learning directors who run programs connected to K12 private schools. With over 250 early learning programs connected to private schools, WFIS’ role in providing direct access and advocacy for our programs is vital.
FCC Approves Emergency Connectivity Fund
The $7.1 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund Program (ECFP) passed as part of the latest COVID relief bill will be available for schools to purchase laptops, tablets, hotspots, and other forms of connectivity for students and teachers. Within the next two months, the FCC will open an initial 45-day application window allowing schools to seek funding for future purchases of approved services and devices.
May 19 NEW deadline for Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools (EANS)
OSPI Chief Financial Officer, T.J. Kelly, emailed all 223 schools last Friday afternoon with the extended deadline date announcement. Responses to the recorded EANS Q&A webinar and WFIS follow-up list are still be worked on by OSPI staff. Details will be posted to...
EANS II: Additional Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools (ARP-EANS)
Under the ARP EANS program, grants will be awarded by formula to each Governor with an approved application based on the State’s relative share of children ages 5-17 who are from families at or below 185 percent of the poverty level and enrolled in non-public schools, as determined by non-public school enrollment data from the U.S. Census
Early Learning: Success in the Legislature
The legislature passed a final operating budget with $770 million in early learning investments, which includes $400 million federal funding for childcare providers. The Fair Start for Kids Act will provide strong early learning system support for the youngest...
WFIS Advocacy Efforts Continue
Each week of this unique session has generated an incredible amount of new information, bold ideas and conversations related to education policy and funding, as well as health and safety practices for reopening schools. School leaders have come together through WFIS...
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