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
Digital Equity Competitive Grant open to non-profits
$1 billion available to eligible organizations The National Telecommunications Industry Association (NTIA) announced a nearly $1 billion Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program. Who is eligible Non-profits** Local educational...
Resources & Support with the Clean Buildings Performance Standard
The Clean Buildings Performance Standard is a Washington State law that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency. The law is being implemented by the Washington State Department of Commerce. All commercial buildings of 20,000 SF and...
Wildfires and Extreme Heat
Many private schools run summer schools and camps. Your summer team can look at several websites that show the risk levels, including: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/ (interactive map/blog) Washington Air Quality Map WA Children & Youth Activities Guide for Air...
Private School Weapons Reporting portal now open
State law (RCW 28A.320.130) requires each approved private school to report to OSPI by entering into the Education Data System (EDS). **Schools cannot submit data until after the last day of school.** A private school’s data collection is not complete until it has...
Constituency Leaders Spring Meeting
WFIS hosted the spring Constituency Leaders meeting this week to garner input on topics affecting private schools supported by the various accreditation organizations in WA state. Topics discussed included: Exempt vs. nonexempt staff, salary thresholds, and the impact...
WA State Dept of Commerce and Clean Buildings next steps
Many schools need help understanding the Clean Buildings Program's compliance expectations. This Tier 1 & Tier 2 Factsheet provides requirements and compliance schedule information. Tier 2 (20,000+ sf) compliance only goes so far as benchmarking (tracking energy...
Transition to Kindergarten
Public schools across the state have been opening transition-to-kindergarten programs for four-year-olds to participate in the elementary school program. The data public schools reported to OSPI (Excel download) shows a steady increase from September's 3500 students...
College in the High School
Public school students can earn college credits in the high school classroom through a handful of public universities, and private school students are seeking the same access to this opportunity and support. WFIS is working with our high schools and public and private...
Biden Administration releases updated Title IX regulations
On April 19, the Biden Administration issued new regulations on implementing Title IX, the 1972 law barring discrimination on the basis of sex. Under the new rules, discrimination based on sex will be broadened to include sexual orientation, gender identity, sex...
Puget Sound Energy Accelerator Program
When a school enrolls in the Clean Buildings Accelerator program, it is placed in a training cohort and will complete the entire program for Tier 1 (50K+) and Tier 2 (20K+) buildings' energy compliance. Here are the upcoming Accelerator kickoff dates for Puget Sound...
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