The Advocate
The Advocate is updated in the first week of every other month September through May, containing articles relating to private school issues, representation, and local-to-national news relevant to independent schools.
Cyber Liability Insurance policies for independent schools
A cyber liability policy protects your organization beyond the basics of general liability insurance, which does not protect against cyber attacks and data breaches. 70% of cyber attacks target small businesses, and the cost of data recovery alone could force a school to fold.
California Accounts for 12% of U.S. Students, but Only 1% of Covid School Closures
The state has done remarkably well limiting outbreaks, even before its student vaccine mandate has been put into place. If masking, testing and other prevention strategies are working so well, why is the state adding an immunization requirement?
L.A. first major U.S. school district to require vaccinations for students
Today, Los Angeles became the first major school district in the U.S. to mandate coronavirus vaccines for students 12 and older who are attending class in person. The measure, which passed the district’s Board of Education with broad support, requires students to get...
U.S. states with low vaccination rates see sharp spikes in children with Covid-19
NY Times September 9, 2021 The number of children admitted to the hospital in the United States with Covid-19 has risen to the highest levels reported to date. Nearly 30,000 of them entered hospitals in August. Pediatric hospitalizations, driven by a record rise in...
Student Vaccine Mandate Considerations For Private Schools
By Kathryn Murphy, Rob Duston and Levi Schy for Law360 On Aug. 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for individuals ages 16 and older. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine had been approved for those 16 and up under an emergency use...
1.1 million kids left public schools in the fall of 2020
Public K-12 schools in the United States experienced a loss of roughly 1.1 million students in the fall of 2020, research finds. Futurity by CARRIE SPECTOR-STANFORD Districts that began the school year with remote-only schooling had significantly larger enrollment...
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...
Parents returning to work, but child care industry continues struggle with COVID-19 impact
As Seattle begins to emerge from the pandemic, the city’s child care providers say they are short-staffed and underfunded. DCYF has estimated 104 providers — 4,607 childcare spots — are closed, but the true count is likely larger as figures used are not current.
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.
What a Celebration! YAY for Fair Start for Kids!
WFIS joined more than 200 other community advocates, childcare centers, moms & families in celebrating the signing of the Fair Start for Kids Act this morning of Friday, May 7. It was an amazing gathering with SO many people who have fought so hard for many years.