WFIS News
Updates on our advocacy, committee work, legislative policy, and trending topics relevant to member schools.
Summer Running Start now available
The proposed WAC rule changes to expand access to the summer quarter Running Start permanently begins this summer. Students currently in 11th grade should complete a summer Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF). Additional info is available from OSPI...
Welcome to the 2023 Wildfire Smoke Season
Seasonal wildfire smoke has started a bit earlier than expected due to smoke from large fires in central Alberta.Visit WA Smoke Blogspot for a statewide reading of current air quality conditions. The Washington State Departments of Health and Ecology guidance for...
Learn to Return & DOH webinar on May 18
Lots of congratulations were followed by clarification of what the May 11th end of the public health emergency translation by DOH means for schools. To the dismay of many, no explanation was made on why the DOH communication was not given out with more notice. Below...
DOH’s sudden sunsetting of school onsite testing
On May 12th, OSPI & DOH issued messaging abruptly nullifying school-based testing, stating that non-medical staff can no longer administer COVID-19 tests in schools as the standing order allowing this flexibility expired the day before on May 11, with the end of...
School Safety – Security Site Assessments
Having objective eyes on campus to review where a school is succeeding and where there might be holes and gaps is critical. The Department of Homeland Security has created this School Security Assessment Tool. Following a series of questions in four sections, the tool...
On the horizon: Stronger Connections Grant
The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act allows school districts to apply for the Stronger Connections Grant Program. The Stronger Connections Grant will only be available to private schools in Districts with a 40%+ poverty level IF the District applies for the grant....
Clean Buildings Standards next webinar
The team at the Department of Commerce will be hosting their next Clean Buildings Expansion webinar on May 18 Workshop (10 am-Noon) to focus on customer outreach, technical support, and energy benchmarking for Tier 2 (20,000+ sq ft building spaces). Facilities...
Certificate Renewal Requirements beginning July 1
All Teacher and Administrator Certificates will have new renewal requirements beginning July 1, 2023, as a result of HB 1426 and WAC 181-79A-244expected implementation of CCDEI/Equity-Based School Practices. All teachers must earn at least 15 continuing education...
2023 Private School Summer Conference
Unite the Neuroscience of Learning with the Art of Teaching The field of Educational Neuroscience is exploding, and K-12 educators can leverage new discoveries in neuroscience, growing their pedagogical practices and increasing student engagement and achievement. This...
SBE Private School Approval information & timelines
Each week schools can find an updated list with the status of approval applications posted on the Private School Approval | SBE (wa.gov) website. The list will convey whether your application is: Complete or Partial, Reviewed or pending review, and Fully Approved or...