WFIS News
Updates on our advocacy, committee work, legislative policy, and trending topics relevant to member schools.
Professional Development and Other Opportunities
Cell Phone Policies: Benefits, Challenges, and Safety Implications Webinar on Monday, April 13, from 9 - 10:30 am - FREE by Joffe Emergency Services. Live discussion for schools that have and have not implemented cell phone policies. How do school cell phone policies...
Waste Not Washington School Awards program for 2026-27
Applications for the 2026–27 cycle of the Waste Not Washington School Awards, a statewide program supporting school-based sustainability efforts, will open August 1. The awards recognize and fund projects that reduce waste and expand reuse, recycling, and composting...
Locked Doors, Open Gaps: Insights from Joffe webinar
On Monday 4/6/26, Chris Joffe, Founder and CEO of Joffe Emergency Services, presented an overview of how schools are investing in safety and where critical gaps remain. School safety spending has grown to $3.5B nationally, up from $1B in 2013, largely following...
Title Funds Update: What Schools Need to Know and Plan
At Tuesday's K12 Zoom, WFIS hosted OSPI Ombuds Sheila Gerrish to outline current information on LEAs' allowable fund transfers and consultation requirements. Local Education Agencies, more widely referred to as "Districts", may transfer money from Title II, Part A and...
Update on the Freedom Scholarship Tax Credit opportunity (formerly Federal Scholarship Tax Credit)
The Freedom Scholarship Tax Credit presents a significant opportunity for students in public and private schools. Public awareness of the program is building. Private school parents should learn more about it, and our schools can help. Washington is uniquely...
Title II Funds Shifting as District Budgets Tighten
Private school leaders are beginning to see the local impact of broader public school budget challenges, particularly in the allocation of federal Title funds. More than one district has already notified schools that it will not provide Title II funds next year,...
Final PESB Clock Hour Provider Webinar April 8
This year's clock hour webinar includes information on completing the application in the new system and on the overall requirements for clock hour providers. Organizations that want to offer clock hours must apply by May 1, 2026. Pre-registration is required. The...
Include Your Local Health Department Early in Facility Projects
Schools planning new construction or renovations should take an additional step to ensure a smooth process: involve your local health department early. Local health officials are increasingly requesting to be part of the process from the beginning. They want to review...
Washington’s Organics Management Law Requirements
Legislation passed over the last 3 years aims to divert food and yard waste from landfills to reduce methane emissions and slow climate change. Schools in the ORCA Map areashould take note of the following timelines. By April 1, 2027, cities and counties in an...
Cascade Christian Academy Student Honored with National Arts Award
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has named Eryn Fletcher, a junior at Cascade Christian Academy, as a 2026 National High School 'Heart of the Arts' honoree. She is the only student recognized from Washington state. Fletcher was...