September Education Advocate, the Monthly Enews

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Greetings

Arik Korman
Arik Korman, Communications Director

It’s back to school time at my house, and that means the morning rush is in full swing – searching for that missing sock, packing up lunch, and making sure my third-grader has everything he needs to have a good day. All across Washington state, students like my son are running around to get to their classroom, ready to learn and hoping to receive what they need to have a good day, a good school year, and a good life.

League of Education Voters is excited for the new school year, too. We are hard at work advocating for every student to receive a great public education and the support necessary for success. For some students, also just like my son, the need is greater than quality instruction, curriculum, and classroom materials – they may also need mental health counseling, trauma-informed care, supplemental nutrition, or individualized learning assistance.

As you know, many Washington students do not receive these critical services, and the outcomes are devastating. Last year alone, more than 14,000 high school seniors in Washington did not graduate. Students who don’t graduate from high school are twice as likely to face unemployment throughout their life, and several studies indicate higher rates of mortality for these students, as well.

Support us today and join the voices demanding critical system transformation so Washington’s students receive the support they need to thrive, innovate, and become the leaders of tomorrow.

When you are rushing out the door tomorrow morning, think of the 1.1 million kids in Washington doing the same thing – they deserve, and will have, a brighter future with the help of League of Education Voters supporters like you.

Read below for more about our work.

Thanks again for all you do for Washington’s kids. We’re all in this together.

Arik Korman signature

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Kids Co. Demonstrates Chopped Chops

Kids Co. students learn about cooking and nutrition during friendly competition

Kids Co. Chopped Competition, part 2 - League of Education VotersKids Co. is a Seattle-area quality childcare provider that has partnered with South Shore PK-8 since the school opened in 2002. Kids Co. has provided millions of dollars in scholarships with help from the New School Foundation and the League of Education Voters. Nearly 60 percent of all children who attend Kids Co. at South Shore qualify for free or reduced lunch (FRL), and receive these scholarships.

Every day, Kids Co. sees the parents of the kids served, so they get to know the families – their ups and downs and financial struggles – and it’s all about relationships. Their summer programs serve kids K-5, and the kids from different grades learn to work together and support each other.

Kids Co. supplements meals, and they teach kids how to create a nutritious meal on a budget, instilling these skills in children as young as 5 years old. At South Shore, the Kids Co. classroom features a full kitchen, and is able to prepare hot, fresh meals.

President and CEO Susan Brown says, “The school day begins when the kids wake up. Kids spend more time in childcare than in school.” During summer, that can be as many as 11 hours a day for working parents, and 5 each day during the school year. Susan adds, “Nobody is turned away because of lack of funds.”

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There Is No Excusing Racism

This has been a really devastating week for all of us. Racism is a stain on this country. Though it cannot be erased, we can work together to remedy its effects and make a future that reflects the values for which this country stands. We recognize that people of color experience the effects of racism every day, and that it impacts our students.

We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to achieve their dreams.

We cannot let events like Charlottesville drive us apart. We have to work together. This is not the first time that hatred has raised its ugly head, and it won’t be the last time.

What’s happening is not okay today, it wasn’t okay yesterday, and it’s not okay for tomorrow. We stand together to raise our voice unequivocally that we do not tolerate racism and we will not be silent.

Sincerely,
League of Education Voters staff

Chris Korsmo, CEO
Daniel Zavala, Director of Policy and Government Relations
Leann Arend, Chief Operating Officer
Emily Ditty, Development Director
Nancy Hopkins, Senior Administrative and Accounting Assistant
Sandra Jarrard, Regional Field Director, Spokane
Ruvine Jiménez, Community Organizer, Tri-Cities Region
Arik Korman, Communications Director
Kelly Munn, State Field Director
Jessica Nieves, Development Associate
Angela Parker, Policy Analyst
Ashley Rammelsberg, Digital Communications Specialist
Jake Vela, Senior Policy Analyst
Julia Warth, Assistant Director of Policy and Government Relations
Joyce Yee, Community Organizer, South King County Region

August Education Advocate, our monthly enews

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Greetings

Arik Korman
Arik Korman, Communications Director

I would like to introduce myself – I’m Arik Korman, Communications Director at the League of Education Voters. I’ve been on staff since November 2015, and served on the Board for two years prior. I have a son who is going into third grade in public school, and I believe that education, when done right, is the great equalizer in society. I’ll be sending you the monthly Education Advocate e-news, and am happy to kick things off by sharing our 2017 Legislative Session Scorecard. The 2017 legislative session resulted in plenty of good progress for Washington’s students, but much work remains to be done. Check out our Legislative Scorecard to see how we did on our legislative priorities.

Also, we’d like to thank our generous donors from the second quarter of 2017. We couldn’t do our work without you, so if you haven’t supported us lately, you can still make a gift today.

Read below for more about our work.

Thanks again for all you do for Washington’s kids. We’re all in this together.

Arik Korman signature

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Celebrating our 2017 Donors: Second Quarter

April 1–June 30, 2017

Thank youWe are excited about the progress we are seeing for Washington students in 2017. Thank you to all of our donors – we couldn’t do this work without you!

Donations are made to the League of Education Voters and the League of Education Voters Foundation by individuals, groups, and businesses throughout the community. These generous donations from those who believe in high-quality public education allow us to ensure measurable progress toward our vision that every student in Washington state has access to an excellent public education that provides the opportunity for success.

We regret any omissions or errors to the donor list. Please contact our Development team using our contact form with any questions or to correct any information.

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July Education Advocate, the LEV Monthly E-news

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Greetings

Chris Korsmo
Chris Korsmo

Now that the state budget negotiations have finally crossed the goal line, I am happy to report that our legislature has made a huge investment in K-12 education! Thanks to your advocacy and support, schools with historically underserved students will get much-needed additional help. Read more about the legislature’s solution to the Supreme Court’s McCleary decision in this blog by Daniel Zavala, LEV’s director of policy and government relations. Be a part of this landmark moment! Help ensure that the McCleary decision is implemented to benefit every Washington student by making your gift today.

Also, LEV interviewed Washington state Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal about his long-term vision for K-12 education. And we’re hosting a free Lunchtime LEVinar July 20 on how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and complex trauma impacts student learning.

Read below for more about our work.

Thanks for all you do for kids. We couldn’t do it without you.

Chris Korsmo

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June Education Advocate, the LEV Monthly E-news

 

ED Advocate, League of Education Voters Newsletter, June 2017

Greetings

Chris Korsmo
Chris Korsmo, CEO

As you may know, the Washington legislature is now in the endgame of budget negotiations, which includes finding a solution to funding schools across our state. If you want to see what lawmakers are considering to solve the Supreme Court’s McCleary decision, take a look at our education funding plan side-by-side. Be a part of this historic moment! Help ensure that the McCleary decision is implemented to benefit every Washington student by making your gift today.

Also, LEV interviewed Washington STEM CEO Caroline King on how STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) and career connected learning can be applied in the classroom. And we’re hosting a free Lunchtime LEVinar June 20 with former Supreme Court Justice Bobbe Bridge, Founder and CEO of the Center for Children & Youth Justice, on how the education and justice communities can work together to support youth in crisis.

Read below for more about our work.

Thanks for all you do for kids. We couldn’t do it without you.

Chris Korsmo signature

 

 

Chris Korsmo

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May Education Advocate

Education Advocate, League of Education Voters Newsletter, May 2017

Greetings

Chris Korsmo
Chris Korsmo, CEO

As the Washington legislature continues to hammer out a solution to funding schools in our state, now is a great time to honor our teachers through Teacher Appreciation Week. If you are able, please join me in celebrating the adults who care for our kids.

Tomorrow is GiveBIG day. Thanks to a matching grant, every dollar you donate to the LEV Foundation will be doubled, up to $5000. The League of Education Voters collaborates with communities across the state to listen, collect, and amplify stories from educators, parents, students, and community members to support legislators in making informed decisions about public education. Please support LEV’s work with your donation today to ensure the voices of our community are heard by legislators. Thank you!

Read below for more about our work.

Thanks for all you do for kids. We couldn’t do it without you.

Chris Korsmo signature

Senator Ann Rivers

Where does Ann Rivers see common ground for McCleary?

Ann Rivers, Co-Chair of the Education Funding Task Force and member of the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee discusses why she decided to run for office, where she sees common ground for a McCleary education funding solution, and her favorite classroom accomplishment when she was a middle school teacher.Listen now

 

Inside Olympia News

Improving education in Washington

What’s the best way to improve education in Washington? Inside Olympia gets perspectives from Chris Korsmo, League of Education Voters CEO and Washington Education Association President Kim Mead. Watch now

 

 

GiveBIG to League of Education Voters 2017

It’s time to #GiveBIG!

#GiveBIG is a day for all of us to come together and stand up for what we believe in. Tomorrow we need YOU to stand up for education and #GiveBIG to LEV Foundation! Thanks to a generous supporter, your donation will be doubled with a matching gift. Help us hit the $5,000 matching challenge goal with your gift today! The best part? You don’t have to wait! Schedule your donation now

 

Hot Revolution Donuts donated to the LEV Breakfast

Donut drop!

Teachers and support staff at Boston Harbor Elementary in Olympia were the lucky recipients of donuts from Hot Revolution Donuts. Hot Revolution Donuts is a mobile food business with a simple mission: to serve the most delicious, highest quality mini donuts directly to you in the Seattle area. Frank Ordway, Assistant Director of Government and Community Relations at the Washington State Department of Early Learning, won the raffle prize of donuts for his favorite school of choice at this year’s LEV Annual Breakfast.Congrats!

 

Representative Pat Sullivan

New podcast with House Majority Leader Pat Sullivan

House Majority Leader Pat Sullivan, member of the Appropriations Committee and member of the Education Funding Task Force, to discusses how parents, teachers and the community can get involved in a McCleary education funding solution, why teachers are so important, and what he would tell someone who is considering a run for public office. Listen now

Get Involved

Many of you are watching closely and know that Sunday, April 23rd was the last day of legislative session, the legislature is now in special session. We would like to encourage lawmakers to collaborate in order to work out a solution that puts equitable funding into K-12 public education.

The Campaign for Student Success believes our education system should:

  • Provide students the opportunity to earn credits for college while still in high school.
  • Ensure that dollars follow your student to the classroom – whether they’re spent for English language learners, advanced placement or special education – not on bureaucracy.
  • Help remove barriers in getting to school for kids who are in poverty, who are homeless, or who face other challenges that increase their risk of falling behind.
  • Prepare all kids to graduate from high school prepared for careers or college based on their interest and talent.

We need your help in the following two ways:

  • Make a visit to your legislator in your district.
  • Make phone calls to key legislators in leadership positions, either on the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee and/or budget committees.

If you can do either of the following, please contact the LEV organizer in your local area:

HELP SUPPORT THE LEAGUE OF EDUCATION VOTERS | Donate online

Education Advocate April 2017

ED Advocate, League of Education Voters Newsletter, April 2017

Greetings

Chris Korsmo
Chris Korsmo, CEO

Thank you to everyone who was able to join us at our annual breakfast last week. We enjoyed a thoughtful conversation with 2017 Regional Teachers of the Year Kendra Yamamoto and Elizabeth Loftus about what it means to be a great teacher, how to create a pipeline of more great teachers, and what it means to put great teachers in front of our kids who need them most. You can see photos of the event and a moving film about great teachers produced by our friends at Workhouse Creative here.

Below, you will find a shout-out to our donors from the first quarter of 2017. If you supported us at the breakfast, look for your name. Thank you!

The regular legislative session is scheduled to end in just over two weeks, on April 23. Since this is a huge budget year for funding our schools across the state, we will likely see one or more special sessions coming our way. We will host a free webinar April 27 on where we stand. You can follow all the action on our Bill Tracker here.

Read below for more about our work.

Thanks for all you do for kids. We couldn’t do it without you.

  Chris Korsmo signature

 

 

Chris Korsmo

2017 Washington state Regional Teachers of the Year Elizabeth Loftus and Kendra Yamamoto with Daniel Zavala - League of Education Voters

Highlights from the 2017 Annual Breakfast

Thank you for making our breakfast a success! 2017 Regional Teacher of the Year recipients Kendra Yamamoto and Elizabeth Loftus spoke on how great teachers are the key to student success. See photos from the event and a moving film by our friends at Workhouse Creative. Read more

Special thanks to our sponsors: Anonymous, Workhouse Creative, Microsoft, Boeing, The Seattle Times, Vulcan Inc., College Success Foundation, ECONorthwest, K&L Gates, and GOBE Design + Production.

Washington state Capitol - League of Education Voters

LEVinar: Where We Stand in the 2017 Legislative Session

The regular legislative session winds down April 23 and a special session looms in this important budget year for our kids. In our free webinar 4/27 at 12:30pm, LEV Policy and Government Relations Director Daniel Zavala will provide status updates on school funding, educator compensation, student supports, accountability, early learning, and higher education. Register here

Campaign for Student Success - League of Education Voters

Help Our Kids Get the Education They Deserve with the Campaign for Student Success

Over the last few weeks, Campaign for Student Success coalition members have been busy visiting and calling key legislators in Olympia, writing letters to editors around the state and sharing our stories and vision for the McCleary solution through op-eds. Our supporters, like you, know that time is running out to ensure that Washington students get the education they deserve and need. We need your help. If you would like to get involved, please contact LEV State Field Director Kelly Munn for details.

Thank You to our 2017 Q1 Donors - League of Education Voters

Celebrating Our Donors

Donations are made to the League of Education Voters (LEV) and the LEV Foundation by individuals, groups, and businesses throughout the community. These generous donations from you who believe in high-quality public education allow us to ensure measurable progress toward LEV’s vision that every student in Washington state has access to an excellent public education that provides the opportunity for success.

We’d like to take a moment to celebrate our supporters who donated to LEV or the LEV Foundation between January 1 and March 31 of 2017. Thank you!

GiveBig 2017 - League of Education Voters

Save the Date: GiveBIG Coming May 10

GiveBIG is back! If you were not able to donate at the annual breakfast (or even if you did), you can support the League of Education Voters Foundation on May 10 as part of our community’s biggest day of giving of the year. The Seattle Foundation will match your donations! Get involved now by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter, and stay tuned for details.

Get Involved

LUNCHTIME LEVINARS

April 27, 2017 | 2017 Legislative Session: Where We Stand, Online webinar


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League of Education Voters

League of Education Voters

2734 Westlake Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109
206.728.6448

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