Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP)

AWSP was excited to welcome 23 new school leaders to the office last week! Learning was led by AWSP's Scott Friedman and Jack Arend with support from Kamrica Beaver and guest speakers Kim Doughty and Mallory Wilson, who spoke on our principal panel. Covering everything from culture to evaluations, The School Leader Paradigm, and tackling hard questions about leading schools in 2024, these principals and assistant principals are a little more prepared, ready, and equipped to welcome students this fall!

Are you a leader in years 1-3 interested in our Launching School Leaders series? Join us for Stage 2 happening this fall! Learn more: https://go.awsp.org/Launching

Authentic leadership is rooted in understanding and leveraging one’s own strengths and personality! Building Effective Leadership, for leaders in years two and beyond, is not about lectures or your typical sit-and-get workshop. You will work together with colleagues to experience dynamic, scenario-based learning that mirrors the complex challenges school leaders face every day. Stage one starts September 23, in AWSP's Olympia Office. Sign up now: https://go.awsp.org/3ySga8F

Almost 50 school leaders from Washington State gathered in Nashville this week for United: The National Conference for School Leaders organized by the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). The time we spent learning from and connecting with colleagues and leaders from around the country was important to our work here at AWSP as we plan our work for the 2024-25 school year around school leadership, school culture, and student learning. Music City USA also provided some fantastic opportunities for live music and BBQ food. Yeehaw! Next year’s national conference will be in Seattle from July 11-13 and we hope to see you there!

Summer Conference was full of incredible learning moments. With over 70 breakout sessions and amazing presenters, there were so many great tidbits to take back to school. What were some of your favorite sessions and takeaways?!

How are cell phones impacting your school's environment? What is your school or district doing to address this challenge?

Every day, more articles are published about cell phone issues within schools. The message is clear from local publications to national news outlets, and even the nation's Surgeon General: cell phones are harming our students and school environments.

In several districts and schools around the state, including Peninsula School District, Spokane Public Schools, and several Seattle Public Schools sites, various tactics have been or will be implemented for the 2024-25 school year to curb this issue that has grown out of control in our post-pandemic world. From strict policies to locking pouches, schools are finding different ways to tackle this problem that significantly impacts student learning and culture.

One thing is for sure: something needs to be done!

Are you a new principal or AP this next school year?!

You NEED AWSP's Launching School Leadership professional learning! Join us for this series designed just for you. Stage one topics include: Planning your first 100 Days, strategies to build relationships with your students, “staffulty” and community, assessing the climate, culture, and chaos of your building and identifying next steps and so much more!

We're blasting off July 24th-25th in our Olympia office! Clock hours available! Sign up now: https://go.awsp.org/4eb6QNE

It's been two weeks since we wrapped up the most exciting event of the year—the AWSP/ Washington Association of School Administrators Summer Conference! We've been thrilled to hear about the positive impact the conference has had, and how many educators are now ready to be beacons of hope in their schools this upcoming year.

Check out our photo highlights from the conference and see the incredible moments we shared! View the whole album here: https://go.awsp.org/SCphotos

AWSP and the Association of Washington Student Leaders are proud to announce the inaugural winners of the Washington Schools on the Rise award! These 20 schools from around the state have worked tirelessly to implement a culture focused on student-adult collaboration to benefit overall school culture and student voice. Their main goal? To build an inclusive and equitable school environment for all students through working together!

Join AWSP in congratulating the following schools:
Giaudrone Middle School, Tacoma Public Schools
Aylen Junior High, Puyallup School District
Blue Heron Middle School, Port Townsend School District
Cedar Valley Elementary, Kent School District
Clover Park High School, Clover Park School District
Curtis Senior High School, University Place School District
Firgrove Elementary, Puyallup School District
Hockinson Middle School, Hockinson School District
Ida Nason Aronica Elementary School, Ellensburg School District
Keithley Middle School, Franklin Pierce Schools
Lakewood High School, Lakewood School District 306
Moxee Elementary School, East Valley School District
Reardan High School, Reardan-Edwall School District
River HomeLink
Selah High School, Selah School District
Skyview High School, Vancouver Public Schools
TAF at Saghalie, Federal Way Public Schools
Tolt Middle School, Riverview School District
Toppen*sh High School, Toppen*sh School District
Toutle Lake Jr./Sr. High School
Wahluke Junior High, Wahluke School District

Learn more about the Washington Schools on the Rise award here: https://buff.ly/3VWkb5D

🎆 Happy 4th of July from the Association of Washington School Principals! Today, we celebrate the spirit of freedom, sacrifice, unity, and the power of education in shaping our future. Enjoy the festivities and stay safe! 🎇

It's time for a summer break! AWSP offices will be closed July 3-5th to take some time to rest, refresh, recharge, and celebrate the holiday! We will see you back July 8th.

Still flying high from our hope-filled Summer Conference?! Check out the AWSP Merch store to keep hope alive all summer long and into next school year! Conference attendees, check your email for an exclusive surprise! Shop here: https://go.awsp.org/42OO0Vu

Have you completed the Summer Conference Survey yet? Less than 1/2 of attendees have! Please take a moment to give AWSP feedback on the event. A link to the Clock Hour form will be provided at the end of the survey! Complete the survey here: https://go.awsp.org/3VGykC3. You can also find it directly in the App or sent to you via email on 6/25/24.

Don't forget to go into the App and rate your Breakout Sessions and Speakers! This data will help us prevent overcrowding in the future and bring you the most applicable pro-learning.

🌟 A Heartfelt Thank You! 🌟

We are deeply grateful to everyone who made our big summer conference, "Unlocking the Power of Hope," an unforgettable success!

🎤 To our incredible Keynote Speakers and Presenters: Your inspiring words and invaluable insights have ignited a spark of hope and motivation in all of us.

🤝 To our generous Sponsors and dedicated Vendors: Your support and contributions ensured a fantastic vendor hall experience with so many fun prizes!

🙌 And most importantly, to our amazing attendees from all over the great state of Washington: Your enthusiasm, participation, and commitment to fostering hope in our schools and communities have truly made this conference special.

As we look forward to the 2024-2025 school year, we hope that our school leaders can be a beacon of hope, inspiring and guiding our students, teachers, and communities toward a brighter future.

Thank you all for joining us on this journey of the AWSP/ Washington Association of School Administrators Summer Conference. Together, we are unlocking endless possibilities for a brighter future! ✨

Before the AWSP/ Washington Association of School Administrators Summer Conference really gets underway, we want to give a huge shoutout to our General Conference Sponsor, WSIPC!

WSIPC's mission is to provide a comprehensive, relevant, and fiscally responsible variety of technology services that empower the K-12 community so they can focus on their educational mission. Learn more here: https://go.awsp.org/45FRMUm

Thank you, WSIPC for your sponsorship of !

Have you downloaded the AWSP/ Washington Association of School Administrators Summer Conference App yet?! If you are registered for the conference you would have received an email on Tuesday (6/18) inviting you to the app! Can't find the email? No worries. Search AWSP/WASA in the Apple, Google Play, or Android App Store to download the app, create an account, and start planning your conference experience!

In recognition of Juneteenth and our commitment to equity and education for all, our offices will be closed on June 19th. Juneteenth commemorates the day that U.S. soldiers arrived in Galveston, TX to spread the news of freedom and enforce the Emancipation Proclamation. At AWSP we celebrate freedom, resilience, and the achievements of Black Americans on this day and every day.

Just one week until over 1000 attendees gather to "Unlock the Power of Hope" in Spokane, WA. Principals and Superintendents will be coming together from all over the state to learn, collaborate, and celebrate the end of the 2024 school year while gearing up for 2025! Joining AWSP & Washington Association of School Administrators next week? What are you most excited about?!

A few weeks back The Seattle Times published an article addressing the fact that Washington schools are struggling to balance budgets. At the root, we know the issue is that the state does not fully fund education as promised by the 2018 McCleary decision. At AWSP, part of our work is advocacy for principals and students across the state and in this next legislative session, our focus will be on educating and pushing for the funding schools desperately need. What would fully funded schools look like for your district?!

Are you an Eastern Washington educator looking to dive into equity work?! NEWESD 101 is hosting its 2024 Regional Equity Summit NEXT TUESDAY, June 18th at Ferris High School in Spokane, WA. Open to educators from all over the state, gather together to listen to inspiring and eye-opening keynotes from Dr. Shelley Moore and Dr. Adeyemi Stembridge, and attend numerous breakout sessions with like-minded educators. Six equity clock hours are available. Register here: https://go.awsp.org/3XcDisP

☀️ Summer Program Registration closes on June 14th!

Association of Washington Student Leaders Summer Programs are back, and we will return to Cispus, Eastern Washington University, and Central Washington University this summer for our 2024 sessions!

Every summer, over 3,000 students participate in one of the many summer programs offered by AWSL. High School and Middle-Level students have the opportunity to learn, grow, connect, and develop their leadership skills through these amazing programs. There is something for everyone!

Visit the https://go.awsp.org/AWSLsummerprogram to learn more!

‼️ Attention New Administrators ‼️

AWSP's Launching School Leadership Series brings new and newly assigned school leaders three opportunities to maximize their leadership during the first year. Attendees will hear from practicing principals and other educational experts in each workshop, which are based on one of three stages during a new leader's first year. Our first session starts July 24 & 25. You will not want to miss this incredible support opportunity as you venture into the principalship! Learn more here: https://go.awsp.org/Launching

AWSP is excited to celebrate our 2024 Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Art Show winner, Leilani Cherry of Timberline High School in North Thurston Public Schools! Leilani’s piece, "Tuesday 7:23 AM," is a graphite composition that perfectly encapsulates the morning walk to class. We love the depth of the piece and are proud of Leilani’s hard work. AWSP sends all our accolades to her and her teacher Katy Govan for this awesome accomplishment!

*Note, the original version of this post had Leilani’s name incorrect. Our sincerest apologies.*

🌈 Celebrating Pride Month! Our schools are stronger when everyone is included. Our mission is to support principals and the principalship in the education of each and every student. AWSP celebrates and treasures the diversity within our schools and fully supports our LBGTQIA+ members and students. If you are looking for resources to support LGBTQIA+ students, check out AWSL’s resource page: https://lnkd.in/gEBim_Ne

Join us June 23-25 in Spokane for "Unlocking the Power of Hope!" We're less than a month away! Pre-registration for the AWSP/WASA Summer Conference closes June 7. After that date, all registrations will be processed on-site only. Join 900+ school and district leaders for an unforgettable conference centered on the topic of hope. Register now: https://go.awsp.org/3V1Rh1Z

🚀 **Develop Your Finely Tuned ASB Finance Machine With Custom Workshops!** 🚀

Join Association of Washington Student Leaders and Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) to learn strategies for managing ASB funds while staying compliant with regulations. We offer custom workshops for schools, districts, staff, students, parent groups, and more at your location of choice. Save time and money by hosting 30+ people for a session tailored to YOUR needs.

📅 **Book now and optimize your ASB finance! Contact Greg for more info: https://go.awsp.org/3V2vFCo **

Facilitated by AWSP/AWSL.

Today we honor Memorial Day to remember the brave souls who've sacrificed their lives for our country. In education, we aim to instill values of courage, selflessness, and respect in our students, inspired by the heroes we commemorate today. Their sacrifices remind us of the true cost of our freedoms. At AWSP, we commemorate and give thanks to those heroes today and every day.

According to the Principal Retention and Turnover During the COVID-19 Era Report out of the University of Washington - 1/4 of Washington principals switched schools, changed positions, or left public K-12 education entirely in the 2022-2023 school year. With burnout, stress, secondary trauma, and political pressure at the forefront, AWSP is continuously working to best support principals wherever they may be in their journey.

How can we best support you and your school team as we close out the school year?!

National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), and 100 partner organizations sent a letter to members of Congress earlier this month demanding they increase Title II funding by 10%. The largest amount of federal funding dedicated to recruiting, retaining, and improving the practice of educators, Title II is one of the only federal programs that also helps ensure school leaders are well-prepared and more likely to stay in the profession.

In Washington, we've been tight on Title II funding for a few years- these funds are invaluable to AWSP and allow us to devote time, energy, and resources to the best Tier I supports and Professional Learning for our members. Our Advocacy team is hard at work advocating for AWSP!

Only 36% of anticipated graduated seniors have completed the for next school year! We know the FAFSA process has been frustrating this year, but don't change your plans... colleges are being flexible! In Washington, there are more than 65 participating institutions that accept Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA), including various types of education and training that go beyond the four-year college or university!

Check out the Washington Student Achievement Council page for more information and FAFSA tips!

The AI Innovation Summit brings school district and building teams together for three days of collaboration. We want to see your district there! Let’s shape the future of K-12 education in Washington State together

Learn more at https://go.awsp.org/4bvazDs

AESD Network Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Washington Association of School Administrators, Washington State School Directors' Association WSIPC