Strengthening Washington's Public Schools

Activities to consider

• Ask a local president to write a letter of thanks to the community -- and send to the local newspaper editor.
  Consider buying a newspaper ad that features students saying what they like best about school. Finish with a "no more cuts" message
• Invite parents to have lunch with their children in the school cafeteria during American Education Week/WEA Week of Action, Nov. 14 - 18
• Have your local buy lunch for parents who visit classrooms on the WEA Day of Action, Monday Nov. 28
• Have your local organize a "recognition breakfast" for teachers and paraprofessionals on the WEA Day of Action, Monday Nov. 28
• All staff wear suspenders to show "support" for Education Support Professionals on ESP Day, Wednesday, Nov. 16
• Present substitute educators with a small gift of appreciation on Substitute Educators Day, Friday, Nov. 18
• Ask a local place of worship to honor educators in its services before or after American Education Week/WEA Week of Action, Nov. 14 -18
• Create a local radio, television or newspaper ad that highlights comments from local people who believe in education and the important work of educators (e.g.; the police chief, the county executive, the local hospital CEO)
• Text legislators on Nov 28 between 12 noon and 1 pm with the simple message: "Budget cuts hurt kids" or "Budget cuts hurt public schools.
• Host a breakfast for members of your local PTA during the WEA Week of Action, Nov 14-18
• Get a head-count on how many members can come to Olympia on Monday, Nov. 28, for the WEA Day of Action

PAST EVENTS. THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!

Statewide rally at the Capitol

• Capitol rally, Olympia, Nov. 28, noon, West Campus, Capitol grounds. Theme: "Standing Strong. Standing Together." Help "Occupy Olympia" for a day. Say you'll be there via the Facebook event. Media hashtag: #cutshurtkids. Additional materials here.

Lopez EA

In partnership with the Lopez Public School Employees (classified staff union) and the Lopez School Board and Administration, community members will join in a "Day of Action" for education. The Lopez "Day of Action" will be Nov. 28 (4 p.m. at the Lopez Community Center) to coincide with a statewide "Week of Action." The Lopez EA, PSE, school board and administration invite community members to join with them by walking during the "Day of Action" and/or support in a letter writing campaign asking legislators to provide adequate funding for basic education to our students.

Mercer Island EA

• Co-hosted a community forum with the Mercer Island PTA Council showcasing the new Teacher and Principal Evaluation Project. Ann Randall presented with MIEA and MISD representatives on the new evaluation requirements and stressed how Mercer Island’s current 4-tier system was a model for the new state requirements in 6696.
• MIEA is disseminating information on the impact of potential cuts on their schools and students. MIEA and the PTA are sponsoring a "Our Kids Can’t Take More Cuts: Educators and Parents Standing Together" campaign: "Wear Mercer Island Maroon" group photos will be taken and sent with messages to legislators.  

Riverview EA

• Making presentations at school and council-wide PTA meetings in November. Teachers are explaining the impact of cuts this past year and the impact of cuts to come, and encouraging parents to contact their legislators, to speak out against further cuts. The presentations have inspired parents to begin a letter writing campaign and host information booths during parent conference days.
• REA is holding a Wear Red for Education campaign and will send photos and "no cuts" messages to legislators on Nov. 28.

Snoqualmie Valley EA

• Members are wearing Apple Buttons, as conversation starters in their community in November.
• SVEA is disseminating information on the impact of potential cuts on their schools and students, and will be holding a local rally on Nov. 30. SVEA is inviting district reps, PTA, community members and the school board.

Chimacum Education Association

• Enjoy good company and complimentary refreshments on Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Tri-Area Community Center, 10 West Valley Road, Chimacum to watch a screening of Mitchell 20 -- which will be followed by discussion and an opportunity to write letters to legislators. This movie is described as "a compelling look at teachers' efforts" by The Seattle Times. It follows a group of teachers who deal with state budget cuts, school district issues, and even immigration problems while pursuing their own professional development through National Board Certification.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  Print the flier.

Poulsbo (WEA Olympic)

• Members are encouraged to go to Olympia for the statewide rally.
• After the school day, members will leaflet public places, in their communities.
• Members will be encouraged to gather in a central area for family-friendly events.

Northshore, Shoreline, Lake Washington and Edmonds

• In the process of putting a bus together to Olympia with 50-60 people. In addition to wearing red and taking photos, Northshore members will write their individual stories on how underfunding shortchanges their students. These e-mails (or photos/videos) will be distributed to various sources. Edmonds is waving signs after school on major intersections.    

Vancouver (WEA-Riverside)

• On Nov. 28 (Day of Action), a bus has been rented, in conjunction with SEIU, to go to Olympia. (Seats available by contacting  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) 

Olympia, Tumwater, Shelton and other education associations (WEA Chinook)

• Members plan a flash(light) mob on the legislative campus, Nov. 28.

Tacoma, Graham (Franklin Pierce EA)

• Members will be wearing red at their schools Nov. 28, posting messages on Facebook, and e-mailing their legislators. Administrators will also be wearing red on Nov. 28 in FPSD to show their support.

Kennewick (WEA-Southeast UniServ)

• Members plan a Week of Action, with locals reaching out directly to their members during American Education Week, Nov. 14-18. In addition, the council is launching a postcard campaign, with council leaders and activists personally delivering the postcard messages to legislators' offices on Nov. 28.

Everett (Pilchuck UniServ)

• Legislators will be invited to FISH ‘N CHIPS AND POLITICS mid-November. Bring a friend and come and tell them how further cuts will impact you and your students. Contact Pilchuck UniServ for details.

Federal Way EA

• "Our Kids Can't Take Any More Cuts!" rally on Nov. 22, 4-5 p.m., at Federal Way High School.

Bellingham, Ferndale (WEA Fourth Corner) / Everett (Pilchuck UniServ)

• On Monday, Nov. 28, the WEA Day of Action, members in each building in our local will wear red. Instructions below assure your building is represented in the Wear Red For Public Education campaign. Encourage all school employees in your building to join the red shirt effort! Take lots of pictures! Remember, parent volunteers can participate, too. (Share this invite.)

Kent EA

• Nov. 15: Legislative Town Hall with legislators from the 47th Legislative District, KEA members and invited guests, including the KSD Superintendent (Dr. Vargas), KSD Board members, presidents of other Kent-based unions, local PTA leaders, and members of the media
• Nov. 16: Association representatives will be writing postcards to local legislators, and the KEA Compass (the KEA Print newsletter) will focus on what members can do
• Nov. 17: KEA will be sending 30 members and guests to hear Diane Ravitch
• Nov. 17-18: Association representatives will hold 10-minute building meetings to write postcards to local legislators
• Day of Action Nov. 28: A team of five from KEA will travel to the rally in Olympia; members will be encouraged to cyber-lobby; and a dinner will be held for members who have used Our Voice to share facts and group cyber-lobby. All KEA members are encouraged to wear red!
• Day of Action: Nov .28: The Kent School District superintendent, the School Board, other Kent unions, district office staff and the Kent community have been invited to "stand together for public education" and wear red on Nov. 28 

Cheney, Central Valley, Chewelah and Medical Lake (WEA-Eastern UniServ)

• Week of Action, Nov. 14-18: Legislator visits to schools in Cheney, Central Valley, Chewelah, and Medical Lake districts
• Day of Action, Nov. 28: Sending a bus of members to Olympia, with commitments from Reps. Timm Ormsby and Andy Billig to meet and greet rally participants

Highline, Renton (Rainier UniServ)

• Week of Action, Nov 14-18: Asking every member to wear a "These Cuts Hurt" button each day
• At-Home meetings with legislators from 11th and 33rd LDs, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 5:00pm - 8:00pm
• Participating in Diane Ravitch Town Hall, Thursday, Nov. 17, 7:30pm - 9:00pm at Seattle Town Hall
• Race to Nowhere film screening sponsored by the Highline Public Schools Foundation, Thursday, Nov. 17 7 p.m. at Mount Rainier High School
• Grade-in at Westfield Southcenter, Saturday Nov. 19, 1-3:00 p.m.
• Day of Action, Nov. 28: Chartering bus for approximately 60 people to attend Olympia rally
• Day of Action, Nov. 28: Participating in the "Wear Red" statewide activity

Wenatchee (North Central UniServ)

• Week of Action, Nov. 14-18: Taking out a full page ad in the Wenatchee World newspaper
• Week of Action, Nov. 14-18: Distributing postcards to every building for signing and then sending to legislators

Moses Lake (North Central UniServ)

• Week of Action, Nov. 14 -18: Taking out an advertisement in the Columbia Basin Herald newspaper
• Week of Action, Nov. 14 - 18: Distributing postcards to every building for signing, and then personally delivering them to legislators on Nov. 28
• Day of Action, Nov. 28: Wearing "Red for Ed" and sending group photos to legislators

Clarkston (WEA-Southeast UniServ)

• Day of Action, Nov. 28: A candlelight vigil and "Hands across the Bridge" with members linking hands with Idaho educators across the bridge from Clarkston to Lewiston

Edmonds (WEA Cascade)

• Week of Action, Nov. 14: Rep. Derek Stanford visits Cedar Way Elementary
• Week of Action, Nov. 18: Rep. Mary Helen Roberts visits Meadowdale Elementary
• Week of Action, Nov. 22: Rep. Marko Liias visits Cedar Way Elementary
• Day of Action, Nov. 28: Sign-waving at 5 major intersections in Lynnwood & Edmonds from 2:45pm to 5:45pm. Administrators, superintendents, parent groups and para-educators all invited to join

Lake Washington EA

• Week of Action, Nov. 17: 50 members attending Diane Ravitch Town Hall meeting in Seattle
• Day of Action, Nov. 28: Sending 50 to participate in the Olympia rally at the Capitol
• Day of Action, Nov. 28: Asking members to send hundreds of emails to legislators and the Governor prior to and during the special session

Mabton (WEA-MidState UniServ)

• Week of Action, Nov. 21: Purchased T-shirts for members, and scheduling a "Hot Dog BBQ" to make parents and the community aware of proposed budget cuts -- and the impact on a small community
• Week of Action, Nov. 21: Registering community members to vote
• Ongoing: Wearing red shirts for education every Wednesday.  Also providing members with postcards to fill out and send to elected officials
• Day of Action, Nov. 28: Members will attend the school board meeting wearing red shirts

Stanwood (WEA-Fourth Corner UniServ)

• Day of Action, Nov. 28: Gathering at the Stanwood Middle School parking lot at 4:15pm for sign-waving and a short march.  All wlecome -- and bring a flashlight!

Mount Vernon (WEA-Fourth Corner UniServ

• Day of Action, Nov. 28: Waving signs at three Mount Vernon locations before and after school: Skagit County Court House; 2nd Street overpass; and Blackburn overpass.  Times: 7:30am - 8:30am and 2:30pm
• Day of Action, Nov. 28: Gathering in the north parking lot of the Mount Vernon High School between 4:00pm and 4:15pm. Bring a candle or LED light.  March to Skagit County Court House for rally begins at 4:30 p.m.