Media Literacy, is the first step to being an informed citizen. Learning for Justice has fantastic resources for students, educators, and advocates alike. The following summary explains why this thinking and learning is so important…

Media Literacy is Vital for Informed Decision-Making
Media literacy — being able to access, analyze and evaluate information for accuracy and reliability across a variety of mediums — is crucial for us to make informed decisions.

Today more than ever before, we have access to a wide range of information from a variety of media sources, most notably online digital platforms, television, radio and print materials. However, the benefits of increased exposure to information and ideas are undermined by a media landscape that is filled with polarized messaging, manipulated content, disinformation and propaganda. Rhetoric and catchphrases — especially about complex and divisive issues — are abundant and often attempt to reduce complex concerns to simplified and biased explanations.

Being discerning about the information around us is vital at all times. Thinking about what information is provided, the source, why a story is developed, and whose perspective is represented and whose is missing can be valuable in evaluating accuracy and reliability and in understanding the intent behind media information.

Media literacy is a central skill set. Given our constantly connected lives, the ability to recognize disinformation is essential, and so is our commitment to spread accurate information. Dialogue provides important opportunities. Speaking with others about their experiences and perspectives helps to deepen our understanding, especially as we move toward action. 

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Knowledge of and the history of education and public school funding is also essential. Think critically about everything you read and hear—what sounds like a good idea on the surface, can cause more harm when acted upon if we're not informed.

We recommend this thoughtful opinion by Mark Epstein and Michael Dixon. It was published by the South Seattle Emerald last year, but the content is very relevant to conversations happening today.

We also recommend Underfunded and Unsustainable a recent report on the education funding crisis from The League of Education Voters. The report contains findings from in-depth interviews with district superintendents from 28 Washington state school districts and a look at district staffing and spending data to help inform how we can respond and ensure that students are centered as we look to how we can emerge from this challenging time.

We believe diversity is our strength, equity drives our mission and collaboration must be inclusive.

Who is in your community?
Who are the students and families in your building?
Who do your communications reach?
Who is included in discussions and events?
Who is represented in leadership?

Our mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. We can only achieve this in full collaboration and partnership with the broadest possible set of volunteers, staff, educators, schools and communities. Our work begins with building relationships and requires us to recognize and address bias and privilege, and account for cultural status and power dynamics.

Join SCPTSA on Monday, October 13th, from 12–1:30 pm on Zoom for a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leadership Lunch & Learn. as we discuss National PTA’s DEI toolkit, review the Local Leader Guidance for DEI and how it can benefit our students, and share stories from PTA’s engaged in this work.

All are welcome! This meeting will also be recorded so leaders can watch at a time that works with their schedules.

Zoom Meeting ID: 862 5540 0808
Passcode: 284510
➜ Learn more / Zoom link

Do you know who represents you? 
Look up your federal/congressional and state/legislative elected leaders.

Federal
Congress includes a U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. There are two U.S. senators representing all of Washington:

• Senator Maria Cantwell

• Senator Patty Murray

Washington is divided into ten congressional districts, with one U.S. representative per district. There are two congressional districts within the city of Seattle:

• Congressional District 7: Representative Pramila Jayapal

• Congressional District 9: Representative Adam Smith

State

• Governor Bob Ferguson

• Washington State Legislature

• Washington State Board of Education

• Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction

• Washington State School Directors Association

County

• King County Council

City

• Seattle City Council

• Mayor Bruce Harrell

• Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors

Organize with SCPTSA and other organizations who have been advocating for equitable and fully-funded education across Washington State for some time. Select organizations that were estabolished and are currently led by folks of color. Make sure the organization as a whole is representitive of the Students and families in Seattle Public Schools. Families and communities with students furthest from educational justice have the knowledge and experience needed to change our public education system so ALL children can thrive. SPCPTSA recommends checking out the Southeast Seattle Education Coalition to start.

• Find info on the current Washington St.ate Legislative Session.

• Find federal legislative info on the National PTA website and current action alerts below.

Help inform community about school levies when they are up for a vote

• Inform your PTA board about the rules for 501(c3) nonprofits surrounding government elections

• Share information with your membership

• Invite an Every Child Ready or SCPTSA leader to speak at your next PTA meeting

• Consider endorsing the FEPP Levy as a PTA or Board through a vote

• Consider donating to the Every Child Ready Campaign with a vote of your PTA membership/board

King County Elections
Find accurate and reliable election information, view election results, and learn how to register and vote in King County. 

Returning my ballot
You can vote and return your ballot as soon as you receive it. There are three ways to return your ballot, by mail, at a ballot drop box, or in-person at a vote center.

• Visit the returning my ballot page for more information

• View ballot drop box locations

• View Vote Center locations

Accessible voting options in King County:
Online ballot marking
Any registered voter can use our online ballot marking site. We designed the online ballot marking site to help voters who are blind or have low vision cast a private ballot.

Vote Centers
If you need help with voter registration, election information or your ballot, you can go to one of our Vote Centers. Each Vote Center has accessible voting units with audio, large print ballots, and other assistive tools to help voters with disabilities cast an independent and private ballot. Elections staff are available to help. Voters can also register and get their ballot at a Vote Center through Election Day.

Accessible Voting Events
In partnership with local libraries and other community groups, King County Elections staff hosts Accessible Voting Events, complete with trained Elections staff and accessible voting units to assist voters. At these events, voters can register to vote or update their voting address, get a replacement ballot, use an accessible voting unit, and ask questions of staff.

• See a list of upcoming Accessible Voting Events