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  August 30, 2023

Find Comfort + Connection in the Year Ahead

As we step into a new school year, remember the power of relationships. While the pandemic brought distance, it also underscored how essential connections are to our education. SBE Chair Bill Kallappa credits the connections he made in his early education to his success today, and also that he was more of a sports guy than an academic. Watch the full back-to-school clip on SBE's YouTube channel.

From Chair Kallappa and the Board to all of our engaged readers, happy school year! 

Igniting Inspiration: Fire Sciences in Kelso

In the heart of Southwest Washington (Kelso), a trailblazing high school program is shaping the heroic careers of young individuals destined for firefighting. Captain Ellis, a dedicated and passionate instructor, leads this fire sciences course, imparting essential firefighting skills and fostering life abilities through hands-on experiences. Beyond technical expertise, graduates emerge with deep responsibility, confidence, and community dedication. Read the full post about this amazing program. 

Special thanks to Cowlitz 2, Captain Ellis, and the students for showing us around! 

Partner Highlights

AWSL Fall Conference — Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL)

Looking for Amazing Juniors and Seniors for the United States Senate Youth Program
(AWSP)

Important FAFSA/WASFA Changes (WSAC)

Broad View

College Board Official: We Don’t Dictate How AP Courses Are Taught (Education Week)

We need to stop teaching high school subjects separately
(K-12 Ed Dive)

Native American Boarding Schools Took Children's Culture, Hundreds Died (NY Times)

Sneak Peek: September 7 Board Meeting

The Board will host an online meeting September 7 from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. The meeting agenda includes topics like: 

• Proposed rules about graduation pathway options (performance-based pathway)
• Legislative requests and priorities 
• Strategic planning public listening session (from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.)

The agenda and materials should be live tomorrow, August 31, on our meetings site.

Notice: Deadline for Basic Education Compliance Extended

Are you an administrator that needs the link to the Basic Education survey? Email Viktoria Bobyleva. Download the latest list of districts' Basic Education compliance status: BE Statuses as of August 21, 2023.

Deadlines for Submission:

• DEADLINE EXTENDED: All responses need to be submitted no later than September 1.
• Final school districts are certified at the October 11 SBE meeting. 

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