Food Insecurity is an all-too-common problem plaguing students in the Arlington Open Doors programs. For many, it was the driving factor leading them to disengage from high school to become gainfully employed.
As Case Manager Dr. Jeremy Hurdus and Principal Andrea Dixon-Hundredmark brainstormed solutions to help increase facetime on campus, while also combating student hunger, a decision was made to utilize the Office of System and School Improvement (OSSI) iGrant funds to purchase a vending machine to deliver school meals at no cost to students. The needs-based approach is part of Arlington’s school improvement plan.
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The State Board of Education adopted final rules for the graduation requirements emergency waiver (GREW) earlier this month.
The rules modify the emergency waiver for students graduating in the 2023-2024 school year. The rules allow a district to waive the graduation pathway requirement, based on individual student circumstances, provided that the district has not also waived a core course requirement in the same subject for that student.
The final rules reflect a minor change from the proposed rules to increase clarity consistent with the original intent of the Board. For more information, see the blog post, GREW webpage, FAQ, and graphic summary.
Note: This is the last school year when graduating students may be granted emergency waivers due to COVID-19 disruptions. This emergency waiver program will not be available in the 2024-25 school year.
 A diverse array of topics will be covered, from dual enrollment to quality green jobs. To attend, register for each webinar separately. These events are hosted and sponsored by Jobs for the Future, a national entity.
Want more support? Try the National Reengagement Network!
Join the Rural Education Peer Learning Community (PLC) hosted by the National League of Cities (NLC)! Contact Shira Davidson to receive invites to the upcoming meetings. Reengagement is a common topic.
Shira can also connect you with the national reengagement learning community, which OSPI regularly attends on behalf of Open Doors. We’d love for you to join us!
Your students may be eligible to receive funds this summer to help buy food. A new Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program called SUN Bucks will be available to Washington youth aged 8–18. Students who are receiving SNAP benefits are automatically eligible and there are additional ways to access SUN Bucks. To learn all of the details, read the full article.
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SUN Bucks Program: A new Summer EBT program called SUN Bucks is introduced to support food access for children in Washington during summer.
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Eligibility for SNAP Recipients: Children aged 8–18 in households receiving SNAP benefits are automatically eligible for SUN Bucks.
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Benefit Details: Eligible children will receive a one-time payment of $120 on a SUN Bucks card for food purchases.
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Application Process: Those not automatically eligible can apply online, with applications accepted through August 31.
Starting May 13, families who need to apply or who have other questions about SUN Bucks benefits can call the SUN Bucks Contact Center at 1-833-543-3230 (TTY: 1-800-833-6348) between 8 am and 5 pm Monday–Friday (except observed holidays).
The SUN Bucks benefits, a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child in each household, will be deposited onto new SUN Bucks cards and mailed beginning in early June. The program aims to ensure no child suffers from hunger, especially when school meals are not available.
When: July 7-12, 2024
Where: University of Washington’s main campus
Cost: Free! Food and lodging are provided
Who: Youth ages 16-24 who
- have a disability (mental health conditions meet the definition) and
- live in Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, San Juan, Island, King, Pierce, Thurston, Yakima, Kittitas, Douglas, Chelan, or Grant counties.
The Youth Transition Summer Workshop is a free, overnight camp held at the University of Washington's main campus. The event runs July 7-12 and is free for youth ages 16-24, all lodging and dining costs are covered. Topics such as disability pride and history, education and employment, self-care, advocacy, and postsecondary transition will be covered.
Who can apply?
This workshop is for youth and young adults with any type of disability. Mental health conditions are included in the sponsor’s definition of disability. It is particularly geared towards youth who are self-directed enough to participate in independent and large group settings with minimal support (unless reasonable accommodation is needed). Since it is a transition workshop, youth will need to have a transition-centered goal in mind for their future, such as independent living, postsecondary education, or employment.
Beginning with the 2024–25 school year, a new Washington state law requires each school district to publish OSPI’s model student handbook language in handbooks and on websites to notify their school community of district policies and procedures related to harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB); discrimination; sexual harassment; and gender-inclusive schools.
On April 5, 2024, OSPI published a bulletin to outline these new requirements, introduce the new model handbook language, and provide guidance on implementation:
The Model Student Handbook Language is also available on OSPI’s Notification Requirements, Staff Training, and Outreach Materials webpage. Translated versions of the Model Student Handbook Language will be available soon.
Questions and Assistance
For questions regarding this bulletin or the new requirements, please contact Sarah Albertson, Managing Attorney, Equity and Civil Rights, at 360-725-6162 or email Sarah Albertson.
For questions regarding discriminatory harassment, sexual harassment, or gender-inclusive schools, contact the Equity and Civil Rights Office at 360-725-6162.
For questions regarding harassment, intimidation, and bullying, please contact the School Safety Center at 360-725-6068 or email schoolsafety@k12.wa.us.
As end-of-year graduations draw near, please consider how the Performance-based Graduation Pathway option may be utilized for students. To establish a more customizable option for students, the legislature has approved this additional Graduation Pathway option. Please work with your local district regarding this pathway option for students. |
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Past Newsletters:
Check our website for previous years' newsletter topics.
Mandy Paradise,
M.Ed
Open Doors
Program Supervisor
Email Mandy
360-789-3949
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