A group of Lake Washington School District (LWSD) parents were among many from all over the state who recently visited Olympia for Focus Day, advocating for education with lawmakers. The LWSD group of more than 50 people took a bus to Olympia and talked with local legislators Sen. Andy Hill and Rep. Roger Goodman on Jan. 19.

The visit also included a rally on the Capitol steps at noon, where many legislators spoke about the importance of advocating for education. One of the legislators even mentioned the large size of the LWSD group.

“This year’s Focus Day was a huge success,” said Kirkland Middle School parent Irene Neumann, who made the trip with her two children Sophia and Isabel. “We would especially like to highlight those KiMS parents and students who spent MLK Day in Olympia to support this paramount cause, including Hae Sue Park, Natalie Ada, Rosalind Vasquez, Debbie Ohman and Kathryn Lee, Liz and Paul Hedreen, Dan and Nina Olson, Alison and Adeline Thomas.”

The meeting with Hill was so crowded that it had to be moved outside.

“I always like seeing some friendly faces in Olympia, so I was glad to see the biggest group of participants from the 45th District on ‘PTA Focus Day’ that I have ever seen,” said Hill in his newsletter. “This past Monday I met with parents, teachers and students to talk about the budget issues we’re facing and the importance of fighting for high quality student learning. Thank you to all those who took the time to come down to the capitol to advocate for great schools.”

The group met with Goodman during the afternoon.

“… [We] got his take on education and other issues set for this legislative session,” Neumann said. “… this legislative session, a lot of emphasis is being put on fully funding McCleary, making sure Washington state is living up to its constitutional promise for the ‘ample provision’ of education for all children. It’s unclear what action, if any, will be taken on I-1351, the citizen initiative to limit class size approved by voters in November. It should be an interesting legislative session.”

Focus Day is open to all parents and kids.

For more information on next year’s trip and how to get involved contact KiMS Advocacy Chair Irene Neumann at deedee2king@yahoo.com.