The Seattle Council PTSA (SCPTSA) was established in 1909 as a citywide coalition of local PTAs.  Our charge from Washington State PTA is to support, coordinate, facilitate, and serve the needs of PTAs and PTSAs in Seattle.

If you are a member of a PTA or PTSA in Seattle, you are part of our coalition. We started the 2009-10 school year with more than 14,000 members, representing 70-plus units (71 active with several new and regrouping ones.)

The council gives PTA and PTSA members the structure to advocate with a unified voice and helps members collaborate. We also represent PTA and PTSA members on school district, city and state committees. 

All parent groups are not PTAs. The Parent Teacher Association is a national group. It is membership-based (you have to join) and is the largest child-advocacy organization in the nation. The Washington State PTA is our state arm, and is the largest assocation of any kind in Washington with 150,000 members. PTSA stands for Parent Teacher Student Association.

Local structure:

The 2009-10 Seattle Council PTSA board targets five key areas: Enrichment, legislative advocacy, outreach, district information and region support. Region support is provided by area directors for high school; middle school; and K-5s and K-8s in the south, central, West Seattle and north areas of the city.

• SCPTSA provides training, networking and support to local PTA and PTSA officers.  Individual help is available, for quick questions or lengthy challenges.
• SCPTSA sends out email bulletins to unit leaders to keep members informed on district and state issues.
• SCPTSA advocates for public education. We organize grassroots support to improve the quality and funding of our public schools.
• SCPTSA sponsors Reflections, a National PTA program, encouraging students in all grades in creative growth using all types of artistic media including writing, music, photography, and more.
• SCPTSA offers family engagement and leadership grants to PTAs and PTSAs in good standing, as well as start-up funds for new PTAs and PTSAs.

The Seattle Council PTSA offers you a way to participate in a larger sphere, beyond the walls of your school building.  We encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities available to you.

Seattle Council PTSA mission: To be a strong, effective voice to promote the health, education and welfare of all children.

Seattle Council PTSA goals:

• Empower local units and develop leaders.
• Lead the legislative advocacy effort to ensure that local unit voices are heard.
• Strengthen the partnership between SCPTSA and Seattle Public Schools
• Increase parent involvement through outreach efforts and partnership with the Seattle Public Schools