(Last update: 5/26/20)
1. Is SHCPA a registered non-profit organization?
No. We have been operating as an unincorporated association since we formed in 2016. Since last October, we have been proposing a plan to the community which involves the formation of a 501c3 non-profit so that SCHPA can raise funds and offer teacher grants as part of its new direction, but we have not secured volunteer support to be able to cross this step.
2. What are SHCPA’s vision and mission?
Vision — The Shoreline Hi Cap Parent Association desires to be a valued partner among the stakeholders who are accountable for the “whole” well-being of our neurodiverse students identified as Highly Capable in the Shoreline school district.
Mission — Our focus includes:
- Collaborating with our district leaders to support high standards of instruction and equitable access to Highly Capable learning experiences in all Shoreline schools (cohort and neighborhood)
- Building community among our Hi Cap families
- Increasing awareness of the social/emotional/academic needs of Hi Cap students
- Advocating for Hi Cap initiatives on local and state levels
- Supporting our teachers in the classrooms through volunteer efforts
Please contact Linda Tsai at shoreline.hicap.advocacy@gmail.com. Linda is one of the co-founders of SHCPA. She will be happy to consult with new volunteers on an ongoing basis if needed.
4. Why is the leadership team moving on? This is a great question!
a) A blend of personal reasons - Each of us are moving onto new opportunities to help within the Shoreline community; to address the needs of our own children’s educations; and to fulfill career and professional commitments.
b) It’s time for change - As with any organization, the infusion of new faces, ideas, and energy are necessary to keep the collective momentum strong and forward-moving. After four years, we believe the present is one of those times. Because we are advocates at heart, we will always support the efforts to uphold Highly Capable education in our community - but we need new folks at the helm.
5. What is the biggest priority right now?
We believe that the main priority is creating an interim plan around communication among Hi Cap families through the 2020-21 academic year until the challenges of the pandemic have subsided and/or new SCHPA leadership has emerged. Two ways include keeping our Facebook group/page alive and maintaining our website; therefore, we will need at least two administrators for Facebook and if possible, a website coordinator. Without new volunteers, the Facebook group/page will close and the website will go "dark."
The website domain (Weebly) is paid until March 2021 (subject to annual renewal); the hosting plan until March 2022. The rest of the details would be up to the new leadership team and community to decide, based upon the needs of Hi Cap families at that time.
QUESTIONS? EMAIL US BEFORE JUNE 19 at: SHORELINE.HICAP.ADVOCACY@GMAIL.COM
THANK YOU!
THANK YOU!