Dandelion Dash Demonstration

AFT Washingtonis a state federation affiliated with the 1.6 million American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO. We represent about 6,500 members including faculty from community and technical colleges and pre-K through 12 classified employees. We also jointly represent professors at Eastern, Central, and Western Washington universities and The Evergreen College with the Washington Education Association.The overall purpose ofSeattle Council PTSAis to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.The voice of Seattle public school educators.http://www.seattlewea.org/Soup for Teachersbuilds community among educators, families, and schools throughout the Seattle Public School system as they advocate for positive change across the district. We encourage collaboration and foster connection to strengthen our schools, our communities, and our city.Join the conversation in our FB group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/SoupForTeachers/Email: soupforteachers@gmail.comTwitter: @SoupForTeachersSince 1889, theWashington Education Associationand its local unions have been representing our state’s public school employees and advocating for Washington’s public school students.We’re 42,000-strong membersin Washington state agencies, state colleges and universities and public service workers, like medical interpreters. We’re devoted to social services, public safety, infrastructure, health and much more. We’ve gained respect for our advocacy because it’s been proven to benefit all citizens. Together, we have a responsibility to do good for our members and for the public we serve.Washington’s Paramount Dutyis a non-partisan, grassroots group of parents and allies working to compel the state to amply fund basic education and swiftly fulfill its paramount duty. We envision a future where every child has equitable access to an amply funded basic education.

AFT Washington, Seattle Council PTSA, Soup for Teachers, Washington's Paramount Duty, Public School Parent Volunteers, Seattle Education Association, Washington Education Association, Washington Federation of State Employees

<IMG ALT="Dandelions on Legislative Building Steps in Olympia" SRC="https://hillaryshawblog.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/dandelion_dash_legislative.png">
Dandelion Dash to Olympia on Wednesday, May 10th, is a grassroots event to raise awareness and rally in favor of amply funding public education for all children in Washington. Because members of the Washington State Legislature devoted a significant amount of time debating dandelions on the Capitol lawns in the last days of the 2017 legislative session, advocates of all ages will take advantage of the Seattle Public Schools early dismissal on Wednesday, May 10th, to support <A HREF="http://www.seattlewea.org/" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Seattle Education Association</A> and teachers from around the state, as they continue to Occupy Olympia, by making and displaying tissue paper and yarn dandelions and engaging in other advocacy and awareness activities that are supportive of the <A HREF="https://hillaryshaw.blog/wastatepta_legislative_platform_amply_fund_basic_public_ed/" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Washington State PTA legislative platform issue, "Amply Fund Basic Education"</A> and similarly aligned platforms. The rough schedule is as follows:
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1:00-2:00 - <A HREF="http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080e4caaa72cabfa7-dandelion" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Volunteers </A>set up in Heritage Park
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2:00-3:10 - Children, parents, teachers will craft dandelion flowers of tissue paper and yarn, write post cards to legislators, and participate in other group and individual craft and advocacy/awareness activities on the lawns around the Capitol
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3:10-3:30 - Dandy Parade from Heritage Park to legislative building steps
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3:30-4:00 - Rally on steps of legislative building with tissue paper dandelions
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4:00-5:00 - <A HREF="http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080e4caaa72cabfa7-dandelion" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Dandy Delivery volunteers</A> deliver postcards, tissue flowers, invoices to legislator offices, those who scheduled meetings with legislators will attend, and others will return to Heritage Park for continued activities.
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5:00-6:00 - <A HREF="http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080e4caaa72cabfa7-dandelion" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Volunteers </A>pack up all items and trash*
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Location: Heritage Park and the Legislative Building, North Steps
*PLEASE NOTE: This is a pack in/pack out event, so all items provided by volunteers and participating organizations, including tables, tents, and supplies. The grounds must be left just as they were found.
 
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can I help?
There are many volunteer opportunities! <A HREF="http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080e4caaa72cabfa7-dandelion" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Please click here to sign up.</A>
What should I wear to the Dandelion Dash?
Because the goal is to resemble a field of dandelions on the steps of the legislative building, please consider wearing darker colors like green or brown on the lower portion of your body. A yellow shirt is great if you have one. Otherwise, green or brown will do; The crafted dandelions will stand out against the dark colors. It is always advisable to wear layers in the Pacific Northwest. Be prepared for any type of weather!
What should I bring to Olympia?
Please consider packing snacks, hydration, folding chairs or picnic blankets, quarters for parking meters, and advocacy signage (please, no sticks on the signs!). Because this is a pack in / pack out event, please be responsible for your own garbage. 
What are my parking options?
If you arrive between 2 and 3 PM, you will want to park close to the <A HREF="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Heritage+Park,+5th+Ave+SW,+Olympia,+WA+98501/@47.0403454,-122.9094684,1357m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x549175031e35806f:0xe26dfcddfd536a94!8m2!3d47.0432872!4d-122.9047333" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Heritage Park</A> entrance. Most street parking in Olympia requires quarters, so be sure to bring some along! If you arrive between 3 and 3:30 PM, it may be best to park nearer the <A HREF="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Washington+State+Capitol+Campus/@47.0357219,-122.9070191,678m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x549174fcfebd0985:0x4432a80ad77ff31a!8m2!3d47.0357219!4d-122.9048304" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Capitol Campus</A>.
The <A HREF="https://www.intercitytransit.com/bus/routes/dash-101" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Dash 101</A> shuttle schedule and information is available <A HREF="https://www.intercitytransit.com/bus/routes/dash-101" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">here</A>.
How can I contact the organizer with any questions?
<A HREF="https://www.facebook.com/events/1884116541875846/?active_tab=discussion" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Post in the Facebook Event discussion by clicking here</A>.

Heritage Park

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