Save Parent Education programs and co-op preschools in WA

Recent signers:
Jeanine MacQuarrie and 17 others have signed recently.

The Issue

Dear Supporters,

Our next mission and goals are to help support and strongly advocate for Parent Education programs statewide.  As more institutions are announcing the end of their parent education programs, now is the time to speak out and take action.  Actions we can take are to contact our city and state legislators, as well as our country's leaders to let them know how important, meaningful and critical these programs are.  If you are willing to submit a new testimony, as to how Parent Education programs have positively impacted you and your family, please submit testimony to bcpacsecretary@outlook.com.  These will be part of a packet that we will submit to our legislators.  This year's legislative session is almost over, ending on March 12th, but there is still time to act and make sure that our voices are heard.  Please help us with this important mission.  If you have time to advocate and write letters, please do.  Your voice matters.  Let's take action now to save Parent Education programs and ensure that they remain for current families and future parents and their children.  

Thank you so much for your time and consideration.  We hope you can help.  

Sincerely,

Annika ZumBrunnen

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Families in Bellevue/Issaquah/Snoqualmie/Renton/Redmond/Sammamish/Seattle/Mercer Island WA are facing the heartbreaking loss of the Bellevue College Parent Education Program due to a looming budget proposal. For 60 years, this program has been a cornerstone for many in our community, offering invaluable resources for parents and children alike. For countless families, it provides the dual gift of parent education with early childhood education opportunities that include parent-infant classes, wobbler, toddler, co-op preschool experiences, creative arts and science labs, Family Inventors' Lab, STEM Summer Camps and classes on positive discipline and ESL. 

I, like many others in the greater Seattle region, have relied on this program as a lifeline. The lessons learned here are not merely academic; they are life changing. They offer parents the tools to engage effectively with their children, creating stronger, healthier family units. We are at risk of losing access to these enriching opportunities, which not only help educate parents but also cultivate a community of support amongst participants.

The impact of this program extends beyond individual families; it echoes into the broader community by fostering educated, involved, and supportive parents. Eliminating this program would rob families of a chance to better themselves and provide the best start in life for their children, detrimental to future generations.

Financial considerations cannot overshadow the long-term benefits that education in parenting and early childhood education provides to society.  Our society is stronger, kinder, and wiser with education that focuses on the bigger picture --how educators can support and provide expert and engaging instruction that provides building blocks, parenting skills and a solid foundation for a more connected and loving family.   We urge Bellevue College administrators and local decision-makers to understand the worth of preserving this program. We ask them to seek alternative budget solutions that do not dismantle such an essential community resource -- a lifeline of support that so many have benefited from and that future families deserve to have the opportunity to have access to.  

Join us in standing up for the Bellevue College Parent Education Program. Sign this petition to show your support for keeping this vital program alive for current and future families in our local communities. Let’s act together to ensure that this indispensable resource continues to thrive and empower families for years to come.
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Hello! Thank you so much for your support and for signing the petition.  Today, WEDNESDAY November 5th, we will gather to rally once more for the program. Please join us at 1:30 PM at the fountain on BC Campus.  You are invited to attend the public comment of the Board of Trustees meeting at 2 PM in B201. You can also comment online or dial in @ Please contact bcpacsecretary@outlook.com for further inquiries, updates, assistance and to join our mailing list.  Thank you for your donations to change.org and for supporting our campaign to save Parent Education.  Donations towards fall scholarships are also welcomed as we embark on our fall scholarship season.  

Call-In Details for Public Comment:

Business Session Call-In Details:
Join Business Session [Zoom]

Dial in by telephone: +1 253 215 8782

Webinar ID: 874 9382 2087

Providing a Public Comment:
Students, faculty, staff, and community members are welcome to address the Board of Trustees during the “Public Comment” portion of each meeting. Each speaker is allotted up to two minutes. The Board does not respond to questions or comments during this time, as operational matters are delegated to the college president.

Public comments may be provided in one of three ways:

In-person: Sign up on the public comment sheet located at the entrance to the meeting room.
Remote: Use the “Raise Hand” feature in Zoom to indicate your intent to speak. If joining by phone, press *9 to raise your hand.
Written: Submit your comment by emailing boardoftrustees@bellevuecollege.edu.

Sincerely,

Annika ZumBrunnen on behalf of PAC Board

1,494

Recent signers:
Jeanine MacQuarrie and 17 others have signed recently.

The Issue

Dear Supporters,

Our next mission and goals are to help support and strongly advocate for Parent Education programs statewide.  As more institutions are announcing the end of their parent education programs, now is the time to speak out and take action.  Actions we can take are to contact our city and state legislators, as well as our country's leaders to let them know how important, meaningful and critical these programs are.  If you are willing to submit a new testimony, as to how Parent Education programs have positively impacted you and your family, please submit testimony to bcpacsecretary@outlook.com.  These will be part of a packet that we will submit to our legislators.  This year's legislative session is almost over, ending on March 12th, but there is still time to act and make sure that our voices are heard.  Please help us with this important mission.  If you have time to advocate and write letters, please do.  Your voice matters.  Let's take action now to save Parent Education programs and ensure that they remain for current families and future parents and their children.  

Thank you so much for your time and consideration.  We hope you can help.  

Sincerely,

Annika ZumBrunnen

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Families in Bellevue/Issaquah/Snoqualmie/Renton/Redmond/Sammamish/Seattle/Mercer Island WA are facing the heartbreaking loss of the Bellevue College Parent Education Program due to a looming budget proposal. For 60 years, this program has been a cornerstone for many in our community, offering invaluable resources for parents and children alike. For countless families, it provides the dual gift of parent education with early childhood education opportunities that include parent-infant classes, wobbler, toddler, co-op preschool experiences, creative arts and science labs, Family Inventors' Lab, STEM Summer Camps and classes on positive discipline and ESL. 

I, like many others in the greater Seattle region, have relied on this program as a lifeline. The lessons learned here are not merely academic; they are life changing. They offer parents the tools to engage effectively with their children, creating stronger, healthier family units. We are at risk of losing access to these enriching opportunities, which not only help educate parents but also cultivate a community of support amongst participants.

The impact of this program extends beyond individual families; it echoes into the broader community by fostering educated, involved, and supportive parents. Eliminating this program would rob families of a chance to better themselves and provide the best start in life for their children, detrimental to future generations.

Financial considerations cannot overshadow the long-term benefits that education in parenting and early childhood education provides to society.  Our society is stronger, kinder, and wiser with education that focuses on the bigger picture --how educators can support and provide expert and engaging instruction that provides building blocks, parenting skills and a solid foundation for a more connected and loving family.   We urge Bellevue College administrators and local decision-makers to understand the worth of preserving this program. We ask them to seek alternative budget solutions that do not dismantle such an essential community resource -- a lifeline of support that so many have benefited from and that future families deserve to have the opportunity to have access to.  

Join us in standing up for the Bellevue College Parent Education Program. Sign this petition to show your support for keeping this vital program alive for current and future families in our local communities. Let’s act together to ensure that this indispensable resource continues to thrive and empower families for years to come.
————————————————————

Hello! Thank you so much for your support and for signing the petition.  Today, WEDNESDAY November 5th, we will gather to rally once more for the program. Please join us at 1:30 PM at the fountain on BC Campus.  You are invited to attend the public comment of the Board of Trustees meeting at 2 PM in B201. You can also comment online or dial in @ Please contact bcpacsecretary@outlook.com for further inquiries, updates, assistance and to join our mailing list.  Thank you for your donations to change.org and for supporting our campaign to save Parent Education.  Donations towards fall scholarships are also welcomed as we embark on our fall scholarship season.  

Call-In Details for Public Comment:

Business Session Call-In Details:
Join Business Session [Zoom]

Dial in by telephone: +1 253 215 8782

Webinar ID: 874 9382 2087

Providing a Public Comment:
Students, faculty, staff, and community members are welcome to address the Board of Trustees during the “Public Comment” portion of each meeting. Each speaker is allotted up to two minutes. The Board does not respond to questions or comments during this time, as operational matters are delegated to the college president.

Public comments may be provided in one of three ways:

In-person: Sign up on the public comment sheet located at the entrance to the meeting room.
Remote: Use the “Raise Hand” feature in Zoom to indicate your intent to speak. If joining by phone, press *9 to raise your hand.
Written: Submit your comment by emailing boardoftrustees@bellevuecollege.edu.

Sincerely,

Annika ZumBrunnen on behalf of PAC Board

The Decision Makers

BC Leadership and Board of Trustees
BC Leadership and Board of Trustees
Bellevue College

Supporter Voices

Petition updates