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Seattle Public Schools/Departments/Native American Education/Indian Parent Advisory Committee Information

Indian Parent Advisory Committee Information

What is the IPAC?

The Indian Parent Advisory Committee (IPAC), Title VI, advises the Seattle School district in regards to the Native Education Title VI Indian Education Grant. The IPAC is part of the approval process for the grants application, purposed budget, and amendments (changes) to the application. Being essential stakeholders, members of the IPAC represent those who directly benefit from the programming of the Title VI grant. The parent committee must assist in development and approve the annual grant proposal in order for our district to receive federal funding.

Meetings are virtual (on Teams) and held the 2nd Thursday of each month from 5:00-6:00 p.m. and are open to the public.

Please check Native American Education’s homepage event calendar to confirm meeting dates and times. 

Meet the 2022-23 IPAC Executive Board

President Clysta Cole
Vice President Tonia Galindo
Secretary Lisa McCaul
Teacher Representative Eric Cunningham
Members at large: Trina Nonis, Nick McDowell, Emma Medicine White, Donna Hale-Wolcott, Amy Markishtum


Parent FAQs

Why do you want me to sign a 506 form for my child?

Send us your 506 forms! These forms are part of the Title VI federal program that ensures the government is providing quality education for Native students as required by Tribal treaties. Every form increases funding for our program and helps all Native students get academic support and cultural programming. These forms are kept confidential within the Native Ed department and your information will not be shared with outside parties. You only need to fill out this form once if you stay in SPS schools. It doesn’t hurt to turn it in again if you are not sure about your program enrollment! Print and turn into your school front office.

Whom do I contact, and for what services?

If you are not sure or your question does not fall in these categories please call 206-252-0948 or email Gail Morris at gtmorris@seattleschools.org , and we will be sure to direct you to who can best serve you.

Can you help my student with credit retrieval?

Please contact us to discuss credit retrieval options. We provide as much financial support and summer school programming for credit retrieval with World School as our budget allows. Our goal is to provide the most opportunities for students to reach graduation knowing that every student’s need is different.

Please contact Gail Morris at gtmorris@seattleschools.org for help and resources.

What is Since Time Immemorial, and how does it help my child?

Since Time Immemorial is a state-mandated tribal history and culture curriculum, which all schools in the state must utilize. All 29 Washington tribes have endorsed its importance and use.

The online curriculum houses resources, materials, lessons, and entire units to support the teaching of tribal sovereignty, tribal history, and current tribal issues within the context of OSPI recommended units for Washington State and U.S. history in the elementary and middle school levels, also U.S. history and Contemporary World Issues in the high school level. Each unit is aligned with National Common Core State Standards, state standards and builds toward the successful completion of a Content-Based Assessment or CBA. This curriculum builds a more accurate view of American history for all students as well as enriching the engagement experience of Native students.

This website is run and managed by the Office of Native Education at the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

How do I volunteer?

Please fill out a volunteer application and return it to either your school site or a liaison with the SPS Native Education department. For the safety of all students, volunteers must go through a background check (WATCH system), be fingerprinted and have a valid form of picture ID.

Please note that while all volunteers must be screened through the background check (WATCH system), criminal history does not automatically disqualify one from volunteering in the schools.

More about the SPS Native Ed Indian Parent Advisory Committee.

The Indian Parent Advisory Committee (IPAC), Title VI advises the Seattle School district in regard to the Native Education Title VI Indian Education Grant. The IPAC is part of the approval process for the grants application, proposed budget, and amendments to the application. The IPAC is comprised of 15 voting members. Other parents can attend and have input, but they will be represented as Members at Large (non-voting). Meetings are open to the public and minutes are recorded then posted on the website for all of the public to access. Meeting minutes can be found on the Title IV Education page.

 The IPAC can not:

  • View confidential 506 forms or individual student information.
  • Set policies and procedures for the Native Education Manager.
  • Develop by-laws that are not consistent or approved of by Seattle Public Schools and/or the Native Ed Manager.
  • Hire, fire, or supervise the Native Ed Manager or their staff. Obligate or commit funds to the Native Ed Manager.
  • Directly administer projects or leverage the program for self-benefit.

For more information, view the Office of Indian Education’s Title VI District and Indian Parent Advisory Committee Roles and Responsibilities .

Changing your Student’s documented ethnicity.

If there has been an enrollment related issue with your student’s documented ethnicity, you can go to Seattle School’s Enrollment page and use the ” Change of Ethnicity” document link.

I have an event! How do I get it on your calendar?

You can request that we add your event to our website’s calendar by filling out this online form . We will be notified of your completion of this form and the calendar will be updated within the next three business days. We do our best to promote events to the SPS community that align with our PAC by-laws and responsibilities. Information concerning how to be added to SPS’ Community Partner Data Base can be found on the Community Partner page.