One of our area’s FIRST Robotics teams has made it into the state championship round! Thanks to Ash for the photo, report, and video:

A LEGO robotics team called Brickrolled, made up of five students in grades 3 through 6 from Westside School, has qualified for the FIRST LEGO League Western Washington State Championship and will be representing West Seattle this Sunday.

At the semifinal tournament held January 25 at Lincoln High School, Brickrolled earned the Championship Award, the top overall award at the event.

The award recognizes teams that perform strongly across robot matches, innovation projects, teamwork, and core values.

The team will compete at the state championship on Sunday, February 1, 2026. The event is open to the public and is one of the highest-level FIRST LEGO League competitions in the region. Winning teams from this tournament go on to represent Washington at the FIRST World Championship in Houston this April.

Event details are below in case you would like to share or attend:

FIRST LEGO League Challenge
Western Washington State Championship
Sunday, February 1, 2026
Amazon Meeting Center
2031 7th Ave, Seattle
Opening ceremony begins at 1:00 PM.
Robot matches and judged presentations follow

The event includes autonomous robot matches using LEGO SPIKE Prime, as well as judged sessions covering robot design, innovation projects, and teamwork.

Alki Elementary currently has 265 students enrolled, but will be moving into a brand-new building this fall with a capacity for almost twice that many. Now the district is proposing making Alki Elementary a regional headquarters for a program that could significantly boost its enrollment. At last week’s School Board meeting, a briefing on the district’s Highly Capable (gifted) program included the announcement that Alki Elementary is proposed as a new Southwest Region site for the “cohort pathway” format of HC learning, along with Rainier View Elementary for the Southeast Region.

Right now, HC-identified students from those regions have to go to Thurgood Marshall Elementary to access a “cohort pathway” – self-contained classes offered there and at only two other SPS elementaries. So how many more students could that mean for Alki? Last week’s briefing projected that the Southwest Region will have 266 second through fifth graders identified as HC next school year:

Next school year is when the new Alki Elementary will open. Meantime, the proposal to make it and Rainier View sites for the HC program will be part of a proposal the board is scheduled to vote on February 11. (The full slide deck from the board meeting, which also touched on the feedback collected in community meetings around the district, is here. And thanks for the tips on this!)

Several readers asked us on Tuesday about some Seattle Public Schools campuses outside West Seattle going into shelter-in-place after rumors of ICE sightings, and they asked us about additional rumors of a possible sighting here, in the Admiral Safeway area, of particular concern since that is just north of West Seattle High School. None of these rumored sightings, in West Seattle or elsewhere, were verified; some regional news outlets reported on the non-West Seattle shelter-in-place schools, and quoted the district as promising a more detailed statement. We just received it and are publishing it given its district-wide focus:

On Tuesday, several Seattle Public Schools campuses enacted shelter-in-place protocols out of an abundance of caution following unconfirmed community reports of possible Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in nearby neighborhoods.

The schools that entered a shelter-in-place protocol included Mercer International Middle School, Aki Kurose Middle School, Cleveland STEM High School, and Maple Elementary. While other schools took precautionary measures, it was mistakenly reported that Dearborn Park International and Beacon Hill International were under a shelter in place.

During a shelter‑in‑place, all exterior doors are locked, and normal learning and operations continue inside the building. Many schools maintained this posture for the remainder of the school day. Aki Kurose lifted its shelter‑in‑place at noon, and Cleveland STEM High School lifted after lunch. All classroom instruction continued uninterrupted, and the day ended safely.

Throughout the day, SPS Safety and Security staff were present at school sites and did not observe any ICE presence at or near SPS campuses. The district continues to monitor information closely and works to verify all reports before acting.

Should immigration enforcement agencies attempt to enter school property, SPS has established clear procedures for schools to follow in coordination with legal counsel. Immigration enforcement cannot enter school buildings without a verified judicial warrant or court order. We will continue to work with our building leaders to provide guidance and support to conduct risk assessments when there are any reports of ICE in the community.

Seattle Public Schools remains committed to providing safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environments for every student, regardless of race, religion, national origin, immigration status, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

One week from tonight, Chief Sealth International High School opens its doors to prospective students and their families for an open house. School administrators asked us to share the reminder. The open house starts at 5:45 pm Thursday, January 22. Here’s a brief preview on the school website. A student panel will be there to answer questions, along with staff. Food will be provided in the Galleria, and interpretation will be available in Spanish, Somali, and Oromo. CSIHS is at 2600 SW Thistle.

(Photos taken at Roxhill Elementary with classes of Kyoko Giedeman and Margaret Gamache)

Story by Judy Pickens
Photos by Torin Record-Sand
For West Seattle Blog

Since 1991, West Seattle schools in the Salmon in the Schools program have received their coho salmon eggs in early January, but not this year.

Students returned from winter break to find their tanks already populated by tiny alevin (the first stage of growth).

“Temperature affects the pace at which salmon eggs mature and our mild fall weather caused them to mature much faster than usual,” explained Phil Sweetland with the Fauntleroy Watershed Council. “On very short notice, teachers had their tanks ready for eggs two weeks early.”

In the quiet of hallways across West Seattle, those eggs started hatching into more than 2,000 alevin on December 24. Because they come equipped with a food sac, the alevin took care of themselves until classes resumed. As they watch their alevin grow and change into fry, students will be learning about biology, habitat, and stewardship until release season in May.

Fauntleroy volunteers will assist with an expected 17 release field trips.

Because of construction to replace the Fauntleroy Creek culvert under 45th Ave. SW, preschool and other small groups will release into the lower creek and elementary groups will release into Longfellow Creek.

Looking for a K-5 school? Tilden School (4105 California SW; WSB sponsor) is having its final open house of the season this Saturday. Here’s the invitation:

Tilden School Open House

Tilden School invites prospective families to its Winter Open House on Saturday, January 10th, from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Families are welcome to drop in at any time during the event to tour the campus, learn more about Tilden’s academic program and close-knit community, and meet faculty, administrators, current parents, and alumni.

Tilden’s Open Houses offer a meaningful opportunity to explore the school’s educational philosophy and discover what makes this independent K–5 school such a special place to learn and grow.

For those unable to attend our final Open House of the season, private tours may also be scheduled by contacting the school office.

There are limited openings available for students in grades 1–5. Applications can be found online at tildenschool.org.

For additional information, please contact Jennifer Trise at info@tildenschool.org.

That’s a Seattle Public Schools-provided aerial view of the west and south sides of the new Alki Elementary School (3010 59th SW), months away from completion, set to open this fall for the 2026-2027 school year. (You can see a current view of the front – north-facing side – of the school via this webcam.) One of the major elements of work right now involves rebuilding the road surface of 59th; the latest update from the project team says, “The western half will be demolished and replaced by mid-January.” Closures are continuing during daytime work hours, but the street is reopening after-hours as work permits. Other updates:

During the last month we have completed the following work: gypsum concrete floor topping, installation of the ceiling grid, rough-in of the mechanical systems, masonry, exterior glazing, and mechanical penthouse metal panel installation.

The team is beginning or progressing on the following work: 59th Avenue repaving, interior lighting, interior cabinet installation, finish carpentry, acoustical treatments and tile installation.

Our next steps include: completing the interior finishes (paint and flooring) on the Community Center, completing the bioretention facilities and permanent power connection.

Alki Elementary staff and students are in their third year at the former Schmitz Park Elementary campus. The school currently has 266 students enrolled, according to the newest district update, slightly more than half the capacity of the new building. The district’s Open Enrollment for School Choice period is now under way.

If you’re starting the year with a decision to make about school for a very young member of the family – don’t miss the West Seattle Preschool Fair on Tuesday:

West Seattle Preschool Fair – January 6, 5:30 to 7:00 pm

Hope School Gym: 4100 SW Genesee St (Gym Entrance on Genesee). Parking available in the lot on the east side of 41st and Genesee St. Look for signs.

Parents of preschool-age students are invited to attend the West Seattle Preschool Fair January 6th at 5:30.

Twelve local preschools will be in attendance to inform you about their programs and help answer questions about preschool readiness. January is a perfect time to begin your search for the program that meets the needs of your student, and what better way to research than to have access to all these programs in one spot! You can pre-register by clicking here. Children are welcome! Questions? Email event organizer Sally Heit at sheit@hopeseattle.org.

Our participants are:
Holy Rosary Preschool
Hope Lutheran Preschool
ARK Preschool
The Bridge School Cooperative Elementary
Bright Horizons at West Seattle
Westside Wonderspace
The Cove School
Community School of West Seattle
SSC Cooperative Preschools and Parent Education Program
Urban Nature Preschool LLC
Cometa Playschool
West Seattle Montessori

Also:
Sunshine Music
The Little Gym of West Seattle

1:05 PM: Thanks for the tip! While at least one West Seattle school is planning to bring in new portable classrooms – as reported here – old ones are being demolished right now at another local Seattle Public Schools site. After the reader tip, we checked city records, which show that demolition-permit applications were filed back in March for three portables on the northeast side of the old Roxhill Elementary site at 9430 30th SW, issued weeks later, and a crew is there doing teardown (and ensuing debris cleanup, as shown in our video above) today. The permits are only for the portables; files show no demolition application or permit for the campus buildings. You might recall that the SPS School Board gave its approval last summer to new locations for the programs that had been using the old school site; at the time, the district declined comment on future plans for the site, so in light of the demolition work, we’re asking again, and will update with whatever we hear back.

2:30 PM: SPS spokesperson Teresa Shaw replied to our inquiry, saying there are no updates regarding plans for the site, and as for why they’re tearing these portables down instead of moving them: “The portables are being demolished because we cannot move them to another location as they do not have a Labor & Industries (L&I) certification label/tag, which is required to legally move them to another location within Washington State.”

(WSB photo after previous portables’ arrival in 2023)

By Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Next school year, West Seattle High School students can expect two more portable units to join the existing four in the school’s parking lot, according to a Seattle Public Schools representative. This follows the ongoing rise in WSHS student population, which sat at 1452 as of October.

Construction is expected to be done over the summer of 2026 while classes are not in session, according to SPS, which says the work is “not expected to impact day-to-day activities.”

We inquired about this after noticing in city online records that permit applications had been filed to construct two more portable classrooms. The filings appeared last month. According to the city’s permit portal, building and land use pre-applications have been approved for a portable “P5” and “P6,” but construction permits are still waiting on approval.

As we mentioned in 2023, the construction of the first four portable classrooms in the WSHS parking lot was a response to a growing student body that then numbered roughly 1300. These new portables would also further reduce the number of parking spaces available for drivers, which was already below zoning requirements in 2023, A zoning departure is being requested for this, according to online city files, which include a site plan showing the two new portables would be placed to the west of the existing four, taking up nine current parking spaces.

Before schools went into winter break, the Chief Sealth International High School PTSA got some good news – a national grant that is meant to get more students – who, after all, are the “S” in PTSA – involved. Here’s the announcement:

Chief Sealth International High School PTSA has been awarded a National PTA Youth Engagement Capacity Building Grant, making it one of just 20 high school PTSAs selected nationwide and the only recipient in Washington State.

The award is part of National PTA’s $1 million investment in schools across the country to strengthen student voice, leadership, and engagement. Chief Sealth was recognized for its commitment to equity-driven, student-led programming that removes barriers to participation and prepares students for postsecondary success.

The grant will support the immediate launch of a Student Leadership & Scholarship Initiative, including stipend-supported student leadership roles and a Scholarship & Leadership Club co-designed with students and the school’s College & Career Center. The program elevates student voice in PTSA decision-making while expanding access to scholarships, leadership development, and college readiness resources.

“Our students told us they want more than one-time workshops. They want meaningful roles, real responsibility, and opportunities that fit their lives,” said Maria Doucettperry, PTSA Scholarship Chair at Chief Sealth International High School. “This grant allows us to value students’ time, remove financial barriers, and prepare young people not just for college, but for leadership and civic engagement.”

Chief Sealth International High School serves a richly diverse community, with many students from low-income, immigrant, and first-generation backgrounds. While graduation rates are strong, access to postsecondary opportunities remains uneven. This initiative directly addresses that gap by centering student leadership, peer mentoring, and culturally responsive engagement.

Implementation is underway, with student recruitment and leadership onboarding beginning immediately and continuing into January 2026. The program is designed to be sustainable and replicable, ensuring student leadership remains embedded in PTSA structures beyond the grant period.

We asked CSIHS PTSA president Stacy Harbour, who sent us the announcement, what happens now, and how students and families can get involved. Her reply: “The grant will support four stipends for four student leaders who will work alongside the PTSA to build a robust Scholarship & Leadership Club. Student leaders will co-facilitate club meetings, building a fuller experience for the CSIHS student body in scholarship, essay writing, and financial aid navigation. The ultimate goal is a sustainable structure for student-led engagement in the PTSA, leadership development, and ownership of their post-graduation goals.” They’re recruiting students now “in coordination with the College & Career Center now, with a full launch of the program in January,” so that’s where interested students can check in to get involved. Harbour adds, “Interested families should reach out to chiefsealthptsa@gmail.com to learn more.”

(Photos courtesy Brenda Hatley)

By Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Dozens of youth robotics teams from elementary and middle schools across the district gathered on December 6 at Robert Eagle Staff Middle School for this year’s FIRST Lego League qualifier. By the end of the day, three teams from West Seattle – Madison Middle School, Lafayette Elementary School, and Alki Elementary School – emerged triumphant, with their sights set on the next round of the tournament.

Of the schools who competed that day, nine were from West Seattle, including Genesee Hill Elementary, Fairmount Park Elementary, Gatewood Elementary, Arbor Heights Elementary, West Seattle Elementary, and the aforementioned teams that are moving up to the next round.

A local parent tipped us about the students’ achievement, so we set out to get details. We spoke with Brenda Hatley, a coach for Madison Middle School, the only West Seattle middle-school team to advance to the next round, and she says the turnout at the qualifiers was impressive. Hatley first became a coach for her son’s 4th-grade team and was one of the founding parents for Lafayette Elementary’s Lego Robotics team.

She says the program, which pairs engineering with LEGO, coding, and real-world projects, is a fantastic program for students who are less interested in athletics but still want to capture the excitement of a pep rally.

“It’s not a sports team, but they’re still getting so hyped up. The kids were cheering for each other, and the pressure was there; coaching through that was an incredible experience,” Hatley said.

Madison’s team, the Madbots, will play their next match on December 26th, at a to-be-determined location. The teams that do well this month will move on to the city-wide competition in Downtown Seattle, before moving to the regionals at Washington State University, and beyond to the international finals. Regardless of how they perform, Hatley says she and the other parents are planning to travel with their team to the city-wide and regional competitions.

“I’m really proud of the team,” Hatley said. “Last year, the fifth graders didn’t move on, and we had lower expectations; we just went in to learn more and get better. This year, we get to move on and see what the next level looks like.”

(WSB file photo)

One week ago tonight, we published local parent Arin‘s plea for Seattle Public Schools to hurry up and announce graduation dates, since a conflict with the FIFA World Cup Seattle games seemed in the cards. The district has finalized the schedule – on June 17, Chief Sealth IHS at 5 pm at McCaw Hall, followed by West Seattle HS at 8 pm, same date/site – and the conflict remains. Arin says there’s one more thing families and others need to be aware of: “SPS sent the dates last Friday but failed to mention in their email that graduations at McCaw Hall (CSIHS and WS) will have a limited number of tickets. They won’t tell us how many tickets each graduating student gets …” and, Arin adds, the “limited tickets” note was only included on a social-media post. McCaw Hall is described online as having a capacity of just under 3,000, about a quarter of the now-demolished Memorial Stadium, and less than Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, where the local schools held commencement ceremonies as recently as 2022.