West Seattle Blog…

West Seattle scene: Edgar Martinez at Seattle Lutheran High School

(Photo by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
Legendary Seattle Mariners veteran Edgar Martinez was in West Seattle this morning, speaking to students and staff at Seattle Lutheran High School (autographing, too, as shown in our first photo). He was there to talk about a program he’s involved with called PX2, developed by West Seattle-headquartered The Pacific Institute, described in SLHS’s announcement as providing “training in effective decision making for young adults.”

SLHS says all its students have been participating in PX2 since January. Martinez’s appearance came during the last unit; after the students watched a video about taking responsibility for their actions, he spoke to them about the importance of finding what you love and setting goals
for yourself. He said that he started doing that when he was young, which helped him along on his way to being a professional ball player. He said he wasn’t alone in this – mentioning the same went for some of his former colleagues, including Ichiro and Omar Vizquel. Lively Q/A ensued, with the students asking both about Martinez’s advice, and about baseball in general.

South Seattle CC dinner honors scholarship recipients, donors

(Photo by Glenn Gauthier for SSCC)
South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) recognized its scholarship donors and recipients last night at the annual Friends of the College Dinner. SSCC says 125 of its 240 scholarship-receiving students were in attendance; the awards totaled more than $600,000. More information from SSCC communications director Kevin Maloney:

South also announced a new endowment scholarship that was established in memory of Stephen K. Rockwood. This award will be given to students from South’s renowned Culinary program in his honor.

South alumnus John Titus, President and CEO of Aero Controls Inc., was recognized with the 2012-2013 Outstanding Alumni Award:

Titus was honored for his generous support and donation of aviation equipment for classroom use and as a member of the Aviation Technical Advisory Committee. Additionally, Titus made a surprise announcement that he will establish an endowment scholarship for aviation students at South.

The evening was capped off by recognizing 19 members of South’s faculty with annual development grants for their outstanding work in the classroom.

West Seattle schools: Decision time for Gatewood philanthropists

They’re among our area’s youngest philanthropists – students at Gatewood Elementary who’ve just made some big spending decisions. Teacher Darren Radu shared the photo, and tells us about the Philanthropy Roundtable:

Roundtable Reps have met weekly over the past couple of months to determine where to allocate a $1000 Penny Harvest grant. They’ve come together to survey community members about local, national, and international needs, research organizations, and eventually determine the organizations most worthy of support. One of the goals is to find those organizations that create the greatest positive impact for the least amount of dollars. Students were the key drivers of decisions, and had the final say in where the money went.

This year, the Roundtable came to consensus on donating to Kaboom! (building playgrounds in urban areas), Children’s Defense Fund (specifically with gun safety in mind), and Treehouse (providing foster kids with support to pursue their dreams). The kids were delighted to have this small but significant positive impact on their world!

High-school baseball: Wildcats end regular season with extra-innings win

The West Seattle High School Wildcats‘ division-winning season ended with an 8-7 extra-innings win following a late rally by Bishop Blanchet. Thanks once again to Greg Slader for photos and the recap:

Sam Hellinger (5 innings, 7k, 2 ER) pitched the Wildcats into a 6-2 lead through five innings over the Spartans, only to see it evaporate and to trail 6-7 in the sixth inning. The boys rallied to tie the game, and then freshman Jamie Maples #19 (photo above; 4.1 innings, 3K, no runs) pitched to extend the game into extra innings. Spencer Elder #3 (photo below) was rather disruptive on the base paths, as he was on base every time he was up to bat (2-2, double, RBI, 3 walks, 2 runs).

After Spencer walked to load the bases in the tenth inning, West Seattle finally won as Sam walked with the bases loaded. The Wildcats are Metro Sound division #1 as the playoffs begin next Monday @ Hiawatha vs. the Mountain Division #4 team.

West Seattle schools: Arbor Heights announces eSTEM plan

ORIGINAL MONDAY NIGHT REPORT: Arbor Heights Elementary has gone public with a curriculum change that principal Christy Collins says will start taking effect this fall: They are moving to eSTEM – environment, science, technology, math. The announcement is now on the school’s home page, but apparently had been made to the school community earlier – after a WSB Forums member mentioned it last week, we asked the district for more information, but hadn’t received any until several people with Arbor Heights ties contacted us tonight to point out the principal’s online announcement. Collins writes that the school “will begin the transition to eSTEM beginning the fall of 2013, with full implementation of the eSTEM curriculum and instructional practice in 2016 when our new school opens.” This comes just one year after the district opened its first STEM elementary at the Boren building on Delridge.

ADDED TUESDAY NIGHT: Another message from principal Collins says the curriculum might turn out to be eSTEAM – adding an arts emphasis, too. It’s part of an overall message to families addressing multiple topics for next school year – you can see it here.

Update: Fire alarm at Boren school building

8:51 PM: Dispatchers have just canceled most of the units checking out a fire alarm at the Boren building on Delridge, home to K-5 STEM. We’re on our way over to verify whether it was a completely false alarm or not.

9:22 PM: It was – the last engine was pulling away as we got there.

West Seattle weekend scenes: 1st annual Denny-Lincoln Classic

Another big event at Lincoln Park today – the celebration following the first annual Denny-Lincoln Family Bike-Riding Classic. Denny parent Theresa Beaulieu shares photos and a report on the event:

Students, parents, and teachers all rode their bikes from the school to Lincoln Park. Students learned how to check their bikes prior to starting the ride, which included station A for Air, B for Brakes, and C for Chain/Cables, and how to ride safely on city streets. They also learned how much they love being on their bikes. We heard many of the kids say they want to ride more often. At the park we were greeted by Denny Community Learning Center lead Will King, who was ready to give out BBQ’d hot dogs and drinks. The kids all joined in a few races and won great prizes donated by Redline bikes. Each student also went home with a reusable Redline bag full of goodies. We all had a great time!

Theresa adds that the group got a sendoff from Denny principal Jeff Clark before heading to the park:

He voiced hopes that more Denny students will bicycle to school in the years ahead, and thanked Theresa for leading the volunteer effort to make it happen, Will for organizing the finish-line celebration, and “the students, parents, teachers, and West Seattle Bike Connections for their participation and support.”

P.S. May is Bike to School Month – just days away!

West Seattle weekend scene: Jazzy night at Madison

Thanks to Emily for sharing the photo from Friday night’s “Jumpin’ Jive” fundraiser: “It was a fun evening filled with LOTS of jazz music, swing dancing, and good food and fun ….all at West Seattle’s Madison Middle School!” Musicians included the West Seattle Big Band (onstage in the photo) as well as Madison’s Senior Band, Orchestra, and Jazz Bands.

Another cross-town rematch: Chief Sealth vs. WSHS softball

Big win for the division-leading Chief Sealth International HS Seahawks softball team at Riverview Playfield in Highland Park on Friday afternoon – 11-2 over West Seattle High School. Next game for Sealth is 4 pm Monday, hosting Bainbridge at Southwest Athletic Complex; next game for the Wildcats is also at 4 pm Monday, vs. Bishop Blanchet at Riverview.

High-school baseball: West Seattle HS-Chief Sealth IHS rematch

A come-from-behind win on Friday for the West Seattle High School Wildcats – Greg Slader again shares photos and the summary (thank you!):

The Seahawks started strong, scoring four runs in the first two innings. West Seattle toughened up as freshman Jamie Maples #19 (photo below) pitched middle relief to hold off Chief Sealth:

The offense perked up when Spencer Elder led off with a double, Sam Hellinger drove him in, and Jimmy Mai added a few RBIs for the 7-4 lead. Sam Hellinger closed the game, as West Seattle is finishing the season strong. Last game of the season is Monday @ Hiawatha, 3:30 vs. Bishop Blanchet.

Sealth, meantime, will host Bainbridge at 4 pm Monday (SW Athletic Complex).

West Seattle schools: Bruce Rhodes announced as new Sanislo Elementary principal

Tonight, when Sanislo Elementary parents, staffers, and supporters gather for a benefit at Highland Park Improvement Club, they’ve got a new conversation topic – Superintendent José Banda has just announced their school’s new principal:

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Bruce J. Rhodes as your new principal, effective July 1, 2013

Mr. Rhodes comes to Sanislo from John Stanford International School where he was assistant principal. He is committed to increasing academic achievement, increasing professional development for staff working with English Language Learners, and increasing parent participation, and he will be a great fit for the Sanislo community.

Click to read the rest of West Seattle schools: Bruce Rhodes announced as new Sanislo Elementary principal…

New Genesee Hill school to open midyear 2015-16; community meeting set

If you’ve been looking to catch up with where the plans to build a new elementary school on the former Genesee Hill Elementary campus stands, here’s your next chance. The district has announced a community meeting for 6:30 pm Wednesday, May 8th, at Schmitz Park Elementary (5000 SW Spokane). District spokesperson Tom Redman says, “The meeting will include discussion of the progress of the project’s schematic design and an update of the work of the School Design Advisory Team. The SDAT team will meet before the community meeting at 4:30 p.m., also at Schmitz Park.” He also notes – if you hadn’t seen this on the timeline – the new school will NOT be opening for the start of the 2015-2016 school year, but instead is expected to be open after that year’s winter break – January 2016.

Madison dance: West Seattle Big Band, student musicians, more

Madison Middle School‘s Music Boosters are raising money tomorrow night with a big-band swing dance for the whole family – 6-9 pm, featuring the West Seattle Big Band as well as Madison’s own student musicians. Swing-dance lessons too! Suggested donation is $10 adults at the door, students/other kids free – go here to RSVP. Concessions will be sold, from Vietnamese sandwiches to snow cones.

West Seattle schools: Donna Ramos announced as new Our Lady of Guadalupe principal

Another West Seattle school has announced a new principal. From Our Lady of Guadalupe School:

Our Lady of Guadalupe School is delighted to announce that Ms, Donna Ramos has been hired as principal for the upcoming school year. She brings with her more than 20 years as a Catholic school educator, she has taught every grade from Kindergarten through 6th grade and worked on projects with middle-school students, as well as elementary-school Spanish. Her experience reflects her love of social justice, environmental stewardship and the arts, and faithful engagement with the world.

Ms. Ramos is currently the principal of Immaculate Conception & Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a Pre-K-8 School in Everett.

According to the announcement in the OLG church bulletin, she also worked as an assistant principal at a school on Capitol Hill. OLG’s current principal Kristin Dixon is leaving after almost 14 years; she started at the school in fall 1999.

Explorer West Middle school team wins ‘Environmental Issues Slam’

As Earth Week continues, a local school is celebrating its students’ achievements in a big event last night – thanks to Amy French for sharing the photo and report:

The Explorer West Middle School community congratulates the three groups of students chosen to represent Explorer West at Washington Foundation for the Environment‘s “3rd Annual Great Environmental Issues Slam” last night at The Flagship REI Store. The 6 students (across three teams) had 5 minutes to present their issues to a packed room of audience members who had the chance to vote at the end. The other contestants were all talented, adult speakers from a range of non-profits.

One of the student teams, presenting on “Drastic Plastic,” won the slam and the opportunity to donate $1,000 to the charity of their choice that is working to deal with the issue of plastics in our world’s oceans. Explorer West students will be voting this week to decide which non-profit receives the donation from Washington Foundation for the Environment.

Featured in the top photos is the winning group with EWMS Head of School Evan Hundley and history teacher Tim Owens, who Amy says “was the lead in getting the school involved in the slam.”

High-school baseball: West Seattle HS clinches, in win over Sealth

Hard-fought game Wednesday afternoon at Southwest Athletic Complex, but West Seattle High School clinched the Metro championship with the eventual win over Chief Sealth International HS, reports Greg Slader:

The stands were full as the Wildcats traveled across town to face the Seahawks. Chief Sealth had a 3-2 lead through four innings before Andy Snook (top photo) took the mound to shut them down. West Seattle rallied to tie 3-3 heading into the seventh inning, and then Spencer Elder decided to steal some bases. Sam Hellinger drove him in with a shot into the six hole, 4-3:

A stolen base, a hit and suicide squeeze, as Sam scored to give West Seattle a 5-3 lead. The Seahawks will get another chance on Friday, 3:30 pm @ Hiawatha.

High-school softball: Division-leading Sealth wins cross-town clash

It wasn’t just a cross-town clash at Southwest Athletic Complex today, actually, but a contest between the #1 and #2 softball teams in the Metro Sound Division – Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School, respectively. Sealth (in black) pulled off the win, 3-2.

The two local schools are scheduled to play again later this week, 4 pm Friday at Riverview Park – before that, Sealth hosts Rainier Beach tomorrow at 4 at SWAC, while WSHS has an off-day.

Celebrity chef to help judge West Seattle HS cooking competition

West Seattle High School culinary students will meet a TV chef next month, when Maneet Shauhan comes to campus to judge a cooking contest. Word comes from the Seattle Public Schools website. The event is set for 1:30 pm May 8th, and will feature three ProStart students who “will compete in the 40-minute cooking challenge to create an entree that represents contemporary American cuisine.” Shauhan’s achievements include serving as a judge on the Food Network show “Chopped” and having been the first Indian woman to appear on “Iron Chef.” The announcement says the winning student gets a chance at a trip to a competition in Washington, D.C.

Looking ahead 5 years in its 1st year: West Seattle’s K-5 STEM unveils strategic plan

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

This fall – probably around October – one big question should be settled for West Seattle’s trailblazing STEM elementary school: Its permanent home.

That’s what the Seattle School Board’s West Seattle rep, Marty McLaren, told us last night at the school’s current home, the former Louisa May Boren Junior High School that sprawls along the 5900 block of Delridge Way SW.

But the school’s staff and families aren’t waiting for that big decision to map out their future. That’s why McLaren was at the school last night, in fact – watching and listening as its community went public with the first draft of a five-year strategic plan, and invited the first round of feedback.

That feedback came in the form of sticky notes added to the huge yellow scroll of paper representing the envisioned timeline, posted along the biggest wall of Boren’s cavernous cafeteria. In our top photo, teacher Craig Parsley stands alongside the timeline during the presentation he led, laying out what were described as “the building blocks of a project-based-learning school.”

All the individual touchpoints along the timeline – and everything from the slide deck that started last night’s presentation – is published on the K-5 STEM PTA website; see it here.

But that doesn’t cover everything seen and heard by the more than 50 people in attendance last night – including hints of future hopes even bigger than a timeline might contain:

Click to read the rest of Looking ahead 5 years in its 1st year: West Seattle’s K-5 STEM unveils strategic plan…

High-school baseball: Makeup game for division-leading WSHS

West Seattle High School‘s varsity baseball team played Franklin on Tuesday afternoon to make up for the game rained out last Friday. Greg Slader shares the photos and recap:

11-2 was the score of the game and is also West Seattle’s record in Metro League play. Three games left in the Season and they have the inside track to Metro Sound Division first place. In today’s makeup game with the Quakers, TK Snow #18 (top photo) pitched 4 & 2/3 innings holding Franklin to two runs on five hits. Spencer Elder made a rare appearance on the mound to close it out. The team hit well, with RBI doubles by Tim Adams, Spencer Elder, Sam Hellinger and Cameron Slader. Next game is Wednesday @ Chief Sealth, 3:30 pm.

That’s Tim Adams #24 catching a fly ball with the WS softball team plays on the other field in the background. (Unfortunately, we don’t have the score on that game, nor do our partners at The Times. But the schedule shows they play Sealth today, too!)

High-school soccer: State #2-ranked Chief Sealth defeats division rival Ingraham

Spring sports got another dose of spring sunshine today – the state’s #2-ranked varsity soccer team, the Chief Sealth International High School Seahawks, hosted their division rivals Ingraham on this sunny Tuesday, and came away with a 3-1 win.

Our partners at The Seattle Times published the scoring summary here. Sealth’s next game is at home too – 4 pm Friday, hosting Eastside Catholic.

Baseball ‘battle of aces’: West Seattle HS vs. Eastside Catholic

An extra-innings loss on Monday for West Seattle High School‘s varsity baseball team – 4-3. The summary and photos are courtesy of Greg Slader (thank you!):

In a battle of aces, West Seattle found themselves down 0-3 in the sixth inning when Cameron Slader #6 (top photo) hit an RBI double into the gap. Morgan McCullough #3 followed with another hit as the varsity team tied Eastside Catholic through seven innings 3-3. But Eastside was able to score in the top of the eighth inning to hand West Seattle their second league loss on the season. Sam Hellinger pitched Seven innings for a no decision, Cameron Slader went 1-2, RBI, run scored, walk; Morgan McCullough (next photo) went 1-3 with two RBIs:

Next game is Wednesday @ Chief Sealth (Southwest Athletic Complex) – 3:30 pm.

Tuesday night, K-5 STEM unveils its plan for the future

This time last year, the first families to seek enrollment at K-5 STEM at Boren were getting word of their assignments. Now, as the trailblazing public school goes into the final months of its first year, the K-5 STEM school community is ready to look ahead at its strategic plan, to be presented by staff members, with time for feedback to follow. If yours is a K-5 STEM family now – or planning to be next fall – you’re invited; 6:45-8:15 pm at the school (5950 Delridge Way SW); more info here.

Looking for a preschool for next year? Room at Bright Beginnings

Preschool options in West Seattle include community-center-based programs, like the one Wendy wants you to know about:

Bright Beginnings Preschool is operated by the Associated Recreational Council in partnership with the Seattle Parks and Recreation. We are located in the Hiawatha Community Center and serve children ages 3 through 5 years of age, with a teacher-child ratio of 1:8. We provide a safe, happy, healthy, learning environment that fosters a love of learning for all the children in the program. Our program meets the developmental needs of young children, focusing on emotional, social, physical, and cognitive skills. The children in the program are provided with rich environments with fun-filled learning areas, consistent schedules and routines, large and small group times, and outdoor play.

Bright Beginnings Preschool is currently accepting enrollment for the Fall 2013/2014 school year. Please contact the Preschool Director with any questions, or to set up a tour of the program – 206-321-3187 or wendy.westover@seattle.gov.

Another school-volunteering opportunity: Tutors needed this fall

If you like to plan ahead – Our Lady of Guadalupe School is looking right now for adult volunteer tutors who can help out starting this fall. Here’s the request:

Adult volunteer tutors are needed in the fall for OLG School’s after-school tutoring program. The program meets on most Wednesdays of the school year from 2:15-3pm and pairs tutors with 1-2 students in grades 1-5. Tutors help students with reading, math, and/or writing skills.

The school has a strong need for math tutors for grades 4 and 5, but needs other grades and subjects as well.

Previous experience helpful but not required. Training is provided. Called to Protect and background check are both required.

For more information please contact Katie Bucy, Early Intervention Specialist, kbucy@guadalupe-school.org , 206-935-0651 extension 127 or visit this website.

The program has been in existence since the fall of 2000, and serves approximately 50 students each year.

West Seattle High School baseball: Another big win

(Morgan McCullough hits the ball)
Yet another win for the division-leading West Seattle High School varsity baseball team – 17-2 over Franklin on Wednesday afternoon at Hiawatha. Thanks to Greg Slader for the photos and summary:

Ben Wexler (photo above) gets the win by pitching 4.1 innings, with nine strikeouts, holding the Quakers to two runs. The varsity team started off strong, adding four runs in the first inning thanks in part to Sam Hellinger’s continued hot Hitting – 2 for 2, 2 doubles, and 3 RBI. The rest of the team contributed to the offense, as they continue to hit well. The Quakers get another chance on their home turf, Rainier CC, Friday @ 3:30.

West Seattle giving: The Cove School’s gifts for Treehouse

Generosity’s breaking out all over West Seattle – and starting at a very young age! Renée Metty from The Cove School sends word of a big gift from her little students:

The Cove School delivered 2 barrels of toys and clothes for Treehouse for Kids. Our Junior K visited Treehouse last month so they could see where their donations would go and to see what Treehouse needed. The Junior K decided to run a drive for Jeans and toys for our school. The whole school brought in donations and our Junior K went back (Friday) to deliver the items. In addition to basic items like food, clothing and toys, The Cove School is committed to contributing time and talents. As one of our values, generosity is one of the core elements to success.

Treehouse provides advocacy and assistance for foster children.