Thanks to Tracy Burrows from the West Seattle High School PTSA for sharing this invitation to their first meeting of the year, tomorrow night:

Meet key members of the West Seattle High School team at the first PTSA meeting of the 2013-14 school year on September 19th! Meet the new Vice Principal, Michelle Peterson and the new Athletic Director, Trevor Leopold. Hear what the goals are for this year’s school year from Principal Ruth Medsker and Vice-Principal Michael Kelly, and learn about the vision of our fabulous music director, Ethan Thomas. The meeting is Thursday, September 19th from 7-8:30 pm in the West Seattle High School library. All are welcome. To access the library, enter the building through the side door in front of the visitor parking stalls.

WSHS is at 3000 California SW.

4:30 PM: Seattle Public Schools is out with its “Growth Boundaries” proposal, and there’s one big headline for West Seattle (along with multiple others): The plan includes the community-driven suggestion that West Seattle’s STEM school, in its second year, stay at Boren and become K-8 STEM at Boren “in the future.”

STEM parent representatives are here (in scarves, in our photo) – they just heard, and they’re smiling. Boren was intended to be the school’s temporary home, and you might recall that the district had proposed in May that the current Schmitz Park Elementary campus become STEM’s permanent home when it’s vacated after the completion of the new school at Genesee Hill. The STEM PTA counterproposed last month that either they move into Fairmount Park Elementary when it’s reopened, or that they stay at Boren and expand to a K-8. They got key community support too, from groups including the North Delridge Neighborhood Council. And now – that’s the draft proposal.

Fairmount Park, meantime, is still proposed as a neighborhood school once it reopens next fall – its expansion and upgrade work is under way right now:

And here are the newly proposed West Seattle attendance maps – first, for the Madison service area, which would include Fairmount Park:

FP is also proposed as part of an “optional” West Seattle pathway for students in the top-level-gifted APP program:

And here’s the other attendance-area map, showing what feeds into Denny:

(ADDED: Even more detailed maps are posted now on the district website – one for each individual school – see those here)

(back to original report) The plan also proposes:
*The current Schmitz Park Elementary campus would become an “early learning center”
*The former EC Hughes – which Westside School (WSB sponsor) will vacate after finishing their new campus – will become the “emergency/interim” campus that Boren had been

Meantime, we are at the School Board work session that is about to start, with lots more information about what is being proposed here, and we will be reporting here “live” as it happens – stand by!

4:37 PM: The board briefing is under way. They’ve been told that the citywide changes proposed today would unfold between now and 2020-2021 – “not all at once.” We’ll add more document links as soon as we can. First group of topics is special services, including “academically gifted” (APP), and the new proposal for an “optional pathway” at Fairmount Park and Madison is explained as taking some pressure, potentially, off the existing south pathway (Thurgood Marshall to Washington); the north region is proposed for two full pathways but the south APP numbers are described as too big for one, not big enough for two.

4:47 PM: The full West Seattle-area International School pathway is now proposed too: Concord or Highland Park (both remaining primarily “attendance area” schools as well) to Denny to Sealth. Next: Elaboration on STEM, and the proposal for K-5 STEM at Boren to become permanent as eventually K-8 STEM at Boren – the timeline for expansion, district managers explain, would be tied to the need for Arbor Heights to co-locate at Boren over the next two school years while its school is rebuilt. Asked to specify a year, district managers say 6th grade would (under this plan – which isn’t final yet) start in (updated, per document) 2015-16, with 7th added 2016-17, 8th added 2017-18. They point out, a few minutes later – as had been noted in the proposal from the STEM PTA – that this plan means there will be an option school in each of West Seattle’s two service areas, Madison (Pathfinder K-8) and Denny (now, K-8 STEM).

5:17 PM: No updates re: West Seattle because the board had just spent a lot of time extensively discussing one proposal for another part of town (re: Pinehurst K-8). But now it’s time for some general discussion on the program proposals districtwide – and board member Michael DeBell said he’s particularly pleased about the K-8 STEM recommendation. Meantime, we should note that West Seattle’s board member Marty McLaren is not here because she is ill.

5:34 PM: Now they’re on to the boundaries – see the maps higher up in this story. One line on the overview: “Strong emphasis on continuity of current elementary attendance area boundaries” – of course, in West Seattle, there will be some change with Fairmount Park becoming an attendance-area elementary when it reopens next fall.

6:07 PM: The boundaries were not discussed in detail – so we don’t have any extra enlightenment to share beyond the maps shown above (click here to see larger sizes – it’s the “map packet” sent out to media earlier). One West Seattle datapoint here – district managers are suggesting “implement(ing the) optional APP pathway in West Seattle to mitigate Washington MS APP enrollment growth until Meany BEX IV project is completed.” One more reminder – these are all proposals, and not final until the board’s votes following a round of public meetings that’s about to start.

Now a few more Southwest-area details – district managers correct their earlier verbal mention of the start date for middle school at Boren; as the documentation says, they’re proposing fall 2015 for 6th grade to start there. The Arbor Heights co-location over the next two school years (fall 2014 to summer 2016) would be the last “interim” usage of Boren, and EC Hughes (once Westside leaves) would become the interim/emergency space in this area. (It was used that way before Westside leased and renovated it.)

6:28 PM: Tracy Libros from district staff warns “this isn’t going to fix everything – it’s going to get worse before it gets better” regarding handling growth. Meantime, as meeting wraps up, a reminder that the LONE community meeting planned in West Seattle to go over all this is one week from tomorrow, Wednesday 9/25, 6:30 pm, in the commons at West Seattle High School (3000 California SW). If you have questions or comments, e-mail growthboundaries@seattleschools.org. The meeting’s a wrap.

**NOTE NEW DATE**

Never too soon to start thinking about next year’s education opportunities for your child(ren) – and that’s the thought behind the West Seattle education fair set for 6:30 pm-8:30 pm Tuesday, October 1st, in the gym at Seattle Lutheran High School in The Junction, sponsored by WSB. Free to families who want to attend; nominal fee for schools who want to participate, open to any and all from pre-K through middle school. Registration’s open NOW – schools can sign up online by going here!

SEPTEMBER 29 UPDATE: As noted in comments, Seattle Lutheran has postponed the education fair to October 28th. Watch for an updated story tomorrow (9/30).

For the third time in four years, a Roxhill Elementary teacher has been chosen as a “Heroes of the Classroom” winner. Honored today in a ceremony at the school: Robin Hicks, who teaches 3rd-5th-grade Roxhill students who are on the autism spectrum (at center in our photo with Jennifer from Symetra and Allison from the Seahawks, both organizations that sponsor the awards). Her prizes include a $1,000 donation for classroom supplies and books and two tickets to this Sunday’s Seahawks game with the 49ers; she’ll be recognized on the big screen during the game. Read on for more about her work and her nomination:

Read More

You’ve seen them at big events like the West Seattle Grand Parade – but you might not realize the Seafair Clowns do a lot of community work too – and that’s what brought them today to West Seattle’s Roxhill Elementary, whose principal Sahnica Washington (top photo) gave them a warm welcome, as did the hundreds of kids to whom they gave out school supplies and backpacks:

The Seafair Clowns’ 9th annual School Supply Giveaway also brought out other community leaders – below, Seattle Police interim Chief Jim Pugel with West Seattle’s own Seafair Clown “Officer Lumpy“:

Seattle Fire Chief Gregory Dean and some of his crew members pitched in too – as did local TV personalities including KING 5’s Lori Matsukawa, below with Chief Dean:

Local sponsors helped make the event possible, too – read more about it here.

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

An illuminated messaging signboard is slated to go up on the front of the Madison Middle School gym, six years after the school PTA started pursuing money and approvals for one.

With the school surrounded by single-family homes, the signboard could not be installed without the city granting a zoning “departure” (exception). A group of neighbors’ fight to keep that from being granted has ended; the city Hearing Examiner ruled against their challenge and the neighbors tell WSB in a statement that they are “disheartened and frustrated” but that they will not take it to court. (You can read their full statement later in this story.)

Hearing Examiner Sue Tanner required conditions based on the neighbors’ concerns to be added to the official text of the zoning exception:

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Thanks to everybody who answered our call to share Back To School photos from the past two days! First one, above, is from Leighellen: “I thought I’d share my 3 boys … one of which is less than thrilled with this ritual!! Luke (3rd grade) & Jacoby (5th grade) attend Hope Lutheran School. Zac (10th grade) goes to Seattle Lutheran High School.” Next, Pathfinder K-8 7th grader Pride, quoted as saying “It will be a year of skirts”:

“The Bear Boys,” an Arbor Heights Elementary 5th grader and Denny International Middle School 7th grader, struck a pose:

Kahina started third grade at Hope Lutheran this week:

Here’s Grayson:

Amy says, “West Seattle High School sophomores Shea and Irina have started school together every year since kindergarten!”

From Jen: “Here’s big brother Theo (3rd grade) and little brother Nate (kindergarten) heading off to Schmitz Park”:

At Holy Rosary on the first day of school Tuesday, here are Elena, Morgan, Veronica, Grace, and Lizzie:

Dylan started pre-K at Westside School (WSB sponsor):

Here’s Lexi starting third grade at Gatewood Elementary:

Atticus is now in 2nd grade at Lafayette Elementary:

At Schmitz Park Elementary, 4th graders Rhiannon and Cassidy:

It’s the second year at K-5 STEM for fifth-grader Max and second-grader Sam:

Chloe‘s a first-grader now!

Thanks to Alice for the next photo:

Sophie is new at K-5 STEM:

Karin‘s guys are both at Lafayette – a kindergartener and third-grader:

Susan explains, “Grace had her LAST first day of elementary school (Wednesday)”:

In the next photo, says Christine, is her “kindergarten kid Sarah with her school cone and the STEM school mascot Owl. Btw, the big cone is filled with candy and small toys (German tradition).”

In the classroom at Schmitz Park, a photo shared by Greg:

Thanks again to all 20 of our photo-sharers! We wish you a successful and pleasant school year … let us know when there’s news to share here with your West Seattle neighbors, from events to achievements and more – editor@westseattleblog.com, and 206-293-6302 (text or voice) when something is urgent.

(Photo courtesy Eric)
It is a stirring first-day-of-school tradition at Schmitz Park Elementary – a flag ceremony that includes members of the school’s namesake family, who donated the land on which it was built as well as forested Schmitz Preserve Park nearby, and other West Seattle treasures.

(Photo courtesy Sean)
This year, not only did the family present a new flag, but there’s also a new plaque on the flagpole, presented by descendants of Ferdinand and Emma Schmitz.

(Photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
Here’s the text, shared by Vicki Schmitz Block:

In honor of Alan F. Schmitz, a new flag is presented to Schmitz Park School by the Schmitz Family.

Alan F. Schmitz (1934 – 2012) attended the opening day/flag raising ceremony at Schmitz Park School for over 30 years, representing the Schmitz Family, who donated the land for this school.

This tradition began in 1962 when the school building opened. At that first opening-day ceremony, Alan’s father, Dietrich G. Schmitz (1890-1970), participated for the Schmitz family and for many years thereafter.

Today, Alan’s son Dietrich Schmitz continues this wonderful and historic tradition, providing a link between West Seattle’s rich history and today’s children at Schmitz Park School.

(Added 11:43 am) Here’s Dietrich Schmitz at this morning’s ceremony with SP principal Gerrit Kischner:

(Photo courtesy Sean)
P.S. We’re continuing to receive WSB readers’ back-to-school photos from all over West Seattle – editor@westseattleblog.com – and will be assembling a gallery later today. Thanks!

ADDED 8:48 PM: Clay Eals from the Southwest Seattle Historical Society also was there this morning, and has published comprehensive coverage – including video of Dietrich Schmitz’s speech – on the SWSHS website. You can see it all here.

West Seattle’s city-run community centers are home to many more programs than you might realize – including preschools! One of them, Bright Beginnings at Hiawatha Community Center in the Admiral District, is still accepting students for the coming school year – read on for the announcement:

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At right, that’s new Lafayette Elementary principal Robert Gallagher, one of the half-dozen new principals leading West Seattle public schools as classes begin tomorrow. Assistant principal Karmen Nordhougen was with him, making the rounds of the playground, at tonight’s Night Before School Barbecue.

Other schools might have barbecues too, but this was the first time we’d ever seen one with live music from the West Seattle Big Band:

This year’s enrollment stats won’t be available for a while, but for the past few years, Lafayette has been West Seattle’s most populous elementary school, with about 550 students listed as the official 2012 enrollment. P.S. If you missed it, we interviewed new principal Gallagher earlier this year, after his appointment was announced.

(Scroll down for latest updates – contract ratified; reaction coming in …)

ORIGINAL REPORT, 7:36 PM: We’re watching news from the Seattle Education Association membership meeting downtown and will update here as it comes in. They’ve just updated via Facebook/Twitter that “Debate on the certificated staff contract has started” as of a few minutes ago – that means the teachers. Two smaller workgroups’ contracts were approved, according to SEA, by voice vote. Updates to come – and we’re embedding the union (and other key sources’) tweets here so you can follow along.

(Refresh the WSB home page to make sure you’re seeing the newest tweets.)

8:04 PM UPDATE: As you can see in the tweetstream above, the union says all contracts have been ratified. (Post-vote tweets continue, as the stream remains “live.”)

8:14 PM: Quick statement e-mailed to news media by district Superintendent José Banda:

I want to thank everyone involved for their hard work and dedication in negotiating this agreement. I appreciate each and every one of our staff members, whose work contributes to the academic success of our students. All of us at Seattle Public Schools look forward to welcoming our students and families to a new school year tomorrow.

With fall and the new school year arriving, Seattle Public Schools‘ board is scheduled to make major decisions soon about “growth boundaries,” including the future of some West Seattle schools. As reported here a month ago, West Seattle’s STEM elementary – about to start its second year – is hoping to either stay at the Boren building on Delridge Way and grow to a K-8, or move into Fairmount Park Elementary, which is being expanded prior to reopening next year. Back in May, though, the district proposed moving K-5 STEM onto the current Schmitz Park Elementary site after it’s vacated upon completion of the new school at Genesee Hill in 2016. STEM has been marshaling community support, and is getting it in a letter being sent today by the North Delridge Neighborhood Council, backing the suggestion to stay at Boren. Co-chairs Parie Hines and Kirsten Smith write, in part:

Delridge as a neighborhood has felt the negative effects of having the Boren school used as a transitional and temporary school for many long years. It has been a pleasure to see the students, parents, and staff of the STEM school begin to “take ownership” of the building

Read the entire letter here:

NDNC letter supporting keeping K-5 STEM at Boren

(If you can’t see the document, try it here on our server as a PDF.) The school board’s decision is due later this fall; before then, the district plans a series of community meetings detailed here, one of which is in West Seattle – 6:30 pm September 25th at West Seattle High School. Comments are being accepted before (and after) that meeting via e-mail: GrowthBoundaries@seattleschools.org.

West Seattle’s two most populous elementary schools have evening events this week to which the community’s invited – both out on the playground!

LAFAYETTE BARBECUE: The Tuesday night party at Lafayette Elementary‘s playground just got bigger, according to PTA president Sean Reynolds:

The Lafayette Night Before School BBQ is an event open to the community – we welcome all those who attend, surround and support Lafayette Elementary.

We will be joined this year by the West Seattle Big Band – – starting at 5 pm on the playground.

Hot dogs, chips and drinks provided – as well as some dessert treats, too.

The playground’s on the west side of the school, which is at California/Lander.

SCHMITZ PARK OUTDOOR MOVIE: Friday night, Schmitz Park Elementary‘s PTA invites you to come see “Epic” on a big screen set up on the SP playground. Gate opens 6:15 pm, movie at dusk (around 7:30 pm), $3/person (kids 3 and under are free), pizza and snacks/drinks will be sold ($2 or less). “It is open to the community and supports the 4th-grade outdoor-education experience at Islandwood,” says Christine Morrell, PTA fundraising chair. The playground’s on the northeast side of the school, which is at 50th/Spokane.