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SPORTS: West Seattle HS battles league-leading Ballard in softball playoffs

May 8, 2025 9:00 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Story and photos by Tracy Burrows
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Last night at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (NCSWAC), the West Seattle High School softball team took on top-ranked Ballard High School in the Metro 3A League tournament. Ballard lived up to its ranking, quickly going on a scoring spree that was topped off by a 2-run home run that cleared the fence. The Beavers led by a score of 10-0 after 3 innings,

But the Wildcats, whose team motto “Boogie with a Suitcase” captures their irrepressible spirit, never gave up. Coach Kyler Tsukada urged the girls to keep their energy up, forget about the score, and just work on getting one run at a time. The Wildcats broke through with 3 runs in the fifth inning, powered by a triple from Molly Lefkowitz.

The girls kept it going in the 7th inning, putting together a fierce rally, including a double by Julia Herron. But the Wildcats came up short, losing by a score of 11-6.

Pitcher Daeja Piggee went the distance for the Wildcats, bouncing back after being hit by a fastball pitch to the ankle.

After the game, Coach Kyler praised the team for their competitive drive and for showing that they can hang with any team they come up against. The team’s next game is on Friday at 1:30 pm versus Seattle Prep at NCSWAC.

YAY, CAMP! Signup time for West Seattle High School Mini Cheer Camp for K-6 students

May 6, 2025 9:59 am
|    Comments Off on YAY, CAMP! Signup time for West Seattle High School Mini Cheer Camp for K-6 students
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(File photo, past Mini-Cheer Camp)

West Seattle High School‘s cheer team is offering a mini-camp later this month – and signups are open now! Here’s the announcement we were asked to share with you:

West Seattle High School Co-Ed Cheer Team is hosting a Mini Cheer Camp for ages K-6th Grade!

Are you ready to cheer your heart out? Join the WSHS Cheerleaders for a fun-filled day at our Mini Cheer Camp on May 31st, 2025, from 10 AM to 1 PM at the West Seattle High School Gym for ages K-6!

What’s in Store?

Fun Cheers & Crafts: Learn exciting cheers and create awesome crafts with our talented cheerleaders!
Swag Bag: Each camper will receive a stylish camp T-shirt and an official cheer hair bow.
Memorable Moments: Capture your cheerleading spirit with a picture alongside your favorite cheerleader!

Cost: Only $70!

Registration Deadline: May 28, 2025 (to guarantee your T-shirt) Please click the link below to register. https://tinyurl.com/27b8a537

Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out! Register early to secure your spot in this exciting camp!

Questions? Contact Coach Nadine Nguyen at nmnguyen@seattleschools.org

From superintendent-search hopes to tech wariness, here’s what two school-board members heard on ‘engagement’ stop in West Seattle

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

This Wednesday, Seattle School Board directors will hold the third and final “community engagement” session in their new series.

The second was in West Seattle, this past Wednesday evening, in Denny International Middle School‘s library.

Two board members showed up – president Gina Topp, who represents West Seattle and most of South Park, and Evan Briggs (arriving a bit late), who represents Northwest Seattle. Both are in their first term.

They heard a long list of concerns. Topp said that was the intention – a “chance for us to hear from folks, what’s on your minds, potential questions,” adding that the board hopes to do this monthly. Asked how the feedback/information would be put to use, she said they’re taking notes so they can be referred to. “I know it’s a lot to come here” with everyone taking time out of busy lives, she acknowledged.

Much of the gathering was spent just going around the room giving everyone a chance to introduce themselves and explain what issue or concern had brought them to the meeting.

One of the first to introduce themselves was Topp’s predecessor on the board, Leslie Harris, who listed three areas about which she’s “extraordinarily concerned” – the budget, the district’s handling of waitlists, and the board’s decision to operate under “student-outcome-focused governance” (SOFG).

Three of the next four people were district or city employees. Then a Denny staff member, who said she was there because “safety is #1,” explaining that parents keep asking her “what is the game plan?” for safety.

And again, three of the next four were district employees; one said they were “here to see what engagement looks like.” Then a student and a parent who said it’s difficult to communicate with the district, “hard to reach the division you need to reach.”

A Roxhill Elementary parent listed the budget as a key concern and described the previous year – which included proposals to close schools to save money – as “a rough rollercoaster.”

A school nurse said she wanted to know how SOFG could work with equity. A fourth-grade teacher, with 30 years in that occupation, said she doesn’t have the support she needs to help her students become successful.

Student success was a parent’s concern, warning that the “quality of education has plummeted,” noting that her child isn’t being challenged, “he’s not learning anything,” he’s getting perfunctory coursework and no homework. “How is this getting our kids college ready?” she asked plaintively, saying she was frustrated “because I moved to the area for its good schools.”

She was followed by a teacher from Roosevelt HS who had a very specific, urgent concern, a project installing new A/V equipment but in the process throwing out whiteboards and bulletin boards that she said teachers desperately need and students like using. She said they’d tried to stop the contractors and were told they’d be happy not to toss the boards as long as they got direction from district managers, saying that they were “fine saving it, but you just have to tell ‘downtown’ to tell us.” (We don’t know whether this was resolved.)

Another parent declared that communication with the district “is terrible.”

Then a former teacher – herself an SPS graduate – talked about cuts she said would displace assistant principals, particularly at option schools, because of “how enrollment was managed” – the waitlist issue to which former board member Harris had referred earlier.

Next, a Gatewood Elementary PTA board member who said she came “because I care a lot … public education is the foundation of democracy and it seems like it’s crumbling everywhere.” But, she said, as a poster in the library reminded her, “Everything is hard before it’s easy.” Finally she added that she too had concerns about SOFG.

A shift back toward redlining was what concerned a parent who said her kids were in elementary and middle school. With boundaries moving that way over the past decade, she said, schools were suffering.

Anybody want to run for school board? asked longtime district watchdog Chris Jackins, offering his help, since it’s now “filing week” and four directors’ seats are up this year.

Another parent with elementary and middle schoolers expressed concern about too much screen use in schools.

Two Pathfinder K-8 parents followed, saying that the assistant principal cuts threatened to take away an AP who had done an amazing job in the wake of an administrative shakeup at the school. “We need to fight for our AP,” one said. “Schools are being starved of APs,” warned another.

A Highland Park Elementary parent wondered if money the district was allotting toward capital projects could instead be spent on operations. (Short answer: No.)

The around-the-room continued with a Seattle Times education reporter, a parent of a special-education student, another Pathfinder parent, a West Seattle HS family with a specific problem involving a teacher.

Another Denny employee, parent of an adult SPS alum, declared herself “tired of asking for fully funding public education.” She also wondered why the 300-student enrollment difference between Denny and Madison MS hadn’t yet resulted in boundary-redrawing. Instead, she said, the district continued to “fill portables … it feels racist.”

When the around-the-room ended, the hour-and-a-half meeting window was two-thirds over. (Topp and Briggs stayed past the scheduled end, though, talking with attendees.) Topp noted printouts on the tables with suggested questions, including one regarding the search for Superintendent Dr. Brent Jones’s successor. Attendees were split into two groups, one to talk with Topp, the other to talk with Briggs; that’s the group we stayed with.

She first addressed a question about the superintendent search, saying the search firm was chosen “beccause of robust community-engagement strategy … (they have a) very multi-pronged approach so they reach as many stakeholders as they can.” Asked about the hiring timeline, she said it’s an “awkward time because most have a job for next year,” so if they don’t find the perfect candidate, they might “settle for an interim for a year and then start again in fall.” But whichever they chose, she said they’ll have someone in place by the start of August.

They’ll be meeting with the search firm May 14, she said, stressing that she understands families’ frustration, as she has three kids in the district. It was pointed out that you can read chosen search firm HYA‘s full proposal in the April 9 meeting agenda (starting on page 84).

One parent suggested the new superintendent should not be “hellbent” on shoehorning every possible bit of technology into the schools: “I don’t want another technocrat.” Another parent agreed they didn’t want to “go too high-tech.” The big question would be, it was suggested, what’s the vision? An interim superintendent could come in and do a deep dive into that. Support for teachers is crucial, someone declared, saying teachers are being thrown into situations for which they have none.

The topic of SOFG came up again. Briggs said she wanted to offer “a little context, saying it came about because the board needed “a policy-governed framework,” and that while SOFG might not ultimately be The One, it hasn’t even been “effectively enacted” yet, so “nobody knows what it would look like if we were doing it well.”

So how are they assessing the outome? Many complaints about testing ensued. One teacher said that students “know these tests don’t matter” and don’t provide “meaningful data … you’re sending our money down the drain” to the materials providers. She suggested the community should run the schools, and that it would result in greatness: “The most important thing you as school-board members can do is advocate for the community.”

What does Briggs consider helpful to hear? she was asked. She said she truly doesn’t know “because it’s a truly broken system,” mainly because “public education in our country is broken,” so “what we’re asking of schools and people who work in schools is impossible.” She said she asks herself sometimes if there’s any point to her work because “how do you fix something that’s so fundamentally broken? All these desperate people (herself included) … we’re trying to put Band-Aids on this big gaping wound and maybe that’s all we can do right now.”

But in the meantime, the next superintendent must be hired. Briggs said she’s hoping for a “systems thinker” and some fresh ideas. Someone suggested, for example, that the district sell its SODO headquarters and have central staff work out of the many (school) buildings. Briggs also said there’s the opportunity to learn from history, via work like this.

The next attendee to speak was a student who asked about Native-focused curriculum, such as Since Time Immemorial. Briggs said implementation could be a “funding issue.”

So what about making the schools a little less tech-dependent? it was suggested again. Briggs said she would like to see that, but it’s not simply up to her. Maybe start a petition, she suggested, and get “a lot of people (to) sign on.” Yet, she cautioned, she also hears from people who are resigned to it – “this is just our new reality now.” The counter to that, though, could be separating the screens into a lab that students use part of the time, rather than having it be pervasive. There’s a lot of research supporting a reduction in tech dependency, a teacher offered, saying that’s how they were able to move toward attendance schedules geared toward age groups’ needs – citing research.

Not long after that, with the clock well past the advertised 7 pm end, the gathering was officially ended – though conversations continued.

WHAT’S NEXT: The third “engagement session” is at 5:30 pm Wednesday (May 7) at Daniel Bagley Elementary School‘s library, 7821 Stone Ave N.

YOU CAN HELP: Last day to bid in online auction for two nonprofit preschools

May 4, 2025 1:33 pm
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 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

If you’re up for a little online shopping this afternoon/evening, local businesses’ gift cards and more are still up for grabs in the online auction to benefit two nonprofit preschools, SouthWest Early Learning and the Refugee and Immigrant Family Center. The auction links are here; bidding continues until 10 pm tonight (Sunday, May 4).

SPORTS: Winning season for West Seattle Water Polo, and two ways to show support

(Photos by Will Pyfer)

It’s a winning season for one of our area’s newest high-school sports! We first mentioned West Seattle Water Polo – open to players from other schools too, not just WSHS – when players came to a meeting to ask then-School Board director Leslie Harris for district acceptance. This is now the team’s second season! Here’s the update we received, including two ways to support them – as a spectator and/or donor:

WSHS Girls Water Polo is having a winning season with a league record of 5-1, logging wins again Ingraham, Roosevelt, Shorecrest and Newport and is on pace to qualify for the Division 2 State Championship Tournament in Puyallup the third weekend in May. Sadly, the team had their first loss of the season in a heartbreakingly close 8-9 game against Mercer Island on Friday, April 25th at Medgar Evers Pool.

The team will host its first home game in West Seattle versus Bellevue at Colman Pool on (updated) May 9th at 6:20 pm. Bellevue will bring both varsity and JV teams, so there will be water polo to watch from 6:20-8 pm. This Friday, the varsity team will host Roosevelt at Medgar Evers at 8:50 pm and then on Saturday the JV squad will head down to Tacoma for a full-day tournament at Silas High School.

Earlier this year, the girls held a successful Tread-a-Thon fundraiser (thanks to all our supporters) and jumped right in to a busy season, consisting of 14 games, 3 one-day tournaments, and at least 1 multi-day tournament.

The team has set up an ongoing online auction with the goal of making the team more affordable. Supporters can join the auction to bid on gift cards donated by local businesses at: paybee.io/@wswaterpolo@3

HAPPENING NOW: You can bid in Friends of Roxhill Elementary’s online auction

April 29, 2025 1:57 pm
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 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Local businesses and organizations have again stepped up to donate auction items to help a local school – and now it’s your turn to pitch in by bidding! Here’s the announcement from Friends of Roxhill Elementary:

The entire West Seattle community is invited to bid in Friends of Roxhill Elementary’s online fundraising auction from now through Saturday, May 3 at 4:30 pm.

With our school facing reduced resources next year, our “Roxstar” students need support now more than ever. Thanks to many generous West Seattle businesses, every dollar raised goes directly back to help the students, teachers, and families who make up the Roxhill school community.

Items available for bidding include:

*Family outings to the zoo, aquarium, Museum of Flight, MoPOP, and more
*Birthday party packages + kids art/music classes and camps
*VIP tailgate + 4 tickets to UW Football opening day
*Sounders and Mariners single-game tickets or Junction FC and Rhodies season tickets!
*Romantic date nights + restaurant, bakery, and cafe gift certificates
*Practical services for your home and family
*Donation funds to support the Kings & Queens student empowerment club and new soccer goals for the playground

Buy something you’re already planning to get or treat yourself. Every item supports local students!

Bid on items now. (Use the “Max Bid” feature for fast and easy bidding.)

Question about the auction? Email auction.fore@gmail.com.

FAUNTLEROY CREEK: Festive first 2025 salmon release

(Salmon hats and a salmon song gave fry a festive send-off)

Story by Judy Pickens
Photos by John Sturtevant
Special to West Seattle Blog

Preschoolers from The Cove School in the Admiral District opened salmon-release season today on Fauntleroy Creek. Teachers brought the coho fry the 22 students had helped rear through the Salmon in the Schools program, and a like number of parents, grandparents, and others came to celebrate with the children. Volunteers with the Fauntleroy Watershed Council gave a hand to be sure the inch-long fish had a gentle entry into the water.

(Dennis Hinton has been helping students put fish in the creek for 15 years)

Twenty two seems to be the number this spring – 22 volunteers to staff 22 school releases on the schedule (a record number), plus an all-ages community release on Sunday, June 1, 1:00-3:00 pm at the big bridge in Fauntleroy Park. By then, nearly 800 students will have come and roughly 2,000 fry will have started their year-long stay in the creek.

(Young, elder, and in between hands released 134 healthy coho fry)

Since late March, fry released last spring have been leaving the creek as smolts for their two years in saltwater. Volunteers will continue to check net traps in the upper and lower creek twice daily through most of May. So far, they have documented 18 smolts headed for nearshore habitat in Fauntleroy Cove to fatten up before moving into open water.

Seattle Public Schools questions/concerns/comments? West Seattle event Wednesday

Thanks for the tip. Seattle School Board members are hosting events around the city for general “community engagement,” not just linked to one specific issue or program, and the next one is at Denny International Middle School in West Seattle on Wednesday. All are welcome to attend in the library at Denny (2601 SW Kenyon) 5:30-7 pm Wednesday (April 30). The district hasn’t announced which School Board directors plan to attend – we’re checking – but you can count on this area’s elected representative Gina Topp, who currently serves as the board’s president.

BASEBALL: Chief Sealth IHS clinches Metro League 2A championship

With an 11-1 rout of Rainier Beach at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex on Friday night, the Chief Sealth International High School Seahawks became the Metro League’s 2A and Valley Division champs. CSIHS athletic director Ernest Policarpio forwarded info with photos, including the seniors who were celebrated at the game:


(L-R, seniors Luis Toledo Walls, Micah Policarpio, Marko Woelfle, Peter Sketchley, Teo Perala, Brady Murphy, Seth Clark, Rocco Batterson-Ecton)

Two big scoring bursts for the Seahawks: In the bottom of the second, Chief Sealth racked up five runs on three hits. Then they scored another five runs on six hits in the bottom of the third. Senior Teo Perala had three of those runs, four RBI total in the game:

Eleven hits and nine walks factored into the Sealth win, as well as starter Sam Popelka‘s six strikeouts plus four relievers’ strong performances. The Seahawks are now 13-7.

SPORTS: Second WSHS-CSIHS boys’ soccer match of the season

For the second time in less than a month, the West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School boys’ soccer teams faced off last night, this time at Walt Hundley Playfield. And again last night, the Wildcats won. Final score was WSHS 3, CSIHS 2 (last month, West Seattle won 2-0). It was also Senior Night for graduating WSHS seniors:

(L-R: Hollis Johnson, Finn White, Cole Heinrichs., Collin Temme, Jacob Stevens, Kingston Darocy, Arjun Rajaratnam, Pa Njie. Photo by Brandon Faloona)

You can see photographer Brandon Faloona‘s game gallery here. WSHS is now 9-3, #2 in the Metro League, while Sealth is 5-9. The Wildcats have a 4 pm Monday game against Seattle Academy at Delridge Playfield; the Seahawks’ next local game is on Friday, 4:30 pm vs. Cleveland at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex.

HAPPENING NOW: Bid for items donated by local businesses for Lafayette Elementary PTA’s online auction

April 23, 2025 11:56 am
|    Comments Off on HAPPENING NOW: Bid for items donated by local businesses for Lafayette Elementary PTA’s online auction
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Even if you’re not going to the Lafayette Elementary PTA‘s fundraising dinner and auction this Saturday, you can still give students a boost by bidding in the online auction, open now through Friday:

Lafayette’s Silent Auction is now live and open for bids through Friday. We have many great packages from local businesses, including Alki Bike & Board, Meeples Games, Fit4Mom, West Seattle Arcade, and more! You can browse our silent auction packages and place your bids here: lafpta2025.ggo.bid/bidding/package-browse

You can bid 24/7 through Friday!

FOLLOWUP: After two months as interim Chief Sealth IHS principal, Hope Perry gets permanent appointment

Thanks for the tip. At day’s end, Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brent Jones announced that Hope Perry is now the permanent principal of Chief Sealth International High School, after two and a half months in the interim role. She has been leading the school since previous principal Ray Garcia-Morales‘s arrest (and, later, resignation) in February. Here’s the heart of Dr. Jones’s brief announcement:

… Principal Perry was selected through a formal interview process that included participation of staff, students, parents, and community. What stood out to the Chief Sealth interview team was her vision for the school that is inclusive of what community named as priorities. Specifically, essential safety needs along with rigorous and supportive instruction and learning outcomes for Chief Sealth students.

We will be setting up opportunities for building staff, students, and families to meet with Principal Perry in her new role. …

According to her online resume, Perry taught special education in Colorado and Ohio before moving to Seattle; she became assistant principal in 2022.

COUNTDOWN: Less than 3 weeks until West Seattle 5K. Special invitation for students!

April 21, 2025 9:10 am
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: Less than 3 weeks until West Seattle 5K. Special invitation for students!
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The West Seattle 5K, coming up on Sunday morning, May 18, is not only West Seattle’s biggest run of the year – with more than 1,500 participants last year alone – but also a fundraiser for, and coordinated by, the West Seattle High School PTSA. They hope to encourage even more students to be part of it this year, so they’re highlighting this part of the original announcement:

Sign your student up for the annual competition among West Seattle High School students. The goal is to see which grade and club gets the most classmates to register. The winning grade gets out of Homeroom early for a special treat and cash ($250) to their grade level ASB. “We have heard from event runners that they didn’t know this event benefited the high school so we want to make sure to raise that awareness as well as get as many WSHS students involved as possible,” says Kelley O’Connor, event co-chair. Be sure to select your grade and club when registering. The winning club gets a special treat for all it’s members as well!

Registration is live now at www.westseattle5K.com and www.getmeregistered.com/WestSeattle5K

Adults are $40 (5/10 raises to $45)
Youth 19 and under are $20 (5/10 and later is $30)
West Seattle High School students are $20 (5/10 and later is $30)
West Seattle High School staff is free (need passcode and can buy shirt for $15)
Kids under 6 are free (no shirt included, but can buy for $15)

The WS5K start/finish line is on Alki Avenue near 61st SW.

SPORTS: West Seattle HS edges Chief Sealth IHS in cross-peninsula baseball faceoff

(Photo by Oliver Hamlin)

By Tracy Burrows
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Clear skies and warm breezes made it a perfect Friday night for baseball, as rivals West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School suited up to take the field at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex. The weather fostered a festive atmosphere in the stands as well. At one point, the fans broke out into a singalong with the Zac Brown Band’s breezy single “Knee Deep” between innings.

(Photo by Tracy Burrows: Above, CSIHS #2, Julian Reinhardt)

On the field, it was a tale of two contests – a slugfest for the first three innings and a pitcher’s duel for the final three and a half, with West Seattle coming away with the win by a score of 7-6.

(Photo by Oliver Hamlin)

The Wildcats got things going in the bottom of the first, scoring three runs off Sealth’s starting pitcher, Teo Perala.

(Photo by Oliver Hamlin)

The big blow was a towering double by Lincoln Scott (#44 below), who advanced to third on the throw to home plate.

(Photo by Tracy Burrows)

Sealth tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the second with timely hitting and smart baserunning, scoring a run on a West Seattle wild pitch. Sealth went ahead 6-3 in the top of the third, powered by a Perala double. West Seattle wasted no time in answering back, tying the game at 6-6 in the bottom of the inning, helped by three walks and a hit batter by the Sealth pitchers.

(Photo by Tracy Burrows)

The rest of the night belonged to West Seattle’s pitcher Oliver Heltzel (above), who held the Seahawks scoreless for the last four innings, notching 5 strikeouts and forcing many ground ball outs. Sealth kept the game close with some stellar defense but gave up an unearned run in the bottom of the fifth through a combination of a walk, stolen base, fielder’s choice, and wild pitch. Sealth’s Sam Popelka (#7) pitched 3+ innings in relief

WHAT’S NEXT: Both games are back at NCSWAC next Wednesday (April 23), against different opponents – Sealth vs. Roosevelt at 4 pm, WSIHS vs. Nathan Hale at 7 pm.

DANCE & DONATE: Madison Middle School Swing Dance and Auction ahead

April 16, 2025 9:30 am
|    Comments Off on DANCE & DONATE: Madison Middle School Swing Dance and Auction ahead
 |   How to help | West Seattle schools

(File photo, West Seattle Big Band)

Another spring “good time for a good cause” that you should know about – a little more than one week away at Madison Middle School (3429 45th SW)! Here’s the announcement:

The Madison PTSA Music Boosters would like to invite students, their families, and community members to a Swing Dance & Auction Fundraiser on April 25th, from 6-9 pm at Madison Middle School!

We have a lively event lined up, featuring performances by our very own Concert Band, Jazz Bands, Choir, and Orchestra, with a special performance by guest West Seattle Big Band! Tickets include a free Swing Dance lesson. Pizza and drinks available for purchase as well as an abundance of bake sale treats, thanks to our Madison parents!

Tickets are $20 presale or $25 at the door. All proceeds go to the Madison Music Boosters, which directly supports the Madison Middle School Music Department. This event is important, because it pulls in the majority of the funds that the music department needs annually for things like instrument replacement, concert accompaniment, instrument accessories, music books, sheet music, repairs, tuning, scholarships, travel costs, and more. Given how the arts continue to impact our collective human experience, our community is playing a part in supporting younger generations in taking up the torch (or instrument, as it were) to continue the rich tradition and cultural legacy of music.

An ADA-accessible entrance is on the south side of Madison Middle School, nearest to the U-shaped parking lot outside of the gym structure. Elevators will be made accessible for the event, which will be held in the Madison Commons, one level below the main floor.

Ticket link: signupgenius.com/go/60B094FA4A92BA7FA7-55669130-swing

If you already know you can’t attend and you’d like to simply donate to the Madison Music Program, please do so here: www.madisonptsa.com/madison-music-boosters

Questions? Email the Madison Music Boosters at madisonmusicboosters@gmail.com

Student volunteers needed for 3rd annual Gatewood Elementary Gator Fair

April 14, 2025 8:59 am
|    Comments Off on Student volunteers needed for 3rd annual Gatewood Elementary Gator Fair
 |   Gatewood | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Gatewood Elementary is getting ready for its third annual Gator Fair in May, and student volunteers are an important part of the plan, so the search is on! Here’s the announcement sent to us to share:

Volunteer opportunity for Seattle Public Schools middle- and high-school students to earn service hours:

Gatewood Elementary is hosting the 3rd annual Gatewood Gator Fair on Saturday, May 31st, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., and is looking for volunteers to set up and break down the event, run carnival games, help out at booths, etc.

The event is rain or shine and the community is invited.

Volunteer shift is 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. You will be provided a lunch break and food to eat.

Sign up at signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44AAA92AA3F8C43-56222128-gator#

Questions? GatewoodGatorFair@gmail.com

School address: 4320 SW Myrtle Street, Seattle, WA, 98136. Parking in the neighborhood

Public transportation: Rapid Ride C line stop is Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Myrtle St.

VIDEO: West Seattle High School celebrates national recognition for Unified Sports program

That photo wrapped up a celebration today at West Seattle High School – and at the heart of it is what’s directly over the athletes, school staffers, and sports mascots who gathered for the group shot: A newly unveiled banner in honor of national recognition for WSHS’s Unified Sports program:

As shown in the close-up photo, it now hangs in the WSHS gym next to a banner recognizing the program’s achievements in recent years. Special Olympics of Washington explains it in this excerpt from their announcement of today’s banner unveiling:

For its work in empowering students to be agents of change in their school and community, West Seattle High School (received) a Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools National Banner …

West Seattle is one of two schools in Washington to achieve National Banner status in 2025 and is the first school in the Seattle school district to receive this recognition. To add even more kudos, West Seattle also made the ESPN Honor Roll, which is a national list of schools recognized by ESPN and Special Olympics for their efforts in creating inclusive environments for students with and without intellectual disabilities. Only one high school is selected from each state and West Seattle was recognized for Washington.

A Unified Champion Schools National Banner is a major achievement for the entire school for meeting 10 standards of excellence. These national standards revolve around inclusion, advocacy and respect; they include implementing sustainable programs around Special Olympics Unified Sports (where students with and without intellectual disabilities train and compete as teammates), inclusive youth leadership and engagement throughout the whole school.

We were invited to cover the student-organized all-school spring pep assembly this morning during which the banner was unveiled following cheers led by former Seahawks player turned Special Olympics ambassador Ray Roberts:

As shown in the clip, WSHS’s Unified Sports coordinator Rachel Myers was honored too. We also recorded a longer version starting with students talking about the program before the assembly heard from Special Olympics of Washington president/CEO Mary Do, who reminded the school community, “You made this happen” (she speaks starting 5:20 into the clip):

The National Banner status was first announced last fall, at which time the school noted the banner itself would arrive in spring.

WEST SEATTLE SCHOOLS: Principal sends families note saying ‘ICE vehicle was seen’ in district-owned lot nearby; Seattle Police say the vehicle was theirs; principal sends follow-up note saying ‘was not aware SPD was using unmarked patrol units’

ORIGINAL REPORT, 6:03 PM WEDNESDAY: Earlier today, a parent asked us about a secondhand report of an ICE sighting at or near Denny International Middle School today. We were unable to confirm it, and didn’t hear any other reports, but families have since received this note from Denny principal Mary Ingraham:

It was brought to our attention that a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle was seen in the Southwest Athletic Center parking lot today.

The recent announcement regarding the removal of protected areas from immigration enforcement and the possibility of ICE entering schools to deport students is deeply troubling to our district and community.

Our school and the SPS Safety and Security team responded immediately and effectively, and our school remains entirely safe. We also followed district procedures regarding immigration. Because our 8th grade students were outdoors on the field during lunch, we brought them inside early.

Please know at no point were our students or staff at any risk. We acted proactively to ensure safety. It is confirmed that the vehicle has left the area.

I spoke directly with 8th grade students because we believe in being transparent in our leadership and with our students. I explained to them that their safety is our priority, and we acted out of an abundance of caution.

As a reminder, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) remains steadfast in our commitment to providing safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environments for every student, regardless of race, religion, national origin, immigration status, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

We are deeply committed to the well-being of every student, family, and person in our care. Thank you for trusting us to look after your children each day.

Warmly,

Principal Mary Ingraham
Denny International Middle School

The Southwest Athletic Complex, owned by SPS, is across SW Thistle from the campus shared by Denny IMS and Chief Sealth IHS. District policy “limiting immigration enforcement” can be read here and here. Meantime, SPS has two more days of classes before schools close for spring-break week.

ADDED 2:07 PM THURSDAY: One of the agencies to which we’d sent followup inquiries, Seattle Police, responded by sending a link to this new post on their SPD Blotter website:

The Seattle Police Department would like to clear the air regarding recent rumors and false media reports that have understandably fueled community concerns about alleged U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity near a school on Wednesday, April 9.

A school administrator emailed parents and community members stating an ICE vehicle had been seen near the school. This was false. The vehicle was from the Seattle Police Department as part of a commitment to prevent crime and protect students near schools where violence has become a concern.

Parents, students, and teachers can expect to see marked and unmarked police vehicles near these schools. As staffing allows, officers will be in these areas before and after school as well as around lunchtime. Officers may be wearing either the standard navy blue or a grey uniform. It is not our goal to alarm anyone with our presence as this is an effort to intervene in any issues before they escalate.

The Seattle Police Department is committed to a safe and supportive community for all people and supports the rights of undocumented people, who are often victimized and exploited. These members of our community may not feel safe coming forward when they are victims of crime. It remains the intent and commitment of the Seattle Police Department to foster trust and cooperation with all who live, work, and visit Seattle and to do all within our ability to preserve the safety and sanctity of our community.

We follow State law RCW 10.93.160 and Seattle Municipal Code 4.18.015:

The Seattle Police Department will not enforce civil federal immigration laws. The Seattle Police Department does not ask about an individual’s immigration status unless directly connected to a criminal investigation (eg. human trafficking).

You are a part of the Community:
The City is committed to helping its employees and communities, including immigrant communities, understand laws to avoid confusion and uncertainty.

You have rights:
The Seattle Office for Civil Rights (SOCR) enforces laws against illegal discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, and contracting.

SOCR will continue providing outreach and trainings, including know your rights workshops to educate individuals and renters, and educate businesses and housing providers about their obligations under the law. This includes information about immigration and citizenship status as a protected class.

We will protect you:
The Seattle Police Department Bias Crime Unit will continue investigating hate crimes, act as a resource to patrol and other follow-up units, engage in officer training, and maintain hate crime and incident data.

New SPD Chief Shon Barnes issued this statement in February about department policy regarding immigration-related matters.

ADDED 4:28 PM: In response to our followup inquiries with them, SPS sent us this note that Principal Ingraham sent today to the Denny community:

This message is being sent as a follow up to my letter sent about a report that a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle was spotted near our campus yesterday.

It has been confirmed it was Seattle Police Department (SPD) officers on patrol in the vehicle.

Given the sensitive time we are in, I sincerely apologize for the distress and confusion caused by sharing incorrect information.

These patrols are at the request of Seattle Public Schools (SPS), and SPD has made a commitment to the district to conduct additional patrols around some of our campuses before and after school and during lunch periods.

These patrols are not to monitor students, but to provide extra visibility into the surrounding neighborhoods.

The police are using all available resources – including unmarked vehicles with government plates – for these directed patrols. The district was not aware SPD was using unmarked patrol units until this incident.

SPD will continue to direct these patrols to schools focusing primarily on middle and high schools based on incidents and need.

SPS remains steadfast in its commitment to providing safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environments for every student. Our school will continue to follow district protocols and procedures regarding the safety and security of our students and staff.

Please be assured I am taking steps to ensure accurate communication is shared in the future. I want to express my deep appreciation for our community—your care, support, and grace means a lot.

Sincerely,

Principal Mary Ingraham
Denny International Middle School

YOU CAN HELP: April showers bring May flowers – in fundraising bouquets!

April 8, 2025 4:49 pm
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: April showers bring May flowers – in fundraising bouquets!
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Photo by Jerry Simmons)

Some flowers are blooming and more are on the way! Here’s word of a citywide flower fundraiser for PTA/PTSA equity funds including West Seattle – and if you participate, there are pickup dates/places in West Seattle:

The SESEC (Southeast Seattle Education Coalition) Mother’s Day Flower Sale is open until May 2nd. Our West Seattle pickup locations are Gatewood Elementary, May 10th, from 10 am-12 pm, and Alki Elementary @ Schmitz Park from 1 pm-3 pm

This is the only fundraiser to do as a whole city, to support all 3 public school equity funds.

HOW IT WORKS

This year’s flower sale features an updated giving model.

By choosing one of the three Equity Funds that comprise 46 member schools, $20 of your checkout total will be donated.
The donation will be divided in half, with one portion going directly to the selected Equity Fund and the other portion being added to a Title 1 pool.

SESEC will then redistribute the pooled funds among the Equity Funds based on their Title 1 school count. The three Equity Funds will subsequently allocate their distributions to their member schools according to their own unique equity models.

FLOWERS

We’re pleased to announce that our commitment to supporting farmers with living wages remains strong. $30 per bouquet goes to the farmers. Friendly Johnson-Vang, the founder of this flower sale initiative launched in 2020, has partnered with the PNW BIPOC Farmland Trust, an organization led by BIPOC farmers to hold farmland and support services for BIPOC farmers. The remaining $10 from each bouquet sale will cover administrative costs associated with running the flower sale.

THREE EQUITY FUNDS

CANSSPA: Central and North Seattle Schools PTA Alliance has16 member schools, 50% Title 1: Adams, Bailey Gatzert, James Baldwin, John Rogers, Leschi, Licton Springs K-8, Lowell, Loyal Heights, McDonald, Olympic Hills, Sacajawea, Salmon Bay K-8, Stevens, Viewlands, Wedgwood, West Woodland.

SESSFA: SE Seattle Schools Fundraising Alliance has 17 member schools, 94% Title 1: Aki Kurose MS, Beacon Hill, Dearborn Park, Dunlap, Emerson, Graham Hill, Hawthorne, Kimball, John Muir, Maple, Mercer MS, MLK Jr, Orca K-8, Rainier View, Rising Star, South Shore K-8, Wing Luke.

WSPSEF: West Seattle Public School Equity Fund has 13 member schools, 38% Title 1: Alki, Arbor Heights, Concord, Gatewood, Genesee Hill, Highland Park, Lafayette, Pathfinder K-8, Roxhill, Sanislo, West Seattle, Louisa Boren STEM K-8, Fairmount Park.

Here is the website to order flowers – again, May 2 is the ordering deadline, May 10 (the day before Mother’s Day) is the pickup date.

VIDEO: Highland Park Elementary Give & Take Sale

April 5, 2025 10:47 am
|    Comments Off on VIDEO: Highland Park Elementary Give & Take Sale
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thanks to Meaghan for the photo and video! She says the Highland Park Elementary PTA Give & Take Sale is in full swing at the school (1012 SW Trenton) – everything’s free, take what you need, and if you can make a monetary donation, those will all benefit the HPE PTA, which organizes this every year.

It’s on until 3 pm.

WEST SEATTLE SCHOOLS: Lafayette Elementary PTA invites you to ‘One Short Night in the Emerald City’

April 4, 2025 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE SCHOOLS: Lafayette Elementary PTA invites you to ‘One Short Night in the Emerald City’
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The Lafayette Elementary PTA‘s big fundraising event is coming up later this month, and you’re invited!


\There’s no place like Lafayette!

Follow the yellow brick road to the Brockey Center at South Seattle College on Saturday, April 26th and join us as we enjoy One Short Night In The Emerald City. This year’s auction and gala brings together Lafayette families and community members to support the PTA’s mission of fostering academic success while enriching the student experience and building a strong West Seattle community.

The event proceeds will help our PTA provide funds for vital components of the school and help ensure the school is equitable for all students. We strive to ensure all students and teachers have the support and materials needed to thrive! Our PTA provides crucial support for school programs including classroom tutors, the Garden program, instrumental music, physical education, art, and field-trip scholarships.

Prepare to be dancing through life at this special event! Our event will be a celebration of all things Emerald City, complete with a live auction, plated dinner, wine, cocktails, and a fun post-event party featuring live karaoke and music by Rock Bot. In addition to our live auction, Lafayette’s silent auction will run the week leading up to this can’t-miss event. Stay tuned to see all of the local goodies that have been graciously donated by local businesses and supporters.

You’ll be positively emerald with jealousy if you miss out on this special night, so purchase your ticket for the live auction and gala here.

CONGRATULATIONS! Top-two finish for Genesee Hill Elementary Book Bandits in Global Reading Challenge

Thanks to Andrea for the report and photos from a big event tonight!

Seattle Public Library hosts the Global Reading Challenge annually for teams of Seattle 4th and 5th graders. Two West Seattle teams advanced to the citywide finals on April 2 – Genesee Hill Elementary and Lafayette Elementary. The Genesee Hill team, the Book Bandits, tied for second place in the citywide final! Those seven Genesee 5th-graders worked for months reading and re-reading the books selected for the challenge and won their school and semi-finals to advance. They competed against 10 other teams. Genesee Hill librarian Lindsay Yost has been helping the team prepare and cheered them on from the audience on the big night.

The Book Bandits – Avery, Collin, Henry, Laird, Lake, Si, and Tommy – deserve big kudos for their hard work!

Learn more about the Global Reading Challenge here.

WEST SEATTLE SCHOOLS: Highland Park Elementary’s ‘Give and Take’ sale Saturday – got stuff to give?

(WSB photo, HPE’s 2024 Give and Take Sale)

Got stuff to recycle to someone else, but not planning a sale? The Highland Park Elementary PTA could use your help! This Saturday is their “Give and Take Rummage Sale” – here’s the announcement sent to us to share:

Give and Take Rummage Sale April 5th
8-10 am Donations are accepted, then begin rummaging at 9 am
Everything is FREE. Monetary Donations are accepted in support of the PTA.
Highland Park Elementary School Northside blacktop
1012 SW Trenton

Our take what you want and give what you can event is Saturday. This event truly supports our community. Families who truly need basic clothing, shoes and housewares can get what they need. Donate your gently used books, garden starts, sports and outdoor equipment, kitchenware, kids and adult clothing and toys. NO large furniture. We will accept donated items from 8 am-10 am on 4/5 at the Highland Park Elementary blacktop playground on the north side of the school. All items will be free and donations accepted. All items left at the end of the day will go to local charities, Westside Baby and Mary’s Place. What they will not accept will go to Goodwill and Salvation Army, etc.

Any questions please see the PTA website