First, Julie shares this news of what Tilden School students have just achieved:

We’re very proud of our 4th and 1st grade students who have just very successfully completed their spring food drive to benefit the West Seattle Food Bank, “Replace Hunger with Love, because Love + Food = Life.” (We love the theme they came up with!) Their donation (in total almost 3 tons of food) will be matched by the Feinstein Challenge. More details and a photo at tildenschool.org under “community service.”

Next, two West Seattle notes in the latest Seattle Public Schools “School Beat” newsletter: First, Chief Sealth High School senior Brittney Rogers is one of 12 recipients of scholarships given to former MLK Elementary students and will be honored at a banquet May 19. Second, just like the city Parks Department, SPS is working on a Strategic Plan and has citywide meetings coming up for public comment on the plan; there’s one in West Seattle, 7 pm May 15, West Seattle High School Commons.

Last but not least, May 10 is a big day at Pathfinder K-8, thanks to volunteers from the school community and Seattle Works, and maybe even you! Read ahead to see what’s up:

Here’s the official news release:

Pathfinder K-8 School Teams with Seattle Works Volunteers on May 10

Pathfinder K-8 School in West Seattle has teamed up with Seattle Works volunteers to transform their school! On Saturday May 10 from 10am-2pm dozens of city and school community volunteers will work hard to upgrade and beautify Pathfinder’s facilities, with generous support from local West Seattle donors True Value Hardware, Authentic Home, and Silverleaf Landscape.

Projects include painting and staining of the portable units that house the Upper Grades, landscaping the area, and beautifying & restoring the amphitheatre in the lower field. Indoor work is planned (painting of bathrooms and other spaces) should the weather not cooperate.

The Pathfinder community has waited patiently for many years for assistance and support to upgrade the facilities which house this progressive Seattle Public School – the only alternative K-8 choice in the Southwest cluster. With current funding and strategic decisions putting any hopes of a new or newly renovated building on indefinite hold, the community is stepping up to do what it can. In addition to this one-day effort, plans are underway for continued landscape architecture and transformation of important spaces at the school.

Eric Baer, Co-president of Pathfinder’s PTSA, says, “Pathfinder has a wonderful and unique program going on inside the walls – we want to do what we can to brighten up the outside of those walls. The school has grown from just a handful of students 15 years ago to nearly 400 students today, and the facilities just haven’t been able to grow with us due to limited funding. This is a way for us to help out – we invite everyone in the community to join us and show their support for schools and children!”

Volunteers from the community are warmly welcomed. Come by and lend a hand! Pathfinder is located on Genesee Hill (5012 SW Genesee St.) – volunteers will be gathering on Saturday May 10 on the blacktop area behind the school, at 51st Ave SW and SW Dakota. For more information, contact Jennifer Giomi (PTSA Vice President & Facilities Committee Chair), 931-4303, jgiomi@comcast.net.

Pathfinder K-8 is a popular Seattle Public Schools alternative school that features an expeditionary learning approach based on Native American tradition. Located on Genesee Hill in West Seattle, its students come from all over the city. For more information, visit Pathfinder’s website at www.seattleschools.org/schools/pathfinder.

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