West Seattle Elementary ‘soaring’ – but needs books! Can you help?

| High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

West Seattle Elementary School is in the middle of the first year of its mandated improvement plan – and new principal Vicki Sacco tells WSB there are encouraging signs, but they need a bit of help. First, her update on the progress:

The winter MAP assessment results came back and our school is soaring! Data in both math and reading have exceeded expectations and typical student growth for every grade level.

We recently visited WSES and will be reporting on some of the ways they’re evolving. But one thing they desperately need for those inspired young learners – more books:

We’ve spent over $20,000 of Title I funds to purchase classroom libraries this year and our students are devouring the books. To maintain this momentum we need more books for our students.

What kind? “Any and all appropriate books for elementary aged students would be welcomed. In particular we need biographies, chapter books and early learning books. Our older students (4th and 5th grades) enjoy non-fiction books as well.” If you have books to donate, call the school literacy coach, Brenda Ball, at 206-252-9450. Or drop them off (next week is midwinter break, so you’d likely have to wait till a week from Monday) at the front office (6760 34th SW).

marty February 18, 2011 (2:56 pm)

Perfect! Our property taxes are going up because of school levies and the schools are begging for books! What’s wrong with this picture?

MargL February 18, 2011 (3:46 pm)

This would be worth adding to donorschoose.org

I see Chief Sealth and Roxhill Elementary listed as schools with requests but not West Seattle Elementary.

http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/search.html?zone=404&community=18300:3

fiver February 18, 2011 (3:57 pm)

Someone at WSE please introduce these kids to the joys of the Seattle Public Library system if that’s not already in place. The High Point location a few blocks from this school has a wonderful collection of early reading books and a fabulous children’s librarian, not to mention evening and weekend hours. Could the school partner with the public library somehow to get more books in the hands of these eager readers?

Paul Schmid February 18, 2011 (4:21 pm)

Thanks for the heads up WSB, I’ll drop off a couple copies of my new book ‘A Pet for Petunia’ next week.

Neighborly February 18, 2011 (9:26 pm)

Of course they have introduced them to the public library, and there is nothing wrong with asking for donated books. Children need to read many, many books. These teachers know that there are lots of books sitting on shelves and in boxes that would be loved by many children. New books are so exciting, even when they are gently used. I just hope folks don’t unload their junky books on them.

juniebug February 19, 2011 (9:51 pm)

I think it’s great that the principal at WS Elementary is reaching out to the community to help add new books to the school’s classrooms. If you have gently-used books that your child has outgrown, why not pass them on to the school’s classrooms? I’m sad to see snarky comments about this request. I don’t think that if the food bank wanted donations, people would be so harsh. Books are food for the mind. The kids at WS Elementary deserve our support.

WSB February 19, 2011 (10:18 pm)

As your friendly neighborhood moderator, I don’t consider those ‘snarky comments,’ though of course it would be great to see another 10 or 20 of the 15,000+ people who have seen this item chime in with public commitments of help (I have heard from the principal and she’s gotten some calls, so thanks to those who have reached out privately) … while the tone’s a little acerbic, person #1, a longtime commenter, is commenting more on the sad state of affairs where needs like this are not fully funded despite ongoing school levies (which go for a variety of items in school budgets, more and more unfunded by the state) … and the library person, I think, is noting that it’s an added resource. Thanks again to everybody reaching out to help local schools. This one in particular needed some extra TLC to overcome a variety of challenges and seems to be on the brink of blossoming … TR