Gatewood Elementary principal Constance Aleman leaving to become Genesee Hill assistant principal

Just announced by Seattle Public Schools: After the school year ends, Gatewood Elementary principal Constance Aleman will be moving across the peninsula to take the newly created position of assistant principal at West Seattle’s most populous elementary school, Genesee Hill. She has been principal at Gatewood for four years. Letters have gone out to both schools’ communities – here’s what Aleman said in her announcement:

It is with mixed emotions I am writing to inform you this will be my last year at Gatewood Elementary School.

After four amazing years and careful consideration, I have decided it is the right time for me to pursue a new leadership opportunity. I have accepted a role at Genesee Hill Elementary; I am excited to stay within the West Seattle community and to work more closely in the areas of Special Education, social-emotional learning, and family engagement. As difficult as this is for me, I feel confident I am leaving this school in great shape and ready to continue the amazing work of providing academic excellence for each student.

While seeking new opportunities brings some excitement, I want you to know this was not an easy decision for me. I’m indebted to so many incredible friends and colleagues who have made my experience here a lifelong memory. At Gatewood there are positive, innovative, and hardworking staff, and a supportive and positive group of families. I cherish the brilliant, caring, and committed students. It has been an honor serving all of you the past four years. As much as I will miss this community, I will cherish the memories and reflect fondly upon them as I move forward in both my professional and personal life.

As we wrap up the year, I am hopeful you continue on the path we have laid together. Together we have worked toward the mission of fostering a school climate of compassion, academic excellence, problem solving, creativity, and cultural awareness. It inspires me to see the school, families, and the community working together for the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development of each student. This mission lives with you. Your relentless commitment, drive, and compassion for our students will ensure that our mission of excellence continues on!

I will finish out the school year at Gatewood and my first day with Genesee Hill will be July 1. The formal search process for hiring a new principal is underway as we look forward to the next school year. The process will include an opportunity for Gatewood staff and the community to provide input. Executive Director of Schools, Helen Joung, will communicate updates to the staff and community.

Thank you all for your kindness and support. I have appreciated it more than you can imagine. And thank you all for your continued commitment and dedication to our school, staff and students. It is because of you that I know Gatewood will continue to be the very best school ever!

With admiration,

Constance Aleman, Principal
Gatewood Elementary School

You can read the message sent by Genesee Hill principal Gerrit Kischner to his community here.

2 Replies to "Gatewood Elementary principal Constance Aleman leaving to become Genesee Hill assistant principal"

  • Wsres May 13, 2017 (11:11 pm)

    750 students at Genesee Hill? Wow! Wasn’t that school only built for 600? In his letter,  Mr. Kischner is very good at glazing over that the new co-assistant principal is leaving her principal position for that job. What is the real story? Are they prepping to re-open Schmitz Park Elementary with some of those 750 kids and move one of the co-assistant principals to the old school?

  • Gerrit Kischner May 14, 2017 (8:45 pm)

    There’s no glazing over the fact that Genesee Hill is the biggest neighborhood elementary school in Seattle right now (still doesn’t compare to 1957 when Lafayette had 1,173 according to the enrollment list I keep on my bulletin board).  With our projections for next year, we did explore the possibility of annexing the Schmitz Park building until a longer-term solution can be established, but that option appears to be off the table because of other facilities needs in the District.  Luckily, we have the space in our new building to make 750 work.  It will be a little tight, but we got pretty good at making the most of tight conditions at Schmitz Park, and the expansion of our administrative team will help to keep things running smoothly.

    Gerrit Kischner, Principal    

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