(Afternoon note: Adding photos when/if received)

This is the third day of picketing for striking Seattle Education Association members. In West Seattle, teachers and other SEA members have an announcement and invitation:

While bargaining continues between the Seattle School District and Seattle Education Association bargaining teams, Seattle education employees will continue to participate in strike actions on Friday, September 9. In appreciation of, and solidarity with our West Seattle students and families, local educators are planning several public-service events and activities for Friday afternoon. Community members are invited to participate with us!

Here is a partial list of what some West Seattle school staffs are planning for this afternoon. Community members may also want to stop by their local schools in the morning, to visit with us, and get clarification of afternoon plans.

—Pathfinder K-8 School will be cleaning the area around the Duwamish Longhouse, the park across the street, and along Marginal Way. The Pathfinder community has had a long-standing partnership with the Duwamish Tribe, and staff feels that this service project will be a good way to give back.

—West Seattle Elementary School will be having community-building activities Friday afternoon. Staff will be outside at the neighborhood Park by the Bee Garden from 1:00 – 3:00. There will be board games, arts and crafts, sports, running, movement, sidewalk chalk fun, children’s books, and a community clean up! West Seattle Elementary educators request that everyone pass the word about their community building. “Everyone is welcome to come, show support, and build community with us!”

—Genesee Hill Elementary School educators warmly invite community members to join their line any time before 11:00. Help these fine educators build community presence, and then… “Come march with us to the Junction at 12!” They will be at the Key Bank near Alaska junction, collecting donations of non-perishable food and hygiene items for the West Seattle Food Bank and the West Seattle High School Food Pantry, and they will be participating in a community clean-up at the Junction.

(Thanks to Jennifer for the WSHS photo)

—West Seattle High School staff will also be hosting a non-perishable food and hygiene item drive, at their strike tables, for the school’s food pantry. Items in the pantry are freely given to our students and families who are faced with food and income insecurity. West Seattle High School educators will also be cleaning Hiawatha Park, next to the school (see Donation Request list).

—Alki Elementary educators plan to participate in a beach clean-up from noon to 2:00 PM, and invite community members meet us at the Statue of Liberty at noon!

—Madison Middle School educators will be at school in the morning, and then participating in a clean-up on California Avenue in the afternoon.

—Lafayette Elementary educators will be cleaning the public park adjacent to the school that serves as the Lafayette playground when school is in session. You can stop by the line in the morning to ask about particulars.

—Gatewood Elementary School will be participating in a clean-up at Lincoln Park in the afternoon. Want to join? Stop by the line in the AM, and get some specifics.

—Arbor Heights Elementary educators will be participating in a Lincoln Park cleanup.

(Photo sent by Emily – Roxhill cleanup at Lincoln Park)

(added) Roxhill Elementary educators will be cleaning up Lincoln Park 1-3 pm.

(added) Fairmount Park Elementary educators plan to be out on Fauntleroy from 1:00-3:00pm at the Fairmount Park field picking up trash and waving to all our wonderful community supporters. “We will still have some teachers in the front of our school and invite families and friends to stop by and give us their support!”

(added) Highland Park Elementary – From 1:00-3:00, our staff will be cleaning up around the community. Our staff will pick up trash along 8th Ave, 9th Ave, Roxbury, and Henderson. All who are available in the community are welcome to join!

(added) Sanislo Elementary: service projects near school

(added) Denny International MS: Community Clean-up along Delridge (Roxbury to Juneau)

(added) Chief Sealth International HS: Community Clean-up at Westwood Village

(added) Concord International Elementary – some people will picket while others clear blackberries and clean around the school area

(Thanks to Rachel for the STEM crew photo)

(added) Louisa Boren STEM K-8: Community Clean-up Delridge / Longfellow Creek (south of Juneau); weeding and garden maintenance at Delridge P-Patch Community Garden

These are some, but not all, of the community service events being planned in West Seattle! Local educators, still on strike, miss our students and families. We can’t wait to work with you when our strike is settled, and we have a new contract. In the meantime, please stop by our schools, build community, talk with us, walk with us, and participate in our service activities, if you have the time and energy to do so. Your West Seattle educators appreciate any and all efforts! Thank you so very much!

Anything to add? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you.