‘Say goodbye to Alki’ at two upcoming school events

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

After this school year, Alki Elementary is set to be demolished, with a larger replacement built on the site. The Alki Elementary PTA says two upcoming events will provide chances to say goodbye to the old building, starting with a show:

Alki Elementary PTA is thrilled to announce “The CLAW!” – a new children’s musical! After two years of virtual performances, the Alki PTA musical has returned to the stage – and for the first time in decades it will actually be performed on Alki’s own stage as an homage to the building before the planned demolition this summer.

The Claw tells the story of a claw machine in the West Seattle Bowling Alley (we took a little artistic liberty there) that’s been broken down for years and what happens to the toys inside of it when it suddenly springs to life again! It boasts a cast and crew of 55 3rd, 4th and 5th grade Alki students and was produced by 100% volunteer parent power!

Tickets are a suggested donation of $5 and on sale now for 3 performances! Bake Sale, Flower Sale and Raffle Basket fundraisers benefiting Alki PTA before and after the show. Runtime approximately 45 minutes.

Friday, February 10 at 6:30 PM – SOLD OUT
Saturday, February 11, 1:00 PM Matinee and 6:30 PM Finale
alkimusical.square.site

The Alki PTA Musical is the first of the final events to take place in the longstanding school building slated for demo and rebuild over the next two years. Alki PTA welcomes you to “The Claw” and would like families, neighbors and alumni to save the date for their next event, “It’s The Final Countdown – Say Goodbye to Alki Celebration and Auction” – Saturday, March 25th – where guests will have a chance to visit the building one last time and join in the evening’s program by sharing alumni pictures and memories of Alki! More info to come! alkipta.com

Reed February 4, 2023 (12:26 pm)

Curious who is leading the NIMBY group against the construction of the new, larger school? I’ve seen signs in yards around the school, but can’t recall.

Flivver February 4, 2023 (5:29 pm)

Reed. Could be residents near the school that know with less parking at the school there’ll be more cars parking in the area. It is because, as you know, all the teachers and support staff drive there to work. And I might add if you’re there (or any other elementary school) before or after school you’ll notice a LOT of the parents drive their kids to/from school.
- Reed February 5, 2023 (8:44 am)
  
  So people are fighting against providing more education space/resources for elementary aged children because they are upset over parking? Do you hear how ridiculous that sounds?
  - Flivver February 5, 2023 (4:14 pm)
    
    Reed. Umm no, NOBODY is fighting for less (or the same) space for kids. What the fight is about is adequate off-street parking for the expanded school. Do YOU know how ridiculous it is to not provide that??
    - reed February 6, 2023 (8:44 am)
      
      Again, it is laughable watching people pitch such a fit over off-street parking in a very walkable part of West Seattle. Park a few blocks away and walk. If you are disabled, get a permitted spot in front of your place. Being a homeowner does not give you entitlement to the curb space in front of your house. Maybe the homeowners around Alki Elementary should add parking spaces on their own property for their vehicles if it is such an issue.
    - Flivver February 6, 2023 (4:59 pm)
      
      Reed. Laughable indeed. Next time you see a teacher carrying supplies to their classroom please tell them that they’re in a “very walkable part of West Seattle” and shouldn’t care that they’re not able to park closer.
    - Reed February 6, 2023 (7:53 pm)
      
      I’d be happy to, while pointing out the fact I get two kids to school with their stuff and myself to work with all my stuff on a bicycle everyday. It’s completely doable and people need to stop whining about not being able to park anywhere they want; it’s not reality.
  - Frog February 5, 2023 (5:56 pm)
    
    Alki is being expanded by one third, to a capacity of 500 students, when the existing population is less than 300, and SPS is talking in general about consolidating (closing) elementary schools. Do you hear how ridiculous that sounds? Are they going to close Lafayette, and convert Pathfinder to a neighborhood elementary school? The school board constantly complains about transportation expense, so why build an oversized school at a non-central location?

onion February 4, 2023 (3:59 pm)

I thought the design was still under discussion. But the project is moving forward regardless?

Math Teacher February 4, 2023 (5:30 pm)

(1) There is insufficient parking. I’d expect neighbors to be wary of blocked driveways and gridlock on tiny neighborhood streets.

(2) SPS needs to close some schools and programs due to declining enrollment. Why do they need such a larger school here?

Mel February 5, 2023 (1:59 pm)

Really interesting point. I know Bellevue is closing/consolidating several schools due to declining enrollment there too. Hopefully SPS is getting ahead of it.

WSrealtor February 5, 2023 (3:14 pm)

Where are the students moving to while the new school is being built?

WSB February 5, 2023 (5:07 pm)

The old Schmitz Park, as West Seattle Elementary will be moving back to its campus after this school year (following two years at Schmitz Park).

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