You name the school! Community suggestions sought for new elementary on Genesee Hill

| Genesee Hill | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Rendering envisioning the new school’s interior)

As construction continues on the new elementary school at the site of the former Genesee Hill Elementary, the process of deciding what to call it has just expanded to include you! Here’s the announcement:

The West Seattle community, along with Schmitz Park Elementary families, staff and Genesee Hill School alumni, are being invited to submit suggestions for the name of the new school building being constructed to replace the old building on the Genesee Hill school site.

This Seattle Public Schools Building Excellence IV (BEX IV) project was approved by Seattle voters in February 2013. The Schmitz Park Elementary program is scheduled to move into the new building at the Genesee Hill site in September, 2016.

“We hope to select a name that honors our legacy as Schmitz Park Elementary, while building a new tradition, in a new location, on Genesee Hill,” said Gerrit Kischner, Principal, Schmitz Park Elementary.

If you wish to nominate a name, including the current Genesee Hill School name, please email it to communications@schmitzparkpta.org. All nominations need to be received by March 31, 2015. Please include the criteria for why the name should be selected. Seattle Public Schools’ School Board naming procedure states that the naming of new buildings should be selected based upon: (a) geographical location or local community name; or (b) distinguished individuals who have served the local community, state, or nation, whether in education or other fields.

Once names have been received, a committee that includes a representative from the Southwest Seattle Historical Society will compile the names. The community will then be asked to vote for their preferred name. The results of the poll, along with other submitted information, will be used to make a recommendation that will be sent to the Seattle Public Schools superintendent for review and consideration. The superintendent would then make a recommendation to the School Board for approval. For more information, please visit schmitzparkpta.org.

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21 Replies to "You name the school! Community suggestions sought for new elementary on Genesee Hill"

West Seattle Hipster March 20, 2015 (11:44 am)

Bill Clinton Elementary sounds good to me

Curtis March 20, 2015 (11:44 am)

Thelma DeWitty Elementary School.

WSB March 20, 2015 (12:02 pm)

There is at least one William Jefferson Clinton Elementary, in Southern California – top of the Google results.
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http://wjces-compton-ca.schoolloop.com/
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For anyone who isn’t familiar with Thelma DeWitty – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thelma_Dewitty
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Ms. DeWitty made history as Seattle Public Schools’ first African-American teacher, starting here in West Seattle, at the original Frank B. Cooper School, now Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. – TR

gh March 20, 2015 (12:03 pm)

Genesee Hill Elementary

Karen March 20, 2015 (12:19 pm)

Let’s honor a native son – Charlie Chong Middle School.

craig March 20, 2015 (12:30 pm)

Good Luck with what we left you Elementary

WS Guy March 20, 2015 (12:35 pm)

Genesee Hill Elementary. Let’s keep it simple.

Hotcoffee March 20, 2015 (12:47 pm)

I nominate Overdue. Or No Mas Portables.

Forest March 20, 2015 (2:04 pm)

I third the nomination for Genesee Hill. Please, under no circumstances should the school be named for a politician — especially not Ronald Reagan.

Militant Moderate March 20, 2015 (2:32 pm)

Grace Murray Hopper Elementary.

WSB March 20, 2015 (2:36 pm)

Another awesome woman: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Hopper

West Seattle Hipster March 20, 2015 (2:59 pm)

Thanks for the education on Ms. DeWitty. I think she would be a much more deserving person to have her name attached to the school.

G March 20, 2015 (3:03 pm)

Genesee Hill. It was good enough when I was attending the school in the dim past. Second choice would be the Richard Hugo Elementary. Esteemed American poet born in White Center.

Wendy March 20, 2015 (3:06 pm)

Genesee Hill Elementary. It’s located in the Genesee Hill neighborhood and it’s on Genesee ST.

G March 20, 2015 (3:13 pm)

And, a number of Hugo’s poems reference the West Seattle area. I believe one of his poems is immortalized in concrete along the Alki boardwalk (sandy portion of the beach).