West Seattle, Washington
11 Sunday
By Aspen Anderson
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
We’re continuing our look at what’s on the February 11 ballots that King County Elections mailed out today. Last night we reported on Seattle Propositions 1A and 1B, funding for “social housing”; tonight, we’ll look at the two levy votes for Seattle Public Schools.
Proposition 1: Replacement for Educational Programs and Operations Levy
Seattle Public Schools is asking voters to approve a $747 million three-year operations levy to replace the current levy, which expires in 2025. The expiring levy collected about $244 million annually, while the proposed levy would collect more—$250 million in 2026, $249 million in 2027, and $248 million in 2028.
The proposed levy would fund programs not fully covered by state funding, including salaries, classroom supplies, special education, bilingual education, student transportation, maintenance, and extracurricular activities like arts and sports. Without a replacement, these services could face cuts.
Seattle Public Schools has relied on operations levies for decades to fill gaps left by state funding, especially in areas like special education, bilingual programs, and extracurricular activities. Seattle voters have consistently approved these levies. Rising costs have led the district to adjust levy requests to meet ongoing needs.
The levy would be funded through property taxes, with property owners in the district paying an estimated $0.78 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2026, $0.75 in 2027, and $0.72 in 2028. For example, the owner of a home valued at $700,000 would pay approximately $546 in 2026. These rates would be adjusted based on actual property values at the time of collection.
All taxable properties within the Seattle Public Schools district boundaries would contribute to this levy if it is approved by voters. This includes residential, commercial, and other property types subject to property taxes.
Schools First and other supporters submitted a statement in favor, writing: “This levy benefits every school in every part of Seattle … If the Operations Levy is not renewed, the district will have to make deep cuts. Teachers and instructional assistants will be laid off, and valuable programs that support students will be cut back or eliminated.”
No statements were submitted in opposition.
Proposition 2: Building Excellence Program: Capital Levy (BEX VI)
The district is asking voters to approve a $1.8 billion, six-year capital levy to fund the Building Excellence VI (BEX VI) Program, replacing an expiring measure. The levy is designed to fund safety upgrades, renovations, and technology needs across the district.
If approved, the levy would generate $300 million annually from 2026 to 2031. Property owners would pay an estimated $0.93 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2026, with rates decreasing to $0.79 in 2031 as property values rise. For example, the owner of a $600,000 home would pay approximately $558 in the first year.
Supporters emphasize this is not a new tax but a continuation of the current levy, though the total amount collected annually would increase slightly from the previous levy’s $270 million per year to meet rising costs.
The BEX VI levy would fund retrofitting school buildings for earthquake safety, upgrading fire alarms and security systems, replacing roofs and mechanical systems, making energy efficiency improvements, and renovating or replacing up to five schools. It also provides 90% of the district’s technology budget, which includes student computers and staff training. Its biggest West Seattle project would be an addition at Chief Sealth International High School for Career and Technical Education.
Supporters of the levy, including King County Executive Dow Constantine, argue it is essential to maintaining safe and modern learning environments. “This levy helps make sure our students are safe and our schools well maintained,” they wrote. “Every student and every school benefits!”
Opposition was submitted by Chris Jackins, a longtime critic of district spending. Jackins argued the levy prioritizes large school projects and could lead to consolidations or closures. He also proposed shrinking the levy to reduce taxes and setting aside funds to generate interest for the district’s operating budget.
Supporters have dismissed these claims, asserting there is no language in the proposal to close or consolidate schools. Instead, they argue the levy focuses on maintaining and modernizing existing facilities. “Prop. 2 maintains, rebuilds, and replaces aging school buildings, roofs, HVAC systems, technology, and security systems districtwide,” they wrote in a rebuttal.
State Senator Javier Valdez, a Democrat representing the 46th Legislative District in north Seattle, is a supporter of the levy and wrote, “All Seattle kids, regardless of zip code, deserve safe and healthy schools and up-to-date technology. Let’s continue investing in their future success.”
For both propositions, voters will simply choose “yes” or “no” to indicate their approval or rejection.
Currently, there is no direct alternative to these levies for funding the programs, safety upgrades and technology needs of Seattle Public Schools. The state’s funding formula does not fully cover these expenses, and the district relies heavily on voter-approved levies to bridge the gap. Without these levies, the district would likely need to make significant cuts or seek other funding sources
Election Day is February 11. Ballots must be postmarked by that date or dropped off at a ballot drop box (West Seattle has four) by 8 pm.
Register to vote, if you have not already. Online and mail registrations must be received by February 3 to vote in the election. Or register to vote in person by 8 pm on Election Day.
Throughout school-enrollment season, we’ve listed open houses and tours – for all types of schools – in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar. But some happen first thing in the morning, too early for our daily front-page event-reminder list, so we’re publishing this note about some upcoming events:
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: This year the district website does not have its usual page with a master list of open houses and tours; we’ve heard from a few schools, and added their events to our calendar – up next, a Roxhill Elementary tour and Highland Park Elementary tour/open house, both this Thursday night. Also, West Seattle Elementary has three open houses coming up, starting next Tuesday. Otherwise, you’ll have to directly contact a school in which you’re interested, and find out their plan. SPS does say “many” (not all) schools will be represented at its Admissions Fair at district HQ on February 1. … Also of note, West Seattle High School‘s open house for incoming students is set for January 30. … (Added Wednesday) Chief Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School both have open houses before month’s end too, CSIHS at 6 pm Thursday, DIMS at 5 pm January 30. …Also (thanks to everyone who continues to send additions), Louisa Boren STEM K-8 has eight events ahead on February 6, 11, and 13, all listed on this RSVP form. … Also, Pathfinder K-8 has an open house Thursday night and tours Friday morning. … Gatewood Elementary has morning and evening tours on February 12 …Fairmount Park Elementary has tours on January 30 and February 25 … (added Saturday) Concord International Elementary in South Park has an open house on February 6 ….
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS: All three of our area’s Catholic Schools, which all run through 8th grade, are having open houses this Sunday (scroll down this page for info on all three) – Holy Family Bilingual, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Holy Rosary.
PRESCHOOLS: Alki Co-op Preschool is moving to a new location this fall, and having an open house there tomorrow … ARK Preschool in Arbor Heights has an open house planned for February 8.
ANY OTHER EVENTS? If your school has an open house/tour event coming up but you haven’t sent us info for our calendar, it’s not too late – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Early success for Madison Middle School‘s new robotics team! Proud parent Shawna Fukano sent the report and photos:
The Madison Middle School Madbots are headed to the FIRST Lego League Western Washington Championship after finishing in the top six of 24 teams at the semifinals this weekend. The team has a lot to be proud of so far in their inaugural year. Their Innovation Project on autonomous underwater vehicles placed 2nd at their first competition, securing them a spot in the semifinals.
At the semifinals, they placed 2nd in the Core Values category and 3rd in the robot games, where the robot they designed and coded had 2 minutes 30 seconds to complete as many missions as possible. Congratulations, Madbots!
The team is coached by science teacher Emma Mann and parent Steve Loeppky. Championship competition is scheduled for February 2.
(WSHS #21, Wes Armstrong)
Story and photos by Tracy Burrows
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
MLK Day is a popular date to showcase high-school basketball in Seattle and throughout Washington. This afternoon, the West Seattle High School boys team matched up with Class 4A Kentridge High School in the MLK Day Classic Tournament at Seattle Pacific University.
The game started with cold shooting from both teams, with the first quarter ending with the Kentridge Chargers leading 10-9. In the second quarter, West Seattle found a groove by cutting down on turnovers and hitting key shots.
(WSHS #3, Sully Pond)
The Wildcats led by 5 at the half, 28-23. Halftime included a brief presentation on Dr. King’s legacy with a reminder to fans to consider how we can put hope into action to make the world a better place.
After the half, the lead seesawed back and forth for much of the third and fourth quarters. During a late game timeout, Wildcats Coach Fred Wilson exhorted his team to play with energy and pound the ball inside on offense. The team responded and with less than a minute to go, Wes Armstrong drove to the bucket, was fouled, and made a key free throw that gave the Wildcats a 3-point lead. West Seattle prevailed by a final score of 51-48. Duncan Monnin led with 13 points, followed by Alex Pierce and Tyce Sayles with 9 each.
No rest for the Wildcat boys – next game is at 7:30 pm tomorrow (Tuesday, January 21), at Eastside Catholic.
In our coverage of last Wednesday’s Morgan Community Association meeting, we mentioned a Gatewood Elementary PTA member’s presentation about local advocacy with the State Legislature regarding school funding. Here’s the official announcement of an event this Thursday night:
Understanding Our School Funding Crisis and Doing Something About It!
Organized by West Seattle High School PTSA and Chief Sealth International High School PTSAThursday, January 23 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
West Seattle High School Theater (3000 California Ave. SW)The WSHS PTSA and Chief Sealth PTSA invite the community to a Public School Funding Teach-In and Advocacy Training on January 23 in the WSHS theater.
The event will feature presentations and a Q&A session with Mary Fertakis, Vice Chair of the Washington State Board of Education; Oliver Miska, founder of the People’s Big Five; Robert Cruickshank, of Washington’s Paramount Duty.
The event is also an opportunity for you to take action in support of ample funding of basic education in Washington and to enjoy a Billion Dollar Bake Sale!
Child care is available for potty-trained kiddos. Please RSVP, here!
Questions? Email legislative@wshsptsa.org
Those are some of the 27 bags of clothing donated to family-shelter provider Mary’s Place this morning by organizers of last night’s Thrift Share event at Chief Sealth International High School. The items that went not only to the shelter but to students and their families resulted from a two-part donation drive at the school, mentioned in our seasonal-giving updates and Holiday Guide. Michelle Riggen-Ransom from the CSIHS PTSA sent the photos and this followup with words of gratitude:
Wanted to give a shout-out to the counselors and staff at Chief Sealth High School, who organized the first Pop-Up Thrift Share at the school last night. The event was open to all students and their families in the Denny and Sealth communities, and over two hundred folks over the course of the evening came through to pick up some new-to-them clothing and shoes. Special thanks to Shanyn Gilio-Tenan for an awesome job coordinating, and to our community members who stepped up with donations to make this such a successful event for our students and their families!
Story and photos by Tracy Burrows
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Wednesday night was a big night for high school wrestling in West Seattle, as four Metro League rivals took to the mats at the Chief Sealth International High School gym. For this mid-season tournament, Chief Sealth and West Seattle each matched up against O’Dea and Nathan Hale high schools. The individual matches were intense and exciting as the teams start the home stretch toward the state tournament in late February.
Chief Sealth started off the evening on a high note, crushing the O’Dea Fighting Irish 53-14. This was a satisfying victory over a team that has given Sealth trouble in the past. West Seattle battled hard against O’Dea but came up short 30-56. Nathan Hale did not field enough wrestlers for the results to be official, but both West Seattle and Sealth handily defeated the Raiders wrestlers.
Sealth coach Maurice Dolberry said his team is peaking just at the right moment. He said the boys’ team has the talent and drive to achieve the school’s best ever showing at the state tournament. Girls’ wrestling is one of the fastest-growing high school sports, and the Sealth girls are poised to do well at State too.
West Seattle coach Shon Sweet said that his team wrestled really well, and he expects to have a handful of wrestlers that make the state tournament. Sweet is working on growing the West Seattle team and says, “Wrestling is for everyone. No matter your size or body type, whether you’re a boy or girl, there’s a place for you on the team.” That spirit of inclusion was fully evident at the tournament, with boys and girls from lightweight to heavyweight cheering each other on from the sidelines.
This event presented by West Seattle schools’ PTAs/PTSAs has been in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar a while, but we heard more about it from an attendee at tonight’s Morgan Community Association meeting:
At first glance, that might sound like another stern lecture – “get your kid off their phone” – but Megan from the Gatewood Elementary PTA explained there’s more of a peninsula-wide movement going on, not just focused on reducing screen time, but also talking about “playborhoods” for kids – encouraging getting them out to play as was more common a couple generations ago. First step, though, come to the 6:30 pm discussion on Tuesday, January 28th at Gatewood (4320 SW Myrtle) – it’s free, and you can RSVP here. (Megan promises it will be “amazing.”) Child care will be available – and by the way, they’re also looking for volunteers to help with that – gatewood.pta.advocacy@gmail.com to volunteer and/or ask questions.
(As for the rest of the Morgan meeting, we’ll have the full report tomorrow.)
As of Saturday afternoon, signage was already out for the new “School Street” partial closure of 45th Avenue SW in front of Madison Middle School, which officially starts tomorrow and will be in effect 7 am-5 pm on weekdays per SDOT. We checked it out after a tip from a nearby resident; this sign on the northbound side of the street at SW Spokane is matched by one in the distance at the start of the southbound side at SW Hinds. Madison principal Dr. Robert Gary Jr. reminded the school community in this email on Thursday. As the SDOT program page and the signage both note, the “closure” exception includes drivers who live on the street and drivers making deliveries on the street. Other “School Streets” around the city include SW Dakota in front of Genesee Hill Elementary.
As we first reported last month, 45th SW in front of Madison Middle School will become a “School Street” – closed to through traffic – 7 am-5 pm on school days starting Monday (January 13). Today, Madison principal Dr. Robert Gary Jr. sent the following reminder to Madison families, several of whom forwarded it to us with the suggestion that the wider community be reminded too:
Dear Madison Parents, and Guardians,
I hope this message finds you all well in the New Year. I am writing to you today to share more about the safety street closure on 45th Avenue SW between Hinds and Spokane that will begin next week. This street closure will reduce the likelihood of accidents and encourage alternative forms of transportation. As a school principal, the safety and well-being of our students are always my top priority, and I believe this closure will help foster a safer, healthier, and more sustainable environment for everyone in our community.
Traffic congestion around school zones is a major concern, particularly during the busy drop-off and pick-up times. Unfortunately, this heavy traffic can increase the likelihood of accidents, particularly involving pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users. By temporarily closing off certain streets during peak hours, we can reduce congestion and provide a safer, less stressful space for our students to walk, bike, or scooter to and from school. There have been too many “near misses” in crosswalks, illegal U-turns, and high-speed drivers around the school in recent months and we are grateful to the City of Seattle for taking this proactive step with us.
Additionally, we hope this will encourage families to explore alternative forms of transportation. Walking, biking, public transit, or carpooling can not only reduce traffic but also promote physical activity and environmental responsibility. These options offer great benefits to both the health of our students and the overall well-being of our community. Please remember we have the covered bicycle and scooter parking off the North parking lot for student and staff use. If driving is the only option for you, we encourage dropping students off at least one block from the school to alleviate congestion during this transition on neighboring streets. Any students or families needing ADA accessibility can be accommodated in the safety zone.
This safety street closure is not just about reducing risk; it’s about fostering a culture of safety, wellness, and sustainability. By taking proactive steps now, we can create a safer and more positive school environment for our children and set an example for other communities to follow.
I understand that change can sometimes be challenging, but I truly believe this is an important step toward a safer future for our students. I encourage you to support this initiative, and I am available to answer any questions or discuss any concerns you may have.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to making our school and community a better place.
Here’s the official SDOT flyer about the change. When we asked SDOT last month about the process for approving School Streets, they replied, “School Streets are requested by schools and reviewed and approved by SDOT as long as they meet the criteria (more detail on the criteria on the webpage).
It’s still prime time for school shoppers, so another wave of open houses is happening between now and the end of January. Tilden School (4105 California SW; WSB sponsor) is ready to welcome prospective families to visit this Saturday (January 11), 10 am-noon. Here’s what the independent K-5 school says they’re all about:
“Tilden offers an exceptional preparatory education in literacy, math, science, and the arts, ensuring students build a strong foundation for future success. With a student-to-teacher ratio below 9:1, we deeply understand each child’s skills and character, adapting experiences, content, and challenges to support their growth. We also provide a content-rich educational experience, with specialist instruction in subjects ranging from computer science to vocal music to art history. By blending the innate joy and curiosity of children with exceptional and modern teaching practices, we foster a community of learners who are excited about their education and well-prepared for a seamless transition to middle school and beyond.”
Questions before the event (or afterward)? Call 206-938-4628 or email info@tildenschool.org.
Student and adult participants are invited to apply for this new “intergenerational” project at Chief Sealth International High School – here’s the announcement we were asked to share:
7-10 students from Chief Sealth International High School will join 7-10 adults (some preference will
be given to seniors, and applications will be considered in the order they are received) chosen by BAYFEST for
a monthly meeting of the new BAYFEST Intergenerational Theatre Project. Fun theatre games and exercises, guided discussions, group collaborations and playwriting will lead to a final “showing” in June.Project will be led by BAYFEST and CSIHS Drama Company Director Robert Shampain, who has more than 30 years experience leading this type of workshop-format project. Other BAYFEST teaching artists will join us for some sessions.
Over our 35 years, BAYFEST has often worked collaboratively with youth and adult performers, and we always find this kind of cross-generational partnership unbelievably rewarding for all. Now that our Chief Sealth Drama Company has been well established, we want to add this project to our roster of community offerings with the hope of making it a regular and sustainable program each year.
January – June, 2025 – Saturdays or Sundays (group will decide what works best for all). First meeting will take place on Saturday, January 18, from 10 AM – 1 PM at Chief Sealth International High School Auditorium and Little Theatre, 2600 SW Thistle Street.
Interested adults and students (NO THEATER EXPERIENCE NECESSARY – JUST A DESIRE TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH PARTICIPANTS OF ALL AGES AND, WE HOPE, CHALLENGE YOURSELF A BIT!) can fill out a brief application:
shorturl.at/EEAXwAPPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY JANUARY 11, 2025
COST: FREE. This project is being sponsored by BAYFEST Youth Theatre and our funders. We only ask that participants commit to being collaborative, having fun, and following our group-created charter.
NOTE: Because we are affiliated with Chief Sealth High School, adult applicants will also be required to complete the Seattle Public Schools “Volunteer Packet” at: bit.ly/4gTmD4f
YOU MAY SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH FRIENDS WHO MAY BE INTERESTED.
Any questions? Please contact BAYFEST at BAYFESTyouthTheatre@ gmail.com
If you have one or more students in the family, you’re likely well aware that winter break is ending and classes resume tomorrow (Monday, January 6). But if not – here’s your reminder that schools are reopening and that means everybody who needs to get to and from them will be back on the streets, sidewalks, paths, etc.
Key dates for the rest of this school year – from the Seattle Public Schools calendar, which many independent schools mirror – include:
January 20 – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 17-21 – Midwinter Break
April 14-18 – Spring Break
May 26 – Memorial Day
June 18 – Last scheduled day of school
Another reminder that this year’s West Seattle Preschool Fair (WSB sponsor) is coming up Tuesday night – meet reps from 15 local preschools, all in one place, at one time, 5:30 pm-7 pm January 7th at the Hope School Gym (4100 SW Genesee). Here’s the list of schools planning to participate:
Schools Attending:
ARK Preschool
Bloom Preschool
Cometa Playschool
Community School of West Seattle
Fauntleroy Children’s Center
Giddens School
Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School
Holy Rosary Preschool
Hope Lutheran School
Our Lady of Guadalupe Early Learning Center
South Seattle College Cooperative Preschools
Southwest Early Learning Bilingual Preschool
St. Bernadette Early Learning Center
The Cove School
Westside School
The Preschool Fair is a drop-in event, no RSVP necessary. If you’re driving, a parking lot is directly across Genesee from the gym entrance.
Preschool-shopping for your little one(s)? One week from tonight, you can meet reps from 15 local preschools, all in one place! The West Seattle Preschool Fair is set for Tuesday night, January 7th, 5:30 pm, and is sponsoring WSB to be extra-certain you hear about it. Here’s the latest:
Looking for the right preschool for your child? Attend the West Seattle Preschool Fair in the Hope School Gym (4100 SW Genesee) January 7th to visit 15 local preschools and learn what each program has to offer your child! No RSVP necessary.
Parking is available on the street or in the parking lot on the corner of 41st & Genesee St (East side of 41st).
Schools Attending:
ARK Preschool
Bloom Preschool
Cometa Playschool
Community School of West Seattle
Fauntleroy Children’s Center
Giddens School
Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School
Holy Rosary Preschool
Hope Lutheran School
Our Lady of Guadalupe Early Learning Center
South Seattle College Cooperative Preschools
Southwest Early Learning Bilingual Preschool
St. Bernadette Early Learning Center
The Cove School
Westside School
The Preschool Fair is a drop-in event, 5:30-7 pm next Tuesday.
We asked SPD about an incident logged just after noon Monday because its classification on the call map suggested it might have been a shots-fired incident, and the address was near Pathfinder K-8 on Pigeon Point. The police report says someone called in to report finding two bullets on the ground on the trails just outside the campus, “on the path that comes from 20th Avenue SW leading south to the school through the woods.” This was further described as a trail “outside the large fenced property to the west of Pathfinder School.” Police arrived and took the two unspent 9mm bullets; the person who found them said they hadn’t seen anyone around or near the bullets.
(Looking north on 45th SW, future ‘School Street,’ in front of Madison MS)
Thanks for the tip! From the Madison Middle School PTSA newsletter comes word that 45th SW in front of the school will become an SDOT-designated “School Street“ starting in mid-February. Here’s the SDOT flyer explaining what that means:
In short, as explained by the PTSA:
Starting on Monday, January 13th, this block will be closed from 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM to all through traffic, including parents dropping off children. It will remain accessible for: residential access, district provided transportation, anyone with ADA needs, local deliveries, and any non-motorized vehicles.
The PTSA is recruiting volunteers to help with the transition. Meantime, the parent who alerted us to this says, “This is great news for safety concerns.” Other “School Streets” around the city include SW Dakota in front of Genesee Hill Elementary (recently adorned with a mural – we don’t know if one will be sought for 45th; we’re awaiting followup info from SDOT).
After just one year as an elected Seattle Public Schools board director, West Seattle/South Park (District 6) rep Gina Topp is the board’s new president. She was elected unanimously last night, the only director nominated to take over the job. You can see her post-election comments three hours and 26 minutes into the meeting recording; she called the board presidency an “awesome” and “heavy” responsibility that she is “excited” to take on. Topp also observed the now-scrapped school-closure process “did some damage in our communities” so “we hae some work to do to regain trust.” But Topp added that there was a bit of a silver lining to that process too – it “highlighted how impactful our schools are in our communities,” and she offered words of gratitude for educators. Her presidency started immediately after the vote. Other board members elected to leadership roles last night: Evan Briggs of Northeast Seattle as vice president and Joe Mizrahi as member-at-large.
Many holiday-season donation drives wrap up by mid-December. Not this one. Wednesday is the first of two dropoff days – here’s the announcement we were asked to share with you:
As we head into the holidays, it’s the perfect time to clean out your closets and donate your gently used or new clothing to support a great cause! Chief Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School are organizing a community thrift-share event for our families and school community, scheduled to take place in January. All items will be free for families.
We are seeking donations of clothes to help stock the thrift store and make this event a success. Donations can include:
-Coats, clothing, and shoes (new or gently used)
-All sizes are welcome — kids, young adults, and adultsPlease Note: We are unable to accept items such as clothes with holes, used underwear or bras, worn-out shoes, or other items in poor condition.
How to Donate: Please drop off your donations at Chief Sealth International High School’s main office on December 18th or January 8th. Your support will help make a difference for families in our community. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
For more information or questions, or if you need an alternate dropoff time, please contact Shanyn Gilio-Tenan (stgiliotenan@seattleschools.org, 206.252.8684) or Ariana Nunez (arnunez@seattleschools.org, 206.252.8600).
The CSIHS office is open 8:30 am-4 pm; it’s inside the main entrance of the school at 2600 SW Thistle.
School-shopping? Two local independent elementaries invite you to open houses tomorrow (Saturday, December 7):
(Photo from 2023 ‘Poem in Your Pocket’ day at Tilden School)
TILDEN SCHOOL: This longtime WSB sponsor is at 4105 California SW, and the Saturday open house is 10 am-noon. Here’s what Tilden School offers:
Academic, engaging, individualized K-5 education
Our integrated curriculum embraces opportunities for students to weave the many threads of their education together. Dedicated to smaller class sizes with low student-to-teacher ratio, Tilden offers a rich and rigorous program for the intellectual, artistic, social, emotional, and physical development of each student.
You can register to attend the open house by going here.
BRIDGE CO-OP ELEMENTARY: The Bridge School, also a WSB sponsor, is also welcoming visitors 10 am-noon tomorrow: “Staff and current families will be onsite to show families around and answer questions. We invite the community to come find out what makes cooperative elementary unique!” The school is at 10300 28th SW.
8:41 AM: Thanks for the tip. Families of Summit Atlas, the charter middle/high school at 35th/Roxbury, have been notified that school is closed today because of a “facilities emergency” – described as “the HVAC system is not operational.” There was a four-unit SFD response at the campus for a while this past half-hour, but the last two units have just been dismissed. Parents have been told that offcampus electives are still happening today but “with optional attendance”; students that were on buses just arriving at school are being offered the chance to take the same bus home since school is closed. We’re following up to find out more.
9:09 AM: Families have received this update from the school, also forwarded to us:
A little after 8am a staff member discovered what looked like water vapor or smoke coming from the ceiling.
We immediately called 911 and evacuated the staff in the building.
The Fire Department arrived and confirmed that there was no smoke or fire.
The Fire Department determined issue was with the HVAC system and there was water vapor coming from the system.
The system must be shut down until it can be repaired, leaving the building with no heat.
We will update the community later today about school tomorrow, 12/6.
(WSB photos from Tuesday’s dress rehearsal)
Bayfest Youth Theatre‘s Robert Shampain says his students in the Chief Sealth International High School drama program are about to open “one of our best shows ever”! We stopped by last night for their dress rehearsal of “The Rake’s Progress” – here’s how they’re inviting you to come see:
What do Mozart and Lady Gaga have in common? Their music is great, they both like to have a good time, and they’re both featured in our fall play, “The Rake’s Progress” – a modern 18th century fable about Love, Temptation, Greed, and the wages of sin.
Sound heavy? IT’S NOT!!!!
It’s fun, sweet, rollicking, funny and a little devilish (at times…) With great costumes, sets, and lights in our newly-upgraded Performing Arts Center, this is fun for the whole family, and by buying tickets you will be supporting the Sealth Drama Program, which has lost a huge amount of funding this year due to school district budget cuts. Come and support our very hard working teen actors, designers and techs, and crew, who have been putting this show together since September.
Showtimes in the CSIHS auditorium (west side of campus, 2600 SW Thistle):
Thursday, December 5th – 7:30 PM,
Friday, December 6th – 7:30 PM,
Saturday, December 7th – 2:00 PM,
Saturday, December 7th – 7:30 PM,
Sunday, December 8th – 2:00 PM
You can buy advance tickets online here – $14 adults, $9 students – or at the door, $17 adults, $12 students.
11:58 AM: Thanks to teacher Vincent Della Pella for the photo! That’s the newly installed street mural on SW Dakota in front of Genesee Hill Elementary. The mural features fox tracks in honor of the school’s mascot, and we’re told the tracks were all designed by GHE students! (Students at GHE have been involved in a mural before, too – here’s our report on a 2023 project.)
12:45 PM: Just talked to GHE principal Liz Dunn by phone, and we learned the mural has quite a backstory – “three years in the making,” she says. It’s part of a “School Street” – closed to through traffic during school hours – she’s long been working toward, in collaboration with SDOT. After that was settled, principal Dunn says, she asked how she could get some art on the street, and SDOT worked with her on that too. The mural components are actually thermoplastic applied to the street, not paint (so we updated the original report to “installed” rather than “painted”). In addition to the fox pawprints, other aspects of the school’s logo – trees, books, music – are incorporated into the mural. Overall, Dunn says, it’s intended to help bring more joy to the school and its students. “This really frames the school beautifully!”
| 30 COMMENTS