West Seattle, Washington
27 Saturday
Despite the stormy weather, workers are on site today at the Alki Elementary rebuild project; Don sent the photo showing the concrete pour that’s under way. If you’ve passed the site in recent days and noticed the white tent-like structures, those have been part of the preparations for this. This is for the building’s ground floor; other work already been done includes foundation construction and piping for utilities including the building’s heating and cooling system. We asked the district about any other updates, and a spokesperson says, “The mass timber structure installation will begin in March.” The new school is expected to open in fall of 2026; staff and students will have been in temporary quarters at the former Schmitz Park Elementary site for three years by then. It’s been a year and a half since the old school was demolished; after demolition, the start of construction was on hold until an appeal was resolved.
(Photo by Oliver Hamlin)
At left, above, is Chief Sealth International High School wrestler Micah Policarpio, who took second in his division (190) at the just-completed state tournament. CSIHS reports head coach Maurice Dolberry‘s team finished 8th in the state and says they’re the highest-placing Seattle Public Schools team ever. Other top-ten finishers from Sealth are listed in their announcement as Lucy Self (3rd, 140), Xavier Nguyen (3rd, 150), Lanu Amituanai (5th, 145), Eli Policarpio (5th, 215), Alex Pando (7th, 175), and Xander Gomez (8th, 132).
P.S. You can find full brackets/results by starting here.
The West Seattle High School boys are the only local high-school basketball team still in the playoffs, after both Chief Sealth International High School teams lost win-or-go-home games tonight: The girls lost to/at Cedarcrest 51-37, while the boys lost to/at Lindbergh, 73-50. The WSHS boys play Garfield at 3:30 pm tomorrow (Friday, February 21) at Bellevue College (3000 Landerholm Circle SE) – winner to state, loser out.
Seattle Public Schools confirms today that Ray Garcia-Morales has officially resigned as principal of Chief Sealth International High School and from district employment. He resigned yesterday, according to this memo just circulated to the school community and provided to us moments ago by a district spokesperson:
Dear Chief Sealth International High School Community,
We are writing to share an important school leadership update with you.
Principal Ray Garcia-Morales has resigned from Seattle Public Schools effective Tuesday, Feb. 18.
The district appreciates Garcia-Morales’ dedicated leadership and service to students, staff, and the entire school community, and wishes him all the best in his future endeavors.
Hope Perry will serve as the building leader for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year. We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition and will begin the process of searching for a permanent principal. Southwest Regional Executive Director of Schools Chris Carter will be supporting the CSIHS leadership team to ensure that students and staff are fully supported during this time.
Should you have any questions or concerns Executive Director Carter can be reached at cecarter@seattleschools.org.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ricardo Torres-Morales
Associate Superintendent
Seattle Public Schools
This was Garcia-Morales’s fourth school year as Sealth principal. His resignation Tuesday was exactly two weeks after the district announced Garcia-Morales was on leave after his arrest following a flipped-car crash at the southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge (here’s our original coverage of that February 2nd crash). We’re re-checking the case files to see if anything more has happened
Story and photos by Tracy Burrows
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Both Chief Sealth International High School basketball teams played must-win district-tournament games at home Tuesday night.
After the CSIHS girls’ basketball team’s tough loss to Foster High School in the opening round of the tournament, head coach Mario Martinez decided to play up-tempo ball from the initial possession of their game. The Seahawks deployed a full-court man-to-man press the entire first half and wreaked havoc on their opponent, the Lindbergh Eagles (Renton). Sealth forced multiple turnovers and kept Lindbergh from setting up their offense.
Lindbergh tried to stop Sealth’s Alysse Bland (above), but she had little problem shaking off defenders. Sealth’s smothering team defense, along with a couple of key three pointers from Bethel Bisrat and Keimani Proctor-Mills’ dynamic rebounding helped the Seahawks build a 29-20 lead at the half.
At the start of the second half, Sealth started racking up fouls that gave Lindbergh bonus free throws with over 3 minutes left in the third quarter. The free throws kept Lindbergh in the game as they cut Sealth’s lead to three heading into the 4th quarter. But Bland continued driving and scoring.
Presley Williams (above) drained two timely 3-pointers and the team iced the win 50-37. After the game, Coach Martinez was proud of the determination of the team. “If we keep playing with intensity and energy, we can make it through to the State tournament.” Next up for the Sealth girls is an away game at Cedarcrest High School in Duvall on Thursday at 7:00 pm.
Now to the boys’ game:
After a heartbreaking 69-68 loss to Renton High School on Saturday. the Sealth boys’ team played a must-win game in Tuesday night’s Class 2 District Tournament game against the Evergreen Wolverines from White Center.
After head coach Ja’Lyn Combs made an early adjustment to address Evergreen’s defensive press, the outcome of the game was never really in doubt. The Sealth boys combined outside shooting with effective inside play and led by a score of 32-24 at the half.
The Seahawks went on a quick run to start the 2nd half by forcing turnovers and making quick fast-break points. Sealth players repeatedly beat defenders to the basket and Chase Valdez (above) poured in buckets from the outside. By the end of the game, the Evergreen defense was worn down as the Seahawks notched an 83-57 win.
Chase Valdez led the team with 19 points and Taj Washington (above) contributed 13. The team moves on to play an away game on Thursday night at either Foster or Lindbergh.
Thanks for the reader report and photo! One of the local high-school teams that’s in postseason competition this year has qualified for state – the West Seattle High Schoolboys’ swimmers/divers:
Members of the West Seattle High School boy’ swim team are headed to State this week – February 20-22 @ King County Aquatic Center.
The boys are wrapping up a historically successful season for the WSHS Swim & Dive program, including going 7-1 in dual meets, sending all 25 swimmers to Metros and taking 5th overall, with 12 swimmers qualifying for and participating in 3A Districts this past week. In the season thus far, team records have been set in the 200 Medley, 200 Freestyle Relay and 400 Freestyle Relay, and sophomore Tom Wrenholt set team records in individual 100 Fly and 200 IM.
Swimmers advancing to State are the 200 Medley Relay team – Tom Wrenholt (10th – Backstroke), Nate Boehmer (11th – Fly) , Jacob Lee (12th – Breaststroke), and Mason Duffy (10th – Freestyle), and alternates Luca Conte (9th), Casey Laplante (10th), Ben Wrenholt (10th), and Mac Rysemus (11th). Tom Wrenholt also qualified individually and will be competing for the second year in a row in the 100 Backstroke.
Congrats to the team and their amazing coaches Karen Boehmer and Logan Rysemus for an awesome season, and good luck at State – Go, Wildcats!
Three of the varsity basketball teams from Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School are still in the playoff picture. Here’s what’s next in district playoffs after this weekend’s games:
WSHS GIRLS: Their 56-49 loss to Mercer Island on Saturday was a “loser out” game.
WSHS BOYS: After last night’s 44-41 win over Roosevelt, they play Bellevue at Newport HS, 7:15 pm Tuesday.
CSIHS GIRLS: After Friday night’s 61-54 loss to Foster, they host Lindbergh at (updated) 5:30 pm Tuesday.
CSIHS BOYS: After a 69-68 loss to Renton on Saturday afternoon, they play Evergreen at 7 pm Tuesday.
(Sealth’s Keimani Proctor-Mills)
Story and photos by Tracy Burrows
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Friday night, the Chief Sealth International High School girls’ basketball team played the opening game of the District 2A tournament against Foster High School (Tukwila) at the Sealth gym.
The Seahawks had to play without one of their leading scorers and shot blockers, as Fahima Mohamed was unavailable due to injury. Early in the game, the play was a bit sloppy as both teams turned the ball over repeatedly.
At the start of the 2nd quarter, Sealth’s Mackenna Mack (above) made some nice moves to get free underneath for a couple of quick buckets. But Foster was able to capitalize on some defensive lapses on the baseline and strong three-point shooting to take a 33-16 lead at the half.
Down by double digits, Sealth stepped up the defensive intensity in the second half. The Seahawks’ Alysse Bland (above) put on an offensive clinic, combining drives to the basket with deadly three-point shooting. Each time Sealth went on a run, Foster answered back with a clutch 3-pointer. Late in the game, Bland and Bethel Bisrat drained back-to-back three pointers to pull Sealth within 5 points of the lead, but the Seahawks ran out of time, losing by a final score of 61-54. Alysse Bland finished with 20 points, while Mackenna Mack and Hannah Mueller contributed 8 points each.
(Sealth’s Dajah Johnson)
The District Tournament has a double-elimination format. Head coach Mario Martinez‘s Metro-champion Sealth girls could still make the State Tournament by winning out in the consolation bracket. They will play again on Tuesday night at 7 pm at a location to be determined.
6:24 PM: Student-created pottery is part of what you’ll see if you visit Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle) for tonight’s ArtsWalk, on until 8 pm. Visual and performing arts showcases are happening in multiple spaces until everyone gathers in the theater for the “grand finale” at 7:30 pm.
It’s also a fundraiser for the school’s arts programs. More to come!
ADDED: WSB’s Aspen Anderson stopped in for a little jazz …
And poetry:
The greeters were Coral Dixon, Lida Henrikson, and Ronin Mann:
The flags raised this morning outside Denny International Middle School had a first-ever addition – the Pan-African flag along with the USA and Washington State flags. The flag-raising was at the conclusion of a celebration featuring student speakers from three schools, organized by Keenen Allen Ladd, who facilitates the Kingmakers program at Denny. He began the celebration, introducing emcee Heyab Gebru, a Denny 8th grader:
Speakers in that section of the program included Denny 8th grader Eyob Mengesha, who declared, “What matters is that we stand together … it doesn’t matter if our family came here generations ago or a few years ago.” He was followed by Denny 7th grader Kh’Monni Wilson, who spoke about the stories of Black women, “too often … overlooked.” And Chief Sealth IHS 9th grader Surafel Hadgu read three poems.
In the next section, featured speakers were Sealth 9th grader Ayub Ali – who spoke about being your true self, as reinforced by his time in the Kingmakers program, telling younger students to remember “your voices matter” – and Roxhill Elementary 5th grader Skye Kenard, who presented the Pan-African flag’s history.
Then a musical moment, with everyone invited to sing along to “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Black National Anthem:
The flag-raising concluded this first-ever celebration, and everyone got out of the 25-degree chill and into their classrooms.
In addition to the regular West Seattle Art Walk tomorrow night (Thursday, February 13), which we’ll be previewing later today, you’re invited to an ArtsWalk at Chief Sealth International High School, two hours full of student performances:
Chief Sealth IHS ArtsWalk
Thursday, February 13, 6:00-8:00Kick off your Valentine’s weekend with an evening of music, poetry, drama, and more music! Arrive at Chief Sealth anytime between 6:00 and 7:30, grab some refreshment, and wander from room to room, taking in band, choir, and orchestra ensembles, performance poetry, and drama improv, capped off at the end of the night by a finale in the auditorium! FREE Admission.
The school is at 2600 SW Thistle.
(WSB photo – Morgan Junction dropbox earlier tonight)
The voting is over and the first round of vote-counting is done.
First, the Seattle social-housing measure. So far “yes, fund it” is leading in a big way in the first part of this city measure, and in the second part, 1A – fund it with a new tax on companies with a certain salary size – is beating 1B, fund it by diverting part of an existing tax.
Proposition Nos. 1A and 1B – Seattle social-housing funding
Yes 64,220 68.32%
No 29,779 31.68%
Proposition 1A – 50,002 – 57.55%
Proposition 1B – 36,876 – 42.45%
Next, the Seattle Public Schools levies, both winning approval:
Proposition 1 – Educational Programs and Operations levy
Yes – 71,996 – 77.71%
No – 20,648 – 22.29%
Proposition 2 – BEX VI capital levy
Yes – 66,656 – 71.91%
No – 26,032 – 28.09%
All of those results reflect 19 percent of ballots; so far, King County Elections reports receiving 26 percent of Seattle voters’ ballots. Next results will be out Wednesday afternoon.
Last week’s weather led to cancellations/postponements of some of the Seattle Public Schools open houses and tours that were on the list we published recently, after hearing SPS hadn’t kept its own list this year. But now there are new dates, so we’ve made a new list of everything we know of that’s now yet to come:
LOUISA BOREN STEM K-8 (5950 Delridge Way SW): Some new dates/times on the list:
Tuesday, February 11th @ 9:05 am — Elementary School Tour
Tuesday, February 11th @ 10:30 am – Middle School Tour
Thursday, February 13th @ 9:05 am – Elementary School Tour
Thursday, February 13th @ 10:30 am – Middle School Tour
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Thursday, February 13th @ 6:00 PM
MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Thursday, February 13th @ 6:45 PM
Thursday, February 27th @ 9:05 am – Elementary Tour
Thursday, February 27th @ 10:30 am – Middle School Tour
GATEWOOD ELEMENTARY (4320 SW Myrtle): Tours as originally scheduled:
Wednesday, February 12: Tours at 8:15 am and 6:30 pm
ROXHILL ELEMENTARY (7740 34th SW): Tour rescheduled from last Thursday:
Thursday, February 13 @ 9:00 am
CONCORD INTERNATIONAL ELEMENTARY (723 S. Concord, South Park): Rescheduled from last Thursday:
Thursday, February 13 @ 5-7 pm, open house with program demonstrations
FAIRMOUNT PARK ELEMENTARY (3800 SW Findlay): Tour for incoming kindergarteners, as originally scheduled:
Tuesday, February 25 @ 5 pm
Anything to add/change? Please let us know – thank you!
It’s a sweet tradition for the Madison Middle School PTSA – Krispy Kreme donut sales for Valentine’s Day. So they’re doing it again this year.
Grab a Valentine’s Day donut and support the Madison Middle School PTSA – because nothing says ‘love’ like a donut for a good cause! All proceeds go to our school fund, so it’s a win-win. Orders must be placed here by midnight on February 10: paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=WPN9W53LMNY46 Pick up donuts on Valentine’s Day (2/14) before school from 8:00-9:00 AM.
Photos by Dave Gershgorn for West Seattle Blog
(Musicians Fin McGinty, Loch Liddell, Ana Geraghty play while dancers including Abu Abdirahman, Xen Grey, Theo Mohundro, Clara Peak, Mia Herbig perform)
This was the second Lunar New Year that West Seattle High School‘s AAPI Club and Chinese Program invited the community to a big party. Tonight’s celebration started with performances in the WSHS Theater:
(Ribbon dancer Indigo Ewing, with musicians Jettson Stone on Gu Zheng, left, and Henry Oprinsky on Pi Pa)
(Martial-arts demonstration by Ambrose Pho-Tung from Evergreen Tang Soo Do)
Then it was on to the Commons for food and drink:
Games too:
And a picture-perfect photo booth:
This was the second of our area’s three big Lunar New Year events to which community members were invited – the third one is tomorrow at the Seattle Chinese Garden.
(“Live” SDOT camera looking east at 35th/Roxbury)
(Most-recent update 9:41 am, Parks changes, Center for Active Living closure) Welcome to Thursday, February 6! Some snow’s on the ground again this morning, so that’s brought school changes, and we start our morning report with those:
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Remote learning again today, but on a regular schedule:
Due to snow and hazardous road conditions, all Seattle Public Schools will be in remote instruction today. Buildings will be closed, and there will be no in-person instruction. Remote instruction will operate on a regular school schedule. Families should expect instructions from your student’s school. Please ensure their SPS electronic device is prepped and ready for learning. Morning and afternoon activities are canceled, as well as all athletic events.
WESTSIDE SCHOOL: 2-hour late start, doors open 10:15 am, classes start 10;30 am, no morning bus service.
EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL: 10 am start.
HOPE LUTHERAN SCHOOL: 2-hour late start.
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE: 10:30 am start.
HOLY ROSARY: 2-hour late start, doors open 10:15 am.
HOLY FAMILY: 2-hour late start, doors open 9:50 am.
SUMMIT ATLAS: 2-hour late start – doors open 10:20 am, classes start 10:30 am.
(updated 7:57 am) TILDEN SCHOOL: Change in plan – closed today.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE: Late start again today – 10 am.
HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: 2-hour late start.
VASHON ISLAND SD: 1.5-hour late start.
KENNEDY CATHOLIC HS: 2-hour late start – classes start 10 am.
Please text/call 206-293-6302 with any other school changes – we’ll keep adding.
Also this morning:
WEATHER INFO
The Winter Weather Advisory, with the possibility of more snow, continues until 10 am today … The Cold Weather Advisory alert, for nighttime temperatures possibly into the low 20s, will be in effect 10 pm tonight until 10 am Friday.
TRANSIT INFO
Metro – Check metrowinter.com for changes in our area – as of 6 am, no major routing changes here. …. (Updated 6:54 am) Route 50 is routed off SW Genesee/Delridge because of “road conditions,” so if that’s your bus, check for alerts.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:
Low Bridge – Looking west:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
ALSO OF NOTE
-SDOT’s winter-response map
(updated 7:08 am) -SPU’s solid-waste pickups are CANCELED today – here’s the latest info
(updated 7:08 am) –Seattle Public Library branches are opening late – details here
(added 9:41 am) -Seattle Parks changes, mostly late starts – details here
(added 9:41 am) –Center for Active Living closed, Jazz Night canceled
Any other weather-related info? Text/voice 206-293-6302, or if not urgent, westseattleblog@gmail.com – thanks!
(“Live” SDOT camera image near Louisa Boren STEM K-8)
After some snowfall these past few hours, we’ve got news of school changes for today (Wednesday, February 5), and are updating as we get more:
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Remote instruction today, 2-hour late start. Here’s the full announcement for SPS:
Due to snow and hazardous road conditions, all schools will be in remote instruction today, Feb. 5, with a two-hour delay. Buildings will be closed, and there will be no in-person instruction. This includes preschool and Head Start. (PreK and Head Start will not have remote learning). Schools will end at the standard early release time. Families should expect instructions from your student’s school. Please ensure their SPS electronic device is prepped and ready for learning. Morning and afternoon activities are canceled, as well as all athletic events.
(updated 6:08 am) VASHON ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT: Plan changed – closed today.
(added 5:26 am) HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: All schools closed today.
(added 5:39 am) SUMMIT ATLAS: Closed today.
(added 6:23 am) HOLY ROSARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL: Plan changed – closed today.
(added 5:43 am) TILDEN SCHOOL: Closed today.
(updated 8:05 am) SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE: Plan changed – closed today.
(added 5:48 am) HOPE LUTHERAN SCHOOL: Closed today.
(added 5:58 am) HOLY FAMILY BILINGUAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL: Closed today.
(added 5:58 am) KENNEDY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL: Closed today.
(added 5:58 am) EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL: Closed today.
(added 6:10 am) OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC SCHOOL: Closed today, no EDC/ELC.
(added 6:11 am) WESTSIDE SCHOOL: Closed today.
(added 8:05 am) BRIDGE SCHOOL COOPERATIVE ELEMENTARY: Closed today; community meeting canceled.
School changes can be texted/called to us at 206-293-6302.
Other snow-related updates:
WEATHER INFO
Winter Weather Advisory now in effect until 10 am Thursday. Up to two inches of snow; temperatures in the 30s.
TRANSIT INFO
Metro – Check metrowinter.com for changes in our area; all buses in East King County zone are now on snow routing.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:
Low Bridge – Looking west:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
ALSO OF NOTE: SDOT’s winter-response map
We already have word of some school changes for Tuesday because of the potentially snowy weather, so we’ll start the list here and update it with whatever else we hear.
HOPE LUTHERAN SCHOOL: 2-hour late start Tuesday. No morning, ESC, or half-day preschool; school will start at 10:30 am.
VASHON ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT: 1.5-hour late start Tuesday; see district website pop-up for other effects.
KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL: 2-hour late start (10 am); see district website pop-up for details.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE: Late start of 10 am for Tuesday. All classes and activities before 10 am are canceled.
.HOLY FAMILY: 2-hour late start
HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: 2 hours late.
Others? Please text or call 206-293-6302, or email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The second wave of snow showers was even shorter than the first, but some nearby areas are experiencing – and/or expecting – weather wintry enough that they’ve announced school changes for Monday. Here’s what we have so far:
HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: The district that includes White Center and points south will start 2 hours late on Monday. Full details here.
VASHON ISLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS: The district with hundreds of students from West Seattle will start 1 1/2 hours late on Monday.
SUMMIT ATLAS: We haven’t reached the school to confirm this yet but a parent says the charter middle/high school in Arbor Heights is starting 2 hours late on Monday.
(added) KENNEDY HS: Also starting 2 hours late.
(added) HOLY FAMILY BILINGUAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL: Closed today.
(added) SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE: Just received at 5 pm:
South Seattle College Alert: Due to winter weather, all classes and activities starting at 6 PM or later on Monday, February 3 are cancelled. We will also have a late start of 10 AM on Tuesday, February 4. All classes and activities prior to 10AM are cancelled.
Got a school change or closure? Please text or call us, 206-293-6302.
West Seattle families and students are back from their trip to Olympia for Thursday’s Day of Advocacy for education funding, part of the “Billion-Dollar Bake Sale” campaign. We asked a local leader, Gatewood Elementary parent/advocate Megan Fisher, how it went and whether she could share photos – here’s her report:
The Billion Dollar Bake Sale in Olympia was a huge success. We had about 400 people down at the Tivoli Fountain on the Capitol Campus rallying for public education funding, we heard from many speakers at the rally, including State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal, who reminded the crowd that it is the Legislature’s constitutional duty to fully fund public schools and we are underfunding K-12 education each year by $4 Billion. We heard from educators, students, school board directors, city council people, and the president of the WEA (Washington Education Association).
We had representation from many West Seattle Schools including an incredible amount of Gatewood Elementary parents and students and parents and students from Genesee Hill Elementary School, Pathfinder K-8, Lafayette Elementary, and West Seattle Elementary were represented from West Seattle.
Gatewood Elementary also sent their 5th graders down on a field trip with Principal Kyna Hogg and it was an incredibly invigorating day for advocacy. The students on the field trip and the parents and students who came down from Gatewood got to meet with Representative Joe Fitzgibbon and Representative Brianna Thomas in the rotunda of the capitol building – the “Gatewood Gator Chant” could be heard echoing through the rotunda of the capitol building – it was a really magical moment! “We’re Gatewood Gators through and through, we’re safe and kind in all we do, we’re responsible, you know it’s true, we’re Gatewood Gators through and through, CHOMP, CHOMP CHOMP!!” in addition to chanting “no more crumbs, fund our schools!” ]
The Senate passed three bills yesterday related to funding education that are on their way to the Ways and Means Committee for approval now and it seems like public support for education funding is proving to be successful!
The organizers of the statewide Billion-Dollar Bake Sale campaign were impressed with the incredible showing of support from the West Seattle community.
By Aspen Anderson
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Around 200 West Seattle parents and community members attended a discussion about cell phones, social media and mental health on Tuesday night at Gatewood Elementary.
Much of this discussion was inspired by Jonathan Haidt’s book “The Anxious Generation.” The event aimed to kickstart a community conversation focused on supporting the mental health and development of West Seattle’s children as they navigate the challenges posed by modern technology.
West Seattle is joining other communities across the state in scrutinizing phones in schools and their impact. Vashon Island’s McMurray Middle School recently implemented a “phones away for the day” policy; Chief Sealth International High School was a trailblazer in this in fall 2023.
“Away for the Day,” created by the team behind the Screenagers documentary series, encourages phone-free schools after research studies linked phone proximity to reduced attention, mental health struggles and more. Speakers at the event highlighted HB 1122, a bill in the 2025 legislative session aimed at restricting mobile devices for public school students, as one to watch and support.
Caitlyn McGuire, a longtime public-school teacher and Gatewood parent, shared a story about a couple of students who were so worried about taking their masks off at lunch that they wouldn’t eat. They feared classmates would see their true appearances since they had created avatars on social media. This concern reflects a broader issue McGuire highlighted: the growing mental-health challenges among youth using social media.
“In the fall of 2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Surgeon General declared a national emergency in child mental health,” McGuire said. “We know that our teenagers are spending more time on social media than any other activity. We also know that in recent years, we’ve seen soaring rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicidality among youth.”
McGuire discussed how social media algorithms are designed to be addictive, tapping into the novelty, emotion, and reward centers of the brain, which particularly appeal to teens who have not yet fully developed their frontal lobes.
“Kids feel bad, they don’t want to be up late on their phones and tablets,” McGuire said. “They do the same things that we do, saying, ‘Okay, I’m going to get off soon. I’m going to get off.’”
McGuire emphasized that parents, schools, and government need to intervene to help teens set healthy boundaries with technology.
The connection between social media and eating disorders was also discussed, highlighted by a video, “The Cost of Beauty: A Dove Film,” (eating disorder trigger warning) which moved many in the audience to tears.
Megan Fisher, a Gatewood Elementary parent and mental-health therapist, emphasized that parents must allow their children to grow independently, noting that children face too much protection in the real world and not enough in the virtual world.
She referenced the Let Grow Project, which encourages kids to try new things on their own — like climbing trees, running errands, and cooking — to foster independence. McGuire stressed that it is essential that kids get play-based childhood, not a phone-based one.
“Let’s give our kids what they truly need: a childhood filled with play, connection and freedom from constant digital pressures,” Fisher said.
Presenters encouraged parents to sign the nationwide “Wait Until 8th” pledge, which advocates delaying kids from getting a smartphone until 8th grade. The pledge also connects families with others who are actively supporting the cause, fostering solidarity. Once 10 families from your child’s grade and school sign the pledge, it becomes active.
Several ideas and solutions were presented during the event, including:
-Instead of giving kids a smartphone, consider a “Tin Can” — a landline phone that connects via Wi-Fi and only allows calls from programmed numbers, created by a local West Seattle parent.
-Consider a smartwatch or a more basic flip phone.
-Wait until the end of 8th grade to give kids a cell phone, and until they are 16 to allow social media account(s).
-Be mindful of your own phone habits, as children often model their behavior after adults.
-Have open conversations with your children about why waiting to give them phones and social media protects their mental health. Create clear guidelines, like no phones until after 8th grade, while also acknowledging their feelings.
-Focus on encouraging activities away from the phone, like sports, spending time with friends and exploring new hobbies.
The meeting was recorded and may be available upon request. Contact gatewood.pta.advocacy@gmail.com for more information.
(WSB file photo)
Early planning is under way for this milestone reunion we were asked to tell you about, because they’re trying to reach as many class members as they can. Sent by Donna:
The graduating class of 1965 will be gathering for a 60th reunion on September 8, 2025 at Salty’s on 1936 Harbor Avenue SW in Seattle. We will have a luncheon from noon to 4 pm. The cost is $95. There are funds available to support a fellow graduate who might need financial assistance. Please let us know if you are interested in attending by February 12, 2025. Casual attire, guests of graduates are welcome. There will be “no pay” at the door availability. If our graduates are interested in attending, they can email us at: Sealth1965reunioncommittee@gmail.com
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
This Thursday, education advocates of all ages – students, parents, grandparents, other community advocates – will bring the “Billion-Dollar Bake Sale” to Olympia, hoping to convince legislators to increase funding for public schools, to save them from budget-slashing.
Last Thursday, a prelude to that journey brought dozens of community members to the West Seattle High School Theater for a lesson in “Understanding Our School Funding Crisis and Doing Something About It.”
PTSA presidents Holly Rikhof of WSHS and Michelle Riggen-Ransom of Chief Sealth International HS introduced the event; their organizations co-presented it. PTSAs are keenly aware of what it takes to fund schools, Riggen-Ransom observed; their organizations and counterparts raise $4 million for Seattle Public Schools every year for needs that the basic funding doesn’t cover.
Here’s what that goes for – Riggen-Ransom said they even had a request last year to fund a wheelchair. “We’re doing a lot more with a lot less.”:
Rikhof said that aside from that fundraising, “advocacy is the mission of the PTSA. … We’re fighting for kids. It’s our job.” And if you don’t have a PTSA, “you lose your voice.” Together, the organizations comprise a “collective voice.” They then made way for the voices of their guest speakers.
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