West Seattle, Washington
22 Monday
Also leading their divisions in the Metro League this spring high-school-sports season: Chief Sealth International High School‘s softball team and soccer team, both notching wins on Friday.
Per the soccer standings in The Seattle Times (WSB partner), the Seahawks are undefeated in the Metro League’s Sound Division, after Friday’s 9-0 win over Rainier Beach. Next game is against West Seattle HS, 4 pm Tuesday at Southwest Athletic Complex.
The Seahawks softball team, meantime, are shown in The Times’ standings with one league loss; their Friday win was 14-4 over Sammamish, per the @SealthAthletics Twitter feed. Next game: 3:30 pm Wednesday vs. Nathan Hale, at Meadowbrook.
West Seattle High School‘s baseball team is atop its division and celebrating its latest win, 11-1 over Nathan Hale on Friday afternoon. Thanks again to Greg Slader for game photos and summary:
The varsity baseball team returned home for a rematch against Nathan Hale after Wednesday’s loss. Ben Wexler (#28, top photo) pitched a complete game (six innings) with five strikeouts and one earned run. Graham French (#25, photo below) added to the offense with a double and two runs scored as the team hit very well and scored 11 runs in six innings.
Next WSHS baseball game is also at home, so it’s your next chance to go cheer the team on: Monday against O’Dea, 3:30 pm at Hiawatha (next to the school).
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Robert Gallagher knows what he’s walking into as the next principal of Lafayette Elementary:
“I’m making a commitment to be there for the long haul,” he vows.
In a conversation with WSB this week, days after his appointment was announced last Friday, he said he’s well aware of hurt feelings at the school, following two years of changes since Lafayette’s seven-year principal Virginia Turner moved on.
Love spaghetti and sports? Saturday night, they share the stage at the Chief Sealth International High School Seahawks’ Baseball Dinner and Silent Auction. From the announcement:
This is our annual event to celebrate the season and raise funds to support the baseball program. Tickets are only $10 and include a spaghetti dinner served up by the players, along with a small silent auction filled with fun stuff and delicious home-baked desserts.
Tickets will be available at the door, cash/checks only, 5-7 pm Saturday (April 6) in the Chief Sealth Galleria (2600 SW Thistle).
(LeTrey Newsome catches a fly ball)
The West Seattle High School varsity-baseball team is looking to a rematch with Nathan Hale this Friday after a road loss 9-3 on Wednesday. Thanks again to Greg Slader for the update and photos:
The varsity baseball team started off strong with a 3-0 lead through three innings. But too many walks and timely hits by Nathan Hale was too much for West Seattle as they lose their first League game.
(Sam Hellinger hits the ball)
West Seattle is now 5-3 (4-1) on the season and looks to Friday’s game for another chance against the Raiders – 3:30 @ Hiawatha.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Fauntleroy resident Judy Pickens, who volunteers her time and talent to a variety of endeavors including local schools, continues to gather and report information on volunteer needs at West Seattle schools where the need is greatest, sharing it here periodically. Here’s what will probably be the last request for this school year.)
By Judy Pickens
Special to West Seattle Blog
A school volunteer’s greatest reward is knowing that students have an enrichment activity because you are there to make it happen. And it can happen in the spring as well as earlier in the school term. Consider one of the following ways to dip your toe in the water of school volunteering. You may find yourself back in the fall!
At Highland Park Elementary (1012 SW Trenton)
Contact stpaolone@seattleschools.org
Ongoing: Adults or high-school-aged students to support classroom teachers with tasks such as listening to students read or copying/cutting; varies by teacher/grade – your choice. Pick any hours on any day, 9 AM-4 PM.
Ongoing: Adults or high-school-aged students to support reading/math club with tasks such as listening to students read or helping with elementary match – your choice. Pick any Mon., Tues. or Thurs., 3 PM – 4:30 PM.
*************
At West Seattle Elementary (6760 34th SW)
Contact smtaylor@seattleschools.org
Ongoing: Adults to assist fifth grade with small groups and provide other teacher support. Pick any hours on any day, 10:30AM-3 PM.
One more reason Arbor Heights Elementary can’t vacate its crumbling building a minute too soon – this weekend, a classroom flooded in bone-dry weather. We went over for photos after parents forwarded a note from principal Christy Collins talking about the damage suffered by Room 9 when a water filter burst over the weekend. The principal wrote in part:
It appears the water ran all weekend with several inches of water soaking all material on the floor. The water and warmth of the room appear to have caused significant condensation on the windows, thereby increasing the possibility of more damage to materials in the room. … a crew from Seattle Public Schools’ maintenance department have worked diligently to move furniture and absorb the standing water with machinery and fans. Unfortunately, it appears the flooring in room 9 is beginning to buckle, so the room most likely will not be habitable for a while. … Teacher and student materials were removed from desks and wooden shelves due to the risk of additional water damage from the accumulated moisture on materials within the room. Students’ personal supplies were transferred to room 19 by morning recess. We were able to salvage most all of the items in the students’ desks that were not made of paper. The classroom computers were turned off and appear to be working.
Here’s the scene in a hallway:
Arbor Heights’ aged facilities are a major reason why it was written into the Building Excellence levy in February for a rebuild – and why after community clamor, the rebuild has been moved up three years from the end of the levy list, to be complete in 2016. As reported here last week, the school is taking applications to be part of its Design Advisory Team – tomorrow’s the deadline.
It’s a first-of-its-kind benefit and celebration at Seattle Lutheran High School – and it’s exactly two weeks away. Have your ticket(s) yet? Here’s the official announcement:
Alumni, students, families and friends are invited to attend the Seattle Lutheran High School Booster Club’s inaugural Ring of Honor Award Dinner & Celebration on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 5:30 pm at the SLHS Menashe Gymnasium in West Seattle. Dinner ticket proceeds will raise additional funds to promote and enhance the school’s athletic programs.
Current funding needs include: investments in a new sound system; scoreboard and timer equipment for the gymnasium; renovated locker rooms; and portable bleachers.
APRIL 16TH BENEFIT: Big season thus far for West Seattle High School baseball fans, cheering on a winning team. Kim Gearon sends word that fans can take the next step – helping raise money during the first annual West Seattle Baseball Night at Christo’s on Alki, April 16th. A percentage of any purchase from 5 pm-closing, food or beverages, will go to the West Seattle Baseball Booster Club to help cover operating expenses. Christo’s is at 2508 Alki SW.
BIG FRIDAY WIN: The second straight shutout victory over Ingraham, and first game of the year at Hiawatha:
The final score: WSHS 16, Ingraham 0. The photos and report are courtesy of Greg Slader (thank you!):
The season opener @ Hiawatha was a beautiful day for baseball. The student-filled stands were not disappointed by the offensive output of the Varsity Baseball team. Spencer Elder hit the team’s first home run and Bobby Swamy added the Big Blast with another home run in the First Inning (top photo). Rex Lackey (photo below) pitched very well (three innings, no hits) as West Seattle cruised to its fourth league win.
West Seattle’s next game is Wednesday, 3:30 pm @ Nathan Hale.
In the rare instant when West Seattle Elementary counselor Laura Bermes paused amid her frenetic activity this morning making the first of two big assemblies happen, we photographed the sticker on her back so you could see it: Promising to “Stand Up to Bullying” was a big part of what today was about at WSE. A pink flag flew outside, and many staff and many students wore pink:
Bermes explained it’s part of this movement -and told us, “The idea is exciting. We have an anti-bullying policy, ways to report bullying, and really a very nice school; but we’d be naive to think that bullying doesn’t happen in schools. We need to be vigilant in how we address it, and this is one clear way for students to send a message to one another and to the community – WSE is a school where students and adults treat one another with respect. We hope that message spreads into our larger community.”
We were there for the morning assembly, for which the youngest students – kindergarteners through second graders – gathered not just for that rally, but also for awards and rewards. New shoes donated by Brooks were part of the latter:
Two classes won them as part of a Healthy Husky Challenge that Bermes and school nurse Terri Helm-Reymund led – “a 2 week long healthy challenge where students logged the number of minutes they exercised, or participated in some physical activity, every evening. Parents had to sign off on the log.” Bermes said the school was slated to get 35 pairs to give away, but two classes won and she requested, and received 44. One more special prize was announced at the assembly – Bermes got a Seattle Education Foundation grant to help with programs to boost attendance, and with part of the money, she bought a bicycle and gear, prizes for a drawing into which students with low absenteeism and tardiness were entered. Here’s the big announcement:
2nd grader Santiago is the first bicycle winner in the new incentive program:
Drawing entries are given to students with two or fewer absences per trimester and less than five tardies; perfect attendance gets a student five entries. Other prizes included basketballs and hula hoops.
(Photo by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
Yet another great example of generosity: We wrote on Thursday about the call for one-gallon plant-pot donations for the tomato-growing project in which Arbor Heights Elementary teacher Marcia Ingerslev and her students learn, teach, and share – and about an hour ago, that call was answered, big time! Our photo includes some of the donors as well as excited tomato-farming students. (We’ll be adding a few photos from parent volunteers who were there too – THANK YOU!)
Lafayette Elementary‘s new principal has just been announced in a letter from Superintendent José Banda:
I am pleased today to announce the appointment of Robert Gallagher as your new principal, effective July 1.
Mr. Gallagher started his career in Alberta, Canada as a middle school teacher, before becoming a vice principal and eventually principal. During that time he helped design and implement arts-infused education programming. He also oversaw the Maple Bear Songpa Campus, a 1,000-student pre-school in Seoul, South Korea. After that, he spent five years in Hawaii, with experience both as a principal of St. Theresa School and as Board Vice President of St. Joseph School.
His Masters of Education is from the University of Portland, with a focus on Education Leadership. His Bachelor of Education is from the University of Alberta, Edmonton.
Mr. Gallagher was selected after a hiring process that included input from staff and families. The selection team committee was particularly impressed with Mr. Gallagher’s experience as a principal and his strong instructional and technology background. He is very collaborative and committed to building strong relationships with all members of the Lafayette community. Mr. Gallagher has the reputation of being a very student-focused principal.
I want to thank the hiring team for your work, and also thank the entire school community for your patience as we went through this process. Please know it was not a light decision to ask your former principal, Shauna Heath, to take her current role as Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction mid-year. But I know you have been in good hands with Interim Principal Birgit McShane, and I also want to thank her for her commitment to Lafayette these past three months and for the remainder of the school year.
Gallagher will become Lafayette’s third non-interim principal in two years; Heath had succeeded Jo Lute-Ervin, who left the job after a year. Before that, Virginia Turner led Lafayette for seven years.
(UPDATED FRIDAY MORNING with more photos, including the “official” one!)
(First 5 photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
6:43 PM: Beautiful afternoon for photography – especially if you’re up on a ladder for a photograph to document history, as was Jean Sherrard along 59th SW this afternoon!
Hundreds of Alki Elementary students and staff past and present gathered for a group shot as the school’s centennial celebration began, co-sponsored by the Alki Elementary PTA and the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, whose executive director Clay Eals helped get hundreds of participants in place:
Lots of unofficial photographers too – even TV – that’s KING 5’s Lori Matsukawa in the yellow jacket toward the left, with her crew (and on the ladder, it’s official photographer Sherrard):
And inside, lots of memory-sharing and fun:
The celebration continues till 8, and everyone’s welcome.
ADDED 10:10 PM: More photos:
From left, Pathfinder K-8 principal David Dockendorf, who’s a former Alki principal; Chanda Oatis, the current Alki principal; Seattle Public Schools superintendent José Banda; executive director of schools for the district’s Southwest Region, Carmela Dellino. Next, a fun view as a timeless game of marbles was played:
We’re awaiting the official version of the centennial photo and will add when it’s in.
ADDED FRIDAY MORNING: Here it is!
(Photo by Jean Sherrard; click image for larger view)
We also have four more photos from the event, courtesy of John Hinkey – if you’re reading from the home page, click ahead to see them:
(Photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
1:33 PM: Shortly after announcing his budget proposal with a focus on school funding, Gov. Jay Inslee proceeded directly to a trailblazing school in West Seattle – K-5 STEM, at the Boren building on Delridge. He’s there now visiting with students (kindergarteners in our cameraphone photo) and staff, and we’ll have full coverage later.
ADDED 4:27 PM: No speeches – just the governor going room to room, talking to students, who were eager to capture the moment:
He took a turn launching a pulley-propelled rocket:
The governor is the son of a science teacher, he pointed out along the way, and grew up nearby – he talked about how his dad taught chemistry and biology at Chief Sealth and Garfield high schools.
A lesson in pollination, he observed, was comparable to what his dad had taught high-school kids, so STEM students are learning what wasn’t available till higher grades decades ago.
Enthusiasm abounded as the governor talked to students about their projects and asked if they were hoping to become scientists when they grow up:
He also spoke with STEM principal Dr. Shannon McKinney about her trailblazing new school, in its final months of its first year:
West Seattle’s school-board rep Marty McLaren – herself a former math teacher – joined the STEM tour too:
Just before heading to West Seattle, the governor had gone public with his budget blueprint, which you can see here. Note on page 11, one cornerstone directly relevant to his visit this afternoon:
Design statewide strategy to improve STEM education ($10.9M)*
P.S. More photos from the visit can be found on the K-5 STEM PTA’s website.
(Tomatoes growing in classroom, 2012)
If you have 1-gallon plant pots to spare, you can help Arbor Heights Elementary teacher Marcia Ingerslev and her students. Most recently, we reported on Ms. Ingerslev’s initiation of the “100th Day of School Food Drive Challenge” which led to literally tons of food being donated to local food banks. Each year, she also helps her students grow tomato plants – some of which are given away so that local families can learn about growing their own healthy food. (Here’s our first report from last year.) An AH parent volunteer now tells us “Ms. I” and her students “are in desperate need of 1-gallon pots for this year’s tomato plants, which they grow from seeds. If you have any pots to spare, please drop them off in the lobby of the school in the box, or contact the school and Ms. I will try to arrange for a pick up. Her dream is to have 400 pots, so dropping pots off would be the preferred method!” The school is at 3701 SW 104th (map), 206-252-9250; Ms. Ingerslev’s e-mail is mmingerslev@seattleschools.org.
(TK Snow, throwing a strike in the 2nd inning)
In the first of two games this week against Ingraham, West Seattle High School‘s varsity baseball team came away with a big win on Wednesday afternoon – a 10-0 shutout. The photos and report are from parent Greg Slader (thanks!) –
Three pitchers combined to shut out Ingraham. TK Snow, Kevin Cuddy, and Andy Snook held Ingraham hitless and combined for seven strikeouts. Spencer Elder went 2 for 3 with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored. Sam Hellinger had two hits and two RBI, as the defense was solid once again.
(Morgan making the play at second)
The two teams play again at 3:30 pm Friday at Hiawatha.
If you’ve ever been a student or staffer at Alki Elementary – one more reminder that tomorrow (Thursday, March 28) is the big night – its centennial celebration, presented by the Alki PTA and the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. First big reminder is to be there no later than 5 pm so you can be part of the group photo outside the school’s main entrance; you’ll be able to sign up to get a copy of the photo via e-mail. And speaking of photos, bring any photos of yourself/the school from your days there; be ready to share stories if you wish (including in a video booth that will be set up!). Of course, you don’t have to have ties to Alki Elementary to attend – neighbors, community members, anyone and everyone interested is welcome too. After the 5 pm gathering for the photo, indoor activities are planned 6-8 pm. The SWSHS website has more info; if you want a reminder via Facebook, “join” the official event page here.
If you or someone you know was part of the West Seattle High School Class of 1963, this short announcement just out of the WSB inbox is for you!
Please join us at West Seattle High School, Friday evening, June 7, at 5 pm to celebrate our 50th Reunion.
Also, register in advance for a fantastic buffet dinner at the Rainier Golf and Country Club, Saturday, June 8 at 6 pm.
For registration forms, contact jelmer63@comcast.net
A Monday win for the West Seattle High School boys-varsity baseball team – 3-2, reports parent Greg Slader, who also shared the photos:
Sam Hellinger pitched a complete game with 7 strikeouts, one walk, and only three hits. Tim Adams supplied the Big Blast with a two-out, two-RBI single ripped down the right-field line.
West Seattle is now 2-0 in League play and heads to Ingraham on Wednesday for a 4 pm game.
Monday’s game was played at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center.
(Photo courtesy Coach Colin Slingsby)
It’s more than a sports camp – and it’s back for the 16th year. You can sign up now for the Sealth Basketball and Life Skills Camp, as announced by Chief Sealth International High School‘s Coach Colin Slingsby:
We are excited to host our 16th annual summer of Sealth Basketball and Life Skills camp at Chief Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School this summer. Last year, we hosted more than 350 campers in our multiple sessions. The emphasis of our program is to teach the fundamentals of the game in part of a fun and competitive basketball experience, but also to emphasize the Life Skills necessary to be successful in school and life, both intellectually, and socially.
The camp is run by the coaching staff at Sealth with the help of many high school and college students who are put through a lengthy mentorship training in order to be prepared to work with our many campers. While we enjoy teaching the game of basketball and providing a positive week on the court, we pride ourselves on our Life Skills curriculum, which includes a classroom session daily, emphasizing the values of our program.
Camp runs from 9 am-4 pm each day, and each camper will receive a camp t-shirt and Camper Handbook which will include hand-outs and topics from our Life Skills classroom sessions. In addition, we are excited to offer an ‘Advanced Concepts’ session this year (August 19th-23rd). This session is geared toward campers 6th grade and up.
Brochure with further information and registration forms are available on the Chief Sealth International High School website link here. Contact Coach Colin Slingsby at caslingsby@seattleschools.org with any questions about the program.
That’s an award-winning photo titled “Withered Lotus,” the work of West Seattle High School photography student Hao Cheng. WSHS Art Department head Michelle Sloan shares the news that Hao received an Outstanding Achievement in Photography award at the Puget Sound Educational Service District’s Regional High School Art Show:
Hao accepted the award at a reception on Sunday. Congratulations!
P.S. You can see the entire art show online – photographs representing 96 entries – just go here.
With the Seattle School Board approving the architect contract for the new Arbor Heights Elementary earlier this month, and opening set for fall 2016, it’s time for a community Design Advisory Team to be formed – and the call for applications has just gone out on the school website. The open letter from principal Christy Collins says in part:
The Design Advisory Team will be composed of current Arbor Heights staff and families as well as neighborhood residents. Our goal is to form a working team of 10-12 individuals who can commit to six formal meetings over the course of April and May and two additional future meetings.
The meeting schedule is part of her letter; the application is here, and needs to be in by April 2nd.
Since its new school is being built on the same site as the deteriorating old one, Arbor Heights is expected to move to the Boren building on Delridge starting in fall 2014, SPS spokesperson Tom Redman tells WSB, remaining there for the two school years prior to the opening of the new building. The new K-5 STEM school is there now, with no timeline for a decision on its permanent home, but the Boren campus has room for hundreds more students, and improvements are planned this summer. The school board’s Executive Committee was briefed on those improvements last week; Redman says they would include:
1) seismic strengthening in the form of shear walls and roof-to-wall braces;
2) completion of the upgrades to finishes in the north wing;
3) selective demolition and “tenant improvements” for two child care rooms and Arbor Heights;
4) replacement of all exterior doors and hardware
P.S. If you’d like to know more about how a school Design Team is supposed to work – its part of the in-depth district manual.
Just announced by the Sanislo Elementary PTA:
Our Principal, Ernie Seevers, will be retiring at the end of this year, and the school community has begun a transition process for transitioning to new leadership. There are hiring committees meeting in the next few weeks to recommend a candidate to Superintendent Banda for hiring. Carmela Dellino, our West Seattle executive director for schools, has met with our staff to hear their ideas about the skills and strengths that they believe the new leader at Sanislo will need, and she would like to do the same with families. She has scheduled a meeting at Sanislo Tuesday (TOMORROW) at 3:40 to talk with you. Please make a point to come in and meet with other families and share in a conversation with Ms Dellino. Your thoughts are important and valuable in this process. Children are, of course very welcome to attend with you, and we’ll also have supervised play for the children that don’t like meetings.
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