SPORTS: West Seattle High School’s big baseball-playoff win
Miles Gosztola (above) got the win as West Seattle High School beat Ballard 12-2 in Metro League playoff baseball this afternoon at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center. WSHS, now with a record of 19-2, got a first-round bye and opened tournament play today. Gosztola struck out nine and allowed six hits.
(WSHS #4, Tyler Eisenhut)
The big inning for the Wildcats was the sixth, when they scored five of those 12 runs. Their next game is 7 pm Monday, also at Steve Cox (1321 SW 102nd), against the winner of tonight’s Eastside Catholic-O’Dea game.
SPORTS: Chief Sealth IHS pulls out playoff win in 13 innings
Thanks for the updates from Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center. Brandon reports that Chief Sealth International High School‘s baseball team has just defeated Ingraham in a must-win Metro League playoff game, 2-1 in 13 innings. A texter tells us the game was scoreless until the 13th – then Ingraham scored a run in the top of that inning, followed by Sealth scoring two for the win in the bottom. The texter tells us the winning run came on a bases-loaded walk with two outs. Sealth will play again at Steve Cox, 4 pm Wednesday (May 10th), vs. Seattle Prep.
Friends of Roxhill Elementary invites businesses to promote themselves while supporting students
Fundraising season is reaching a crescendo, and this announcement is for local businesses – a way to promote themselves while supporting students. From Friends of Roxhill Elementary:
Roxhill Elementary is a Title 1 public school, meaning that a high percentage of students live in low-income households. This year, we are working with 5th graders to produce a high-quality yearbook that will be distributed to every student regardless of their family’s ability to pay for one.
You can help support your local school and students in your community by buying an ad to promote your business in our yearbook. This helps offset the cost of yearbooks for families who cannot pay for one themselves and introduces families to local businesses they can support. Best of all, it ensures that ALL students can keep this memento of their elementary school days.
Ads are affordable and help build awareness in your immediate community. Roxhill Elementary is made up of ~245 students and 50 teachers and staff members. All ads are printed in color and yearbooks will be distributed at the end of June 2023.
Ad Pricing:
⅛ page (2.75”x 4.25”): $40
¼ page (4.25” x 5.5”): $75
½ page (8.5” x 5.5”): $150
Fill out this form by Tuesday, May 9 or email us at friendsofroxhill@gmail.com. Thanks for supporting our Roxhill RoxStars!
YOU CAN HELP: Gatewood Elementary’s online auction, happening now
Another online auction open to the entire community is taking bids right now – this one’s for Gatewood Elementary and bidding runs until Friday night. Here’s the announcement we received:
Gatewood Elementary’s annual auction is this Friday, May 5th – but you can get in on the silent auction now!
The silent auction is open to everyone – no ticket needed!
All funds raised go to our Gatewood school needs, teacher & staff support, and back into the West Seattle community.
Check out specific Teacher Experiences, Favorite Books, and of course preview the art! Support big and get some cool stuff and experiences in the process.
Silent Auction closes at 7 PM on Friday, May 5th.
SAFETY ALERT: Wednesday is Bike/Walk/Roll To School Day
(WSB file photo from past Bike To School Day)
If you’re on the roads and/or sidewalks tomorrow (Wednesday, May 3rd), expect more multi-modal traffic heading to and from local schools. Genesee Hill Elementary parent Dave points out that it’s Bike/Walk/Roll To School Day and wanted us to share this reminder again: “Drivers, please keep an extra eye out for students biking and walking to school tomorrow, May 3rd. Students will be coming from all directions between 7:30-7:45 AM and arriving in the parking lot on Dakota St.” Any other schools participating? Let us know (or post a comment) – thank you!
Tilden School celebrates ‘Poem in Your Pocket Day’
As part of National Poetry Month, today was Poem in Your Pocket Day – and West Seattle’s Tilden School (WSB sponsor) celebrated! Just in from Tilden’s Laura Wood:
Tilden celebrated a beloved tradition, Poem in Your Pocket Day, today. Adults and children in all grades celebrated, bringing poems to share with each other. Throughout the day, poems were pulled from pockets and shared in the hall, in classrooms, and on the playground.
We encourage everyone to join us in celebrating poetry. Stuff a poem in your pocket, and share it: today, or any day!
P.S. Another National Poetry Month celebration in West Seattle is happening at C & P Coffee (also a WSB sponsor) Saturday afternoon.
YOU CAN HELP: WSHS Class of 2023’s fundraising finale
Less than two months before graduation, the West Seattle High School Class of 2023 is looking for a little community help. Sophia from the ASB emailed us to explain, “As the class of 2023 is wrapping up our senior year, we’ve made a way for members of the community to help donate to and support the different activities and events we want to be able to put on for our classmates. These include prom, senior sunset, graduation, and several others!” Here’s the link to use if you’re interested in donating; on that page, the ASB adds, “Our class was unable to fundraise for all of our sophomore year and half of our junior year due to Covid restrictions, so we really appreciate the generous contributions of parents and community members towards making the end of our time together in high school as wonderful as it can possibly be!”
HAPPENING NOW: Online bidding in Arbor Heights Elementary PTSA’s online auction
Fundraiser season continues, and here’s one you can jump into right now if you have a few minutes – the Arbor Heights Elementary PTSA auction. Online bidding is open to all until Saturday night (when the PTSA hosts its in-person auction gala). The PTSA says money they raise “supports Arbor Heights Elementary students and staff through PTSA funding of classroom supplies, teacher trainings, school assembly funding, music instruction for all students, arts enrichment, literacy programs, IDEA STEM lab equipment, transportation for field trips and much more.” You can browse what’s up for bidding – including food, beverages, getaways, art, music, more – by going here.=
UPDATE: Why Chief Sealth/Denny sheltered in place
12:29 PM: Thanks for the tips. We asked SPD why the Chief Sealth/Denny campus was sheltering in place. Det. Judinna Gulpan replied, “Police responded for an assault investigation in the 2700 block of SW Trenton ST. It appears the potential suspects fled onto the school grounds. Officers located the suspects and are with staff investigating the incident. No further information to share at this time.” We’ll add anything more we find out.
1:16 PM: Seattle Public Schools spokesperson Tim Robinson says the shelter-in-place lasted about 45 minutes and was lifted at 12:35 pm.
1:21 PM: Though police did not provide details of the assault, as commenters note, there was a report of someone getting their “finger cut off” at Westwood Village. Archived dispatch audio says the victim was reported to be a 15-year-old boy.
BASEBALL: West Seattle HS vs. Chief Sealth IHS
(WSB photos. Above, Weston Webb of WSHS)
In what was the second-to-last game of the regular season for both teams, West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth international High School faced off tonight at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex.
(Sealth’s Isaac Martinez out at the plate, trying to tie the game)
It’s been a good season for both teams – going into tonight’s game, WSHS, coached by Dylan Mclauchlin, led the Metro League at 17-1, while Chief Sealth, under head coach Ernest Policarpio, was <12-7. The Wildcats prevailed, but by just one run, 2-1. Winning pitcher was Miles Chandler, who allowed just 1 run and 7 hits in 6 innings:
On the mound for the Seahawks, Ryan Moore had a respectable night too, 2 runs on 6 hits in 6 innings. Good turnout to watch the game, which ended under the lights:
WSHS’s last regular-season game is at Kennedy Catholic in Burien next Monday (May 1st); the regular-season finale for CSIHS is against Lakeside this Wednesday, at home at NCSWAC.
JUNIOR VARSITY: We weren’t there for the JV opener but CSIHS shutting out WSHS 6-0, with one Sealth supporter reporting, “Sammy Popelka, freshman pitcher for the Chief Sealth Seahawks, pitched a complete=game shutout (7 innings) to beat the previously 14-1 Wildcats!”
(Thanks to Elise for the photo.)
YOU CAN HELP: Fundraising parties ahead for Gatewood Elementary – which is looking for volunteers – and Madison MS
School fundraising parties are back in full force this year, and we’ve been asked to make sure you know about these two, starting with one looking for community volunteer assistance:
GATEWOOD ELEMENTARY VOLUNTEER SEARCH: You can help make this party happen, with some perks:
Gatewood Elementary is holding their annual auction at the Hall at Fauntleroy on Friday, May 5th, 5:30 pm-10 pm. We are looking for volunteers from our community to help out with this year’s event! We specifically need help with facilitating the games during the cocktail hour, recording drink ticket sales, and live auction spotters and recorders. Gatewood auction committee will provide volunteers with a light dinner, soda/water, and our gratitude. Volunteers will also have the option to bid on live auction items. Your participation allows Gatewood parents to relax and enjoy the Auction! Thank you for your consideration! Sign up here.
MADISON BEACHY BULLDOG BASH: This party is happening 6-10 pm next Saturday (April 29) at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon). The Madison Middle School PTSA says tickets are available here. But also: “Even if you can’t make the event, you can still support our students, staff, and community by bidding on items or making a donation here.” They also have warm words of thanks for private donors and businesses who have already contributed – more than 100 have donated auction items.
Gift-giving ahead? Fundraiser offers flowers and chocolates
If you’re looking ahead to gift-giving for your mother and/or “special other” next month, Hope Lutheran School wants you to know about this fundraiser for their 7th- and 8th-graders’ East Coast trip:
It’s never too early to start planning for your Mother’s and Special Other’s Day [May 14th]! Why not take the guesswork out of the perfect gift? Show your appreciation to the special women in your lives and help Hope students at the same time!
Hope Lutheran School is partnering with local businesses Bakery Nouveau and Market vendor, Friendly Hmong Farms, to offer chocolates and flowers for Mother’s Day! Delivery available within West Seattle!
Click the link: form.jotform.com/230777727637166
Deadline for orders is April 27th.
‘School Street’ test planned alongside Lafayette Elementary
Genesee Hill Elementary has one, Roxhill Elementary has one, and now Lafayette Elementary is going to test a “School Street.”
Thanks to Anthony for the tip. “School Streets” are an SDOT program that prioritizes walking, biking, and rolling on a section of a street by a school from 7 am to 5 pm on days school is in session. For Lafayette, SDOT is going to start a month-long test on Wednesday, April 19th, for the section of SW Lander that runs along the south side of the school, between California and 45th SW (part of which already has a “streatery” for The Good Society). From the “School Streets” FAQ:
What does this mean for people getting to school?
– When possible, walk, roll, or bike with your child to school
– If you must drive to school, try parking a block or two away and finishing the trip on foot
– Students provided with district transportation or with mobility needs can access the block
What does this mean for drivers?
– People driving who need to get to home and businesses on a School Street are still able to drive on these streets. Drivers should use caution and yield to people.
– People enjoying the street should be mindful of drivers trying to get to homes as well
SDOT collected traffic data before the test and plans to collect data during the test. Here’s the notification flyer. Feedback is welcome at HealthyStreets@seattle.gov and by phone at 206-900-8760.
SPORTS: Fastpitch softball faceoff between West Seattle HS and Chief Sealth IHS
(WSB photos)
Both Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School are having strong seasons in fastpitch softball so far. Just as school was getting out for spring break, the two faced off Friday afternoon at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex.
(WSHS’s Carmen Cruz)
As one spectator who emailed us postgame described it, this was a “five-inning slugfest with five total home runs and two ground-rule doubles that were centimeters shy of home runs.”
(CSIHS pitcher Delaney Sipila)
West Seattle went ahead early and took the win, 17-7. According to the GameChanger summary, Lane Ryan was the hitting leader, with three hits – including one of those home runs – and five RBIs. Tangerine Zurek was the winning pitcher for WSHS. Starter Sadie Stroud and reliever Delaney Sipila – who also had two steals – pitched for CSIHS. The Wildcats are now 5-2 and next play at Eastside Catholic, 4 pm Wednesday, April 19th. The Seahawks are now 7-3 and next host Roosevelt at NCSWAC, 4 pm Tuesday, April 18th.
CONGRATULATIONS! Big award for West Seattle Elementary principal Pamela McCowan-Conyers
(WSB photo)
What a way to head into spring break! West Seattle Elementary principal Pamela McCowan-Conyers got a $25,000 surprise at an assembly this afternoon. The Alliance for Education presented her with the grant while announcing her as the latest recipient of the Thomas B. Foster Award for Excellence, given annually to “two outstanding Seattle Public Schools principals who have demonstrated success in advancing educational justice and racial equity in their school community.” McCowan-Conyers said the grant for her school will help WSES keep moving forward as students and staff move back this fall to their newly expanded building in High Point, after two years at the former Schmitz Park Elementary campus. Foster Award recipients are chosen from “colleague and community nominations, as part of a process which takes into consideration school data and principal commitment and effectiveness.” This is McCowan-Conyers’ seventh school year leading West Seattle Elementary. Along with her students and staff, those on hand to congratulate her this afternoon included SPS superintendent Dr. Brent Jones and School Board director Leslie Harris.
YOU CAN HELP: Chief Sealth IHS PTSA fundraiser for Staff Appreciation Week
(File photo)
The Chief Sealth International High School PTSA is about 75 percent of the way to its goal for this fundraiser. Here’s what we weres asked to share with you:
Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week is May 8-12, 2023. Please help us show how grateful we are to Chief Sealth’s Teachers and Staff for everything they do to support our students and nurture our community!
I can think of so many instances where a teacher or a staff member has stepped up and supported my kids through some of their hardest days and some of their best wins. I also carry life-long gratitude with me for the teachers that encouraged me and challenged me to grow many years ago when I myself was a student at Sealth!
Whether you’re a parent or relative of a current or past Sealth student, a student or alum of Sealth yourself, or you want to just share in a show of gratitude in honor of all the teachers and school staff that made a difference in your life, we NEED you!
We are raising $2000 to fund a week of activities for Chief Sealth’s 150 teachers and staff, including a luncheon, a beverage and treats service and other tokens of our appreciation to let them know how much we care!
We want this celebration to stand out. The past few years have been so challenging for our public school teachers and staff. They have faced unbelievable challenges during COVID, requiring them to adopt new technologies, support students in new ways, and bring their best to school every day. They have gone above and beyond, even through these past few difficult years, to make every student count and to make a top education accessible to all.
Please donate what you can; any amount is appreciated! All funds will go directly to the PTSA and will be earmarked for Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week.
YOU CAN HELP: School art fundraiser
We often feature school fundraisers, most commonly for sports or music. Tonight, we have a teacher seeking a community boost for an arts project. From “Ms. A” at Chief Sealth IHS:
Hello, West Seattle community! In the Chief Sealth International High School Art Department, in our Ceramics class, we are grading up for our 4th annual Raku firing event on May 25. This is led by Eric from Seattle Pottery and is a fun technique we’ve been privileged to have students participate in!
This event does cost over what we expect our students to pay in everyday art fees. Typically the cost runs close to $700 plus about $150 for the clay. I am reaching out to you, our community to help make this happen. Please consider donating. It’s a great way to involve all students in the process of firing and see the connection between art and physics in real time! We appreciate your support! Thank you,
Carolyn Autenrieth, Ceramics and IB Art teacher
TO DONATE: Use the link here or the QR code.
We asked Ms. A for a few more details: “We have $220 from donations, and I have $200 from a grant, but we still need about $400 for the RAKU event. Of course, anything extra just helps our underfunded department continue! Ceramic Glazes have gone up about 40% for some, and those changes eat into our regular budget.” P.S. If you’re unfamiliar with Raku, here’s an explanation.
One month from today – at 9:30 am Sunday, May 21st – Alki Avenue SW will fill with runners and walkers during the first 
The drop-in community meeting held this past Saturday by our area’s elected 
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