West Seattle, Washington
09 Tuesday
(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
Here in the relatively prosperous and soggy Northwest, it’s so easy to take water for granted. Turn the faucet handle, it’s there. Walk outside many days/nights, it’s there. But Chief Sealth International High School senior Molly Freed and social-studies teacher Noah Zeichner are working to make sure our community is aware of the issues surrounding water here and around the world, as part of the World Water Week “ideas festival” next week at Sealth. We reported last summer on their trip to the Aspen Ideas Festival – which required Molly to organize a followup festival back home – and after months of planning and collaboration, the festival week, next Monday-Friday, is almost here.
WSB contributor Ellen Cedergreen visited Sealth for photos on Monday afternoon – above, Molly and Noah in their T-shirts, with special water bottles, both of which go on sale on campus tomorrow. This week is full of last-minute logistics, as this board suggests:
Next week’s agenda is here – and a key point is that some of the events are geared for you. First big one is next Monday night, Robert Glennon– author of “Unquenchable: America’s Water Crisis and What to Do About It” – gives the keynote talk at 7 pm in the CSIHS school auditorium, free and open to the public, accompanied by a resource fair (details here). There also are plenty of student activities and learning opportunities (detailed on this flyer), including an all-school assembly, workshops, and a walking event, with a focus on local issues as well as worldwide – contamination in West Seattle’s Longfellow Creek, for example. And for now, the word about World Water Week at Sealth is going truly global – here’s a screenshot from a United Nations webpage:
You can also “like” the festival on Facebook by going here; and there’s a Twitter account too. If you are interested in supporting the cause about which they’re raising awareness, here are ways to donate. You’ll see more previews here and elsewhere in the days ahead – publicity is part of their final preparations, too!
(1st two photos courtesy Machel Spence)
One last round of scenes from weekend fundraisers – two on behalf of local schools. Above, Becca Cressell from the self-contained autism program at Pathfinder K-8 received the annual “Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way” award (she’s shown with principal David Dockendorf) during the school’s “Pathfunder” auction event Saturday night at South Seattle Community College. The school website says the award is given each year to “a teacher, staff member or adult volunteer in the Pathfinder K-8 community who does an outstanding job of helping our children learn and develop … through dedication, innovative thinking, creativity and honoring the differences, strengths and uniqueness of each child.” (The award was created in honor of a former Pathfinder student who was helped there to work through the challenges of Asperger Syndrome.) Auction items included adventures and art:
(In the right background is a creation donated by Machel, who is a Pathfinder parent; you can take a closer look here.) We’re checking on fundraiser results. (UPDATE: Auction chair Sharon tells WSB, “We had a sold-out event, raising over $50,000. Over 100 people volunteered in one form or another. We more than met our goal of raising money for our Fund-A-Need – buying more books for our classroom libraries. It was a great night!”)
Friday night, Gatewood Elementary gathered for “Bids for Kids” at The Hall at Fauntleroy – with a superheroes theme:
(Photo courtesy Gail Ann Photography)
From left in the photo, it’s PTA vice president Nicole “Gator Girl” Sipila, principal Rhonda Claytor, and PTA president Mary Howland. Photographer Gail Ann quotes the principal as saying, “Our fundamental beliefs at Gatewood are that class size should be as small as possible, that children should have a variety of learning experience…this event is a crucial part of providing the funding to make these ideas continue to be an effective learning tool and a reality at Gatewood.” (You can see Gail Ann’s gallery from the gala by going here.) Auction chair Anita Schumacher tells WSB that the auction “grossed just over $60,000. The night was a blast with a lot of costumes to liven up the night.” Still ways to contribute – she’ll be cataloguing the few remaining auction items still up for grabs – keep an eye on the auction website for that. (And if you have a school event coming up, please make sure we know about it! Thanks!)
Recognize that dog? That’s Larry from “Larry Gets Lost,” scampering around Roxhill Elementary School in West Seattle. The drawing is the result of a recent Roxhill visit from an author/illustrator who works on the “Larry Gets Lost” series, John Skewes, who attended high school on Vashon with Roxhill’s bilingual-instruction assistant Judith Kimmel-Ramirez – seen here introducing him to students:
While visiting Roxhill, Skewes worked with first through fifth graders on illustration techniques and “graciously gave his time to inspire students to think about a career as an illustrator,” as Roxhill’s head teacher Christopher Robert put it.
You can see the “thank you” drawing from Roxhill’s students by going here. The popular series includes “Larry Gets Lost in Seattle,” with part of the proceeds benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank, according to the LGL website. The next book in the series doesn’t stray too far from here – it’ll be “Larry Gets Lost in Portland.”
“I can’t wait to spend $50,000 on these kids!” enthused Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark as he accepted the Thomas B. Foster Award for Excellence from the Alliance for Education, which brings with it a $50,000 grant for the winner and his school. A surprise ceremony was held a short time ago at Denny, with not only Clark, staff, and his 8th-grade students on hand, but also his wife and sons – future Denny Dolphins, as the principal proudly referred to his little boys – and a gallery of dignitaries, including two School Board members and newly appointed interim Seattle Public Schools superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield. Clark said it’s not just his award:
The Foster Award is given to an outstanding middle- or high-school principal each year. Among the dignitaries there to congratulate Clark was the man who received it two years ago, Phil Brockman, a former West Seattle High School principal who at the time was leading Ballard HS.
ADDED 4:09 PM: The official news release about the award:Read More
(Photo by David Roth)
Thanks to Sara for sharing the news this morning that you are invited to Lafayette Elementary‘s production of “Music Man Jr.” tonight and tomorrow at West Seattle High School:
Lafayette Elementary is staging a production of the classic musical The Music Man Jr. March 11 and 12.
The play begins at 7 pm, refreshments will be served and there is a $5 requested donation for admission.
Nearly 100 children are involved in the production and all costumes, sets, and props were donated or constructed by volunteers.
Our director is Melia Scranton – she is the art teacher at Lafayette Elementary. She has been working on the play as an afterschool program since November. Melia is a wonderful woman who never turns anyone away… hence: there are 97 kids (3rd, 4th and 5th graders) in our production of Music Man Jr. This show is huge and a lot to handle and she does it with an unending patience. The music is provided with the scripts and we have volunteers from West Seattle High School helping us in the sound booth
Since our play is volunteer based (a lot of parent volunteers!) we are asking for donations at the door (which pays for our scripts, costumes, sets, etc. and possible for a stipend for Melia next year because funding is tight). The costumes (which are fabulous!!!!) are designed and built by Kathy Wimer, Sara Jaecks, Jennifer Leigh and Gael Young.
To get to the WSHS Theater, enter from the southeastern side of the school – look for the gates by the lighted sign, and cross the courtyard to the entrance that’ll take you to the lobby outside the theater.
(Photos by Cliff DesPeaux for WSB)
Families, friends, and staff gathered last night to celebrate Chief Sealth International High School‘s winter sports season. Along with our photos, the story is best told by the season recap shared with the Sealth community the night before by Athletic Director Sam Reed:
On November 15 of this Fall, 153 Chief Sealth International student-athletes turned out for the first day of the Winter sports season, ready to represent our community in gymnastics, swimming, wrestling, and both boys and girls basketball. (Thursday night) we will gather to celebrate their accomplishments, along with those of both cheer and mock trial, at our annual Winter sports banquet. … All participating student-athletes, parents and supporters are invited to attend, eat dinner and hear from our coaches.
The recap continues, with more photos, after the jump:Read More
One week ago tonight, Seattle School Board president Steve Sundquist – who represents West Seattle on the board – was in the board’s chambers in SODO, leading his colleagues through a meeting that included firing Superintendent Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson and another top district official. Tonight, Sundquist was at The Hall at Fauntleroy during the 34th District Democrats‘ monthly meeting, reiterating his apology to taxpayers and recapping where the situation stood and what is likely to happen next. His appearance actually came during the meeting’s longest agenda item, a forum on the forthcoming Families and Education Levy, which isn’t even officially on the ballot yet, but is the focus of an intense campaign to keep it from being torpedoed by any anti-school-district sentiment spilling over from the SPS problems. We’ll detail the levy forum/campaigning in a separate story (with video of Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark helping make the pro-levy case). Before yielding the mike, Sundquist was asked about Mayor Mike McGinn‘s intentions regarding the district; Sundquist revealed he had met with the mayor twice in the past week, saying he believes the mayor just wants to “help” the district somehow.
When Mayor McGinn visited West Seattle’s Westwood neighborhood last Sunday (WSB coverage here), Roxhill Elementary got a shoutout from Maggie Anderson, who works on some of the programs there. She wanted him to know it’s a school that’s working hard to keep growing and improving, and also needs some community TLC. This afternoon, we have some Roxhill news – head teacher Christopher Robert says students were treated to an artistic-cycling assembly at day’s end. His photo shows the guests, Corinna, Stefan and Lukas from the Radsport Cyclists, whose sport combines cycling and ballet. Plus – Roxhill is planning the school’s first-ever fundraising gala for May 12th (at Twist in Belltown); and they’ve just jumped onto Facebook (“like” Roxhill here) and Twitter (@roxhillsea).
GOT THE NEED TO READ? Sanislo Elementary has a Used Book Sale coming up in just a week and a half – 10 am-2 pm on Saturday, March 19th, at the school (1812 SW Myrtle). Used books for both kids and grownups – “most priced below $2,” organizers note.
Heading south – big news in Arbor Heights:
BECU GRANT BUYS A-V CART FOR ARBOR HEIGHTS: In the parent-contributed photo above, that’s Sarah Lyons from BECU at Roxbury Safeway at left, with Robert and Meri Patton of the PTSA, Arbor Heights Elementary principal Dr. Carol Coram at center, and students, at the school assembly that kicked off this week with something big to celebrate: BECU granted Arbor Heights’ PTSA-parent-written-grant request to fund an A-V cart, which includes a projector and sound system, plus the cart to transport them around. We’re told Arbor Heights has never had a cart like this; it will be used for student and staff audio/visual needs, including showing videos and online media in a wide range of subject areas, and helping launch the online Study Island program. It also means teachers will be able to access closed captioning, which is not currently possible with many of the TVs in the school. The BECU grant is for $2,289.88, and Sarah from BECU presented it with the whole school on hand!
(Photos and video by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
As West Seattle Elementary School fifth-grader Allamagan Anod returns to school today, he has an extra reason to be proud.
He wrote an essay that won a school contest!
West Seattle Elementary, you might recall, is in the first year of an intensive improvement plan. One year after landing on a list no school wants to be on, the school is “soaring,” as new principal Vicki Sacco recently told WSB. That’s not the result of her work alone – her staff is generating innovative ideas as well as emphasizing stepped-up academics.
This is where WSES school counselor Laura Bermes comes in. She suggested an essay contest to help inspire better attendance – fewer absences, fewer tardies. After all, the more you are at school, the more you will get out of school.
The theme: Attendance Matters. It’s not just an emphasis for high schools, as they work intensely to keep students from dropping out. It’s a value that elementary schools work to instill as well.
Laura asked if WSB would be interested in publishing the winning essay. (Of course!) So the essay’s appearance here is part of the prize package, along with a pizza party for the winner’s whole family. The winner (and two runners-up) received certificates too.
Participation wasn’t mandatory, but Laura reports it was sizable. Essays were evaluated for criteria including thoughtfulness and – most important – what life could be like with an education. We were there as Allamagan read his essay to classmates Friday afternoon:
Here’s what he wrote:
“When I first came to America, I lived in San Diego for about two years. I went to a school called Porter Elementary School. I was nervous about the first day of school because it was my first time going to school in my life. I never went to school when I was in Africa. When the teacher was talking, I didn’t understand what she was talking about. Then, when I wanted to use the restroom, I didn’t even know how to say it. But now, I am starting to learn how to speak English, because I never gave up. Now, I see myself driving a beautiful car, coming from my important job as a lawyer, and donating money to build a park for children to enjoy. To keep that dream, I must go to school every day and never be late!”
Laura also is tackling attendance problems by working with parents/guardians. When a student has an unexcused absence, a letter is sent home requesting “a meeting mandated by the school,” she explains. At that meeting, the importance of regular attendance is explained, and a school magnet is given , with information including how to contact the school. The family is also offered the chance to discuss any issues affecting attendance, and how they might be resolved. Laura says these meetings are working well, with a dramatic reduction in the number of second-time unexcused absences.
She’s optimistic that, once everyone is clear about the necessity for good attendance, it will improve exponentially. If the students’ enthusiasm regarding the essay contest is any indication, she is on the right track.
P.S. Here’s a look at Allamagan’s essay, with the drawing that accompanied it:
P.P.S. A “best picture” winner was chosen too – here it is, by Ashley:
Congratulations to the students and staff of West Seattle Elementary!
About this time of year, we start getting notes asking if anyone is having a fundraising car wash on a particular day – so they can do a good deed while getting their vehicle good and clean. When one such question came in yesterday, we were able to reply, “In fact, the Chief Sealth Honor Choir will be washing cars Sunday at Alki Auto Repair to raise money for their upcoming trip to Carnegie Hall.” And there we found the fundraising car-scrubbers this morning – with choir members Tiffany and Hayley pausing for a photo. Just look for the sign at 57th and Alki (that’s the Shoremont in the background).
They’re planning to be there till 4 pm, suggested donation $10. And a WSB’er checked – yes, the water goes into a separate treatment system and doesn’t drain into Puget Sound.
(P.S. If you have a car wash or other fundraiser planned, we’d be happy to put it on the WSB Events calendar as soon as you schedule it – just send the info to editor@westseattleblog.com.)
(P.P.S. A comment reminds us, we need to add that if you missed this today, they’ll do it again same place, same time, in three weeks, March 27th, as mentioned in our preview.)
Its critical look at pressures faced by U.S. students has had a lot of people talking since its release more than a year ago – and they’re still talking. This Thursday night is your next chance to see “Race to Nowhere” with a West Seattle group. The Holy Rosary School Parents’ Club is sponsoring a screening at 6:30 pm Thursday at the Admiral Theater. As the promotional page explains – and as you might guess from watching the trailer above – the movie is “a call to action for families, educators, and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens.” Tickets cost $5 less if you buy in advance – you can do that online by going here.
(Added Saturday night – our photo from the Madison/Aki Kurose booth, with Lilien and Joseph)
Peruse the list of exhibitors for the Emerald City Comic Convention, continuing all weekend at the Washington State Convention Center downtown, and you’ll find a distinctly West Seattle name – Madison Middle School. Teacher Greg Hatcher is there with his afterschool cartooning class again this year. Last year, they collected donations to help make sure their program could continue; this year, they’re raising money by selling a book – “Doodle Inc.: The Cartooning Class Reunion Special,” with work by cartooning-class alums. You can see the cover and some of the art here, in a story Hatcher wrote about the project and how it came together. Seattle’s Child magazine featured them too. At the event, look for them in booth 511; if they haven’t sold out yet, the book’s going for just $5, with that entire price supporting the student cartooning program. Emerald City ComiCon is open 10 am-7 pm today, 10 am-5 pm tomorrow, ticket info here (and here’s this year’s celebrity lineup – headlined by William Shatner).
One more game at the Tacoma Dome today for the Chief Sealth International High School boys’ basketball team – and a tough one because of foul trouble. In the consolation round, North Central (from Spokane) topped Sealth 53-46. That’s the acclaimed Sealth drum line in our top clip; game details and video after the jump:Read More
What could be the trip of a lifetime is just weeks away for the Chief Sealth International High School Honor Choir – but they’re still raising money, and here’s your next chance to help – as promoted in the photo above, drawn on a car that may well be first in line:
The Chief Sealth Honor Choir was invited to travel to New York City to perform on Easter Sunday at Carnegie Hall. The students and their families have been busy since October rolling up their sleeves and working hard, now we are hoping to really clean up … your car, that is! Drive on down to Alki Auto Repair, no matter how filthy this winter has left your vehicle, we will be happy to see you!!!! Here are the details:
Car Wash for Carnegie Hall
Sunday, March 6th and March 27th
9:00 AM-4:00 PM Rain or Shine
Alki Auto Repair
2504 Alki Ave SW
$10.00
Donations encouraged and heartily appreciated!
Here’s the letter explaining more about the trip (and how to donate even if you don’t need your vehicle washed, or don’t have one to get washed).
(The team taking the floor at the start of tonight’s game)
A boys-basketball state-tournament heartbreaker just ended at the Tacoma Dome – Bellevue 49, Chief Sealth International High School 48. We tweeted live from Tacoma (see the tweets here); more details here on WSB, and video, when our crew’s back at HQ. (Sealth plays a consolation game, vs. winner of tonight’s Glacier Peak-North Central game, tomorrow at 2 pm.)
ADDED 11:20 PM: Details and video from our Tacoma Dome coverage, after the jump:Read More
Motivating teenagers to stay in school is harder than you might think. The dropout crisis is real, and multiple attempts are under way to try to convince kids, one by one, to keep going. The video you see above is part of a campaign called “Get Schooled.” West Seattle High School is participating, and there’s a rap/rhyme contest too. One participating WSHS student e-mailed WSB with his video link – it’s a 1-minute video, full of local scenery! – and this explanation:
My name is Ryan Gluckman, I am a Junior at West Seattle High School, and I am participating in “Get Schooled,” a campaign focused on motivating kids to graduate high school, and be on time to class. This program is relatively exclusive, including only 25 schools in the nation, one of them being WSHS. Participating students submit a rhyme & video that explain how they stay motivated in school. I wrote, directed, performed, and co-produced an entire video along with the help of my fellow student, a Senior at West Seattle High School, Lucas Saunders. We filmed the entire video in West Seattle. WSHS showed support for my video [earlier this week] by playing my song over the intercom in the hallways inbetween classes.
Ryan also shared this link explaining the video contest and why your support matters. He has a Facebook page for his participation in the contest, too – you can show support by “liking” it here. Note that you have to sign up with the Get Schooled site to vote – though the checklist makes it look like you can’t participate if you’re over 19, the rules clearly say anyone over 13 can vote; deadline for voting is March 18th. (P.S. If you wondered who’s behind Get Schooled – we did – its “partners” are listed here, including the Seattle-based Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation).
This morning, they were the guests of honor; in less than eight hours, they’ll be the main event. A pep rally for the Chief Sealth International High School boys’ basketball team (and others who’ve won big in competition lately) just wrapped up at the school gym about an hour ago, revving up the 1,000-plus student body for tonight’s 3A state-tournament game at the Tacoma Dome. That of course meant the fight song, starring the Sealth band and cheerleaders:
At least once a year, a local school puts out the call for musical instruments, in case you have one in the closet or the trunk or someplace it just isn’t getting used. From Diane Stuart:
What do you do with that old violin, flute, trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, (anything!) — that your now 35-year-old kid used to play in Jr. High Band?
West Seattle Elementary needs donated instruments for our instrumental instruction program. Don’t worry if that old instrument needs a tune-up, or even an overhaul. SPS has a technician who can make repairs.
Please bring donated instruments to the main office of West Seattle Elementary (formerly High Point). 6760 34th Ave SW.
(ADDED, 11:02 PM – clip of new interim superintendent’s full speech, plus the entire :15 of cheering that followed the Goodloe-Johnson-firing vote, and board president Steve Sundquist’s remarks before the vote)
(WSB iPhone photo showing half of the standing-room-only crowd)
6:07 PM: We’re at Seattle Public Schools HQ in SODO along with a full complement of regional media and a full house of spectators as the semimonthly meeting of the Seattle School Board – led by West Seattle-residing board president Steve Sundquist – begins. As noted this morning, the board will vote tonight on whether to fire Superintendent Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson after almost four years, amid a money-mismanagement scandal. The meetings always begin with about an hour of public comment, and it is likely to cover other topics; we’ll publish live updates as the meeting (which is likely to last at least three hours) continues.
(READ THE REST OF THE WSB AS-IT-HAPPENED COVERAGE, AND SEE VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS, AFTER THE JUMP)Read More
Several of West Seattle’s many preschools have joined forces to start the first-ever West Seattle Preschool Association, and they’re getting out the word in hopes other preschools will join in. That’s one invitation; the second – as part of the WSPA’s launch, they’re presenting the next West Seattle Preschool Fair in April.
Renee Metty of The Cove School, president of the new association, says its mission is to “bring together preschool children, their parents and their educators in order to celebrate and promote quality preschool programs, parent education and school collaboration.” They’ve sent a letter this week to as many preschools in the area whose e-mail contact information they could find; it explains that the association was inspired by a group of preschool owners/directors who started meeting in the area last summer. The group meets monthly, third Mondays at 7 pm, and there are no membership fees during the first year (unless a school wants to be a “founding member,” in which case a $25 fee is due by June 1st, and they’re planning $35 annual fees after that).
Metty says that any West Seattle preschool educators who didn’t get the WSPA’s introductory letter are invited to contact them to be added to the list – e-mail Stephanie at office@neighborhoodpreschool.com. Meantime, the West Seattle Preschool Fair is planned for 5:30 pm-7:30 pm April 4th at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 3050 California SW. They’re still signing up schools interested in participating – first-come, first-serve; deadline is March 31st, with a discount before 3/15; call 206-923-COVE or e-mail hello@thecoveschool.com. For families visiting the fair, admission will be free. (In future years, they plan to have the fair in January, recognizing that most school decisionmaking happens early in the year.)
Not in West Seattle, but affecting every Seattle Public Schools family (and taxpayer) – tonight’s Seattle School Board meeting will include a vote on whether to fire Superintendent Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson. The items added to the board agenda (screengrab above) tell the story, as do our partners at the Seattle Times, who have been extensively covering the newest revelations about district financial mismanagement. The Times says a closed-door board session last night was followed by a statement from board president Steve Sundquist of West Seattle, promising “swift and decisive action.” You can read his statement on the district website (PDF); the Times coverage includes links to other documents of note. For even more details and background, the district-watchdog website saveseattleschools.blogspot.com has been covering the situation closely. (Here’s what their writers and commenters hope the next superintendent will do, and be.) Though money-mismanagement reports seem to be the proverbial last straw, discontent has been simmering a while – you might recall the no-confidence votes by teachers at schools (including at least two in West Seattle) toward the end of last year. It’s been almost four years since Goodloe-Johnson was hired. Tonight’s board meeting, by the way, is open to the public, 6 pm at district HQ in SODO. (Or you can watch live on cable channel 26.)
Courtesy of the West Seattle High School PTSA mailing list, a chance to offer feedback before the district decides whether to make WSHS’s interim principal permanent:
Parents and community members are invited to meet with Aurora Lora, Executive Director of West Seattle Schools, to provide feedback on how the school year is going under the leadership of interim principal, Ruth Medsker. Ms. Lora will use feedback from a variety of sources to make a recommendation to the superintendent about whether to make Ms. Medsker’s role as principal at West Seattle High School permanent.
The meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 2nd, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the West Seattle High School Library. If you are unable to attend this meeting, you may provide your feedback directly to Aurora Lora at aalora@seattleschools.org. Ms. Lora will be making her recommendation to the superintendent on Friday, March 4th.
As we reported when her appointment was announced last June, Medsker’s previous experience in Seattle Public Schools included working in central administration as middle-school director after serving as principal of Mercer Middle School. WSHS’s previous principal Bruce Bivins left after last school year for a job in California; the school’s two assistant principals departed as well, so WSHS has been running this year with all-new leadership at the top.
| 5 COMMENTS