West Seattle, Washington
01 Sunday
We just got full details of a big event this afternoon that not only is significant for West Seattle students and educators, but also will briefly affect traffic on a busy street, so here’s the heads-up: As part of a celebration of the new Confucius Institute language program based at Denny International Middle School – until the new Denny/Sealth campus is open – there will be two processions from the current Denny to the under-construction Denny/Sealth in the 1:45-2 pm vicinity, and SW Thistle will be closed (map) while that’s happening. The first procession is a lion dance around 1:50 pm; the second will include marching-band members and an international delegation of dignitaries. It’s a short route from Denny to the new campus, but Thistle is often busy between 35th and Delridge, so this is your advance alert. (P.S. For more on the Confucius Institute in West Seattle, here’s the letter Denny principal Jeff Clark is sending home with students.)
In the mood to shop for sports equipment? Till 4 pm, Lafayette Elementary‘s the place to be. They’ve been collecting donated and consigned items leading up to this day, for the first-ever Sports Swap fundraiser, raising money for their ongoing playground project. Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) is participating too – in our photo, that’s Adam and Ryan from M2SO. The items on sale are all over the sports map – including kids’ bikes:
Story, photos and video by Jonathan Stumpf
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
That’s Chris Ballew, aka Caspar Babypants, and his band performing a selection of tunes culled from his three albums, including the audience favorite and anthemic singalong “Little Broken Truck,” at a sold-out benefit concert this morning for the South Seattle Community College Parent Cooperative Preschools scholarship fund.
While today he spends more time playing to legions of adoring kids (and parents), Ballew – now a West Seattleite – came to fame as front man for Presidents of the United States of America, post-grunge, modern-rock darlings of Seattle during the mid-1990s.
The sold-out concert at the Jerry Brockey Center on the SSCC campus attracted more than 550 people — each paying a $5 cover.
All proceeds directly benefited the Mary E. Phillips Scholarship Fund that provides tuition assistance to co-op students. Over the past year, the fund awarded $9,700 to families in need. Co-op Parent Education Instructor Judy Hall tells WSB that scholarship requests have increased over the past year because of the economy.
The SSCC Cooperative Preschools have five sites around West Seattle, listed here; the program is explained here.
Thanks to Jay Kelly for sending the link to the video he just posted on YouTube, with highlights of another event we featured in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup, the West Seattle High School talent show – multiple performers, less than five minutes! The show was held at the WSHS Theater last night. (Anyone else with clips? We’d be happy to add links, and school news of all kinds is always welcome – westseattleblog.com/contact) ADDED 11:53 PM SUNDAY: Marie sent us a note pointing out this link to three boys’ cover of “Baby,” crowd singalong and all. ADDED 1:28 PM MONDAY: The winners were Vicious Puppies Crew – and ArtsCorps directs us to this clip from their winning performance:
These are both in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup, both happening tomorrow:
RESERVOIR PARK, MEETING #3: Thanks to Geraldine for that photo of the West Seattle Reservoir-covering project site at Westcrest Park, taken today. Tomorrow morning at Southwest Community Center, it’s the third of four planned public meetings on the park that’ll go atop the reservoir cover – and those who attend will get the first look at the design “schematic” that Parks staff and architects have mapped out following the first two meetings. You are likely to see a sizable presence from those who use the current Westcrest Off-Leash Area – the only official off-leash dog park in West Seattle; a group member who attended the Seattle Design Commission discussion of the plans last week says the off-leash park will be affected, and they have drafted a list of issues they want to be sure are addressed by the design.The park meeting starts at 10 am tomorrow; here’s a map to SWCC. (Here are our reports from the first two meetings – December, and February.)
ALSO TOMORROW: Seattle Public Schools‘ hottest topic of the moment is its budget, and if you have concerns about that, or any other SPS issue, your next chance to talk with West Seattle’s rep on the Seattle School Board, Steve Sundquist, is coming up tomorrow afternoon – 2-3:30 pm at High Point Library.
More than a year after Dr. Jill Wakefield was promoted from the South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) presidency to the role of chancellor for the entire Seattle community-college system, there are now three finalists to succeed her at SSCC – including the man who holds the job in the interim. The finalists’ official campus visits will start next week. Read on for the official announcement:Read More
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli)
Many schools have Earth Day on the agenda today – among them, Gatewood Elementary, whose 4th and 5th graders made multiple stops this morning. We caught up with them at Lowman Beach Park, where they picked up litter (you’ll note the bag in front of them on the Lowman tennis court). 4th/5th-grade teacher Darren Radu tells WSB that students also went to Pelly Place for invasive-plant removal, stenciled storm drains along the streets near the school, and did litter patrol at other spots including the Lincoln Park P-Patch. (Thanks to Darren for the heads-up – let us know what your school is up to, either with an advance tip, or photos/info afterward, so we can share the news! WSB contact info is here.)
Thursday is the official 40th anniversary of Earth Day, and one of the local schools celebrating sustainability success is Lafayette Elementary, which shared the photo of fifth-graders Marques Titialii and Alyx Hastings, members of its Green Team, helping with composting. Students meet monthly to come up with ideas for reducing the school’s environmental/carbon footprint; in the first year, they recycled lunchroom milk cartons, and this year, they’re working to compost everything that goes uneaten at lunchtime. They got grants from Seattle Public Schools and from ReUsies, the West Seattle-based company (two Lafayette moms!) that makes and sells reusable sandwich/snack bags, and they set up the program – for which Green Team third, fourth and fifth-graders are fully responsible, including getting their schoolmates to put leftovers in the proper bins. The district is able to pay for compost pickup because the program has reduced the school’s trash pickup costs. Principal Virginia Turner wanted to congratulate “the Lafayette students, parents and staff – led by Laurie Hertzler – for taking on the challenge of composting more than 550 student/teacher lunches each day!”
Holy Rosary School shared that photo, explaining that Dave Dupuy of Jefferson Square Safeway is one of two local Safeway store managers receiving special presentations from students recently; he and Admiral Safeway‘s Amy Hill got posters and certificates in honor of their contributions to the school through the eScrip program. The announcement from Holy Rosary explains, “eScrip contributes to our operating budget which helps keep tuition affordable for all families, compensates our faculty and staff at a just and equitable salary, and continuously improves the learning opportunities for our students.” Last year, the program – which donates a portion of the monthly grocery purchases by each registered participant – brought almost $5,000 to Holy Rosary. Other local schools participate too – you can see the list and support a local school by going to escrip.com.
Music filled the cafeteria at Chief Sealth High School/Boren last night, during the Sealth music program’s annual benefit Tamale Dinner. Above, you can see and hear a sample of one of several mariachi groups that performed – this one features Sealth alumni (of whom Sealth principal John Boyd told us at the dinner he’s “very proud”). The program featured choir music too; you can find out more about the Sealth music programs at chiefsealthmusic.org – including a page with info on how to help with financial and/or instrument donations.
First, Chief Sealth High School‘s music program will benefit from – and be spotlighted at! – the annual Tamale Dinner tomorrow night. Even if you haven’t bought advance tickets, you can show up and pay at the door. The event starts at 5:30 pm tomorrow (Saturday) at Sealth/Boren (5950 Delridge); you can enjoy the food and music (choirs, mariachi and more) for $15 adults, $10 CSHS students with ASB sticker, $7 kids 5-12, $1 discount per ticket if you buy four or more. More info at chiefsealthmusic.org.
Second, West Seattle High School‘s putting out the call again for judges to help review student marketing/advertising presentations – here’s the announcement:
You are invited to be a Marketing Judge at West Seattle High on Wed. April 28, 2010, 9:30 – 11:00 am! As a judge, you would be evaluating formal student presentations of marketing campaigns designed to promote awareness of important social causes.
For more information: Martha Tonkin – Instructor: Marketing/DECA, Fashion, Photo
206.252.8832 office, 206.283.8440 cell, mmtonkin@seattleschools.org
Courtesy of Denny International Middle School, that photo shows its band in Pierce County on Saturday – one of four parades, according to principal Jeff Clark, in which they participated, in the span of one day! The day began with the 77th annual Tacoma Grand Floral Parade at 10:15 am, the Puyallup Daffodil Parade at 12:45 pm, the Sumner Daffodil Parade at 2:30 pm, and the Orting Daffodil Parade at 5 pm. (You can see more than a dozen additional photos in a gallery on the Denny Music website.) Denny’s music director Marcus Pimpleton points out that the Chief Sealth International High School marching band, which he also directs, was in the parades too, “separated by a float” from the Denny band. ADDED MONDAY: A photo of the Sealth band in action Saturday:
Things were really jumping during the West Seattle new-season celebration for the King County Water Taxi (WSB sponsor) this afternoon (see our first report here), especially when the Lafayette Elementary Popcorns jump-rope team showed their stuff. That marked the conclusion of a busy week for the school, with two other Lafayette news that came our way – starting with this photo and summary from principal Virginia Turner:
On Tuesday, Bruce Bulloch, Mark Nyberg, and Heinz Gehlhaar of Evergreen Soaring came to Lafayette Elementary to talk with the students of Mr. Schroeder’s fourth grade class about flight. Evergreen Soaring brought an Apis 13 meter glider so students could get hands-on experience with the controls and construction of real glider. Students also learned about the science of flight and the forces that influence a glider plane. This was one of the culminating activities for their unit of flight, where they learned not only the history of flight, but also the science of why and how planes fly.
And related to another recent study unit – Lafayette parent Luckie shared a scene from “American Civil War Family Night” earlier this week:
Luckie explains:
The fifth graders in all three fifth-grade classes put together displays and presentations on their choice of Civil War topic. We had posters, dioramas, Powerpoint presentations, and models. Lots of parents and kids gathered to view the students’ work and learn about Civil War history. (The cake is a “taste of history”—it’s made from a historic recipe used by Mary Todd Lincoln, and it was one of President Lincoln’s favorites)
What’s going on at YOUR school? Share it any time.
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli)
There’s still time to get to West Seattle High School for the Grad Night Fundraiser Car Wash, which is scheduled to continue till 2 pm. As you can see, volunteers of all ages are pitching in to help raise money for the safe, fun celebration that’s become a tradition. Just drive into the school parking lot (3000 California SW, across from PCC [WSB sponsor]). They’ve also got donated coffee from the Triangle Starbucks, latté coupons from Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor), and raffle items. (And a few other Grad Night fundraisers are listed in the WSB Events calendar.)
First, from West Seattle High School assistant baseball coach Scott Meaker, who is providing WSHS baseball recaps (THANK YOU!):
Friday The West Seattle High School Varsity Baseball team made up for their loss to Nathan Hale on Wednesday. The Wildcats won the Metro League game at Hale’s Meadowbrook Field by a score of 15-4. Young and experienced alike had a great day at the plate starting with freshman LaTrey Newsome (3-for-4 scoring 3 runs), sophmores Jeff Watkins (3-for-3) and Tim Tinkler (3-for-4), and seniors Kellen Gearon (2-for-3, 2 runs scored), Stephan Adams (2-for-3, 2 HRs), Trevor Martin (2-for-3, 2 HRs) and Ryan Wiggins (3-for-4, 2 HRs). Senior Ryan Wenli got the win, running his record to 2-0. Next week the Indians-now-Wildcats face a tough schedule traveling to O’Dea Monday and hosting Eastside Catholic on Wednesday.
Second, from our citywide-news partners at the Seattle Times, another Friday game: It was Ingraham 7, Chief Sealth 5 (follow that link for game stats).
The JV team lost a tough battle to Hale 8-6 at Hiawatha. The JV hosts O’Dea on
Monday at Hiawatha. All games are at 3:30.
Seldom do we get TWO adorable-baby-animal photos in one day. But this one hoofed its way into the inbox a few hours ago and we just couldn’t bear to hold it till tomorrow. Chris Porter says it’s a brand-new arrival for the goat herd that’s been working at the Chief Sealth International High School renovation site the past two weeks (we first photographed them March 31st; then they reappeared in the hardhat-tour story we published this morning). Chris says the baby was being sheltered in a trailer on the site when he got a peek.
You’ve probably seen the photos from the outside – but this time, we’re going inside. As Chief Sealth International High School renovations move into the final months, school administrators thought it was time to get the students excited about the upgrades too. So Thursday morning a busload of 2nd-period class reps – who act as liaisons between classmates and staff – got a hardhat tour; WSB got to join them. First stop on the tour, the former commons area, where project manager Robert Evans explained what it was morphing into:
After Sealth students and staff move back to the permanent campus this fall, they’ll be lunching in the new Galleria (top photo). Many more sights ahead, including another look at the slope-clearing goats:Read More
Just in from Seattle Public Schools – Chief Sealth is now an International High School, the first one in the district. That matches it with Denny International Middle School, with whom it will share a campus starting in 2011. Coincidentally, we were just over at the construction site (shown above – renovating Sealth/building a new Denny) for a hardhat tour this morning; that story’s still in the works but this news can’t wait. Read on for the official district announcement:Read More
From the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor), we have word tonight that youth baseball/T-ball signups are wrapping up for ages 3-10 – there’s still room on some teams; you can sign up at westseattleymca.org until this Sunday, or in person at the Y’s Junction and Fauntleroy locations. Practices start the week of April 26; the season ends June 26. Meantime, another victory for the West Seattle High School varsity baseball team, now 6-1 on the season – we have the latest report from assistant coach Scott Meaker – read on for the recap!
The WSHS Varsity Baseball team hosted Bainbridge HS Tuesday afternoon at Hiawatha Sports Complex. The mighty hitting attack of the Wildcats overwhelmed the Spartans earning an 11-4 win. The Varsity is now 6-1 with their only loss coming to Bishop Blanchet, the number one ranked team in the state.
Freshman Sam Hellinger started the game pitching and had a terrific outing with 4 1/3 strong innings of pitching on 2 hits and 9 strikeouts. Sophmore Jeff Freeman actually earned the win by pitching 2 1/3 innings allowing only 2 runs, walking none.
In the barrage of 17 hits , sophmore Jeff Watkins led with a 4-for-4 performance hitting 2 HRs and 4 RBI. Senior Stephan Adams went 2-for-3 with a triple and scored 3 runs. Sophmore Tim Tinkler continued his hot hitting going 2-for-3 with an RBI, a stolen base, scoring 2 runs. Senior Trevor Martin also added a HR . The Varsity hosts Nathan Hale HS on Wed. at Hiawatha at 3:30.
The WSHS JV traveled to Bainbridge HS on Tues, losing 10-0. Freshman JT Snow pitched well, giving up 3 runs in 5 innings of work. There are no other highlights to report on this game! The JV travels to Nathan Hale on Wed. and hosts Hale’s JV at Hiawatha on Friday.
Thanks again to Coach Meaker for taking the time to provide these reports!
(Photos courtesy Tilden School)
It’s all about partnerships. Our previous story included a public-private partnership to fix up a stretch of local sidewalk, and here we have what you might call a public-private partnership with local students adopting a park. In this case, Tilden School‘s fifth-grade class has been taking care of their closest park, and sent along this story:
Tilden School has officially adopted the beautiful Dakota Place Park, and we, the fifth grade class, are enjoying being park stewards! We will visit the park weekly to clean up trash, pull weeds, and remove invasive species. Before the end of the school year, we will teach the fourth graders how to care for the park so they can be the park stewards next year.
We would like to thank MARK SINDELL of GGLO for designing such a beautiful green space for the West Seattle community and for all of the many small mammals, birds, and insects that are native to the area. Mark gave us a tour of the park to explain its history, design, and plant life.
We would also like to thank all of the kind donors for giving us the tools we needed to begin our stewardship project. Thanks to JUNCTION TRUE VALUE, MCLENDON HARDWARE WHITE CENTER, and WEST SEATTLE NURSERY. Your generosity is truly appreciated!
Come visit the extraordinary Dakota Place Park, and bring all your friends and Fido on a leash!
Dakota Place Park is at California/Dakota (map) and itself, like many local park projects, involves community partnership, with community volunteers playing a huge role in making it a reality. Tilden is less than a block south of the park.
Holy Rosary School vice principal Ted Mohrbacher is excited about the preschool that HR is opening this fall, and not just because it’s a project on which he’s worked intensively for a year.
The biggest thrill comes from the fact his son will get to be a pre-K student there. “He’s very excited; he asks every day, when does he get to go to school?”
We talked with Mohrbacher (photo right) and principal Dr. Randal Peters (photo left) after hearing they’re trying to get the word out that Holy Rosary is adding preschool as of this fall, while they realize the news comes “a bit late in the game,” after many if not most families have made 2010-2011 school decisions already.
Read on for more about what they’re offering and why:Read More
In case you haven’t seen it in the Events calendar, we received this announcement from the Seattle Mariners (who don’t start play at Safeco Field till April 12th):
The West Seattle High School Baseball team will be playing in the 4th Annual High School Baseball Classic at Safeco Field this Saturday April 3rd at 12:30 pm. West Seattle will be playing Auburn Mountainview (currently ranked 8th in 3A state baseball). The gates at Safeco Field open at 11:30 am. Entry into the game is free. Parking in the Safeco Field parking garage will be $5. Following the West Seattle game, Nathan Hale High School will be playing Foss of Tacoma.
Following up on our weekend report that Westside School has reached a lease agreement with Seattle Public Schools to move into the former EC Hughes building in Sunrise Heights, we have updates on three other “closed” schools in West Seattle: First, SPS communications 
manager Patti Spencer says the district did not receive any lease proposals for either the former Genesee Hill or former Fairmount Park elementary campuses, which were offered in the same round as Hughes; Fairmount has been vacant since summer 2007 (photo left). As for the Westside lease terms at Hughes, in its second year of vacancy after two years of temporarily housing South Lake High School, Spencer says they’ll be made public when the agreement is signed and finalized. Meantime, we also asked about the Boren building‘s status once Chief Sealth High School moves out at the end of this school year – will anyone be moving in this fall? Nothing planned, but this is the future vision for the site, she says:
We are asking the School Board to designate BOREN as our Essential – Interim / Emergency building for the district – in case of a catastrophic failure at any secondary school (larger K-8 also) that we could move into with minimal costs.
The board’s next meeting is April 7th, but the agenda’s not posted yet.
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