West Seattle, Washington
20 Thursday
(Photos courtesy Craig Harrold)
By the end of next week, more than a dozen groups (mostly from local schools) will have visited Fauntleroy Creek to release salmon, with guidance from creek steward Judy Pickens, in addition to the proud teachers and parents who accompany them. It’s an annual tradition, after the kids watch the fish grow from eggs, usually placed in aquariums in hallways or classrooms. One of the groups that released salmon this past week was from Arbor Heights Elementary School, and parent Craig Harrold shared a few of the scenes from their visit. Above, that’s Jesse inspecting one of the fry; next, Alec carefully pours water and fish into the creek:
With the students were Arbor Heights kindergarten teacher David Wilkie (below left) and 5th-grade teacher Ruben Gonzalez (below right):
According to the latest creek update on the Fauntleroy Community Association website, the groups participating this year are releasing about 1,800 fry to join the “home hatch” at the creek. This is also the time of year when smolts migrate toward Puget Sound, and the online update says monitors have seen 23 so far – up from last year’s 18.
Thanks to West Seattle High School assistant baseball coach Scott Meaker for sharing information on what’s next for WSHS baseball, including information from head coach Velko Vitalich: This Saturday, WSHS plays in the 3A Region 1 state championships at Mount Vernon’s Dream Field on the Skagit Valley College campus (map), facing Enumclaw High at 1 pm. If the Wildcats win, Coach Vitalich says, they play at 4 pm Saturday vs. the winner of the 10 am Mount Rainier/Meadowdale game. And if they win THAT – it’s on to the Final Four at Safeco Field on May 28. Also announced by the team: 4 West Seattle HS players were voted to the All-Metro League first team last night: infielder Trevor Martin, outfielder Stephan Adams, pitcher Brandon MacKinnon, and catcher Ryan Wiggins. Trevor subsequently was voted Metro League MVP. Coach Meaker adds, “Trevor Martin was a unanimous choice for Metro League MVP! That is very rare … Trevor is currently committed to play at Western Nevada College in Carson City next year, a perennial playoff team nationally for junior colleges.”
Turns out the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival float (photos here) wasn’t the only West Seattle winner in last weekend’s biggest regional parade – Denny International Middle School‘s band brought home awards too. With a month to go in the school year, its director Marcus Pimpleton shares several big updates about not only Denny’s musicians, but also the band members he guides at Chief Sealth International High School:
I just wanted to take a quick second to brag on my amazing middle and high school band students.
The Denny International Middle School Marching Band traveled to Port Townsend to participate in the Rhododendron parade this past Saturday May 15th. The band took first place in the middle school band division which included bands from five different middle schools around Washington State. In addition to taking 1st in the middle school band division, they were also awarded second place in the middle/junior high drill category (which tells me they must’ve scored the drum majors in the drill category). Pictures from the event are available at www.dennymusic.org
On Monday, both the Chief Sealth High School and Denny Bands participated in the Syttende Mai Parade in Ballard. The Chief Sealth Band took third place behind Columbia River High School in Vancouver and the Shorewood High School Marching Band in the band division which consisted of at least 8 bands from around the region including Ballard and Interlake High Schools who have dominated the event in recent years.
Both have big gigs ahead, too – read on for that news, plus word of a big grant:Read More
Another West Seattle school has principal news today: Thanks to Jeanne Merritt at Madison Middle School for forwarding the memo announcing that Henterson Carlisle, who’s been Madison’s interim principal, now officially has the job. Read on for the memo:Read More
From Chief Sealth International High School athletic director Sam Reed, we have Sealth’s spring sports wrapup – just in time for Thursday night’s spring-sports banquet – read on for his full writeup:Read More
(Edited since original publication after WSB was notified 5/26/10 by another media outlet that the “promo photos” provided for our use in publicizing the show were actually the property of that media outlet. The photos have been removed at that outlet’s request, and we have removed text that referred to the no-longer-appearing-in-the-story photos.)
Thursday night is opening night for “Once Upon a Mattress,” a joint production of West Seattle High School‘s Drama and Music Departments, playing Thursday-Saturday and again May 27-29. Above, you see the production’s sizable cast, which is also getting help from student marketers who provided this synopsis of the musical’s plot:
A love-sick nobleman seeking to marry his sweetheart does his best to find his ruling prince a suitable bride so that he himself may wed. No one in Prince Dauntless’s kingdom is permitted to marry until the prince himself exchanges vows — a problem hindered by the fact that the prince’s overprotective mother, Queen Aggravain, has thus far thwarted all efforts to marry her son. This does not sit well with the honorable Sir Harry, a man whose heart longs to wed the fair Lady Larkin, and after a long and arduous journey specifically designed to find the prince a bride, Sir Harry returns to his kingdom to present Princess Winnifred of the swamps. Immediately smitten by the princess, Prince Dauntless sets into motion plans for a lavish wedding as his scheming mother cooks up a test that’s sure to send his marital plans awry.
Not only do ticket-buyers support this production, but they’re also helping raise funds for the program’s future.
Tickets for “Once Upon a Mattress” are $10 at the door, $5 with reservations, kids under 12 half-price with a paying adult, and if you make reservations for six, you only pay for five; for reservations, call 206-252-8834. All performances are at 7:30 pm; here’s the Facebook events page.
Out of the WSB inbox:
I am the Chief Sealth High School Band Council President and I was hoping that you would post a want ad for a new band couch. A band couch is a huge asset for the band after a long parade or a long day at school. Our current band couch has holes in the cushions and the pull-out bed is dusty beyond belief. A new couch would be greatly appreciated. Please contact me before the start of the new school year. josematthewmiguel@gmail.com Cell- (206) 817-4437
We asked if there were any specific specs – answer: No, they’re just seeking a sofa, “any color.” P.S. If you missed it in our earlier preview of what’s coming up later this week, the CSIHS band is performing at Easy Street in The Junction at 10:30 this Friday morning, during the KEXP Hood-to-Hood live broadcast/all-day victory celebration around West Seattle.
Congratulations to Seattle Lutheran High School‘s baseball team – SLHS’s Bil Hood sends that photo with word that they won the Tri-District Championship today, beating Concrete 11-1, and are headed to state. Meantime, while West Seattle High School‘s team was already guaranteed a state-tournament spot before today’s game, they came up short in the Metro League title match, losing to Bishop Blanchet at White Center’s Steve Cox Stadium, 7-2. We were there for the last inning, but Mason Kelley from our partners at the Seattle Times tweeted throughout the game, and reports that Ryan Wiggins‘ two-run homer in the 4th comprised all of WSHS’s scoring.
From Bil Hood at Seattle Lutheran High School:
The Seattle Lutheran Saints Track Team had a great showing in yesterday’s League Championship meet at West Seattle Stadium. Senior Lucas Driscoll won the Shot Put and the 100 meter dash. He broke his school
record in the shot with a put of 49′ 7″. Senior Elyssa Watford won the long jump.The following athletes have qualified for the Tri-District Championships next week at the Southwest Athletic Complex.
Girls District Qualifiers : Alina Yovetich 200 and 400
Hannah Jacobs – High Jump and Javelin
Elyssa Watford – Long Jump, Triple Jump, Shot Put
Jillian Smith – Long Jump and Pole Vault
Jillian Burkett – Discus
Mackenzie Bartell – Shot Put
Kelli Mosely – DiscusBoys District Qualifiers
Lucas Driscoll – 100, Shot, Javelin, Discus
Jake Nigon – 400, Shot, Pole Vault, Long Jump
Gordy Mueller – 800, Javelin
Jared Stefanoff – 3200,
Dylan Heckett – Discus
Thor Winters – Javelin
Colin O’Brien – 4×100 relay
Tru Petrilli – 4×100 relay
Trevor Forsell – 4×100 relay
Justin Smith – 4×100 relay
No official statement from the district so far but we have just been forwarded this letter from West Seattle High School principal Bruce Bivins, announcing he’s leaving:
It is with bittersweet emotions that I am writing to let you know that I have accepted a small school principal position Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles collaborating in a joint venture with the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools.
When I came to West Seattle in 2007, I quickly realized that there was an amazing community of support for our school. West Seattle High School is and will continue to be the school of choice for the West Seattle community. My family and I have enjoyed being a part of this community, and I have enjoyed serving this school. I am proud of the work we have done together, and absent of this truly personal and extraordinary opportunity, I would have been happy as principal continuing for many years to come.
To all of West Seattle High School families, I offer a special word of thanks and appreciation. It has been my honor to serve you and I am proud of what we have accomplished and persevered through together over these past three years. Our school is a special place because of all of you and I cannot thank you enough for your dedication to achievement, and your determination to do what is best for our students.
It is never a good time to leave one great job for another but I relish the challenges at the Partnership and I will always love my time spent here in Seattle. Over these remaining 6 weeks, let’s work together in defining the strengths and assets you will need in your next leader.
Respectfully,
Bruce Bivins
Principal
West Seattle High School
More info as we get it. The WSHS parent who provided us with this letter says the district phone system called families with the message as well.
1:19 PM: We’re at South Seattle Community College, where chancellor Dr. Jill Wakefield has just announced that the interim president of Seattle Central Community College, Gary Oertli, will be the new SSCC president – succeeding her. According to the news release we were just handed (we’ll have it in digital format to add here shortly), he’ll officially take over by the fall quarter. 1:38 PM: We interviewed Dr. Wakefield immediately after she announced the appointment to SSCC staffers (added 4:43 pm, we asked her on camera what she told them):
As for how they reacted, she smiled, “I’m not sure I’ve ever made a decision that’s been received so positively!”
(back to original report) Meantime, click ahead for the full news release:Read More
The school year has a month and a half left to go, and we are getting a look at how the new Seattle Public Schools assignment plan, moving away from “choice” and toward “neighborhood schools,” is likely to affect West Seattle. First, thanks to Oliver for the tip (in this comment) that – for those who are still waiting, recent district arrivals, or those applied for something besides their “neighborhood school” – the district website says the district expects to send assignment letters this Friday. Next, the district has made enrollment projections for next fall. We’ve broken out the West Seattle numbers – here’s how to read them: The first number after each school is what the district says the school had enrolled as of last October; the second two numbers start with “number assigned” followed by “how many expected to be enrolled on October 1st.” Note that three elementaries are expecting higher enrollment: Gatewood, Lafayette, Schmitz Park.
HIGH SCHOOLS
Chief Sealth International – 996 last Oct; 1109 assigned for next year, expect 959 enrolled Oct. 1st
West Seattle – 1138 last Oct.; 1099 assigned for next year, expect 1006
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Denny International – 704 last Oct; 764 assigned next year, 663 expected
Madison – 906 last Oct; 905 assigned next year, 842 expected
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Alki – 363 (362, 349)
Arbor Heights – 343 (373, 339)
Gatewood – 418 (469, 431)
Highland Park – 415 (437, 407)
West Seattle – 332 (361, 329)
Lafayette – 522 (556, 525)
Roxhill – 312 (325, 302)
Schmitz Park – 355 (409, 394)
Sanislo – 325 (315, 295)
K-8 SCHOOL
Pathfinder 464 (490, 452)
If you applied for a school different than your “neighborhood” assignment, you can check the charts here to see if there’s a waitlist, as pointed out by Charlie Mas at at saveseattleschools.blogspot.com (an always-excellent source for discussion of district-related issues).
It’s tournament time for some local high-school teams – and West Seattle High School assistant baseball coach Scott Meaker provides the update on how things started for the Wildcats:
The Metro League tournament got off to a good start Monday with West Seattle hosting Seattle Prep. The Wildcats took a convincing win by beating the Panthers 11-5.
Season-long workhorse
Brandon MacKinnon was the starting pitcher for West Seattle and he pitched into the 7th inning, giving up 4 runs, 1 of them earned, on 5 hits while striking out 2 and walking 5. He took the win. [Editor’s note: WSB photo at left was taken just before MacKinnon got Prep’s #24 to hit into a double play.]
Seniors Trevor Martin and Ryan Wiggins again led an impressive offensive attack. Martin went 2-for-3 with 3 RBI and a HR. Wiggins went 3-for-4 scoring a run. Freshman left fielder LaTray Newsome continues to impress with another hot day at the plate going 2-for-4, scoring 2 runs, and leading off with a massive HR to deep right-center field.
West Seattle will face Eastside Catholic HS on Wed. at White Center Stadium at 3:30. In other Metro League Tournament games Monday , Eastside Catholic beat Franklin HS 7-6, Bishop Blanchet beat Ingraham 11-0, and Nathan Hale beat O’Dea 3-2. Bishop Blanchet will face Nathan Hale on Thursday in a game that follows the WSHS game. The losers of Monday’s games play today in the double-elimination tournament format.
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That’s the newest aerial photo from the team working on the new Denny International Middle School (left side of the photo) and renovations to Chief Sealth International High School. It comes with the latest construction update: For the new Denny, to be occupied in 2011, they’re planning to complete the roofing for the building’s north and south wings this month; for Sealth, floor leveling will be completed in the performance-arts area, and doors and carpeting will be installed in classrooms. (CSIHS student reps took a hard-hat tour of the site April 9 – here’s our report; our archived Denny-Sealth coverage is here; updates from the project team can be found here.)
Students at Little Pilgrim School, based at Fauntleroy Church, got unusual lessons this morning – a hard-hat tour of the construction/renovation going on at the church. Above, they’re peeking through a top-story window to have a look at their playground, which has been a staging site (but will be back open for them when school resumes in the fall); here they’re getting a show-and-tell from foreman Jimmy Dale and construction-crew member Phil McGrann.
Here’s a bonus video clip of the kids watching a forklift demonstration. Meantime, not far from Fauntleroy Church, it’s salmon-release time at Fauntleroy Creek:
Creek steward Judy Pickens forwarded that photo taken by Dennis Hinton, who also reports:
The Salmon in the Classroom program to raise and release coho for Fauntleroy Creek got into full swing last week. Three groups, from Roxhill Elementary (40 kids), KapKa Cooperative K-2 (35 kids) and West Seattle Moms (17 kids), released more than 300 coho fry in Fauntleroy Park, with upward of 1,700 more to come.
The fish, each just over an inch long, have been raised in classrooms since January as part of the State Fish and Wildlife program. Judy Pickens, from the Fauntleroy Watershed Council, coordinates the field trips with teachers and parents from about a dozen area elementary and preschools. Salmon releases will continue in Fauntleroy Park through the month of May.
First: Thanks to Chris for sharing this link: Three of the four teachers honored recently with the Alliance for Education‘s Swain Excellence in Teaching Award are from West Seattle schools – Denny’s Marcus Pimpleton and Madison’s Stephanie Poole and Alisha Taylor. More info, plus a photo from the recent ceremony, can be found here.
Second: Jeanne Merritt from Madison Middle School shares news of a memorable visitor:
Madison Middle School eighth graders had a special treat recently when a former teacher came for a visit.
That teacher was Jesse Hagopian. He, his wife and their one-year-old son arrived in Port-au-Prince, Haiti two days before the big earthquake hit. Mr. Hagopian had taken a one year leave of absence from Seattle Public Schools to care for his baby. He accompanied his wife, an HIV educator who was working with health professionals there.
The family escaped safely from the earthquake, although half of the hotel was in ruins. Mr. Hagopian and a guest doctor treated wounded people who arrived throughout the night, and his wife translated for the doctor. At Madison he shared photos of the devastation, a brief history of Haiti, and ideas of how students could continue to help rebuilding efforts.
Students were visibly moved by his personal account.
After a week in Haiti Mr. Hagopian and his family caught an evacuation flight home.
Our regional-news partners at the Seattle Times told the Hagopians’ Haiti story here.
Off the peninsula, today’s biggest event was the culmination of the Seattle Maritime Festival – not just the tugboat races, but also a wide variety of maritime-related displays and contests at Pier 66. Among them, the “Quick and Dirty Boatbuilding” competition, with Chief Sealth International High School physics students in the fray. West Seattle resident Joe Follansbee shared the photo after covering the Maritime Festival for Fyddeye (of which he’s editor). Their task was previewed in the CSIHS Daily Bulletin: “Hannah Hodges, Stephanie Patterson and John Paul Altamirano will be participating in the ‘Quick and Dirty Boat Building Contest’ at the Seattle Maritime Festival. These students have $100 and three hours to build a boat that floats and race it through a course on Elliott Bay.” (We’ll be checking to see how they did!)
That’s video from the kickoff of a big event this afternoon – Chief Sealth International High School vs. the SBOC Internationals in the soccer match known as the Carne Asada Bowl. That title also has to do with the community barbecue afterward. Sealth won, 2-0 (SBOC won in a shootout last year, says Sealth athletic director Sam Reed, center left in the photo below) – and a tasty time was had by all afterward:
At the grill, Sealth staffers Jim Diobilda and Dave Rosario:
This was the 4th annual Carne Asada Bowl.
Perfect day to dance, shout, jump for joy outside – just ask the students of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School, who kicked off their annual Jog-A-Thon fundraiser with a choreographed routine to the Black-Eyed Peas‘ song “I Gotta Feeling.” (That’s Jill Pagano of the Nia Divas, leading the dance.) Afterward, K-3 students took the first hour-plus, 4th-8th graders followed; the official Jog-A-Thon page on the OLG website explained not only the event but featured video links to the routine, so everyone could learn it! (P.S. Q13 FOX TV news carried it live during their morning newscast.)
On Thursday, we published news that the West Seattle High School fastpitch softball team is headed for the playoffs after winning the division championship (remember their Walking Taco Night event tonight) … this morning, we have news of the WSHS varsity baseball team also taking its division and preparing for the playoffs. Here’s the report from Assistant Coach Scott Meaker:
West Seattle High School Varsity Baseball has concluded their regular season by sweeping West Seattle rival Chief Sealth H.S. 10-0 on Monday May 3rd, and 13-3 on Wednesday May 5th. West Seattle finished the season in first place in the Metro League, Sound Division with a 13 – 4 record. This marks the 12th time in 13 years that West Seattle has won the Sound Division title under long-time head coach Velko Vitalich, a West Seattle Alum from the class of ’73.
West Seattle opens the Metro League Tournament by hosting Seattle Prep Monday at Hiawatha Sports Complex at 3:30 PM. The Metro League Tournament runs through the week ending on Friday at Southwest Athletic Complex (SWAC) on the campus of Denny Middle School. The first and second place teams earn an automatic berth into the state tournament of 16. The 3rd place team will play the 2nd place team from Kingco 3A for another berth in the 16 team state tournament. That tournament begins Saturday May 22nd in four venues around the state. The final 4 teams will play in Safeco Field May 28th & 29th.
Sandy Watkins shares that photo and this report of a big achievement for West Seattle High School‘s fastpitch softball team:
West Seattle High School Softball Team – Sound Division Champs! The Lady Wildcats defeated Chief Sealth this week 7-3, and 3-1. Both games were well played and fought by both teams. This is the 7th division title WS has won since 2004!
Highlights from Tuesday’s game included sophomore pitching duo Toni Spadoni and Rosie Patnode combing for 12k’s 2 walks and 5 hits , junior Al’Asia Davis coming off an injured knee with a power performance going 3-4 at the plate and driving in 1 run, sophomore Annie Patnode went 3-4 with a triple, junior Candice Lastimado went 2-4 with 2RBI’s and sophomore Toni Spadoni went 2-4 with 2 triples and 2 RBI’s!!
Thursday’s game highlights included senior Katelyn Elder laying down a perfect bunt to load the bases and junior Al’Asia Davis hit a 2 RBI single and sophomore Rosie Patnode drove in another run for insurance. Westside’s senior pitching duo of Kelsi Baker and Corinne Kleeberger combined for 6 strike outs, 3 hits and 1 run!
WS also celebrated the brilliant careers of 4 seniors — 3 year varsity starter Katelyn Elder, 4 year varsity winner and 3 year starter Cortney Elliott, 4 year varsity winner and 2 year starter Kelsi Baker, and 4 year varsity letter winner and starter Corinne Kleeberger!!
West Seattle finished the regular season 12-0 in Sound Division and 15-3 in league play. The Wildcats will host the first round of the Metro Playoffs next Wednesday vs. Seattle Prep/Franklin at Riverview at 3:30 pm.
The team will be having a BINGO AND WALKING TACO fundraiser tomorrow night (Friday, May 7th) at West Seattle HS. Ten games to be played and 10 prizes to be won! Five dollars gets you in the door and gets you 5 games – (games 1-5), for an additional $5 you can buy the “cash games” (games 6-10). Food will be available: Walking Taco $3, Nachos $2, Drink $1. First Game Begins at 6:40 pm
As first reported here March 28, independent Westside School is moving into the old EC Hughes building in Sunrise Heights this fall – and the move is REALLY official now that the Seattle School Board has given its final approval to the lease, with a vote at last night’s board meeting. According to school district documents (read them here), it’s a 10-year lease, starting at $45,000 a year for the first three years – with Westside responsible for operation and maintenance costs (aside from major systems); the district expects to save about $50,000 a year for Hughes and each of two other buildings elsewhere in the city that it’s now going to lease out. The district also had requested proposals for two of its other “closed” facilities in West Seattle, Genesee Hill and Fairmount Park elementaries, but nobody submitted a proposal; Westside, which has been housed in a former Highline Public Schools facility, was the only entity to seek a lease for Hughes. They’re planning to open in their new home this fall.
Thanks to tech instructor Roni Ayalla from the Seattle YMCA for sharing the link to that video, along with the news that the West Seattle High School senior who’s featured, Rey Martinez, created the design that won the “Be the Change” T-shirt contest put on by PugetSoundOff.org and One Soul Revolution. OSR will print and sell Rey’s design; he also won an iPod.
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