West Seattle, Washington
05 Tuesday
Again this year, Gatewood Elementary is planning a community event, and welcoming teenage and tween-age volunteers to help make it happen. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share with you:
Volunteer opportunity for Seattle Public School middle and high school students to earn service hours:
Gatewood Elementary is hosting the 2nd Annual Gatewood Gator Fair on Saturday, June 1st, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., and is looking for volunteers to set-up and break down the event, run carnival games, help out at booths, etc.
The event is rain or shine and the community is invited.
Volunteer shifts are: 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., 1- 3:30 p.m.
Sign up at signupgenius.com/go/10C0B48A8A629A1F4C34-48659222-gator#
Questions? GatewoodGatorFair@gmail.com
School address: 4320 SW Myrtle Street. Parking in the neighborhoodPublic transportation: Rapid Ride C line stop is Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Myrtle St.
Before we get to what’s happening today, an announcement for your weekend planning, from Chief Sealth Drama Company and BAYFEST Youth Theatre:
Following the wonderfully successful reinstatement of the drama program at Chief Sealth International High School last year with our productions of “She Kills Monsters” and this fall’s “Scenes About Teens: A Musical Extravaganza!” produced with the help of over 75 students, staff members, and Sealth alums, we are presenting a full production of Shakespeare’s beautiful and funny A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Directed by local director and BAYFEST teaching artist Keni Cohen, who taught and directed for many years with Seattle Children’s Theatre, the production promises to be full of love-gone-wrong-and-back-to-right, magic, fairies and lots of laughs. It is a truly timeless play that all ages will enjoy.
20 cast members, supported by 35+ student costume designers, musicians, set builders and technicians, parent volunteers and an amazing crew of Chief Sealth High School alums, have been working diligently since January to put the production together. Performances will be held in the large Chief Sealth Theater, with wonderful acoustics, comfortable seating, and is physically accessible.
This show is appropriate for all ages, and we encourage the community to experience the amazing work of our students and staff, and come out to support the drama program at Chief Sealth as we continue to build this exciting program.
Public show times are:
Friday, May 3 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, May 4 at 2pm and 7pm; Sunday, May 5 at 2PM
Chief Sealth International High School
2600 SW Thistle St.pre-purchase (online) individual tickets prices:
Students – $7.00
Adults – $12.00at the door:
Students – $9.00
Adults – $14.00FOR TICKETS: https://bayfestsealththeatrecompany.ludus.com
(The art featured in the announcement is by CSIHS student Evan Dortero.)
It’s a fusion of art, chemistry, and community support! Chief Sealth International High School teacher Carolyn Autenrieth explains:
I teach Ceramics at Chief Sealth International High School, and we are gearing up for our RAKU clay event again in June! As with many of our HS Art programs, funds are usually tight, and to do this event with the wonderful folks of Seattle Pottery Supply, we have to raise an additional amount to cover expenses and clay: $750
This is our 4th time providing a wonderful experience for our students to witness art and chemistry come together in real time! We are lucky to have Eric from Seattle Pottery, who does a great job with the equipment, also engaging the students actively in the process.
Please consider donating through this link to support our event. Thank you so much.
With less than eight weeks to go in the school year, students are looking ahead to next year while working toward the end of this one. That’s why one club at West Seattle High School is hoping for community support. The announcement and photo we were asked to share were sent by Kamil:
Hello! We are West Seattle High School’s Intersectional Feminist Club! We are a group of around 45 students dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming community in WSHS. We are committed to learning from each other and our community while honoring our individual identities through a feminist lens. Our overall goal is to empower our members and build a stronger community in WS rooted in feminism. We hold weekly meetings for all interested students. Within the past school year, we have held meetings about the history of feminism, analyzing the Barbie movie, Hour of Code, hosting book clubs, holiday cookie decorating, and more! We are most proud of our self-hosted, free Self-Defense class and our Menstrual Product Drive (2,092 products collected!), all proceeds to SODO Mary’s Place.
As we are nearing the end of the school year, we are seeking donations to operate our free self-defense class for WSHS students, help buy graduation cords to recognize our hardworking seniors, and for the upcoming school year’s activities. Any amount is greatly appreciated! Thank you for supporting WSHS’s IFC!
Donate at: schoolpay.com/pay/for/WSHS-Intersectional-Feminist-Club–Fundr/Sbk0bX4
(WSB photos)
Continuing with today’s recycling theme – a different take on recycle/reuse, the classic rummage/yard/garage sale. The PTA/PTSAs of Highland Park Elementary and Pathfinder K-8 are teaming up on this “give and take” sale today – taking donations, with the motto “Give what you can, take what you need.”
Among those making this happen at the HPE campus (1012 SW Trenton) are Gretchen, Haley, Sher, and Ellen:
The sale’s on until 3 pm!
(Photos courtesy South Seattle College)
It’s Earth Week and South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) used the occasion to show off the solar array installed a few months ago atop Cascade Hall on the north end of campus as part of the larger Seattle Colleges systemwide campaign to decarbonize. It’s an 82-kilowatt array, successor to the building’s original 7-kilowatt array, supported with state financing that will be paid back over 15 years by energy savings. SSC’s Steve Abercrombie led a tour of the installation atop the roof:
But first, those gathered heard from not only Abercrombie but also reps from partner McKinstry – which is helping with a variety of energy-efficiency campus upgrades – and from Seattle City Light, which supported the Seattle Colleges installations with $425,000 in renewable-energy credits:
The array is not only generating power, but it and the arrays at the other Seattle Colleges campuses are also integrated into the curriculum, including sustainable building.
Abercrombie says, “Students get tours of the arrays to understand the mechanics of the siting, installation, and considerations for solar. They then engage in projects related to solar feasibility, planning, and renewable energy financing through several of our classes.” They also use the real-time data to learn about performance evaluation and, ultimately, workforce opportunities. He says those “include identifying and practicing 21st century skills like troubleshooting and communication that are the heart of careers like energy analysis and commissioning.”
Your bids are welcome right now in the 11th annual auction to benefit two local nonprofit bilingual preschools on Delridge, Southwest Early Learning and the Refugee and Immigrant Family Center. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share:
For the past 15 years, RIFC & SWEL Bilingual Preschools have provided high-quality, culturally enriching preschools, serving families in and around our West Seattle community. Many of the children we serve come from lower-income families that do not have the resources to go on field trips, learn a second language, or explore their interests. The money we raise through this Silent Auction will significantly benefit the children, providing enriching learning.
Our auction this year is virtual and will run until Friday, April 26th. We have many great items like self-care kits, homemade food, museum passes, and gift cards to many local shops and restaurants. All the proceeds from this auction go right back into our classroom to support our two non-profit preschools. We will coordinate pick up with the winner of our items at the end of the auction.
To browse and bid, go here!
11:08 AM: That was the scene a short time ago outside the north side of West Seattle High School as more than 50 students gathered for what social-media announcements declared as a statewide student walkout supporting Palestinians affected by the Hamas-Israel war, now in its seventh month. They headed out to California SW shortly thereafter, walking south. We have not heard of any other schools in West Seattle participating.
11:32 AM: Walking off campus, the group crossed California and passed the McDonald’s across the street, chanting an accusation that the company supports genocide, a disputed allegation that has circulated on social media. (Video added above.) Our photographer has moved on but we just heard an FYI on police radio that the group is continuing southbound toward The Junction.
(Photos courtesy CSIHS Athletics)
Tonight is Senior Night for Chief Sealth International High School‘s baseball team, playing Cleveland at 7 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle). The players in the photo above are seniors Noah Tewolde, Gavin Brown, and Isaac Martinez, and as CSIHS athletic director Ernest Policarpio recounts below, the team scored this year’s “Best in the West” crosstown-rivalry win over West Seattle High School on Friday night:
Both teams were strong on the mound on Friday, but Chief Sealth defeated West Seattle Varsity Wildcats 2-1.
Isaac Martinez started on the bump for Chief Sealth. The starting pitcher gave up four hits and one run over five innings, striking out six and walking five. Nevin Pivar threw two innings of no-run ball for Chief Sealth in reliefl he gave up three hits, walking two.
Miles Chandler led things off on the hill for West Seattle, He gave up four hits and two runs over six innings, striking out 10 and walking three.
Chief Sealth got on the board in the first inning after Teo Perala singled, scoring one run. Clay Pecore singled, which helped West Seattle tie the game at one in the top of the second.
Chief Sealth didn’t take the lead until later in the game. The game was tied at one in the bottom of the sixth when Miles Chandler induced Marko Woefle to hit into a fielder’s choice, but one run scored.
Teo Perala and Marko Woefle each drove in one run for Chief Sealth; Brady Murphy went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead Chief Sealth.
West Seattle’s Matthew Hazlegrove made the most of his chances at the plate; he led the team with three hits in four at bats. Clay Pecore went 2-for-3 at the plate as the infielder led the team with one run batted in.
Four weeks from today, you can start your Sunday with a scenic run/walk along Alki during this year’s West Seattle 5K run/walk on Alki, May 19. This will be the 15th anniversary of the first West Seattle 5K, in 2009. If you’re not registered for this year yet, today’s a great day to do it – here’s where to go. The West Seattle 5K is coordinated by the West Seattle High School PTSA, and funds a variety of programs. If you can’t get out on the course on May 19, you can still donate. Find out how and see the race-day schedule on the registration page. (WSB is the WS5K media sponsor again this year.)
As school fun(draising) season continue, tomorrow’s your last chance to get a ticket to Prom Through the Ages, an April 27 celebration benefiting cooperative elementary The Bridge School! Here’s the announcement we were asked to share with you:
Step back in time and dance through the decades with us at The Bridge School Auction: Prom Through the Ages!
Grab your tickets now for an unforgettable evening of nostalgia, fun, and philanthropy. (Ticket sales close this Friday, April 19th at 12 pm)
Your ticket includes:
-Admission to the event
-A delectable dinner from Centro Neighborhood Kitchen, featuring a taco bar buffet with options for meat lovers, vegetarians, and vegans
-A complimentary alcoholic or specialty beverage courtesy of your drink ticket
-Dress to impress and compete in our prom costume contest (optional)
-Gain exclusive bidding privileges in our electrifying live auction
-Additional drinks will be available for purchase, ensuring the party never stops! Secure your spot now and join us in supporting our school while reliving the magic of prom night. See you on the dance floor!Ticket sales close this Friday, April 19th at 12 pm
What: Prom Through The Ages: Live Auction Event to support The Bridge School
When: Saturday, April 27th 6-9 PM
Where: Explorer West Gymnasium
10300 28th Ave SW
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“All these changes are good, but where is the student voice in this?”
That was said by one of the few students at tonight’s community-safety forum at Chief Sealth International High School, three months after a student’s shooting death at nearby Southwest Pool/Teen Life Center.
“There needs to be more communication with the students …we’ve been kind of left in the dark,” continued the student, Satomi. “We need to hear ‘we understand that this is tough’ … even for a middle-schooler, they understand the loss, that a sibling or friend could be gone at any time … this is a huge issue because of gun violence.”
Communication was the intent of the forum, organized by the Chief Sealth PTSA and featuring an onstage panel with school and city officials – along with Sealth principal Ray Morales and adjacent Denny International Middle School‘s principal Mary Ingraham, panelists were Seattle Public Schools‘ regional executive director of schools Chris Carter and executive director of operations Marni Campbell, Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Martin Rivera, City Councilmember Rob Saka‘s district-relations director Leyla Gheisar, and Seattle Parks‘ interim recreation-division director Brian Judd and interim deputy superintendent Daisy Catague.
To Satomi’s point, the panel did not include a single student. But the event was intended to listen as well as inform, Morales explained, describing it as a “continuation of a listening session with mostly East African families back on February 1st,” a little over a week after 15-year-old Mobarak Adam‘s death in a restroom at the pool/teen center, Seattle’s first homicide of 2024, for which no one has been arrested.
Tomorrow is the night for the long-planned community-safety forum at Chief Sealth International High School, organized by the CSIHS PTSA and newly formed Campus Safety Team after the January shooting death of Chief Sealth student Mobarak Adam at nearby Southwest Pool/Teen Center. The meeting will be held in the school auditorium 6:30-8 pm and will include not only principal Ray Morales and other school administrators, but also officials from the school district and city – Seattle Police, Seattle Parks, Seattle City Council, Seattle Housing Authority, all of which have been asked to provide an update on how their work enhances student safety. Interpretation will be available in Oromo, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. All are welcome.
Just out of the WSB inbox, from West Seattle/South Park school-board director Gina Topp: “Regrettably, I must cancel Saturday’s community meeting due to unforeseen illness. We will promptly reschedule. Apologies for the short notice; unforeseen circumstances necessitate this change.”
Two months left in the school year, but some major issues remain unsettled – such as, will Seattle Public Schools superintendent Dr. Brent Jones propose school closures/consolidations to help balance the budget? If you have an SPS-related question, concern, and/or comment – about the budget or any other issue – tomorrow (Saturday, April 13) is your chance to bring it to our area’s school-board director Gina Topp. In case you haven’t already seen it in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, her next community conversation is set for 10:30-11:30 am Saturday at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW). No formal agenda – just drop in any time during the hour.
EARLY SATURDAY: Got a late-night note that this is canceled.
(Photo courtesy Arbor Heights Elementary PTSA)
Even if you don’t attend the gala dinner/auction events that benefit local nonprofits, you often can help their fundraising anyway by bidding in the online auctions that precede the galas. Right now, the Arbor Heights Elementary PTSA is welcoming your participation in theirs, for items from local-business gift cards to the superstar-autographed musical instrument shown above! Here’s the announcement:
It’s that time of year again – the Arbor Heights Elementary PTSA‘s online silent auction is officially underway! From now until April 19th, you have the chance to bid on an array of incredible experiences and items, all while supporting our beloved school community.
There are so many incredible items and we are so grateful for all of the donations. However, we are very honored to offer a ukulele signed by Eddie Vedder.
This auction is vital to our school. The funds raised provide critical support for music, art, classroom materials, transportation for field trips, 5th-grade camp, and other essential elements that make school fun and engaging for our students.
So, let’s come together as a community and make this year’s auction a resounding success! Bid early, bid often, and help us continue to provide enriching experiences for our Arbor Heights students.
Thank you for your support and happy bidding!
Dream Dinners West Seattle (WSB sponsor) can help you get dinner on the table this month and next while lending a hand to the South Seattle College Cooperative Preschools around West Seattle!
Anyone can support the preschools – just place an order of at least 3 dinners. Can order either April or May. All orders must be placed by May 10th. Put the code word “CO-OP” in the special instructions so we can keep track of everyone that orders. Call/text 206-938-5999 for questions.
Here’s the link to the local store, which is on the north side of outer Jefferson Square (41st/Alaska).
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and the student-led Sexual Violence Resource Group at West Seattle High School asked us to publish this message so the community beyond campus can find out about their work too:
Sexual Assault Awareness Month, observed in April, is an opportunity to educate ourselves about sexual violence; including its prevalence in our community, and how we can prevent it. A student-led group at West Seattle High School, the Sexual Violence Resource Group(SVRG), has made it a goal to take on this effort. So far, they’ve organized educator trainings at their school and collaborated with local organizations such as the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center. One of their main objectives is to raise awareness about available resources, leading them to compile a comprehensive support service list for those in the Greater Seattle area. This list can be found at wshssvrg.carrd.co/#support.
Sexual violence in our community is rampant, and it’s vital to act against it in any way possible. Education and self-awareness are some of the best ways to prevent sexual violence. For example, it is estimated that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men will experience sexual violence in their lifetimes, a statistic that has grown in recent years (WHO and 1in6.org). In a survey done by the SVRG, 11.3% of students at their school reported they had been sexually assaulted during their time enrolled at West Seattle High School. These numbers represent an urgent need for sexual violence prevention efforts and support for survivors. Together, we can create a safer West Seattle where sexual violence is not tolerated.
Learn more about the SVRG and follow their efforts – @wshs_svrg on Instagram.
Helpful Support Services:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text: 988
Chatline: 988lifeline.org/chatNational Sexual Assault Hotline*
Call: 800.656.4673
Chatline: online.rainn.orgKing County Sexual Assault Resource Center Hotline*
Call: 888.998.6423*24/7 hotline accessible to anyone – from survivors to educators and friends.
If you know someone who might benefit from this information, you can use the SHARE THIS link below (as with any WSB post, calendar listing, etc.) to forward it to them in a variety of ways.
By Sean Golonka
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The sounds of Bob Marley’s “Buffalo Soldier” intermingled with the chatter of more than two dozen 7th-graders as students in Alan Blackman’s Washington state history class filed into the library at Denny International Middle School today.
At the front of the room stood Lenard Howze, whose grandfather was a Buffalo Soldier and whose father founded the Buffalo Soldiers of Seattle, a regional nonprofit dedicated to community outreach and youth engagement.
Blackman had previously spent time in class teaching his students about the Buffalo Soldiers, Black servicemen who served in the 1800s and 1900s (some of their history is told by the National Museum of African American History and Culture and National Park Service).
Now Howze was at Denny to give the students a look at the equipment the soldiers wore and used and to educate them on the Buffalo Soldiers’ role in American history – including their service here in the Pacific Northwest.
According to a message sent to families, starting tomorrow Madison Middle School will pilot a new surveillance feature that’s scheduled to be used district-wide starting this fall. Among other things, it notifies teachers if a student is doing something with their district-issued laptop during class other than the assigned classwork. First, from the district’s February announcement of the new software, called GoGuardian:
For the 2024-25 school year, Seattle Public Schools will be launching a tool to help teachers guide students in their lessons and keep them focused on the task at hand during class time. This system allows teachers to manage student devices and share content quickly and easily.
The new tool will be installed on SPS Devices and will enable our educators build positive learning environment during their classes.
The new tools will enable educators to do the following:
-View of student screens while in-person during class time.
-Help refocus students on classroom instruction, rather than digital distractions.
-Block or allow websites for each class session.
-Digitally interact with students through teacher-to-student messaging.Important note regarding student privacy: This new tool supports student privacy by automatically deactivating features outside school hours and off school premises, respecting the balance between educational oversight and personal space.
This page on the GoGuardian website has a video showing how it works. The district website has details on the plan to use the software, GoGuardian, for 3rd through 12th graders, and a different Apple tool for younger students. Here’s how Madison MS principal Dr. Robert Gary told families in a message sent Friday about the pilot starting tomorrow:
Beginning next week and the week after vacation, Madison teachers will help Seattle Public Schools pilot a new technology tool called GoGuardian. The tool has already been installed on our students’ laptops, though it is not yet “live.” Teachers will be trained on how to use this tool efficiently and effectively. We will also be troubleshooting any problems that arise prior to SPS rolling this out to the entire district. We are excited to have a tool that will help us maximize student learning while helping students develop self-regulation.
Students have had many questions about this new tool. We’ve been reminding them that their laptop is the property of SPS and that they signed a “network use agreement” in the Fall, agreeing to only use their SPS laptop for academic purposes. SPS has always had the ability to track their usage. As GoGuardian is being installed, students may notice lagging and “oops” screens. Signing out and restarting the computer (sometimes multiple times) will likely help these issues.
We’ll be asking the district tomorrow if any other schools are involved in the early pilot.
Thanks to Jennifer for two updates on West Seattle High School‘s new water-polo team!
The previously undefeated West Seattle Water Polo girls lost a nail-biter in the last minute of play against Shorewood on Wednesday, March 27th, with a final score of 3-5. Marlo Pietsch [above] scored all 3 goals. With no subs due to illness and injury, the Wildcats played strong defense to the end. Their next game will be after spring break against Shorecrest on April 19th at Medgar Evers Pool at 8 pm.
The team has set up an ongoing online auction with the goal of making next year’s team more affordable. Supporters can join the auction to bid on gift cards donated by local businesses at: paybee.io/@wswaterpolo@3
As previously reported, the water-polo team is a “club sport” – not supported by district funding – launched this year after students campaigned to get approval to start a team.
(Rendering by Mahlum Architects – north side of school)
After a pre-hearing conference today, the city Hearing Examiner’s Office has set the date for the hearing on the latest appeal of a zoning exception for the Alki Elementary rebuild: May 22. Today’s conference was presided over by the same deputy hearing examiner who ordered Seattle Public Schools last year to reconsider its “no on-site parking” plan, Susan Drummond, after different appellants challenged it. As we reported in December, SPS subsequently came up with a plan for 15 spaces; in February, the city Department of Construction and Inspections approved it (as they originally had done for the no-parking plan); then this month, a new group of appellants calling themselves Friends for a Safe Alki Community filed a challenge. Their lawyer was at today’s conference as were two lawyers for the school district as well as the SDCI land-use planner assigned to the project. The levy-funded rebuild and expansion of Alki Elementary is on hold until this is resolved, because the building permit can’t be granted until the zoning exception for parking is either finalized, or rendered unnecessary by a plan allowing for the 48 spaces the current zoning rules require. Meantime, all sides have a series of deadlines to prepare for the May 22 hearing (for which a second day is set aside May 23 if needed), per the order resulting from today’s conference.
ADDED APRIL 14: A routine check of the case file reveals the hearing date has changed to May 28.
West Seattle High School students are getting ready to open its spring production, “Mean Girls: The Musical” with three performances this week and three more next week. And community businesses are hosting fundraisers in the two nights before opening night. First, here’s the announcement about the production:
(Photo courtesy Westside Drama)
As Cady (Elena Smith) gets ready to take down the group’s apex predator Regina George (Olivia Walum), she’s faced with wild challenges from friends and foes. With the help of her outcast friends Janis (Lucy Warren) and Damian (Mason Nguyen), she must learn how to stay true to herself while navigating The Plastics (Ava Gem Anderson, Fiona Armstrong) and the most cutthroat jungle of all: high school.
We invite you to join us for a wacky, irreverent (and at times inappropriate for very young audience members) journey into the modern American high-school social landscape. Like the movie, this musical is rated PG-13 for language, sexual references and general teenage romantic themes.
The Westside Drama program was created in 2003 with their first production, “Grease.” Since then the program has grown to include three shows per year: a fall drama play, a winter student-directed production, and a spring musical. Recent productions include “The Laramie Project,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” and “Almost Maine.” To date, the WSHS Drama program has staged more than 50 shows and counting.
The program strives to produce high-quality, technically complex, artistically relevant shows, never forgetting the goals of educational theater: to give students opportunities to build self-confidence, develop their teamwork skills, learn responsibility and accountability, and, ultimately, explore the human condition – all while working towards a common goal with their classmates. On stage or backstage, important skills are learned every time a show is produced.
This particular production is full of notable talent on stage and off. It features a live band directed by Ethan Thomas, WSHS music director. “Mean Girls” is directed by Joe Lambright, a drama and social studies teacher at West Seattle High School.
“Mean Girls: The Musical” will be presented at 7 pm in the school theater (3000 California SW) Thursday-Saturday this week (March 28-30) and Wednesday-Friday next week (April 3-5). You can buy tickets online by going here. You can also support the production via one or both of these fundraisers this week: Dine out at Circa (2605 California SW) 9 am-10 pm tomorrow (Tuesday, March 26); order a special drink (21+ only) at Corner Pocket (California & Alaska) 6-8 pm Wednesday (April 27).
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