Seattle Schools Community Forum

This story comes from KUOW and boy, does it stink, especially because of the penalties that will hurt other athletes. Roosevelt has not traditionally been a strong football contender, but the team made it to the state playoffs this year for the first time in a decade, finishing second in the Metro League behind football powerhouse Bellevue High School. Gee, I wonder how that happened.  District staff, coaches, and students at Seattle’s Roosevelt High School face wide-ranging sanctions after the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) found that the football program illicitly recruited students. The penalties include fines, suspensions and forfeiture of past games.   A months-long investigation by an independent factfinder for the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) came after coaches at districts across the region reported that Roosevelt football coaches were trying to lure students to transfer to their school with the promise that it woul...

Anonymous person, send me that file at Sss.Westbrook@gmail.com  Thanks  I see where all Portland Public Schools closed three hours early on Monday due to the onset of high heat in that area. I didn't see that SPS did that; did any individual Seattle schools do that? Only about 15% of the buildings in Oregon’s largest school district have air conditioning, including all six of the high schools that have been modernized in the past 15 years, plus Faubion K-8, Harriet Tubman Middle School, Rosa Parks and Forest Park elementaries and a handful of buildings that offer early childhood education or specialized services. The massive $1.8 billion facilities bond that the district’s voters passed last month originally included at least $190 million to pay for deferred maintenance, like upgrading heating and cooling systems. But, unfortunately, Portland schools are also at high risk from a seismic event so much of that bond will go for that effort.  From the Times: Stick out that...

 As a long-time requester of public records from Seattle Schools, the method I understood was to send an email with the information you are seeking with a date range plus any names, key word/phrases, etc. I made a recent request and they asked me to use their new form at the Public Record Requests page.  They have an FAQ but to note: -  you have to create an account - you can submit one anonymously - if you ask for a staff or student list, you have to sign a declaration that it is not for commercial use - a bit tantalizing - you can ask to look through the public records request archives.

wear orange 2025 I #WearOrange on National Gun Violence Awareness Day today to honor survivors and bring attention to this crisis that steals 125 lives and wounds over 200 more each day. Learn more at wearorange.org.   I will wear orange today because it is one year since Garfield High School student, Amarr Murphy-Paine , was murdered on the steps of his school in broad daylight. His murderer has not been identified by anyone, even as there were witnesses. There's a story in the Times this morning . A year later, no arrests have been made, the public doesn’t know the identity of Murphy-Paine’s killer and the school district is still trying to figure out how to make students safer. Ah, the public doesn't know the identity but I suspect the police have some good ideas but they either can't find the guy OR they need help.  They did talk to and quote several times, Sebrena Burr, co-president of the SCPTA: Burr said there needs to be a big-picture safety plan coming from a hig...

It was a much more subdued and smaller crowd than at past meetings. Director Brandon Hersey and Director Sarah Clark were there via phone.  However, there were indeed fireworks and those came from Director Liza Rankin and Director Michelle Sarju. Because both women were vague in their remarks, I cannot tell you for certain where and what has happened. But Rankin says she has received multiple emails from school staff about harassment and bullying from Central Office staff. She said that school staff fear retaliation. Rankin says that Central Office staff are violating both Board policy and the law (which protects whistle-blowers).  She wants an independent investigation that reports to the Board on "staff behavior." She also called for a "forensic auditor" who is Board directed. Not sure why or what issue this one is about.  I will note my surprise at Rankin not mentioning if she followed SOFG directives. Because, in the old days, this would be called "micro-m...

 Congrats to all the  teachers being honored  this year from the Foster Award for Excellence to the Philip B. Swain Excellence in Education to the Adrienne Weaver Science Teaching Award.  I have to say that in the past, many Foster Award winners have had not-so-good marks after they received this award. Not sure why that is. Also, one of the science winners is from an elementary school (Maple). I had no idea there were science teachers in elementary schools now.  The district has a story  on scholarship awardees being honored. The district's scholarship fund, Seattle Schools Scholarship Fund has given $720,000 to 72 students.  Founded in 1974 with proceeds from a benefit Country Western album featuring Tammy Wynette, the SSSF has grown into a powerful force for educational equity. These one-time awards recognize not just academic achievement, but also the powerful stories of perseverance and service that define each recipient.  To my surprise, I s...

  The district  has announced new security measures for the 2025 high school graduations. To ensure a safe and secure environment for all attendees, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) is implementing enhanced security measures.   All guests attending any of the ceremonies will be screened by trained SPS security specialists before entering the stadium. This includes an examination of all bags, backpacks, purses, and packages.   All graduating seniors, students participating in the ceremony, and staff will also be screened at their designated entry points.  In addition, each person will be screened for weapons using metal detector wands. As a reminder, all schools and Memorial Stadium are weapons-free zones.   Balloons, Pop-Its, and confetti devices are NOT allowed.   There will be no in/out privileges without additional bag check and metal detection upon re-entry.  Guests who fail to follow these expectations will be escorted from th...