CORONAVIRUS: Updates from Highline Public Schools

March 7th, 2020 Tracy Posted in Coronavirus, Schools, White Center news Comments Off on CORONAVIRUS: Updates from Highline Public Schools

Like most districts in the region, classes continue at Highline Public Schools. But some changes are taking effect next week. From the district’s newest update:

The health and safety of our students and staff is paramount, and we are closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19.

We have no known cases of COVID-19 among students or staff in Highline.

As Coronavirus continues to affect our region, we want to reassure you that the safety of our students and staff is our top priority. Public Health Seattle & King County is not currently recommending that schools proactively close unless they have a confirmed case of COVID-19 in a staff member or student.

Public Health has shared this rationale:

-Children are not known to get seriously ill from COVID-19

-Closing schools may not be effective because some children may congregate anyway at other locations

-Many parents, such as healthcare workers, need to be at work. If these critical workers stay home with children it causes significant impacts on the healthcare system and other institutions that are essential for our community to function

-If schools close, some children might have to stay home with alternative caregivers, such as elders, who are more vulnerable

-We don’t know how effective children are in spreading this disease

-Learn more about how Public Health makes this decision.

MARCH 6, 2020

All school cleaning: This weekend, all schools will get extra cleaning and disinfection. Surfaces not covered with papers, books and other materials will be wiped down with Clorox hydrogen peroxide wipes.

Field trips: We are suspending all school day and overnight field trips, including Camp Waskowitz, starting Monday, March 9 through Friday, March 20.

School events & athletics: All school events and athletics after 5:00 p.m. are canceled, with the exception of school conferences, to allow custodial staff time to thoroughly clean schools. This is based on Public Health recommendations to postpone events that bring together large groups of people. After-school activities sponsored by schools or partner organizations must conclude by 5:00 p.m. These restrictions on events and activities will be in effect Monday, March 9 through March 20.

Make-up school work: If your child is absent from school due to illness or safety concerns, your child’s teacher will provide assignments and opportunities for learning.

Remote learning: If Public Health advises us to close schools, we will not offer remote learning options. This decision is rooted in our commitment to equity and ensuring all students have an equal chance at success.

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CORONAVIRUS: White Center Heights Elementary precautionary cleaning tonight

March 4th, 2020 Tracy Posted in Coronavirus, Health, Highline School District, Safety, Schools, White Center news Comments Off on CORONAVIRUS: White Center Heights Elementary precautionary cleaning tonight

Thanks to the White Center Heights Elementary community member who forwarded this:

We have learned that a staff member who has been out ill this week has symptoms that may be related to Coronavirus. The individual is staying home and being monitored by a doctor. The doctor has not recommended a COVID-19 test at this time.

We are treating this with an abundance of caution. White Center Heights will get a deep cleaning this evening. School will be open tomorrow. We will continue to monitor this situation.

For more information about Coronavirus, please visit our website or call the district Health Services office at 206-631-3011.

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SCHOOLS: Tuesday morning White Center info

January 14th, 2020 Tracy Posted in Schools, Snow, White Center news Comments Off on SCHOOLS: Tuesday morning White Center info

The snow moved further south this time. So we have:

(updated 7:48 am) HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Now *closed* today

HOLY FAMILY: 2-hour delay

In Burien:

(updated 7 am) KENNEDY CATHOLIC HS: Now *closed* today

Got a change? Text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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SCHOOLS: Monday morning White Center info

January 13th, 2020 Tracy Posted in Schools, White Center news Comments Off on SCHOOLS: Monday morning White Center info

The expected snow had uneven effects on our region, to say the least. But just in case you’re wondering:

*Highline Public Schools, opening on time, no changes
*Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School, opening 2 hours late

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THURSDAY: Enjoy baked potatoes and tacos to help New Start High School students

January 11th, 2020 Tracy Posted in How to Help, Schools, White Center news 1 Comment »

As noted in our coverage of last month’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting, a popular fundraiser is coming up this week – baked potatoes and tacos for New Start High School‘s Key Club. The Kiwanis Club of White Center is presenting the dinner at the school (614 SW 120th), 5:30-7:30 pm Thursday (January 16th), $20/person, $45/family, $10 for kids 5-12, free for kids 4 and under. Tickets will be available at the door, or email:

billnancytracy (at) aol.com
shorewoodscott (at) comcast.net
cindy.akana (at) highlineschools.org

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Why White Center Heights was locked down for a while this morning

December 13th, 2019 Tracy Posted in Schools, White Center news Comments Off on Why White Center Heights was locked down for a while this morning

Thanks to the person who forwarded this note sent to families, which answers a question we were asked:

Dear White Center Heights Families,

This morning we were advised to lock exterior doors and keep our students indoors while police conducted an investigation at a vacant house near the school. There was no direct threat to the school, but our district Safety and Security team made this call out of an abundance of caution.

We were advised that the situation was resolved by police shortly after 10:00 a.m.

The safety of our students is our number one priority. We take every report of a threat seriously and respond immediately.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the office at 206-631-5200.

Sincerely,

Shajaira Lopez & Marcello Sgambelluri
Co-Principals

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Planning a new Evergreen High School: Time to talk design!

November 26th, 2019 Tracy Posted in Evergreen High School, Schools, White Center news 1 Comment »

It’s a start! From Highline Public Schools:

Bassetti Architects kicked off the design process with the Evergreen High School building design committee on November 21.

This small working committee of staff, students and community members dug in deep to brainstorm what their school of the future will be like. They began by focusing on how a new school building could support student strengths and needs, guided by Highline’s bold goals for students.

NEXT STEPS

The committee and architects will tour some other new high schools in the region to gather ideas and preferences.

The small, working committee, representing staff, students and community members, will continue meeting with the architects this school year.

COMMUNITY MEETINGS

We look forward to fall 2020 community meetings to get feedback on initial schematic design work from you.

BACKGROUND

The 2016 bond pays for initial design of Evergreen and Tyee high schools and Pacific Middle School. Approval of a bond is required for their construction. Stay tuned for updates on all three design projects this year.

MORE INFORMATION

You can track progress on the Evergreen High School Design bond project information page.

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SUMMER: Highline Schools’ last full day of classes today

June 24th, 2019 Tracy Posted in Highline School District, Schools, White Center news Comments Off on SUMMER: Highline Schools’ last full day of classes today

Summer vacation finally starts Tuesday afternoon for Highline Public Schools students. Tomorrow is a half day.

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WHITE CENTER SNOW: Highline Public Schools closed Wednesday

February 12th, 2019 Tracy Posted in Schools, Snow, Weather, White Center news Comments Off on WHITE CENTER SNOW: Highline Public Schools closed Wednesday

The snow’s stopped falling but not gone yet so Highline Public Schools are closed tomorrow:

All schools are closed on Wednesday, February 13. Many roads in the north end of the district are still impassable, and buses are not able to access bus stops–even the alternate stops.

No transportation will be provided to schools outside of our district. All scheduled activities, athletic events and public meetings are canceled.

District administrative offices are open.

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WHITE CENTER SNOW: Tuesday school closures

February 11th, 2019 Tracy Posted in Schools, Snow, Weather, White Center news Comments Off on WHITE CENTER SNOW: Tuesday school closures

Closed for Tuesday, February 12th:

Highline Public Schools
Holy Family Bilingual School
West Seattle Montessori

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THURSDAY: Highline Public Schools’ plan

February 6th, 2019 Tracy Posted in Highline School District, Schools, Weather, White Center news Comments Off on THURSDAY: Highline Public Schools’ plan

As announced tonight:

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WEDNESDAY: Highline Public Schools to start late

February 5th, 2019 Tracy Posted in Schools, Weather, White Center news Comments Off on WEDNESDAY: Highline Public Schools to start late

Here’s the Wednesday plan from Highline Public Schools:

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SCHOOL CLOSURES: Tuesday morning updates

February 5th, 2019 Tracy Posted in Schools, Snow, White Center news Comments Off on SCHOOL CLOSURES: Tuesday morning updates

Highline Public Schools – now CLOSED for today, Tuesday, February 5th (as is Seattle):

Also closed in White Center: Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School and West Seattle Montessori.

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WHITE CENTER SNOW: Changes for Tuesday

February 4th, 2019 Tracy Posted in Schools, Weather, White Center news Comments Off on WHITE CENTER SNOW: Changes for Tuesday

The snow has stopped but overnight temperatures are expected to drop into the low 20s, meaning an icy morning, so Highline Public Schools are tentatively planning to open 2 hours late on Tuesday.

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WHITE CENTER NOW: Changes for Monday, including CLOSURE for Highline Public Schools

February 3rd, 2019 Tracy Posted in Schools, Snow, Weather, White Center news Comments Off on WHITE CENTER NOW: Changes for Monday, including CLOSURE for Highline Public Schools

5:17 AM: Update – Highline Public Schools are now CLOSED for today:

Read the rest of this entry »

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SUNDAY: Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School open house

January 26th, 2019 Tracy Posted in Holy Family, Schools, White Center news Comments Off on SUNDAY: Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School open house

School-shopping for next year? Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School invites you to its open house on Sunday (January 27th), 10:30 am-2 pm, at 9615 20th SW. Their announcement:

Looking for an affordable, safe, academics- and language-focused school?

Come see what we are all about, learn about our programs and enjoy food, raffles, and fun activities with your family.

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OPEN HOUSE: Visit White Center Co-op Preschool on January 12th

January 3rd, 2019 Tracy Posted in Schools, White Center news Comments Off on OPEN HOUSE: Visit White Center Co-op Preschool on January 12th

Got a little one? This announcement is for you:

White Center Co-op Preschool Open House and Dinosaur play date

Saturday, January 12th from 10 am-12 pm at the White Center Cooperative Preschool inside Mount View Presbyterian Church
10806 12th Ave SW

Looking for a high-quality preschool? Have a little one aged 2-5?

Come dig deep into our curriculum with lots of STEAM-based activities for your preschool-aged children!
Brush off your play skills with our experienced team of educators.

Discover how our unique programs benefits your whole family!

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Evergreen High School to get new synthetic-turf field, partly funded by Seahawks grant

September 11th, 2018 Tracy Posted in Schools, Sports, White Center news 2 Comments »

Today’s announcement is from the Seahawks:

Highline Public Schools will install a synthetic turf field at Evergreen High School thanks in part to a $250,000 grant from the Seattle Seahawks through the National Football League Foundation Grassroots Program.

The grant from the Seahawks, the NFL Foundation, and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is part of more than $3 million in field refurbishment awards allocated this year.

The NFL Foundation/LISC Grassroots Program, a partnership between the NFL Foundation and LISC, the nation’s leading community development support organization, has committed nearly $46 million to the program since 1998, supporting 336 projects nationwide. Fields are newly built or significantly renovated, with improvements including irrigation systems, lights, bleachers, scoreboards, goal posts and turf. Grassroots grants are issued once established funding thresholds are reached for each project.

LISC identifies local, nonprofit, community-based agencies that have an interest in building or refurbishing football fields in schools and neighborhood parks. Through the program, local agencies are provided with the necessary financing and technical assistance to improve the quality and safety of fields in their communities. The agencies oversee the construction, maintenance and programming of the fields.

“In many ways, the community of White Center and our scholar-athletes attending Evergreen and Cascade will significantly benefit from the facility improvements on campus thanks to these generous grants by the Seahawks and King County,” said Highline Public Schools Athletic Director Phil Willenbrock.

“This investment represents more than just a new field to play on – it is also about creating a gathering space to help build community, teach important life lessons, and continues to allow our children to dream big. Thank you to the NFL and the Seattle Seahawks for helping make a difference for families as the lives of many will be touched by this award,” said LISC Program Vice President, Joseph Horiye.

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White Center Co-Op Preschool has room for more students this year!

August 31st, 2018 Tracy Posted in Schools, White Center news Comments Off on White Center Co-Op Preschool has room for more students this year!

Looking for a preschool? White Center Co-op Preschool is looking for you. The announcement:

Looking for the best way to prepare your preschooler for Kindergarten? We have a few openings in the White Center Co-op Preschool (formerly Arbor Heights Co-op).

Come check out our cheery new site just a few blocks from the new library — full of sunshine and dedicated, experienced teachers and parents who know it is important (and fun!) to be involved in their child’s learning. But most importantly, it is a place for fun, hands-on learning. We focus on social-emotional skills needed for school and life—problem solving, patience, curiosity, kindness, assertiveness, friendships. And we sneak in pre-academic skills without pressure or drills.

School starts Sept 10 and we enroll until we fill those few openings. For more information, contact Jen Schill, inquiries.ssccp@gmail.com, 206-773-8066, or check out our still-Arbor-Heights website here.

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Highline Public Schools with new start times next school year

July 12th, 2018 Tracy Posted in Highline School District, Schools, White Center news Comments Off on Highline Public Schools with new start times next school year

Yes, we’re in the heart of summer, but the new school year isn’t THAT far away. So Highline Public Schools wants to be sure you know some start times are changing:

Based on input from families, students and staff, high schools students in Highline Public Schools will be getting 30 extra minutes of sleep starting in fall 2018 when high schools move to a later start time. This change will have a domino effect, causing small adjustments in start and dismissal times districtwide.

Most high schools will start 30 minutes later at 8:00 a.m. School will end at 2:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. On early release Friday, school will be dismissed at 1:00 p.m.

Most middle schools will start five minutes earlier at 8:05 a.m. School will end at 2:35 p.m., Monday through Thursday. On early release Friday, school will be dismissed at 1:05 p.m.

Elementary schools will start five minutes later at 8:45 a.m. or 9:15 a.m., depending on service area. School will end at 3:15 or 3:45 p.m., Monday through Thursday. On early release Friday, school will dismiss at 1:45 or 2:15 p.m.

The following schools will not have a change in start and dismissal times: CHOICE Academy, Puget Sound Skills Center, New Start High School, Raisbeck Aviation High School and Waskowitz Educational Leadership Service.

Start and dismissal times are changing at both Big Picture Middle School and Big Picture High School. Big Picture Middle School will start at 9:00 a.m. and dismiss at 3:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. On early release Friday, school will be dismissed at 2:00 p.m. Big Picture High School will start at 8:55 a.m. and dismiss at 3:30 p.m., Monday and Wednesday and dismiss at 3:00 Tuesday and Thursday. On early release Friday, school will be dismissed at 2:30 p.m.

A detailed list of start and dismissal time changes is below.

Bus times are also changing. New bus stops and pick up times can be found using Highline’s bus and address lookup system, called Edulog. (http://portal.hsd401.org/eduweb/webquery).

Middle and high school students will begin riding the bus together starting in fall 2018. High school students will be dropped off first, followed by middle school students. Student safety is a top priority for Highline. Middle school students will be directed to sit in the front of the bus, and high school students will sit in the back of the bus. Bus drivers have received training to support positive behavior on buses.

New Start & Dismissal Times

(first set of times for each school) Regular Day
(second set of times for each school) Early Release

Evergreen
8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
30 minutes later

Cascade
8:05 a.m. – 2:35 p.m.
8:05 a.m. – 1:05 p.m.
5 minutes earlier

Mount View
9:15 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
9:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
5 minutes later

White Center Heights
9:15 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
9:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
5 minutes later

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