White Center Now: The blog about White Center

Here’s a unique way to experience today’s first day of school in Highline Public Schools – and 49 more days after that: Interim Superintendent Dr. Alan Spicciati is planning to visit “50 sites in 50 days,” and he’s writing about it here. He started with writing about his Tuesday Madrona Elementary in SeaTac, and it looks like he plans to write about visiting a few more schools on this actual first day of classes. (In case you’re wondering, on the other side of the line, Seattle Public Schools don’t start till next Wednesday.)

From Highline Public Schools:

Community members, parents, and Highline staff are invited to a program honoring Superintendent John Welch on Wednesday, August 24, 5:00-6:00 p.m. at the school district central office (ERAC) at 15675 Ambaum Blvd SW in Burien.

The event will be “open mic”, giving people an opportunity to make remarks thanking Welch for his work in Highline.

Welch has served as Highline’s superintendent since July 2005. On September 1, he will become the new superintendent of the Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) in Renton. PSESD is a regional educational agency that serves all school districts in King and Pierce counties.

Just announced: The longtime principal of West Seattle’s Chief Sealth International High School, John Boyd, is coming to Highline Public Schools as executive director of the north region, which includes White Center. Here’s the story we just published on West Seattle Blog.

By M. Barrett Miller
Special to White Center Now

For three years, middle school students, from a slightly improvised local school, have reached out to cheer an elderly group at a local Salvation Army.

When these kids were sixth graders they thought it “nuts” that they would go hang out with a bunch of old people once a month. When the idea was introduced to them, many had had little exposure to the elderly, thinking the “old folks” would be the stereotypes they tried to avoid, rather than embrace.

These particular kids were that unique combination of kids that comes along once in a while as a gift to the unsuspecting. Within the group, most were full of intuition, inquisitiveness, empathy, excitement and the desire to reach out beyond their classroom or school.

When the idea of service to a group of elderly was presented, the kids were already involved in a number of social justice outreach programs. These outreaches were at a distance rather than the one on one offered by direct service at the Salvation Army.

It was the direct contact that had a few of them nervous. Because of the following successes, they had the internal confidence to trust themselves, and me, and plunge into hands on service.

In preparation, and to build confidence, for their lunch service, to the elderly, the students had written letters to young girls in Kandahar, Afghanistan, who had been attacked on their way to school because they were girls who wanted an education. Federal Express delivered their letters and photos, of the girls in the class, to Dexter Filkins at the New York Times in Afghanistan. He delivered them to the school he had written about in the Times that sparked this particular class project.

These kids drafted a petition to recognize the Duwamish Tribe, which was delivered to Congressman Jim McDermott in support of his work towards this tribe’s federal recognition. The Congressman wrote them a wonderful letter commending their efforts.

A number of the kids began visiting a man living in Bailey-Boushay House who is fighting loneliness, isolation and abandonment issues that so often accompany the struggles with AIDS. He has become their friend and looks forward to seeing and hearing from them when they have the opportunity to visit.

Children’s Hospital received hundreds of hand-designed Christmas cards for distribution to young patients staying in hospital over the holidays. Homeless shelters, hospitals, clinics and outdoor camps of homeless all received glad tidings from these students either in writing or by organized visits to various locations to share some hope and some support.

Once the kids had their first visit to the elderly under their collective belts, they couldn’t wait for their next visit.
As the years rolled by, relationships bloomed between the generations. The kids, and the “gray panthers,” shared holiday events, letters, short interviews and biographies, photos and best of all the love that developed through being together.

The State of Washington recognized the kids with a Resolution honoring all they have done for so many in their greater community.

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO.2009-4652, by Representatives Cody and Nelson

WHEREAS, The people of Washington State acknowledge the community contributions and achievements of the student volunteers of Let Kids Be Kids, Inc. at Holy Family Parish School, West Seattle, Washington; and
WHEREAS, The members of Let Kids be Kids, Inc. have established a regular visitation schedule to the elderly at the Salvation Army in West Seattle, and provide meal service and offer heartfelt companionship; and
WHEREAS, The students have exhibited compassion, sympathy, and friendship by creating and delivering Christmas cards for children in Seattle Children’s Hospital; and
WHEREAS, The students have conducted a letter campaign in support of a girls school in Kandahar, Afghanistan, where girls have been attacked for attending classes, and have inspired courage, hope, and pride, and offered solidarity to the Afghan girls so that they might continue their path to acquire education and realize their own talents, dreams, and goals; and
WHEREAS, They exhibited their knowledge of local history, and empathy for treatment of
Washington’s Native Nations, by visiting the Duwamish Longhouse and drafting a petition supporting the tribe’s request for achievement of federally recognized tribal status (I); and
WHEREAS, Let Kids Be Kids, Inc. has planned a campaign to support the poor and the homeless and those affected by HIV/AIDS in the community, by providing letters, visitations, and meals to the most vulnerable residents of our state;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize and honor Let Kids Be Kids, Inc and Holy Family Parish School, West Seattle, for its exemplary service to Washington State and to members of the global community, and commend the high standard it has set for all residents of Washington for its commitment to social justice and its legacy to our future generations.

I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of Resolution 4652 adopted by the House of Representatives

Barbara Baker, Chief Clerk
Resolution 4652 adopted by the House of Representatives

These kids have humbled me more than once during these three years of watching them forge ahead, guided by their hearts.

It has been an honor and a pleasure to have the experience and the reconfirmation into what can be done when kids are honored and trusted.

At Big Al Brewing (9832 14th SW), the White Center Jubilee Days Spring Fling and Pinewood Derby is happening this afternoon, all the way till 7 – go support WCJD! Also in White Center:

Till 3 pm, at West Seattle Montessori/West Seattle Academy, the halls are lined with plants and gift items for today’s annual sale – and it’s not just a shopping opportunity; edible-gardening expert and author Amy Pennington is speaking and signing books till 3 pm. 11215 15th SW.

Week after next, two Burien venues are helping raise money for libraries at White Center’s Mount View Elementary School. Here’s the announcement we received:

Highline School District cut all funding for libraries this year, so in order to raise money for books and supplies, B Town Burgers & Shakes and Burien Books are helping out Mount View Elementary School Library the week of April 3-9.

At B Town Burgers and Shakes, just mention Mount View when you go in to eat, or order the Tiger Burger or Tiger Shake and all the proceeds from your order will go to the library. At Burien Books, donate one of the books from Mount View’s wishlist, and receive 15% off.

6:04 AM: Holy Family School is closed; Metro has some buses on snow routing (the latest list is here). More info as we get it.

6:44 AM: Kennedy High School in Burien is closed.

8:56 AM: The weather is supposed to improve, though since it’s going to be really cold – teens, potentially – tonight and tomorrow night, the snow that’s here may linger a while.

Big field trip for young singers from White Center’s Holy Family School – they were at Harborview Medical Center downtown on Thursday for its 19th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., celebration. Third from left in the back row, that’s Eileen Whalen, executive director of HMC. The Holy Family Youth Choir members sang during the celebration, under the direction of Anca Wilson:

Thanks to Harborview for sharing the photos!

The snow’s been melting for a few hours but the slushy aftermath has lingering effects this morning:

METRO: On snow routes till 9 am.

SCHOOLS: Highline Public Schools is 1 hour late … Seattle Public Schools and Holy Family School have both announced 2-hour delays. … Kennedy High School starts 10:30 am.

TRASH/RECYCLING/YARD WASTE: Seattle Public Utilities is on its regular schedule. Allied has announced some changes.

More as we get it.

An update on this morning’s lockdown at local schools during a search for a possible gun on campus. King County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. John Urquhart just sent word that it was determined to be a hoax, and a student was arrested:

A series of hoax calls to the Sheriff’s Office 9-1-1 center about a gun seen in the school put Evergreen High School and the adjacent Cascade Middle School into lockdown mode this morning. The schools are at SW 116th St. and 8th Ave SW in White Center.

The first call came in at 9:33 AM. The voice on the phone said there was an AK-47 in a locker at the school, and “We need help quickly”. A total of five calls with variations on that theme came in.

The school was placed in lockdown and about 20 deputies and detectives arrived to block off access and search both schools. A K-9 dog that can sniff-out weapons was brought in to check lockers. Nothing was found.

The lockdown was lifted about 10:30 AM.

Detectives were able to track the cell phone to a student in the school. He was called out of his class and arrested. His cell phone was seized. The student is 15 years old.

The boy was booked into the Youth Center on a threats charge.

According to this KIRO TV report, officers checking for a possible gun on campus have led to a lockdown at Evergreen High School and Cascade Middle School. No report of anyone being hurt; we are checking with King County Sheriff’s Office to find out more about the incident. AFTERNOON UPDATE: KIRO reports the searches didn’t turn up on anything.

Highline Public Schools are now CLOSED for Tuesday. Also, Metro will be on snow routes again, but is already warning that they will not be able to run all routes – so if you can possibly stay home, do so.

Retired Brigadier Gen. Steve Ritchie, legendary as a pilot ace during the Vietnam War, is speaking in White Center tonight, as noted here previously. Holy Family Parish School invites the community to hear him speak to the Seattle Chapter of the Air Force Association and the Puget Sound Chapter of the United States Air Force Academy Association of Graduates. That appearance is at 7 pm, 9615 20th SW (map), no admission (though school donations accepted), but principal Frank Cantwell requests that you RSVP – fcantwell@hfseattle.org.

Announced by White Center’s Holy Family School:

In Honor of Veterans Day, 2010

General Steve Ritchie will be speaking to the Seattle Chapter of the Air Force Association and the Puget Sound Chapter of the United States Air Force Academy Association of Graduates. General Ritchie is the only Air Force pilot ace of the Vietnam Conflict.

He will be speaking at Holy Family Parish School on November 10, 2010 at 7 PM.

Please RSVP to fcantwell@hfseattle.org
(No Charge – Donations for Holy Family will be accepted.)

Holy Family Parish School
9615 20th Ave SW
206-767-6640

We heard this from Feet First and have just confirmed with the King County Executive’s office: KCE Dow Constantine will celebrate Walk to School Month by walking from Greenbridge Plaza to White Center Heights Elementary on Friday morning – they’re planning to leave Greenbridge about 8:20, if you’d like to join in.

What could have been a frightening morning at Holy Family School turned into a story about smart second-graders who knew just what to do when they saw something dangerous-looking. Here’s the tale.

Also note – tomorrow and Sunday are the days for the big Community Street Fair at Holy Family, with new features this year including salsa and chili contests!

(White Center Now photos by Evan Miglorie)
“This is the biggest night in our school’s history.”

That’s what New Start High School teacher Ann Magyar told White Center Now about tonight’s graduation ceremony for New Start and Highline CHOICE Academy, the alternative programs in Highline Public Schools. You can see it in the leaping exuberance of Dewane Sauni, who’s graduating a year early (two months ago, he was chosen White Center Kiwanis Student of the Month):

Our photojournalist covering the ceremony, Evan Miglorie, reports that Dewane gave an “emotional speech,” and that another excellent speech was given by CHOICE Academy grad Megan Johnson, honored this past spring as one of America’s top youth volunteers:

The graduation filled the Log Cabin at White Center’s Steve Cox Memorial Park with xx people. Between the two schools, the grads numbered about 40 – three-fourths of them from New Start.

But according to Ann, more than 400 people showed up to cheer on those 40 grads!

“These students have worked incredibly hard and overcome a great deal to walk across that stage,” she added. Our congrats to the grads; here’s the schedule for the other graduation ceremonies coming up in the Highline district.

From Full Tilt Ice Cream‘s Facebook page: “MOUNT VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEEDS YOUR HELP!!! The funding for their library has been cut this year. No new books. Get down to Barnes and Noble this Friday between 6:30 and 8 pm and buy something. A percentage of the sales will go to the school. Make sure to pick up the voucher from the kids that will be manning the booth there, or come get one at FT.” (Barnes and Noble is close to White Center – Westwood Village in south West Seattle.)

From Maggie Anderson at the King County Food and Fitness Initiative:

This morning a student (a young boy) was struck by a hit and run driver as he was attempting to cross the street to get to school today in white center. The boy is a student at White Center Heights Elementary School. According to the school office manager, the school has been waiting (since it was built a few years ago) for crosswalks to be painted and flashing lights to be installed so that children and families can cross safely. The young boy has leg injuries (possibly a broken leg).

The King County Food & Fitness Initiative (KCFFI) recently received funding from the WK Kellogg foundation to create opportunities for healthy eating and active living at White Center Heights Elementary School and 5 others between 2010-2012. Activities include leading focused efforts in two specific limited income public schools each year over the three year implementation period (totaling six schools over three years) as they relate to school wellness policies, improving meal and snack quality, farm to school, school gardening, safe routes to schools, physical activity and education, and school wellness advisory councils. The KCFFI plans on beginning that work in fall 2010.

What do safe walking and bicycling environments include?

* Neighborhood schools that are within walking and bicycling distance from homes
* Sidewalks or bike-paths that connect homes with schools
* Improved opportunities to cross streets (such as the presence of adult crossing guards, raised medians or traffic and pedestrian signals)
* Slow vehicle speeds accomplished through roadway safety measures (traffic calming) and/or police enforcement where needed

Safety education includes working with:

* Children – to provide them with basic safety education, such as how to cross streets, obey crossing guards and be visible to drivers.
* Parents – to create awareness of the need for pedestrian and bicyclist safety education and opportunities to walk and bike and by practicing safety skills with their children.
* Drivers – to alert all drivers to the presence of walkers and bicyclists and the need to slow down.
* Law enforcement – to enhance pedestrian and bicyclist safety with school zone enforcement.
* Local officials – to identify changes needed to improve walking and bicycling conditions around schools.

The folks at Cascade Middle School e-mailed to ask if we’d share their invitation to parents of 6th graders in the White Center area, getting ready for 7th grade – You’re all invited to Cascade’s parent-night meeting May 25, 6:30-8:30 pm, where you’ll find out about the school’s transformation and get to meet the new principal. Here’s the official flyer.