Tag Archives: Seattle Public Schools

Voices

OPINION | SPS Faces Crucial Equity Decisions That Impact Our Communities

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by Mark Epstein and Michael Dixon

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) is once again at a crossroads. The issues affecting our education system are a mirror of those affecting our neighborhoods, our city, and society as a whole. It is a time of great potential, but also great danger. A time of increasing inequality: growing wealth for a small minority and an increasingly precarious existence for many. To decrease this kind of inequality, SPS faces crucial decisions about equity, integration, and differentiated learning that meets the needs of each student. These educational decisions cannot be separated from the issues facing the community in general. 

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News

NEWS GLEAMS | SPS Reaches Tentative Agreement With Support Staff; King County Metro Adjusts Route Schedules

A roundup of news and announcements we don’t want to get lost in the fast-churning news cycle!

by Vee Hua 華婷婷

Continue reading NEWS GLEAMS | SPS Reaches Tentative Agreement With Support Staff; King County Metro Adjusts Route Schedules →
News

Contract for Seattle Public Schools’ Support Staff Expired Thursday, Casting a Pall Over the Start of the School Year

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by Ari Robin McKenna

Ongoing negotiations between Seattle Public Schools (SPS) and IUOE Local 302 — the union representing custodial staff, culinary services, school grounds crews, and security workers — could potentially threaten the start of the 2023–2024 school year.

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Community

Inside Seattle Public Schools’ Salmon Collaboration With the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe

by Carmen Hom

(This article was originally published on the International Examiner and has been reprinted under an agreement.)

It’s full circle for lifelong fisherman and Muckleshoot Tribal Councilmember Louie Ungaro.

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Voices

OPINION | Using SPS Budget, We Must Support Students

by Mark Epstein and Michael Dixon

“In the course of history, there comes a time when humanity is called to shift to a new level of consciousness, to reach a higher moral ground. A time when we have to shed our fear and give hope to each other. That time is now.” —Wangari Maathai

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News

Future of Filipinx History and Ethnic Studies in Limbo Amid SPS Budget Deficit

by Ronnie Estoque

Last October, the Emerald reported on a celebration held at Hood Famous for the launching of Filipinx American U.S. History courses in Seattle Public Schools (SPS). But now, following its first academic year as a course, community members are concerned about the future of its development amid a $131 million budget deficit in the district. Tianna Andresen currently teaches the course and is worried about its future.

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Voices

OPINION | Capital Gains Tax Decision Is a Huge Win for Our Kids

by Misha Werschkul

Public schools are foundational to community well-being, and I’m proud to be a public school parent. Over the past few weeks, I have loved seeing my daughter — along with thousands of students at more than a dozen schools — participate in the Move-A-Thon fundraiser with the Southeast Seattle Schools Fundraising Alliance. Her fundraising pitch focused on how much she loves her teachers and how fun it was to do all the activities on the Move-A-Thon bingo board. 

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News

Franklin High School Starts Teach-Ins in Response to Largest SPS Budget Deficit in Years: ‘It’s Crunch Time’

by Shamaar Thomas

On March 20, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) hosted an online event presenting information about its projected budget deficit for the 2023-2024 school year. SPS described the district’s finances and established the concept of “well-resourced schools,” but postponed providing information about staff and future school building plans until its “Community Engagement for Future Changes” engagement period begins in September. For South Seattle’s Franklin High School, concerns are growing over staff and programming cuts because of this deficit. Although SPS announced that there will be no school closures for the 2023-2024 academic year, Franklin High School still has concerns about where resources are being allocated, teachers said.

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News

NEWS GLEAMS | SPS Invites Public to Budget Deficit Meeting; City Seeks Youth for Employment Program

A roundup of news and announcements we don’t want to get lost in the fast-churning news cycle!

curated by Vee Hua 華婷婷

Continue reading NEWS GLEAMS | SPS Invites Public to Budget Deficit Meeting; City Seeks Youth for Employment Program →