Happy Friday!
SESEC is hosting multiple events in the upcoming weeks: Facebook Chat with Seattle Preschool Program, a Listening Session with Seattle Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Pegi McEvoy, and the SESEC Summit. See below for more details! Don’t forget to register for the SESEC Summit! Help us spread the word. A flier in Spanish is now available.
Check out the final report summaries of the Home Language Campaign Mini-Grant projects and learn about the exciting proposals by Chinese Information and Service Center (CISC), G.O.O.D Girls (Girls Out here Opening Doors), Maple Elementary School, and Seattle World School, that were awarded and implemented in the last few months!
Community Announcements
Nora Stone Smith Scholarship for ESL/ELL Students. The purpose of the Nora Stone Smith Scholarship is to honor and to give financial support to deserving high school seniors and students who have graduated in the past year and have participated in an ESL/ELL program at some point in their lives. This scholarship is available for all ESL/ELL students, regardless of their citizenship status. Nora Stone Smith was an avid reader and self-educated woman. Education was so important to her that she returned to school to get her B.A. in her late 50s and went on to complete her M.A. in Literature. This scholarship was created by her daughter to honor her memory. This scholarship is available for all ESL/ELL students, regardless of their citizenship status. Award amounts range from $1,000 – $2,000 and can be used at most private or public universities, colleges, community colleges and technical schools across the state. Deadlines for applications is March 30, 2016.
What’s your vision for our public schools? Before the bell on the morning of Thursday, 18 February, Seattle Education Association will be meeting outside Seattle schools as students arrive. “We invite everyone to add your ideas to our ‘vision’ boards that we can share with other school communities and with community leaders. After adding your ideas, or even just your name, to the vision boards, we invite you to ‘walk in’ with us to start the school day and show your support for our schools, and for the schools our children deserve.”
News to Follow
200 African American and Black Men Welcome Students at South Shore K-8. On Monday, 8 February, 200 men of African descent welcomed and “high-fived” students as they entered the school for National African-American Parent Involvement Day. A wonderful way to start a school day and to show support to students and educators of color. Thank you to the organizers and all who showed up.
Thank you to everyone who voted and thank you to Schools First for their generous time and work on this campaign. The first round of results are showing that the school levies are passing!
Dwane Chappelle is confirmed to be the Director of the City’s Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL). Chappelle was nominated by Mayor Murray for the position in October 2015; Seattle City Council confirmed his role on Tuesday, 9 February.
Washington Senate is taking a detour on school funding plan to fix how the state pays for public schools. “The Senate bill approved in Ways and Means on Tuesday would ask the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to work with the state auditor to look at school district budgets and give schools a new accounting system to keep state, federal and local dollars separate.”
Upcoming Events
Facebook Chat with Seattle Preschool Program
When: Friday, 19 February from 12.30 p.m.-1.30 p.m.
Where: SESEC Main FB Page
Details: Do you have questions about Preschool readiness and registration? Do you want to learn more about the Seattle Preschool Program? Ask your questions during our Facebook Live Chat! Seattle Preschool Program will be online to answer questions and share information. If you can’t be online during that time but have a question, feel free to leave your question and we will do our best to have it answered on Friday, 19 February, 12.30-1.30 p.m. Please share with parents and caregivers who are looking for preschools.
Listening Session with SPS Assistant Superintendent Pegi McEvoy
When: Thursday, 25 February from 12.00 p.m.-2.00 p.m.
Where: Rainier Avenue Church, 5900 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
Details: Topics of conversation: Community Engagement and Bell Time changes. We will also do our best to allows for dialogue and listening. This is an important opportunity for the SE community to have meeting time with Asst Sup McEvoy. Please share with others. RSVP [email protected].
Seattle Housing Levy – Community Conversations
When/Where: Please see this flier for more information.
Details: Major Murray has proposed to replace and expand the Seattle Housing Levy, which is expiring at the end of the year. The local investment has successfully created and preserved over 12,500 affordable homes throughout the city. Join City staff and your neighbors to learn about the proposal and provide your input at community meetings around Seattle. During February, we will be seeking public feedback on the Mayor’s initial proposal before he sends the Housing Levy legislation to the City Council. Join us at one of five community meetings, or send your feedback to [email protected] by February 26.
SESEC Summit: Register Here!
