I am writing in response to your letter advocating that West Seattle High eliminate the four-period day schedule. I am the parent of two recent West Seattle graduates, class of 2004 and 2007.
West Seattle High School students have done and are doing very well. While there are areas for improvement (as at any school), there are many successes. As identified in the "4 Period Schedule Program Evaluation," October 2006, produced by Seattle Public Schools Department of Education Technology, Research Evaluation and Assessment, the following was found:
- Over a seven-year period from 1999-2005, West Seattle High School showed a gain in averaged aggregate WASL scores in reading (plus 20.6 percent), writing (plus 31.6 percent), and math (plus 18.1 percent).
Can you name the West Seattle school with these achievements among Seattle high schools?
1. The highest increase in Washington Assessment of Student Learning scores over the past seven years.
2. The highest rate of attendance.
3. The third highest percentage of new students choosing it as their first option.
4. Overwhelmingly positive school climate survey responses by students.
5. Over $300,000 in scholarships awarded to graduating seniors.
Imagine a dumpster-free business district.
That's what West Seattle Junction Association President Dave Montoure envisions with CleanScapes, a local waste reduction and janitorial service.
The dozens of dumpsters that line the alleyways behind Junction businesses are known breeding grounds for odors, rodents and illegal activities.
The West Seattle Design Review Board was critical of plans for a seven-story, mixed-use development to be built across Alaska Street from Jefferson Square because they think it won't be pedestrian friendly.
Having no pedestrian entrances and few display windows for hundreds of feet along Alaska Street runs counter to the Junction's design guidelines, which recommend improving the pedestrian environment along Alaska Street.
The 34th District Democrats' candidate's forum is always two events in one. There's the parade of candidates with each getting a few minutes at the microphone to convince the assembled group why they ought to be the Democrats' nominee.
The 34th District Democrats often meet at The Hall at Fauntleroy, where there's also a constant hubbub in the back of the room from people exchanging political gossip, arguing the issues of the day, analyzing strategy and updating friends about the kids.
The Fauntleroy Community Services Agency will have at least a year to decide whether or not to purchase the old Fauntleroy schoolhouse under a plan adopted by the School Board.
The board voted unanimously to amend the district's facilities master plan, changing the classification of 19 buildings to inventory for future school use, or surplus.
Five facilities, including the Fauntleroy School that houses the Fauntleroy Children's Center, were assigned surplus status.
Work on California Avenue between Southwest Genesee and Southwest Spokane Street has been completed except pavement striping, to be done within the next three weeks.
Final paving of California Avenue between Spokane Street and Admiral Way is tentatively scheduled for the last week of June.
The contractor plans to begin work on SW Admiral Way between 41st Avenue SW and SW Olga Street the first week of July.
The entire project is scheduled for completion in mid-August.
Normal work hours for the contractor on California Avenue are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There will be second year of Summer College, a program that aims to help struggling students meet high school graduation and proficiency requirements while exposing them to the opportunities of a college education.
Summer College will help more than 350 high school students who did not pass the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) this spring.
The City of Seattle Fire Department open house is set for Sunday July 1st from 1pm to 3pm. Visitors are encouraged to visit stations and get to see how firefighters live and work. Station 37 located at 7300 35th SW is scheduled to move two blocks south to a new station with work completed by 2009. The current site has been designated an historic landmark.
