For thousands of students and their families, the new school year begins tomorrow – the first day of school in Seattle Public Schools and the private schools that have not yet started in 2024-2025. Here are some local SPS related notes:

SAFETY AND MENTAL HEALTH: The district has promised to focus more on this issue, and the city has allocated funds for new or expanded programs. The advance announcements speak of “targeted interventions” for safety and security in secondary schools, including Chief Sealth and Denny — that means a number of programs outlined in the announcement, as well as — at Sealth and other “focus” high schools — police presence before/after school and during lunch, “as staffing allows.” On the mental health front, city funds will expand resources at school-based health centers, including seven campuses in West Seattle (listed here).

NEW RECTORS: Three SPS schools in West Seattle begin the year with new principals — Fairmount Park Elementary SchoolWhere Sarah Davis is now headmaster; Arbor Heights Elementary SchoolWhere Nooria Miskell is interim director; and Louisa Boren STEM K-8Where Kimberly Noble is now interim director.

INTERMEDIATE LOCATION: Alki Elementary School is holding classes at the former Schmitz Park Elementary for the second of what is expected to be three years. Construction on the new, larger Alki has begun after the second special permit application was denied, as detailed here. Meanwhile, the school board last week approved a 20 percent increase in the “cap price” of the construction contract – previously $53 million, now $63 million. District documents show the additional costs will be covered by the levy that finances the project as well as federal funds.

WSES “GET INVOLVED” RALLY: West Seattle Elementary School in High Point, the new year begins with this tradition on Wednesday morning: As they have done since 2016, community members line a red carpet to cheer on the incoming students. They gather starting at 7:15 a.m. at the entrance, which was dedicated along with the school’s additional classrooms on the first day of school last year.

What else is new? Whether you are a teacher, administrator, staff member, parent, student or neighbor, we hope to hear from you throughout the year – 206-293-6302 (Text/Voice) if it is urgent, [email protected] if not – thanks!