Regional School News Roundup
Summary: SPS students are learning, leading, and connecting in powerful ways.
Work Hard, Play Hard: Students Learning Life Lessons
From engaging with community leaders and excelling in academics to creating inclusive spaces, exploring careers, and sharing their talents through music and the arts. These stories highlight the creativity, curiosity, and strong sense of community that define our schools.
Central
Seattle Mayor Connects with Catharine Blaine K–8 Students
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson visited Catharine Blaine K–8 in Magnolia this May, giving students a firsthand look at local leadership and public service.
Invited by second grade teacher Kirsten Jewett as part of her social studies unit on local government, Mayor Wilson toured the school with Principal Patrick Gray before meeting with all second-grade classes. During the visit, students had the chance to ask thoughtful questions about the role of mayor—ranging from why she chose to run for office to the challenges she faces in her work.
The visit concluded with an all-school assembly, where Mayor Wilson shared more about her personal story, including growing up in New York, studying in England, and her childhood love of the Little House on the Prairie books. Her visit offered students an engaging and personal connection to civic leadership, bringing their classroom learning to life.
Lowell Expands Inclusive Play with New Communication Boards
At Lowell Elementary, inclusion is more than a value—it’s a daily practice. Staff are committed to creating a school community where students of all abilities feel supported, connected, and fully included.
As part of this ongoing work, the school recently installed new Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) boards on the playground in both English and Spanish. These boards give students additional ways to communicate, build friendships, and actively participate during play.
While small in size, the boards reflect Lowell’s larger commitment to ensuring every student feels seen, heard, and able to engage in ways that work best for them.
Northwest
Hamilton Speller Reaches Quarterfinals in National Spelling Bee
Raven Amrhein, a seventh grader at Hamilton International Middle School, had their quest to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee cut short in the fifth round.
Raven finished in 67th place out of 247 competitors, placing among the top spellers in the nation and advancing farther than most participants. They had already made history as the only student representing Washington state at this year’s competition.
Back at school, classmates gathered in the Hamilton cafeteria, watching the competition live on the big screen and cheering Raven on word by word. Raven delivered an impressive performance, confidently spelling ailette in the opening round, correctly identifying tepidity as “lukewarm,” and advancing through a written test to reach the quarterfinals.
In one of the most intense moments, Raven nailed the word “dorsad,” keeping hopes high as the field narrowed. The journey came to an end in the vocabulary round with the word “asperity.” While Raven had mastered its spelling, the definition proved tricky.
SPS salutes Raven for making it to the national stage. They turned every missed word into motivation and inspired a school community along the way.
Lincoln High School Hosts Math Competition
Lincoln High School’s third annual Math Competition for Seattle elementary students was a resounding success, welcoming 258 participants for a day of problem-solving, creativity, and fun.
More than 100 Lincoln students volunteered to plan and run the event, taking on roles ranging from writing and grading competition rounds to managing registration, logistics, and communications. Their teamwork and dedication helped make this year’s competition the smoothest yet.
In the weeks leading up to the event—and throughout the full day on May 30—student leaders and volunteers demonstrated impressive commitment, professionalism, and adaptability. Beyond math skills, they showcased leadership, critical thinking, and resilience, working together to solve challenges and keep the event running seamlessly.
The competition not only provided a memorable experience for elementary students and their families, but also highlighted the talent, initiative, and collaborative spirit of Lincoln’s student organizers.
Southeast
John Muir Elementary Brings Learning to Life with Explorations Day
Students at John Muir Elementary stepped beyond the classroom on May 22 as the school hosted its annual Explorations Day.
Throughout the day, students engaged in interactive sessions led by community leaders, artists, performers, organizers, and local nonprofits. The goal: to spark curiosity, introduce new interests, and help students imagine future possibilities.
Students had the opportunity to learn from prominent arts organizations such as Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Rep, and Totem Star, alongside more than two dozen additional nonprofits and community leaders. Former Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, and King County Executive Girmay Zahilay all spoke about the importance of community organizing, being good citizens and getting involved in their communities.
By bringing these voices directly into the school, Explorations Day offered students a unique chance to learn from people and organizations actively shaping Seattle’s communities. The event is a powerful way to inspire students and show them the many paths their futures could take.
Southeast Pathway Music Concerts Strike a Chord
Families and students filled the auditoriums at Cleveland and Rainier Beach High Schools for the Southeast Pathway orchestra and band concerts in May—continuing a growing tradition after last year’s revival, the first in over a decade.
The performances brought together young musicians from elementary, K-8, middle, and high schools across the Southeast, creating a powerful sense of connection and pride. Students not only showcased their musical talents but also got a glimpse of what’s ahead in their neighborhood pathway programs, meeting future teachers and mentors along the way.
High school musicians stepped into leadership roles, supporting and rehearsing alongside younger students. Dunlap, Rising Star, Wing Luke, Rainier View, Graham Hill, South Shore PreK-8, Orca K-8, MLK, Emerson, and Louisa Boren STEM K-8 combined forces to form a vibrant orchestra ensemble.
With strong attendance and enthusiastic performances, this year’s concerts highlighted the power of music to bring the Southeast community together—and set the stage for a tradition that continues to grow.
Southwest
Highland Park Students Shine in International Day of Jazz Celebration
SPS students are helping share Seattle’s voice with the world. Fifth graders from Highland Park Elementary took part in the city’s contribution to the UNESCO Cities of Music International Jazz Relay, celebrating International Day of Jazz.
Working alongside community partners, students created a youth-centered interpretation of “April in Jerusalem” by Samer Rashed. Their original lyrics and vocals were inspired by the book, “We Carry the Sun” by Tae Keller. Seattle was one of just 12 cities around the globe selected to create a music video for the international project.
Our students brought creativity, collaboration, and their own voices to a global celebration of music and storytelling. Watch the video and see their incredible work in action!
Districtwide
Mariners and Playworks Bring Big-League Fun to SPS Schools
Students at Broadview-Thomson K-8 and Rainier View Elementary stepped up to the plate this May as the Seattle Mariners and Playworks Pacific Northwest turned recess and P.E. into unforgettable, high-energy experiences.
At Broadview-Thomson, the Mariners “took over” recess, with 3rd–8th graders playing Quickball alongside Mariners Training Center staff. Students were joined by players Patrick Wisdom, Jhonny Pereda, and Cole Young, plus mascots Humpy and Sockeye, bringing excitement and nonstop fun. The visit also spotlighted local roots—former pro player Forrest Snow began his journey at Broadview-Thomson.
At Rainier View, students participated in sandlot-style games led by Playworks and Mariners coaches, building skills in batting, fielding, and teamwork while connecting with new classmates. The surprise visit included players Emerson Hancock, Nick Davila, and Connor Joe, along with mascots King and Silver Salmon, who joined in to play, coach, and celebrate with students.
Both schools received a $10,000 Microsoft grant to support playground equipment and physical activity resources, extending the impact beyond the day.
Together, both events showcased the power of play, teamwork, and community—creating joyful, inclusive experiences SPS students won’t forget.
SPS Students Explore Finance Careers at Amazon
Students from Rainier Beach, Garfield, and Roosevelt high schools gained real-world insight into finance during Amazon’s Global Finance Day, where they connected with senior leaders from the company.
Throughout the day, students learned how finance teams operate in a global organization, participated in a hands-on finance challenge, and engaged with a panel of Amazon executives—including the company’s Chief Financial Officer.
Students impressed hosts with their focus, thoughtful questions, and professionalism, making the most of this unique opportunity to explore future career pathways.
