What's New

The district Department of Human Resources employs a variety of strategies to recruit and retain high quality educators that reflect the diversity of the district’s student population.

This past weekend, I spent my Friday evening and Saturday in the most valuable way I can imagine, surrounded by a group of young scholars in grades 9-12 who comprise the superintendent’s Student Advisory Board (SAB).

As one of the district’s high-performing middle schools in mathematics, Aki Kurose takes various student-centered approaches to narrow the student achievement gap in historically underserved populations.

Join Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Denise Juneau and other district leaders to learn more about the upcoming Seattle Public Schools levies.

Those interested in becoming a school leader—principals or assistant principals—at Seattle Public Schools, will have the opportunity to hear from our superintendent and other district leaders on Tues., Jan. 8.

Beginning in January 2019, middle school students and families can get a head start on preparing for high school academic requirements, college admissions, and life after high school.

The Superintendent’s Student Advisory Board (SAB) consists of high school students who serve as liaisons between the student body and district administration.

If your child will be five by August 31, it is time to get ready to enroll for kindergarten. Registration for the 2019-20 school year began Mon., Jan. 7. Read more for important enrollment dates, including school tour dates.

Students from Franklin High School met with local construction professionals from the Pine Street Group at the Washington State Convention Center on November 29.

This fall, five Seattle educators were recognized for excellence in teaching as 2018 recipients of the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom Award. The honorees are nominated by their school principal, colleagues, students or student’s families; and selected based on their extraordinary efforts inspire and engage students.

The high school adoption committee is inviting the community to review all potential materials and provide feedback.

Four software engineers from the Seattle area visited June Park’s class at Washington Middle School to meet with students and share their stories and experience as professionals working in the technology industry.

Recently, I spoke with school leaders at this month’s Learning Leadership Day about the urgency of response when discriminatory actions occur; acknowledging the occurrence and its impact on students and families; and determining the right way to move forward in assuring safe learning environments for our young scholars.

Recently students at several district middle schools participated in the Hour of Code and Computer Science Education Week with the support of the Redfin Engineering Team.

All eyes were on Ina Hong and Regina Landan as they took the stage to perform next to country music musicians at the Country Music Association (CMA) Songwriters Series.

Aaron Smith has been selected as director of nutrition services, a critical position that oversees over 17,250 student lunches and 6,400 breakfasts each day and adheres to the highest level of national nutrition standards and provides many locally sourced fruits, vegetables, and beans daily.

There have been recent changes in how schools are funded in Washington state. While new state funding addresses some critical longtime funding needs, not all state dollars collected from Seattle homeowners will stay in our district.

School districts are funded through state, local and federal dollars. But there’s currently a gap between what the state funds for K-12 education and what Seattle students need. So, every three years, the district asks voters to consider renewing the operations levy. In addition, school construction is primarily funded by local voter-approved capital levies.

Three high school students join the High School Science Adoption Committee to share their perspectives on science and how science education has impacted their learning.

In November, schools across the district recognized the unique heritage of this continent’s first people in celebrating Native American Heritage Month. On the morning of November 29, students led a Native Heritage Assembly for their school community at Nathan Hale.

This fall I launched a comprehensive Listening and Learning Tour as part of my entry plan. I met with many of you, in schools and in community. My goal was to build a longer table, inviting new voices and perspectives to the conversation and intentionally engaging with families and students the district has historically underserved. I want to thank you for welcoming me to Seattle and sharing your ideas and personal stories.

Starting in December 2018, families in Seattle Public Schools can access student health information online using the family portal in the district's CareDox system.

The emphasis is on support, rather than interventions – with restorative practices being one of the strategies. By building healthy relationships with students in the classroom daily, a positive school community is established.

Family Connectors University is a 10-week series of classes, offered through a collaborative effort of Seattle Public Schools and North Seattle College. The goal is to build capacity for families to navigate the school system, create a college-going culture, and support children’s academic excellence.