Superintendent Community Engagement Tour
Summary: Meet Superintendent Shuldiner
Meet Superintendent Shuldiner
Community Engagement Meeting
Dear SPS Families, Staff and Community,
This is a reminder with additional details about our upcoming community engagement meeting with Superintendent Ben Shuldiner:
- Location: Mercer Middle School, 1600 S. Columbian Way
- Date: Tuesday, May 19
- Time: 6:30–8 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m. Come early for light refreshments and a chance to connect)
What to Expect
This meeting will last about 90 minutes. We will share what we heard from the previous engagement meetings. We will then break into small groups by elementary, middle/K-8, or high school for a focused conversation. The discussion will center around three of the most common themes from the earlier sessions:
- Facilities: Buildings and spaces where kids learn
- Climate and Safety: How safe and supported students feel
- Instruction: What and how students are being taught
- Additional Interests: We will have space for you to share anything else on your mind
We will end the evening by sharing what we heard throughout the room.
If you joined us for the first round of community meetings, thank you. Hundreds came out this spring, and what was shared is already shaping how we think about our schools.
We have gone through every piece of feedback and compiled a summary. You can read it on the Seattle Public Schools website.
We hope you will join us as we go deeper on those themes together.
In partnership,
Bev Redmond
Chief of Staff and Public Affairs
Seattle Public Schools
About the Community Engagement Meetings
Images from the March 10 Salmon Bay Community Meeting:
Superintendent Shuldiner Hosting Community Meetings
Dear SPS Families, Staff and Community,
It is an honor and privilege to serve as the new Superintendent of Seattle Public Schools (SPS). Seattle is an incredible city, deeply invested in the success of our schools. I am already grateful to everyone who has reached out to share ideas, encourage the expansion of great work, and flag areas for improvement.
While we have much to be proud of, we also have a long way to go. And we need to move forward together.
In the past, our community hasn’t always felt heard. That needs to change. Building trust is central to the work ahead, and I believe the best ideas come from listening to you and learning from your experiences in our schools.
To start, we have organized seven community conversations based on our School Board Director districts, plus a citywide virtual session. The director who represents each region is planning to join these conversations to hear from you. These are opportunities to connect, share, and dream big together. You do not need to live in a specific region to attend; everyone is welcome at any session.
Full Schedule:
- Thursday, Feb. 26, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Bailey Gatzert Elementary, 1301 E Yesler Way - Tuesday, March 3, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
South Shore PreK-8, 4800 S Henderson St. - Tuesday, March 10, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Salmon Bay K-8, 1810 NW 65th St. - Tuesday, March 17, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Eckstein Middle School, 3003 NE 75th St. - Tuesday, March 24, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
McClure Middle School, 1915 1st Ave W. - Thursday, March 26, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
James Baldwin Elementary, 11725 1st Ave NE - Tuesday, March 31, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
West Seattle Elementary, 6760 34th Ave SW - Thursday, April 2, 6-7:30 p.m.
Virtual on Zoom; must register to receive meeting link
English, Amharic, Chinese Meeting Schedule and information
Somali, Spanish, Vietnamese Meeting Schedule and information
What to expect
These conversations are the first step toward building trust and partnership. Our goals are simple but important:
- Listen deeply to your experiences, ideas, and concerns
- Capture what you share so nothing is lost
- Follow up and follow through because your voice should lead to action
- Sessions will include introductions, full-group discussions, smaller breakout conversations, and time for open questions
- Interpretation services will be available at every session in Amharic, American Sign Language, Chinese, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese
Register for the Event
Please RSVP to help us plan for space and interpretation services. RSVP is not required to attend. Everyone is welcome.
I hope you will join us. Bring your ideas, your questions, and your hopes for our students. Together, we can create schools where every child feels supported, challenged, and inspired.
If you cannot make one of these sessions, that’s okay. We will be live streaming and recording them on the SPSTV YouTube channel. And there will be plenty of future opportunities to attend a meeting, join one of the roundtables I am forming, pull me aside when you see me at a school or in the community, or just send me an email at boshuldiner@seattleschools.org.
I will also be visiting every school in my first 100 days. Please say hello if you see me at drop-off, in your hallways, or out in the community.
Thank you for welcoming me into this incredible community. I look forward to meeting you and listening.
In partnership,
Ben Shuldiner
Superintendent
Seattle Public Schools
Updates: Additional Events Hosted with Community Groups and Partners
Superintendent Shuldiner Meeting Hosted by Seattle Special Education PTSA (SSEPTSA)
Date/Time: Thursday, March 19, 7-8 p.m.
Location: Virtual: Join the Seattle Special Education PTSA (SSEPTSA) Meeting Via ZOOM
Additional information: The Seattle Special Education PTSA—a citywide, volunteer-led organization supporting and advocating for students with disabilities and their families across Seattle Public Schools— is hosting a virtual community meeting for Superintendent Shuldiner to share his vision for SPS, with a focus on special education.
Conversation with Superintendent Shuldiner and LGBTQ+ Community
Date/Time: Thursday, April 9, 6-7:30 p.m.
Location: John Muir Elementary, 3301 S Horton St.
Additional Details: Members of the Seattle Schools LGBTQ+ community are invited to a conversation with Superintendent Ben Shuldiner. Participants will hear from district staff about LGBTQ+ programs and engage in Q&A with Superintendent Shuldiner. LGBTQ+ students, staff, and families, and Families of LGBTQ+ SPS students are all welcome. Dinner and childcare provided. Please RSVP/register Please RSVP/register for the Conversation with Superintendent Shuldiner and LGBTQ+ community meeting.
For additional information or questions, contact Cait Motter at cgmotter@seattleschools.org or Lisa Love at llove@seattleschools.org
