Schools

Hamilton – lights on, lights off; lights on, lights off…

Folks living adjacent to Hamilton International Middle School may have noticed that the school's outside lights and the lights inside the gym are turning off and on during odd hours.  My first thought:  could it be the legendary ghost, roaming the halls once again, now that the school remodel is complete?  Nah!  She only hangs out in the bathroom on the second floor. The real answer comes from Michael Romero, the project manager for Hamilton's.  Michael issued a memorandum this week…

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Friends of McDonald School Need Volunteers

(Wallyhood welcomes a new writer, Shannon Scott) The new play structure has been delivered to McDonald School at 54th and Latona and is anxiously awaiting its installation.  The Friends of McDonald School are in need of volunteers to assist in the installation process during the weekend of Friday, September 24th-Monday, September 27th.  With the help of volunteers the new play structure will be complete and ready for inspection. This project has been funded by the City of Seattle Neighborhood Matching Fund,…

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Hamilton’s Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Hundreds of people--from neighbors, students and faculty, to Seattle Public School Board Members--came out during this gorgeous, cloudless morning for the ribbon cutting ceremony at Hamilton International Middle School.  Members from the Hamilton Marimba Band welcomed guests with a fun and festive piece called “Mardi Gras.” Principal Christopher Carter began the ceremony, thanking everyone involved and said he was thrilled to be leaving their temporary home at Lincoln High School,  “with all due respect,” he added with a wry grin. As…

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McDonald School Play Structure

In more McDonald School news, there's a new play structure on the way (or, in the modern lingo, "playscape"). Project Coordinator Kathleen Ellsbury writes: Looks like we'll have a new play structure at McDonald School before long! With funds from the neighborhood, some employers, King County Youth Sports Facilities Grant program, and the City of Seattle's neighborhood Matching Fund, we will be able to prepare for and install the structure below, as well as a concrete border and two concrete disability-compatible…

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Hamilton Middle School Grand Opening

Things have become much quieter over at Hamilton--signaling that, with exception of a few finishing touches, the school is ready for the big move.  According to a letter they delivered to homes in the immediate area, we’ll be seeing moving trucks shuttle furniture, equipment and books between Lincoln and the 41st and Densmore side of Hamilton this month and next, as crews prepare for the first day of school on Wednesday, September 8. The letter also announces two public events to…

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Goodloe-Johnson: No Confidence or No Kumbaya?

Before moving to Seattle in 2005, I lived in Charleston, South Carolina (where the Gullah word, kumbaya comes from), where I witnessed the school district's search for -- and eventual selection of -- a new Superintendent for the Charleston South Carolina School District.  Her name was Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson.  She talked about accountability, and diversity, and improving students' education, all of which Charleston sorely needed. Some of my neighbors did not like her, though. I kept hearing "she's black" or "she's…

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Hamilton Construction Update

After nearly two years, Hamilton Middle School's renovation is nearly complete.  Huzzah!  Over the last month, I've noticed a skeleton crew coming in early on Saturday mornings, which leads me to believe they're working pretty hard to wrap everything up.  During the next few weeks, the contractor plans to finish landscaping the north end of the property which butts up against the Wallingford Playfield. Hopefully, this means we'll have that length of running trail replaced soon (thanks to Wallyhood reader Greg,…

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