Seattle Schools Releases Draft of New Boundaries

On Tuesday afternoon, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) released a draft of the proposed new boundaries. You can read the draft in its entirety here. Here are the proposed changes for Wallingford: 1) John Stanford International School and McDonald International Elementary School would become Option Schools beginning in 2014, with small geozone boundaries for folks living nearby (those boundaries have not been drawn yet). 2) All kids living east of Stone Way and not within the JSIS/McDonald geozones would attend Green Lake…

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Green Your School

Four years ago, my introduction into the world of public-school parenting was eased by finding my niche in the school early on. A personable woman – who turned out to be Wallywriter and waste-reducer extraordinaire, Barb – invited me to volunteer in the school lunchroom where I helped the student Green Team manage the sorting of compost, recycling and trash. The following year, my son changed schools to one that didn’t have a lunchroom recycling and composting program. I called on…

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The Great Wallingford Wurst Festival

The Wurst is yet to come, neighbors. In fact, it’s this weekend! The 31st annual Great Wallingford Wurst Festival takes place Friday and Saturday (September 13-14) on the grounds of St. Benedict School (4811 Wallingford Avenue North). The festival is family-friendly, featuring lots of kid bouncies, games, crafts, a Biergarten, tons of homemade goodies for sale, plus lots of live entertainment on the outdoor stage. On Friday night, The Dudley Manlove Quartet will be playing for folks 21 and over in St. Ben’s Auditorium from 9:00pm…

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Commute-Free School Year Activities

This morning, children throughout the neighborhood will shoulder their backpacks to begin the new school year. But what will they do during those hours between when school gets out and bedtime? Or on the weekend? If you are looking for back-to-school activities for your students, and if you want to avoid the nasty rush hour commute that often accompanies those activities, check out what’s available in the neighborhood. Think of it - supporting local businesses, saving gas, and wearing your kids out…

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Hamilton Walking Map

Just in time for school to start (which is Wednesday, September 4, barring any last minute announcements of a teacher strike), a Hamilton International Middle School parent has created a handy walking map to Hamilton (1601 N. 41st St.) from points in Wallingford and Fremont. The map also points out some interesting places in the neighborhood. You can click on the map legend here (Hamilton Walking Map Key) and download a full sized map here (Hamilton Walking Map). While we're on the…

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B.F. Day Gets A New Playground

B.F. Day families will be treated to a new playground  on school campus this fall, thanks in part to Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, King County Parks, private donations, the Fremont community and Chamber of Commerce, and the B.F. Day PTSA. While construction officially began on August 1, the playground committee is seeking a few volunteers to help with the equipment installation during the weekend of September 14-15. If you want to lend a hand, contact Kristin Anderson at [email protected].

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Siblings Denied Enrollment at JSIS

Two Wallingford families have put out a "Call To Action" asking folks to join them in a protest/sit-in on the John Stanford Center grounds (not the school but Seattle Public Schools' downtown administrative offices, 2445 3rd Ave S ) on Thursday, August 8 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. The protest is in response to their incoming Kindergartners being denied assignment to their older siblings' school, John Stanford International School (JSIS). In a letter to the community, Parnel Lettunich writes: Both the Lettunich and Cisero…

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