Good Morning Salmon Bay -

In an update to the ongoing discussion around budget shortfalls, yesterday Seattle Public Schools released information about their Well-Resourced Schools plan. This announcement includes a list of planned school closures, in an attempt to address the current budget crisis. 

SPS released two lists – Option A and Option B. Salmon Bay K-8 will be closed if SPS moves forward with Option A. Option B would leave Salmon Bay open as the only option / K-8 school in our Northwest region. 

While the lists are not final, this is deeply unsettling news for our entire community. We have an important opportunity to advocate for Salmon Bay, along with all Seattle schools. FOSB will continue to share information, resources, and opportunities for advocacy during this crucial time. Please share these actions with your community - someone does not have to have a child in school to care about the education of children.

In the meantime, here are some ways that you can take action NOW.

Five Steps You Can Take Today

• Sign and share the All Together for Seattle Schools (ATSS) letter. ATSS is a parent/community-led advocacy group; their letter to SPS opposes the closure plan and calls for accountability and comprehensive planning to ensure a sustainable future for our schools. They have put together a NEW letter in light of the closure announcements. Sign the new letter here.

• Attend our FOSB event TONIGHT (Thursday, September 12) at 7 p.m. at Old Stove Brewery’s new Ballard location (1550 NW 49th St, Seattle, WA 98107). We’ll share updates on what we know and will discuss additional steps we can take as a community on behalf of our school. FOSB is working on lining up someone to record the event for anyone unable to attend live. Also, if you are available to take notes to be shared out to the community, or have other ideas to help with the discussion, please arrive a touch early and identify yourself to FOSB co-chairs, Julie Schneider or Shannon Robinson. More hands on deck will help make this a productive time together. We are not able to offer childcare at this time, however this is an all-ages brewery. You know your kids best; if you bring them please remember that we will be talking about many aspects of the closures that might be upsetting to some. 

• Attend the ATSS Rally before the next School Board meeting on Wednesday, September 18th at 3:45 p.m. at the John Sanford Center (please wear red). If you’re interested in testifying at an upcoming School Board meeting, email ATSS. More information can be found here.

• Join a community organizing and planning meeting Saturday, September 14th at 12 p.m. at Jefferson Park. Event information can be found here. 

• Contact our School Board members to let them know you oppose the plan. These are the people who will be making the decision about the future of our schools - and now is the time to make our voices heard. You can use the School Board contact form, contact our District Director Sarah Clark, or any/all members of the school board.

Tips for Talking to Our Kids

As we discuss these closures with other adults in the community, let’s also remember that our children hear our anxiety and our concerns. Centering our children in these discussions remains paramount, as for many kids, these closures and unknowns will be very scary. Giving facts where possible, and appropriate depending on age, is important. Acknowledging that we are working together to enact different results, while also reassuring our kids that they will be ok is important. 

Our friends at North Beach PTA have shared some helpful tips for talking to our kids about possible closures.

Our Path Forward

FOSB remains steadfast in our commitment to support the needs of Salmon Bay K-8 students, families, staff, and community. We do not agree that school closures are in the best interest of our community.

We will continue to demand transparency, equity, and accountability regarding these decisions, especially as it affects students systematically under-supported by our district and those furthest from educational justice at our school and around the district. Salmon Bay is an important place for our families, our teachers and staff, and most importantly – our children.

Much of this process has felt defeating for parents as we are denied information, clarity and conversation. Now is NOT the time to give into that defeat - now is the time to make our voices even louder. 

Please add your voice to our collective shout.

Please share this email with your family, neighbors and community.

Anyone can advocate for our schools, whether they have kids currently in SPS or not.

This message is sent on behalf of FOSB. In-line with our mission to support and advocate for our school community, we will be sending out updates and ways you can become involved in advocacy for our Salmon Bay community.

SPS Safe Schools Hotline: 206-252-0510.

The Seattle School District Safety and Security Department is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.