Seattle's Child

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Community centers offer free drop-in activities during Seattle Public Schools' teacher walkout

Plus, detailed info from Seattle Public Schools.

Photo: Central Elementary School-146/Flickr

 

Seattle Parks and Recreation will offer free drop-in activities at 21 community centers in on May 19 during the Seattle Public Schools’ planned teacher walkout. Seattle Public School students from kindergarten to 8th grade are welcome at designated community centers throughout the city to participate in supervised activities. Parks staff will supervise kids at a 20 to 1 child-to-staff ratio.

In order to participate, parents need to fill out a registration form for their child. You can find a registration form at open community centers, online here, or at a community center on May 19. Parents can reserve a spot for their child in advance online here, but must still bring a registration form on May 19.

Drop your child off by 9 am and pack a sack lunch if you can; snacks will be provided for all kids and lunch will be provided for kids who can’t bring their own.

If you have a high schooler, the parks’ Teen Centers will also be open from 2:30 to 8 pm to provide daytime drop-in activities for teens. Continue reading for a Seattle Public Schools memo with additional details. 

 

Community centers open on May 19 for drop-in care:

Alki, 5817 SW Stevens St

Ballard, 6020 28th Ave NW

Bitter Lake, 13035 Linden Ave N

Delridge, 4501 Delridge Way SW

Garfield, 2323 E Cherry St

Hiawatha, 2700 California Ave SW

High Point, 6920 34th Ave SW

Jefferson, 3801 Beacon Ave S

Loyal Heights, 2101 NW 77th St

Magnolia, 2550 34th Ave W

Magnuson, 7110 62nd Ave NE

Meadowbrook, 10517 35th Ave NE

Miller, 330 19th Ave NE

Northgate, 10510 5th Ave NE

Queen Anne, 1901 First Ave W

Rainier, 4600 38th Ave S

Rainier Beach, 8825 Rainier Ave S

Ravenna-Eckstein, 6535 Ravenna Ave NE

South Park, 8319 8th Ave S

Van Asselt, 2820 S Myrtle St

Yesler, 917 E Yesler Way

 

In addition to the free drop-in activities at the 21 designated community centers around town, here are a few drop-in childcare centers that charge by the hour. Call for availability and details before you go:

Blossoming Buds: Kids ages 2.5 to 5. 7501 35th Ave NE, Seattle, 98115

The Yoga Nanny: Kids ages 2 to 4. University district

Trettin Drop In: Kids ages 2 through enrollment in kindergarten. 4515 16th Ave NE, Seattle, 98105

Penny Pumpernickel Pants: Kids ages 2.5 to 4.5. Northgate

Coding With Kids: One-day day camp for kids 7-14 to learn coding. Runs from 8:45 am to 3:45 pm, $89 for the day. Phinney Neighborhood Center (room 36, lower brick building), 6532 Phinney Ave N, Seattle, 98103


A Message from Seattle Public Schools with Information about May 19th

Seattle Public Schools Families,

 Thank you in advance for your patience as we work to provide information and options for you around the May 19 Seattle Education Association (SEA) walkout and cancellation of school that day. Below is a list of frequently asked questions and information to assist your family in planning for May 19.

 

Last day of school for seniors and all other students:

What is the last day of school now? 

What is the last day of school for seniors?

The last day of school for all students, except seniors, is June 16. Students will attend school for a full day on June 15 and be dismissed 1 hour early on June 16.  The last day of school for seniors is now June 9. Seniors will need to attend or provide an excused absence on June 9 to fulfill graduation requirements.

 

Childcare:

I need to secure qualified child care for my child on May 19. 

Parents/Guardians needing child care are encouraged to check with the child care program director at your child's school as soon as possible regarding the child care programs' status on May 19, as well as any availability. While many of our schools have child care programs on site, parents/guardians should not assume these programs are operating on May 19. 

 

You should consult directly with the child care provider and not assume that the provider is open. A list of programs is available in the "Resources for Parents" section of the district's Early Learning page under Afterschool & PreK Programs in Seattle Public Schools 

 

What about other community based organizations that provide child care? Are there options?

The district is working with the city to provide opportunities for families and will share information as we receive it.

 

My school has an in-house before and after school childcare program. Will it extend to all day and can I participate in that?

 Each school-based program is different; some will be open, while others may close. You should consult directly with the program at the school.

 

After school activities on May 19:

What after school activities can take place on May 19?

 District-wide, all after school extra-curricular activities are cancelled with the exception of scheduled evening student performances and high school athletic competitions. Please check directly with your school if there is an evening performance or athletic competition scheduled.

 

My student has a camp scheduled for that day. Can it still happen?

 Yes. Overnight camps with students will still take place and staff will be present to participate in those camps. Your school will provide you with specific details.

 

Unexcused absences

What are the repercussions of not attending school on June 16?

 Washington state law requires 180 instructional days of school (175 instructional days for seniors). The only acceptable exception is an excused absence. Those not attending on the last day of school will receive unexcused absences for that day. By state law, school attendance is mandatory, and unexcused absences and truancy are prohibited. Children found to be in violation of this law may be subject to a truancy petition filed with the superior court after seven truancy days in a calendar month or 10 truancy days within a school year.

 

We will continue to provide information and updates as details become available. Thank you for your continued patience.

Seattle Public Schools

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