Rainy Day Rundown is your weekly update on the latest happenings in education and the community. 

In this episode:

1. School Board Update: New leadership elected with Gina Topp as president
2. Progress Monitoring Report: Math scores improved while reading declined
3. Listener Feedback: Teacher shares challenges with Advanced Learning implementation
4. South End Education Town Hall: Students organize forum on budget impacts

See our Show Notes.

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Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

With school districts across Washington facing severe budget shortfalls, we explore solutions through the People's Big 5 initiative. Education activist Oliver Miska, joined by UW researchers Dr. David S. Knight and Kendall Fujioka, break down why Washington's school funding system remains broken and how combining funding reform with progressive revenue could fix it. Learn why changing both how we raise money for schools and how we distribute it is crucial for creating an equitable education system that works for all students.

Each person’s opinions are their own. See our Show Notes.

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Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

In this episode of Rainy Day Recess, we talk with Jie Lei, a Seattle Public Schools parent and former student, about the past, present, and uncertain future of the district’s Highly Capable and Advanced Learning programs. Jie shares powerful personal stories, from being misidentified as needing special education after immigrating to the U.S., to ultimately thriving in advanced learning programs that set her on a path to college by age 14.

We explore the district’s controversial decision to phase out the Highly Capable Cohort (HCC) model without fully implementing promised neighborhood-based services. Jie discusses how these changes affect access, equity, and the future of advanced learning, highlighting the struggle for many students—especially neurodivergent and underrepresented learners—who risk being left behind.

Through candid reflections on advocacy, policy, and personal resilience, this episode offers an in-depth look at what’s at stake for Seattle’s students and how meaningful change could still be possible.

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Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

Rainy Day Rundown is your weekly update on the latest happenings in education and the community. From important meetings and policy decisions to ongoing conversations and local initiatives, we keep you in the loop and ready to engage. 

In this episode:

1. Listener Feedback
2. Special School Board Meeting, Dec 11, 2024 - board sets goals and guardrails
3. House Education Meeting, Dec 10, 2024 - science of reading, education of justice-involved youth, and restraint and isolation training progress
4. House Appropriations State Budgeting, Dec 9, 2024 - how state budget works
5. Community Notes

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Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

In this episode of Rainy Day Recess, we explore the Seattle Public Schools budget crisis with guest Alex Wakeman Rouse, co-chair of All Together for Seattle Schools. We dive into All Together for Seattle Schools' advocacy work, especially advocating for the Washington State legislature to fulfill its Paramount Duty to fully fund Washington Schools.  We also discuss some of the complexities of the district’s budget. Alex explores potential budget solutions, emphasizing non-student-facing cuts, increased transparency, and potential enrollment growth.

See our Show Notes

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Contact us at [email protected].
Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

Rainy Day Rundown is your weekly update on the latest happenings in education and the community. From important meetings and policy decisions to ongoing conversations and local initiatives, we keep you in the loop and ready to engage. 

In this episode:

1. Special School Board Special Meeting (November 26, 2024)
2. Hearing for the Petition to Recall Board President Liza Rankin (December 2, 2024)
3. School Board Audit Committee Meeting (December 3, 2024)
4. Special Education Audit Report to JLARC, a joint committee of the Washington State Legislature 
5. Community Notes

See our Show Notes.

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Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

In this inaugural episode of Rainy Day Recess, Christie Robertson and Jasmine Pulido delve into the high-stakes Seattle School Board meeting of November 19. The meeting saw a cascade of emotions, pivotal decisions, and a dramatic shift in the district's school closure plans. With uncertainty lingering, the stakes remain high for students, families, and district leadership.

See our Show Notes.

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Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

In this introductory trailer for Rainy Day Recess, hosts Christie Robertson and Jasmine Pulido introduce their new podcast, which focuses on making Seattle Public Schools' decisions and policies accessible and understandable to the community. As former hosts of Seattle Hall Pass, they reflect on their journey and bid farewell to their co-host Jane Tunks Demel.

They outline their mission to empower listeners with weekly updates, event highlights, expert interviews, and stories from students, parents, and community members. With a focus on collaboration and understanding, the hosts aim to help listeners navigate Seattle's school district "one rainy day at a time." Stay tuned for their new website, logo, and upcoming episodes!

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Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

See our press release. 

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Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

In this episode of Seattle Hall Pass, hosts Christie, Jane, and Jasmine dive into the data-rich presentation on Seattle Public Schools' student outcomes, delivered by Dr. Ray Hart, Executive Director of the Council of Great City Schools, at the October 23rd special school board meeting. They break down the findings on student performance trends, equity gaps, and economic factors affecting achievement. The hosts also explore the subsequent board discussion, where school directors reviewed draft goals proposed by district staff for the upcoming strategic plan.

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Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.