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

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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.

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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.

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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.

In this episode of Seattle Hall Pass, school board director Gina Topp discusses the school closure plans with co-hosts Christie and Jane. The three also discuss Seattle Public Schools’ $94 million budget gap, the upcoming legislative session, community engagement, and student outcomes-focused governance.

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

In this episode of Seattle Hall Pass, we dive into Seattle Public Schools' proposal to close and consolidate four elementary schools: North Beach, Sacajawea, Stevens, and Sanislo. Christie, Jane, and Jasmine explore critical questions surrounding the district’s decision-making process, including the criteria used for selecting these schools, the potential impacts on special education services, and how transitions might affect students and staff. We discuss community concerns, staffing changes, and the broader implications for the SPS landscape.

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

In this episode of Seattle Hall Pass, we sit down with former Seattle Public Schools Deputy Superintendent Stephen Nielsen to understand the implications of “binding conditions” and potential state oversight for Seattle Public Schools if it can’t close its budget gap. Nielsen shares his insights on what financial oversight might look like, the difficult cuts that could follow, and the complex history of Washington's education funding.

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Contact us: Send corrections, suggestions, and comments to [email protected]. 

Disclaimer: Seattle Hall Pass features a variety of voices. Each person’s opinions are their own. 

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

In this episode of Seattle Hall Pass, we discuss school and student safety in Seattle Public Schools, featuring interviews with students, staff, and parents. We explore concerns about balancing physical safety measures with the need for mental health support, sharing perspectives on a $20 million initially promised from the city for mental health. Voices from the community highlight the role of telehealth, community organizations like Community Passageways, and the controversial possibility of the return of School Resource Officers (SROs). Interviewees offer suggestions for improving safety, including wellness rooms and better communication between students and administrators.

Community voices featured in this episode include:

• Rafi Brewer, a sophomore at Garfield High School
• Fatra Hussein, a junior at Franklin High School
• Isaiah Parker, a student at Ingraham High School
• Kaz Hill, a student at Ingraham High School
• Shraddha Shrudde, a math teacher at Cleveland High School
• Lexi Awdziejczyk, a counselor at Franklin High School
• Alicia Spanswick, co-president of the PTSA at Garfield High School
• Kathleen Zagers, president of the parent organization at Ingraham High School

See our Show Notes

Contact us: Send corrections, suggestions, and comments to [email protected]. 

Disclaimer: Seattle Hall Pass features a variety of voices. Each person’s opinions are their own. 

Support the show

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

In this episode of Seattle Hall Pass, School Board Director Joe Mizrahi shares his perspective on Seattle Public Schools' plans for addressing declining enrollment and budget deficits. Director Mizrahi emphasizes the importance of minimizing impacts on students and families, focusing on a more thoughtful and community-centered approach to school closures. He touches as well on the role of state funding and community advocacy in shaping the future of Seattle's schools. We also discuss his thoughts on school board operations and dynamics.

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