FOSB Advocacy Update - Oct. 8, 2024

What's New

As we continue our efforts to fully-fund SPS and ensure our public schools serve the best interests of our children, we want to take a moment to recognize that our collective efforts have made an impact—keeping Salmon Bay and many other schools safe from closures for the 2025-26 school year.

We are using this momentary win to fuel us forward, especially in our determination to:

• Fight for fully-funded public schools throughout Seattle and across Washington.
• Collaborate with fellow option, K-8, and creative-approach schools to ensure SPS continues to meet the diverse needs and interests of students.
• Increase the participation of the Seattle school community in SPS decision-making.

Read the latest All Together for Seattle Schools statement on SPS’ revised plan to consolidate 5 schools.

Save the Date

• 🪧 Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 3:45 p.m.: Rally to Save Our Schools – John Stanford Center in SoDo – Wear red, carry signs, bring family & friends!
• 📓 Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 4:15 p.m.: School Board Meeting – John Stanford Center in SoDo – Standard meeting format with open attendance, live streaming, and a public comment period. Action Item 1 of the meeting agenda includes talk of 2025-26 school closures.
• 🫖 Friday, Oct. 18 at 9:30 a.m. - Advocacy CommuniTea! Join us for a weekly chance to connect in-person over advocacy efforts. In the Salmon Bay Cafetorium immediately following Friday Sing.

Steps You Can Take TODAY

• 📝 Sign and share the Open Letter calling for a Special Legislative Session to Fully Fund Public Schools!
• 📝 Complete our community survey. Please take 10-15 minutes to anonymously share why you chose Salmon Bay K-8, the services your student(s) receives, and how it may impact your household if you had to switch schools."
• 🗣 Contact our School Board members to let them know you (still) 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.

Learn More

🔈 Listen: Have You Heard, episode #184: Closing Time

"We head to Fort Collins, CO where a plan to shutter multiple schools and “rightsize” the school district ran into a wall of community opposition. A feel-good tale for our feel-bad times, Fort Collins’ example signals, not just resistance to school closures, but to the larger vision of school choice and competition that pits parents against one another, deepening disparities in the process."

🔈 Listen: KUOW Week in Review episode

Tune in for the first 30 minutes on Seattle Public Schools.

🔈 Listen: KUOW – Ditch WA’s Capital Gains Tax? The Case for No on I-2109.

"The Children’s Alliance, Save The Children Action Fund, MomsRising, and many more oppose I-2109 because it will cut more than $2.2 billion over 5 years from education, worsening Washington’s childcare and school funding crisis from Seattle to Wenatchee."

Learn more: No on I-2109

Our Commitment

FOSB remains steadfast in our commitment to support the needs of Salmon Bay K-8 students, families, staff, and community.

In line with Article 1 - Purposes from the FOSB bylaws, the Advocacy Committee aims to (b.) help educate the adults who are part of the school community on matters of interest, (e.) contribute the collective efforts to improve the education system in the Seattle School District and the State of Washington, and (f.) foster and maintain strong connections with the communities of which the school is a part. We do not agree that sweeping 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.

Do you have questions or ideas to ask of our Advocacy Team? 

Email us: fosbadvocacy@gmail.com

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.