In this episode of Rainy Day Recess, Cherylynne Crowther takes the reins to discuss the ongoing exclusion of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) families in Seattle Public Schools. After a group of Deaf parents testified about enrollment barriers at the April 23 board meeting, many returned two weeks later to a district engagement event, only to find there were no interpreters. The district apologized, but the apology wasn’t interpreted either.

We explore the long history of inaccessibility in SPS along with the specific changes families are calling for now, including: enrollment at DHH schools for children of deaf adults (CODAs), consistent ASL interpretation, and a community-led DHH task force.

Are we on a better trajectory at last?

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In this student-reported episode, Garfield High School sophomore Rafael Brewer takes us inside the Quincy Jones Performing Arts Center, a space used for theater, music, assemblies, and community events. He shares the importance of the theater, how long-standing maintenance issues have impacted student learning, and the challenges of getting repairs addressed by Seattle Public Schools.

You can get tickets now for Garfield’s 2025 spring musical Footloose. (Please buy tickets! It helps support the theatre and we have worked really hard on this production!)

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In this final Big 3 Briefing of the 2025 legislative session, we walk through where things landed for education funding in Washington state. We cover what passed around special education, MSOC, and transportation, break down key budget numbers, and reflect on the progress made—and the gaps that remain. It’s our wrap-up of the session, and a look ahead to what comes next.

- Megan Larkin & Christie Robertson

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In this episode of Rainy Day Recess, we take a closer look at the Seattle Public Schools April 23 school board meeting, with the major focus on the Enrollment Planning presentation given at the end of the 6-hour meeting. Here is the result of our attempts to decipher meaning. For excellent background, you’ll want to watch this video episode by Dawson Nichols - Waitlists in Seattle.

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Key Concepts:

1. Stability vs. Choice
   The district says it supports both but also that it is a trade-off, especially when staffing is involved. More student movement (choice) can mean less predictability (stability) for schools, which affects staffing and budgets.
2. Assigned School Considerations
   A behind-the-scenes policy where your assigned school’s needs—like maintaining enrollment to avoid losing staff—can block your ability to transfer, even if you're high on the waitlist. Families rarely hear about this directly.
3. Phases of Enrollment
   The enrollment process happens in three key phases:
   • Initial Lottery Phase (February): Families apply by a set deadline. A lottery with tiebreakers (like sibling and geozone priority) determines assignments—but even early applicants may be blocked due to assigned school considerations (see above).
   • Late application phase (March–May): Families can still apply but are added to the end of the waitlist. Placement is much less likely unless unexpected space opens up.
   • Waitlist stays open phase (June–August): Waitlists remain open through August 31. Some families get last-minute assignments, but staffing is already locked in, so movement is limited—often creating confusion and anxiety.
4. Resources & Staffing
   While the district says "resources follow students," in practice, staffing levels appear to be determined by central staff before any student assignments are made, for the sake of stability. The goal seems to be to keep the same amount of staffing at attendance area schools from one year to the next.
5. Barriers for Students with Disabilities
   Students receiving special education services are placed on separate, tightly restricted waitlists. Because placements depend on program availability—not just school space—students with disabilities are effectively excluded from transferring to option schools.

--Jasmine Pulido & Christie Robertson

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This is a VIDEO.

This episode explores the questions surrounding school waitlists in Seattle Public Schools — particularly for option schools — including how they’re handled, why they often don’t move, and what the impacts are for students and families. Thanks for the many contributions from educators, students, and community members. including:

• Liza Rankin
• Shraddha Shirude
• Janeal Maurera
• Jessica Baxter
• Erin Combs
• Kaitlin Murdock
• Vivian Van Gelder / SESEC
• Leslie Harris
• Sue Peters
• All Together for Seattle Schools – ATSS
• Seattle School Options Coalition – SSOC

See more in our Show Notes.

-- by Dawson Nichols

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Podcast Co-hosts Christie and Jasmine discuss the April 9th, 2025 school board meeting where the board reviewed proposals from executive search firms and started the process of choosing who will help them hire the next superintendent.

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As budget negotiations reach their final phase, we recap where the Big 3 bills—special education, transportation, and MSOC—stand and what’s still on the table. We also reflect on the highs, lows, and hard lessons of the past 12 weeks, and talk about what advocacy looks like when progress comes one rung at a time. If you’re feeling frustrated or burned out, this one’s for you.

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- Megan Larkin and Christie Robertson

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We shine the community spotlight on the Southeast Seattle Schools Fundraising Alliance (SESSFA) and their annual Move-a-Thon — a creative fundraising event that supports 17 public schools in Southeast Seattle. Guest Heather Hart explains how the Move-a-Thon got started, what it looks like at different schools, and the unique equity-based model used to distribute the funds raised.

You’ll hear how Move-a-Thon dollars go toward everything from snacks and field trips to interpreters and library books—and how it’s helping to build stronger, more connected school communities. Mercer Middle School PTA Vice President Arthitaya Katayama shares firsthand how the funds are impacting her school.

Learn more or donate: sessfa.org

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