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FEPP LOC Field Trips Highlight Learning in Action

by on October 11, 2022
Children at Creative Kids at Carkeek Park enjoy a book reading in preparation for an upcoming field trip to the zoo, as part of their SPP summer extension programming.

From July through early October, DEEL’s school and community partners welcomed the Families, Education, Preschool and Promise (FEPP) Levy Oversight Committee (LOC) to observe programs in action and learn more about each investment area. Field trips were organized for nine DEEL-funded programs ranging from preschool through postsecondary.  

The community-led LOC was established by city ordinance to monitor the levy’s progress toward achieving educational equity and make recommendations to DEEL leaders on how to improve outcomes for Seattle children, youth, and families through FEPP-funded investments. This series of field trips created an opportunity for committee members to engage with students and program partners in person, celebrate successes, and better understand challenges to programming caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

Programming observed on the tour included: 

  • A look at the Imagine Institute’s Family Child Care (FCC) mentoring program and virtual tour of FCC programs 
  • Seattle Preschool Program summer extension programming at Creative Kids Learning Center at Carkeek Park 
  • Classroom and playground observations for Seattle Public Schools’ school-year Seattle Preschool Program classes at Rising Star Elementary 
  • Activities grounded in composting, recycling, and sustainability at Launch Learning’s summer program hosted at Madrona Elementary School 
  • Math word problems and lessons in aerodynamics at ACE Academy 
  • Gardening and social-emotional learning activities introducing rising 9th graders to Cleveland High School  
  • Student-led presentations about lessons learned on financial literacy, developing a vision for themselves and setting goals, and building healthy relationships through The Good Foot Arts Collective Power Up Program at Franklin High School 
  • A student panel and faculty presentation welcoming new Seattle Promise students to Seattle Central College through the Summer Bridge orientation 
  • Discussions with Seattle Promise students about their college experiences and transfer plans they created for themselves through the Path to UW program  

Thank you to all our partners for generously welcoming the LOC and staff into their classrooms and programs.  

Children at Creative Kids at Carkeek Park enjoy a book reading in preparation for an upcoming field trip to the zoo, as part of their SPP summer extension programming. 
Creative Kids Director Grace Alam (L) and SPP teachers D’Onna Smith (center) and Amanda Benjamin (R) with their class of preschoolers.
Creative Kids Director Grace Alam (L) and SPP teachers D’Onna Smith (center) and Amanda Benjamin (R) with their class of preschoolers.  
Imagine Institute Executive Director Cate Bridenstine gives LOC members and DEEL staff an overview of their Family Child Care Mentorship program funded by the FEPP Levy.
Imagine Institute Executive Director Cate Bridenstine gives LOC members and DEEL staff an overview of their Family Child Care Mentorship program funded by the FEPP Levy. 
FCC Mentors Zeinaba (second from right) and Nadifo (far right) share about their experience in the FCC Mentorship program. Zeinaba has been a mentor since the program’s first year, while Nadifo started as an intern, opened her FCC business, and recently completed her first year as a mentor.
FCC Mentors Zeinaba (second from right) and Nadifo (far right) share about their experience in the FCC Mentorship program. Zeinaba has been a mentor since the program’s first year, while Nadifo started as an intern, opened her FCC business, and recently completed her first year as a mentor. 
Director Dwane Chappelle (L) joins LOC Member and Seattle Education President Jennifer Matter (second from left) in observing play-based learning at the Seattle Preschool Program at Rising Star Elementary, while Principal Huyen Lam (second from right) shares about the program with Mayor Bruce Harrell (R). Also pictured is Mayor’s Office External Affairs Liaison Crystal Chindavongsa (center).
Director Dwane Chappelle (L) joins LOC Member and Seattle Education Association President Jennifer Matter (second from left) in observing play-based learning at the Seattle Preschool Program at Rising Star Elementary, while Principal Huyen Lam (second from right) shares about the program with Mayor Bruce Harrell (R). Also pictured is Mayor’s Office External Affairs Liaison Crystal Chindavongsa (center).  
Seattle Preschool Program Plus classrooms, like this Rising Star Elementary SPP class, provide specialized inclusive programming for preschoolers with Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) to learn alongside neurotypical students.
Seattle Preschool Program Plus classrooms, like this Rising Star Elementary class, provide specialized inclusive programming for preschoolers with Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) to learn alongside typically developing students. 
ACE Academy youth apply what they are learning in about aerodynamics by designing and building 3D model cars.
ACE Academy youth apply what they are learning in the about aerodynamics by designing and building 3D model cars. 

Elementary students learn shapes through creative art activities at Launch Learning’s summer program.
Elementary students learn shapes through creative art activities at Launch Learning’s summer program.   
Cleveland High School apply what they are learning about cultivating fertile soil by working in the school garden.
Cleveland High School apply what they are learning about cultivating fertile soil by working in the school garden.  
From L-to-R: Dr. Dwane Chappelle, Director, DEEL; Manuela Slye, FEPP LOC Member and President of Seattle Council PTSA; Erin Okuno, FEPP LOC Member and Director of Southeast Seattle Education Coalition (SECEC); Colin Pierce, Senior K-12 Program Advisor, DEEL; Rising Cleveland High School (CHS) 9th Graders; Mr. Mingo, Farm Teacher, CHS; Logan Reichert, Librarian & Levy Coordinator, CHS; Jenn Kekuna, Academic Intervention Specialist, CHS.
From L-to-R: Dr. Dwane Chappelle, Director, DEEL; Manuela Slye, FEPP LOC Member and President of Seattle Council PTSA; Erin Okuno, FEPP LOC Member and Director of Southeast Seattle Education Coalition (SECEC); Colin Pierce, Senior K-12 Program Advisor, DEEL; Rising Cleveland High School (CHS) 9th Graders; Mr. Mingo, Farm Teacher, CHS; Logan Reichert, Librarian & Levy Coordinator, CHS; Jenn Kekuna, Academic Intervention Specialist, CHS.   
Each year as part of the Summer Bridge student orientation, new Promise students are welcomed to Seattle Colleges with a presentation and student panel introducing them to resources and staff that will help them succeed in college.  
From L-to-R: Vivian Song-Maritz, FEPP LOC Member and SPS School Board District 4; Barbara Childs, Executive Director of Communications & Recruitment, Seattle Colleges; Christa Valles, Deputy Director of Policy, City of Seattle; Chris Alejano, K12 Director, DEEL; Annia Yoshizumi, Postsecondary Data Advisor, DEEL; Dr. Ismael Fajardo, Performance and Evaluation Director, DEEL; Jonathan Swift, Chief Financial Officer, DEEL; Kurt Buttleman, Vice Chancellor of Academics and Student Success, Seattle Colleges; Dr. Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap, Chancellor, Seattle Colleges; Dr. Dwane Chappelle, Director, DEEL; Sage Leibenson, Communications Advisor, DEEL; Tammy Morales, FEPP LOC Member and City Councilmember, District 2; Mariko Lockhart, Deputy Director, DEEL; Imani Carey, Legislative Assistant to Councilmember Morales; Amelia Moore, Strategy and Engagement Manager, DEEL.
From L-to-R: Vivian Song-Maritz, FEPP LOC Member and SPS School Board District 4; Barbara Childs, Executive Director of Communications & Recruitment, Seattle Colleges; Christa Valles, Mayor’s Office Deputy Director of Policy; Chris Alejano, K12 Director, DEEL; Annia Yoshizumi, Postsecondary Data Advisor, DEEL; Dr. Ismael Fajardo, Performance and Evaluation Director, DEEL; Jonathan Swift, Chief Financial Officer, DEEL; Kurt Buttleman, Vice Chancellor of Academics and Student Success, Seattle Colleges; Dr. Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap, Chancellor, Seattle Colleges; Dr. Dwane Chappelle, Director, DEEL; Sage Leibenson, Communications Advisor, DEEL; Tammy Morales, FEPP LOC Member and City Councilmember, District 2; Mariko Lockhart, Deputy Director, DEEL; Imani Carey, Legislative Assistant to Councilmember Morales; Amelia Moore, Strategy and Engagement Manager, DEEL. 
Committee members and DEEL staff listen to Seattle Promise students share their study interests, career aspirations, and experiences in the Path to UW program.
Committee members and DEEL staff listen to Seattle Promise students share their study interests, career aspirations, and experiences in the Path to UW program. 

Filed Under: College and Scholarships, Early Learning, Education Levies, K-12 Education, Preschool (Ages 3-4)

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