What’s the DEEL? Department of Education and Early Learning

Department of Education and Early Learning

DEEL Partner Schools Adapt During a Challenging Year

by

As the 2020-2021 school year nears its end, DEEL is reflecting on the innovative ways our partners pivoted during the pandemic to continue serving Seattle children, youth, and families. This article highlights the work of many of our Levy partner schools who receive School-Based Investment (SBI) awards.  

A usually bustling entrance to Grover Cleveland STEM High School stood quiet while classes were hosted virtually during  COVID-19 pandemic. 

When the pandemic forced school buildings to close and shifted learning online, the risks of missed instructional time, limited social connection, and disruptions in access to vital resources and services disproportionately affected Seattle’s most vulnerable students. Increased academic support, social-emotional services and culturally-responsive teaching practices became more important than ever for student wellness and continued academic success. In response, DEEL’s K-12 partner schools developed innovative strategies that centered educational equity, increased positive family engagement, and supported student learning throughout the COVID-19 crisis. 

DEEL’s School-Based Investments (SBI) are part of the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy passed by voters in 2018. SBI investments provide intensive, supplemental support for a limited number of schools with high concentrations of historically underserved populations and students not yet meeting grade level learning standards. Investments are focused on expanded learning, academic support, social-emotional skill development, college readiness programming, and career exploration experiences. 

[Read more…]

Sixth-Annual Institute on Children, Race, and Racism Convenes 600+ Educators and Allies to Elevate Black Boy Brilliance and Joy

by

Contributors: Early Learning Training Coordinator, Michelle Winters and Early Learning Coaches Fanny Yang and Aaron Jeffers

Main event image for DEEL's Spring Institute on Children, Race and Racism: Elevating the Brilliance of Black Boys on June 2-4, 2021. The images includes happy images of Black children learning and smiling together.

On June 2– 4, 2021, DEEL hosted the sixth annual Children, Race, and Racism Institute: Elevating the Brilliance of Black Boys. Too often, the work of racial equity is framed within a deficit-based context; narratives that define Black boys and whole communities and populations by their struggles and not their assets, achievements, and abilities.  This conference sought to shift that narrative and center Black boy brilliance and joy, through research, policy and practice to provide educators with knowledge and strategies to support the genius of Black boys.   

This three-day event was co-hosted by DEEL Director Dr. Dwane Chappelle and Dr. William White, Director of My Brother’s Teacher at the University of Washington, using an interactive virtual platform, Hopin. 

Over three days, a total of 639 attendees tuned in live to hear three different keynotes from national and local leaders, as well as nine workshops led by educators working in the field. Participants also heard from a youth panel from the Seattle Public Schools Student Leadership Council and visited a virtual expo/vendor hall. Audience members included educators, administrators, and directors working with children across the birth to secondary educational spectrum.  

[Read more…]

Mentoring Urban Students and Teens (MUST) Provides Continuity of Connection and Near-Peer Mentorship Throughout COVID-19

by

MUST mentors and mentees posing for a photo after a basketball game before the COVID-19 pandemic.  

As the 2020-2021 school year nears its end, DEEL is reflecting on the innovative ways our partners and providers pivoted during the pandemic to continue serving Seattle children, youth, and families. Here is an example highlighting how one of our Opportunity and Access partners, Mentoring Urban Students and Teens (MUST), provided continuity of near-peer mentorship services. 

Social connection and mentorship became more important than ever for students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cancelled academic and social activities put many students at risk of social isolation and disconnection from school, creating new social-emotional hardships for families. Simultaneously, the movements for racial justice that swept across our nation alongside the novel coronavirus unearthed historical trauma that compounded the urgent need for social connection and culturally responsive avenues for emotional wellness. One of DEEL’s Opportunity & Access partners doubled down on their commitment to provide safe, in-person mentorship services to keep Black high school boys in the Rainier Valley socially connected and engaged in school.  

[Read more…]

REGISTER TODAY for DEEL’s Spring Institute on Children, Race, and Racism: Elevating the Brilliance of Black Boys

by

The Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning is excited to invite you to the 2021 Spring Institute on Children, Race, and Racism: Elevating the Brilliance of Black Boys.

This FREE virtual event pulls together a range of incredible speakers to share their wisdom on supporting our young learners and future leaders. Over 3 days, participants will hear from several incredible keynote speakers, attend your choice of workshops, and hear from a youth panel. Join us in this space as we listen, reflect, engage, and grow in our culturally-responsive and anti-racist practices as educators.

Conference dates & times:

Wednesday, June 2 | 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Thursday, June 3 | 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Friday, June 4 | 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Audience:

Birth-to-3, Preschool, K-12, Educators, Administrators, Directors, Support Staff, and general public

STARS/MERIT hours will be available for early learning professionals and childcare providers who attend.

The City of Seattle encourages everyone to participate in its programs and activities. For disability accommodations, materials in alternate formats, or accessibility information, contact Michelle Winters at michelle.winters@seattle.gov.

Detailed Schedule, session descriptions, and registration information available at https://www.tinyurl.com/ChildrenRaceAndRacism. 

Partner Chat: Rory Gill, Seattle Preschool Program Teacher

by

SPP Teacher Rory Gill in a fist-up pose
Photo: Rory Gill, Seattle Preschool Program Teacher (Photo provided by Rory Gill)

In celebration of DiscoverU 2020, a week of college and career exploration, we’re featuring an interview with Rory Gill, Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) Teacher at Daybreak Star Preschool and recipient of the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy funded SPP teacher scholarship.

[Read more…]

Fall 2020 DEEL Newsletter

by

DEEL logo

A brand-new DEEL newsletter has launched! This department resource will provide a closer look at the investments the City of Seattle is making in education—from early learning to postsecondary.

In this first issue, we’re covering how our investments and our partners are pivoting for a school year unlike any other we’ve known. As our city continues to navigate COVID-19 and build toward recovery, DEEL is working with our partners to adapt to the challenges before us with innovation, collaboration, and a sharp focus on racial equity. 

Here’s a closer look at what’s in the Fall 2020 issue:

  • Director’s Welcome Letter
  • Investment Features
    • Seattle Preschool Program
    • K-12 Investments
    • School Based Health Centers
    • Kingmakers of Seattle
  • Community Partner Features
    • ACE Academy
    • Seed of Life: Emergency Child Care Provider
  • Department Features
    • DEEL Director Dwane Chappelle Reconfirmed
    • Staff Spotlight: Communications & External Affairs
  • Student and Family Resources
    • Home Learning Resources for Early Learners
    • School-Age Child Care
    • Teen Resource Hubs
    • Seattle Public Schools Resources: Student Meals, Technology Support, and Drive-Thru Flu Clinics
    • Remote Learning Resources from Seattle Public Library
  • Calendar and Events of Interest
    • Upcoming Trainings for Preschool Teachers and Providers
    • Upcoming Funding Opportunities for Seattle Preschool Program

To receive future issues of the DEEL newsletter, sign up on DEEL’s mailing list.

A King’s Journey: 2020 Black Male Graduates Rise to Excellence in the Kingmakers of Seattle Program

by

Interagency Academy’s graduation ceremony, held the evening of Juneteenth—a holiday celebrating the ending of slavery in the United States—was a tribute to heritage, tradition, and hope over struggle, and it included an air of royalty.

DeMarcus Belle was one of the proud “Kings” who graduated Friday, June 19, as part of the 2020 Interagency graduating class. These young men were part of the Kingmakers of Seattle program, first launched in 2017 at four pilot schools within Seattle Public Schools—one high school (Interagency) and three middle schools (Aki Kurose, Asa Mercer, and Denny International). The program is implemented in partnership with the SPS Department of African American Male Achievement (founded 2019) to intentionally focus on improved outcomes for Black male students. It is currently funded under the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) levy.

Modeled after the Oakland Unified School District’s Office of African American Male Achievement (AAMA) program, Kingmakers is an elective class specifically designed for Black male students (called Kings) taught by Black male educators (called facilitators). Classes follow the Khepera curriculum—a culturally relevant African-centered curriculum that is both engaging and academically rigorous. The curriculum emphasizes Black history, cultural knowledge, positive self-identity, literacy, and academic mentoring.

Continue reading below > > >

“A King’s Journey “- Video by Leslie Daniels
[Read more…]