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

Department of Education and Early Learning

Handbook for Health Heroes: New Comic Book Answers Families’ Questions About the COVID-19 Vaccine for Kids

by

By Ciara Pickering, DEEL COVID-19 Communications Advisor

With the rise in COVID-19 cases this spring and the emergence of new variants, it’s more important than ever to protect ourselves and our communities by getting vaccinated. New information about COVID-19 and the vaccine continues to surface and many people find themselves with a lot of questions, especially about vaccines for kids ages 5 – 11. In collaboration with Public Health – Seattle & King County and Seattle Public Schools, DEEL has produced the Handbook for Health Heroes, a comic book guide to help answer families’ questions about the COVID-19 vaccine for kids.

[Read more…]

DEEL Announces Up To $1.5M in Grant Funding for Cultural Education and Leadership Opportunities Supporting Historically Underserved Youth

by

Bruce Harrell, Mayor 

Dwane Chappelle, Director 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

April 26, 2022 

Contact: Sage Leibenson, sage.leibenson@seattle.gov, 206.507.6701    

DEEL Announces Up To $1.5M in Grant Funding for Cultural Education and Leadership Opportunities Supporting Historically Underserved Youth

Community organizations are invited to apply by May 16 for up to $150,000 per awardee 

Additional funding will support educator diversity programs

SEATTLE (April 26) – Yesterday, the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) announced the opening of applications for the Youth Leadership and Cultural Education Request for Investment (RFI). As part of DEEL’s 2022 budget allocation supporting recommendations from the Equitable Communities Initiative, DEEL will invest up to $1.5 million in community-based leadership and cultural education opportunities for historically underserved youth disproportionately impacted by systemic inequities. Applicants are invited to apply for up to $150,000 with funds awarded through a competitive process managed by DEEL. 

This RFI seeks to increase access to culturally-responsive education in safe spaces where culture and identity are celebrated, allowing youth to develop their authentic selves while receiving academic enrichment. Examples of programs that may be approved for funding include mentorship, art, and college and career exploration rooted in students’ culture and aspirations. In alignment with the community-driven approach of the Equitable Communities Initiative, the investment strategy for this funding opportunity is centered in feedback from youth and community partners, and evidence-based practices focused on improving academic outcomes for historically underserved youth.   

[Read more…]

DEEL Spring 2022 Newsletter

by

DEEL's Spring 2022 Newsletter. Seattle Preschool Program

DEEL’s spring 2022 newsletter is available now! DEEL is excited to announce Seattle Preschool Program enrollment is currently open for 3- and 4-year-olds in Seattle. This issue also provides information about Washington state’s new Cost of Care Study for child care providers, financial aid and internship opportunities students, new funding opportunities and more!

Read DEEL’s spring 2022 newsletter here, and sign up for DEEL’s mailing list to get updates and announcements delivered to your inbox.

Fabrics of Our Lives: Atlantic Street Center Youth Celebrate Black History   

by

At the historic Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, Seattle youth took to the stage to deliver a stellar performance celebrating Black History Month titled, Fabrics of Our Lives.  The play highlighted art, culture, and important moments in American history through tributes to Black civil rights activists, the Harlem Renaissance, Harriet Tubman, the Black Panthers and boy bands of the 1980’s to name only a few. Performers included youth representing Atlantic Street Center (ASC), D&G Dance Company and individual youth performers Tazz Enrico, Skye Dior, and Ashley McCarver.   

The Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) is proud to partner with ASC to increase access to enrichment and academic experiences for students furthest from educational justice. Research shows that youth are more likely to graduate high school on time and pursue higher education when learning in environments that reflect their cultural identities and building relationships with adults they trust. The Fabrics of Our Lives theater production is one of many ASC youth programs that foster leadership skills, positive identity development, and cultural pride.  

[Read more…]

Classroom Expansion and New Dual-Language Programs Mark New Year of Seattle Preschool Program

by

This week, at the Denise Louie Education Center in the Chinatown/International District, Mayor Bruce Harrell and Seattle DEEL Director Dwane Chappelle joined Denise Louie Director Susan Yang to announce the opening of Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) applications for the 2022-2023 school year and the expansion of seven new classrooms for the program’s eighth year.

Tuesday’s event also celebrated the delivery of more than 8,700 home learning kits that have been provided to SPP families throughout the pandemic to encourage parent engagement and support sensory exploration and important foundations for learning and development. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the teachers and faculty at Denise Louie,” said SPP parent Liling Kong, who also spoke at today’s press conference. “I’m so grateful for the way they provide motivating lessons, help [my daughter] set realistic goals, and encourage learning and improving skills. They have such wonderful teachers at this school, and I can’t thank you all enough.”

This year, SPP will add seven new classrooms and 144 additional seats, allowing the City to serve up to 2,144 preschoolers this upcoming school year with its award-winning, high-quality programming. Two of the new classrooms will offer dual-language programming, including SPP’s first Somali-English classroom at Voices of Tomorrow Family and Child Center in South Seattle. Two new SPP Plus classrooms that provide inclusive programming for children with disabilities will open at Seattle Public Schools sites.

Denise Louie Education Center serves more than 500 children, ages birth to five, across multiple sites. Executive Director Susan Yang said, “The Seattle Preschool Program has grown into a national model for other cities and Denise Louie proudly hosts four classrooms across the city. We thank the City for their leadership and support through the pandemic, and the Mayor for his long-term commitment to early learning.”

Families can apply for Seattle Preschool Program at seattle.gov/applySPP. Translated applications are available and additional language assistance is provided for those who need help completing the application process by calling DEEL at 206-386-1050 or emailing preschool@seattle.gov.

Read the full press announcement here.

Seeking Feedback from Community Organizations Led by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color: Survey to Inform Funding for Youth Empowerment and Cultural Education Programs Serving Youth of Color

by

The Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) is seeking feedback from community-based organizations led by Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) and sole proprietors serving youth and families of color in Seattle, WA. Feedback provided will help inform upcoming funding opportunities that support BIPOC youth empowerment and cultural education in response to recommendations from the Equitable Communities Initiative (ECI). 

Through this survey, we hope to reach the following objectives: 

  • Identify community-based partners that may be interested in applying to the ECI funding opportunity. 
  • Understand existing efforts in the areas of youth leadership and cultural education. 
  • Identify current barriers for organizations in applying for City of Seattle funding to improve our application process.  

To provide your feedback and receive updates relating to this funding opportunity when it becomes available, please complete the quick survey below: 

Survey link: tinyurl.com/2022eci 

Alt Text: Seattle Community-Based Organization Survey: Get your voices heard by filling out this 5-8 minute survey. Input will inform future funding opportunities for organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Completed surveys will enter into a drawing for a chance to win a $100 gift card!
Alternate Text for Survey Flyer: Seattle Community-Based Organization Survey; Get your voices heard by filling out this 5-8 minute survey. Input will inform future funding opportunities for organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and people of color. Completed surveys will enter into a drawing for a chance to win a $100 gift card!

Please help us spread the word about this survey to local organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and people of color serving youth throughout Seattle, WA! 

This survey will close on March  14th at 10:00 p.m. 

Call for Community Volunteers: Join the FEPP Levy Oversight Committee to advise on how the City of Seattle advances educational equity from preschool to postsecondary through policy and financial investments

by

The Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) is currently accepting applications for five new committee members for the Families, Education, Preschool and Promise (FEPP) Levy Oversight Committee (LOC). LOC members serve three-year terms, with the exception of youth members, who will serve a one-year term. Interested community members are encouraged to apply through the City of Seattle Boards and Commissions website. Applications are due by Monday, February 14, 2022. 

DEEL seeks applicants representing historically-underserved communities— specifically, African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Pacific Islanders, underserved Asian populations, other students of color, refugee and immigrant, homeless, English language learners, and LGBTQ+ communities. Youth, young adults, and parents of students served by FEPP Levy investments are encouraged to apply. 

[Read more…]

DEEL Invests Over $440K in Community-Driven Programs Supporting Black Girls, Young Women, and Black Queer and Transgender Youth 

by

NEWS RELEASE 

Bruce Harrell, Mayor 

Dwane Chappelle, Director 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

January 12, 2022 

Contact: Sage Leibenson, sage.leibenson@seattle.gov, 206.507.6701    

DEEL Invests Over $440K in Community-Driven Programs Supporting Black Girls, Young Women, and Black Queer and Transgender Youth 

Programs will provide culturally-responsive leadership development, mentorship and dedicated safe spaces 

SEATTLE (January 12) – Today, the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) announced more than $440,000 in grant awards for the Black Girls, Young Women, Black Queer and Transgender Youth Request for Investment to support positive identity development and social-emotional learning for middle- and high-school age youth in Seattle. Six community-based organizations will receive awards ranging from $69,000 to $75,000 to provide culturally-responsive programs designed to support Black girls and Black Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) youth with leadership skills, mentorship, dedicated safe spaces and mental wellness services. Three of six organizations are first-time grant recipients from DEEL, and the majority of programs will serve students in the Central District and South Seattle. Programming will occur during the 2021-2022 school year and will serve over 200 youth. 

[Read more…]

Announcing Over $945K in Seattle Preschool Program Facilities Improvements

by

NEWS RELEASE

Jenny A. Durkan, Mayor

Dwane Chappelle, Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 28, 2021

Contact: Sage Leibenson, sage.leibenson@seattle.gov, 206-507-6701

Announcing Over $945K in Seattle Preschool Program Facilities Improvements

Funded projects will result in safe, high-quality learning environments for Seattle preschoolers

SEATTLE (October 27) – The Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) has announced more than $945,000 in awards to improve five early learning facilities participating in the Seattle Preschool Program (SPP). Investments will create new outdoor learning spaces, fund critical plumbing upgrades and support architectural design and permitting fees for the construction of a new six-classroom early learning facility in the Othello neighborhood of South Seattle. Four of five preschool providers awarded funding are operated by women of color and serve linguistically and culturally diverse students in West Seattle, South Seattle, Central District and Downtown.

As part of the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) levy, DEEL’s SPP facilities funds are designed to build, upgrade and renovate preschool classrooms and increase enrollment capacity for Seattle’s nationally-recognized preschool program. Funding for preschool facilities projects is awarded annually to center, school and home-based SPP providers.

[Read more…]