Recent Threats To Roosevelt and Nathan Hale High Schools Result in Lockdowns

On June 13th, a bomb threat caused early dismissal at Roosevelt High School. It was reported the staff and students had a shelter in place.

Seattle Public Schools sent out his information:

This is an urgent message from Roosevelt High School. There was a bomb threat to the school this afternoon. In an abundance of caution, school will be dismissed early today. Students are being released between 12:15 and 12:30 p.m. Students can use their typical means of transportation. School buses are currently on the way to pick up students who use special education transportation services and will arrive at the building as soon as possible. Students waiting for pickup will be in the portables. You can use the loop for pickup. Any missed finals will be made up later this week. Student safety and well-being is our top priority. We will continue to communicate additional information as it becomes available. Thank you, Office of Public Affairs Seattle Public Schools

Seattle Times published this information.

Nathan Hale High School, also in northeast Seattle, called Police about a person with a weapon on June 10th, This happened during basketball, football and cheerleading practices. It was reported all the students were rushed into the locker room for over an hour for a lockdown.

The Principal sent out this information:

Dear Nathan Hale Families:

Late this afternoon, well after students were dismissed, a staff member called 911 due to a concerning situation of an individual on campus with a weapon. The school went into lockdown to protect those still in the building. Police arrived and the suspect was quickly arrested. After being notified by police that the situation was safe, the lockdown was lifted and staff and students still in the building were released from the lockdown.

Since police confirmed the situation is resolved and the area is safe, all events in the building that were scheduled for this evening will continue as planned. 

Thank you,

William Jackson, Ed.D. (he,him)
Principal
Nathan Hale High School

Here is the information posted on SPD's Twitter account:

SeattlePD Lincoln3

@SeattlePDL3

Beat: L3, WEAPN-IP/JO-GUN,DEADLY WPN (NO THRT/ASLT/DIST) at 107XX BLOCK OF 30 AV NE reported on 6/10/2022 4:39 PM, Call# 22000147772

And on June 3rd, a report to school safety was reported. 
The Principal sent out this information:

Dear Nathan Hale parents and guardians:

This is to share information and the resolution of a situation that has caused concern among some of our students and families.

All questions of school safety and security are investigated in accordance with SPS protocols and SPS protocols. Today, that included enhanced security and police presence on campus.

A social media post made by a student was interpreted by other students to constitute a threat to school safety. A thorough investigation involving the Seattle Police Department and SPS central office took place. It was determined that the post did not contain a school safety threat. It was not intended by the student in any way to cause harm or be a threat of harm.

With the investigation complete and no threat found, we continued our planned school day and assembly confident that our students and staff were safe

Yesterday, our school Shelter-in-Place was the result of a medical emergency to allow emergency staff quick access to the building, and not a security issue. We followed up the Shelter-in-Place with a message for families, and this is what we are doing today with the social media concern. We will communicate with you in a timely manner at the point we have information to share.

Please know the safety of our school community is our highest priority at all times.

Thank you,

William Jackson, Ed.D. (he,him) Principal Nathan Hale High School

Tomorrow Roosevelt HS Meeting Regarding Reduced On-Site Parking

Roosevelt High School

The public is invited to a meeting tomorrow at 6pm to discuss the development plans for Roosevelt High School. The meeting will take place in the Library.

The Seattle School District is requesting a modification from a City zoning regulation for reduced on-site parking in order to retain the six existing classroom portables.

The Seattle School District will make a presentation on the modification before the Roosevelt High School Development Standards Departure Advisory Committee, a group composed of neighbors and Seattle School District and City representatives. 

After the presentation, the public has the opportunity to provide comments. Following public comments, the committee will deliberate and consider the District’s request. Additional meetings may be held, if needed.

Comments can be sent to: Maureen.Sheehan@seattle.gov.

Apply Now To Serve On City Advisory Committee To Decide Zoning Modifications For Roosevelt High School

Seattle's Department of Neighborhoods posted this information:

Community volunteers needed to advise on zoning modification to Roosevelt High School (reference high school for Laurelhurst)

Roosevelt High School

Those who live or own a business within 600’ of Roosevelt High School, residents in the surrounding neighborhood, representatives of city-wide education issues, students of Roosevelt High School, and parents of potential students, are eligible to apply for the City Advisory Committee to that will recommend whether to grant a modification to a City zoning regulation affecting Roosevelt High School. 

The Seattle School District is requesting to provide less than required on-site parking in order to retain existing classroom portables.

The committee will receive briefings from the School District and gather and evaluate public comments on the departure request. Following these meetings, the committee will make a recommendation to the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) to either grant or deny the requested modification. The committee may also recommend relevant conditions to be applied to granting the change to minimize its impact on the surrounding neighborhood. SDCI will make the final decision.

The committee will convene up to three public meetings at or near Roosevelt High School over a three-month period.

To apply, send a letter of interest by Monday, February 25 that includes your address, information about yourself and your interest in serving on this committee by email to Maureen.sheehan@seattle.gov.or send to:

Maureen Sheehan

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods

PO Box 94649

Seattle, WA 98124-4649

Email: Maureen.sheehan@seattle.gov

For more information email Maureen Sheehan or call 206-684-0302.

Roosevelt High School Jazz Nutcracker This Week-End

Tickets are on sale now for Roosevelt High School Jazz Nutcracker held this week-end.  Roosevelt (1410 NE 66th Street) is the reference high school for Laurelhurst. 

Performances will be held on Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2pm.  Tickets are $18 for adults and $13 for seniors and students.

The Roosevelt Jazz Band will perform selected songs from Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s Jazz Nutcracker. Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker songs, are reworked into swinging versions; 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy' becomes 'Sugar Rum Cherry' and 'Arabian Dance' is now 'Arabesque Cookie.’  The Roosevelt Jazz Band has the rights to perform this arrangement.

A Roosevelt Jazz Parent told the Laurelhurst Blog that four of the kids in the photo above are all seniors this year and are former classmates and graduates of Laurelhurst Elementary. 

The parent said:

We are delighted to have four Laurelhurst Elementary School graduates participate in the show this year. Carter Eng, a trumpet player, said that without the support of his teachers at Laurelhurst Elementary School, he would not have discovered his passion for music. You may recognize Carter from Alpha Martial Arts where he teachers karate. Toby Jay plays bass trombone with the jazz band. Playing music at Roosevelt High School has enabled Toby to travel extensively and, although he plans to be an engineer, he hopes to continue to play music in college.  

James Pettis started playing the saxophone at Laurelhurst and is excited to perform the Nutcracker for the first time this year. He is active in First Robotics, competing in both FTC and FRC. Zach Sahlin remembers attending an Outreach Concert when he was a 5th grader at Laurelhurst Elementary School. He’s excited to be playing trombone with the band this year. Zach also enjoys skiing, wake boarding and preparing and serving food at University Presbyterian Church.  

These Roosevelt seniors and their band mates will perform two concerts for the public and two shorter shows for local area 4th and 5th graders as part of an outreach program sponsored by the Roosevelt Jazz Boosters.  

The Roosevelt Jazz Band is one of five jazz ensembles at Seattle’s Roosevelt High School. Led by Director Scott Brown, the band performs throughout the Pacific Northwest, competing in jazz festivals and raising funds for the school’s jazz program at many events, including the annual Starbucks sponsored “Hot Java Cool Jazz” concert featuring the area’s top high school jazz bands. 

The band has been fortunate to have been selected as an Essentially Ellington Competition finalist in 18 of the past 20 years, earning a spot to compete with the best high school jazz bands in the nation at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. Most recently, the band performed with Jovino Santos Neto as part of the Earshot Jazz Festival and later this month they will perform at Safeco Field as part of the Enchant Christmas event. 

We hope you will make the Roosevelt Jazz Nutcracker part of your holiday tradition. They are excited to perform this show, a great Seattle holiday tradition,

For more information and to purchase tickets go here.

Wednesday "Angst" Special Screeing At Roosevelt

A Roosevelt High School PTSA parent invites the community to an upcoming film showing of “Angst” at the school on Wednesday at 7pm. Roosevelt (1410 NE 66th Street) is the reference high school for Laurelhurst. 

The film, hosted by the Roosevelt High School PTSA, is recommended for ages 10 years and older.

"The film  for content, is intended to help families identify anxiety, particularly among youths and how to reach out for help. The film includes interviews with kids, teens, experts and parents," the parent told the Laurelhurst Blog.

After the screening, a panel of local experts who specialize in working with children, adolescents and their families will answer questions, provide resources and offer further discussion.

Panelists include:

• Amanda Schwarz - Roosevelt School Nurse
• Auky van Beek - Neighborcare Health at Roosevelt High School - Physician (PA-C)
• John Lynch - Roosevelt School Psychologist
• Frank Heffernan - Roosevelt Student Counselor
• Karen Bullard - Yoga/Mindfulness teacher
• Ariel Ravid - Psychologist specializing in anxiety and child/teen treatment

The film is free, but donations are being accepted for the Roosevelt Suicide Prevention Team or the school's Packs for Kids program, which provides weekend food for students in need.

For more information go here.   

Tonight Roosevelt Highschool Symphony Orchestra To Perform With Seattle Symphony

A neighbor would like to share this information with the community. The Roosevelt Symphony Orchestra will be performing a free, side-by- side concert tonight with the Seattle Symphony tonight from 7-8:10pm at Roosevelt High School. Roosevelt is the reference high school for Laurelhurst. The new music director, Thomas Dausgaar, will be conducting his first community side-by-side performance. The evenings program inclues: PROKOFIEV - [SSO] Symphony No.1, "Classical" FARRENC - [RHS] - Adagio - Allegro from Symphony No. 3 in G minor TCHAIKOVSKY- [SSO/RHS] - Romeo & Juliet Fantasy Overture Following the performance there will be a brief reception in the RHS Library

Tonight Roosevelt High School Fall Concert

Roosevelt High School's Concert and Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensemble is having its annual "Pumpkin Seed Concert" tonight celebrate fall. The concert starts at 7pm in the Roosevelt High School Theater. Roosevelt is the reference high school for Laurelhurst. The website says of the band: The music program at Roosevelt High School is one of the most diverse and challenging in Washington State. Our many bands consistently demonstrate musical excellence and enthusiasm, and continue the tradition of family in Roosevelt music. Our programs include Concert and Symphonic Bands, Wind Ensemble, Marching and Pep Bands, and Drumline.

Free College Financial Aid Workshop Tonight At Roosevelt

A Roosevelt High School parent sent the Laurelhurst Blog this information about an event tonight at the school:

Seattle radio host and Certified Financial Planner Albert Israel will be the main speaker at a free informational workshop addressing college financial aid, how that aid is assigned to individual families and how that aid can sometimes be increased. The special guest speaker s will be local college selection specialist Teri Thompson and local test prep authority Steve Sandweiss.

The free workshop will be held at the Roosevelt High School library tonight at 6:30pm.   RSVP to Tim Walsh at 206-926-5398 or timothy.r.walsh@ampf.com.

Roosevelt High School Jazz Nutcracker Tickets On Sale

Tickets are on sale now for Roosevelt High School Jazz Nutcracker held on December 3rd and 4th.

The Roosevelt Jazz Nutcracker is based on the Nutcracker Suite by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, a 1960's take on Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker, who reworked the Tchaikovsky tunes into swinging versions, such as "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" becomes "Sugar Rum Cherry" and the "Arabian Dance" transforms into "Arabesque Cookie."  The award-winning Roosevelt Jazz Band is fortunate to have the rights to perform this arrangement.

A Roosevelt Jazz Parent told the Laurelhurst Blog that several of the students in this band  participated in music at Laurelhurst Elementary School level. The Laurelhurst Elementary band contingency includes on trumpet, seniors, Ben Sahlin, and Thomas Hinds, and sophomore, Carter Eng  and playing the saxophone, Junior, Xander Johns, along with Juniors Jonah Harper and Cormac Liotta, who both play bass in the band, and Nick Swedin on guitar.  

The band travelled to Europe last summer performing in France and Italy, the latter playing in the  Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia.  Last month the band opened for the Jazz at
Lincoln Center Orchestra at The Paramount. Students had the opportunity to talk with Wynton Marsalis, as well Walter Blanding, Vincent Gradner, and many other exceptional jazz musicians. The Band will travel to New York in the spring to compete in the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition and hope to see Marsalis and his band.  The band also played with Roosevelt Alum drummer, D’vonne Lewis, as part of the Earshot Jazz Festival.  And later this month, a “Combo” made up of Roosevelt Jazz students will perform with the Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra at Benaroya Hall.

"We hope you will make the Roosevelt Jazz Nutcracker part of your holiday tradition. They are excited to perform this show, a great Seattle holiday tradition," one of the event coordinators said.

Performances are held at the Roosevelt High School performing Arts Theatre(1410 NE 66th Street) on Saturday, December 3rd at 7:30pm and Sunday, December 4th at 2pm. Tickets are $18 for adults and $13 for seniors and students.

For more information and to purchase tickets go here.

Roosevelt High School Orchestra Children's Concert Tomorrow

 

The Roosevelt High School orchestra, the feeder school for Laurelhurst and other NE neighborhoods, is having an " April Foolz Children's Concert" tomorrow at 7pm in the school Theater.

The information says:

Please join us for this fun-filled evening of music performed by all three RHS orchestras -- Concert, Chamber and Symphony.   

The highlight of the evening will be Symphony's performance of Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf, narrated by RHS senior Jason Dan.   

Please also invite your friends and neighbors, especially those with young children.  This concert will be a great introduction to the joy of music for our younger friends.

 

Unique Theater Show At Roosevelt Tonight

The Unified Drama Department at Roosevelt High School (1410 NE 66th Street), the feeder school for Laurelhurst and other NE neighborhoods, is having a special show tonight, called "Voices 2k16" at 7pm.


Tom Ledcke, Director of the Program and a special education teacher at Roosevelt who has a background in theater, told the Laurelhurst Blog Staff:

Unified Drama is an inclusive theater environment that fosters respect, compassion, and community for students with learning exceptionalities.   

Students with a wide range of ability ( Deaf and hard of hearing program, Autism) are performing stories from their daily lives in a typical high school.Students have written  their stories to relate their experience and challenges they face on a daily basis.

Unified Drama is in its second year for students with and without learning challenges. I wanted to give my students the opportunity to experience putting together a show and performing. we are focusing on Social stories that target social perspective.  

All of the students are from the RHS map including Laurelhurst. the show will run a little over an hour. the show is not part of the Drama dept. but we have a good reciprocal relationship. Students from Nathan Hale are also joining us

Donations will benefit the program and all proceeds and/or collections, net of expenses will be held in trust by Seattle Public Schools until disbursed to (Unity Club), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization 


The Seattle Public Schools website says of the program:

Roosevelt is collaborating with the Unified Drama program at Nathan Hale on the production. The show is a series of vignettes, some monologues, some group sketches, some songs. It opens with the Nathan Hale students performing the caterpillar and tea party scenes from “Alice in Wonderland.”

Unified Drama draws together students of all abilities, including those in special education and some who are not, in “an inclusive environment that fosters respect for every voice and all abilities.”  

It was created by Brittney Edge-Leonard, a special education instructional assistant at Hale with a passion for the theater, at the urging of Hale Assistant Principal Jolene Grimes. Tom Ledcke picked up the idea and started a club there. 

“This is a wonderful example of a program that honors the district’s commitment to educating every student,” said Wyeth Jessee, Seattle Public Schools’ Executive Director of Special Education. “We’re trying to change the culture and the mindset so that everyone sees these students not as children with disabilities, but as children who have many gifts and abilities. We want to educate the whole child.”

(photo courtesy of SPS website)

Former Laurelhurst Elementary Students Playing In Roosevelt High School Jazz Band's Performance Of "The Nutracker Suite" This Week-End



A Laurelhurst Blog reader sent in this information about the Roosevelt High School Jazz Band performing the Jazz Nutcracker, by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, December 5th and 6th. 


The Roosevelt parent wrote:

The Jazz band will perform The Nutcracker Suite, a 1960's take on Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker. The Roosevelt Jazz Band is one of the few bands in the United States to have the score.  Ellington reworked Tchaikovsky's tunes into swinging versions; 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy' becomes 'Sugar Rum Cherry' and 'Arabian Dance' is now 'Arabesque Cookie.’ 

Several of this years’ band members went to Laurelhurst Elementary School and  participated in music while attending.   

Ben Sahlin, a trumpet player and a Junior at Roosevelt, loves playing for the 5th graders, part of an outreach program sponsored by the Roosevelt Jazz Boosters.   

Thomas Hinds, also a Junior, started playing trumpet in the fourth grade.  He is excited to play the classic Nutcracker tunes with new life and energy.  

Sophomore, Xander Johns started playing the saxophone at Laurelhurst and looks forward to playing in his first Jazz Nutcracker.  He hopes to double on an instrument he hasn’t yet played in a public performance.   

And Cormac Liotta, who started on the piano, is one of three stand up bass players in the band.  He has seen the Nutcracker multiple times and is excited to be a part of this great, swinging tradition. 

Performances are at the Roosevelt High School performing Arts Theatre (1410 NE 66th Street) on Saturday, December 5th at 7:30pm and Sunday, December 6th at 2:pm  

Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors, students and juniors. 

Go here for more information and to buy tickets.