Frequently Asked Questions
The answers to these questions have been compiled by volunteers in the Broadview Thomson community. We’ll do our best to keep these answers updated as we organize! If you have a question that is not answered here or updated information, please email it to info@broadviewthomsonpta
ACTION ITEMS: WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW
What can I do to help right now?
Fill out our Volunteer Form
Join our WhatsApp Group
Write to SPS through their Let’s Talk app. You can submit as many times as you want. If you have new thoughts, send another message!
Q: Are there yard signs?
A: Yes, they have been passed out, but we could order more if there is enough interest. If you’re interested in purchasing a sign for $10, please email Mckenzie.powell@broadviewthomsonpta.com
Q: Are there rally slogans people are using?
A: Are you making a poster for a rally or yard sign? Here are some ideas for slogan wording if you want to make your own signs:
SPS's proposal for Broadview-Thomson is BLATANTLY INEQUITABLE.
SPS's proposal segregates our school!
SPS's proposal doesn't create equity, instead creates a divide!
Walkable schools keep families connected and engaged!
SPS, prioritize “those furthest from education justice.”
ADVOCATE FOR OUR SCHOOL
DON’T CLOSE OUR SCHOOL
Q: How do I speak at an SPS school board meeting?
A: The School Board Office will generally take sign-ups for the public testimony list starting at 8 a.m. on the Monday before regular Board meetings and continue until 12 p.m. on the Tuesday before the meeting. These sign ups will fill up very quickly. For more information on how to sign up and general rules visit this webpage https://www.seattleschools.org/about/school-board/meetings/#2b2a7352ac0f
The current calendar of School Board meetings is:
10/9 4:15pm School Board Regular Meeting
11/19 4:15pm School Board Regular Meeting
12/18 4:15pm School Board Regular Meeting
Q: How can I connect with other people at Broadview Thomson working on this?
A: Reach out to the PTA by signing up to volunteer to Save our School through this form https://www.broadviewthomsonpta.com/save-our-school.
Join the Broadview Thomson Save our School What’s App Group https://chat.whatsapp.com/Jipvk3Y3m85BvS3ggxdCVs
Feel free to email us anytime at info@broadviewthomsonpta.com or chat with any PTA Board Member.
Q: What organizing efforts are happening with other schools?
A: All Together for Seattle Schools We have found this to be a well organized and welcoming group. It was developed by a group of Seattle Public Schools (SPS) parents from across the city and of different backgrounds.
Broadview Thomson PTA is currently working with other PTA’s district wide, K8 level, and neighborhood proximity to develop relationships and work together.
DATA GATHERING:
Q: SPS says it wants to keep Well-Resourced School Open, but isn’t Broadview Thomson a Well-Resourced School?
A: Broadview-Thomson 2024/2025 Data:
Do we have an assistant principal? Yes: 2
Do we have a nurse? If so, are they full-time? Yes; Yes
Do we have a counselor? If so, are they full-time? Yes; they are .5 FTE
Do we have a psychologist? If so, are they full-time? Yes; they work .7 FTE
Do we have a social worker? If so, are they full-time? Yes; they are full-time: the school uses state money to increase from .5 to 1.0 FTE
Do we have a PE teacher? If so, are they full-time? Yes; we have 1.6 FTE PE teachers
Do we have an art teacher? If so, are they full-time? Yes; full time
Do we offer multilingual support to BT families? Yes; we have 2.6 FTE teachers; 4 IAs
Do we have dedicated special ed classes? We have five special education programs:
1) Speech only: we have teachers at BT daily plus a .6 person who serves our highest-need students.
2) Resource: 2 teachers; 2 assistants
3) Ext. Resource: 3 teachers; 9 assistants
4) Distinct: 2 teachers; 4 assistants (These are two self-contained classrooms.)
5) Developmental Preschool: 1 teacher; 2 assistants (self-contained classroom)
Do we have a preschool? Yes: 2 Head Start Classrooms, 1 Developmental Preschool (special education)
Do we have Head Start? Yes: 2 Head Start Classrooms, 1 Developmental Preschool (special education)
How many students are at BT? 564 as of Sept 12, 2024
Do we have capacity for that number (564)? Capacity was listed at 650
How many (or about how many) languages are spoken by families at our school? 18 different languages are listed. (There are likely more, as Portuguese, for example, is not included.)
What countries have our families moved from? Many, but a few include: Venezuela, Angola, the Congo, El Salvador, Mexico, Ethiopia, Eritrea.
How many students ride the bus each day? Not including special education-specified transportation, there are ~9 students on the bus in the morning. (In the afternoon it's about 25—many headed to the after-school program at the Boys and Girls Club in Greenwood.) There are 86 students who qualify for transportation (including special education; special education students can get transportation for reasons other than living outside the 'walk zone')
What percentage of students would qualify for free or reduced lunch (if we didn't all get free meals)? about 60%.
Q: If the Broadview Thomson community gets split down Greenwood, what are the demographics behind the split?
A:
KNOWLEDGE-BUILDING: WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AND WHAT IS THE PROCESS?
Q: What is this all about?
A: You can read the background of this issue from SPS perspective on the SPS website https://www.seattleschools.org/resources/well-resourced-schools/background/
You can read the background of this issue from All Together for Seattle Schools here on their open letter https://www.alltogetherforseattleschools.org/
Q: Who is this proposal from?
A: SPS Superintendent’s Office
Q: Who will make the final decision?
A: The Seattle School Board https://www.seattleschools.org/about/school-board/
Q: What is the process and timeline for making the final decision?
A: The final decision will be made by the School Board and is targeted for before Winter Break in December
Sept. 11: Refreshed webpages launched with all proposals, criteria, and data.
Sept. 24: Online information sessions to provide an overview of both options.
Sept. 25-Oct. 8: In-person meetings in each region for families, staff, and community. Separate SPS staff meetings will also be held. THESE MEETINGS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED:
Online: Tuesday, Sept. 24, 6:30 p.m., Zoom Meeting (Families and staff will soon receive the Zoom meeting link, and the link will be posted on our website.)
Southwest Region: Wednesday, Sept. 25, 6:30 p.m. Genesee Hill Elementary, 5013 SW Dakota St., Seattle, WA 98116
Southeast Region: Thursday, Sept. 26, 6:30 p.m. Wing Luke Elementary, 3701 S Kenyon St., Seattle, WA 98118
Central Region: Tuesday, Oct. 1, 6:30 p.m. Kimball Elementary, 3200 23rd Ave. S, Seattle, WA 98144
Northeast Region: Thursday, Oct. 3, 6:30 p.m. Olympic Hills Elementary, 13018 20th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98125
Northwest Region: Monday, Oct. 7, 6:30 p.m. James Baldwin Elementary, 11725 1st Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98125
Translation and interpretation services will be provided at each meeting. American Sign Language (ASL), Amharic, Cantonese, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese interpreters will be available. After the online meeting, a recording will be posted to the district website.
Mid to Late October: Superintendent announces the preliminary recommendation.
November: Public hearings on each proposed school closure.
December: Final School Board vote before winter break.
Q: Broadview Thomson K-8 is on both lists, doesn’t that mean for sure it will close?
A: No, as of right now these are proposals.
Q: Why does the Seattle Public School District have such a big budget shortfall?
A: You can read about the district budget shortfall here on the SPS website https://www.seattleschools.org/resources/well-resourced-schools/faq/#budget
Here are two Seattle Times articles that address the budget deficit
https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/seattle-school-closures-cuts-in-all-the-wrong-places/
Q: How do I talk to my kids about this?
A: "When figuring out how to talk to your children about the proposed school closure, here is a simple set of guidelines and a conversation starter so you can present the information in a clear way that supports your child through this uncertain time. This is based on best practices for sharing difficult information with children from family changes like divorce, illness, death, moving, or financial hardship.
1. Be Honest, but Keep It Simple
Use age-appropriate language: “We got some news today, and we want to talk to you about it.”
Acknowledge uncertainty: “We don’t know exactly what this means yet, but we’ll let you know as we learn more.”
2. Reassure Ongoing Communication
Be transparent: “We’ll keep you informed whenever we know something new.”
Commit to openness: “We won’t keep anything from you about this.”
3. Encourage Questions
Invite them to ask: “You can always ask us anything.”
4. Acknowledge Their Feelings
Validate emotions: “It’s okay to feel confused or scared.”
Create safety: “We’re here to support you.”
5. Reinforce Stability
Offer reassurance: “No matter what happens, we’ll face it together.”
Example Conversation Starter:
“We got some news today. We don’t have all the details, but as soon as we know more, we’ll tell you. We’ll never keep anything from you. You can always ask us questions, and it’s okay to feel a mix of emotions. We’re in this together.”"
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF BROADVIEW THOMSON CLOSES?
Q: If this happens, when will Broadview Thomson close:
A: The proposal is it will close for the 25-26 school year.
Q: Where will my kids go to school next year?
A: You can find the school based on each proposal on this webpage https://www.seattleschools.org/resources/well-resourced-schools/proposed-option/ by clicking into each option there is a “Draft interactive boundary change tool” that indicates new attendance area school.
Q: What is happening to make sure the transition is smooth for our kids?
A: