February 2026

Seattle Public Schools (SPS)  officially proposed at the end of January that the newly rebuilt Alki Elementary serve as the new Southwest Region site for its Highly Capable (HC) "cohort pathway" model. While the district aims to expand access through this regional hub, the transition is being met with scrutiny from families navigating a revamped identification process and questioning the consistency of services offered outside these dedicated cohorts.

SEE THE LETTER TO FAMILIES HERE

 

The Alki Proposal: Expanded Capacity and Regional Busing

The proposal, announced at a January 2026 School Board meeting, leverages the significantly increased capacity of the new Alki Elementary building, which is nearly double the size of the old school.

King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda has introduced an ordinance that would restrict federal authorities from using county-owned and controlled property for civil immigration enforcement. The legislation, drafted in early 2026, aims to establish "safer spaces" by preventing county land from being used as logistical hubs for operations conducted by agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The proposed ordinance contains several specific mandates and restrictions:

• Prohibition of Property Use: The core of the legislation states that property owned and controlled by the county, including parking lots, garages, vacant lots, and nonpublic areas of buildings, cannot be used as a staging area, processing location, or operations base for civil immigration enforcement.

A rare local ecosystem is getting a second lease on life, and the public is invited to celebrate. On Thursday, February 19th, from 10:30 am to Noon, a community event will be held at Roxhill Park (9234 29th Ave SW) to mark a major milestone in the restoration of the Roxhill Bog,.

The celebration highlights the successful installation of an underground barrier completed this past fall. This innovative barrier is designed to retain water within the landscape, preventing the bog, one of Seattle’s few remaining peat wetlands, from drying out. Beyond local benefits, the project is intended to provide valuable insight for the restoration of similar peat wetlands across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

The upcoming "rain or shine" event is free and open to all ages, with no registration required. Attendees can look forward to:

Information from Seattle Police Blotter

#2026-39813/Southwest Precinct/Second Watch/F1:

At 10 am on Tuesday, GIU Detectives and Southwest Patrol Officers conducted a joint Organized Retail Theft Operation at Marshall’s and Ross at Westwood Village.

Detectives teamed with loss prevention representatives to identify and apprehend suspects.

Five suspects were arrested for shoplifting.

Approximately $1,300 in stolen merchandise was recovered. 

This was a team effort and could not have taken place without the hard work by GIU detectives, patrol, and partnership with the loss prevention employees at Marshall’s and Ross.

The Highland Park Improvement Club (HPIC) has officially begun the recruitment process for its upcoming 2026 First Friday Live Outdoor Music series, which is scheduled to run from April through September. This signature monthly community event is described as a high-energy, all-ages gathering designed to bring the Highland Park neighborhood together for live music, food, and social connection.

The HPIC is seeking a diverse range of sounds that reflect the local spirit, including everything from seasoned professional musicians and aspiring local acts to DJs. In a commitment to supporting the arts, all performers selected for the series will be compensated, a move made possible by the generosity of the club’s members.

The Chief Sealth Fine Arts department is inviting the community to experience a vibrant showcase of student talent at their upcoming Art Walk on February 12 at 6:00 PM. This immersive event promises a diverse array of creative expressions, transforming the venue into a hub of artistic discovery.

Chief Sealth International High School is located at 2600 SW Thistle Street SW.

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore various artistic mediums as they wander through different locations featuring visual art, poetry, and drama presentations. The evening will be rich with live music, highlighting performances from jazz combos, orchestra groups, and choir soloists and ensembles.