Press release:

On June 24, 2013, the Burien City Council agreed to a proposal by the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (PaRCS) Department that will provide two new after-school programs in partnership with Highline Public Schools beginning this fall. The new programs will include two primary components: academic support and recreational enrichment.

Hazel Valley Elementary School and Highline High School have been chosen as program sites. Highline Public Schools staff will administer the academic support portion which will be scheduled directly after the school day ends. The City’s recreation program will follow, and include physical recreation along with other enrichment activities in the arts, nutrition education, and life skills development.

As part of this year’s Council-adopted Work Plan, the PaRCS Department was asked to identify opportunities for program enhancements in partnership with Highline Public Schools, focusing on programs that would benefit Burien youth. Through discussions with principals and staff at Hazel Valley and Highline High and other program partners, PaRCS staff developed two program proposals to present to the Council.

The Hazel Valley School program will serve K-6 students with enrichment activities and homework assistance, while the Highline High School program will serve youth in Grade 9, by providing academic tutoring, a recreational soccer program, and life skills development activities.

For the Hazel Valley program, the City will provide the enrichment elements and the school will provide the facility, student outreach, and academic assistance. At Highline High School, the King County Sheriff’s Office/Burien Police Activities League and Boy Scouts of America will provide additional funding for the program along with the City and Highline High School.

Both programs will serve as examples of the type of positive outcomes that can result when both agencies pool their resources. Interested students and parents should watch for further information on eligibility and enrollment related to the special programs.