Garfield High School

On Monday, May 4, Seattle Public Schools begins enforcing its first districtwide cell phone policy. For high schools, the expectation is clear: "No Cell Bell to Bell." Phones are off and away during instructional time. Students may use phones during passing periods and lunch.

What this means for Garfield

This is not a new direction for us. Garfield has been operating under a schoolwide cell phone policy all year. The district standard now aligns with what we already expect in our classrooms. The difference is consistency across the system. Every SPS school will hold the same line.

Families will see one expectation across the district, not a different rule in every building.

Garfield's policy

During class

• Phones are off and placed in the classroom cell phone hotel at the start of each period
• Phones are not kept in pockets, on desks, or in backpacks during instruction
• Teachers do not hold or store student phones

Outside of class

• Phones may be used during passing periods and lunch
• Phones go away again when the next bell rings

The expectation is the same in every classroom, every day. During a lockdown or shelter-in-place, students keep their phones with them.

Students with documented medical needs, IEPs, or Section 504 plans will continue to have access as required by their plan.

When students don't follow the policy

Teachers reteach the expectation first. Continued refusals are documented and families are contacted. When the behavior becomes a pattern, it is referred to an administrator and may result in additional consequences.

We ask families to reinforce both the district and school expectations with students at home.

Why this matters

Clear, consistent expectations around cell phones reduce conflict, eliminate variation from classroom to classroom, and give every student a real chance to stay present and engaged in their learning.

As the weather heats up, senior Nas Souleyman is doing the same on the track.

After an electrifying debut as a wide receiver in football, Nas transitioned into a key role in a dynamic basketball backcourt this winter. Now, in his final sports season, he’s finishing strong—already setting personal bests in the 100m (11.88), 200m (23.45), and 400m (52.69).

Nas leads with a positive attitude, competitive drive, and consistency across every season he’s stepped into. He shows up, competes, and sets the tone.

Thank you, Nas, for being a leader and showing what it means to be a True Dawg.

AP Exams begin Monday, May 4. This is an important time for our students, and we want everyone prepared, on time, and ready to do their best.

What to Bring

For all exams, students should bring:

• A watch (not a smartwatch)
• School ID (if testing at a different site)
• Pencils or pens
• SPS laptop
• Charging cord for device

Additional items for specific exams:

• Approved calculators (up to 2, where allowed)
• Ruler or straightedge (AP Physics only)

For digital exams:

• Fully charged device with Bluebook installed (if not using a school device)

What Not to Bring

Students may not bring:

• Phones, smartwatches, or any unauthorized electronics
• Headphones, earbuds, or Bluetooth devices (unless explicitly allowed)
• Notes, books, or study materials
• Food or drinks
• Mechanical pencils or colored pencils
• Bags or items that could disrupt testing

Any prohibited item can result in:

• Removal from the exam
• Score cancellation
• No retest opportunity

AP Testing Schedule

May 4

• 8 a.m. – AP Biology (Gym | Library for accommodations)

May 5

• 8 a.m. – AP Chemistry (Library Left | Glasshouse)
• 8 a.m. – AP Human Geography (Gym | Library Right)
• 12 p.m. – AP U.S. Government & Politics (Gym | ISS 214)

May 6

• 8 a.m. – AP English Literature (Gym | Library Left)

May 7

• 8 a.m. – AP African American Studies (Library Left | Glasshouse)
• 12 p.m. – AP Statistics (Gym)

May 8

• 8 a.m. – AP U.S. History (Gym | Library Left)
• 12 p.m. – AP Macroeconomics (Library Right | Glasshouse)

May 11

• 8 a.m. – AP Calculus BC (Library Left | Glasshouse)
• 8 a.m. – AP Calculus AB (Gym | ISS 214)

May 12

• 8 a.m. – AP Precalculus (Gym | Library Left)

May 13

• 8 a.m. – AP English Language (Gym | Library Left)
• 12 p.m. – AP Physics C: Mechanics (Library Right | Glasshouse)

May 14

• 8 a.m. – AP Spanish Language (Library Left | ISS 214)
• 12 p.m. – AP Computer Science Principles (Glasshouse)

May 15

• 8 a.m. – AP Environmental Science (Gym | ISS)
• 12 p.m. – AP Computer Science A (Library Left | Glasshouse)

Make-Up Testing (May 18–21)

• May 18, 12 p.m. – AP Human Geography (ISS 214)
• May 19, 12 p.m. – AP U.S. History (ISS 214)
• May 19, 12 p.m. – AP African American Studies (Room 121)
• May 21, 12 p.m. – AP Precalculus (ISS 214)

Final Expectations

• Be on time — late students may not be admitted
• Come prepared — you will not be able to access lockers or leave to retrieve items
• Follow all directions from proctors

This year’s spring musical is The Addams Family—a sharp, funny story about love, family, honesty, and growing up. America’s most iconic “dark” family comes to life on stage, joined by a lively ensemble of ancestors and the very normal Beineke family from Ohio.

It’s a full production with strong performances, music, and choreography—worth showing up for.

Show Dates & Times

• Friday, May 15 – 7 p.m. (Opening Night)
• Saturday, May 16 – 7 p.m.
• Thursday, May 21 – 7 p.m. (Pay What You Can)
• Friday, May 22 – 7 p.m.
• Saturday, May 23 – 2 p.m.
• Saturday, May 23 – 7 p.m. (Closing Night)

Production Team

• Directed by Natalie Gress
• Music Directed by Blake Saunders
• Assistant Directed by Nora Luloff
• Assistant Music Directed by Ayar Newman
• Choreography by Belen Alvarez and Malcolm Doty

Poster art by Miel Duryee

Tickets

• Students: $5
• Seniors: $10
• General Admission: $15

🎟 Reserve Addams Family tickets or purchase at the box office

Some of the walls in the Garfield Teen Health Center need attention—and we’re looking for students to help change that. This is an opportunity to create artwork that reflects health, wellness, and community, with your work becoming part of a space students use every day.

What’s the Opportunity

The Teen Health Center is inviting Garfield students to submit art proposals. Selected students will receive free materials to bring their ideas to life, and the final pieces will be displayed in the clinic.

This isn’t just a project—it’s a chance to leave something behind that other students will see and experience for years.

Art Forms Accepted

• Drawing
• Painting
• Collage
• Photography

Themes to Choose From

Your proposal should reflect one of the following:

• Health and wellness at home or within your culture
• Celebration of the Central District and/or the Garfield community
• A warm, welcoming environment

What Selected Students Receive

• 2–3 projects will be chosen for installation in the Teen Health Center
• All materials provided (through the Teen Health Center and Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic)
• A $50 gift card for selected artists

Questions

Contact Clinic Coordinator Melanie Cope
📧 melanie.cope@seattlechildrens.org
📞 206-860-0480

Mr. Cicolini and Ms. Hansen are planning a student trip to Costa Rica in June 2027—and they’re inviting interested students and families to learn more.

This trip is designed to give students a real-world experience beyond the classroom, including cultural exploration, travel, and the opportunity to earn high school and college credit.

Information Meeting Details

• Date: May 11
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Location: GHS Room 213 (RSVP for confirmation)

What Will Be Covered

• Trip itinerary and planned activities
• Academic credit opportunities
• Cost and flexible payment plans
• Scholarships, fundraising, and discounts
• Open Q&A

Families who attend will receive first access to enrollment and a limited-time discount.

RSVP

👉

If you’re interested but unable to attend, RSVP as “Interested” to receive follow-up information.

There is still space available for a field trip to Amazon on May 11 for students interested in finance and accounting careers.

Students who are interested should contact Mr. Ellis (Room 119) or Mr. Bolan (Room 105) for more information and to sign up.

Spots are limited.

Garfield High School is seeking volunteers to help serve as proctors during this year’s Advanced Placement (AP) testing window. These volunteers play an important role in helping ensure exams run smoothly and that our students have a calm, organized testing environment.

If you are available to support, please review the sign up link below and select a date and time that works for you.

Your time and support are greatly appreciated and make a real difference for our students.

Garfield’s Class of 2026 Prom, Belltown Blues, will take place on Saturday, May 30, at Block 41 in Seattle.

We are looking for volunteers to help make this a safe, joyful, and memorable evening for our students. Opportunities are available for setup, check-in, serving snacks, general chaperoning, and end-of-night cleanup.

Come support our students as they celebrate this special milestone in style.

Location: Block 41, 115 Bell St, Seattle, WA 98121

Sign up to volunteer for Garfield's Prom

Celebrate your graduating senior with a Class of 2026 Grad Sign for your yard or window.

Signs are $14 each and come with a yard stake, but they also display great in a window—no yard required.

If your graduate has two homes, a limited number of extra signs are available. Please contact the counselor’s office if you need a second sign.

Scholarships are available for families who need support. Please inquire in the counselor’s office.

If you are able, please consider sponsoring a sign for another senior so every graduate has the opportunity to celebrate this milestone.

• $14 sponsors one sign
• $140 sponsors ten signs
• Any amount helps

Pickup begins May 4 in the counselor’s office.

Purchase Class of 2026 signs

Thank you for supporting Garfield’s amazing Class of 2026 and the Bulldogs 4 Life Club.

Seattle Public Schools students have an exciting opportunity this summer to explore career interests while earning 0.5 Career and Technical Education (CTE) credit through the Skills Center.

Program Dates: July 7 – July 30, 2026
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Who Can Apply: Incoming 9th–12th grade SPS students

Why This Matters

These are hands-on, introductory classes designed to give students real exposure to college and career pathways—whether that’s healthcare, construction, media, maritime work, or education.

Students can:

• Earn high school credit over the summer
• Explore career interests
• Gain practical, real-world experience

Courses & Locations

Students can choose from programs across the city:

• Chief Sealth HS: Construction, Engineering, Media Arts
• Franklin HS: Video Game Design, Medical Careers, Pharmacy Tech, Photography, Careers in Education, Interpretation/Translation
• Lincoln HS: Medical Careers, Culinary
• Nathan Hale HS: Broadcasting
• Rainier Beach HS: Construction, Culinary Arts, Welding & Manufacturing
• Roosevelt HS: Family Health, Sound Engineering
• Skills Center (near Washington MS): Automotive Technology
• Seattle Maritime Academy / Shilshole Marina: Maritime Vessel Operations

Important Details

• Classes are in-person only
• Transportation is not provided (Orca cards may be available)
• Snacks are provided (lunch is not, except maritime program)
• Regular attendance is required to earn credit
• Some programs have different schedules and requirements

Priority & Timeline

• Priority registration for current 11th graders during the first week
• Class confirmations begin during spring break for 11th graders; others notified after

Apply Early — Classes Fill Quickly

Students and families should review course descriptions before applying.

Questions

Email: skillscenterinfo@seattleschools.org

Interested in Skilled Trades? Thinking about more hands-on careers like carpentry, construction, maritime, electrical, automotive, welding, or culinary (to name a few)? Please contact Mr. Bolan, Garfield's Career Connected Learning Coordinator, in room 105 gmbolan@seattleschools.org to learn more about upcoming site visits between now and the end of school, for summer, and after graduation.

Our biggest season of athletics is here! With 5 sports and more than 350 athletes hitting the courts, fields and track. Boys Soccer, Boys and Girls Tennis, Boys and Girls Track/Field, Baseball and Fastpitch started practice this week and some will be in action next week.

Boys Soccer will play home games at Garfield due to Memorial Stadium construction. Tennis uses Amy Yee as their home base and will start the season against Rainier Beach next week. Baseball is playing on a new turf field installed this winter. Fastpitch is looking to follow up last year's 2nd in State finish. Track brings a wealth of talent across all disciplines.

Follow all the action on the Metro League website and @bulldogsportsjournal on Instagram.

Order your Letter Jackets, recognizing your achievements and celebrating your success. Visit for an in-person custom fitting and design. National Achiever 909 SE Everett Mall Way #E520 Everett, WA 98208 Regular Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday - Friday

The Garfield Teen Health Center continues to offer free immunizations for students. Vaccines play an important role in keeping our school community healthy, and several are required for students to attend school.

Required school immunizations include:

• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
• Varicella (Chickenpox)
• Hepatitis B
• DTaP/Tdap (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
• Polio

The Teen Health Center also carries several recommended adolescent vaccines, including HPV, Hepatitis A, Meningococcal ACWY, Meningococcal B (commonly required by colleges), Flu, and COVID.

Seattle Public Schools will host additional vaccine clinics this fall. Families can view dates and locations on the SPS Health Services page.

The Teen Health Center is available to support students with questions or to assist with scheduling.