Principal Patu's Notes

Greetings Scholars and Families of Rainier Beach High School!

I hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer! The Rainier Beach High School team is back and preparing for another successful year at the Beach.

I am excited to introduce our new Assistant Principals, Amy DiTommaso (who served as Interim Assistant Principal last year) and Lucas Dobbs. Please take a moment to read their biographies below. We also want to congratulate Dr. Mendoza and Anitra Jones and wish them the very best as they begin their new roles as principals.

Over the past two years, we have continued moving toward our instructional vision of building an academic powerhouse where every RBHS scholar is prepared for college, career, and life. Together, we have implemented policies to reduce barriers to teaching and learning, strengthened school safety measures, and elevated instructional practices in our classrooms and throughout our learning spaces.

This year, we will continue this important work with a focused commitment to three key priorities aligned with Seattle Public Schools' Strategic Plan:

Over the last two years, approximately 27% of our scholars have maintained an attendance rate of 90% or higher(for excused and unexcused). Simply put, this is not where we want to be.

To increase attendance, we are committed to:

• Communicating unexcused absences to families immediately and consistently.
• Providing additional support for students and families experiencing barriers to attendance.
• Creating a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment where scholars want to be every day.

Our ask of you, as your scholar's first teacher, is to help ensure your student arrives at school on time and attends every day.

We are blessed to have an exceptional teaching staff that deeply cares about our scholars and their success. To increase academic rigor, we must maximize every minute available for teaching and learning.

One of our greatest challenges continues to be the impact of cell phones and other personal electronic devices on learning. Additional interruptions occur when students leave class for non-instructional reasons.

To increase rigor and minimize disruptions, we will:

• Continue enforcing our cell phone and personal electronics policy.
• Reduce interruptions to instruction through limited hall passes and non-instructional activities.
• Maintain high expectations for all scholars in every classroom and learning environment.

Our ask of families is to review the Student and Family Handbook, support our cell phone and personal electronics policy (including headphones and other devices), and talk with your scholar about the importance of attending class consistently and staying engaged in learning.

• Our goal is for every RBHS scholar to graduate with a meaningful post-secondary plan that includes college, vocational or trade school, military service, apprenticeships, industry certifications, or other pathways that lead to economic opportunity and career success.

  To achieve this goal, we will:

• Increase engagement with scholars and families regarding academic progress toward graduation.
• Provide college and career planning resources beginning in 9th grade and continuing through graduation.
• Expand access to College in the High School opportunities through our IB and CTE programs, allowing scholars to earn college credit while still in high school.

Our ask to senior families is that they commit to checking the Source to ensure their seniors grades are passing and review credit information by attending their Senior's final SLC (student led conference) in the fall. We also ask that all senior families participate in college prep sessions such as Financial Aid nights and Seattle Promise applications.

Safety Community Forums will continue this school year! Next one is Thursday 8/13 at 6 p.m. at Alan T. Sugiyama HS. Please join us!

As we enter the new school year, the safety and well-being of our students traveling to and from school continue to be a top priority. We remain committed to working in partnership with our community safety partners to provide Safe Passage support in the areas surrounding our school.

This year, Urban Family and the Rainier Beach Action Coalition (RBAC) have been assigned to provide Safe Passage support during key times throughout the school day, including before school, during lunch, and after school.

We are grateful for the continued partnership of our community organizations as we work together to create a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for our students, families, staff, and broader Rainier Beach community.

Finally, we want to take a moment to say Thank You to Community Passageways for all the support they gave to our Beach family for the last 2 year. We wish them the best as they transition to supporting the Franklin and Chief Sealth school communities.

9th grade Orientation, Parent Coffee Hour, and Course Schedules

Tuesday, September 1

• 9th grade Orientation from 8:30 a.m.–12 p.m. (additional letter will be sent to 9th grade parents with orientation details)

• Parent Coffee Hour at 9:30 a.m. in the Commons for 9th grade families and those new to RBHS.

• Course schedules will go live on the Source for all scholars on 9/1.

Alternate schedule for first week of school:

«Day 1 (9/2)

«Day 2 (9/3)

«Day 3 (9/4)

You are invited to our RB Family BBQ and Tailgate on 9/4 from 3-5 p.m. All students, staff and families are invited!

Laptops will be distributed on Tuesday, September 1st during the following times:

10th -12th grades – 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

9th grade – 1-3 p.m.

The 2026-27 Athletics Season kicks off with tryouts and practices 8/24/26. Below are the start of the year contests for each fall sport. Please check the Metro League website for a full list of schedules.

Football (Boys)

9/4/26: Viking Football vs Blanchet @ Blanchet - 7 p.m.

9/12/26: Viking Football vs W. Seattle @ RBHS - 12 p.m.

9/18/26: Viking Football vs Seattle Prep @ W. Seattle - 7 p.m.

9/25/26: Viking Football vs O’Dea @ W. Seattle - 7 p.m.

Volleyball (Girls)

9/3/26: Viking Volleyball vs Foster @ RBHS - 5 p.m.

9/8/26: Viking Volleyball vs Hale @ Hale - 5 p.m.

9/10/26: Viking Volleyball vs Franklin @ FHS - 5:30 p.m.

Golf (Girls and Boys)

9/3/26: Viking Golf vs Sealth @ W. Seattle – 3:30 p.m.

9/11/26: Viking Golf vs Franklin @ Jefferson – 3:30 p.m.

9/18/26: Viking Golf vs Cleveland @ W. Seattle – 3:30 p.m. (Boys Only)

Swimming (Girls)

9/11/26: Viking Swimming vs Garfield @ Medger Evers – 3:30 p.m.

9/18/26: Viking Swimming vs W. Seattle @ RBCC – 3:30 p.m.

Cross Country (Girls and Boys)

9/24/26: Viking Cross Country @ Magnuson – 3:40 p.m.

Soccer (Girls)

9/22/26: Viking Soccer vs Franklin @ FHS – 4:30 p.m.

9/24/26: Viking Soccer vs Hale @ JAMS – 4:30 p.m.

Gradebook breakdown in all classes:

Summatives: 60%

Formatives: 30%

ATL (approaches to Learning): 10%

Late policy: 2 weeks (9th graders will be 3 weeks only for Q1) (exceptions of course for students who receive modified due dates)

Retake policy: Students must complete 80% of formatives in order to retake a summative (where applicable) and/or complete test corrections.

Make-up Policy: Students will have 1 week to make-up a quiz or test

RBHS is a closed campus during school hours. This policy is in alignment with SPS Board Policy 3242, “It is the policy of the Seattle School Board that all students are to remain on campus during school hours.” However, Principals can determine rules for leaving campus during mealtimes.

9th and 10th graders will remain on campus during any break and the lunch period. 11th and 12th graders can go off-campus during lunch only with a signed parent consent form outlining all expectations, including returning to class on time. Privileges will be revoked if expectations are not met. You can access off-campus consent form below.

Partner With Us

Your feedback is important to me. Please take a few moments to complete our family survey to update your contact information and share your thoughts on our initiatives for the upcoming year.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone or email. It is truly a privilege to serve you and your scholar, and I look forward to an outstanding school year together.

Thank you, take care, and enjoy the remainder of your summer!

With appreciation,

Annie L. Patu
Principal
Rainier Beach High School

alpatu@seattleschools.org

206.252.6350

Ms. DiTommaso, "DiTo" grew up on the east coast, earned her undergrad degree from Manhattan College and her masters from Southern Maine University and Hunter College. She has served the Beach community for 5 years now - starting as a 9th grade history teacher, helped as an academic interventionist and then served as interim AP last school year. Before Beach DiTo taught history in S. Paris Maine, Houston Tx and New York New York. She is a proud mom of two SPS kiddos and when she's not at Beach, you can find her running laps around Seward Park or eating good food at the Columbia City Night Market.

Lucas Dobbs-

Mr. Dobbs grew up in Chelan, WA where he was a co-captain on the 1998 state basketball championship team. After earning his degree at WWU, he started his career as a Special Education teacher in San Diego, CA. Lucas returned to Seattle, where he worked for 10 years at Franklin High School as a special educator and assistant basketball coach. He then took a position as a teacher mentor with SPS for new to profession teachers. During his time as a mentor, Lucas helped to start the Academy for Rising Educators program, aimed at increasing the number of teachers of color in our classrooms. Most recently, Lucas was an Assistant Principal at O’Dea High School. He lives with his wife and 2 daughters in South Seattle.

Tia Isabell (admin intern)-

Ms. Tia has worked in SPS since 2014. She began her career as an Instructional Assistant, serving for five years before becoming a Certificated Teacher and Academic Intervention Specialist at Rainier Beach High School for three years. She then transitioned into the role of House Administrator for 2 yrs and is excited to now serve as your new Admin Intern.

Outside of work, Ms. Tia is a proud wife and mother, one who is a RB graduate, and a proud Yaya to one amazing grandbaby (arguably her favorite title). She believes relationships are at the heart of great schools, enjoys bringing positive energy wherever she goes, and is always up for a good laugh. She is excited to continue supporting students, staff, and families in this new role!