School Beat: December 3, 2025

The Seattle School Board announced it has approved an employment agreement for incoming superintendent Ben Shuldiner, beginning Feb. 1, 2026, and lasting through June 2028.

Watch Ben Shuldiner's introduction to SPS!
The video is also available in the district's top five languages:

Amharic | Chinese | Somali | Spanish | Vietnamese

Thanks to the Seattle Seahawks and PCL Construction, the school has received a grant to launch its first-ever high school girls flag football team.

From prestigious awards to groundbreaking health initiatives and creative classroom experiences, Seattle Public Schools is shining bright! Join us in celebrating the programs and accomplishments that make SPS a leader in innovation and equity.

The Ocean to Table program blends classroom learning with Suquamish heritage. Students get to explore the journey of salmon from the ocean to the dinner table through science lessons and Suquamish cultural practices.

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Next week is Computer Science Education Week (Dec. 8-14), and dozens of tech giants from around the region will descend on schools around the district for Hour of Code.

Also, all schools will be closed for Winter Break from Dec. 22 to Jan. 2, 2026. School will be dismissed one hour early on Friday, Dec. 19. Classes resume on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Happy holidays!

Other key dates and observances

Dec. 1: End of Trimester 1

Dec. 2: Special Education Day

Dec. 21: First Day of Winter

Jan. 5: School Resumes

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is no longer allowing remote learning during inclement weather school closures. If schools close due to weather, SPS will use designated make-up days at the end of the school year to recover lost instructional time.

Have you checked to make sure your contact information is correct at your school? There are times where inclement weather may change the normal school schedule. Make sure your contact information is current so you don't miss important weather updates.

As winter approaches, review how to get urgent weather information. You can also visit SDOT’s Winter Weather Response website for snow route maps and more tips on how to prepare for winter.

Seattle Public Schools offers Open Enrollment for School Choice each year, allowing families to apply to schools outside their assigned attendance area. This year, the open enrollment window is Jan. 5 – 31, 2026. More information is available on the Open Enrollment for School Choice webpage.

EEU seats are designated for students requiring a special education program placement in Developmental Preschool or SPP Plus, per their IEP. Families applying for the EEU Kindergarten program should follow the general School Choice process and timeline.

There's still time to join the SPS Enrollment team at one of their in-person or virtual information sessions to learn more about the enrollment process, school choice options, and eligibility. Link will be available on the SPS website. Mark your calendar today! Find the specific dates, times, and locations of these sessions on our district website.

The 2026 SPS Enrollment Fair is Saturday, Jan. 10. Join us from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the John Stanford Center (2445 3rd Ave. S, Seattle, WA 98134) to meet school and district staff, explore programs, and get help with the enrollment and School Choice process.

The City of Seattle, Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) has resources available for immigrant family safety planning. These resources can be accessed through city partners Legal Counsel for Youth and Children and Colectiva Legal del Pueblo. Additional details and more partners are listed on the city's flyer.

Going to college or training next fall? Financial aid applications for this year’s graduating seniors are available now! In Washington, there are two ways to apply for financial aid. You should only complete one application—the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA). Many people assume they won’t qualify, but about half of families in Washington can get free money to help pay for education beyond high school.

Three new Directors have joined the Seattle School Board! Please welcome:

• Kathleen Smith, District 2
• Vivian Song, District 5
• Jen LaVallee, District 7

The Seattle Times Education Lab will host a free online webinar on Monday, Dec. 8, at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom where audience members can ask questions to the newly elected Seattle School Board directors.

Learn more about the School Board and its work, public meetings, and upcoming policy initiatives.