Paraeducators strike in Sumner-Bonney Lake district, no school Friday
There is no school Friday in the Sumner-Bonney Lake school district because for the first time in at least three decades, the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District will be closed due to a strike. Paraeducators are demanding fair pay, they say. According to Washington Education Association numbers, paraeducators at the Sumner-Bonney Lake District salary fall below other surrounding districts. Teachers in the district are not on strike, but are standing in solidarity with paraeducators and will refuse to cross the picket lines. Thursday, negotiators were not able to come to an agreement, forcing school cancellations. We want to have fair and equitable compensation comparable to surrounding districts, said Shontay Krystofiak, a paraeducator with the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District. Paraeducators say theyve been negotiating with the district since June but have not come to any agreement. Weve been working graciously without a contract since August, said Krystofiak. Now, we have to take a step back and start thinking what is best for us." School district officials say negotiations continued throughout the evening Thursday. We value the work they do, and we need them in our schools, said Elle Warmuth, communications director for the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District. Warmuth says the district is prepared to continue negotiations throughout the weekend to come to a resolution. We are just committed to getting students back in the classroom," said Warmuth. The school district will continue providing services for students despite the strike. Free breakfast and lunch will be available for students who depend on healthy meals during the school week: Daffodil Valley Elementary: Breakfast, 8:15-8:45 a.m. Lunch, 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Liberty Ridge Elementary: Breakfast, 8-8:30 a.m. Lunch, 10:40 a.m.-12:10 p.m. For more information on how the strike impacts other school activities, click here Washington Education Association officials say this is only the second time in the states history paraeducators have gone on strike.
There is no school Friday in the Sumner-Bonney Lake school district because for the first time in at least three decades, the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District will be closed due to a strike. Paraeducators are demanding fair pay, they say. According to Washington Education Association numbers, paraeducators at the Sumner-Bonney Lake District salary fall below other surrounding districts. Teachers in the district are not on strike, but are standing in solidarity with paraeducators and will refuse to cross the picket lines. Thursday, negotiators were not able to come to an agreement, forcing school cancellations. We want to have fair and equitable compensation comparable to surrounding districts, said Shontay Krystofiak, a paraeducator with the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District. Paraeducators say theyve been negotiating with the district since June but have not come to any agreement. Weve been working graciously without a contract since August, said Krystofiak. Now, we have to take a step back and start thinking what is best for us." School district officials say negotiations continued throughout the evening Thursday. We value the work they do, and we need them in our schools, said Elle Warmuth, communications director for the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District. Warmuth says the district is prepared to continue negotiations throughout the weekend to come to a resolution. We are just committed to getting students back in the classroom," said Warmuth. The school district will continue providing services for students despite the strike. Free breakfast and lunch will be available for students who depend on healthy meals during the school week: Daffodil Valley Elementary: Breakfast, 8:15-8:45 a.m. Lunch, 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Liberty Ridge Elementary: Breakfast, 8-8:30 a.m. Lunch, 10:40 a.m.-12:10 p.m. For more information on how the strike impacts other school activities, click here Washington Education Association officials say this is only the second time in the states history paraeducators have gone on strike.
Puyallup high school teacher arrested, accused of threatening to shoot students
A geometry teacher at Emerald Ridge High School has been arrested after allegedly threatening to shoot students. Pierce County Sheriff's Office Detective Ed Troyer says the 58-year-old teacher made the threats while talking to another person on Tuesday night. That person contacted the school district, and the district contacted the sheriff's office. "This morning we went out to talk to her, and she wouldn't back off from her statements," Troyer said.
A geometry teacher at Emerald Ridge High School has been arrested after allegedly threatening to shoot students. Pierce County Sheriff's Office Detective Ed Troyer says the 58-year-old teacher made the threats while talking to another person on Tuesday night. That person contacted the school district, and the district contacted the sheriff's office. "This morning we went out to talk to her, and she wouldn't back off from her statements," Troyer said.
Parents scramble after paraeducator strike closes school
Parents of the nearly 10,000 students in the Sumner-Bonney Lake School district had to find alternative care for their children Friday, after the district canceled classes due to a paraeducator strike.
Parents of the nearly 10,000 students in the Sumner-Bonney Lake School district had to find alternative care for their children Friday, after the district canceled classes due to a paraeducator strike.
Everett City Council weighs ban on supportive housing for homeless students in some areas
The Everett City Council is considering a ban on low-income housing to help students experiencing homelessness in single-family residential areas.
The Everett City Council is considering a ban on low-income housing to help students experiencing homelessness in single-family residential areas.
Developing a plan for goint back to school this fall
Developing a plan for goint back to school this fall
Developing a plan for goint back to school this fall
Puyallup, WA students and staff document quarantine moments to be used in yearbook
Puyallup, WA students and staff document quarantine moments to be used in yearbook
Puyallup, WA students and staff document quarantine moments to be used in yearbook
Seattle-based nonprofit makes sure kids with special needs don't suffer during pandemic
Seattle-based nonprofit makes sure kids with special needs don't suffer during pandemic
Seattle-based nonprofit makes sure kids with special needs don't suffer during pandemic
Seattle Public Schools to announce reopening plans for fall
Seattle Public Schools to announce reopening plans for fall
Seattle Public Schools to announce reopening plans for fall
Voters to have final say on sex ed bill
Voters to have final say on sex ed bill
Voters to have final say on sex ed bill
Parents react to Washington`s back-to-school plan for the fall
Parents react to Washington`s back-to-school plan for the fall
Parents react to Washington`s back-to-school plan for the fall
Washington voters to weigh-in on controversial sex ed bill in November
A controversial bill regarding sex education has now reached a tipping point.
A controversial bill regarding sex education has now reached a tipping point.
In-person or online? Seattle Public Schools reveals scenarios for reopening this fall
Seattle Public Schools says if King County is in Phase 4 by September, then schools will resume as normal and everyone will be welcomed back. District officials said although they are hopeful to be in Phase 4 by fall -- that is "unlikely."
Seattle Public Schools says if King County is in Phase 4 by September, then schools will resume as normal and everyone will be welcomed back. District officials said although they are hopeful to be in Phase 4 by fall -- that is "unlikely."
Seattle Public Schools expected to announce plan for reopening school in the fall on Friday
SEATTLE - Seattle Public Schools is expected to be the first in Western Washington to announce how they envision schools to look in the fall. The announcement is expected to come out Friday evening.
SEATTLE - Seattle Public Schools is expected to be the first in Western Washington to announce how they envision schools to look in the fall. The announcement is expected to come out Friday evening.
University of Washington removes SAT, ACT from admission requirements
SEATTLE – The University of Washington is no longer requiring SAT or ACT scores for incoming students.
SEATTLE – The University of Washington is no longer requiring SAT or ACT scores for incoming students.
Teachers weigh in about reopening schools in the fall
MARYSVILLE, Wash. - Shawn Newkirk, a middle school history teacher, is spending a lot more time these days thinking about the present than the past.
MARYSVILLE, Wash. - Shawn Newkirk, a middle school history teacher, is spending a lot more time these days thinking about the present than the past.
Uncertain future for childcare services as counties move toward COVID-19 recovery
Nearly 1,200 childcare programs across Washington are temporarily closed due to the impacts of COVID-19. As the health crisis continues, the threat of more facilities closing could make it harder for parents to find a place for their kids.
Nearly 1,200 childcare programs across Washington are temporarily closed due to the impacts of COVID-19. As the health crisis continues, the threat of more facilities closing could make it harder for parents to find a place for their kids.
UW holds first online graduation commencement ceremony in 159-year history
SEATTLE -- On Saturday, 18,000 graduates from across all three UW campuses -- Seattle, Bothell and Tacoma --celebrated from their homes in a live commencement provided on the university's YouTube page and website.
SEATTLE -- On Saturday, 18,000 graduates from across all three UW campuses -- Seattle, Bothell and Tacoma --celebrated from their homes in a live commencement provided on the university's YouTube page and website.
Many parents don't know how to feel after the state's green light to bring kids back into classrooms this fall
Parents have mixed feelings just a day after Washington state announced that districts would be expected to welcome students back into classrooms this fall.
Parents have mixed feelings just a day after Washington state announced that districts would be expected to welcome students back into classrooms this fall.
School community reacts to new health guidelines for school next year
PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. -- The school community is reacting to the Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal’s announcement on reopening schools this fall.“First of all, to hear him say we’re opening school was kind of -- I had mixed emotions.
PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. -- The school community is reacting to the Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal’s announcement on reopening schools this fall.“First of all, to hear him say we’re opening school was kind of -- I had mixed emotions.
University of Washington removes standardized test requirements permanently
The University of Washington announced Thursday that it was permanently removing the standardized test scores requirement for incoming students starting in the fall of 2021.
The University of Washington announced Thursday that it was permanently removing the standardized test scores requirement for incoming students starting in the fall of 2021.