June is exceptionally busy for the Tukwila School District because of the many events and activities that showcase the outstanding work of our students, faculty, and staff. The biggest event for the month is our high school graduation that was held this year at accesso ShoWare Center in Kent on Father’s Day Sunday. While the district announced the move of the graduation ceremony to this new location in late fall 2016 for the preparation of new additions to Foster High and Showalter Middle Schools, we want to share more details about this necessity. There are lots of moving parts that must work together. As a result, graduation ceremonies must be held at another location in 2018, 2019 and 2020. In 2021, the district will have the flexibility to determine graduation location.
In the coming months, a slight renovation to the old Technology Building at the edge of Foster High School’s parking lot on 42nd Street will accommodate the relocation of students from the main building to make way for the new STEAM addition. Because of this need, the new Tukwila Education Service Center and the Transportation Building were finished early in the process to move staff out of this building.
The district is in the Construction Permit Process with the City of Tukwila to begin work on Foster. During June, the district will submit D-7 paperwork to comply with the Office of the Superintendent of Instruction School Construction Process and by June 30, 2018. The architecture firm for the renovation of Foster High School is BLRB Architects and the educational specifications, which were finished last year, and the schematic design phase has been completed. BLRB has consulted with the district’s planning team to develop a written description of the project, including how the design responds to educational specifications, zoning and building codes, conceptual site plans, sketches/models to explain the concept, project schedule, and preliminary construction cost estimates.
The architectural firm for the renovation of Showalter Middle School is Rolluda Architects. Rolluda also was the firm that was awarded the bid for Cascade View Elementary, the Tukwila Education Service Center, and the Transportation Building. This firm will also facilitate the Early Learning Project at each of the elementary schools. While ground breaking for the Foster High School renovations will be first, Showalter Middle School renovations will not be far behind. Our 144th Street Campus will be busy for the next couple of years and we encourage citizens to stop by the school district’s board meeting on the fourth Tuesday of each month to get an update on the bond projects.
For 2018, summer school activities for students will continue without disruption. We will keep you posted on summer school activities for 2019 and 2020. Please have a safe and wonderful Father’s Day and summer vacation.
As always, please feel free to contact me with questions about the school district. I may be reached at 206-901-8037 or by email at berryj@tukwila.wednet.edu.
