Alki Elementary School Planning

Communication and Engagement: November 2021–present

Capital Projects and Planning, the architectural firm, and eventually, the construction team use multiple opportunities to share information and collect feedback on school construction projects. Below is a summary of the engagement done during the two-year planning process for the Alki Elementary replacement and gym modernization project. Communication will continue throughout the remainder of the project.

School Design Advisory Team (SDAT)

November 2021

SDAT invitation distrubuted

• 100+ flyers hand delivered to neighbors’ homes/mailboxes on SW Admiral Way above school, on 59th Ave SW, on SW Lander St., on 58th Ave SW, and
• E-mail to Alki Elementary School community and PTA members
• Sandwich board signs set-up outside around school building
• Flyers distributed to Alki Community Center
  • Met/coordinated distribution with Seattle Parks and ARC childcare program

December 2021–October 2022: SDAT meetings and workshops

SDATs advise on school design. During the SDAT process, the architectural firm hired by SPS lead 7 workshop meetings and 2 days of school tours. During this process, the group identifies the vision, philosophy, and goals of the school and community. Full Alki Elementary School SDAT information and meeting summaries.

Community Outreach and Engagement

Mid-January–Early February 2022

Notifications for five upcoming virtual Listen & Learning Sessions distributed

• 100+ flyers hand delivered to neighbors’ homes/mailboxes on SW Admiral Way above school, on 59th Ave SW, on SW Lander St., on 58th Ave SW, and
• E-mail to Alki Elementary School community and PTA members
• Sandwich board signs set-up outside around school building
• Flyers distributed to Alki Community Center
  • Met/coordinated distribution with Seattle Parks and ARC childcare program
• Flyers hand-delivered to local businesses along Alki Avenue
• Website created for an online survey participation

February 2022

• Feb. 2: Alki ES Site Walk with SDAT member and Community Neighbor (In-Person)
• Feb. 8: Community Listening & Learning Session #1 (Zoom meeting)
• Feb. 10: Community Listening & Learning Session #2 (Zoom meeting)
• Feb. 12: Community Listening & Learning Session #3 (Zoom meeting) 
• Feb. 15: Community Listening & Learning Session #4 (Zoom meeting)
• Feb. 17: Community Listening & Learning Session #5 (Zoom meeting)

March 2022

• Mid-month: Banner posted on fence at school announcing project is in planning and providing website

May 2022

• Mid-month: Postcard notification about upcoming community meeting mailed to neighbors within 6-block radius

June 2022

• Early June: Second postcard about Community Meeting mailed to 6-block radius
• June 14: Alki ES Community Meeting (Teams meeting)

July 2022

• July 15: Alki ES Site Walk & Steep Slope Review with Community Neighbor (In-person)
• July 28:  Alki ES Site Walk & Steep Slope Review with Community Neighbor (In-person)

October 2022

• Mid-month: Community Information full-color folded mailer sent to all Alki Elementary School families and neighbors in a 6-block radius
• Oct. 10: Community Deep Dive Sessions (Zoom Meeting)

December 2022

• Mid-month: Postcard mailed to 6-block radius about upcoming Community Meeting on January 31, 2023

January 2023

• Mid-month: Community meeting scheduled for Jan. 31, postponed due to SEPA appeal
• Postcard mailed to 6-block radius indicating January Community Meeting postponed

April 2023

• Mid-month: Community Information full-color folded mailer sent to all Alki Elementary School families and neighbors in a 6-block radius

May 2023

• May 22: Community update meeting, in person and online via Microsoft Teams

School Engagement

February 2022

• Feb. 15: Student Listening & Learning Sessions (Zoom Meeting)
• Feb. 16: Student Listening & Learning Sessions (Zoom Meeting)
• Feb. 16: Staff Listening & Learning Session (Zoom Meeting)
• Feb. 17: Student Listening & Learning Sessions (Zoom Meeting)

October 2022

• Oct. 12: Student Deep Dive Sessions (In-person Meeting)

Landmarks Public Process

April 2022

• April 6–April 19: Alki Elementary School Landmark nomination public comment period 
• April 20: Alki Elementary School Landmark nomination hearing (Zoom Meeting) 

SEPA Public Process

June 2022–August 2022

• End of June: Postcard notice for SEPA Draft Checklist public comment period mailed to addresses within a 2-block radius
• End of June: Signs for SEPA Draft Checklist public comment period posted around Alki Elementary School
• July 12–Aug. 10:  SEPA Draft Checklist public comment period
  • Alki SEPA Draft checklist posted on SPS website

February 2023

• Feb. 9–Feb 10: Alki Elementary School SEPA MDNS Appeal Hearing (in-person at JSCEE)

Departures Public Process

September–November 2022

• September:  City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods mailed postcard notifications for Departures process
  • Departures process managed by Department of Neighborhoods
  • Department of Neighborhoods post Departures presentation on their city website
  • Signs for Departures public commenting period posted around Alki Elementary School
• Sept. 12–Oct. 14: Alki Elementary School Departures public commenting period
• Oct. 14–Nov. 4: Department of Neighborhoods extends Departures public commenting period for Alki Elementary School
  • Department of Neighborhoods had an error with their postcards and website, so they extended the public comment period