Rainy Day Recess

Rainy Day Rundown is your weekly update on the latest happenings related to Seattle Public Schools.  In this episode: School Board Meeting: President Gina Topp's first full meeting featured strong facilitation and substantive debate. Goals and Guardrails: Board discussed reading targets, math goals, and graduation requirements, with student directors providing key insights. Decision postponed...

It’s week 3 of the 2025 legislative session in Washington State. Megan Larkin is helping us follow the education bills related to the Big 3 priorities embraced by the major education advocacy organizations across Washington ( WASSDA , WASA , and WSPTA ).  --> SIGN IN on special education bills in Appropriations. See our Show Notes Each person’s opinions are their own. Contact us with comments,...

Rainy Day Rundown is your weekly update on the latest happenings in education and the community.  In this episode: School Board Retreat: A new team-building exercise reveals governance styles, with an emphasis on detail-oriented approaches and a notable absence of "caring" styles on the board. Goals and Guardrails Meetings: Short notice and low attendance at Goals and Guardrails meetings...

This is also a Video !  Jump straight to the demonstration . In this episode of Rainy Day Recess , we guide listeners through the process of signing in "pro" to support key education funding bills in Washington State. With a step-by-step demonstration, we make it easy for anyone to take action and help secure funding for public schools. Listen to Advocacy 101 for background. -----------&...

Join Rainy Day Recess as we kick off a new series exploring the Washington State Legislature and its impact on Seattle Public Schools. We’re joined on this journey by Megan Larkin—advocate, SPS parent, and legislative expert—to break down how laws are made and how you can take action to shape them. With critical education funding gaps and a new legislative session underway, we’ll give parents, edu...

Rainy Day Rundown is your weekly update on the latest happenings in education and the community.  In this episode: School Board Update : New leadership elected with Gina Topp as president Progress Monitoring Report : Math scores improved while reading declined Listener Feedback : Teacher shares challenges with Advanced Learning implementation South End Education Town Hall : Students organize forum...

With school districts across Washington facing severe budget shortfalls, we explore solutions through the People's Big 5 initiative. Education activist Oliver Miska, joined by UW researchers Dr. David S. Knight and Kendall Fujioka, break down why Washington's school funding system remains broken and how combining funding reform with progressive revenue could fix it. Learn why changing bo...

In this episode of Rainy Day Recess , we talk with Jie Lei, a Seattle Public Schools parent and former student, about the past, present, and uncertain future of the district’s Highly Capable and Advanced Learning programs. Jie shares powerful personal stories, from being misidentified as needing special education after immigrating to the U.S., to ultimately thriving in advanced learning programs t...

Rainy Day Rundown is your weekly update on the latest happenings in education and the community. From important meetings and policy decisions to ongoing conversations and local initiatives, we keep you in the loop and ready to engage.  In this episode: Listener Feedback Special School Board Meeting, Dec 11, 2024 - board sets goals and guardrails House Education Meeting, Dec 10, 2024 - science of r...

In this episode of Rainy Day Recess , we explore the Seattle Public Schools budget crisis with guest Alex Wakeman Rouse, co-chair of All Together for Seattle Schools. We dive into All Together for Seattle Schools' advocacy work, especially advocating for the Washington State legislature to fulfill its Paramount Duty to fully fund Washington Schools.  We also discuss some of the complexities o...

Rainy Day Rundown is your weekly update on the latest happenings in education and the community. From important meetings and policy decisions to ongoing conversations and local initiatives, we keep you in the loop and ready to engage.  In this episode: Special School Board Special Meeting (November 26, 2024) Hearing for the Petition to Recall Board President Liza Rankin (December 2, 2024) School B...

In this inaugural episode of Rainy Day Recess , Christie Robertson and Jasmine Pulido delve into the high-stakes Seattle School Board meeting of November 19. The meeting saw a cascade of emotions, pivotal decisions, and a dramatic shift in the district's school closure plans. With uncertainty lingering, the stakes remain high for students, families, and district leadership. See our Show Notes...

In this introductory trailer for Rainy Day Recess , hosts Christie Robertson and Jasmine Pulido introduce their new podcast, which focuses on making Seattle Public Schools' decisions and policies accessible and understandable to the community. As former hosts of Seattle Hall Pass , they reflect on their journey and bid farewell to their co-host Jane Tunks Demel. They outline their mission to...