QUESTION: Why do we need all-weather fields in every region of our city?
With increased interest and participation in after-school sports and activities at all of our five neighborhood high schools, our existing grass fields are wearing down faster than we can maintain them.
A partnership with Spokane Parks and Recreation to create a citywide system of all-weather surface fields will represent the lowest possible cost to provide a high-quality play experience because we can program more activities on one all-weather surface field than on two to three grass fields.
Learn more at http://togetherspokane.org/.
QUESTION: What’s happening at Madison Elementary School?
ANSWER: The Together Spokane proposal for Madison Elementary School, the oldest northside school in the district, includes replacing the 75-year-old building with a new two-story structure on the same footprint. This new building would accommodate special education programs that are currently housed in five portable buildings outside the main school.
The school’s location, adjacent to Franklin Park at North Division Street and West Queen Avenue, has created an opportunity for Spokane Public Schools and Spokane Parks and Recreation to explore sharing land and resources. This collaboration would co-locate the new Madison building with an enclosed, publicly accessible, multi-use recreational facility.
The proposed “Field House” could include multiple indoor courts, one of which could be fully partitioned for use as Madison’s primary gym and cafeteria space. The Field House would also have a separate entrance, allowing the public to use the facility for basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and other community activities both during and after school hours.
Co-locating public spaces helps save resources and taxpayer dollars. A similar framework has been implemented before, such as when the Spokane Public Library built its Hillyard branch at Shaw Middle School.
As SPS and Parks developed this proposal and other Together Spokane projects, numerous community organizations expressed interest in investing capital and entering agreements for priority program use. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County, Pacific Northwest Qualifier and Spokane Hoopfest have signed letters of intent to collaborate with SPS and Parks for Together Spokane. Their participation will enhance spaces for education, recreation, and community wellness, benefiting Spokane residents of all ages.
Learn more about this project at https://www.togetherspokane.org/Madison-School-Rec and share your feedback at https://www.togetherspokane.org/feedback.
TOGETHER SPOKANE: A proposal to improve schools, parks and neighborhoods.
Spokane Public Schools and Spokane Parks and Recreation are proposing a historic initiative to re-build schools, renovate and add parks and create programming for kids and adults. Every neighborhood, every park and every school has a proposed project.
LEARN MORE: https://www.togetherspokane.org/
Reminder: There is no school on Friday, Jan. 31, for semester break. We will see you again on Monday, Feb. 3, following our Late-Start Monday schedule.
WEBINAR REMINDER: SPS will host a webinar on Jan. 14 at 4 p.m. to talk about new student registration and choice requests for the 2025-26 school year. The webinar will be recorded if you are unable to attend. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qERmsCjWQAu-q3E9h33QuQ#/registration
SPS will host a webinar on Jan. 14 at 4 p.m. to talk about new student registration and choice requests for the 2025-26 school year. The webinar will be recorded if you are unable to attend. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qERmsCjWQAu-q3E9h33QuQ#/registration
Happy New Year! Registration for the 2025-26 school year is now open! Do you need to register a new student? Do you need to apply for "choice" or an option school? Begin the process here: https://www.spokaneschools.org/page/school-registration-2025-26
The HEART Gift Card Drive continues through Dec. 10! Hear from a couple students who have experienced homelessness and how much the gift cards meant to them: https://www.spokaneschools.org/article/1904694
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE: Applications are now open for the 2025 Bank of America Student Leaders Program for current high school juniors and seniors.
This program includes an eight-week paid internship at a local nonprofit organization to learn first-hand about the needs of your community and the critical role nonprofits play, and an all expenses paid visit to Washington, D.C. for the Student Leaders Summit (July 21-26)
Bank of America will host two information sessions for students and families to learn more about this program on Nov. 19 and Jan. 7. Go to http://www.bankofamerica.com/studentleaders to register for these sessions, as well as explore eligibility criteria and submit your application. Applications are due Jan. 15, 2025.
CALL TO APPLY: The Washington Department of Health (DOH) is seeking applicants ages 16-25 to join an Environmental Justice Youth Advisory Committee that will provide guidance on how DOH should work with communities to disseminate grant dollars to community-based organizations that are working on mitigating environmental justice. Applications are due by Dec. 6, 2024 at http://bit.ly/DOHejyc.
Listen to the latest episode of “SPS Extra” and learn more about Engage IRL at http://www.spokaneschools.org/listen, or follow and subscribe to “SPS Podcasts” wherever you listen to podcasts.
