Lost and Found at elementary schools

We have 108+ coats, sweatshirts, hats, scarves, and more that will be DONATED
 on the last day of school if you don’t claim them!

What happened to your kid's coat?

This notice is from Highland Terrace Elementary - but it's true of every elementary in the Shoreline School District - and probably every elementary school everywhere.

Somehow, even in the coldest days of winter (which we don't seem to have anymore) kids leave their coats behind. And they never miss them or think to check at the school office.

At the end of the year, the school has so many coats it could set up its own retail store.

Schools make regular announcements but parents rarely respond. By the end of the year, the child has grown and the coat probably doesn't fit anymore anyway.

The school donates the coats at the end of the school year.

However, you may have a younger child who could use the coat or sweatshirt or gloves or hat.

Send your student to pick up their items ASAP

--Diane Hettrick

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State’s school funding IT system outdated and at risk of failure, audit finds

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)

The IT system used to distribute funding to Washington’s 300 schools and districts, serving 1 million students, is both critical to public education and extremely complex.

The Office of the Washington State Auditor has completed the first comprehensive review of this 17-year-old IT system, operated by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Our Office found it is outdated and at risk of failure. OSPI lacks documented controls and relies on a single vendor and a few long-term employees to ensure the system is complete, accurate, secure and reliable.

“Operating such a complex system is inherently challenging, but until a replacement is complete, the serious risks we’ve identified demand added vigilance,” said State Auditor Pat McCarthy. “I encourage OSPI to treat our recommendations with the highest sense of urgency as it moves forward with plans to upgrade the state’s essential school funding system.”

OSPI is responsible for allocating state and federal funds to school districts based on data all schools are required to report, such as enrollment. A suite of OSPI software applications comprising the apportionment system calculates the amount of funding due to each school district, educational service district, charter school and tribal school.

When passing the two-year state budget, the Legislature adjusts educational funding formulas, but it can also change the funding model every year in any number of ways. In the 2023-2025 biennium, it allocated $30 billion for public education.

While the State Auditor’s Office routinely audits individual school districts, this new report details the first audit of the apportionment system’s processes and programming. Among the audit’s findings:

The core of the system is 17 years old and relies on eight feeder systems, all of which are supported on the same infrastructure

Performing apportionment calculations required 128 input values and 119 different layers of calculation detail

Because funding formulas frequently change and modifying old software code to accommodate changes is difficult, staff have devised manual workarounds that are both inefficient and increase the risk of errors

OSPI lacks many of the robust controls expected for such a large, multifaceted IT system, including some that would prevent accidental or intentional modification of data

Without fully documented procedures, OSPI relies on a handful of people to manage different portions of the apportionment calculation, who in turn rely almost entirely on their personal experience and memory to perform the work

The audit found OSPI managers were aware of the system’s difficulties, and the agency received funding in the current budget to work on improvements. However, a firm engaged by OSPI to review the system in 2024 described weaknesses and vulnerabilities in the entire apportionment suite, concluding it was at a high risk for “catastrophic failure.”

The full audit report, including detailed explanations of the system as well as recommendations, can be found on the State Auditor’s Office website: Examining the Accuracy of School Funding Systems at OSPI performance audit.

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Shoreline student inducted into AAA Washington School Safety Patrol (SSP) Hall of Fame

AAA Washington has named 10 students from Spokane to Shoreline to its AAA School Safety Patrol (SSP) Hall of Fame, recognizing their leadership and commitment to keeping their communities safe. 

Olive Woody at work by Echo Lake Elementary

These students have gone above and beyond to take care of their fellow classmates, ensuring they get to and from school without harm. 

Through its SSP Program, AAA Washington has supported thousands of students grades four through eight as volunteer crossing guards and emerging young leaders. 

The program was established in 1922 at John Muir Elementary in Seattle and has been running for over 100 years.

Now it has grown to include more than 700 partner schools and 22,000 student patrollers across the state. 

SSP program honorees were nominated by advisors of each school’s program across the state. Each year, 10 students are selected. There are 270 students in the Washington Hall of Fame since 1999.

Of the ten students, one is from Bothell and one is from Shoreline

Emil Ghandiyan, fifth grade, Tambark Creek Elementary, Bothell

"His leadership, dedication, and willingness to help others make him a role model for other patrollers and students, and he has made a positive impact on our school safety program,” said SSP advisor Suganthi Kanagaraj. Emil says being a School Safety Patroller has taught him that leadership isn’t about telling people what to do; it’s about setting a good example for others. He says the program has helped him become a fearless leader.

Olive Woody, Echo Lake Elementary, has been
inducted into the AAA WA School Safety Patrol 
Hall of Fame.

Olive Woody, fifth grade, Echo Lake Elementary, Shoreline

As the third sibling in her family to serve as a school safety patroller, Olive is carrying on the family legacy with leadership and initiative. After noticing increased foot traffic over several weeks at an unpatrolled crossing near her school, she suggested adding a new patrol post – an idea that quickly turned into action. 

Her nominator, SSP advisor Allan Rand, said, “We took her feedback to heart and immediately turned this new location into a patrolled post. A perfect example of traffic safety awareness and overall leadership.”

More information on AAA Washington’s School Safety Patrol Program here

For 120 years, AAA Washington has championed safer mobility, preserving the area’s natural beauty, and showcasing Washington as an unrivaled travel destination. It has long supported communities across the Pacific Northwest, including through its School Safety Patrol program and Road Ready events.

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Jesse Salomon: How We've Worked to Support our Schools

As a parent of a child in public school, and as a legislator, I am deeply concerned to see our schools without adequate resources. 

In Olympia, it is our duty to support every one of the 1.1 million K-12 students in Washington state and the educators who prepare them for a happy and successful life. 

Despite our budget shortfall, we worked to avoid cuts to education funding that would affect students in the classroom. In fact, we made $1.4 billion available in last year’s budget for special education services and to help districts pay for materials, supplies, and operating costs (or, MSOC). 

This session, we also passed a sales tax exemption on services such as temporary staffing in special education classrooms along with several other bills to help improve outcomes for our schools, students, educators and families. 

Early learning

• SB 5872 allows the state to engage in a public/private match program to expand access to the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) dramatically throughout the state. The Ballmer Group has already committed to providing funding for up to 10,000 new school day slots per year for the next 10 years.
• HB 2317 helps streamline child care licensing requirements in a way that maintains quality and is more equitable for all types of providers.
• HB 2219 helps remove burdens to expanding care by providing additional flexibility to child care providers without compromising child safety.

Supporting student learning

• SB 5346 moves Washington toward phone-free schools by helping districts make informed decisions as they develop policies that meet their schools’ needs. The bill requires the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to make research available to districts on the effects of cellphone use on students and best practice strategies for teaching students how to use cellphones and requires OSPI to report to the Legislature a summary of district cellphone policies in Washington, implementation barriers that districts have faced, and recommendations.
• HB 1295 aims to improve literacy outcomes for students by requiring school districts, starting in 2027, to ensure any new literacy curricula they adopt for kindergarten through fourth grade meet certain minimum criteria and are implemented consistently with the developer’s guidance.
• SB 6278 ensures Washington’s educator preparation programs are meeting the needs of today’s classrooms by requiring the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) to incorporate additional criteria, including input from teachers and administrators, into its ongoing review of approved programs.
• SB 6268 increases parents’ access to special education community complaint decisions, giving them more equitable and consistent information as they support their students with disabilities.
• HB 2557 ensures parents of students with disabilities can participate in a more meaningful, collaborative, and informed way in establishing their child’s educational needs.
• HB 2594 ensures unhoused students have full access to educational opportunities by ensuring predictability for students. 

Giving districts financial flexibility

• SB 5922 gives school districts additional budgeting flexibility as they determine the best use of their resources, especially when enrollment declines.
• SB 6065 gives school districts in financial distress an additional tool as they build back to financial solvency. Last session, we passed SB 5412, authorizing interfund loans from districts’ capital projects fund under certain conditions. This year’s bill simply allows school districts to take a similar temporary interfund loan from their transportation vehicle fund under the same conditions.

Improving student health and safety

• SB 5272 increases safety at official extracurricular school events by making it a misdemeanor to interfere with or intimidate officials like referees or other volunteers who are working at them.
• HB 1795 gives educators a better understanding of their options for maintaining healthy, safe learning environments while also protecting students from unsafe, harmful isolation and restraint practices.

We should be proud of the progress we’ve made, but our work is not over. I know that many of our school districts still need help. I am committed to working alongside our communities to direct much-needed state resources towards our district and our state’s public education system. 

Stay in Touch

Due to election-year restrictions, this will be my final e-newsletter, and my website will not be updated until results are certified. However, my office remains open and ready to assist you. 

Please feel free to send me an email at Jesse.Salomon@leg.wa.gov or call 360-786-7662.

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Shoreline council approves Meridian Park Speed Cameras

By Oliver J Moffat

In a 6-1 vote at the Monday, March 30 meeting, the Shoreline City Council authorized the city's first automated school zone speed cameras at Meridian Park Elementary.

Last year, a city report found 1,031 speeders on average school days while children were coming and going to Meridian Park and the 20 mph speed zone lights were flashing. Alarmingly, 59% of those drivers sped by Meridian Park at over 30 mph while children were arriving and leaving school.

But, while neighboring cities of Edmonds, Lynnwood, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Bothell, and Seattle all have implemented school zone cameras, Shoreline had not.

City staff recommended a $130 base fine for speeders caught going above 24 mph with a $260 fine for speeders above 33 mph.

 
But the council voted 4-3 to lower fines to $50 for speeders going between 24 and 30 mph in the 20-mph school zone.

City staff estimated that each ticket would cost roughly $119 per infraction after accounting for operating costs, including vendor fees and court processing.

Staff warned the lower fines could result in a budget deficit, potentially requiring the city to subsidize the program with General Fund dollars.

Under state law, any revenue exceeding operating costs must be spent on traffic safety projects.

Under state law, fines must be cut by 50% for low-income speeders receiving public assistance.

Councilmember Keith Scully was the sole dissenting vote on the ordinance, and said the fines would disproportionately impact low-income drivers. 

Instead, he called on the city police department to step up traffic patrols at the school (his complete comments are available online).

The cameras are expected to be installed by the end of 2026, with tickets beginning in early 2027.

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Business Spotlight: King's Schools

Local Spotlight brought to you by Kate Ledbetter, DestinationShoreline.com

 
King’s Schools: 78 Years of Faith, Learning & Community
 
For nearly eight decades, King’s Schools has been part of the educational fabric of the Shoreline community. Serving students from early learning through 12th grade, King’s provides a Christ-centered academic environment where students are encouraged to grow intellectually, socially, and spiritually. With a commitment to strong family partnership and personalized learning experiences, King’s Schools continues to help students develop into thoughtful leaders prepared to make a meaningful impact in the world.
 
Q & A with King’s Schools
 
Q: How long have you been a school?
A: 78 years.
 
Q: What inspired you to start?
A: King’s Schools exists to deliver an exceptional Christian education instructed by called, caring individuals who believe and have professed their personal faith in Jesus Christ. The King’s Schools’ educational experience distinguishes the Bible as the supreme authority in life and equips students to become leaders who live out their faith as a practical demonstration of God’s love.
 
Q: What service does your school provide for our community?
A: King’s Schools serves local families by providing a Christ-centered educational community for students from early learning through 12th grade. We support students academically, socially, and spiritually while partnering closely with families throughout each stage of their child’s development. We also offer prospective family tours so families can explore the campus, ask questions, and learn more about the admissions process.
 
Q: What do you love the most about Shoreline?
A: We love Shoreline’s strong sense of community. It’s a place where families, schools, local businesses, and community organizations all contribute to a welcoming environment. We also appreciate how connected Shoreline is to the surrounding areas while still maintaining a neighborhood feel that supports relationship-building.
 
Q: What’s one thing you wish people knew about you but never ask?
A: One thing we wish more families knew is that King’s Schools can be more accessible than many families initially think. We offer generous financial aid, and our admissions team is happy to discuss options and next steps with prospective families. A campus tour is also a great way to see the school environment firsthand and ask questions.
 
Q: How do you approach customer service, and what sets you apart?
A: We focus on making the admissions experience clear, welcoming, and supportive for each family. Our team works closely with prospective families to answer questions, explain the programs available, and help them explore whether King’s Schools is the right fit. Visiting campus through a tour allows families to see the community in action and gain a deeper understanding of what the King’s experience looks like.
 
Q: How does your school support or give back to the local community?
A: As a school community, we support families by investing in students’ growth and development over the long term. We also value opportunities to build relationships with local families and be part of the broader Shoreline-area community. Through education, community engagement, and strong family partnership, we aim to contribute in a meaningful and lasting way.
 
Q: What future plans or goals do you have?
A: We want to continue serving families well and helping prospective families learn more about King’s Schools through clear admissions guidance and campus tour opportunities. A key goal is to make it easier for families to explore the school, ask questions, and understand the next steps for enrollment. We are always looking for ways to strengthen the experience for both current and prospective families.
 
Q: What’s your next upcoming event?
A: We offer prospective family tours on an ongoing basis by appointment for families interested in learning more about King’s Schools (K–12 and Early Learning Center). Tours are a great opportunity to explore the campus, ask admissions questions, and learn about the next steps for enrollment.
 
Book a tour or learn more:
https://kingsschools.org/admissions/visit/
Admissions Contact:
admissions@kingsschools.org
(206) 558-9804
 
Connect with King’s Schools
 19303 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133
 (206) 558-9804
 https://kingsschools.org
 Instagram: @kingsschools
 
Destination Shoreline is brought to you by Kate Ledbetter, Real Estate Broker with Windermere Real Estate/Shoreline, Salvation - Artists and Makers Collective - a Boutique and Gallery, Front Door Creative, Success Minded Leader, Bri Crow Creative, Phases Clinic, Become a Destination Shoreline Partner, learn more here

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Shoreline Council to vote on Meridian Park School Zone cameras

Students cross N 175th mid-block with the aid of a crossing guard
The school is in the background. Photo by Oliver Moffat.

By Oliver J Moffat

The Shoreline city council will vote on automated cameras to catch school zone speeders at Meridian Park Elementary on 175th Street at their meeting on Monday, March 30, 2026.

Students walking or biking to Meridian Park Elementary must cross a four-lane road with heavy traffic and use the narrow strips along the shoulders of 175th where there are no sidewalks.

 
The 175th Street corridor is Shoreline’s most dangerous city-owned road, and Meridian Park has more vehicle traffic than any other school.

 
Parents and crossing guards have repeatedly lobbied the city to take action with petitions and accounts of terrifying "close calls" in the school zone.

Every school day, drivers from Shoreline’s westside neighborhoods (like Richmond Beach and Innis Arden) use 175th to access the nearby freeway onramp to I-5.

Flashing lights and signs warn drivers as they speed by Meridian Park school which is on the right about a block down this street.
Photo by Oliver Moffat

Last year, a city report found 1,031 speeders on average school days while children were coming and going to Meridian Park and the 20 mph speed zone lights were flashing. Alarmingly, 59% of those drivers sped by Meridian Park at over 30 mph while children were arriving and leaving school.

 
But, while neighboring cities of Edmonds, Lynnwood, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Bothell, and Seattle all have implemented school zone cameras, Shoreline has not.

 
At the Monday, March 30, 2026 meeting, the Shoreline City Council will vote on a proposed ordinance to authorize automated traffic safety cameras in school zones and specifically for the Meridian Park Elementary school zone at Meridian Avenue N and N 175th Street.

 
The proposed fines would start at $130 for speeding between 4mph and 13mph over the 20mph school zone limit. The fine could be $260 for lead-foots speeding faster than 33 mph in the 20 mph school zones.

As required by state law, fines are reduced by 50% for poor people receiving public assistance.

Multiple studies show school zone cameras make roads safer.

After Lake Forest Park activated school zone cameras at Brookside Elementary, average speeds dropped from over 30mph to 24.3mph. And Seattle reported a 71% reduction in crashes in areas where school speed zone cameras are active.

However, the plan has sparked intense debate over equity and privacy.

 
Councilmember Keith Scully has criticized the proposed $130 to $260 fines as regressive, arguing they disproportionately penalize low-income families.

 
Under state law, any excess revenue must be used for traffic safety improvements in low-income neighborhoods and roads with higher-than-average injury crashes.

Some opponents also worry that automated enforcement could pave the way for broader surveillance.

Unlike Flock Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) surveillance cameras, school zone cameras are event-triggered and only take pictures when the radar detects a speeder. The cameras can only record license plates and the outside of the vehicles; they cannot record the faces of drivers or passengers.

The photos cannot be released to the public and cannot be used in court against people for proceedings unrelated to the traffic violation. The camera data can only be used for processing the specific school zone infractions and can’t be shared with Federal or outside law enforcement agencies.

 
Some critics say redesigning the road would be more effective than automated enforcement.

The city’s 175th Street Corridor Improvements Project would widen the road to add vehicle capacity and shared-use paths for pedestrians and bikes.

 
In 2024, when Council members Keith Scully and Annette Ademasu called on city engineers to shrink multi use path widths near Meridian Park to reduce tree impacts, staff warned that eliminating space for bikes could conflict with Shoreline’s "Complete Streets" ordinance and make the project less competitive for future grants.

The city will need those grants if the project is ever to be completed; most recent estimates show the costs escalating over $90 million with no scheduled completion date in sight.

If the council approves, a 30-day warning period could start as soon as December 2026, with actual tickets starting in January of 2027.

Information about attending the city council meeting and providing public comments is available on the city’s website.

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All school levies pass in King County - one bond fails

Echo Lake Elementary, Shoreline School District

13 King County school districts had levies on the February 10, 2026 ballot. 

They all passed.

Three districts had an approval rate over 70%

• Mercer Island 74% - 4 elementary schools; 1 middle; 1 high school

• Vashon Island 77% -  3 schools 1 elementary 1 middle 1 high school

• Shoreline 73% for the regular levy and 77% for the technology levy Here's a list of schools in the Shoreline district

Riverview had a bond issue on the ballot which failed. Northshore had a bond issue that passed. The bonds were for capital expenses - new school, upgrading current schools. and the like.

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Ecology offering up to $20K to help replace lights that hide toxic chemicals

Photo courtesy Dept of Ecology

Old fluorescent light fixtures in schools and daycares can be harmful to students and staff. 

In 1979, the U.S. finally took action against the dangers of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), banning the use of PCBs in manufacturing.

Since then, Washington has worked to identify and remove remaining PCBs from public buildings. 

This includes older fluorescent lights containing PCBs, commonly found in schools and daycare centers, that increase exposure risk for children and teachers.

With capital funding from the Legislature, we help schools upgrade to newer and more energy efficient lighting. This product replacement project helps cover costs of an inspection, replacement lights, and proper disposal of the old lights through a licensed dangerous waste hauler.

"We’ve already helped the Reardan-Edwall School District transition to safer lighting fixtures,” said Sean Smith, who leads Ecology’s work to implement the product replacement program. “We found and safely removed 30 light ballasts in that one project. We’re eager to help more facilities make the switch.”

More information here

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Op-Ed: School levies - let's talk real numbers

Echo Lake Elementary parents sign-waving for the levies

By Malorie Larson

Levies and taxes can be confusing, especially when costs keep rising. I understand why voters want to know how a levy will actually affect their household budget. 

Here’s how I calculated the real cost for my family before deciding how to vote on the Shoreline School District EP&O and Technology Levies on the February 10, 2026 ballot.

1. Step 1: Enter your address here on the county assessor’s website to find your assessed property value.
2. Step 2: Scroll to your tax history and note the “Taxable Total” for each year. Look at how that number has gone up or down over time.
3. Step 3: Dividing “Taxable Total” by 1,000, then multiply by the corresponding levy rate for that year. This shows how much you’ve already paid to the school district for that year.

Use this district chart to find the levy rate for each year

Future property values are unknown, so estimates matter. In my case, my assessed value has gone up 7.5% one year and down 14% another year. Remember, we are not voting on property values; those are outside our control.

If my property value stays the same (I don’t expect it to, but I’m using this to estimate), the replacement EP&O and Tech levies would cost my household $157.37 more per year from 2027–2030. 

Claims that homeowners will pay “thousands more” are misleading. 

Compare what you paid from 2023–2026 to what you may pay from 2027–2030. The current average levy rate is $3.23 per $1,000 of assessed property value, while the proposed replacement average rate is $3.16.

Personally, I’m willing to pay under $200 more per year to support smaller class sizes, student supports, extracurriculars, and updated technology for Shoreline and Lake Forest Park students. My goal is simply to help families understand the real-world costs before voting.

Thank you for reading, Shoreline and LFP!

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Help spread bark in the gardens at Echo Lake Elementary January 3, 2026

Looking for a fun way to give back to the community over break? 

Come volunteer to help spread bark chips and tidy the gardens and grounds at Echo Lake Elementary! 

We will be working from 1-3pm on Saturday, January 3, 2026. 

Bring a shovel, garden gloves and buckets if you have any. If not, we will have some tools to share. Kids are welcome and are encouraged to help out too as long as they are with an adult. 

Also, if you work over in the Pollinator/Kinder Garden then your kids can have a playdate on the playground and field while you help with the garden!

For questions or to be added to the Garden Volunteer list: please email

Event by Echo Lake Elementary PTA Shoreline

19345 Wallingford Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133

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20mph school speed zones by Einstein and Kellogg now begin at 7:15am

Starting December 1, 2025 school speed zone flashing beacons around Kellogg and Einstein Middle Schools will begin flashing earlier, at 7:15am.

This because of students traveling to Zero Period, which begins at 7:30am. 

As a reminder, when school speed zone flashing beacons are active, drivers must travel at or below 20mph.

Also remember that no matter what time of day, drivers must always yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. 

School speed zone flashing beacons will turn off at 7:35am and will turn back on again at their usual time of 8:10am.

• Einstein is located at 19343 3rd Ave NW, Shoreline WA 98177
• Kellogg is located at 16045 25th Ave NE, Shoreline WA 98155

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Cascade K8 Winter Market and Bake Sale December 6, 2025

Come get your holiday shopping done at the Cascade K8 Winter Market! Vendors from the CK8 community and beyond.

Tasty treats available for purchase at the bake sale!

Saturday December 6, 2025 from 10am - 2pm at 2800 NE 200th St, Shoreline WA 98155

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Shorewood High School Marks 50th Anniversary with Boosters Auction and Business Sponsorship Opportunities

Shoreline, WA — Shorewood High School is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year and inviting local businesses to join the milestone by becoming sponsors of the 2026 Shorewood Boosters Auction. 

The event will take place on March 7, 2026, and remains one of the school’s most important fundraisers.

Founded in 1975, Shorewood High School has become a cornerstone of the Shoreline community, known for its outstanding academics, vibrant arts programs, and competitive athletics. The 50th Anniversary milestone brings together generations of alumni, families, and local partners to reflect on the school’s legacy and help build its future.

The auction plays a critical role in supporting student programs and extracurricular opportunities. 

Organizers say this year’s “Golden Anniversary” theme has already sparked excitement and they hope local businesses will join in.

“Shorewood has always been strengthened by the support of local businesses,” said Shorewood Booster President and Class of 1990 Alumni, Jenni Leikko Gallagher.

“As we celebrate 50 years, we’re inviting businesses that love Shorewood to become sponsors and help us make this a truly unforgettable milestone for our students and community.”

Businesses interested in sponsorships or donating items to the event can find more information here or contact president@shorewoodboosters.com for a Sponsorship Packet.

Tickets for the 50th Anniversary Shorewood Boosters Dinner and Auction go on sale in January and all are invited to attend!

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Many people work to make Echo Lake Park a welcoming place

Story and Photos by Patrick Deagan

We have several gathering places in the Echo Lake neighborhood. Shoreline Park with soccer can draw hundreds of many nationalities. The pickle ball courts can bring nearly a hundred. The senior center with lunch and activities is a big draw for seniors. Costco brings in thousands, but I don’t usually consider that a community. 

And the most exciting community location is Echo Lake School. I’ve had the privilege of being in the hallways at the end of the day and seeing many young joyful faces.

Echo Lake

I focus my work with daily visits to Echo Lake Park and Aurora Village Transit Center. I am seen as litter pickup. I do that and a little more.

Many people work to make Echo Lake Park a welcoming place. “Tons of bicyclists” was how Shoreline city councilperson John Ramsdell described users of the Interurban Trail through Echo Lake Park in a recent council meeting. 

I usually see five dog walkers before 7am. Runners are in training. I saw two dads with kids at the playground this week. Our playground is designed for 2 to 4 year olds. More challenging playgrounds are at Shoreline Park, Ridgecrest, and at the newly opened Richmond Highlands Park.

Preparation for weeding and mulching at Echo Lake Park

This week the grounds maintenance crew weeded several planting areas and spread wood chips, including under the apple tree. The fallen apples were picked up on at least two occasions this season.

Also I’ve seen crews cutting back vegetation that was reaching out onto the Interurban Trail.

Dog poop bags are stocked

The trash cans are emptied regularly and the dog poop bags are replenished when needed.

I’ve seen the lawn mowed. And branches picked up.

I’ve seen police on patrol in the morning and they often lock the restroom at night. 

I was very pleased that after a neighbor mentioned drug use in the park, Police Captain Woodruff came out and took a tour of the park. 

When a professional shows that interest, it gives me hope.

Martin Espino has worked over five years to keep the restrooms clean
at Echo Lake and other Shoreline Parks

The park restroom is cleaned daily in the morning. In summer it is checked twice daily.

I’ve seen water quality testing in recent weeks and clearing of debris from the lake outlet flowing to Lake Ballinger.

In the last year a blinking crosswalk was installed crossing N 200th at Ashworth Ave N. This is the main entrance to the park. 

I also visit the transit center.

I’ve seen a remarkable transformation here. King County Metro is actively working to make a safe, healthy welcoming transit center. There has been 24 hour security on site for over two years.

The security staff have the job of engaging with people “hanging out” at the center and hesitating to exit the bus at the end of the line. I’ve seen them handle issues that would have required 911 calls several years ago. 

Security is often stationed near the Park and Ride lot they and are on the lookout for potential break ins. Recently, today for example, I saw King County outreach workers who engage with people traveling through the center.

The maintenance department regularly hoses down platforms and cleans employee restrooms daily. These workers are my some of my heroes. Bushes have been trimmed. Beds weeded.

John Soderberg doing touch up work on the east building.

There has been repainting of the two buildings on site. 

Fencing - Before

Fencing - After

And currently Metro is removing, sandblasting and repainting the fences on the two inner islands.

Lime Bikes. Properly parked in designated location at transit center

Metro has a marked area for Lime rental scooters and bikes which works to corral most of their bikes.

The portable toilet the last 22 months at the transit center is a success. The fears about the presence of a toilet were not realized. Buses run 24 hours so a toilet for passengers is available 24 hours. It is cleaned twice a day. There is a handwashing station adjacent to the portable.

I saw a neighbor take the Swift bus to light rail last week. It is express and the next stop is the Shoreline north link station. She took it to the airport to catch a flight. I’ve done this myself.

I am grateful for the many hours worked by the men and women whose repeated efforts make the park and transit center inviting places.

King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski worked for county council approval to authorize funds for the Aurora Village restroom. I am very thankful for his efforts that made this possible.

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Shoreline artist designs school logo for Cascade K-8 fundraiser

The Wolf Pack by Nicolas Van Strander

The mascot of Shoreline Public School Cascade K-8 is the Wolf Pack.

Now Shoreline artist Nick Van Strander has designed a logo for the school. There are nine wolves in the design, one for each grade cohort!

The school is now using this art for a fundraiser benefiting their middle school program, selling hoodies and t-shirts with this design.

The sale runs until September 30, 2025 here 

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Mosqueda, Dembowski celebrate housing supports in impact fee legislation

County Councilmembers Mosqueda and Dembowski

King County Councilmembers Teresa Mosqueda and Rod Dembowski on Wednesday partnered on amendments to King County school impact fees legislation passed Tuesday to support multi-family housing and starter homes. 

Impact fees are state-authorized charges many jurisdictions in Washington impose on new residential development, with the funds (collected by King County here) used by school districts to pay for capital projects like the construction of new school buildings.

With construction costs soaring, housing production is already lagging across the region. 

Joe Mizrahi, Seattle School Board member stated:

 “There is a direct impact between affordable housing and school enrollment, and when families are pushed out of our region by the lack of affordable homes, school enrollment falls and operating dollars for teachers, counselors, and special education fall with it.

"But when workers can afford to live near their kids’ schools, families stay rooted and students thrive. The approach to impact fees led by CM Mosqueda keeps this capital revenue stream in place while prioritizing the housing that actually brings and keeps students in our schools.”

Mosqueda and Dembowski teamed up on amendments designed to ensure the impact fees legislation does not pose a barrier to the housing needed across King County. 

Combined, their amendments cap fees on family units, exempt affordable housing, and ensure analysis and consideration of housing impacts.

King County is facing a severe shortage of affordable housing, first-time homeownership options, and family-sized units. As outlined on the Regional Affordable Housing Dashboard, many families in King County are cost-burdened or experiencing displacement from our region, often moving out of the state altogether. This is driving declining school enrollment and hurting communities.

"The high cost of housing is driven in part by the high cost to build it. Excessive impact fees, many approaching $20,000 per unit, unreasonably increase housing costs and reduce access.

"I have raised these concerns for years, and so was happy to join with Councilmember Mosqueda to address this issue by revising the impact fee formula," Dembowski said.

"The new formula strikes a reasonable balance that ensures new development helps cover the cost of new schools, while recognizing that fees cannot be so burdensome that housing is not accessible and affordable.

"This bold action sends a strong signal that King County is serious about taking action to implement the recommendations in the Regional Affordable Housing Task Force Report and cut the cost to build new homes."

The amendments include:

1. A fee cap on family-sized units

1. Mitigates impacts to housing feasibility by capping fees on multifamily units at $5000 per unit, creating predictability for these projects and avoiding large spikes in fees that may render needed projects infeasible
2. Allows for annual amendments to lower the school impact fees
3. Sets expectation that the fee cap will be a part of future renewals, beginning in 2026
4. Maximum school impact fee amount applies to middle housing and apartment units
5. Allows for fee cap to be recalibrated every 4 years to align with capital facilities planning and allow time for data collection

2. Affordable housing exemption

1. Sets forth County’s intent to implement the state-authorized affordable housing exemption for all qualifying housing projects

3. Housing impacts analysis

1. Adds staff from the housing, homelessness, and community development division to the school technical review committee
2. Requires school districts to work with the King County Executive to analyze the impact of a proposed school impact fee on housing production, including feasibility of projects of various types based on various school impact fee amounts
3. Requires a report to the Council that accompanies each school impact fee ordinance with evaluation of housing impacts

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Lake Forest Park Elementary Third Graders learn "We Are Part of a Larger Story"

Each expert group studied and reported on one native plant: 
salal, pacific yew and evergreen huckleberry, bracken fern

This past spring, third grade students in teacher Lisa Collins' class at Lake Forest Park Elementary studied the Salish Sea region as part of their Social Studies curriculum. Working with Mrs. Collins and classroom volunteers, the students extended their learning into the community.

This expert group on red elderberry
 is planting native plants at Blue Heron Park
alongside a parent volunteer.

They learned about the indigenous history of Lake Forest Park, they learned that the Duwamish and other indigenous people are still here, they studied native plants and their uses, and they shared their learning in artwork, writing, posters, presentations, and discussions of the complexity and responsibility of studying history and caring for the environment.

In addition to all they accomplished at school, on June 6 the students walked from their school to Blue Heron Park, where they planted the native plants they had studied, with help from Cory Mattson, who works in the Community Development Department at the City of Lake Forest Park. 

Sky Nursery donated a gift card to help the students purchase plants.

The full class alongside McAleer Creek in Blue Heron Park. Cory Mattson is in the back row toward the left, The author is midway in the back row, teacher Lisa Collins is on the right.

After planting at Blue Heron Park, the students walked to the LFP Civic Club, which provided space for the students, classroom volunteers, and members of the Shoreline Historical Museum to gather. 

With David Buerge backing them, the groups
presented what they had learned.

Here, the students presented their learning about native plants. 

They learned more about Duwamish history and myth and also the present of the Duwamish people from David Buerge, who has been a historian of the Duwamish for 50 years. 

They learned that the place they gathered, where Lyon Creek enters Lake Washington, was the site of a Duwamish winter village until 1903, and they learned many Lushootseed words for the plants they studied, for the place they gathered, and other other places west to the mountains.

Students marked the migration of their own family on the world map

As the students learned about the history and present of the people and environment in Lake Forest Park, they also shared the history of their own families, and places they had lived in the last four generations to arrive here in Lake Forest Park. 

They added their family migration map to their classroom timeline from "time immemorial" to the present, and created a book of their research, art, writing, and community learning, Their book is called "We Are Part of a Larger Story."

-Elizabeth Simmons-O'Neill

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Echo Lake student inducted into the AAA Safety Patrol Hall of Fame 2025

Ziggy Santiago - AAA Safety Patrol Hall of Fame 2025
Photo courtesy Ziggy's parents

We are pleased to announce one of our Echo Lake Safety Patrol members is being inducted into the AAA Safety Patrol Hall of Fame for 2025. 

Ziggy Santiago was chosen by a panel of judges to be honored. The judges are from AAA Washington, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Evergreen Safety Council, and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Each year, AAA Washington recognizes 10 outstanding AAA School Safety Patrollers from across the state by inducting them into their Patrol Hall of Fame. 

Ziggy has served on the Echo Lake Safety Patrol daily during the 2024-25 school year. Please join us in congratulating Ziggy and his great work!

Allan Rand and Karen Nicholson
Echo Lake Safety Patrol Advisors

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Citizens needed for ballot pro / con statements - respond today by 3pm

Shoreline Center

On April 26, 2025 the WA State House and Senate approved ESHB 2029, which allows Shoreline School District to place a one-year supplemental levy on the August 5, 2025, ballot. 

The School Board will hold a Special Meeting on Wednesday, April 30, to consider a ballot measure for the August election date for a supplemental levy for the 2026 calendar year. 

If approved, the ballot measure would allow Shoreline Public Schools to supplement the final year of the existing four-year educational programs and operations levy that expires at the end of calendar year 2026.

The taxes collected from this one-year supplemental levy in 2026 will fund educational programs and operations not fully funded by the State of Washington. 

If the voters of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park approve the supplemental levy, these funds will be used to pay for additional instructional and support staff; programs such as special education, athletics, music, drama, and other extracurricular activities; transportation; and teacher pay and training.

This potential one-year supplemental levy is entirely separate from the upcoming replacement levies that will be on the ballot in February 2026, to go into effect in 2027 if approved. The Levy Planning Committee also begins their work this Wednesday evening.

In addition to ESHB 2049, two other bills passed, which will provide some additional funding: E2SSB 5263 (Special Education) and ESSB 5192 (MSOCs). 

As you may know, these two bills are two of The Big Three, which many members of the Shoreline School District carried out significant advocacy work for during this legislative session. 

These bills are now with the Governor for his approval. We will share more information and details about these bills and their potential impact on the budget as our 2025-26 budget development work proceeds.

Supplemental Levy For and Against Committee Members Needed

Shoreline School District is seeking applications from residents of the District interested in being appointed to committees to write the “for” and “against” statements for the King County Local Voters’ Pamphlet related to the District’s Supplemental Levy for Educational Programs and Operations ballot proposition to be considered at the August 5, 2025 election, pending gubernatorial approval of legislation, to increase school district levy authority.

Interested residents should send their name, address, email address, phone number and committee name (or which position they represent) to Angela Von Essen via email at angela.vonessen@ssd412.org by 3:00pm on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

The Board will take action on the committee appointments at its April 30, 2025 special meeting. Contact information for individuals appointed by the Board may be listed in the local voters’ pamphlet. For more information, please reference the King County “Local Voters’ Pamphlet Packet."

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