1 00:00:10,343 --> 00:00:11,011 - Well, again, thank 2 00:00:11,011 --> 00:00:14,014 you all so much for being here. 3 00:00:14,047 --> 00:00:16,783 This is a really special and meaningful, meaningful 4 00:00:16,783 --> 00:00:18,451 time to celebrate early learning. 5 00:00:18,451 --> 00:00:21,454 We are sitting in a brand new location, 6 00:00:21,755 --> 00:00:25,091 a facility that is funded with partnerships throughout the city 7 00:00:25,091 --> 00:00:28,361 of Seattle, the Department of Education, Early Learning, 8 00:00:28,862 --> 00:00:31,398 and many council members and senators. 9 00:00:31,398 --> 00:00:34,401 And so this really brings to light why 10 00:00:34,634 --> 00:00:38,071 and how partnerships really make dreams come true for families. 11 00:00:38,438 --> 00:00:41,074 And as you can see, many of our kids here. 12 00:00:41,074 --> 00:00:44,077 And this is just a sampling as well. 13 00:00:44,811 --> 00:00:48,114 So for those of you that don't know me, my name is Susan Lee. 14 00:00:48,448 --> 00:00:51,785 I am the senior director of the Education Department at Rhema. 15 00:00:51,918 --> 00:00:54,921 Also known as Refugee Women's Alliance. 16 00:00:55,321 --> 00:00:58,358 And so this is a wonderful time 17 00:00:58,358 --> 00:01:02,062 in which leadership has demonstrated its commitment to the city, 18 00:01:02,829 --> 00:01:07,567 where accessibility, equity and inclusion is really demonstrated. 19 00:01:08,535 --> 00:01:10,370 We're honored here today. 20 00:01:10,370 --> 00:01:13,273 And I really want to begin this by thanking all of the members 21 00:01:13,273 --> 00:01:17,043 here, honored today to celebrate the wonderful achievements 22 00:01:17,043 --> 00:01:20,613 that one of my friends and also 23 00:01:20,613 --> 00:01:23,616 a wonderful supporter advocate. 24 00:01:24,150 --> 00:01:27,020 Council member Debora Juarez. 25 00:01:27,020 --> 00:01:30,056 Deborah, you know, we have been through this many times. 26 00:01:30,056 --> 00:01:32,258 This is our second opening. 27 00:01:32,258 --> 00:01:36,062 Our other one was at Lake City, which is also the Tony Lee Building. 28 00:01:36,062 --> 00:01:41,301 So to see another celebration is just another example 29 00:01:41,301 --> 00:01:44,370 of how much work has gone into this particular location. 30 00:01:45,638 --> 00:01:48,274 Your commitment and your leadership and your support 31 00:01:48,274 --> 00:01:53,813 has also been supported by the Department of Education. 32 00:01:53,813 --> 00:01:56,783 Early Learning by Dwayne and Leilani. 33 00:01:57,250 --> 00:02:00,987 And I also want to take a special recognition to the City of Seattle 34 00:02:01,621 --> 00:02:05,525 and who has been with us for five expansions. 35 00:02:06,226 --> 00:02:08,161 And Ken please do stand up? 36 00:02:08,161 --> 00:02:09,863 Because I really want to acknowledge you 37 00:02:11,064 --> 00:02:14,033 for over 40 years. 38 00:02:15,768 --> 00:02:16,169 Ken and 39 00:02:16,169 --> 00:02:20,273 the city of Seattle for over 40 years has supported REWA in its expansion 40 00:02:20,573 --> 00:02:23,843 from MLK, Beacon Hill, Lake City, 41 00:02:25,044 --> 00:02:28,014 Othello and also at the Nook. 42 00:02:28,148 --> 00:02:31,618 Without the city's support, we would not be standing here right now. 43 00:02:31,684 --> 00:02:33,386 We really, truly would not. 44 00:02:33,386 --> 00:02:36,489 They are the ones that made this dream possible initially, 45 00:02:36,789 --> 00:02:40,660 and so they are the ones that helped launch this expansion possible 46 00:02:40,994 --> 00:02:43,997 for the Seattle Preschool Program. 47 00:02:44,597 --> 00:02:47,333 I also want to recognize Senator Valdez, 48 00:02:47,333 --> 00:02:51,504 who has been with us through many years, and also the wonderful foundation. 49 00:02:51,504 --> 00:02:56,409 Mari is back there with her team, David, Chad and Andrew, to help 50 00:02:56,776 --> 00:03:00,980 our kids learn to play hockey and learn how to ice skate. 51 00:03:01,014 --> 00:03:04,584 So it's our fifth year coming up soon, and we're really excited that 52 00:03:04,584 --> 00:03:09,355 we're being able to provide 80 children learning how to ice skate and play hockey. 53 00:03:10,757 --> 00:03:11,291 One of the 54 00:03:11,291 --> 00:03:14,527 other supporters of REWA is Council member Rivera, 55 00:03:15,228 --> 00:03:18,231 who has been with us through this journey as well. 56 00:03:18,598 --> 00:03:21,834 And I want to highlight how your dedication to education 57 00:03:21,834 --> 00:03:24,804 and early learning has run instrumental throughout the city. 58 00:03:25,004 --> 00:03:28,007 So thank you for being here. 59 00:03:29,075 --> 00:03:34,414 REWA has been a community partner and an advocate, 60 00:03:34,414 --> 00:03:39,786 especially to the refugee women, immigrants and children and families. 61 00:03:40,353 --> 00:03:43,523 And our whole mission is to ensure that our families 62 00:03:43,790 --> 00:03:47,293 are feeling included, self-sufficient and self-reliant. 63 00:03:47,694 --> 00:03:50,530 And it all begins at an early young age 64 00:03:50,530 --> 00:03:54,234 by ensuring that children have this equity and it's accessibility. 65 00:03:54,534 --> 00:03:57,503 We're building the next generation of leaders, 66 00:03:57,503 --> 00:04:00,506 just like all of you that are standing with me today. 67 00:04:00,807 --> 00:04:03,743 Our programing is a dual language program 68 00:04:03,743 --> 00:04:06,746 multicultural, multilingual. 69 00:04:06,813 --> 00:04:10,016 And this is ensuring that our culture, 70 00:04:10,016 --> 00:04:14,354 our diversity and our richness in the community continues to flourish. 71 00:04:14,754 --> 00:04:16,256 Continues to be 72 00:04:17,257 --> 00:04:20,860 enabling all of us as partners to grow. 73 00:04:21,628 --> 00:04:26,099 And so I'm also really thankful that we have Darlene. 74 00:04:26,699 --> 00:04:27,200 Where are you? 75 00:04:27,200 --> 00:04:30,370 Darlene, which is North Haven next door are seniors. 76 00:04:30,603 --> 00:04:35,141 And this partnership is to ensure that we have a multi-generational program 77 00:04:35,174 --> 00:04:39,112 here in addition to multilingual, multi-generational 78 00:04:39,579 --> 00:04:41,814 and we've got Poppy and Kirsten who's not here. 79 00:04:41,814 --> 00:04:45,685 But Poppy has been very instrumental in designing this preschool. 80 00:04:46,152 --> 00:04:48,288 And this 81 00:04:48,288 --> 00:04:51,758 location, the school and the love that you feel here, 82 00:04:51,758 --> 00:04:55,094 I hope, is represented by all of the wonderful staff 83 00:04:55,094 --> 00:04:59,365 that we have worked tirelessly to bring and men 84 00:04:59,365 --> 00:05:02,368 in May Yee. 85 00:05:03,803 --> 00:05:06,205 as well have all put 86 00:05:06,205 --> 00:05:09,309 in a lot of hard sweat and love into this location. 87 00:05:10,576 --> 00:05:14,013 I also wanted to highlight that this all of the furnishings 88 00:05:14,013 --> 00:05:17,183 that the kids are sitting on and all of the tables, 89 00:05:17,183 --> 00:05:20,753 all of the learning equipment were funded by Debora. 90 00:05:20,887 --> 00:05:21,621 I'm sorry. 91 00:05:21,621 --> 00:05:22,488 Debora. 92 00:05:22,488 --> 00:05:25,658 Senate, Senator Murray's appropriations funding. 93 00:05:26,292 --> 00:05:29,028 So what I've just described 94 00:05:29,028 --> 00:05:31,698 is a collaborative partnership 95 00:05:31,698 --> 00:05:36,836 in which the city, state and federal funding have enabled us to be able 96 00:05:36,869 --> 00:05:40,473 to be a part of the community and generations to come. 97 00:05:41,341 --> 00:05:45,478 Without further ado, I do want to invite the Mayor, Katie, 98 00:05:46,145 --> 00:05:49,382 to come on up and speak a little bit about her vision 99 00:05:49,649 --> 00:05:52,885 and also the SPP expansion that will be happy. 100 00:05:53,486 --> 00:05:56,456 The school that you're sitting with will have 40 101 00:05:56,456 --> 00:05:59,625 kids in the 2026-27 school year. 102 00:05:59,726 --> 00:06:02,862 So I'm really excited to have you join us in this journey. 103 00:06:11,804 --> 00:06:13,473 - Well, thank you so much and 104 00:06:13,473 --> 00:06:16,476 I am delighted to be here. 105 00:06:18,444 --> 00:06:22,081 Hi. How's everyone doing today? Yes. 106 00:06:23,583 --> 00:06:26,586 Feel free to just pay attention to them because 107 00:06:27,153 --> 00:06:30,156 they're much more interesting. 108 00:06:30,289 --> 00:06:30,623 Well, yes. 109 00:06:30,623 --> 00:06:33,059 And I'm delighted to be here with all of you today. 110 00:06:33,059 --> 00:06:36,829 So one of my top priorities as mayor is to make Seattle 111 00:06:36,829 --> 00:06:39,832 the best place in the world to raise a family. 112 00:06:40,199 --> 00:06:43,069 I envision thriving neighborhoods with incredible, welcoming 113 00:06:43,069 --> 00:06:46,506 public spaces for people of all ages, incomes, and abilities. 114 00:06:47,173 --> 00:06:50,176 A city that lifts up local businesses and helps them succeed. 115 00:06:51,444 --> 00:06:53,513 And a vision of making it so that people don't feel like 116 00:06:53,513 --> 00:06:56,516 they have to be millionaires in order to raise children in the city. 117 00:06:57,016 --> 00:06:59,519 I believe that every child deserves a good start. 118 00:06:59,519 --> 00:07:03,222 So today, I'm very pleased to announce the latest expansion of the Seattle 119 00:07:03,222 --> 00:07:07,093 Preschool Program, funded by the Families Education Preschool Promise Levy 120 00:07:07,393 --> 00:07:10,396 that voters overwhelmingly approved last November. 121 00:07:10,863 --> 00:07:13,266 Seattle has built one of the strongest city 122 00:07:13,266 --> 00:07:17,737 funded programs in the country, helping thousands of children start kindergarten 123 00:07:17,737 --> 00:07:22,442 with confidence, curiosity and skills that they need to succeed even better. 124 00:07:22,675 --> 00:07:25,678 All Seattle three and four year olds are eligible. 125 00:07:25,978 --> 00:07:28,581 It doesn't matter what neighborhood you live in, what language 126 00:07:28,581 --> 00:07:31,584 you speak at home, or what your family's income is. 127 00:07:31,951 --> 00:07:36,155 And tuition is free for most Seattle families with a sliding scale 128 00:07:36,189 --> 00:07:39,625 based on household income and family size for higher income households. 129 00:07:40,560 --> 00:07:43,563 If you are raising a 3 or 4 year old, 130 00:07:43,729 --> 00:07:47,500 the Seattle Preschool program is for you and I encourage you to apply. 131 00:07:48,434 --> 00:07:53,639 I also want to share that I am excited to, apply to enroll my own, soon 132 00:07:53,639 --> 00:07:56,843 to be three year old daughter, Josephine, in the Seattle preschool program. 133 00:07:57,677 --> 00:07:59,879 And, you know, my own childcare arrangements 134 00:07:59,879 --> 00:08:02,081 received a little bit of attention last year. 135 00:08:02,081 --> 00:08:05,651 So I just want to underscore that tuition is based on a sliding scale, 136 00:08:05,818 --> 00:08:08,488 which means that, yes, I will be paying my fair share. 137 00:08:09,555 --> 00:08:12,024 TO enroll my daughter in this exceptional public program. 138 00:08:12,024 --> 00:08:14,827 Just like Director Chappelle did. 139 00:08:14,827 --> 00:08:18,464 I'm so excited for her to be in an incredible classroom like this one. 140 00:08:18,998 --> 00:08:22,768 Learning and growing and getting ready for kindergarten in just a few years. 141 00:08:23,736 --> 00:08:26,739 Helping families to thrive in our city is personal for me. 142 00:08:27,039 --> 00:08:30,576 SB has helped so many families like mine afford preschool 143 00:08:30,743 --> 00:08:33,846 opening up options and opportunities for kids and parents alike. 144 00:08:34,580 --> 00:08:38,150 And that's why I'm so excited that we are continuing to build on our success. 145 00:08:38,484 --> 00:08:41,687 With 100 additional preschool seats for the 2026 146 00:08:41,687 --> 00:08:44,757 2027 school year by 2032. 147 00:08:45,091 --> 00:08:46,626 My daughter will be nine years old. 148 00:08:46,626 --> 00:08:48,828 That is really hard to believe. 149 00:08:48,828 --> 00:08:53,165 And the Seattle preschool program will have scaled up to serve 3100 150 00:08:53,366 --> 00:08:56,369 of Seattle's three and four year olds each year. 151 00:08:56,636 --> 00:09:00,439 So thank you all so much for being here today to help celebrate the ten year 152 00:09:00,439 --> 00:09:01,974 anniversary of the program 153 00:09:01,974 --> 00:09:05,745 and the thousands of three and four year olds who have been part of that success. 154 00:09:06,145 --> 00:09:06,512 Thank you. 155 00:09:19,258 --> 00:09:20,026 - Thank you. 156 00:09:20,026 --> 00:09:21,827 Thank you. Mayor. 157 00:09:21,827 --> 00:09:24,196 I'm Dewayne Chappelle, the proud director of the Department 158 00:09:24,196 --> 00:09:27,199 of Education and Early Learning. 159 00:09:27,333 --> 00:09:30,336 It's interesting, as I sit and watch these brilliant young 160 00:09:30,469 --> 00:09:33,472 children here, I don't know if you all cought it, 161 00:09:33,639 --> 00:09:37,843 one of the values around collaboration, right, that you notice either one, 162 00:09:38,044 --> 00:09:41,213 you know, one on one graph, like four or 5 or 2 pieces 163 00:09:41,514 --> 00:09:44,116 that they're playing with and passed down to each other. 164 00:09:44,116 --> 00:09:46,819 I thought that was phenomenal. 165 00:09:46,819 --> 00:09:48,421 But the Seattle preschool program 166 00:09:48,421 --> 00:09:54,026 continues to expand access to high quality early learning across the city 167 00:09:54,527 --> 00:09:59,332 and through our strong partnerships like here at Rewa and with other community 168 00:09:59,332 --> 00:10:02,468 based providers, families and, 169 00:10:02,768 --> 00:10:06,205 childcare providers and Seattle Public Schools. 170 00:10:06,839 --> 00:10:09,475 So this year, if the mayor just mentioned, 171 00:10:09,475 --> 00:10:13,112 the Seattle preschool program is welcoming for 172 00:10:13,346 --> 00:10:16,782 or should I say new partners, and we're continuing the program 173 00:10:16,782 --> 00:10:21,087 steady growth and expanding access for all of our Seattle families. 174 00:10:21,921 --> 00:10:25,024 The mayor just mentioned a moment ago with the addition of 100 new preschool 175 00:10:25,024 --> 00:10:29,762 seats and now seven classrooms opening this fall. 176 00:10:30,563 --> 00:10:34,233 SPPs will have the capacity to serve, as you just heard, 177 00:10:34,233 --> 00:10:37,603 2600 three and four year olds. 178 00:10:38,104 --> 00:10:41,440 So we, within the Seattle preschool program, 179 00:10:41,574 --> 00:10:46,078 we're partnering with 31 early learning organizations to operate, get this year 180 00:10:46,512 --> 00:10:50,816 161 classrooms this school year. 181 00:10:51,350 --> 00:10:55,921 So we're helping families across many neighborhoods access high quality 182 00:10:56,188 --> 00:11:00,493 preschool, but more importantly, that is close to their homes. 183 00:11:01,293 --> 00:11:04,096 These partnerships allow us to meet families 184 00:11:04,096 --> 00:11:07,099 where they are and support 185 00:11:07,266 --> 00:11:11,470 a diverse network of providers, which I'm super excited about. 186 00:11:12,238 --> 00:11:15,775 Seattle's leadership in early learning is recognized nationally. 187 00:11:16,409 --> 00:11:19,578 The Seattle preschool program has earned our fourth 188 00:11:20,079 --> 00:11:22,381 consecutive national gold medal. 189 00:11:22,381 --> 00:11:25,451 Yes, four consecutive national gold medals. 190 00:11:27,887 --> 00:11:28,220 And the 191 00:11:28,220 --> 00:11:31,223 eight years of national recognized recognition 192 00:11:31,223 --> 00:11:35,127 for providing high quality, accessible preschool. 193 00:11:35,761 --> 00:11:40,066 So our SVP classrooms, we use a high quality curriculum, 194 00:11:40,066 --> 00:11:43,803 extensive experience of teaching practices to meet the diversity needs 195 00:11:43,803 --> 00:11:45,504 of all of our learners. 196 00:11:45,504 --> 00:11:49,575 With options including dual language inclusive classrooms 197 00:11:49,575 --> 00:11:53,145 to support students with specialized program needs. 198 00:11:54,046 --> 00:11:58,918 And as the mayor just mentioned, I myself am I'm a proud parent. 199 00:11:59,752 --> 00:12:03,089 Or should I say a proud parent of a Seattle preschool alumni? 200 00:12:03,589 --> 00:12:07,526 My son participated in the dual language preschool program. 201 00:12:08,260 --> 00:12:10,830 Where his teachers really helped build what you see here. 202 00:12:10,830 --> 00:12:14,033 Just confidence and, in math 203 00:12:14,033 --> 00:12:17,069 and language skills, but also, collaboration. 204 00:12:17,803 --> 00:12:20,773 But more importantly for us, was learning a new language. 205 00:12:20,773 --> 00:12:22,641 So we were part of a dual language program. 206 00:12:22,641 --> 00:12:28,681 So I just want to encourage parents, grandparents, caregivers to please, 207 00:12:29,215 --> 00:12:34,053 take advantage and enroll your, your loved one into the Seattle preschool program. 208 00:12:34,353 --> 00:12:38,791 Applications are open now for the 26-27 school year. 209 00:12:39,492 --> 00:12:44,530 And it's open for all three and four year olds are eligible to apply. 210 00:12:45,097 --> 00:12:50,603 And you can apply online at seattle.gov/apply SPP. 211 00:12:50,936 --> 00:12:53,773 So you can do that. You can call us. 212 00:12:53,773 --> 00:12:56,742 If you need support and also have in language 213 00:12:56,742 --> 00:12:59,145 translation and assistance as well. 214 00:12:59,145 --> 00:13:02,982 So without further ado, what I'm going to do now is pass, 215 00:13:03,249 --> 00:13:08,154 this over to, an amazing council member and a good friend, Council member Rivera. 216 00:13:15,594 --> 00:13:18,230 - Good afternoon. 217 00:13:18,230 --> 00:13:20,499 So I got the pleasure of speaking 218 00:13:20,499 --> 00:13:23,636 because I chair the education committee for council. 219 00:13:24,236 --> 00:13:27,006 But I'm here with my sister. 220 00:13:27,006 --> 00:13:29,508 Council member Juarez, who represents this district. 221 00:13:29,508 --> 00:13:32,511 So it's it's appropriate for us to be here together. 222 00:13:32,545 --> 00:13:36,015 And I know how supportive she is of the family's education 223 00:13:36,015 --> 00:13:39,118 and Preschool promise, Levy and the investments 224 00:13:39,118 --> 00:13:42,922 that we've had for many years, since the 90s at the city of Seattle. 225 00:13:43,155 --> 00:13:45,558 I want to thank director Dwayne Chappelle. 226 00:13:45,558 --> 00:13:49,295 And I also want to say, Dwayne, I so respect you. 227 00:13:49,295 --> 00:13:51,263 I'm so happy that you're the director 228 00:13:51,263 --> 00:13:54,366 of the Department of Education and Early learning at the city. 229 00:13:54,366 --> 00:13:58,037 And before that, you were principal at Rainier Beach High School. 230 00:13:58,037 --> 00:14:01,073 And so we are so lucky to have taken you away from the district 231 00:14:01,640 --> 00:14:05,778 to to DEEL, and be our trustee, leader at DEEL 232 00:14:05,778 --> 00:14:09,515 and to your staff and here today to Mayor Wilson. 233 00:14:10,816 --> 00:14:11,517 Thank you 234 00:14:11,517 --> 00:14:16,021 all for having us here today to talk about this latest iteration 235 00:14:16,255 --> 00:14:19,225 and expansion of the preschool program. 236 00:14:19,525 --> 00:14:23,362 And thank you, Susan, for hosting us here in this beautiful new space. 237 00:14:24,296 --> 00:14:28,400 And for all that Greenwood does to support our early learners 238 00:14:28,400 --> 00:14:31,971 and all that Greenwood does to support our community 239 00:14:32,238 --> 00:14:35,574 in this district and throughout the city, and not just in this district. 240 00:14:35,608 --> 00:14:36,775 So thank you, Susan. 241 00:14:36,775 --> 00:14:39,812 You were a great partner and I'm so excited to be here. 242 00:14:40,045 --> 00:14:43,883 You, Susan, were such a supporter, and advocate when we were 243 00:14:43,983 --> 00:14:47,987 launching the latest iteration of the levy last year. 244 00:14:48,020 --> 00:14:48,921 And so thank you. 245 00:14:48,921 --> 00:14:50,723 This is so exciting. 246 00:14:50,723 --> 00:14:52,658 I am so excited to be here. 247 00:14:52,658 --> 00:14:53,959 I love the kids. 248 00:14:53,959 --> 00:14:56,328 This is the whole reason we're here today. 249 00:14:57,296 --> 00:14:58,297 And studies have 250 00:14:58,297 --> 00:15:01,700 shown that kids who attend preschool getting long term 251 00:15:01,700 --> 00:15:06,305 academic and social benefits, as the director described. 252 00:15:06,305 --> 00:15:10,743 With the sharing we saw earlier, they're more successful in high school 253 00:15:10,943 --> 00:15:14,346 and have higher rates of college enrollment. 254 00:15:14,647 --> 00:15:18,717 So the high quality early learning programs like we will have here 255 00:15:18,717 --> 00:15:22,488 at the Nook of children for a lifetime of success, 256 00:15:22,922 --> 00:15:26,258 as you know, last November, as I said, Seattle residents 257 00:15:26,258 --> 00:15:29,595 overwhelmingly voted to fund the early learning programs 258 00:15:29,595 --> 00:15:33,699 throughout through the Families education, Preschool and Promise Levy, 259 00:15:33,699 --> 00:15:39,138 or as we affectionately call it, Bet, because it's a lot shorter than that. 260 00:15:39,138 --> 00:15:43,242 Generous support from Seattle voters has enabled us to increase the number 261 00:15:43,242 --> 00:15:49,048 of Seattle preschools, even more so that even more working families 262 00:15:49,048 --> 00:15:53,786 and their children have access to the high quality education and care 263 00:15:54,186 --> 00:15:57,122 they need to start kindergarten ready 264 00:15:57,122 --> 00:15:59,858 and feel confident in kindergarten. 265 00:15:59,858 --> 00:16:03,162 As part of the staff renewal process, I was able to meet with 266 00:16:03,162 --> 00:16:07,599 many of the preschool teachers who provide care for our youngest learners, 267 00:16:07,933 --> 00:16:12,304 and I'm so impressed with their skill and their dedication and their commitment. 268 00:16:12,304 --> 00:16:16,875 We are so lucky to have so many amazing preschool teachers in this town. 269 00:16:17,543 --> 00:16:21,113 I'm incredibly proud of the positive impact the award 270 00:16:21,113 --> 00:16:26,018 winning Seattle preschool program has had for thousands of our city children 271 00:16:26,218 --> 00:16:30,756 over the last ten years of the program, and I look forward to many more years. 272 00:16:31,523 --> 00:16:33,025 Would you like to see it? 273 00:16:33,025 --> 00:16:34,760 I really do. 274 00:16:34,760 --> 00:16:39,231 I know I'm putting you on this, probably on the spot, but that's 275 00:16:40,499 --> 00:16:43,502 - This microphone I didn't like. 276 00:16:43,769 --> 00:16:45,804 This is unscripted, but be very quick. 277 00:16:45,804 --> 00:16:46,705 Working with Cecily. 278 00:16:46,705 --> 00:16:48,340 Where'd she go? There she is. 279 00:16:48,340 --> 00:16:49,475 Since 2015. 280 00:16:49,475 --> 00:16:52,478 2016, when we broke ground on the Tony Lee house. 281 00:16:52,578 --> 00:16:55,114 You see, in fact, all the work that we've done. 282 00:16:55,114 --> 00:16:58,150 But I also want to give a big shout out to Senator Valdez are are 283 00:16:58,250 --> 00:17:00,285 has been there too thick and thin. 284 00:17:00,285 --> 00:17:02,254 Mary Wilson, thank you so much for your words. 285 00:17:02,254 --> 00:17:05,657 And I'm excited to hear that you're gonna have your little girl enrolled. 286 00:17:06,125 --> 00:17:07,426 But I just want to say one quick thing. 287 00:17:07,426 --> 00:17:10,429 Now that I'm up here now, I'm looking at, Doctor Chappelle. 288 00:17:10,796 --> 00:17:16,168 We have pre-K, we have K12, we have the promise program. 289 00:17:16,735 --> 00:17:18,170 Thank you, Mayor Durkan. 290 00:17:18,170 --> 00:17:19,138 Mayor Harrell 291 00:17:19,138 --> 00:17:22,975 and I know we'll continue under Mayor Wilson, but we also have that next step. 292 00:17:22,975 --> 00:17:24,543 And it's called pride. 293 00:17:24,543 --> 00:17:28,914 So we go from pre-K and that Rainbow Arts all the way to the pride. 294 00:17:28,914 --> 00:17:31,817 You know, the pride is it's post 12. 295 00:17:31,817 --> 00:17:34,953 What this community needs to take our black and brown 296 00:17:35,154 --> 00:17:38,490 and our children who first whose parents never got to go to college, 297 00:17:38,991 --> 00:17:41,593 have an opportunity to go to college. 298 00:17:41,593 --> 00:17:43,896 And now the Promise program set us up for that. 299 00:17:43,896 --> 00:17:46,598 But we are looking at that huge promise, 300 00:17:46,598 --> 00:17:50,502 a brick and mortar to the commitment to our children. 301 00:17:50,502 --> 00:17:53,505 So when you hear all, there's the prison to pipeline school. 302 00:17:53,572 --> 00:17:56,575 That's that line. I'm tired of hearing that. 303 00:17:56,575 --> 00:17:59,211 What I want to hear is our children, 304 00:17:59,211 --> 00:18:02,714 to the pride, to the promise of getting 305 00:18:02,714 --> 00:18:05,751 and going to college in the city that they love, 306 00:18:06,051 --> 00:18:09,922 because they started out here and we invested in them 307 00:18:10,722 --> 00:18:15,894 so we can get away with stop I yes, I know we can get $14 million for gun violence. 308 00:18:15,894 --> 00:18:18,864 I get it now, but there's something more we need. 309 00:18:18,864 --> 00:18:20,632 And we learned that in Indian Country, 310 00:18:20,632 --> 00:18:24,169 we built our own institutions for our children, so they understood 311 00:18:24,169 --> 00:18:27,840 our sensibilities of happiness, of love, of being an intellectual, 312 00:18:28,640 --> 00:18:32,578 of understanding the sensibilities about how we live and where we want to go 313 00:18:32,578 --> 00:18:33,612 and how we want to do that. 314 00:18:33,612 --> 00:18:37,616 Because in Indian country, like Seattle, you can always go home. 315 00:18:38,450 --> 00:18:39,785 And I want to lead people with that. 316 00:18:39,785 --> 00:18:42,788 We can always come home and that is our job to do. 317 00:18:42,788 --> 00:18:46,525 That is what the creator made us here for, to not just get back, 318 00:18:47,025 --> 00:18:50,028 but to come back and take care of these little people. 319 00:18:50,329 --> 00:18:51,029 So thank you. 320 00:19:12,017 --> 00:19:13,819 - Now we're going to introduce 321 00:19:13,819 --> 00:19:17,422 one of our fabulous parents up here to speak about. 322 00:19:18,824 --> 00:19:19,958 Come on up. Yes. 323 00:19:19,958 --> 00:19:23,462 Let's have you talk about what was there like as a parent 324 00:19:24,530 --> 00:19:25,998 enrolled in our school. 325 00:19:25,998 --> 00:19:30,202 - And then my daddy is right here and then and frankly, again, 326 00:19:31,603 --> 00:19:34,606 as I do like. 327 00:19:34,606 --> 00:19:36,275 You want to come to school? Yes. 328 00:19:36,275 --> 00:19:37,342 - What do you like about school? 329 00:19:37,342 --> 00:19:40,179 - And green and blue. 330 00:19:40,179 --> 00:19:41,813 - Green and blue. Awesome. 331 00:19:41,813 --> 00:19:43,482 Thank you. 332 00:19:43,482 --> 00:19:47,419 This is like live Oscar moments, right? Yes. 333 00:19:49,755 --> 00:19:50,956 So here. 334 00:19:50,956 --> 00:19:51,857 I want to eat. 335 00:19:51,857 --> 00:19:55,327 Well, before I go there, I want to introduce this lovely woman 336 00:19:56,161 --> 00:19:59,164 who has been enrolled at our school for many years. 337 00:19:59,565 --> 00:20:03,602 She's one of our Icap families, and she has been an advocate 338 00:20:03,969 --> 00:20:06,972 for other Icap families and her own family as well. 339 00:20:07,239 --> 00:20:10,475 And so she has been a model 340 00:20:10,943 --> 00:20:14,813 and a leader for her families in our school, and has been leading 341 00:20:14,813 --> 00:20:18,483 their direction and advocacy for ensuring that all other parents 342 00:20:18,784 --> 00:20:23,322 have the same kind of leadership skills as she has always demonstrated. 343 00:20:23,722 --> 00:20:24,122 Thank you. 344 00:20:25,424 --> 00:20:28,360 - Thank you, Susan. 345 00:20:28,360 --> 00:20:30,996 I hello. 346 00:20:30,996 --> 00:20:33,198 Hey, can you hear me? 347 00:20:33,198 --> 00:20:35,000 Okay. Great. Thank you. 348 00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:38,003 Good afternoon. My name is Buted. 349 00:20:38,303 --> 00:20:41,840 Thank you for the opportunity to speak today. 350 00:20:43,275 --> 00:20:45,644 My name is Buted, and I'm mother of two. 351 00:20:45,644 --> 00:20:48,680 I have nine year old daughter and five year 352 00:20:48,680 --> 00:20:51,683 old son who's going to be kindergarten this year. 353 00:20:52,050 --> 00:20:54,653 And he is, currently enrolled 354 00:20:54,653 --> 00:20:57,623 in the SPP program. 355 00:20:58,890 --> 00:21:00,626 And our family has had 356 00:21:00,626 --> 00:21:04,463 very positive experience with Seattle preschool program. 357 00:21:05,097 --> 00:21:08,100 When my son started, when he started 358 00:21:08,133 --> 00:21:11,136 to, go to the preschool, 359 00:21:11,303 --> 00:21:14,172 we were so excited and nervous at the time 360 00:21:14,172 --> 00:21:18,677 because when he started in the preschool, he doesn't speak English. 361 00:21:19,311 --> 00:21:22,314 It's like not very, you know, 362 00:21:22,781 --> 00:21:23,815 as a parent. Me too. 363 00:21:23,815 --> 00:21:26,785 You know, we are, immigrants 364 00:21:26,852 --> 00:21:29,755 from, you know, different time, different country. 365 00:21:29,755 --> 00:21:33,191 And we are not, good speaker. 366 00:21:34,259 --> 00:21:36,228 Was in my children, 367 00:21:36,228 --> 00:21:39,264 and I was kind of worried because he had, 368 00:21:39,965 --> 00:21:44,870 language barrier with teachers and the kids because he wants to express 369 00:21:44,870 --> 00:21:47,873 himself, he wants to play, and he wants to see something, but he. 370 00:21:48,240 --> 00:21:52,177 It was really hard to see when he was struggling first. 371 00:21:52,844 --> 00:21:57,349 And but after, when he started this program, 372 00:21:58,183 --> 00:22:01,753 the it's, you know, 373 00:22:02,287 --> 00:22:05,123 I saw his grow when, 374 00:22:05,123 --> 00:22:08,260 you know, when he goes to school every single day. 375 00:22:08,260 --> 00:22:11,063 He was so happy even he had a language barrier. 376 00:22:11,063 --> 00:22:14,099 But he he likes to say, yes, mommy, I want to go. 377 00:22:14,399 --> 00:22:17,803 I like to go because I have a friends and teachers. 378 00:22:18,236 --> 00:22:21,340 So it was, you know, great to see you growing. 379 00:22:22,574 --> 00:22:24,376 And the teachers are very patient 380 00:22:24,376 --> 00:22:28,680 because there are so many different kids from different backgrounds. 381 00:22:29,181 --> 00:22:32,050 So not many kids speaks English 382 00:22:32,050 --> 00:22:35,253 as well, especially with, you know, his classroom? 383 00:22:37,022 --> 00:22:37,789 Just so 384 00:22:37,789 --> 00:22:41,693 you know, nice to see the how the kids learn English so well. 385 00:22:42,060 --> 00:22:45,897 First few months, my first three, four months was really hard 386 00:22:45,897 --> 00:22:50,068 to see him struggling and after four months he's good. 387 00:22:50,068 --> 00:22:52,504 He speaks, he's making friends. 388 00:22:52,504 --> 00:22:56,808 He's, you know, having good conversation with his teachers and friends. 389 00:22:56,975 --> 00:22:58,643 That was really sweet. 390 00:22:58,643 --> 00:23:00,812 Every time I saw an incredible friend. 391 00:23:00,812 --> 00:23:03,715 So when he became comfortable, 392 00:23:03,715 --> 00:23:06,685 started making friends and being expressing himself more. 393 00:23:06,885 --> 00:23:10,522 Now he's very confident child and strong speaker, 394 00:23:10,522 --> 00:23:13,525 and he enjoys playing with school every single day. 395 00:23:13,658 --> 00:23:17,396 And I also want to thank you, besides director in 396 00:23:18,029 --> 00:23:21,099 and the senior family contingent and you. 397 00:23:22,000 --> 00:23:22,834 Yeah. 398 00:23:22,834 --> 00:23:25,837 And all the teachers, elephant, classroom 399 00:23:26,638 --> 00:23:29,708 teachers, Miss Eng and this Monica 400 00:23:29,941 --> 00:23:33,378 and all other stuffs because they're doing great job. 401 00:23:33,845 --> 00:23:36,114 They're not just helping children. 402 00:23:36,114 --> 00:23:39,084 They're helping, families too. 403 00:23:39,217 --> 00:23:41,987 It's it's really, you know, great program, 404 00:23:41,987 --> 00:23:46,992 but something like programs like this are especially important for families 405 00:23:46,992 --> 00:23:51,663 in our community, especially for children who are learning English, 406 00:23:53,198 --> 00:23:55,033 children and families from 407 00:23:55,033 --> 00:23:58,036 different backgrounds as, 408 00:23:59,371 --> 00:24:02,874 It means so much to see my child feel confident 409 00:24:03,241 --> 00:24:06,244 and included and excited about learning. 410 00:24:06,711 --> 00:24:09,247 And thank you for supporting this program, 411 00:24:09,247 --> 00:24:14,920 and it makes such a meaningful difference for our children and families. 412 00:24:14,953 --> 00:24:17,956 Thank you so much. 413 00:24:26,598 --> 00:24:29,100 - So the mayor had to leave a little bit earlier. 414 00:24:29,100 --> 00:24:32,037 As you know, being a mayor is a very busy job. 415 00:24:32,037 --> 00:24:35,874 And so, one of the things I really want to emphasize is that the, 416 00:24:36,074 --> 00:24:40,512 the nook for the learning at REWA is representing an investment 417 00:24:40,779 --> 00:24:44,483 in children, families and the future of our communities. 418 00:24:44,783 --> 00:24:47,085 And we will truly does believe in that. 419 00:24:47,085 --> 00:24:51,523 You know, since 1985, this is our mission to ensure 420 00:24:51,523 --> 00:24:56,595 that all of the families are represented and respected, and included 421 00:24:57,596 --> 00:24:59,164 and as our executive director 422 00:24:59,164 --> 00:25:02,734 Kathy has mentioned previously, she's not here available today. 423 00:25:03,034 --> 00:25:05,303 However, as she has mentioned, 424 00:25:05,303 --> 00:25:08,907 this month is also a time to recognize the powerful role 425 00:25:08,907 --> 00:25:13,178 of immigrants and refugee women who play in strengthening our communities. 426 00:25:14,079 --> 00:25:17,082 So for more than 40 decades, Rewa has worked 427 00:25:17,549 --> 00:25:21,152 alongside families to support all of these opportunities and stability, 428 00:25:21,353 --> 00:25:25,123 which is very necessary in this day and time. 429 00:25:26,091 --> 00:25:29,094 And so, in our expansion of early learning, 430 00:25:29,227 --> 00:25:33,465 I encourage you all to join us in celebrating this opportunity 431 00:25:33,465 --> 00:25:37,102 to have more children with access to early learning. 432 00:25:37,402 --> 00:25:41,406 So this location will be serving infants all the way to five years old. 433 00:25:41,907 --> 00:25:45,143 And as our eloquent council member says, 434 00:25:45,410 --> 00:25:48,246 it is not stopping here at the early learning. 435 00:25:48,246 --> 00:25:51,716 It is going above and beyond, which is our post-secondary, 436 00:25:51,716 --> 00:25:54,986 which, by the way, REWA does support as well 437 00:25:55,287 --> 00:25:59,424 because we have elementary school, middle school, high school 438 00:25:59,457 --> 00:26:02,460 and college students that we are also supporting 439 00:26:02,794 --> 00:26:06,398 to be the first in their homes to have bachelor's 440 00:26:06,398 --> 00:26:11,536 degrees, master's degrees, doctor and future politicians 441 00:26:12,103 --> 00:26:16,975 and stakeholders, and investors and lawyers, which 442 00:26:18,877 --> 00:26:19,978 judges, 443 00:26:19,978 --> 00:26:23,615 judges and future presidents as well. 444 00:26:24,215 --> 00:26:28,720 And so this location and many of our locations 445 00:26:28,720 --> 00:26:33,425 is representative of all of the partners that we have, such as the Seattle 446 00:26:33,425 --> 00:26:36,828 Art Museum that is here, such as a one roof foundation, 447 00:26:36,828 --> 00:26:40,865 who, by the way, was had awarded $32,000 448 00:26:40,865 --> 00:26:44,469 to REWA and be able to continue our early learning 449 00:26:44,903 --> 00:26:47,872 We've got here from the, 450 00:26:48,473 --> 00:26:50,909 that's helping us with kung fu lessons. 451 00:26:50,909 --> 00:26:53,311 And we've got leadership. 452 00:26:53,311 --> 00:26:56,381 Cynthia from our board, who's also here to show support 453 00:26:56,615 --> 00:26:59,818 for all of the wonderful work that we as a community. 454 00:27:00,619 --> 00:27:02,954 So again, thank you all so much for being here. 455 00:27:02,954 --> 00:27:04,155 I'm really excited. 456 00:27:04,155 --> 00:27:06,758 We've got funding. We've got DSHS 457 00:27:06,758 --> 00:27:09,761 We've got SPP, anything, anything you need. 458 00:27:09,761 --> 00:27:11,329 We have it here at REWA. 459 00:27:11,329 --> 00:27:14,466 And this is possible because all of you are here supporting us. 460 00:27:14,766 --> 00:27:15,867 Thank you all so much.