Why were closures discussed in the first place?

• SPS currently has 104 schools serving ~51,000 students, which is a drop of 5,000 students since 2019.
• As of 2020, ~22% of Seattle students were enrolled in private schools, with that ratio steadily climbing.
• 18 schools are less than 65% filled to operational capacity.

How will SPS save money?

• Central office + school staffing reductions
• Expense trimming
• Program adjustments and restructuring
• Changes to transportation
• Leasing or selling non-school properties
• Thinning out “rainy day” funds

What happens now?

• Movie Musical Parents’ Night Out | Friday, Nov. 17 | 6-9:30 p.m. | The Redmond Academy of Theatre Arts, 18001 NE 76th St., Redmond | $25 | The kids can hang at the theater, watch a movie, and eat popcorn while the parents take a break for a few hours.
• Ryan Hamilton | Friday, Nov. 17 | 7 p.m. | Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle | $30-$45 | This funnyman has all new material about the time he got hit by a bus (it works a lot better in person).

• Saturday Scrapbooking Workshop | Saturday, Nov. 18 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Eileen’s South Bellevue Studio, 4633 172nd Ave. SE, Bellevue | $30 | Show off your photo collage skills with lots of table space where you can spread out and get help, if needed.
• Holiday Bookfest | Saturday, Nov. 18 | 2-4 p.m. | Phinney Neighborhood Association, 6532 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle | Free | Meet 26 local authors (including Kenji Lopez-Alt + Ken Jennings), enjoy readings, and check out the interactive “Bookmaker’s Space” for kids.
• “An Empire in Peril” Grand Premiere | Saturday, Nov. 18 | 3-5 p.m. | Seattle Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle | $10 | This indie sci-fi film brings an artsy take on a galaxy-spanning story — proceeds benefit the Nisei Veterans Committee of Seattle.

• Indigenous People’s Community Day | Sunday, Nov. 19 | 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. | Seattle Aquarium, 1483 Alaskan Way, Seattle | Free | The slate of activities includes tales from Indigenous storytellers and a demonstration with the Muckleshoot Canoe Family.
• A Smash Benefit: a Tribute To 35 Years Of Sub Pop | Sunday, Nov. 19 | 6 p.m. | The Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle | $20-$125 | Enjoy performances by Ben Gibbard, Brittany Davis, and other stars in this concert that raises money to help musicians get access to low-cost healthcare.
• Snarky Singles | Sunday, Nov. 19 | 7-9 p.m. | The Octopus Bar, 2121 N. 45th St., Seattle | $20-$30 | Host Alisa Starr takes eligible locals through two hours of mini dates — instructions are to “bring your insecurities.”

• Seattle Kraken vs. Calgary Flames | Monday, Nov. 20 | 7 p.m. | Climate Pledge Arena, 334 First Ave. N., Seattle | $115-$560 | The Kraken hope to douse the Flames and move up the standings.
• Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night | Monday, Nov. 20 | 8-10 p.m. | LTD Bar and Grill, 309 N. 36th St., Seattle | Free | Put your random knowledge to the test — and watch out for those tricky audio rounds.

• The Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $4 million grant to Seattle for a Solid Waste Infrastructure project. The money will support the development of a new salvaged wood warehouse that is expected to process 150 tons of salvaged wood annually.

• After 20 years based in Capitol Hill, Gage Academy of Art is planning a new location at 2105-2107 Westlake Ave. inside a South Lake Union Amazon building. This will be Gage’s main campus, though the school will still keep its Georgetown outpost. (Seattle Times)

• What a save — the Sounders have reportedly re-signed their star goalie Stefan Frei through 2025. The 37-year-old has the most appearances in team history and helped the squad reach the Western Conference MLS semifinals this month. (Sounders at Heart)

• Plans are rowing right along for the Canoe Carving House, the first element of the future Northwest Native Canoe Center in Lake Union Park. Seattle Parks & Recreation officials are now taking design bids for the project, with construction expected to start in 2024.

• Signaling our friends in the Bay Area, local radio station KEXP has just purchased San Francisco’s KREV 92.7. It will air similar programming to KEXP’s 90.3 FM Seattle station once the new operation launches in the next month or so. (Seattle Times)

• Chew this over — national sandwich chain Potbelly announced a major Western Washington expansion with 13 locations in the works for King, Pierce, and Thurston counties. There are already three Seattle Potbelly outposts and two Bellevue ones. (KING 5)

• Comedian Hasan Minhaj is coming to the Paramount Theatre on March 8, 2024. Tickets go on sale today for what should be an interesting show given the stand-up performer’s recent kerfuffle with the New Yorker and questions about truth in his past acts. (Consequence of Sound)

• Spreading early holiday cheer, Seahawks stars Tre Brown + Jerrick Reed joined team mascot Blitz in Spokane at the Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. They gave out teddy bears and boosted spirits for the kids at the hospital and their families. (KING 5)

• There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly renovated Dr. Blanche Lavizzo Park in the Central District this Saturday, Nov.18. Enjoy food + music while exploring the park’s upgrades that include animal sculptures and designs by local Black artists.

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