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Spring 2024, Volume 5, Issue 1
 DEEL Director Dwane Chappelle and K-12 Manager Dr. Ciera Graham
The Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) was created to support educational and developmental programs for children from before birth all the way through college.
DEEL's mission is to provide equitable opportunities through grants that help fund community organizations' capacity building and program development that serves the health and well-being of children and their families.
DEEL’s investments provide affordable child care for families, high-quality preschool learning to ensure young children are ready for kindergarten, high schoolers are ready for college or vocational career programs, and college students are receiving the support needed to attain a certificate, credential, or degree.
DEEL closely tracks data across all programs to ensure our programs are constantly improving and delivering results.
DEEL is primarily funded by the Families, Education, Preschool and Promise Levy, a seven-year levy intended to enhance academic success with a focus on addressing historical inequities in education and providing targeted support to underserved African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Pacific Islander, underserved Asian populations, other students of color, refugee and immigrant, homeless, English language learners, and LGBTQ students.
 Mayor Bruce Harrell and DEEL Director Dr. Dwane Chappelle visit SPP preschoolers and educators Causey's Early Learning Center in Seattle's Central District on March 18.
Seattle Preschool Program Adds 16 New Classrooms
Longtime Seattle Preschool Program partner Causey’s Learning Center and Executive director Ruth Causey-Brown hosted Mayor Bruce Harrell, DEEL education leaders and Councilmember Maritza Rivera for the opening of SPP applications for the 2024-25 school year. Curious preschool students asked the mayor questions about the importance of names, colors, and counting before a reading circle time. Parents Kristina Hollander and Carlos Morban shared the importance of early education, and the positive impact SPP has had on their child.
“Thanks to SPP and Causey's we've seen our child thrive.” - Kristina Hollander
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 Youth from Friends-Seattle & Director Dwane Chappelle show the National Mentoring Month proclamation
Celebrating National Mentoring Month with Friends of the Children-Seattle
DEEL celebrated the work of partner organization Friends of the Children-Seattle on Tuesday, January 30, visiting youth program participants and presenting a proclamation from Mayor Bruce Harrell in honor of National Mentoring Month. Friends-Seattle implements a long-term mentoring program with salaried professional mentors who support youth facing multiple systemic and institutional barriers and is one of six partner organizations selected by DEEL for the Youth Leadership and Cultural Education award. The six organizations selected for this award include: Celebrating Roots, Creative Justice, Friends of the Children-Seattle, OneWorld Now!, South End Stories, and The Good Foot Arts Collective. A total of $2.8 million in funding will be used to implement culturally responsive leadership programs supporting Black, Indigenous and other People of Color, immigrant, and refugee youth. Each awardee will receive funds ranging from $375,000 to $500,000 over two years of programming in 2024 and 2025.
Read more about Youth Leadership and Cultural Education programming here.
The Roadmap Regional Alignment Convening
DEEL was honored and energized to join the Community Center for Education Results (CCER) on Thursday, February 29, 2024, for their first in-person regional meeting since the Covid-19 pandemic. Partners, colleagues and courageous collaborators in the work for educational equity from across South King County gathered to connect and reflect on updates from the Road Map Project Community Leadership Team (CLT). The CLT authored and published their Black Community Statement of Love earlier this year.
The 2024 convening centered the Community Statement and everything it represents. The program featured a keynote by Dr. Ben Danielson, alongside highlights from the CLT centered on recognizing, uplifting, and celebrating Blackness in our local communities, especially the joy of Black youth.
Learn more about CCER and the Black Community Statement of Love here.
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 Students and parents at John Muir Elementary School
National African American Parent Involvement Day at John Muir Elementary School
On Monday, February 12, 2024, Black / African American parents were invited to spend a day at school with their student for National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID), celebrated throughout Seattle Public Schools. DEEL director Dr. Dwane Chappelle joined parents at John Muir Elementary School as they accompanied their child to recess and lunch and spent time in their child’s classroom. NAAPID encourages parents to volunteer, join the career fair, or partake in reading time.
Read more about how John Muir Elementary and Orca K-8 communities celebrated NAAPID here.
 Director Chappelle receives the Mountaintop Education Award at the 12th Annual MLK Breakfast presented by Jordan Babineux
Director Chappelle receives Mountaintop Education Award
DEEL Director Dr. Dwane Chappelle was honored at the 12th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast on January 15, 2024. Director Chappelle received the Mountaintop Education Award which recognizes educational investments and work for closing the opportunity gap and longtime achievements for educational justice for students.
Dr. Chappelle shared, “This is not just a personal achievement but it’s really a testament to the collective dedication that we all share towards a vision of education that transcends boundaries and promotes equity for everyone in a world where access to quality education is the key to unlocking human potential.”
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Lunar New Year Celebration at CISC
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On Friday, February 9, 2024, members of the DEEL Early Learning team joined over 80 teachers, parents, and children from the Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) Dual Language classroom community at Chinese Information Service Center (CISC) for an intergenerational Lunar New Year Celebration. Preschoolers, parents, family members and elders gathered for a variety of themed children’s activities, including games that develop gross and fine motor skills, exploration of cultural artefacts and attire, music, and refreshments. DEEL’s presence at the event was coordinated by Early Learning Program Manager Dr. Daniel Pérez with SPP Education Specialist Aicha Parkouda. |
Dual-Language Classrooms: Culturally Specific and Responsive Approaches to Early Learning
DEEL had the opportunity to learn firsthand from parents and teachers in the CISC SPP Dual Language classroom community who shared the value of a culturally affirming and enriching environment for our some of our littlest learners.
 Phuong, parent to three-year-old Emma
Phuong, parent to three-year-old Emma, emphasized the importance of Chinese language and cultural instruction for not only her daughter, but the whole family. Prior to enrolling at CISC after her birthday in August, Emma had never been in a child care or early learning setting. The family relied primarily on kinship care thanks to Emma’s grandmothers. Phuong expressed that the idea of entrusting Emma’s care to someone other than family felt nerve-wracking, but the CISC teachers and staff were open and communicative. When asked what she might share with a parent considering Seattle Preschool Program enrollment for their child, Phuong said, “I would go for it! In the beginning I had a chance to visit the classroom. The teacher explained the day-to-day routine, and I connected with teachers like Mabel. Everything is organized, and it’s nice for my baby to have a routine to keep up.” Although her husband speaks Chinese, Phuong does not, and her goal has always been for Emma to maintain the language.
Mabel Kwong, CISC Bilingual Preschool Site director, also elaborated on the impact of cultural language learning for her SPP Dual Language students. “We are now offering Kung Fu Classes to our students starting January 2024. Kung Fu is highly valued in Chinese culture because it teaches respect, patience, humility, and morality."
According to CISC Lead Teacher Grace Chu, “Preserving these arts helps to keep this cultural heritage alive and allows future generations to learn about their history and significance.”
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 Current & Upcoming Funding Opportunities:
Over the last quarter, DEEL released one grant supporting college and career readiness programming for Seattle K-12 students:
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Summer Learning Enhancement funds expand or enhance summer academic and enrichment programs for Seattle K-12 students. Programs focus on cultivating social emotional learning and enrichment, development of college and career readiness skills, and experiences that prepare students for success in school. The application window is now closed. Announcement of awarded applicants expected soon!
Visit our website for more information about DEEL's funding processes, including timelines for notification of selected applications and awards.
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Want to stay up-to-date on funding opportunities from DEEL?
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Seattle Preschool Program Applications are open for the 2024-25 school year
SPP provides affordable, high-quality preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds living in Seattle. Classes are in session, but enrollment slots for the current year are still available with extended day child care available at some locations. Applications for the 2024-2025 school year are now open! Families can learn more and apply at seattle.gov/applyspp.
Need Language Assistance? Email preschool@seattle.gov or call (206) 386-1050.
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FAFSA and WAFSA Financial Aid Applications Due By April 30 for Seattle Promise Scholars
Now is the time for the more than 2,500 Seattle public high school class of 2024 who applied for Seattle Promise to complete their financial aid applications! The federal (FAFSA) or state (WASFA) financial aid applications are due by April 30, 2024. Learn more about changes and updates to the 2024-25 FAFSA/WASFA here.
Need Assistance? Attend an online workshop, or follow these helpful tips and resources.
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Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP)
Calling all young people, ages 16 to 24! Are you looking for something to do this summer that will help prepare you for your future and get paid while doing it? Apply for the Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP)'s Internship program at seattle.gov/syep! The extended application deadline is Sunday, April 21st, 2024.
Some quick facts about the program:
💸 Interns are paid $19.97 per hour for a maximum of 150 hours total. That's up to $2995.50 (pre-tax) for the duration of the internship!
📅 Internship period is six weeks, from July 8th to August 15th, 2024.
🤝 SYEP partners with 50+ employers in and around the Seattle area to host internships each year. Interns choose from a wide variety of internships in different career sectors. There will be in-person, remote, and hybrid opportunities. No experience required!
🎒 Seattle Public School students can earn 0.5 CTE credit which can count towards graduation requirements.
💼 Gain hands-on experience to aid in your professional growth and career exploration.
Eligibility requirements:
🗺 Live in Seattle or attend a Seattle Public School or a Seattle College (North, South, or Central).
😃 Be between 16 to 24 years old at the start of the program.
🏠 Live in a household with income at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI).
Apply today at seattle.gov/syep!
Need assistance? Phone: (206) 386-1375 | Email: SYEP@seattle.gov
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