In 2017, our small but mighty staff of 20 were looking forward with joyful trepidation to launching our first school and welcoming founding families and scholars to Impact | Puget Sound Elementary. Now, just a few short years later, I|PSE students are entering 4th grade, and we are celebrating the launch of a brand new school in Tacoma and a state-of-the-art building in Seattle.
This type of growth is humbling and a true testament to the strength, intelligence, and flexibility of our teachers, leaders, and staff. From day one, we leaned into our unique model of personalized instruction built on the bedrock of Brave Solidarity…and look how far we’ve all come!
On Tuesday, August 17, we cut the ribbon at the gorgeous new building for Impact | Salish Sea Elementary in Seattle. Situated on the Othello Square campus – a new community-led development project – the I|SSE building will provide students an abundance of natural light, large classrooms, safe entry, and special rooms for enrichment. Nearly 100 supporters came to celebrate the Ribbon Cutting with us, including families, scholars, and community members. We heard inspiring words from school leaders, Lauren Ellis and Egypt Burton Charles, and Impact parent and faculty member Shareece DeLeon, as well as Tony To leader of the Othello Square project, and Brad Evans, spokesperson for the Sounders/RAVE Foundation. We enjoyed some delicious sandwiches from local restaurant partner Bananas Grill and gave top-to-bottom tours of the entire building.
Just a week later on Friday, August 20, we celebrated the launch of the brand new Impact | Commencement Bay Elementary in Tacoma! The event was held outside of the school and scholars, families, and community members gathered to witness the ribbon cutting, enjoyed banh mi sandwiches from local restaurant partner La Ca Bar, and heard from school leaders Jessica Baumer and Chassity Hutchins, Impact parent DeeSha Connor, and Steve Smith, Executive Director of the Black Education Strategy Roundtable. It was an exuberant day and a wonderful way to kick off a brand new school in a brand new school year!
This year, I|SSE will serve students in Transitional Kindergarten (a new free, full-day program for 4-year-olds!) through 2nd grade. Going forward, I|SSE will grow a grade each year until the school serves grades TK-5. I|CBE will serve students in TK through 1st grade and similarly grow a grade each year until the school serves up to grade 5.
We’re beyond excited to honor our growth and accomplishments by collaborating with more young scholars in the South Puget Sound region. Let’s Play Big and Grow Together!