We just received word that Principal Kelly Aramaki of John Stanford International School is leaving his post at the end of the school year. Here’s a letter he wrote to JSIS families:
Dear JSIS Families,
As you all know, international education is expanding in Seattle. Despite budget cuts and the different challenges facing our district, this is a program that remains in high demand across the city with families of all different backgrounds. It’s exciting to witness and be a part of. What Karen Kodama, the founding principal, started here at JSIS in 2000 with a dedicated group of pioneering teachers and families and what JSIS has become over the next 11 years with the addition of many new and outstanding staff members and families is nothing short of extraordinary. It’s with this utmost admiration and confidence I have in this school community that I have decided that the timing was right for me to leave the school at the end of this year in order to help our district continue to grow and strengthen international education.
About one month ago, Dr. Susie Murphy, the principal who led the transformation of Beacon Hill Elementary School into Beacon Hill International School (BHIS), announced to her school community that she was retiring. BHIS is now in its third year as an international school with Mandarin and Spanish immersion programs up to 2nd grade. Dr. Murphy and the dedicated staff at BHIS started something very exciting for a student population very different than ours; 65% of the students qualify for free and reduced lunch and 40% of the students speak English as a second language. After making her announcement, Dr. Murphy came and talked with me about her school’s hope for a principal to succeed her who has knowledge of and passion for international and immersion education, who has the experience to grow the immersion program into the 3rd – 5th grades and who has a heart for serving the families of Beacon Hill. Knowing what a good place JSIS is in right now, I told her that I would be honored to be that person. I do feel in my heart that this is the right move for me and for the system. I hope that I will be able to serve the BHIS community well and with the dedication and passion that they need as they grow their international program and support their students and families. I feel that this move will help to strengthen international education in the school district. And, I am confident that JSIS will go to even greater places with the passion, dedication and talents of a new principal.
Although I won’t be leaving until after this school year is over, there is much to do and think about now regarding the transition of leadership at JSIS. Our NW Executive Director, Bree Dusseault, and our Interim Superintendent, Dr. Susan Enfield, are committed to ensuring that JSIS continues with a strong and innovative principal who is passionate and dedicated to international education. Our school’s Building Leadership Team (BLT) will work with me and with district leaders to make sure the transition is smooth. As we get more information about the search process for the next JSIS principal, I will share that information with you. If you have any questions about the process, please feel free to contact your BLT representative which can be found in the “About Us” section of our website at www.jsisweb.com.
In the end, I want you to know that in making this decision, the one and only regret and source of great emotion for me is the thought of leaving such an extraordinary, extraordinary school community. We have the most positive, innovative and hard-working staff, the most supportive, positive and social justice-minded group of families, and the most incredible, compassionate and hard-working students. I absolutely love this place, and I have loved serving all of you over the past four years. As much as I will miss this community, I look forward to continuing with all of you to deliver on John Stanford’s dream of providing an education for students of all backgrounds that will prepare them for global citizenship and the fostering of friendship across cultures and languages.
Thank you all for your kindness and support of me all these years. I have appreciated that support more than you can imagine. And thank you all for your continued commitment and dedication to our school, staff and students. It’s because of you and the staff that I know the school will continue to be the very best of the best.
Sincerely,
Mr. Aramaki ~Señor Aramaki ~ あらまき先生
I am disappointed.