Welcome, New and Returning Vikings!

August 2025 

Greetings Scholars and Families of Rainier Beach High School! 

I hope you are enjoying your summer! The RBHS team is back in action in preparation for another successful year at the Beach! Last year was full of anticipation as we transitioned into our new building in April. I am incredibly proud of our staff, scholars, families, alumni, and community members who honored and celebrated the end of an era in the old building and welcomed in the new. 

Last year, we launched three initiatives (closed campus, the elimination of cell phones during instructional time, and starting on time and showing up to learn) that made a significant impact in eliminating barriers to teaching and learning school-wide. We will continue to maintain and improve these systems to support our vision of building an instructional powerhouse that prepares our scholars for college, career, and lifelong learning. 

This year we will focus on Tier 1 campus-wide practices to improve teaching and learning in the classroom and partnering with families to identify and eliminate barriers that disrupt instructional time. Supporting our scholars to start the day on time and attend every class is essential to their academic success. Learning cannot happen if we do not show up. If you are not familiar with Tier 1 systems of support, we will make sure to provide opportunities for you to learn more throughout the year. 

Your feedback is important to me. Please consider completing this survey to update your contact information and answer some questions about attendance to support our initiative.  

Below, please finds the schedule for the first week of school.  We will be sending out more detailed information in the next week. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me by email or phone. I count it a privilege to serve you and your scholar in the upcoming school year! Thank you and take care. 

Blessings, 

Annie L. Patu
Principal, Rainier Beach HS
alpatu@seattleschools.org

First Week of School Schedule

Tuesday, September 2nd: 9th Grade Orientation, Parent Coffee Hour, and Course Schedules 

• 9th grade Orientation from 8:30am – 12pm (additional letter will be sent to 9th grade parents with orientation details) 
• Parent Coffee Hour at 9:30 am in the Commons for 9th grade families and those new to RBHS.  
• Course schedules will go live on the Source for all scholars on 9/2. Counselors will be back in the building on August 18th. Please contact your scholar’s counselor if they do not have a schedule. 
  • Heidi Lally (Last Names: A – G)
    • hnlally@seattleschools.org
    • 206-252-6375
  • Savali Ta’amu Lualua (Last Names: H – N)
    • sptaamu@seattleschools.org
    • 206-252-6374
  • Cintya Beristain Rivera (Last Names: O – Z)
    • ciberistain@seattleschools.org
    • 206-252-6372

Alternate schedule for first week of school and Invite to our Family BBQ! 

• Day 1 (9/3) – 9th grade students will start school in Advisory without the other grade levels for the first day of school. This will give them time to find their classes and acclimate themselves to the spaces in the building. 10th-12th grades will begin school at 10:55am in Advisory. The day’s schedule will be shared in advisory, and staff will be present to support scholars throughout the day. 
• Day 2 (9/4) – All grade levels will begin school at 8:50am in Advisory.  The schedule for the day will be shared out in advisory and staff will be present to support throughout the day. 
• Day 3 (9/5) – All grade levels follow the regular bell schedule. This is also picture day for all scholars who will rotate through a schedule during the school day. In addition, all students, staff and families are invited to our RB Family BBQ from 4pm-6pm!

Laptop Distribution 

Laptops will be distributed on the following dates:   

• 9th graders – Tuesday, September 2nd (after orientation, 1pm-3pm), 
• 10th-12th graders – Wednesday, September 3rd (will be done through classes). 

Closed Campus 

RBHS is a closed campus during school hours. This policy is in alignment with SPS Board Policy 3242, “It is the policy of the Seattle School Board that all students are to remain on campus during school hours.”  However, Principals can determine rules for leaving campus during mealtimes. 9th and 10th graders will remain on campus during any break and the lunch period. 11th and 12th graders can go off-campus during lunch only with a signed parent consent form outlining all expectations, including returning to class on time. Privileges will be revoked if expectations are not met. You can access link for off campus form here.