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PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 746 Seattle, WA

VOL 34 NO 38 SEPTEMBER 12 – SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 FREE 33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

Back to school? ID charter school rides the storm Now what?

Photo by Assunta Ng/NWAW

By Assunta Ng Northwest Asian Weekly

Students collaborate in the main area

On Sept 4, Washington State Supreme Court proclaimed that it is unconstitutional for charter schools to use state funding. Summit Public (charter) School immediately emailed parents for an emergency meeting in its Chinatown International District school on Sept. 8. In 2012, Washington state voted to allow publicly funded schools to run privately. That meant the state will fund $7000 for each student Summit has, the same amount for a public school student. Students enrolling in charter schools are not required to pay tuition. Could that funding for charter schools be in jeopardy now? Does it mean charter schools, which should receive their funding from the state, by the end of September, won’t get a dime? Jen Wickens, chief Regional Officer for Summit Public Schools, said she is

shocked and devastated when she got the news on Sept. 4. Principal Malia Burns, said she experienced “a range of emotions” and felt, “sad and disappointed.” “We are inspired by our families’ deep commitment to our school and to the Washington charter movement,” said Wickens. “While Friday’s news about the Supreme Court ruling was shocking and devastating, it is already making our community even stronger. Our families are relieved that we will continue to offer the same high quality, personalized program we’ve provided over the last three weeks.” Close to 100 parents came to the meeting. The parents and students were reassured that the school is open. One parent asked if they needed to pay tuition from now on. Wickens said, “We never accept tuition. I am sure 100 percent.” The parents applauded. One parent complained the timing of the Supreme Court announcing its decision—in Sept. and not before the building of new charter schools. “They knew that they (charter schools) were organizing new schools a year ago.” “Whatever we need, we will keep the school open,” said Burns. What are the options and strategies for Summit? Create a new law to make charter schools legal and state-funded was one of the solutions, mentioned at the meeting. Being the 42nd state to create charter schools, Washington state now has 9 charter schools. What Washington state is going through is not uncommon in other states. For the past four days {see CHARTER cont’d on page 14}

Seattle public school teachers are on strike for the first time in 30 years, Sept. 9.

Crossroads Mall to change foreign flag after community complaints

Courtesy Bellevue Reporter

By Allison Deangelis Bellevue Reporter Crossroads Mall officials have agreed Sept. 8 to change a flag displayed at their food court after locals complained about the offensive nature of the Vietnamese flag on display, one that was created by a government that forced many Vietnamese-Americans out of the country. “Now that we have been made aware that some of our customers were uncomfortable with it, it will be

removed as quickly as possible,” said Crossroads Shopping Center Marketing Director Sue Popma. “The message that we want to convey to the public is that all people are welcome at Crossroads, regardless of their nationalities or differences.” The flag currently on display is the Flag of the People’s Army of Vietnam, the northern communists that worked with the Viet Cong to defeat the American forces during the Vietnam War, and are currently the ruling party. It is one of many international flags painted above the entrance to the Crossroads Public Market food court. As Popma pointed out, the flag currently displayed is recognized by the United Nations. But while it is the nation’s official flag, resident Huy Duong and many {see CROSSROADS cont’d on page 14}

{See related story on page 10}

The Inside Story NAMES People in the news » P. 2

COMMUNITY Meet Mia Tuan » P. 3

WORLD Losing Ben Kuroki » P. 5

BACK TO SCHOOL Voices from the youth » P. 7

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