Friends of SBOC

The Secondary Bilingual Orientation Center (SBOC) is the Seattle School District's “newcomer” school for students age 11- 21 who have recently arrived from other countries. Founded in 1980 in response to a large wave of immigrants from Southeast Asia, it is one of a few schools nationwide designed to receive immigrant and refugee children as they begin a new life in American society.  SBOC currently serves an average of 300 students from 28 different global language groups as they learn English and fundamental academic skills.

In the absence of a traditional PTSA, the Friends of the SBOC formed in 2007 to advocate for students.  With families coming from different ethnic and language backgrounds, the school has never had a parent-teacher organization.  On behalf of parents, our group advocates for equitable funding from the Seattle School District, works with the District to determine the best educational opportunities for students, and raises funds to provide core services, supplies, as well as before and after-school enrichment programs not funded by the District.

The Friends of the SBOC is a network of individuals from different ethnic backgrounds and professions.  We include retired teachers, retired government employees, representatives from community-based organizations that serve refugees and immigrants, SBOC volunteer tutors and staff, leaders from various ethnic communities, and Seattle citizens who want to support the school, its students and staff.

Our over-arching purpose is to partner with the District to ensure that SBOC students develop the academic and social competencies needed to graduate and to pursue higher education or vocational training.

This year we will focus on:

• Promoting the education and welfare of students at this school
• Raising funds through grant writing and special events to help pay for a school nurse and summer programs that will reinforce learning
• Advocating for the school's unique role and its students' special needs
• Reinforcing the link between ethnic communities and the school
• Recruiting volunteers and identifying opportunities for cultural and educational exchanges with students and community groups
• Ensuring that the School District fulfills its commitment to develop SBOC as a comprehensive “World School” which offers paths to a high school diploma and preparation for vocational training or high education after graduation
• Monitoring and supporting the School District's review of recommendations from the 2008 review of the District's bilingual education programs, with the shared goal of improving bilingual education throughout the city