Dean Purvis

On a beautiful afternoon in late March 2022, Impact Salish Sea Elementary School proudly celebrated Brian Perry’s art installation – a set of traditional Cast Salish carvings entitled “Remember the Teachings.” The work is a suite of three works that include a prominent welcome pole flanked by two canoe-forms that act as benches. Brian was selected to develop an original public artwork for the school which is located at Othello Square in South Seattle. He is a member of the S’Klallam tribe and a representative of the Coast Salish people.

The event was co-sponsored by WCSD and Impact Public Schools and brought students along with members of the S’Klallam tribe and the Othello community to a joyous celebration. WCSD senior project manager, Anna Johnson, emceed, Principal Egypt Burton Charles welcomed everyone, Brian’s tribal family honored the day with traditional performances, and Brian spoke about the artwork.

“Remember the Teachings” depicts creatures of the Salish Sea that serve as precious knowledge keepers for her people. The primary welcome pole is titled “Guardians of the Salish Sea” and features q̕ɬúməčən (killer whale), sčánnəxʷ (salmon), and k̕ʷə́yŋsən (eagle). The salmon represents endurance and renewal. The salmon weathers many perils at sea to return to its home waters and provide nourishment for the people. Overlooking the creatures of the Salish Sea is the eagle, who embodies wisdom. The eagle gazes far to the horizon, where new challenges and opportunities await. And the killer whale centers this post, carrying the faces of the ancestors on its back.

Following the ceremony, everyone gathered outside to view the artwork. Students and guests enjoyed the story pole and welcomed the artwork as part of their community. Thank you to Brian for bringing the stories of the Salish Sea creatures to the school and local community.

I “sat down” with Cecilia Melgares, Managing Director of Operations for Equitas Academy, a charter management organization based in Los Angeles and partner of PCSD since 2010. Cecilia has been with Equitas for almost seven years.

Can you tell me about Equitas? What makes Equitas unique and what inspires you about working there?

What inspires me: The commitment that we have to our scholars and our families to go above and beyond. The emphasis on building character. In education we often focus on the academics, but all the other pieces are just as important in order to create generational change.

What is unique about us and inspires me on a day-to-day basis: The commitment as a staff that we all have to meet scholars and families where they are at. I grew up in LA and went to LAUSD schools. I was an English language learner from a single-family home. Education changed my life! That opportunity is so important. With that perspective I know what it is that our scholars need to be successful.

I understand that Equitas was instrumental in supporting the community surrounding one of your schools. How did you get started and how were you able to sustain the program? Are you still supporting the community in this way and/or has it evolved?

During the pandemic, we felt it was important to meet the basic needs of our families. As soon as we closed down, we were able to serve 200,000 meals by the end of the 2019-2020 school year. In addition, we delivered technology, computers, and internet access. Education is the heart of our mission but students can’t learn if their most basic needs aren’t met.

Although most of the staff were working remotely, the operations team was working on site. We provided breakfast and lunch to the community, including some of our families, at Equitas Flagship (EQ), the headquarters and our flagship school at Pico. All seven of our schools are within 2 miles of each other so the flagship school was easily accessible for all of our families. We were surprised by the number of meals we were serving and had to increase the numbers to meet the needs of the community. We stopped the program in June 2021 when the funding stopped and free breakfast and lunch were offered to all students starting in the 2021-2022 school year.

The response from the community was enormous. We had people who were unhoused who came to pick up food. We had grandparents pick up food. It provided a sense of community for everyone that we were working with. And it showed the community that we were going to be there for our families and community at large.

This year, we have hosted vaccination sites for all our schools over the weekend. It’s open to anyone in the community. We are really mindful of how we bring resources to the community at large.

I would love to hear about your experience working with PCSD. What has been your involvement in working with PCSD? What has surprised you the most?

I worked with PCSD first at Equitas #2 then in 2018, on Equitas #3. We got our Temporary Certificate of Occupancy on Saturday of Labor Day weekend and school started on Tuesday. We had 3 days to get ready. We are now working with PCSD on [Equitas] #5 and #6.

We love working with Joe and previously with Mishelle. They have been an integral part of our project.

Anything else you would like to add?

We are grateful for the partnership [with PCSD] and for the work!! Joe goes above and beyond and always imagines how this is going to impact the scholars and the end work!

James Heugas, Executive Director of Washington Charter School Development, partnered with Homesight CEO Tony To to design and develop Impact Salish Sea Elementary for the New Holly Community. The new facility is an outgrowth of the Othello Square project, a community-based initiative that empowers Southeast Seattle residents by expanding access to healthcare, housing, education, and economic opportunity.

For Women’s History Month, PCSD highlighted the many extraordinary women who guide our charter school partners through the complex facilities development process so our partners can focus on what matters most – teaching and learning.

How long have you worked at PCSD?

8 years

How did you get into the field of facility development and education?

I was working in architecture and design, then got my Master’s in Real Estate Development and switched over to the complex financing of real estate through tax credit structures. It was my time at a tax credit investor that I met PCSD and I liked the mission and its people. I’ve seen a ton of great projects in my hometown.

What advice would you give young women entering this field?

Don’t only get into real estate when the markets are good; anyone can do that. Lean in to real estate work outs, bankruptcies, restructuring of business and debt deals. There’s a ton of experience to be gained when the markets are bad.

For Women’s History Month, PCSD highlighted the many extraordinary women who guide our charter school partners through the complex facilities development process so our partners can focus on what matters most – teaching and learning.

How long have you worked at PCSD?

11 months

How did you get into the field of facility development and education?

I worked at Cushman & Wakefield managing facility projects for PG&E. I came from a sports background and my hiring manager had a similar experience. He knew that I had the rigor to do the work in facility development. I did similar work for a few years with a couple of different clients, including Google and Salesforce. It got to the point where I loved what I was doing, but I wasn’t fulfilled so I started looking at the nonprofit side. I saw the job announcement for PCSD and did an informational interview with Anna Olsen in San Francisco. The position was similar to what I was doing but more aligned with my passion in helping other people.

What advice would you give young women entering this field?

Be confident but humble! Don’t be afraid to ask for help on items you’re not familiar with.

For Women’s History Month, PCSD highlighted the many extraordinary women who guide our charter school partners through the complex facilities development process so our partners can focus on what matters most – teaching and learning.

How long have you worked at PCSD?

4 years

How did you get into the field of facility development and education?

After undergrad, I worked with Teach for America in Memphis and got a chance to teach and saw first-hand the devastation of education in underserved communities. After law school, I had always been interested in real estate so I joined a firm focused on real estate finance. While there, I attended a women in real estate event and one of the fellow attendees told me about the opportunity at PCSD. I knew it was the perfect blend of real estate and serving these communities that were trying to improve education. It was by chance and through networking that I was able to find this position.

What advice would you give young women entering this field?

Be willing to put yourself out there and be assured that you are equally capable and equally deserving. Don’t sit back and think others know more. You know just as much or more and deserve to have your voice heard. Ask the questions.