Stories by Jim Allen for the Spokesman-Review

From Puerto Rico to Spokane with love: Gonzaga Prep senior Nicolas Lopez joins Dad for better education; next, will attend Gonzaga on full scholarship

Thu., June 3, 2021

Life has been a tough climb at times for Nicolas Lopez.

North Central senior Yalda Shirzai makes once-impossible dreams her reality

Thu., June 3, 2021

When a bomb killed dozens of people at a girls school in Afghanistan last month, Yalda Shirzai was overcome with emotion and one terrible thought.

News > K-12 education

Being multilingual illuminates Ferris senior Rosie Zhou’s worldview

Thu., June 3, 2021

Already accepted at an Ivy League school and with one of the most impressive academic resumes imaginable, Rosie Zhou could be forgiven for coasting to the finish line.

News > K-12 education

Rogers senior Kimberly Ngo works hard for good grades, classmates and to help immigrant parents

UPDATED: Thu., June 3, 2021

The transition to college is seldom easy, but Kimberly Ngo already has a head start, thanks to a pattern of self-reliance that stretches back to her first days of school.

News > K-12 education

Spokane Public Schools investigating industrial revolution lesson at Sacajawea that parent says was racist

UPDATED: Wed., June 2, 2021

Spokane Public Schools is looking into allegations that two Black students at Sacajawea Middle School were unnecessarily subjected to humiliation last month when a teacher directed them to clean cotton as part of a classroom assignment.

News > K-12 education

Water tower near Hamblen Park one step closer to reality after latest Spokane Public Schools vote

UPDATED: Wed., June 2, 2021

The chances of a new water tower going up adjacent to Hamblen Park increased significantly Wednesday night.

News > K-12 education

Spokane Public Schools closes in on plan for new boundaries, but concerns over equity linger

Wed., June 2, 2021

The lines have been drawn at Spokane Public Schools.

News > K-12 education

West Valley hits a home run with ‘incredibly exciting’ graduation plan for the Spokane Indians’ Avista Stadium

UPDATED: Wed., June 2, 2021

The scorecards aren’t in yet, but West Valley High School just hit a home run for the class of 2021.

News > Education

Spokane Public Schools continues work on ‘inclusive’ equity policy

UPDATED: Tue., June 1, 2021

As with other challenges in the last year, Spokane Public Schools is taking a careful, deliberate approach on the issue of equity.

News > Education

Extra Spokane Public Schools graduation tickets are the latest vaccine incentive

UPDATED: Tue., June 1, 2021

As it turns out, your best shot at seeing your loved one graduate is to have your COVID-19 shots.

News > K-12 education

Groundbreaking of Spokane’s new Denny Yasuhara Middle School an emotional experience for late activist’s wife

UPDATED: Wed., June 2, 2021

As groundbreakings go, this one dug a little deeper.

News > Education

Coeur d’Alene schools grapple with one-day mask ban from Lt. Gov. McGeachin as COVID-19 cases soar

UPDATED: Sun., May 30, 2021

Life will be back to normal Monday at Lake City High School – that is, masks will be required following a one-day hiatus on Friday.

News > K-12 education

Idaho Lt. Gov. McGeachin, challenger to Little, prohibits school mask mandates while he’s out of town

UPDATED: Thu., May 27, 2021

Officials at Coeur d’Alene Schools are considering their options after Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin signed an executive order Thursday prohibiting mask mandates throughout the state.

News > Education

Names chosen for three new Spokane middle schools

UPDATED: Wed., May 26, 2021

In the fall of 2022, the students at Denny Yasuhara Middle School in northeast Spokane will find inspiration even as they reach the front door.

Sports > Area sports

Email records reveal strained relationship between former Eastern Washington soccer coach Chad Bodnar and administration

UPDATED: Wed., May 26, 2021

Two weeks later, it’s still unclear exactly why Eastern Washington University fired the most successful coach in school history.

News > Education

New boundary proposal for Spokane Public Schools to be topic of Wednesday board meeting

UPDATED: Tue., May 25, 2021

The Boundary Review Committee for Spokane Public Schools went back to the drawing board this month, but the new lines proposed have remained largely the same.

News > K-12 education

‘A perfect fit’: North Central Principal Steve Fisk will be new Colville superintendent

Sun., May 23, 2021

Seeking a new challenge in a rural atmosphere, Steve Fisk has found both.

News > K-12 education

Spokane School Board incumbents Haynes, Ziehnert decline to run for new terms

UPDATED: Sat., May 22, 2021

Capping an extraordinary week of election filings, Spokane Public Schools board President Jerrall Haynes has decided not to seek re-election to another six-year term.

News > K-12 education

When the honor system fails: COVID-19 still raging at Lake City High School in Coeur d’Alene

UPDATED: Fri., May 21, 2021

As the COVID-19 pandemic recedes at most schools, it has made a major comeback at Lake City High School in Coeur d’Alene.

News > K-12 education

Spokane Public Schools board seats draw heavy interest

UPDATED: Thu., May 20, 2021

A long line is forming for the chance to serve on the Spokane Public Schools board of directors.

News > K-12 education

With three finalists narrowed down, Spokane still hopes to put new water tower near Hamblen Park

UPDATED: Thu., May 20, 2021

Spokane city officials made it clear Wednesday night that school property south of Hamblen Park is their top choice to install a 100-foot-tall water tower.