Dear PNB School Level VII, VIII, and Men’s Division families,
Thank you to our PNB School families for your flexibility and support while we continue to navigate the pandemic and serve PNB School students and families. It’s been wonderful having student back in the studios again! We wanted to write today to talk about safety in and around Seattle Center.
As our families know, the Seattle Center campus is very different now with most of the resident organizations and activities closed, on hold, or working remotely during the pandemic. The City of Seattle has made Seattle Center available to host shelters for people experiencing homelessness, one of which is directly below PNB in the Exhibition Hall. With the lack of activity on campus and the nature of being an open urban center serving many individuals, Seattle Center has increased security and security rounds on campus. PNB also has a guard on duty during all School hours. Students driving to PNB should always exercise caution, whether parking in the Mercer Street garage or on the side streets. We encourage (masked) carpooling for students in the same pods, but recognize that carpools are not always possible. Families dropping off are encouraged to use the drop-off parking in front of the Phelps Center (after your student enters the building, please park elsewhere to leave room for the next drop-off) and students should always use the buddy system when walking across campus.
“See Something, Say Something”: Always let our staff know if you see or experience something unsafe on the way in and out of the Phelps Center. And if you see something suspicious while on the Seattle Center grounds, please report it immediately to the Seattle Center Emergency Services Unit at 206.684.7272 (or call 9-1-1.) We are in frequent conversation with our Seattle Center partners and that information helps all of us. (For more information, visit Seattle Center’s Public Safety page: www.seattlecenter.com/visitor-info/safety)
Seattle Center is PNB’s partner in campus safety and has been very responsive to concerns. Campus has been quiet and the shelters operational for many months without significant problems, but please do err on the side of caution when arriving at or departing from the Phelps Center. We are asking students and families to always be aware of your surroundings. Seattle Center shares our high priority in keeping our students and families safe while working with City of Seattle to make shelter and services available to our most vulnerable community members.
Sincerely,
Pacific Northwest Ballet
Pacific Northwest Ballet School
