🌱 Patch AM: How a tiny Kirkland school is reinventing learning for neurodivergent kids

Good morning Kirkland! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

Before we get to what's happening, a big thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Kirkland PatchAM possible. Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
• Sodo Pizza — (425) 588-0963
  New Pizzeria in Town!
• Peony Massage — (425) 406-4698
  📣 𝟒𝟎% 𝐎𝐟𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐬sage
• Primrose School of Redmond — (425) 800-6463
  Child Care , Day Care , Preschool, Opening Soon
• SD Framing — (425) 628-1326
  @sd.framing Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates!
• Crystal Carpet Cleaning & Restoration, Inc. — (425) 649-0908
  Celebrating 35 years serving our community

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

In today's newsletter:

• How a tiny Kirkland school is reinventing learning for neurodivergent kids
• How much did Kirkland’s school‑zone speed cameras really cut speeding?
• Why Kirkland’s crisis center could shape mental health care statewide

Also on today's calendar: Visit a K–12 Private School Where Joyful Learning Delivers Results | Open House and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the hair spray say to the hair when it got back from vacation? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Rain; breezy in the morning, with a high of 44 and low of 37 degrees.
• Wednesday: A little rain, temps: high: 43, low: 33.
• Thursday: Cloudy with a shower or two, with a high of 44 and low of 39 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. How microschools and other innovative K-12 programs are catching on in WA • Washington State Standard (washingtonstatestandard.com) — A private microschool in Kirkland, the Kineo School, is tailoring education for neurodivergent K–3 students with tiny classes and intensive support, at about $26,000 a year. It’s one of several innovative K–12 models emerging across Washington, as districts and private educators test small, personalized programs that differ sharply from traditional classrooms.
   

2. Rules of the Road: Do tailgaters really force others to drive faster? (thenewstribune.com) — Kirkland drivers are highlighted as a success story in Washington’s push for safer streets, with speed cameras in local school zones reportedly cutting speeding by nearly half over two years. The piece explains how automated enforcement and better tailgating awareness can reduce crashes, especially protecting pedestrians, and offers practical advice on safe following distances in different driving conditions.
   

3. WA crisis centers are in jeopardy without more funding, officials warn (seattletimes.com) — Kirkland’s new mental health crisis center is costing the state more than expected, raising questions about how Washington will sustainably fund similar facilities. With Medicaid covering only about half of Kirkland patients, officials warn future centers in places like Lynnwood and Thurston County may never open without new state dollars, even as demand for crisis care continues to grow.
   

4. City of Spokane named in lawsuit over COVID-era eviction moratorium (krem.com) — Kirkland is one of several Washington cities named in a new lawsuit by rental property owners challenging the state’s COVID-era eviction moratorium and seeking financial compensation. While the case is centered in Spokane and Thurston County Superior Court, any outcome could affect how Kirkland and other cities handle emergency housing protections and landlord-tenant disputes in the future.
   

📸 Around Kirkland

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Kirkland

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday January 10

• Visit a K–12 Private School Where Joyful Learning Delivers Results | Open House
  BASIS Independent Bothell, 21540 30th Dr SE, Bothell
  10:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Tuesday January 6

• Family Story Time
  Kingsgate Library , 12315 NE 143rd Street , Kirkland
  6:30 pm

Wednesday January 7

• Middle School and Teen Craft Club
  Kingsgate Library , 12315 NE 143rd Street , Kirkland
  1:30 pm
• Grades 4-5 Craft club
  Kingsgate Library , 12315 NE 143rd Street , Kirkland
  2:30 pm
• Asuntos de Matemáticas / Math Matters
  Bothell Library , 18215 98th Avenue NE , Bothell
  2:30 pm
• Cubelets and 3D Pens
  Kirkland Library , 308 Kirkland Avenue , Kirkland
  3:00 pm
• YOGA with Alison ~ 4 Wednesdays ~ 1/7 thru 1/28/26
  Friendship Academy , 1206 N 185th St , Shoreline
  3:30 pm
• Come Learn Secrets On How To Buy Discounted Real Estate
  Eastside Funding , 3927 Lake Washington Blvd NE , Kirkland
  5:30 pm
• Beats Beyond Boundaries
  Kirkland Library , 308 Kirkland Avenue , Kirkland
  5:30 pm

📣 Kirkland Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday January 6

• Prayer Pack
  Timbercrest Middle School , 19115 215th Way NE , Woodinville
  7:30 am
• Intermediate Choir
  Hollywood Hill Elementary , 17110 148th Avenue N.E. , Woodinville
  8:30 am
• Makerspace Drop-in
  Bellevue Library 1111 110th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
  11:00 am
• The Librarian is In
  Redmond Library , 15990 NE 85th Street , Redmond
  1:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• "Task assistant" scams are rampant.
  Attached is a screenshot of one such Post. Be very careful. Here is a link from the Federal Trade Commission detailing how the scam works: https:/… (Nextdoor South Rose Hill/Bridle Trails)
• Interesting history of downtown Seattle
  https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17pnLeSQsB/?mibextid=wwXIfr (Nextdoor South Rose Hill/Bridle Trails)

• Resideo posted a job opening for Merchandising Shipping/Receiving Associate in Kirkland. Apply here.
• Cinemark posted a job opening for Part-Time Assistant Manager in Kirkland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Kirkland here.

Ok Kirkland! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I mist you!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook