True to Form
The district loves to do an end-of-school-year flurry of activities. It's like parents are just about out the door and the district says "have a good summer and oh, we are changing XYZ".
Bryant's long-time child-care provider (17 years) is getting the boot (but can reapply but good luck). Parents are rightly suspicious as the answers they are receiving on why this is happening don't quite mesh. The district says it is compliance issues but it seems that may not be the issue (the provider's license is fine). Their PTA had no notification this was coming and the Bryant administration does not favor the decision.
Over in West Seattle, it suddenly got announced that the Middle College program that has been at South Seattle Community College for nearly 20 years is getting the boot because SSCC needs the space. Interestingly, the district has never paid a cent of rent to SSCC and it might have been that with tight times, they asked for some money from our district. The program in that area serves 70-125 students (usually ages 16-20) who have not been successful in a regular high school and provides them with guidance and attention to get their diploma. (They are opening a new Middle College program but it's over at Seattle University.)
From the West Seattle Blog:
We have some followup questions out – for one, since Boren’s main mission has continued to be described by the district as that of a temporary campus, is this a permanent or temporary home for the MCHS program? Plus, we are renewing a request for comment from SSCC on the grants mentioned by SPS as a reason for the move. Earlier this week, the 34th District Democrats passed a resolution that urged the two school systems to work out an agreement for MCHS to stay at the college, since a hallmark of the program has been college readiness, and being in that atmosphere was considered one of its key points.
Great questions. SPS Communications let the WS blog know that yes, it is a temporary location for Middle College and that Ex Director Aurora Lora will be sending a letter to the STEM K-5 families about the campus arrangement to keep the programs separated.
Marty McLaren, trying to walk a fine line, has come down on the side of the district. She has a statement at the WS blog.
Although I haven’t had a chance to discuss this option with Middle College representatives, Principal McKinney of STEM, or with families of either school, my “first blush” personal reaction is favorable. If Middle College must be uprooted, Boren seems to me to be a good destination; I think the two schools would be good neighbors.
I'm not sure giving an opinion without talking to those involved was a good idea.
Interestingly, the district seems to say there is no money to pay rent and yet they are fine with paying lease money over the last 12 years for Center School to be at Seattle Center.
And, despite a K-5 STEM meeting on Wednesday night, the district waited until Thursday to let those families know that the Middle College program will be co-housed at Boren in portables. Charmingly, the district let parents know there would be opportunities for "mentoring and tutoring." The question does get to be asked - why wasn't this announced at the Wednesday night meeting? The STEM K-5 parents have asked the district for an emergency meeting.
Nobody's happy.
In the category of "groups who continually get kicked around", we then come to the Indian Heritage Program that is being moved to the Northgate Mall Middle College site. They cite the "poor condition" of Wilson Pacific as a reason. That might be but really, that program has been there forever. Where was this concern before? Isn't more realistic that they need to move them out for BEX IV?
The only director to have a Saturday Community Meeting today is Director Peaslee. It is from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Northgate Library. She better get a bigger room.
Bryant's long-time child-care provider (17 years) is getting the boot (but can reapply but good luck). Parents are rightly suspicious as the answers they are receiving on why this is happening don't quite mesh. The district says it is compliance issues but it seems that may not be the issue (the provider's license is fine). Their PTA had no notification this was coming and the Bryant administration does not favor the decision.
Over in West Seattle, it suddenly got announced that the Middle College program that has been at South Seattle Community College for nearly 20 years is getting the boot because SSCC needs the space. Interestingly, the district has never paid a cent of rent to SSCC and it might have been that with tight times, they asked for some money from our district. The program in that area serves 70-125 students (usually ages 16-20) who have not been successful in a regular high school and provides them with guidance and attention to get their diploma. (They are opening a new Middle College program but it's over at Seattle University.)
From the West Seattle Blog:
We have some followup questions out – for one, since Boren’s main mission has continued to be described by the district as that of a temporary campus, is this a permanent or temporary home for the MCHS program? Plus, we are renewing a request for comment from SSCC on the grants mentioned by SPS as a reason for the move. Earlier this week, the 34th District Democrats passed a resolution that urged the two school systems to work out an agreement for MCHS to stay at the college, since a hallmark of the program has been college readiness, and being in that atmosphere was considered one of its key points.
Great questions. SPS Communications let the WS blog know that yes, it is a temporary location for Middle College and that Ex Director Aurora Lora will be sending a letter to the STEM K-5 families about the campus arrangement to keep the programs separated.
Marty McLaren, trying to walk a fine line, has come down on the side of the district. She has a statement at the WS blog.
Although I haven’t had a chance to discuss this option with Middle College representatives, Principal McKinney of STEM, or with families of either school, my “first blush” personal reaction is favorable. If Middle College must be uprooted, Boren seems to me to be a good destination; I think the two schools would be good neighbors.
I'm not sure giving an opinion without talking to those involved was a good idea.
Interestingly, the district seems to say there is no money to pay rent and yet they are fine with paying lease money over the last 12 years for Center School to be at Seattle Center.
And, despite a K-5 STEM meeting on Wednesday night, the district waited until Thursday to let those families know that the Middle College program will be co-housed at Boren in portables. Charmingly, the district let parents know there would be opportunities for "mentoring and tutoring." The question does get to be asked - why wasn't this announced at the Wednesday night meeting? The STEM K-5 parents have asked the district for an emergency meeting.
Nobody's happy.
In the category of "groups who continually get kicked around", we then come to the Indian Heritage Program that is being moved to the Northgate Mall Middle College site. They cite the "poor condition" of Wilson Pacific as a reason. That might be but really, that program has been there forever. Where was this concern before? Isn't more realistic that they need to move them out for BEX IV?
The only director to have a Saturday Community Meeting today is Director Peaslee. It is from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Northgate Library. She better get a bigger room.
Comments
PS parent
~Ripley
And about those murals: I am usre they are over 25 years old, which make them subject to review by the city and/or state under historic preservation. I"m SURE the district, city and state are working hard to ensure that as many of the murals as possible are saved and moved, correct? I'm sure the district is aware of its responsibility under historic preservation laws to evaluate the murals and determine best strategies for preservation? Perhaps someone should make sure that all parties (district, city, state, are up to speed on preservation....
My suggestion for moving them it to put some of them along the south wall of JSCEE, facing the parking lot. There is already the story pole there, in front of the building..They could be put up there in a relatively removable fashion, so as to be moved later as needed.
So we need a heavy equipment contractor, and we need district, city, and state to do the right thing and save the murals.
It's worth noting that the building in general, and a lot of other structures in this neighborhood, get tagged all the time, but those murals have remained untouched since the day they were painted. They get massive respect.