tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post1355258496243596749..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: FAQs On Upcoming Black Lives Matter EventMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger175125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-83324264589015945362016-10-18T22:46:29.266-07:002016-10-18T22:46:29.266-07:00So I will end this thread now. I'm unsure whe...So I will end this thread now. I'm unsure whether I will have another one on this topic because, well, I may have nothing to report. I am getting conflicting reports about whether media (not me, of course) will get access to any of this. <br /><br />It's certainly odd when an event is so advertised up to the day of and then, mum's the word.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-23319414016123779022016-10-18T22:43:08.564-07:002016-10-18T22:43:08.564-07:00Teacher, I am not being sarcastic. I'm asking...Teacher, I am not being sarcastic. I'm asking a question. The general public cannot see Schoology so I have no idea. This event is not event listed on the district's website even as it is advertised as a district-wide put on by teachers. So the tax-paying public doesn't get to know anything?<br /><br />Optimistic, Lynn gets to advocate for her child. There are children in Syria who are far worse off then children in this country. There's always someone worse off but every parent is allowed to express the concern they feel for their child. We need to work to do better for ALL children but I cannot fault someone for wondering exactly what will be said to their child in their classroom on a sensitive subject.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-85659701352289615152016-10-18T22:38:06.634-07:002016-10-18T22:38:06.634-07:00How is frightening my child going to help anyone? ...How is frightening my child going to help anyone? I reject the claim that avoiding these issues makes my child lucky. This is something every child should be provided - a childhood free of fear of the police or of being shot (by anyone) in their neighborhood. It's not insensitive to demand that teachers not discuss in the classroom every terrible thing that happens in this world. These are problems to be discussed and solved by adults. Teachers should strive to make school a place of safety and security for their students. Teachers should expect their students to succeed in school and provide them with the support they need. <br /><br /><b>Teacher</b> I think you're mistaken. My second grader isn't going to come home talking about bullying and prejudice because his school has no activities planned for tomorrow.<br />Lynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-61889487239648247412016-10-18T22:17:56.908-07:002016-10-18T22:17:56.908-07:00Teacher said --- you are the one being sarcastic a...Teacher said --- you are the one being sarcastic and patronizing, not to mention self-righteous. I can only hope that you're not my child's teacher. I also hope that none of your children have loved ones who are in law enforcement.<br /><br />And where on Schoology would I find these lessons? I didn't find them on my son's Schoology.<br /><br />Momof2Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-62725373385880474762016-10-18T22:15:22.565-07:002016-10-18T22:15:22.565-07:00@Lynn
You are lucky that your child does not have...@Lynn<br /><br />You are lucky that your child does not have to face the reality of children being shot in parks or of being fearful of police officers. Other children are not so fortunate. It's great that you feel confident to make your voice heard on this matter but you seem less sensitive when other voices are being raised on behalf of those, including other anxious eight year olds, whose experiences are totally and tragically different to yours. <br /><br />OptimisticAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-54994263498277340662016-10-18T21:24:55.832-07:002016-10-18T21:24:55.832-07:00Schoology.Schoology.Teachernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-90673355780085470152016-10-18T21:23:08.393-07:002016-10-18T21:23:08.393-07:00Melissa, please strive to be more open minded and ...Melissa, please strive to be more open minded and less sarcastic and patronizing, that would be appreciated. There are lessons posted on Schology under each grade level. This should give you a better idea of our action tomorrow.Teachernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-74614667678156419802016-10-18T21:19:28.269-07:002016-10-18T21:19:28.269-07:00Dan, "choose your own adventure" for the...Dan, "choose your own adventure" for the win. Ha!<br /><br />Well, Teacher if you could enlighten all the parents about what WILL be discussed, that would be helpful.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-51195651729797400402016-10-18T21:19:24.398-07:002016-10-18T21:19:24.398-07:00This is posted on the SPS website =>
Eliminat...This is posted on the SPS website =><br /><br /><a href="http://seattleschools.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=627&pageId=14611466" rel="nofollow"> <b>Eliminating Opportunity Gaps in Our Schools</b> </a><br /><br /><b>SPS is working to ensure educational excellence for all students</b><br /><br />It indicates the connection to BLM.<br /><br />-- Dan DempseyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-86644647205156947752016-10-18T21:13:08.421-07:002016-10-18T21:13:08.421-07:00Yes, if you don't think all spots on the bus a...Yes, if you don't think all spots on the bus are open to all people regardless of the color of their skin, you are wrong. If you don't think segregation is unjust, you are wrong. If you don't think slavery, rape, and murder are bad, you are wrong. If you don't think all deserve to have equal access to education, you are wrong. Yes, school does indoctrinate. It indoctrinates children to be kind, to be polite, to treat others as you would be treated, to not judge others by the color of their skin, to be a compassionate, successful member of our community. And, no, your 8 year old will come home talking about how we do not judge others by how they look and that it is important not to bully because that is age appropriate for a second grader. Teachernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-72061569849504035472016-10-18T20:52:20.883-07:002016-10-18T20:52:20.883-07:00It seems to me that what "Teacher said" ...It seems to me that what "Teacher said" stated confirms that if you don't think the way we think you are wrong. ... so much for political discourse. School indoctrination is clearly alive and well in some quarters. Our tax dollars for education at work.<br /><br />I thank "Teacher said" for the clarification.<br /><br />===============<br />Some background from my teaching.<br />South Central LA at the corner of MLK and Main.<br />The renamed Compton Blvd. => Somerset Blvd in Bellflower, CA<br />4 years on the Rez in various locations in WA, NV, and AZ<br /><br />===================<br />Sure would be nice for SPS admin to clarify what SPS thinks this day is about.<br /><br />-- Dan Dempsey<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-70595622765328152922016-10-18T20:39:33.968-07:002016-10-18T20:39:33.968-07:00It seems that what "Teacher said" descri...It seems that what "Teacher said" describes and what Ms. Montgomery wrote are not quite the same.<br /><br />I am still confused as to what the official position of the Seattle School District is on this "day of action"<br /><br />Is this a "choose your own adventure" day?<br /><br />-- Dan DempseyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-42263304998348111952016-10-18T20:37:07.455-07:002016-10-18T20:37:07.455-07:00If my anxious eight year old comes home tomorrow c...If my anxious eight year old comes home tomorrow concerned about children being killed in parks and fearful of police officers, I am not going to be happy and I am not going to be quiet about it. <br /><br />Have you lost your mind?Lynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-74282842314369141872016-10-18T20:35:28.710-07:002016-10-18T20:35:28.710-07:00Yes. Research indicates "the gap" starts...Yes. Research indicates "the gap" starts at day one. Vocabulary acquisition, for onstsnce, between 0-5 is castle different depending on a number of factors.seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-73041035175525497052016-10-18T20:33:36.647-07:002016-10-18T20:33:36.647-07:00rb,
Yup.. Ms. Montgomery's letter is deficien...rb,<br /><br />Yup.. Ms. Montgomery's letter is deficient in a great number of ways.<br /><br />Like I said what does JAMS believe are the causes of opportunity gaps?<br /><br />Root causes?<br /><br />It seems emotional responses rather than relevant data is the basis for decision-making to often in the SPS.<br /><br />Perhaps instead of BLM, Core Knowledge could be considered.<br /><br />-- Dan DempseyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-75171770856226307102016-10-18T20:31:57.964-07:002016-10-18T20:31:57.964-07:00I'm a North End teacher. Our school voted by a...I'm a North End teacher. Our school voted by anonymous, paper ballot unanimously to wear BLM shirts. I am looking forward to joining this political movement tomorrow to attempt to stop the ability of bad cops to kill our citizens w/o consequence. As a member of the BLM movement, this is what the movement is about and has always been about. The HCC discourse is not part of our action tomorrow. This has nothing to do with why Seattle teachers are wearing shirts tomorrow.<br /><br />Yes, we Seattle teachers are now part of this political movement and will teach your children tomorrow about civil rights and Rosa Parks and Ruby Bridges and prejudice and racism and how a cop should not be allowed to kill a school cafeteria worker on a routine traffic stop or a child playing in the park with a toy gun or a man selling cassettes on a street corner. <br /><br />And I can now go to bed knowing I am on the right side of history. Can you do the same?<br /><br />Yes, it's political and we Seattle teachers are part of it and are teaching it. Because it is the right thing to do.Teachernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-21828180878038300232016-10-18T20:10:53.821-07:002016-10-18T20:10:53.821-07:00@ Ari, part of your argument that HCC should go ba...@ Ari, part of your argument that HCC should go back to something like IPP for kids working 4+ years beyond grade level doesn't make sense. You said "gifted ed should not be a place for parents to escape being around FRL and minority kids. That's bad for their own kids and the ones left behind." Do you really think if it's 4 yrs ahead it will be more diverse?<br /><br />Also, what's the evidence that Hazel Wolf, TOPS and other schools are effectively serving students who are one, two and three year ahead? <br /><br />@ seattle citizen, another part of Ms. Montgomery's letter bugged me. She wrote: "Tomorrow’s action is a way to symbolize our commitment to serving our students and to eliminate the opportunity gaps that exist, even as early as at the middle school level." Even as early as the middle school level? Does she not realize that these gaps start at birth--or even prenatally--and does she think they are mostly created after middle school? I agree with you that we need a good understanding of the root causes of these gaps if we help to close them. My understanding is that SPS doesn't create the gaps--they exist upon arrival in K. <br /><br />rb<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-75611449624376506842016-10-18T19:51:19.267-07:002016-10-18T19:51:19.267-07:00I think my child will wear a flannel shirt. Just l...I think my child will wear a flannel shirt. Just like every other day.<br /><br />-plain bellied sortAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-26874205420215721042016-10-18T19:20:24.072-07:002016-10-18T19:20:24.072-07:00Origins of IPP:
http://www.davidsongifted.org/Sea...Origins of IPP:<br /><br />http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/entry/A10022<br /><br /><i>...a comprehensive research and service program has emerged at the University of Washington...A kindergarten-through-high-school program for children and young people exhibiting extraordinary advancement in academic skills. This Individual Progress Program (IPP) is run by the Seattle Public Schools in collaboration with the Child Development Research Group. It is designed for students who are achieving at least four grade levels beyond the grade appropriate for their age...Begun in 1978, the IPP currently serves 75 children, balanced for sex and reflecting the racial makeup of the Seattle population.</i><br /><br />googled itAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36453622665237240502016-10-18T19:09:38.794-07:002016-10-18T19:09:38.794-07:00I have significant disagreement with Paula Montgom...I have significant disagreement with Paula Montgomery's letter posted above.<br /><br />#1 Spousal "Abuse" is determined by the person abused not the abuser.<br /><br />#2 BLM is a political movement<br /><br />#3 There are a number of persons who are not comfortable supporting the BLM political movement<br /><br />#4 "We are proud to participate in the district-wide recognition to embrace students through wearing Black Lives Matter T-shirts" ...... "Tomorrow's action is a way to symbolize our commitment to serving our students and to eliminate the opportunity gaps that exist."<br /><br />#5 "We will continue out important work to make Jane Adams welcoming, inclusive and safe for all our students and their families." <br /><br />===============================<br /><br />The decision to participate by wearing "Black Lives Matter" T-shirts is the antithesis of statement #5 above.<br /><br />#5, in the light of the BLM decision, smacks of if you don't think the way we think you are wrong.<br /><br />I would appreciate knowing what JAMS believe are the causes of the opportunity gaps, how the gaps are measured, and what specific actions have been taken to reduce the size of these gaps. Are gap reductions measured in cohort groups for grade 6 through grade 8? If so what have been the results.<br /><br />To improve a system requires the intelligent application of relevant data.<br /><br />-- Dan DempseyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-74895565060141124312016-10-18T18:58:30.347-07:002016-10-18T18:58:30.347-07:00Windermere agent,
Keeping minorities out of housin...Windermere agent,<br />Keeping minorities out of housing isn't as common now as it once was, but it still happens.<br />11% of poc faced discrimination in a 2013 study.<br /><a href="http://mobile.nytimes.com/2013/06/12/business/economy/discrimination-in-housing-against-nonwhites-persists-quietly-us-study-finds.html" rel="nofollow">Discrimination in Housing Against Nonwhites Persists Quietly, U.S. Study Finds</a>seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-65478338376271163212016-10-18T18:47:03.153-07:002016-10-18T18:47:03.153-07:00Got nuthin' more to say, eh? That's your a...Got nuthin' more to say, eh? That's your argument?<br />Pshaw.seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-23260611459103858402016-10-18T17:50:02.240-07:002016-10-18T17:50:02.240-07:00Well, there are "mistakes" and there'...Well, there are "mistakes" and there's incompetence. EVERY single profession has incompetent people. You find them, give them support to learn/do the job better and if not, they should be out. O-U-T, out. That's true of every single union job. <br /><br />It does no profession any favors to have people who can't do the job make everyone else look bad.<br /><br />Change, very good point on the shirts and I made it to two of the organizers and they had no comment. It's clear that bringing in BLM has a reason. What that is, I don't know.<br /><br />Hazel Wolf and TOPS are Options schools and most programming like dual language and HCC cannot be put there. (I'll go back in my records but I don't recall IPP or APP ever being four grade levels ahead.)<br /><br />Thank you for letting us know what one school - JAMS - is doing because I don't know and I don't think most parents know what will be happening at their schools.<br /><br />Safe Place, you are being deleted for name-calling and name-calling of children. That is NOT allowed.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-33103945588766265172016-10-18T17:03:06.351-07:002016-10-18T17:03:06.351-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-39154912208570064272016-10-18T16:58:14.326-07:002016-10-18T16:58:14.326-07:00I will be wearing a very special NRA themed 2nd am...I will be wearing a very special NRA themed 2nd amendment t-shirt to school and I really want anybody to try and stop me.<br /><br />It's onAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com