tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post1433726139558566622..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Director Peters And Interagency IssueMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-54392164034136455332014-12-08T18:09:52.566-08:002014-12-08T18:09:52.566-08:00Here is Windermere's listing for Broadmoor, Ma...<a href="http://www.windermere.com/search#!/panmap:true/searchType:criteria/context:map/drive_departure:0/drive_time:08!15/drive_duration:30/drive_avoid_ferry:1/location_search_field:broadmoor%7C%20seattle/status:active/sold_days:180/ls_conversion:sqft/ptype:1%7C2%7C9%7C4%7C3%7C5%7C7/bounds_north:47.65208343575803/bounds_east:-122.20779262220765/bounds_south:47.61460380312321/bounds_west:-122.36297450697327/center_lat:47.6344647/center_lon:-122.28873629999998/center_lat_pan:47.63334697956378/center_lon_pan:-122.28538356459046/zoom:13/geotype:Neighborhood/startidx:0/searchOrGeocode:search/lockMapEvent:false/company_uuid:1234567/pgsize:100/sort_by:1/radius:false/buffer_miles:0.25/geospatial:true/draw:false/sort_by_card:1/ss_email_freq:1/ss_sort_order:0" rel="nofollow">Here is Windermere's listing for Broadmoor, Madison Park's nondiverse gated community.</a> <br /><br />I'm late to this discussion, but from my reading, I'm glad I didn't arrive earlier. <br /><br />Last I checked Queen Anne is not a gated community. And thank the good lord for that. There is no zoning, no law, no policy, no covenant keeping Interagency from the proposed site. <br /><br />These kids need, deserve and have a right to a home within the school system. The proposed location will work just fine. Get moving on the welcome (or move).<br /><br />Longtime reader<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-38843703268715636112014-12-08T17:43:37.171-08:002014-12-08T17:43:37.171-08:00That was me Jet CityMom^^^^That was me Jet CityMom^^^^Websterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14029457141365098391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-71576653077093974822014-12-08T17:42:34.667-08:002014-12-08T17:42:34.667-08:00My daughter attended Summit K-12 and it was a wond...My daughter attended Summit K-12 and it was a wonderful opportunity for family atmosphere in a school.<br />My grandparents, and my mother ( before they moved to Seattle) attended schools that were also K-12 as it was a very rural community.<br />The Islamic school is very close to Garfield and to the Mann building that housed Nova.<br />Ballard high school used to have a preschool (Summit had a daycare)<br />i would love to see more cross age opportunities for Seattle students.Websterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14029457141365098391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-31060811702682477512014-12-08T17:03:58.962-08:002014-12-08T17:03:58.962-08:00Not only are these kids not violent criminals, the...Not only are these kids not violent criminals, they are not criminals. QA Reznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7247356272103987032014-12-08T16:25:02.518-08:002014-12-08T16:25:02.518-08:00@Counterbalance, you wrote "Rather, this deba...@Counterbalance, you wrote "Rather, this debate is solely about the wisdom of CHOOSING to locate the school within a stone's throw of 500 young children while other, better locations exist, and doing so with an intentional lack of transparency and community involvement."<br /><br />The thing is the QAHS Gym is owned by SPS. There are few small locations in SPS's inventory. And to lease a space would take dollars from the General Fund. Dollars away from all other classrooms. <br /><br />So perhaps there are sites that you can think of as alternatives. However, SPS has to consider far more than if there is a property with room? They have to consider cost, safety, transportation, and accessibility, among many other considerations. <br /><br />I support IRS at QAHS Gym. In my opinion, it is not about drugs/alcohol, safety, or transparency. It is about inclusion, and professionalism. Having an alternative to a comprehensive HS, one where kids receive supports from trained, experienced staff for _all_ of their challenges and can connect with peers who have similar struggles, is a best practice for any school district. <br /><br />Kids who struggle with dependency need to "specialized" instruction, and they benefit from being in an environment that knows how to support their sobriety and recovery. <br /><br />Meg Ferris, QA mom and SEL co-chair for QAEAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-26276591374050169912014-12-08T16:18:19.297-08:002014-12-08T16:18:19.297-08:00@QA Parent - I said it may be filed under none of ...@QA Parent - I said it may be filed under none of <b>OUR</b> beeswax. Not "it's none of your" beeswax. As in there is confidential information about students that ALL of us do not have a right to know. You know, on account of it being confidential.Rufus Xnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-32381361064035998472014-12-08T16:07:08.281-08:002014-12-08T16:07:08.281-08:00@counterbalanced
Still waiting for that list of &...@counterbalanced<br /><br />Still waiting for that list of "better" locations within the SPS inventory.<br /><br />Thanks.<br /><br />-reality checkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-50796043538489016442014-12-08T15:57:54.634-08:002014-12-08T15:57:54.634-08:00@David: I see Imdid use the words, so I stand corr...@David: I see Imdid use the words, so I stand corrected. But they remain valid.Counterbalancednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-27123808187946286162014-12-08T15:57:26.028-08:002014-12-08T15:57:26.028-08:00@David,
You are taking Counterbalanced's (CB)...@David,<br /><br />You are taking Counterbalanced's (CB) remarks out of context. Read the thread and you will see that CB originally asked the question if SPS will let us know if any of these kids have a violent criminal background. Another poster, Rufus X, said that "it's none of your beeswax". CB then responded that it IS our business if any kids who might be violent criminals would be going to school next to an elementary school.<br /><br />Just wanting to make sure everyone has clarity.<br /><br />- QA ParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-81815005530629311452014-12-08T15:54:38.855-08:002014-12-08T15:54:38.855-08:00@David: I neither value nor desire your endorsemen...@David: I neither value nor desire your endorsement of my credibility, particularly since you are willing to attribute to me words I did not use. <br /><br />I am specific about convictions. Unless you consider our judicial system to be a sham, this generalizes no one. It is specific to individuals.Counterbalancednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-83249755016289901362014-12-08T15:54:36.713-08:002014-12-08T15:54:36.713-08:00For what its worth there are other SPS elementary ...For what its worth there are other SPS elementary schools with social service agencies nearby. An adult residential drug rehab facility is located next door to Broadview Thomson. These kinds of inpatient facilities are unlocked so clients are free to leave. There is only a fence between it and the schoolyard and Bitterlake Park.Would I prefer that the facility be located somewhere else? Yup, but kids and families walk by this rehab center every day without incident (me included) and it is far less secure than Interagency. So, Q.A. folks try to keep it in perspective. I get that SPS did not communicate the intent to place an Interagency High School but geeze this has blown-up so out of proportion that it boggles the mind. <br /><br />Bitterlake NeighborAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-30935959778684619172014-12-08T15:39:02.114-08:002014-12-08T15:39:02.114-08:00I teach at Interagency-UDYC, where our classrooms ...I teach at Interagency-UDYC, where our classrooms are located in the same hallway as a Montessori preschool program. The only thing separating its space from our space is a rolling bulletin board. There are two other children's school programs located in the same building. In fourteen years of sharing a location, there has not been a single incident involving any of the programs or younger children. In fact, there are rarely any significant behavior issues at all in that hallway because our students respect the fact that there are younger children around.<br /><br />Three Interagency students recently interviewed with the director of one of the programs, and will begin internships there in January. At least three of the current employees of the children's school are former Interagency students.<br /><br />I have been a teacher with Interagency for over twenty years, and my first site was located in the old Crown Hill School building. We shared a hallway with a preschool and also Small Faces Child Development Center. During my four years at that site, there were no incidents between Interagency students and younger children.<br /><br />The population of the Recovery School will be different from that of many of the other IA sites. Please keep this in mind as you gather information about Interagency -- each site has its own characteristics, agency partners, etc. <br /><br />I understand the concerns of some of the parents, and would encourage everyone to try to come together to make it work for all of the kids -- Interagency, Hay, QA -- because I think it can be done. <br /><br />IA TeacherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-45187359784978607832014-12-08T15:29:18.971-08:002014-12-08T15:29:18.971-08:00@Rufus: one criterion for "better" would...@Rufus: one criterion for "better" would be a safe distance from an elementary school. There are other locations owned by the District that meet this criterion. When I get a chance, I will post them.<br /><br />Success: that is for the IA program to decide. If they haven't, that's a problem, particularly given national figures that put the incidence of relapse well above 50%.<br /><br />It is most certainly my business as a parent whether known viloent criminals are voluntarily being sent to a school so close to where many of us send our children. I do not wish to violate anyone's privacy, just give me a vague but reasonably accurate answer. How can we assess safety without this? Also, given that the District has already disclosed that these students are chemically dependent by the very name of the school, what about a history of violence should not meet the same standard? Frankly, it may be more important.Counterbalancednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-20542415478121076172014-12-08T15:25:07.236-08:002014-12-08T15:25:07.236-08:00Just for clarification: I am QA Parent and I DID N...Just for clarification: I am QA Parent and I DID NOT SAY THIS:<br />-------<br />"QA Parent said...<br />@ Better Next Time "I agree it is a great learning opportunity for my kids. To know that these kids are having a hard time recovering from addiction, and have to work hard at it and need a special school just emphasizes the dangers of experimenting with drugs and alcohol at this young age."<br /><br />And I'm sure 4,5,6 year olds totally grasp this cause and affect relationship, right?"<br />-------<br />@BetterNextTime said the quote about opportunity.<br /><br />-QA ParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-8058537471369881492014-12-08T15:22:17.859-08:002014-12-08T15:22:17.859-08:00Yes, I'd like to know these "better locat...Yes, I'd like to know these "better locations." Because if you have nothing specific in mind, then, of course, somewhere in the world there might be a better place but we're talking about SPS.<br /><br />I don't think anyone's concerns or unhappiness is unfounded. The level of it? I don't get. These are kids who WANT to be in school; they are not being forced to go. I think most of them know what it means. They will be supervised. <br /><br />I think this will be one interesting meeting and again, people keep your cool. Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-54272217712060331282014-12-08T15:20:15.591-08:002014-12-08T15:20:15.591-08:00@ Better Next Time "I agree it is a great lea...@ Better Next Time "I agree it is a great learning opportunity for my kids. To know that these kids are having a hard time recovering from addiction, and have to work hard at it and need a special school just emphasizes the dangers of experimenting with drugs and alcohol at this young age."<br /><br />And I'm sure 4,5,6 year olds totally grasp this cause and affect relationship, right?QA Parentnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-64637776665434476582014-12-08T15:04:29.194-08:002014-12-08T15:04:29.194-08:00@Counterbalanced said "this debate is solely ...@Counterbalanced said <i>"this debate is solely about the wisdom of CHOOSING to locate the school within a stone's throw of 500 young children while other, better locations exist,"</i><br /><br />Where are these other, better locations? What makes them "better"?<br /><br /><i>The District has not provided statistics as to the success/failure rates of Interagency Students,"</i><br /><br />What defines success/failure - graduated from high school (whether IA or other school), or another/other metric(s) that define success/failure? For any and all of IA locations, or just this one that doesn't exist yet?<br /><br />As for <i>"how many of them have historically relapsed, how many students convicted of violent crimes"</i>, Those answers may be filed under "none of our beeswax".Rufus Xnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-65884899621584840962014-12-08T15:02:14.856-08:002014-12-08T15:02:14.856-08:00@ Anon/Counterbalanced
You mentioned that SPS has...@ Anon/Counterbalanced<br /><br />You mentioned that SPS has space - somewhere other than Queen Anne Gym, at "better locations" to house the Interagency Recovery Program. Where, exactly, would that space be?<br /><br />John Hay is truly blessed, in that it is located in a quiet, residential neighborhood. <br /><br />Years ago, weren't there high school students housed behind John Hay, at Queen Anne HS? Probably hundreds more than the 10-80 students in the Interagency program? Was it OK back then to have a high school across from an elementary school?<br /><br />Queen Anne has sidewalks, yes? Did you know that there are some neighborhoods IN SEATTLE that lack sidewalks, yet SPS had the audacity to locate schools in these neighborhoods without sidewalks? Kids of all ages have to do without sidewalks on their commutes to and from school...except for along some of the main drags, like Lake City Way, with its pot shops, liquor stores, and strip clubs.<br /><br />Would it be more appropriate, in your view, to locate the Interagency Recovery School out of a safe residential neighborhood, and closer to main drags with these "amenities?"<br /><br />I applaud SPS for finding a safe location for this very deserving program.<br /><br />- reality checkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19708242866497830452014-12-08T14:50:59.689-08:002014-12-08T14:50:59.689-08:00Thanks for the tip. Just updated.Thanks for the tip. Just updated.Counterbalancednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-57129813661475923522014-12-08T14:37:29.235-08:002014-12-08T14:37:29.235-08:00@Anonymous @2:29pm
You have to sign with some sor...@Anonymous @2:29pm<br /><br />You have to sign with some sort of "name" for your comments to have them not be deleted. Excellent comments and I have copied your thread to re-post in case it IS deleted.<br /><br />- QA ParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-13273969927100631342014-12-08T14:34:12.509-08:002014-12-08T14:34:12.509-08:00Let's first of all be very clear: this is not ...Let's first of all be very clear: this is not a debate about the importance of the Interagency Program, its students, or of whether they belong in our "community". The program and its students are important and they both need the support of their communities. Indeed, these students are already in our community, whether we want to acknowledge that or not.<br /><br />Rather, this debate is solely about the wisdom of CHOOSING to locate the school within a stone's throw of 500 young children while other, better locations exist, and doing so with an intentional lack of transparency and community involvement.<br /><br />Are we to assume that NO additional risk for John Hay's students will exist once this school is opened a mere 25 feet from the playground? If not, the question for me then becomes, "How much additional risk will there be?". Those of you who prefer reasoned, thoughtful assessments to important questions may wish to take a moment to critically weigh this issue. It is important. Several concerned parents of John Hay students have tried, and the District's inability to provide any meaningful information around this has me more concerned than I was at the beginning. Their recent FAQ is an example of the lack of substance they have demonstrated throughout the process that brought us here.<br /><br />The District has not provided statistics as to the success/failure rates of Interagency Students, how many of them have historically relapsed, how many students convicted of violent crimes will be enrolled from the start, and so on. Furthermore, there have been no assurances that this school will remain focused on recovering addicts and not change its mandate to serve more violent students. Perhaps most troublingly, people in the administration have admitted that no additional safety concerns are taken into account when choosing sites for these schools than there would be for any other proposed school. Does this seem reasonable to you? The Interagency's own website carries a link to an article from the Seattle Times that carries numerous references to violence and how it impacts the program, including where some students are located. Here is the link. Please read it:<br /><br />http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2018513097_lastchance24m.html<br /><br />To pretend that we have no basis for our concerns is an easy way out for some. But more importantly, many of is feel it is also to fail the children at John Hay in particular. We are unwilling to blindly trust a District that functions in this manner with the safety of our kids. Are you? Would you be if you had young kids at John Hay?<br /><br />The safety of children requires something more than "It will be fine". It requires proof from the Distrcit that we as parents need not be concerned. Current efforts to date have had the opposite effect. As such, I will continue to advocate for another location.Counterbalancednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-1015578692121401412014-12-08T14:29:59.467-08:002014-12-08T14:29:59.467-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-42707079115961055692014-12-08T13:50:31.645-08:002014-12-08T13:50:31.645-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-34645699799176630942014-12-08T13:49:38.820-08:002014-12-08T13:49:38.820-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36371944079574239202014-12-08T13:38:04.454-08:002014-12-08T13:38:04.454-08:00"Recovery School and Elementary School Childr..."Recovery School and Elementary School Children DO NOT MIX. Period."<br /><br />and I assume you have even one iota of proof to back up this claim?QA_Lifernoreply@blogger.com