tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post3262362987558950419..comments2024-03-28T23:38:22.511-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Public Schools This WeekMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-11533210995228278832016-06-09T08:43:40.313-07:002016-06-09T08:43:40.313-07:00Hale has late start on Tuesdays to allow teachers ...Hale has late start on Tuesdays to allow teachers to collaborate and plan their classes. Most kids like the block classes with different schedules on different days. The same thing day after day is boring. Most college classes are for 2 or 3 days a week.<br /><br />Perhaps if teachers don't like Hale's or Cleveland's setup, each school could figure out how they want to meet the 24 credit threshold instead of forcing the trimesters on all schools. I am very thankful that we will be out of SPS before this hits.<br /><br />HPAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-25999857219248030462016-06-08T12:29:05.376-07:002016-06-08T12:29:05.376-07:00Legally, it is up to each district to decide what ...Legally, it is up to each district to decide what a credit is. So, I guess they could try to say 1 semester of math equaled a year. But colleges may not buy it and may not consider it met. Where the task force was coming from was how to make sure kids could BOTH take core classes needed for graduation (and to prepare for college/career, etc) AND still work in electives or take sequenced pathways, like say the video program at Ballard. The point was to make room for things like art and music, or coding, or whatever ... so, for instance, 2 classes of ELA, then an elective in the next trimester. Another option is a modified bloc sked where kids take 7 or 8 classes at a time, but they alternate days. Cleveland has a modified 8 bloc. Hale has a modified 6. Issue there is the blocs meet for longer periods (up to 90 minutes). A lot of teachers don't like this. There is a lot of PD involved for staff in making these skeds work well. And they are more expensive. (Hale has a longer day, for instance, and different agreements with staff) Ultimately more on the hs committee and task force preferred the 5x3, but using blocs is definitely an option to consider. ... Ramona Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17269272676307680777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-34285613951011998932016-06-08T12:29:01.477-07:002016-06-08T12:29:01.477-07:00Advisory is not unheard of, but also not currently...Advisory is not unheard of, but also not currently accessible to all or even most SPS high achool students. Done well, they can really support kids. One reason why both high school committee (a standing group) and the 24-credit task force is recommending SPS adopt them for all hs students.Ramona Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17269272676307680777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-75669398097434079272016-06-08T12:28:58.386-07:002016-06-08T12:28:58.386-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Ramona Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17269272676307680777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-5133478974757601002016-06-08T12:28:02.479-07:002016-06-08T12:28:02.479-07:00I just want to note also that in year 1 of the ta...I just want to note also that in year 1 of the task force we had a number of counselors involved, and their perspectives on engaging and supporting kids really influenced us. This year we had more hs teachers involved. They really went to bat for a schedule that offered all kids access to electives and pathways while not overwhelming them. A tri sked gives kids struggling in math an option of a math lab to bolster them ... and still be able to take electives. Giving kids more opportunities to earn electives means failing a course doesn't derail them. Kids who struggle often cannot accommodate out of school learning (jobs, for instance) so creating a schedule that gives them plenty of leeway, during the regular day, is important. Cleveland grads are most equipped to meet state requirements (based on credits earned and courses taken). I think Ballard came in last. Not to knock Ballard. It's a wonderful school. But the old straight 6 periods is very limiting. Ramona Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17269272676307680777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-39183401397030552472016-06-08T12:15:28.781-07:002016-06-08T12:15:28.781-07:00Advisory is not unheard of, but also not currently...Advisory is not unheard of, but also not currently accessible to all or even most SPS high achool students. Done well, they can really support kids. One reason why both high school committee (a standing group) and the 24-credit task force is recommending SPS adopt them for all hs students.Ramona Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17269272676307680777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-38384003966973539992016-06-08T12:10:04.597-07:002016-06-08T12:10:04.597-07:00Legally, it is up to each district to decide what ...Legally, it is up to each district to decide what a credit is. So, I guess they could try to say 1 semester of math equaled a year. But colleges may not buy it and may not consider it met. Where the task force was coming from was how to make sure kids could BOTH take core classes needed for graduation (and to prepare for college/career, etc) AND still work in electives or take sequenced pathways, like say the video program at Ballard. The point was to make room for things like art and music, or coding, or whatever ... so, for instance, 2 classes of ELA, then an elective in the next trimester. Another option is a modified bloc sked where kids take 7 or 8 classes at a time, but they alternate days. Cleveland has a modified 8 bloc. Hale has a modified 6. Issue there is the blocs meet for longer periods (up to 90 minutes). A lot of teachers don't like this. There is a lot of PD involved for staff in making these skeds work well. And they are more expensive. (Hale has a longer day, for instance, and different agreements with staff) Ultimately more on the hs committee and task force preferred the 5x3, but using blocs is definitely an option to consider. ... Ramona Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17269272676307680777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-42254167900202159922016-06-08T11:50:39.552-07:002016-06-08T11:50:39.552-07:00I think Cleveland has something as well.I think Cleveland has something as well.Ramona Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17269272676307680777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-75920981968960313372016-06-08T11:50:06.318-07:002016-06-08T11:50:06.318-07:00This is an example of what the 24 credit task forc...This is an example of what the 24 credit task force was looking at with advisory. Some high schools have something in place, others zilch. Done well, advisory has really positive results. But staff has to buy in and help figure out what it looks like.Ramona Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17269272676307680777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-21427068165774393792016-06-08T11:43:27.311-07:002016-06-08T11:43:27.311-07:00And on advisory periods, there were various ideas....And on advisory periods, there were various ideas. My take was that was something the high schools wanted opportunity to explore with their staffs. Ramona Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17269272676307680777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-5347776050890120962016-06-08T11:40:51.285-07:002016-06-08T11:40:51.285-07:00Also, we didn't go into personalized learning,...Also, we didn't go into personalized learning, but there was concern expressed about equitable access to online learning for credit retrieval. Upshot from task force was online was something that really needed it's own exploration. But, if schools were going to continue to use it for credit retrieval (and some are) it needed to be equitable and staff oversight had to happen... in a sense, "pathways" and hs beyond planning is personalized learning in the sense that they are founded on the idea that kids interests should drive their education and that staff shouldn't dictate what classes they can access. Some families are really suspicious of tracking. And history supports their concern.... but there was no conversation about turning education over to online, tech-supported personalized learning. At least not on this task force.Ramona Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17269272676307680777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-1973814965207478402016-06-08T11:28:49.013-07:002016-06-08T11:28:49.013-07:00Hi Melissa, on the 24 credit task force recommenda...Hi Melissa, on the 24 credit task force recommendations, the high school and beyond planning tool is not in place of counselors. It is in addition to. We also asked for a counselor increase. And the state also increased funding specifically for hs counselors. So that aligns. The online access is a planning tool for parents and students to engage. They also help counselors, I believe. They are actually quite common (esp in private schools), and SPS budgeted for one earlier, but the company they chose defaulted. The tool is something counselors have been seeking. They are especially useful for kids in CTE and who are designing specialized pathways. They help kids explore career ideas, etc, and can be used in an advisory class. Empowering kids and giving parents access to help support career or college readiness is important to transitions beyond hs. That was the driving consideration. Ramona Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17269272676307680777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-50445030137578065922016-06-06T22:43:38.881-07:002016-06-06T22:43:38.881-07:00Tuesday, June 7, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
HCC advisory meet...Tuesday, June 7, 6:30 - 8:00 pm <br />HCC advisory meeting NESeattleMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14685367298254415469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-63564417277200247392016-06-06T22:39:43.839-07:002016-06-06T22:39:43.839-07:00Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 7th.Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 7th.SPS Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00753456189315452834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-53891601186611490902016-06-06T21:48:26.992-07:002016-06-06T21:48:26.992-07:00HF, what day is that?HF, what day is that?Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-76805631317552357992016-06-06T19:37:43.273-07:002016-06-06T19:37:43.273-07:00Another SPS meeting this week:
Highly Capable Ser...Another SPS meeting this week:<br /><br />Highly Capable Services Advisory Committee meeting, 6:30 - 8:00 pm, Garfield High School Library.<br /><br />NOTE: The agenda will include Flip Herndon talking capacity issues and the Highly Capable Cohort. I wonder if this is a long-term vision type discussion, or immediate crisis management...<br /><br />HFAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-11396057396537760032016-06-06T12:10:51.172-07:002016-06-06T12:10:51.172-07:00I was upset to learn that the cost of purchasing g...I was upset to learn that the cost of purchasing graduation cap and gown was $50. That is a lot of money and certainly a lot of money for one-time use. <br /><br />One school offers an Advisory Period. It is intended to help students with social issues. Recently, a charter school boasted the fact that they offered an Advisory Period. They acted as if they were offering something unheard-of in public school.Watchingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-34826730631128438772016-06-06T12:00:22.013-07:002016-06-06T12:00:22.013-07:00Re the 5x3 schedule. I know this sounds ridiculou...Re the 5x3 schedule. I know this sounds ridiculous (it is), but does anyone know if SPS could just keep our current 6x2 schedule and make each class worth 1.50 credits? I honestly can't see the difference (5x3 does not magically create more class time.) I guess the problem is that it would make each individual class failure more of an issue, not less (as 3x5 does.)<br /><br />So, ok, how about this? They already give midsemester grades. So, switch to a 6x4, with each class worth (I think) 0.75. The class schedule remains exactly the same, but kids can get half credit if they only fail half the class. It would be a pain for teachers because midsemester grades would have to be more meaningful, but would have to be easier than reworking every single work plan for all of their classes. (I would add a zero period for kids who are struggling, but SPS doesn't seem to be willing to spend any money on anything that practical.)Maureennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-61615664670889076192016-06-06T11:49:02.096-07:002016-06-06T11:49:02.096-07:00I brought up the idea of a gown lending program at...I brought up the idea of a gown lending program at Ingraham and was told that there was no where to store them (having students run this off campus might help.) Another issue is that it costs almost as much to buy a cap and tassel as it does a gown and many students like to keep those. (That pricing is, of course, ridiculous -- it is unclear to me how the vendor is chosen, is that a school/ASB decision or does the District do it on behalf of all of the schools?)Maureennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-75830851684478689762016-06-06T10:48:54.030-07:002016-06-06T10:48:54.030-07:00Garfield students could choose between purple and ...Garfield students could choose between purple and white this year - the first time colors weren't assigned based on gender. The change was made because students believe it's not right to segregate based on gender and out of sensitivity to students whose gender identity is fluid or something they're not willing to declare so publicly. The current senior class leadership has recommended that next year's seniors choose one color for the entire class. <br /><br />There was some conflict about the change. Shedrick Johnson, president of the Black Student Union was quoted in the student paper saying “People made it seem like we should have catered to the minority. That’s not fair because others are the majority.” Lynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-21532114090518017892016-06-06T10:43:29.429-07:002016-06-06T10:43:29.429-07:00Garfield got settled because there was an ordering...Garfield got settled because there was an ordering timeline. The issue has differences of opinon, since you can't have it both the old way--white on girls, purple on boys; and the new ways--choice; or another new way, all one color--purple. So you can't make everyone happy.<br />GHSmomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-63393697558388997522016-06-06T10:37:45.797-07:002016-06-06T10:37:45.797-07:00I wondered about the contract too. Can you buy the...I wondered about the contract too. Can you buy the cap separately? <br /><br />Collecting gowns would be a great service project for a junior at each school. Lynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-66689373189648315192016-06-06T10:35:22.898-07:002016-06-06T10:35:22.898-07:00I tried to give the one I had for Hale back but th...I tried to give the one I had for Hale back but they said it was probably a different dye lot and refused it. <br /><br />I don't know if other schools do this like Roosevelt but I was certainly glad to help some other students. I agree; the cost is pretty high and I'm sure for a low-income family it is worse.<br /><br />I know Garfield is having an issue over the colors being used this year versus what was tradition but I don't know if that got settled.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-25252826311891966622016-06-06T09:27:52.199-07:002016-06-06T09:27:52.199-07:00I was told that schools can not ask for donations ...I was told that schools can not ask for donations of used graduation gowns because of contracts with the sales company. Not sure if that is true. However, we have given our used gowns to the counseling office for future students of need. I know that our current high school provides used gowns for some students. I think parents could organize a gown hand off from grads to junior parent group too. <br /><br />I imagine that if students graduate in dress clothes, the expense could be higher for students who have to buy a suit or dress. <br /><br />HS ParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-44121130073407939192016-06-06T08:52:54.918-07:002016-06-06T08:52:54.918-07:00You started this post by noting that you gave Roos...You started this post by noting that you gave Roosevelt your younger son's gown so another student could wear it. Do you know of other high schools that do this? We're graduating our second child this year, and once again are appalled at just how much money it costs (different school, so we had to buy a different color gown). If each high school were to collect gowns after graduation from anyone who wanted to donate them, in just a couple of years they'd have a full supply to save students from the high cost of a polyester tent they'll only wear once.<br /><br />My older son proposed to his high school that students be given the option of wearing dress clothes to graduation and donating the cost of their gown to the school's scholarship fund. He was told it would detract from the solemnity of the day.<br /><br />Pity we can't find a way to make graduation a low cost event for families.<br /><br />Nearly Done with SPSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com