tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post3296643096891564385..comments2024-03-29T02:41:52.718-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle School Board Races: A New Low?Melissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-11149520347352691612013-11-06T13:16:54.962-08:002013-11-06T13:16:54.962-08:00Where's Arch Stanton when we need a really goo...<i>Where's Arch Stanton when we need a really good graphic?<br />WSDWG<br />11/3/13, 11:01 PM</i><br /><br />Sorry, been slacking. The link to the original doesn't seem to be working. I'm fairly sure that I saw it earlier. Based on the original and the description of the recent version; if that's what passes for big bucks PAC mailings, then the job prospects for photoshop hacks must be pretty good. <br />-ArchStantonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-43343554782851787552013-11-05T23:36:05.686-08:002013-11-05T23:36:05.686-08:00Arbor Heights Rules!Arbor Heights Rules!mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-8915917248256623032013-11-05T20:20:49.820-08:002013-11-05T20:20:49.820-08:00Whatever dragon. I didn't say all - I said MA...Whatever dragon. I didn't say all - I said MANY of the ones I encountered, and said it was my opinion based on my interactions there. Clearly others may have had different experiences and also have opinions. I lived off of 75th and about 38th NE for several years. In a basement apartment/MIL rental - can't afford to buy a house in this city. Prior to that, I'd lived on Capitol Hill, Lower Queen Anne, Pinehurst, Shoreline, First Hill, Wallingford, and Interbay. All the neighborhoods have their own personality - in my opinion! - and some are more welcoming and open than others, some are much more aloof and hard to gain entry to. I found myself very much uninvited to some of the neighborhood functions in this particular neighborhood when it was discovered I held different opinions than those of my neighbors - they had no desire to hear a different point of view. Contrast that with my current neighborhood, which is Greenwood-Phinney-Crown Hill-ish, and where the neighbor down the street - an avowed GOP loyalist - threw an election night grilling party, where the only stipulation was that you had voted. Very different feeling indeed. <br />As one who does move frequently, I make it a point to get to know the neighbors and the neighborhood - that is part of the fun, exploring a new place and finding out new aspects to the city - so that is something that is important to me and something I am quite attuned to. It may have changed over the last few years as there was a lot of movement given the economy - I can only relay my experiences from that time in my neighborhood. And for the record, I've never lived in Ballard. At least not yet, anyway, though I am feeling the need to move again. And I love Snappy Dragon AND Cloud City, though the latter was not there when I lived in Pinehurst. <br />CTAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-84644304205811687222013-11-05T16:55:23.823-08:002013-11-05T16:55:23.823-08:00*sarcasm font* Golly, I sure am glad there are ano...*sarcasm font* Golly, I sure am glad there are anonymous folks like CT on this blog to tell me how I am based on what quadrant of the city I live in. Gee whiz, if I had known what a self absorbed a-hole I was going to become, I would have hunkered down in Ballard and taken on a mortgage I couldn't afford. Yes, please leave me alone in my bubble, I have a nice library, some wonderful parks, and Snappy Dragon. I'm all set. *end sarcasm font*<br />Voted for Peters proudly.former dragonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-60888031441444133312013-11-05T13:07:49.983-08:002013-11-05T13:07:49.983-08:00WSDWG above. WSDWG above. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-78438220079308331972013-11-05T13:06:06.114-08:002013-11-05T13:06:06.114-08:00@CompletelyUnwarranted: Sue is definitely not par...@CompletelyUnwarranted: Sue is definitely not part of THAT crowd. And she represents the majority of APP parents, many if not most of whom have kids outside APP as well.<br /><br />Things got really bad with the North End APP after leaving Lowell and being in limbo at Lincoln and Hamilton. The reactionary "pushiness" and "loud" advocacy is the result of not having any peace of mind about where those kids will go to MS and HS, after 30+ years of knowing with certainty what the pathway was for the APP kids. <br /><br />Yes, they may sound entitled and over-the-top at times, but the situation was foreseeable, preventable and very poorly handled. Dismantling Spectrum programs in the North, right or wrong, added gasoline to the fire.<br /><br />Tension and controversy will always exist with popular programs and APP is no exception. Plenty of families are disappointed and angry about not getting into Aviation HS too. There's a chicken vs. egg scenario where equity and diversity compete for time and attention with program quality and integrity. Many rightfully ask: <i>What good is equitable access if the program is no longer very good because the curriculum and teacher training work has been ignored for years?</i><br /><br />If the program were growing, diversifying and progressing harmoniously as we wish it would, the advocacy/entitlement wouldn't be so loud or offensive to others. But, like so many other programs and populations in SPS, it isn't. <br /><br />What do APP parents have to cry about? A program that been weakened and diluted from what it was just a few years ago despite the district promising to protect program integrity and quality as it grew. Some of this is capacity-related, but a lot was inappropriate leadership and head-in-the-sand wishful thinking. <br /><br />Huge challenges remain throughout the district that will remain for awhile yet. Nickle & Dime strategies like school closures, and flash-in-the-pan "magic bullet" philosophies - like Discovery Math - will distract and dismay, but will not solve anything. Real solutions require long-term thinking and, even more important, long-term commitments. <br /><br />So, do you want someone who's been around the district for 10 years, or someone with 2 years - about the same length of time as most SPS administrators while they prep their resumes for a better paying gig elsewhere? <br /><br />This is where experience matters. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-77829011569619142542013-11-05T12:03:46.688-08:002013-11-05T12:03:46.688-08:00I think what people don't like is ad hominem a...I think what people don't like is ad hominem attacks, like "people who live in X are ignorant and selfish and don't look out for others." I admit it turns me off sometimes, makes me support ideas less than I might otherwise. And is generally false anyway, a lazy way to dismiss sn argument that you don't agree with. II am part of both the most vilified and most praised groups on here, and honestly the people are not different or more selfish in either group. There are just as many self absorbed jerks at my (not VNESS) neighborhood school as my app one, and whenever it's under threat they come out with the exact same kind of crazy. It's just under threat less. I am in the middle north-most of the people I know are voting Peters, including me. I hope she wins.<br /><br />-sleeperAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-9886236300845912502013-11-05T10:34:08.320-08:002013-11-05T10:34:08.320-08:00My experience is that many of the NE people live i...My experience is that many of the NE people live in a bubble and want to exist solely in their bubble, where everyone agrees with them - or at least doesn't speak up against them - when they express an opinion. They don't support their arguments well, thus if they are brought here, they are usually shot down. Their bubble is threatened, so they retreat back to their bubble so they can express their opinions and have their same thoughts echoed back to them. <br />Dissent is uncomfortable for many, and dissent is exactly what happens here. This blog tends to draw a wider variety of viewpoints, and not everyone is capable of reading other people's viewpoints and conceding that perhaps their idea is wrong or needs adjusting based on new info. I learn new things every time I read things here - both from posts and comments - but then I am also interested in the district as a whole, not just my little section, which is how I saw many of those NE people in my interactions with them. (Note - this is my opinion, and my opinion only based in my interactions in my neighborhood.)<br /><br />I am now in a different area of the city, and I notice a difference in all conversations - not just ones about the district - more diverse opinions, more live and let live attitudes, which I have always associated with Seattle in general. <br /><br />CT<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-87654524989937959182013-11-05T10:28:28.524-08:002013-11-05T10:28:28.524-08:00I think the North Northeast is more pro Peters tha...I think the North Northeast is more pro Peters than the South Northeast. I am north of 85th and most people I have talked to in my neighborhood are voting for Peters. <br /><br />HPAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-53067498282506736862013-11-05T08:59:14.586-08:002013-11-05T08:59:14.586-08:00Like the DeBell and Peaslee outreach to voters whi...Like the DeBell and Peaslee outreach to voters which has generated comment, something interesting I've noticed in the past weeks is the effect of this blog's own endorsement of Peters vs Estey on the race. <br /><br />There's a whole crowd of people who will never vote for Peters, not because of her own ideas, but because of their dislike of this blog and some of its commenters. Not only does this viewpoint seem to include the education academic and venture crowd, as well as business heavyhitters, it also includes regions such as the northeast, where emails and conversations denigrate the 'awful' people associated with the blog. <br /><br />Depending on a voter's news proclivities, they may vote or roll their eyes at The Stranger or The Times endorsements. But the reaction I've seen to this blog's endorsements is stronger. I wonder why this is, especially because there is more substantive discussion about SPS here than anywhere else, and it's certainly not all negative. Is it the discussion style here? The topics? Fear? Annoyance? Is it really personal? I don't know a way to understand the reaction, but I wish there was a way to do research to understand why. It would be helpful for future candidates, and possibly this blog too. <br /><br />EdVoterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-28170228224693412572013-11-04T18:16:51.832-08:002013-11-04T18:16:51.832-08:0048 hours -
I've come away with a complete di...48 hours - <br /><br />I've come away with a complete dislike of some parts of the APP crowd with their obnoxious entitled crap over the last few years. I had no idea that Sue was an APP parent, and I've been around her at several campaign events. I think your concerns about Sue being part of the entitled crowd is <br /><br />CompletelyUnwarranted. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-64640810444161684152013-11-04T17:33:18.067-08:002013-11-04T17:33:18.067-08:00Hi Voting Tomorrow,
Speaking as someone who accom...Hi Voting Tomorrow,<br /><br />Speaking as someone who accompanied Sue to a 37th District Democrats meeting, I can attest that she has MORE concern and MORE sensitivities than Estey and her paid handlers.<br /><br />I think blog readers know me by now. I am an immigrant and strongly identify as a minority (SPS beware!) Sue Peters made plans to attend the 37th and I was going to be there to talk about what matters to us. Sure I live in SW WS, but I feel fortunate to consider myself a friend of Betty Patu and Rita Green. I certainly relate more to my BFFs than Michael DeBell, Jean Bryant, and the NE APP contingent.<br /><br />Sue's done more than plant signs in SE Seattle planting strips. She has made it a personal mission to ensure our children are not defined by NCLB, Common Core, Arne Duncan and our local power clique.<br /><br />I hope you will join me in voting for Sue Peters.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-76754478007716456792013-11-04T16:54:33.612-08:002013-11-04T16:54:33.612-08:00Voting Tomorrow, it's called money.
Dale Este...Voting Tomorrow, it's called money.<br /><br />Dale Estey had paid sign placers. She had an independent PAC that did mailers for her (her own campaign did not pay for them). <br /><br />Sue is for ALL parts of this district and has been endorsed by the Seattle Medium and Rita Green, RBHS PTA president among others.<br /><br />I'm sure Sue wishes she had the money to do more outreach but campaigns are getting more expensive all the time.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-15479844591190380702013-11-04T16:10:14.050-08:002013-11-04T16:10:14.050-08:00As a South Seattle resident, I have to wonder wher...As a South Seattle resident, I have to wonder where Sue Peters is campaigning. I realize her pot of money is much, much smaller than Suzanne Estey's, but I have not seen a single sign for Sue Peters anywhere south of the Ship Canal, nor have I received any mailers, calls, or emails from her or any supporters. Is she THAT lacking in funding, or are we south-enders being skipped over? If I wasn't a reader of this blog, I wouldn't even know Sue Peters beyond her name on the ballot.<br /><br />Does anyone know why this is?<br /><br />Voting TomorrowAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-85463911434054503992013-11-04T14:50:11.701-08:002013-11-04T14:50:11.701-08:00Eli, I have read the book co-written with Eric Lui...Eli, I have read the book co-written with Eric Lui (who I greatly admire). It's a decent little book about looking at how to make a difference in a different way.<br /><br />Nick Hanauer's interests swing all over the place but I feel like he thinks his money should hold sway when he can't convince people of his argument.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-25157771827455338462013-11-04T14:16:21.941-08:002013-11-04T14:16:21.941-08:00Nick Hanauer has written a book titled: Gardens o...Nick Hanauer has written a book titled: Gardens of Democracy.<br /><br />Has anyone read this book?<br /><br />I find it ironic that Nick Hanauer wrote a book about <br />Democracy while throwing dollars into Estey's PAC.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Eli M.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-47064983725199087272013-11-04T13:25:51.310-08:002013-11-04T13:25:51.310-08:00I actually like the Board members sending out thei...I actually like the Board members sending out their opinion. For example, if I like Michael DeBell and he recommends Estey, that will resonate with me. If I don't like DeBell or how he's operated as a Board Member, it would make me not want to vote for Estey. <br /><br />Lori, since you're on the Estey side, would you be upset if these people sent you e-mails supporting Estey? <br /><br />I think it's helpful to know who the continuing Board members think they would work with best. Otherwise, we could find our school board acting like Washington DC. If I really don't like the way Kay Smith-Blum, for example, has voted on issues I care about, I would vote for Estey. Instead, I look to see who is funding these campaigns and if I think their agenda is in the best interest of my child. If it is, fine, I'll vote for the bought and paid for candidate. Since I don't like the Gates, Hanauer agenda, I voted PetersLNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-31514604767047753522013-11-04T13:14:22.592-08:002013-11-04T13:14:22.592-08:00Blog admin. The 12:37 post from rock 'n' r...Blog admin. The 12:37 post from rock 'n' roll high school was the one to delete, the 12:45 corrected some typosRock'n'Roll HighSchoolnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-82729650563535300982013-11-04T12:45:39.477-08:002013-11-04T12:45:39.477-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Rock'n'Roll HighSchoolhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL4od3xzthMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-32768549512379050742013-11-04T12:37:38.177-08:002013-11-04T12:37:38.177-08:00"Sensible APP Parent": For the current h..."Sensible APP Parent": For the current head of the SNAPP PTA, last year's head of the SNAPP PTA, and a cabal of APP advocates who have secured seats (and thus a disproportionate voice) on FACMAC, the term demonization is redundant. Until concerned north-end APP Parents band together to unseat, defang and muzzle these bad actors, some people are going to continue to perceive the APP community in general and "APP advocates" in particular, and as entitled, selfish, and unconcerned with the larger community.<br /><br />Sue Peters, on the other hand, truly is a Sensible APP parent. "48 hours": please know that the aforementioned bad actors from north end APP support Suzanne Dale-Estey not Sue Peters. If you don't want to support what you see as the "APP" agenda (which is really more of a Bryant-Eckstein agenda but may be just an entitled, selfish, and unconcerned-with-the-larger-community then please vote for Sue.<br /> <br />Rock'n'Roll HighSchoolhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL4od3xzthMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-751506914050026542013-11-04T12:11:00.765-08:002013-11-04T12:11:00.765-08:00And also, as an APP parent, people should know tha...And also, as an APP parent, people should know that we suffer through Discovery and CMP math just like everybody else. We got no waivers from it, like some schools did, although TM is apparently now using something different - too late for my kids! <br /><br />On most issues, as goes the district, so goes APP. So, there is, in fact, a massive amount of common ground between APP and other schools and programs. So, if the district at large is suffering from any particular malady, rest assured that the odds are that APP is too. <br /><br />What does that mean for this race? It means many of you probably have a lot more in common with Sue Peters than you think.<br />WSDWG Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-62741174201508939952013-11-04T12:01:48.973-08:002013-11-04T12:01:48.973-08:00Peters' main work has been toward better math ...Peters' main work has been toward better math for all, better arts for all, defending teachers from Ed Reformer-generated disrespect and harassment, opposing the over-emphasis and over-use of standardized testing as the be-all-and-end-all, broadening curriculum to interest and reach more children, replicating what Everett and Renton have done to reduce their dropout rates down to the single digits by using counselors and staff to follow up with kids and families (vs. relying on computers and robo-calls like we do in SPS), and developing a strategic plan that reflects the diversity of the district to better serve the various needs of children throughout the district. <br /><br />You'll notice nothing APP-specific in all of the above. <br /><br />As a fellow APP parent, I know the best way to help sustain the program for my kids is to help others build and sustain the programs that suit the needs of other people's kids, whether in a conventional school, an option school, or an alt like Nova. Selfishness and pushiness have never been Sue's calling card. Persistence and demanding accountability? You bet. She's not afraid to stand up to bullies, and the bullies do not like it! Those who call her "abrasive" and such are usually the same ones involved in things like siding with principals who are found guilty of misconduct. Abrasive? Go figure. <br /><br />WSDWG Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-55827120574516423242013-11-04T10:33:04.676-08:002013-11-04T10:33:04.676-08:00The way I see it is Peters would utilize her knowl...The way I see it is Peters would utilize her knowledge of APP to increase rigor district wide, which would be great. Etsay has no experience with any advanced learning and would not be a good person to advocate to rigor in any school or program.Po3noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-57859548872357408562013-11-04T10:01:42.431-08:002013-11-04T10:01:42.431-08:00@Lori,
State law prohibits the use of facilities o...@Lori,<br />State law prohibits the use of facilities of any public agency to directly or indirectly assist <br />any campaign for or against a candidate or even ballot proposition. School board candidates must make a complete separation between campaign activities and the school district. If Sharon Peaslee used any official resources in campaigning for Sue Peters, that would be a violation of state law. I am not sure about an email list--if that is the property of the district or of it is personal property. See here for further info: <a href="http://www.ethics.wa.gov/TRAINING/Ethics12.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.ethics.wa.gov/TRAINING/Ethics12.pdf</a>. Because the email is from her gmail or comcast account, I can't see how you would easily get traction on that account. It sounds like you don't remember signing up for Constant Contact, so the email may be violating that company's terms of service. <br /><br />Frankly, I am fairly annoyed at the amount of emails I get from the Ed Murray campaign, and you can get your bottom dollar I never signed up to get anything from him. Despite the fact that I have tried several times to be removed, I'm still getting two or three per day. Am I going to complain about it? No, as it will all die off soon. <br /><br />Additionally, I get emails from Suzanne Dale-Estey, and I never signed up to get on an email list from her either, but I had emailed her in the past. <br /><br />@Linh-Coh,<br />As far as Ron Sims or Chris Gregoire, they are both retired from office. There should be no ethical problem with that. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03542105149501352547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-55265739843004121132013-11-04T09:46:10.181-08:002013-11-04T09:46:10.181-08:0048 hours said: "What if (Sue) goes to the mat...48 hours said: "What if (Sue) goes to the mat for APP? I don't want that and it could tear the district in half, literally."<br /><br />Why do you think APP advocates would "tear the district in half"? I'm pretty tired of people demonizing APP.<br /><br />APP parents are simply advocating for their kids' needs. And those positions often line up with those of other communities. APP parents, for instance, are not behind the idea of putting APP in already crowded middle schools in the north end. In fact, they oppose the idea.<br />Sensible APP parentnoreply@blogger.com