tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post5531093116051481011..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: On the Possible Closure of 19 Before/After Childcare ClassroomsMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-80613931564267008992016-01-29T14:21:17.905-08:002016-01-29T14:21:17.905-08:00My 3-year old daughter is starting preschool next ...My 3-year old daughter is starting preschool next week because she needs special education/speech and language services. It's a preschool actually recommended by the school district because it is located in a Seattle public school building at Gatewood Elementary. The school district told me that even though they are required to provide special ed services to children age 3+, they wouldn't provide my child services unless she was located at a Seattle public school building.<br /><br />Guess what - they also provide before- and after-care. And, this week I learned that they are on the list of 19 programs to be closed. So, my child can't receive these services at all? Or, until she goes to kindergarten? Or, only if she goes to an preschool run by the city far from where I live? This is ridiculous. And, it doesn't only affect my child - there are 170 kids in this program - both preschool and school-age children.<br /><br />There is still not a list - but you can pick them out of blog comments. Our preschool program provided a copy of a letter from another program slated for closing. It has been in its location for 28 years and just spent a $250k grant on facility renovations. The school district knew about the renovations, but didn't tell the program about the closure until the renovations were over. http://nwcenterkids.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Form_Letter_For_Parents_V1.pdf<br /><br />Ms. Anoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-89534993772226954782016-01-25T18:09:25.919-08:002016-01-25T18:09:25.919-08:00Mom of 3,
You don't think there are some pare...Mom of 3,<br /><br />You don't think there are some parents picking up at 3:00 this year who won't be able to pick up by 2:00 next year? <br /><br />I am not a stay-at-home mom. I have not yet figured out how I can manage a 2:00 pickup next year and still get my work done. I know child care won't be available to me at our elementary school - the program capacity is very low. Lynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-60022966750316143352016-01-25T12:31:10.453-08:002016-01-25T12:31:10.453-08:00Lynn,
I am taking a big guess, but it sounds like...Lynn,<br /><br />I am taking a big guess, but it sounds like you are a stay-at-home mom. The bell times really won't change any working parents' need fore before after care. No matter what tier my kids are in, I'd need before or after care if not both. That was true before the bell time change and it will be true after the bell time change. Why? Because our school day is 6 hours with many early release days and other days off.<br /><br />I actually think before/after care is more important for our most vulnerable families than many of the issues you raise. In many areas, there is no option other than the programs at the schools. We certainly can't get into the local boys and girls club and the other options are also full and very expensive. <br /><br />I also agree that before/after care is served just fine in the cafeteria. That's where it is at my kids' school and it is just fine. Mom of 3noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-23511229467712351792016-01-21T12:42:27.840-08:002016-01-21T12:42:27.840-08:00Wally Mom,
The first tier elementary schools will...Wally Mom,<br /><br />The first tier elementary schools will begin at 7:55 and end at 2:05 next year. Lynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-87092743479448913062016-01-21T12:39:04.907-08:002016-01-21T12:39:04.907-08:00curious,
This was an issue during SEA contract ne...curious,<br /><br />This was an issue during SEA contract negotiations. Their contract says that effective 2017-18 20 minutes of instructional time will be added to the student day. No time will be added to the staff day, but additional collaborative and/or common planning time will be incorporated into their work day. The district and SEA will begin meeting May 31st of this year to bargain over implementation of these schedule changes. (See page 199 of <a href="http://sps.ss8.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_543/File/District/Departments/Human%20Resources/CBA/Cert%20CBA%202015-2018.pdf" rel="nofollow">the contract</a>.)<br /><br />As I recall, during the negotiations last fall the district's preference was to replace teacher planning time lost to the longer instructional day with a consolidated two hour block each week (a late start or early release) in which staff meetings, professional development, etc would take place. <br /><br />My main concern is that there was no community involvement in this decision. We do have a shorter elementary instructional day than other districts in the area, but we have much longer days for our primary students than many other countries do. I don't believe that our current six hour day with minimal recess time is developmentally appropriate for children who are just five, six, seven or eight years old.<br /><br />High school students are going to get a 20 minute longer day too. Beginning with the class of 2021 (freshman in 2017-18), students must have 24 credits (rather than the current 20) to graduate. How is that going to change the high school schedule? Are we going to lose some of the benefits of the later start? The district had a task force studying this issue which was to have a series of meetings beginning last March and resulting in recommendations for implementation of changes to the high school schedule by February 28th. Unfortunately, the task force's staff facilitator/leader has left the district and they can't locate minutes for any meetings after May 26th. I don't know if the task force continues to meet.<br />Lynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-38766857610807269922016-01-21T11:34:16.584-08:002016-01-21T11:34:16.584-08:00I think that before/after school care is more impo...I think that before/after school care is more important in a 3-tier bell time system than it would otherwise. And removing the programs during the same year that they are changing the bell times will just light a fire under the push for 2-tiers. What are parents going to do with all those elementary school students that will now be finishing at 2:20pm?<br /><br />Wally MomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-24305107652654454002016-01-21T11:30:00.166-08:002016-01-21T11:30:00.166-08:00I feel like if they can't allow boys and girls...I feel like if they can't allow boys and girls club kids in due to licensing problems then they shouldn't be allowed to have any after school enrichment programs in classrooms. Maybe if we kick all them out as well we can get all parents on board to fight this ridiculous self imposed problem. <br />PAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-64691908963662010582016-01-21T11:06:43.868-08:002016-01-21T11:06:43.868-08:00@puzzled - I think that can work in some cases/sch...@puzzled - I think that can work in some cases/schools however, there are some issues that can't be mitigated in this manner. There are childcare licensing contraints that require things like dedicated/accessible restrooms nearby and kitchen access for snack prep. Some teachers also report issues with materials/resources being misused in these classrooms as well as having heat turned off outside of school hours in many of the buildings. As stated, this may be a viable solution in some cases but likely not all. <br /><br />I do believe that, as Lynn stated, that there may be more issues next year when the bell times are earlier for many of the elementary schools. It seems logical that more families will need to access this care, though it may shift to more after-school than both before/after. Actually, now that I think about it. Will they still offer before school care for the elementary schools starting at 7:55am since that care typically is offered from 7am on? <br /><br />Franklin ParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-4400730976719422872016-01-21T11:00:24.907-08:002016-01-21T11:00:24.907-08:00Lynn said, "In a couple of years, schools wil...Lynn said, "In a couple of years, schools will have one late start or early release every week. That's going to cause problems for everyone."<br /><br />Where has this been discussed, or is it just speculation? <br /><br />-curiousAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-3676876706313732482016-01-21T10:44:43.193-08:002016-01-21T10:44:43.193-08:00What's next?! When do we find out if we are on...What's next?! When do we find out if we are one of the unlucky schools that loses childcare? I hate to think of needing to pay double, triple non-refundable deposits just to get on waitlists. If there are even any waitlists to get on. Who else do we contact besides school board, superintendent, city council, mayor? I am really curious to hear how many of these 19 schools are title 1 schools. <br /><br />TeeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-59137722270186524312016-01-21T09:33:14.985-08:002016-01-21T09:33:14.985-08:00Let's all get together and try to find some co...Let's all get together and try to find some community space that can house these after school care programs.... Places with like an outside play area, a place like a cafeteria to make snack.... A place that's empty and set up for kids.... Hmmmm. It's so frustrating. <br />PAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-16404008485168077132016-01-21T08:04:19.608-08:002016-01-21T08:04:19.608-08:00I still don't understand why after school enri...I still don't understand why after school enrichment programs can use classroom space but boys and girls club can't. This makes no sense. <br />PuzzledAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-59630063003155042352016-01-21T00:44:33.985-08:002016-01-21T00:44:33.985-08:00lowell parent,
How are you estimating the number ...lowell parent,<br /><br />How are you estimating the number of parents impacted? 19 classrooms at 30 students per clasroom (that the number served in after care at our school) is 570 students. <br /><br />To answer your question, I'm not against after school care. I am against maintaining overcrowded primary classrooms to accomodate after school care programs. All children would benefit academically from smaller class sizes. I am against spending levy dollars to build more classrooms to accomodate after school care programs. I'd rather see the money spent on up to date curriculum and aides who can oversee recess, allowing children more time outside.<br /><br />You know what's really going to affect parents? Bell time changes will have thousands of elementary school students out of school at around 2:00 every day next year. (Do the current after school programs have room for every affected student?) In a couple of years, schools will have one late start or early release every week. That's going to cause problems for everyone. <br /><br />I do have empathy for parents who are worried about this. I am just surprised to see the outrage. This is an extra that the district does not have to provide. We all know that our students are not getting some of the basics (recess, time to eat, current textbooks.)Lynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-43921193141235172512016-01-20T23:47:57.588-08:002016-01-20T23:47:57.588-08:00Good god lynn,
Why are you so against after school...Good god lynn,<br />Why are you so against after school care. I get it, you don't need it or are wealthy enough for it not to impact you. For the thousands of parents who would be impacted, this will be devastating.<br />lowell parenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03091383733032128733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-9378206891865650352016-01-20T23:08:20.114-08:002016-01-20T23:08:20.114-08:00Something that increases disproportionality is red...Something that increases disproportionality is reducing access to affordable child care.<br /><br />My husband worked swing shift when my children were young and I was attempting to finish my education so I could get a decent job.<br />However we could not afford enough child care and I was forced to quit my work study job tutoring at Olympic View and my studies.<br /><br />Think of all the single parents who have it even harder than I did.<br />They may be forced to put their child in a risky situation, just because they are trying to provide for their family.Jet City momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804841958585043967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-31141564308635441762016-01-20T22:34:04.694-08:002016-01-20T22:34:04.694-08:00Good god lynn,
Why are you so against after school...Good god lynn,<br />Why are you so against after school care. I get it, you don't need it or are wealthy enough for it not to impact you. For the thousands of parents who would be impacted, this will be devastating.<br />lowell parenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03091383733032128733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-72548701633555706042016-01-20T22:32:42.082-08:002016-01-20T22:32:42.082-08:00Right now the enrichment programs use classrooms f...Right now the enrichment programs use classrooms for Spanish, Legos, coding ... How is boys and girls club or kids co different ? <br />Puzzled Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36417736234452046712016-01-20T22:30:47.223-08:002016-01-20T22:30:47.223-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.lowell parenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03091383733032128733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36770883182701883902016-01-20T22:15:47.412-08:002016-01-20T22:15:47.412-08:00Who would put the teacher's classroom supplies...Who would put the teacher's classroom supplies, books, files etc away every night and safeguard the equipment? Teachers at our school lock their classroom doors when they take kids anywhere else in the building. Who would set it up again every morning? Where would after school kids go on conference days or when a classroom teacher has work to do after school?Lynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-63037133654952476772016-01-20T21:38:12.168-08:002016-01-20T21:38:12.168-08:00Why can't the space be used for after school c...Why can't the space be used for after school care since it's not during school hours? When I pick my son up at four there are maybe a handful of classroom teachers using their rooms. It seems insane to bus kids to who knows where when an entire huge school is sitting there unused and largely empty. I understand maybe forcing the after school care to have their admin offices off site .....<br />Puzzled Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10985701420740492842016-01-20T19:58:02.391-08:002016-01-20T19:58:02.391-08:00Before and after care IS really important. But, it...Before and after care IS really important. But, it works ok without a dedicated classroom.TechyMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04650916001250022778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36206842822264122032016-01-20T14:39:09.280-08:002016-01-20T14:39:09.280-08:00What do I say? HELL no.
BTW, the BAR has been e...What do I say? HELL no. <br /><br />BTW, the BAR has been edited to specify K-5 homerooms.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-29216523599268073692016-01-20T13:22:50.595-08:002016-01-20T13:22:50.595-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Queen Anne Parentnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-28834982451204850972016-01-20T13:10:12.698-08:002016-01-20T13:10:12.698-08:00Mirmac,
What do you say to SPS replacing before/a...Mirmac,<br /><br />What do you say to SPS replacing before/after care with the City's Pre-K program? I'm not talking about SPED pre-k or inclusive pre-k, but the City's pre-k program? Also, I'd like to know how you can separate education from before/after care when our school day is 6 hours? Do you believe a single, working parent with, say, 3 kids is going to be able to find a way to get his/her kids to from possibly 3 schools with 3 different start times? How do you think those kids' education won't suffer? This will disproportionately impact the most vulnerable (non-SPED) kids. <br /><br />To me, this is an integral part of k-5 (at least) education. Many kids only get homework help at their after school program. Many kids only get meals/snacks at the before/after program. I am frankly shocked at how many people don't see how interconnected the before/after programs are with the elementary experience. <br /><br />I will take side bets for anyone willing that many of these rooms aren't going to k-3, but to the city for pre-k. Mom of 3noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-1261177128655914432016-01-20T10:14:11.013-08:002016-01-20T10:14:11.013-08:00If onsite childcare is not within the district'...If onsite childcare is not within the district's mission then a serious re-thinking of the assignment plan is necessary. For example, two working parents need their tender-aged kids in school NEAR THEIR WORK not near their home. <br /><br />-SPS parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com