tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post5541411495173806527..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Tuesday Open ThreadMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-87567047629786976142016-05-20T14:19:47.294-07:002016-05-20T14:19:47.294-07:00I agree. The task force's opposition to the 7-...I agree. The task force's opposition to the 7-period-day was weak. <br /><br />Too many transitions? That's one extra transition per day, but likely only for some students. And it's FEWER transitions over the course of the year, since you'd take 12-14 classes as opposed to 15. <br /><br />In-depth learning? A longer period may allow more in-depth learning in class on any one day, but the shorter term will get in the way of in-depth learning, as will the overall decreased number of minutes allotted to each class. <br /><br />Personalization? I'm not sure exactly what exactly they were looking for, but with 15 classes per year instead of 12-14, you'd have MORE teachers to deal with, and less time with each. Plus, you'd be much more likely to have discontinuity between the the first part of a course and the second part. <br /><br />Increased homework? Under a 7-period day, most students could still just have a 6-period schedule, so homework wouldn't change for most. But the idea that a 3x5 schedule reduces homework doesn't make sense. You may only have 5 classes, but since you have to move through the material much more quickly, you need to do MORE homework on a daily basis--more reading, more practice problems, more writing, etc. And think about it: if you're taking 15 classes per year instead of 12 or 14, why would you have less homework? <br /><br />The whole idea that a 7-period day represents an "increased course load" over a 3x5 schedule seems flat-out wrong to me. On a daily basis, it's correct. But over the course of a year, 15 classes is MORE than 12 or 14. <br /><br />DoingTheMath<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-20879194352313774722016-05-20T13:49:41.356-07:002016-05-20T13:49:41.356-07:00I also support a zero period or a 7th period. The ...I also support a zero period or a 7th period. The task force's opposition to it was a rather brief and oversimplified "too many transitions" and "increased course load does not support the values of in-depth learning, personalization, and social-emotional well-being (increased stress of homework, more courses, etc…)." We've demonstrated that the second half of that list (the in-depth learning etc) applies to 3x5 as well. And the first concern "too many transitions" is of little consequence compared to the serious problems with 3x5. Further, a zero period, as a make-up period, makes both of those concerns go away for the majority of students. <br /><br />Here's what unsigned anonymous said about this above, in case the post is removed: <br />"Could the district fund it? The Task Force discounted a 7 period option, but in their schedule comparison, the rough cost estimate was not too different from the system wide change to a 3x5 schedule. Would the 7th period occur as "zero" period? Given capacity issues, the district may be forced to add a flex period/zero period. <br />Next year, high schools will start at 8:45. A zero period class could be held from 7:50 to 8:40. Starting 2017-18, 20 min will be added to the instructional day. HS start times could move back to 8:25, with a zero period at 7:30. Breakfast service would need to be extended, adding another cost."<br /><br />No 3x5Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-59149718062362311352016-05-20T12:56:35.144-07:002016-05-20T12:56:35.144-07:00Would this (3x5 in HS) have any impact on the Dist...Would this (3x5 in HS) have any impact on the District calendar? Would K-8 have to change their schedules to line up breaks and transportation? <br /><br />It occurs to me that Q2 would probably start just before the Winter break, so no real teaching and learning (for a Q2-Q3 class at least) could be done until after that. Maureennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-63069415455719194262016-05-20T11:45:45.230-07:002016-05-20T11:45:45.230-07:00Could the district fund it? The Task Force discoun...Could the district fund it? The Task Force discounted a 7 period option, but in their schedule comparison, the rough cost estimate was not too different from the system wide change to a 3x5 schedule. Would the 7th period occur as "zero" period? Given capacity issues, the district may be forced to add a flex period/zero period. <br />Next year, high schools will start at 8:45. A zero period class could be held from 7:50 to 8:40. Starting 2017-18, 20 min will be added to the instructional day. HS start times could move back to 8:25, with a zero period at 7:30. Breakfast service would need to be extended, adding another cost.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10700716553708891402016-05-20T10:58:09.734-07:002016-05-20T10:58:09.734-07:00Adding an an optional 7th period might also make s...Adding an an optional 7th period might also make scheduling easier, and it would give you an opportunity to get an extra class one term if for some reason (e.g., overcrowding) the school couldn't give you a full schedule one term.<br /><br />DoingTheMathAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-45818269963131242016-05-20T10:06:42.831-07:002016-05-20T10:06:42.831-07:00I agree with Lynn re seventh period. I have also ...I agree with Lynn re seventh period. I have also heard that at least some teachers and parents of kids who are struggling say it sends a bad message to create a system that assumes kids need to be given the opening to fail six classes. I.e., that failing is the expectation for some kids.Maureennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-51346713682543937582016-05-20T09:32:43.187-07:002016-05-20T09:32:43.187-07:00Adding a seventh period for students who have fail...Adding a seventh period for students who have failed a class would solve the problem. It would be much less disruptive than changing the schedule for every school in the district. Lynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-16737406981691182292016-05-20T09:17:12.457-07:002016-05-20T09:17:12.457-07:00What are other school districts doing? Do they ha...What are other school districts doing? Do they have something already that works?<br /><br />HPAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-26690247615420424662016-05-20T07:33:04.005-07:002016-05-20T07:33:04.005-07:00I'm getting the feeling that the process hasn&...<i>I'm getting the feeling that the process hasn't been fully fleshed out. I don't blame the distri[c]t.</i><br /><br />If parents can look at the 3x5 option and quickly see it would be problematic for many reasons, how did it even get to the recommendation phase? I could understand listing it as an option that was considered, but for reasons x, y, and z they rejected, but they put it forth as a recommendation. Then again, it's a Task Force recommendation. We know even sound recommendations may get ignored...<br /><br />-very waryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-46884237154399187162016-05-19T22:02:17.714-07:002016-05-19T22:02:17.714-07:00Thanks, 3x5. I'm getting the feeling that the...Thanks, 3x5. I'm getting the feeling that the process hasn't been fully fleshed out. I don't blame the distrit. They are just trying to meet another state mandate.<br /> <br />I hope the board sends another message to Olympia. It is time for Olympia to stop foisting unfunded mandates on our schools and children.Watchingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-75322310094336766032016-05-19T18:05:22.175-07:002016-05-19T18:05:22.175-07:00Watching, with the proposed 70 minute classes, the...Watching, with the proposed 70 minute classes, they are saying instructional hours per credit would only be cut by 10. On the surface that seems doable. But they would be cutting instructional DAYS by 60 days per credit. That is significant. It means 60 fewer lessons. There would be more time in the classroom to practice after each lesson. But teachers would have 60 fewer opportunities to teach the material. I don't see how it could be the same course content. <br /><br />Now that I think about it, if I was a teacher, I'd be dreading having to come up with all new lesson plans and course organization. <br /><br />No 3x5Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-23553970141344193242016-05-19T17:14:06.745-07:002016-05-19T17:14:06.745-07:00As per usual, our children are being used as subje...As per usual, our children are being used as subjects of human experiments. Has anyone checked into curriculum to assure students get full course content??Watchingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-50258813164764420262016-05-19T17:04:10.606-07:002016-05-19T17:04:10.606-07:00@ Fishing 4Info, the task force recommendations al...@ Fishing 4Info, the task force recommendations also say this:<br /><br /> While these are important considerations, the Task Force ultimately felt that providing all students with the same credit -bearing opportunities, as well as consistency from school to school and equitable access to districtwide programs, outweighed the need for autonomy. However, the Task Force retains it as an option for consideration if the 3x5 schedule is not accepted or deemed feasible.<br /><br />This schedule recommendation would mean that schools would be able to choose their own daily schedules, provided:<br /> Schools offer at least 27 credits<br /> The schedule includes an advisory<br /> The schedule fits with the semester calendar<br /> Schools increase credit-earning opportunities for (at least) ninth grade<br /> Schools increase school-based extended learning opportunities<br /><br />DoingTheMathAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19553778816677632782016-05-19T16:13:17.198-07:002016-05-19T16:13:17.198-07:00Having seen various forms of this kind of scheduli...Having seen various forms of this kind of scheduling in other districts, I wouldn't be surprised if schools with the IB program stick with regular scheduling, or maybe just the kids in the actual program do. Which I'm sure wouldn't stir up any problems :P <br /><br />-Fishing 4Info Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-52153726391660210662016-05-19T16:04:33.896-07:002016-05-19T16:04:33.896-07:00Add to the list -
>lack of continuity, as the...Add to the list - <br /><br />>lack of continuity, as there is no guarantee the 1st trimester of a class will be taught by the same teacher as the second (or third) trimester<br /><br />-very wary<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-65457637607378192232016-05-19T15:31:56.690-07:002016-05-19T15:31:56.690-07:00Count me in with those concerned by the proposed t...Count me in with those concerned by the proposed trimester system. Critical problems with 3x5:<br />>6-9 month gaps between core classes (for ex: geometry Fall/Winter of year one; Algebra II Winter/Spring of year two)<br />>Increases homework, as more material needs to be covered per day and timelines are squeezed. Does not decrease homework as suggested.<br />>College prep schedule fills all available slots; 4-year pathway must be planned out before freshman year and makes scheduling very tight <br />>Leaves very little wiggle room for a student in a year-long music program<br />>Puts IB and AP students at a disadvantage compared to their peers in other districts; task force admits there may be issues with feasibility of IB (p 15 of the report)<br />>The district relies on IB as a capacity management tool. If this goes away as an option, neighborhood schools will be increasingly over capacity. <br />>Concerns about teachers (advisory) taking on counselors' responsibilities.<br /><br />No 3x5Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-88947226613409648792016-05-19T13:33:30.497-07:002016-05-19T13:33:30.497-07:00@HIMSmom, that doesn't necessarily mean that t...@HIMSmom, that doesn't necessarily mean that there is any work being done on HCC pathways, only that they were discussed. It's almost impossible to discuss attendance boundaries without referencing HCC pathways. Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-33030481133200350992016-05-19T12:12:39.612-07:002016-05-19T12:12:39.612-07:00The child in Tacoma is a child of an acquaintance ...The child in Tacoma is a child of an acquaintance of mine. The kid has a form of albinism that makes the child very susceptible to the sun. The kid had been coated up with sunscreen in the morning before school but the kid was not allowed to reapply sunscreen and was severely burned. It was an all day field day in the sun event.<br /><br />HP Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-65300056263052926542016-05-19T11:05:20.427-07:002016-05-19T11:05:20.427-07:00Mom of 4,
It is not extreme for some people to ge...Mom of 4, <br />It is not extreme for some people to get very burned in a short period of time, especially when having fun with friends in the wind where you might not feel the burn take place. <br />NEmomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-12723460409692628302016-05-19T10:26:15.563-07:002016-05-19T10:26:15.563-07:00Is there current work being done on HCC pathways? ...Is there current work being done on HCC pathways? I just noticed this in Nyland's last Friday memo:<br /><br /><i>Community/Partnership Meetings:</i><br /><i>- PTSA – I met with the General Counsel PTSA Board today…. Flip Herndon joined us to talk about the Task Force and work being done in regard to wait lists, attendance boundaries (Cedar Park and HCC pathways).</i><br /><br />HIMSmomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-58014954367377629842016-05-19T10:11:00.600-07:002016-05-19T10:11:00.600-07:00One of my kids has an outdoor field trip coming up...One of my kids has an outdoor field trip coming up in June, and the school sent home with each child the "authorization for medications to be taken at school" form, telling us that for our kids to be allowed to put on sunscreen (even self-applied) requires a doctor's signature. This is completely ridiculous, of course, but apparently is the practice at several schools. I understand getting the parent's signature, in case of allergies, etc., but requiring a signature from a doctor seems like overkill, and a process that actually will put students at risk because kids will end up being forbidden to use sunscreen if their parents did not get a doctor to sign the form (which I suspect happens a lot - when the form came home it did not have the sunscreen instructions attached, so I just recycled it as my daughter does not take medication). This seems to be a new requirement this year, as I never have to sign anything other than a permission slip in the past. I did look it up on line, and it sounds like the Tacoma school district dropped a similar policy a few years ago after a student's sunscreen was confiscated, and she wound up so badly sunburned that her parents took to her to the hospital. That is an extreme case, obviously, but you'd think that the administration would try to make it easier to keep kids safe & healthy, rather than throwing up completely unreasonable roadblocks.<br /><br />Link to the form (clearly intended for actual medications - what is the "diagnosis" or "dosage" for sunscreen?):<br />"http://www.seattleschools.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_543/File/Migration/Admissions/medauth1.pdf) <br /><br />Mom of 4Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17295803048249236882016-05-19T09:18:19.957-07:002016-05-19T09:18:19.957-07:00But they aren't even assigning kids to the pro...But they aren't even assigning kids to the program that are already at that school. My son is in K, qualified for advanced learning, and was waitlisted at his current school. <br />I understand that as a neighborhood school it is tricky to predict enrollment, but May 31st is the last day to be assigned to a program.Frustrated as usualnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-72597154757921193372016-05-19T09:07:33.877-07:002016-05-19T09:07:33.877-07:00@Frustrated as Usual, the idea of a finite number ...@Frustrated as Usual, the idea of a finite number of Spectrum seats is rooted in the time when Spectrum was a self-contained program. Elementary schools would have a Spectrum class at each grade level and once the class was full, that was it. Likewise, middle schools would have a Spectrum class or two and, again, once they were full that was it. Oddly, some schools would set their Spectrum capacity at less than a class. I clearly remember a year when Denny said that they only had 12 Spectrum seats at each grade level.<br /><br />Today, when Spectrum classes are not self-contained, the whole idea of a finite number of seats has no legitimate rationale. At the middle school level, every Spectrum-eligible student is supposed to be enrolled in the program. At the elementary school level, the district's refusal to set aside seats for Spectrum students creates an inequity since the program is only available to students living in the attendance area for the Spectrum site. Out of area students can't get into the program because there are no seats in the school for out of area students. When the New Student Assignment plan was designed, it was supposed to make provision for programs within the schools. For example, a 400-seat school would have space for 100 Spectrum students and 300 seats available to neighborhood kids. The attendance area would be sized so that it captured only 300 students instead of 400. The District forgot that when drawing attendance areas so that there isn't any room for Spectrum students unless they live in the Spectrum school's attendance area.<br /><br />Of course that doesn't begin to explain why the school has to limit Spectrum seats when the classes are not self-contained. That makes no sense at all.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-38816103845112755642016-05-19T08:52:25.301-07:002016-05-19T08:52:25.301-07:00Thank you NE Parent!
HPThank you NE Parent!<br /><br />HPAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-2403082801168027742016-05-19T08:39:07.470-07:002016-05-19T08:39:07.470-07:00So far none of the advanced learning/spectrum wait...So far none of the advanced learning/spectrum waitlists have moved this year. Is this the strategy of getting rid of it? My kid is already enrolled in the school so the only difference would be to walk to math. So it's not about headcounts and capacity.<br /><br />Frustrated as usualAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com