tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post5711647184394046552..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Tuesday Open ThreadMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-114085772469886762013-10-31T16:10:05.746-07:002013-10-31T16:10:05.746-07:00Watch it in HULU for free. Dianne didn't look ...Watch it in HULU for free. Dianne didn't look too sharp to me. Her point seemed to be that people without kids in public school would not vote for levies if there were too many charters. I didn't go the website, daily show.com to watch the whole interview so I can't say it didn't get better. <br /><br />Prefer CobertAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-2860349925968117962013-10-31T16:05:20.940-07:002013-10-31T16:05:20.940-07:00I don't have cable television so the only Dian...I don't have cable television so the only Diane Ravitch appearance I immediately saw was the March 2011 episode in which Ms Ravitch was promoting her book. <br /><br />If anyone watched "The Daily Show" on October 30, could s/he please summarize some of Ms. Ravitch's points made in conversation with show host Jon Stewart?Christinahttp://www.zombo.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-16619689480057008642013-10-31T08:04:14.937-07:002013-10-31T08:04:14.937-07:00Audit raises red flags about charter school
Job s...<a href="http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Audit-raises-red-flags-about-charter-school-4941086.php?cmpid=twitter" rel="nofollow">Audit raises red flags about charter school</a><br /><br />Job security for State auditors. mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-63042862940644062612013-10-30T16:05:16.269-07:002013-10-30T16:05:16.269-07:00HP, hats off to you and your child. Many would wor...HP, hats off to you and your child. Many would worry too much to speak up for fear of retaliation. <br /><br />We had a friend pulled her black daughter out of SPS because her daughter was accused of being a bully and inflicting an injury. The principal investigated this group of friends, couldn't find any evidence after interviewing all the kids involved, no proof of any injury, no doctor's note, but the mom of the " bullied" kid kept insisting and it was enough for my friend's child to get a behavioral improvement plan in her file. The rest of the year was miserable after being labelled a kid with behavioral problem. The teacher appeared sympathetic, but didn't do much except kept kids apart, isolating this girl even more. We spoke up on this matter and got smeared by the parent rumor mill and was told basically our words weren't reliable since "we were of a kind and would stick together". Still stings after all these years. We couldn't wait to get our kid out of that school too. <br /><br />bitterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-58362533804188356082013-10-30T12:10:01.433-07:002013-10-30T12:10:01.433-07:00"Charlie Mas said...
I just submitted a repor..."Charlie Mas said...<br />I just submitted a report on the hotline. We'll see what happens.<br /><br />10/29/13, 6:05 AM"<br /><br />today he writes about the needs of Black children:<br /><br />"It is an ongoing emergency that urgently demands a response."<br /><br />Charlie is demonstrating once again that he is a law-and-order guy--just like he was a law-and-order guy when he charged that the MAP boycotters were violating their contracts and should receive whatever punitive consequences were their due.<br /><br />If law and order solved oppression, then we wouldn't have oppression--now would we??<br /><br />Action speaks, Charlie. Your on-going doublespeak--presenting yourself as the progressive who has mastered politically correct jargon, and then siding with those who perpetuate the immorality and injustice--is very transparent.<br /><br />I disagree with Melissa's stance on the Mann issue, but she has been consistent and is willing to take the heat.<br /><br />The "real meaning" of Mann is that families are horrified at the loss of another generation of their children's potential and God-given talents.<br /><br />Your lip service to the issue is evident in the fact that you call it an "on-going" emergency today, but have never treated it as such until today--shortly after filing a report against the protesters!<br /><br />Priceless...<br /><br />--enough already<br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-64613253166896789672013-10-30T11:37:48.142-07:002013-10-30T11:37:48.142-07:00when, oh when, are the MAP scores going to posted?...when, oh when, are the MAP scores going to posted??<br /><br />impatientAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-46260728451034195712013-10-30T10:03:52.219-07:002013-10-30T10:03:52.219-07:00Here's you link in clickable format
Equitable...Here's you link in clickable format<br /><br /><a href="http://www.seattleschools.org/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/1583136/File/Departmental%20Content/school%20board/13-14%20agendas/101713agenda/20131017_Presentation.pdf" rel="nofollow">Equitable access Oct 17</a>Someonenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-20713122242697825122013-10-30T10:00:54.936-07:002013-10-30T10:00:54.936-07:00@ NW mum
I think the numbers "apparent"...@ NW mum<br /><br />I think the numbers "apparent" is referring to are from the Oct 17th work session, where staff presented the "North Middle Schools: Full Grade Assignment in Year One" plan.<br /><br />Here is a link to the work session presentation:<br /><br />http://www.seattleschools.org/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/1583136/File/Departmental%20Content/school%20board/13-14%20agendas/101713agenda/20131017_Presentation.pdf<br /><br />In slide #24, it gives the following enrollment forecast for Jane Addams K-8 (these appear to be a maximum forecast, because there is no subtraction for "choice" enrollment to JAMS):<br /><br />2014-15: 808 students (J. Marshall)<br />2015-15: 819 students (J. Marshall)<br />2016-17: 749 students (new building)<br />2017-18: 749 students (new building)<br /><br />I believe the 800+ numbers for 2014-15 and 2015-16 include the big bump in enrollment from this year's 6th grade class, which has 6 cores instead of 3 cores). I think the 749 number is what enrollment would be with a 3 cores/grade configuration for grades K-8.<br /><br />- North-end MomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-80563997165915351692013-10-30T09:54:48.327-07:002013-10-30T09:54:48.327-07:00Here's the presentation Apparent referred to, ...Here's the presentation Apparent referred to, page 24. (Sorry for the ugly link.) <br /><br />http://www.seattleschools.org/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/1583136/File/Departmental%20Content/school%20board/13-14%20agendas/101713agenda/20131017_Presentation.pdfJohn Snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-60410134818935507402013-10-30T09:34:20.396-07:002013-10-30T09:34:20.396-07:00@ apparent
Would it be possible for you to post li...@ apparent<br />Would it be possible for you to post links to the slides you refer to?<br /><br />I am especially interested in JAK8's predicted growth to 808, considering the building at the Pinehurst site is to be for 681.<br />NW mumnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-2218265216274510982013-10-30T08:54:41.921-07:002013-10-30T08:54:41.921-07:00There is lots of uncertainty regarding middle scho...There is lots of uncertainty regarding middle school placement and locations and it is trickling down to the students, which is unfortunate. Our family left Hamilton this year for JA K-8 and are very grateful to have made the move. the JA K-8 is a great school. The interim location at John Marshall is not ideal for the K-8 and I would expect many NE families with middle schoolers will opt to stay at JAMS. As Wallingford residents, we are in the minority who would find the new interim location more convenient. For middle school families located further south and looking at jam packed Eckstein and Hamilton, the John Marshall location for the ESTEM K-8 could be a very attractive option. <br /><br />MMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-34306292311583015802013-10-30T07:59:20.690-07:002013-10-30T07:59:20.690-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-51982055654180352882013-10-30T07:49:42.827-07:002013-10-30T07:49:42.827-07:00@ apparant,
I can certainly see how it looks goo...@ apparant, <br /><br />I can certainly see how it looks good on paper for the K8 and the new middle school to co-locate for two years. Nobody like to go to interim housing. Moving is just not fun. <br /><br />The part of all these changes that I think is hardest on folks is the rapid pace of shifting plans. With 1000-1500 new students entering the district every year for the last few years, things shift rapidly. Plans that would have worked a year ago, just don't work with an extra 1500 students. <br /><br />IMHO, I think co-location could have worked if enrollment were growing more slowly but that hasn't happened and the current 5th grade class is significantly larger than last years class. <br /><br />That said, there are real benefits to splitting the K8 and the middle school now. If as dw reports about half of the middle school students plan to stay in the building that means that the families that go are part of the K8 culture and moving now, gives everyone a change to solidify their school identity. <br /><br />K8s' have many advantages over the comprehensive experience and the majority of those benefits tend to come from being known at school by a variety of adults. That benefit just vanishes on a campus swamped by 20 portables and that is what it would take for everyone to fit in a co-location. <br /><br /><br />kelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01322661098626555834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-68684588725224533922013-10-30T07:18:34.539-07:002013-10-30T07:18:34.539-07:00HP and AL
I will check in with Melissa today, hap...HP and AL<br /><br />I will check in with Melissa today, happy to as always.<br /><br />I just wanted you to have an avenue to reach me if you (or anyone else) were pursuing anything related to NH principal.<br /><br />When mirmac speaks, I advise all to listen. <br /><br />We all need to protect our kids from District abuse of power. NH principal was a favorite of MGJ. That's why she's there. Her (similar) record at Madison was certainly not stellar, by any means.<br /><br />It just goes on and on and anyone who objects is labeled 'caustic' for speaking up with the truth.<br /><br />I read Orwell for comfort, like a bible, just to think about SSD.<br /><br />Ed Ednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-33903167821225792602013-10-29T23:59:08.159-07:002013-10-29T23:59:08.159-07:00JR Mom,
Yes, seriously.
It makes sense to cohous...JR Mom,<br /><br />Yes, seriously.<br /><br />It makes sense to cohouse Jane Addams K-8 and Jane Addams Middle School using portables for just two years from 2014-16 until the new JA K-8 building opens on the Pinehurst site. That will mean that the John Marshall Middle School can again serve its original purpose as a comprehensive middle school, or at the very least be used as a needed interim location for other SPS programs such as APP (North) MS and Pinehurst K-8 – the former of which is about to be chopped into thirds, and the latter about to be closed down completely, in each case based on the entirely false premise that there is supposedly no SPS building that will hold them.<br /><br />I do agree with some of your other points. Everybody deserves a real middle school for their kids, and preferably one that is not more over-crowded than Eckstein: you will in fact have a choice of two such schools in 2016 when Jane Addams K-8 moves out of JAMS portables into its own new Pinehurst building, and JAMS will certainly be much less crowded if 3/7 of APP (North) MS (maybe 250 students?) is not being stuffed into that building to the exclusion of attendance area students.<br /><br />I do also agree that your kids should not should be treated as an inconvenient population; I hope you will agree that neither should mine. And in this parent’s opinion too, just like yours, we can agree it is a step in the right direction that Version 2 now recommends launching JAMS as a real, comprehensive middle school; you should rest easy that this will not change, since from their own recent public statements at work sessions and community meetings, none of the board directors supports roll-ups.apparentnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-77723326697249312732013-10-29T22:13:00.482-07:002013-10-29T22:13:00.482-07:00Lynn,
I have heard from multiple JAK8 parents tha...Lynn,<br /><br />I have heard from multiple JAK8 parents that many of the middle schoolers will just stay put at JAMS. When I say many, the guesses I heard from parents who are actually in the building is as many as half.<br /><br />If half the JAK8 6-8 kids really intend to stay in JA when it becomes JAMS it means that district plans need to take this into account! Specifically, it means:<br /><br />1) The building is going to be a lot more crowded than the district thinks (unless they've actually been reaching out and listening to the JAK8 middle school families). That means moving NE APP to JAMS would be an even worse idea than it is already.<br /><br />2) If as many as half of those JAK8 6-8 kids stay behind, then there could very well be room at John Marshall for Pinehurst to co-house with JAK8. They are both K-8 programs, and I'm unaware of any animosity (unlike JAMS/APP).<br /><br />3) #1 leads back to what to do with North APP, and I personally don't see any reasonable option other than the Lincoln Annex for 1-3 years, depending on the Advanced Learning Task Force recommendations (and follow-through). It's not a pretty option, to be sure, but it seems to be the "least bad" proposal.dwnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-14495456658000599382013-10-29T20:47:26.184-07:002013-10-29T20:47:26.184-07:00apparent and JR Mom,
It would be interesting to k...apparent and JR Mom,<br /><br />It would be interesting to know how many of the JAK-8 middle school students will choose to stay in the building when it becomes JAMS next year. Maybe there is room for Pinehurst and JAK-8 at Marshall next year.<br />Lynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-6560244196212110752013-10-29T20:42:36.146-07:002013-10-29T20:42:36.146-07:00What I hear about NH is not too far off of what ha...What I hear about NH is not too far off of what happens with students with ASD. After my quiet 1st grader was bullied and harassed to the point of lashing out in self-defense, guess who gets punished. Sometimes these administrators forget anything they ever knew (presumably) about bullying, disability, adolescence and bias and act out their power trips. I know they have a hard job, but a little bit of understanding goes alot further than calling the cops. In fact, it is the district's utter failure in following IDEA and behavior intervention plans that has them in this mess with the Feds. Are they just priming the pump for the SPD?<br /><br />My child knows excuses don't get her anywhere, but we know who's the grown up and who must be the role model.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7120336064040775662013-10-29T20:40:33.099-07:002013-10-29T20:40:33.099-07:00HP - I agree, a complete and total abuse of power....HP - I agree, a complete and total abuse of power. I personally dealt with a different SPS principal who was abusive to both me and my child. The district just lets this stuff happen, the general attitude is a principal would never lie or bend the truth. Their word is Gospel. I sure hope your son, and other witnesses, share their account of the events with the Seattle Police Dept. The district will always side with the Principal, even with evidence telling a different story. Speaking from my experience of course. <br /><br />ALAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10788373249436552982013-10-29T19:42:07.614-07:002013-10-29T19:42:07.614-07:00Sorry for the dyslexic writing.
HPSorry for the dyslexic writing. <br /><br />HPAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-46589307732194312522013-10-29T19:40:01.303-07:002013-10-29T19:40:01.303-07:00Ed, I think it would be better for you to talk wit...Ed, I think it would be better for you to talk with either Melissa or Charlie as they are in a more objective position than I am as a parent at the school. My child is in a leadership position and is still at the school, which my child likes very much, and I don't won't to place my child in the line of fire. My child is doing their best to keep out of the way of the principal. <br /><br />I can say this, if the principal were ever in Principal Floe's position of being ousted, I doubt there would be a rally of support or a facebook page.<br /><br />HPAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-85107308775608642122013-10-29T19:36:53.267-07:002013-10-29T19:36:53.267-07:00@apparent
"His alternative Version 1 proposal...@apparent<br />"His alternative Version 1 proposal to cohouse Jane Addams MS and Jane Addams K-8 using portables during interim construction makes much more sense. Jane Addams MS and K-8 cohousing during interim construction should now be restored as one major premise of Version 3."<br /><br />Seriously? As a prospective JAMS parent, I honestly can't fathom how you can say co-housing of JA K-8 and JAMS "makes sense!" You obviously don't have a kid who would be a part of the co-housing experience you are promoting.<br /><br />Does it make sense to assign a 6th grader to what amounts to a K-8 on steroids, instead of the middle school-focused experience his/her family had anticipated and most-likely prefers for their child?<br /><br />Does it make sense to co-house 450 elementary kids with a comprehensive middle school population? <br /> <br />Does it make sense to run two separate programs with different schedules out of the same building/parking lot? How, for instance, would they possibly serve lunch out of one kitchen? <br /><br />Does it make any fiscal sense at all for the district to buy or lease 15-20 (or more???) portables, plus the supporting modular core space? <br /><br />Geez! Our kids are getting kicked out of Eckstein, and the JA K-8 (or whatever it ends up being called) is no longer a realistic option now that it has filled as a 3-up in grades K-5. <br /><br />We deserve a real middle school for our kids, and preferably one that is not more over-crowded than Eckstein. <br /><br />Our kids should not be treated as an inconvenient population to be warehoused in a portable village. <br /><br />Version 2.0 at least has JAMS launching as a real, stand-alone, comprehensive middle school. That, in this parent's opinion was a step in the right direction!<br /><br />- JR MomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-67827745192238873812013-10-29T19:06:53.814-07:002013-10-29T19:06:53.814-07:00"Witnessed unfit" conduct on her part......"Witnessed unfit" conduct on her part..........<br /><br />sorry<br /><br />EdEdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-48935102295404341792013-10-29T19:04:10.296-07:002013-10-29T19:04:10.296-07:00HP
Don't let Jill (under an "anonymous&q...HP<br /><br />Don't let Jill (under an "anonymous" name) fool you, I have witnesses conduct on her part but Michael Tolley protected her.<br /><br />I have records that show her unfit for the job. Several as a matter of fact.<br /><br />If I knew where that student was I would buy him a dozen meals. He deserves a pat on the back for putting up with her antics without landing a punch!<br /><br />Remarkable restraint.<br /><br />HP-Melissa or Charlie can give you my email address.<br /><br />Jill; Sign your name next time. Anonymous posts are supposed to be deleted.<br /><br />EdEdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-67349517938634978282013-10-29T19:02:11.234-07:002013-10-29T19:02:11.234-07:00I am making no excuses for the students behavior b...I am making no excuses for the students behavior but I do not believe the principal acted professionally. The young man in question was violently attacked in the hall and suspended for defending himself while another student was choking him. Then he comes back and the principal snatches the phone out of his hands. It was before school. He was not in class. What about his rights? I don't think he should have tried to get his phone back but he did not attack or assault the principal. He asked for his phone back and tried to snatch it back. Why are you making excuses for the principal's behavior? It looks like an abuse of power to me. Now I understand why none of the students I have talked to Hale like the principal. They like their school, they like their teachers and the staff. It is just the principal they dislike. Now they dislike her even more.<br /><br />HPAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com