tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post5832342283691900766..comments2024-03-18T16:51:10.406-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Tuesday Open ThreadMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-71120389147480050902012-01-02T10:12:03.136-08:002012-01-02T10:12:03.136-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-31230852834451522772011-11-16T15:19:00.153-08:002011-11-16T15:19:00.153-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10053886254567750032011-11-12T13:19:23.854-08:002011-11-12T13:19:23.854-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-15777064244700416542011-11-01T10:01:58.636-07:002011-11-01T10:01:58.636-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-68603855866255638692011-10-28T16:42:44.916-07:002011-10-28T16:42:44.916-07:00Bryant Parent,
It is too bad you can't trade ...Bryant Parent,<br /><br />It is too bad you can't trade her to Wedgwood. Her expertise & commitment are to self-contained advanced learning programs. She is trained & worked in that area. <br /><br />Since Wedgwood parents are sick of Chris Cronas dismantling Spectrum they might be very happy to get Kim Fox who would support the spectrum program and the district qualification process. Chris Cronas might be a good fit at Bryant since the Bryant parents at Eckstein really liked him & were fine with his ideas about gifted education. He was constantly in the lunch room & halls, visiting classrooms to talk to kids and he knew the name of every one of the 1200 kids at Eckstein.<br /><br />Sounds like a trade could make everyone happy.<br /><br />- eckstein parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-71965979599399078312011-10-28T10:59:51.608-07:002011-10-28T10:59:51.608-07:00parent just took the words right out of my mouth!
...parent just took the words right out of my mouth!<br /><br />Yes, Bryant parent, document everything, regularly, and ask other concerned parents to do the same. It helps if there are multiple voices so you can't be dismissed as just one or two squeaky wheels.<br /><br />Contact your Exec. Dir. (Brockman?) and then go on up the food chain as needed.<br /><br />Contact them regularly.<br /><br />Also loop in your school board rep. (Sherry Carr or Harium Martin-Morris?).<br /><br />And yes, keep us posted in the blogosphere. <br /><br />The district has a habit of dumping problematic or simply bad principals on strong school communities with the intention of having parents like yourself rise up, complain and get these principals pushed out.<br /><br />I know that sounds outrageously passive aggressive and manipulative, but Michael DeBell acknowledged this was happening at one of his community coffees back in early 2010, I believe it was (and was not happy about it), and I've heard it has happened in multiple locations.<br /><br />It happened at McGilvra in 2009-10, may be happening at Lafayette, and sounds like is going on at your school. Goodloe-Johnson also sent a principal she didn't like to Lawton, and that didn't work out well either, adding to Lawton's ongoing principal churn. I believe a principal was sent from Center to RBHS inappropriately. Some of these appointments appear to be punitive as well.<br /><br />In the years my child was at elementary school we had a couple of very unprofessional, non-stellar assistant principals circulate through as well. It seemed like the district was merely parking them with us, for all these people seemed to do at the school was lunchroom duty which, in one case, largely consisted of shouting at the kids.<br /><br />Why the district doesn't have the chutzpah to merely dismiss these people is frustrating to say the least.suep.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17281578510716234624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-55147123596215636312011-10-28T09:31:02.995-07:002011-10-28T09:31:02.995-07:00Bryant Parent,
You should be documenting everythi...Bryant Parent,<br /><br />You should be documenting everything. Every missed event, every broken promise, every time a sub is used inappropriately, every discipline-gone-wrong experience, every time confidentiality is broken for kids or staff. <br /><br />You and others should be talking to ed director Phil Brockman. Start bringing him your concerns.<br /><br /><br />-parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-26673189783006969012011-10-28T07:07:46.209-07:002011-10-28T07:07:46.209-07:00Thanks for the correction, Charlie, and my apologi...Thanks for the correction, Charlie, and my apologies to MS Hasken. Don't know where I picked up the "Mr."seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-44131667128640804132011-10-28T06:25:10.626-07:002011-10-28T06:25:10.626-07:00SC and Charlie - thanks. She was a busy woman duri...SC and Charlie - thanks. She was a busy woman during her time with TFA (7th grade Science/Math Teacher Teach for America (TFA) <br />June 2007 – July 2009 (2 years 2 months), as she apparently continued her responsibilities with Hasken Construction ( Project Manager Hasken Construction LLC <br />January 1999 – September 2009 (10 years 9 months) as well as topping those efforts off being a "facilitator" (Facilitator US National Whitewater Center <br />June 2008 – June 2009 (1 year 1 month).<br /><br />Oompah<br /><br />WV says Jess is never "borred"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-3566797791538215432011-10-27T20:45:16.904-07:002011-10-27T20:45:16.904-07:00I believe Jess Haskins is a woman.I believe <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/13862495926291500968" rel="nofollow">Jess Haskins</a> is a woman.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-22862893765026109442011-10-27T18:17:22.023-07:002011-10-27T18:17:22.023-07:00Mr. Haskin provides the perfect example of these &...Mr. Haskin provides the perfect example of these "grass-roots" profiteers: Teach for two years to get some "cred" even though you're planning on going into business. So now he can be an expert on education, work for Stand trying to destroy the profession, work for TFA trying to destroy the profession, all because he was a "teacher" for two years. I wonder if he ever even got his full-cert, or was he coasting on the "emergency cert" for his two long years in the trenches.seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-72381868054871668132011-10-27T18:13:43.035-07:002011-10-27T18:13:43.035-07:00From Linkedin:
Jess Hasken
MBA Candidate Foster S...From Linkedin:<br />Jess Hasken <br />MBA Candidate Foster School of Business <br /><br />Location: Greater Seattle Area <br />Industry: Management Consulting <br /><br />Past:<br />•East King County Community Organizer at Stand for Children <br />•Project Manager at Hasken Construction LLC <br />•7th grade Science/Math Teacher at Teach for America (TFA)<br />("June 2007 – July 2009 - 2 years 2 months" Two years and TWO MONTHS...Must be a TFA record. And he counted his summer five-week training!seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-48426376485020458782011-10-27T17:16:44.022-07:002011-10-27T17:16:44.022-07:00I'm curious about something (actually someone)...I'm curious about something (actually someone) - Is "Jess Haskin, East King County Organizer for Washington Stand for Children" the same person as "Jess Hasken the blogger for Let it Rain...Close the Gap" that funny short lived TFA cheering section.<br /><br />OompahAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-45927090026219024982011-10-27T16:01:19.255-07:002011-10-27T16:01:19.255-07:00Geez, you people. It was a question, not a gather...Geez, you people. It was a question, not a gathering around the bonfire. <br /><br />Supermom, OH, I see, everyone you know is happy with Center.<br /><br />I don't dislike Center, I have nothing against the school itself. <br /><br />I've been over my reasoning about Center School. No need to repeat it.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-84427190203533038712011-10-27T13:23:54.195-07:002011-10-27T13:23:54.195-07:00""But as near as I can tell, everyone...""But as near as I can tell, everyone's pretty happy with Center School.." And who is "everyone"?"<br /><br />I have several friends with kids at Center who LOVE the school. And almost unanimously everyone that posts here on your blog seems happy with the school and defends it when it comes under fire (usually by you Melissa). Do you have information otherwise? Do you know of many families unhappy with the school? And can you share why you always target and single out the school? is it just the leased space at SC, and the fees associated with that? Or are there other things you don't like about the school?<br /><br />The school seems to be working for the kids that choose it. And they have some of the highest test scores, and SAT scores in the district. Not sure why anyone would want to disrupt something that is working, and working well??<br /><br />It is worth exploring why Center had only 38 graduates in 2009. I know Center does not allow kids to transfer in at the upper grades, so that could play a part? Or maybe kids that preferred Ballard or Garfield that didn't get in at 9th or 10th grade, found spots in the upper grades and transferred? Who knows, all we can do is speculate at this point. It will take a bit of research to find out. And I'm with Po3. Let's look at the 2010,11, and 12 data too. Alf where did you get your graduation numbers from, I'd like to look at them?<br /><br />SupermomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-70015957633828306832011-10-27T13:23:49.070-07:002011-10-27T13:23:49.070-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-11110528141407347002011-10-27T09:32:01.706-07:002011-10-27T09:32:01.706-07:00Very suprised that nobody has asked the obvious qu...Very suprised that nobody has asked the obvious question: How many students graduated from Center in 2010, 2011 and how many are slated to graduate in 2012? <br /><br />Are you really ready to grab the pitch forks and close a school over one number, from 2009? Don't know how ALf is, but honestly Melissa, you should know better than to circle that drain.Po3noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-16067178119153930872011-10-27T09:14:08.552-07:002011-10-27T09:14:08.552-07:00Wait, if a class starts with 90 kids and ends up g...Wait, if a class starts with 90 kids and ends up graduating only 37 that's not an issue? I'd say it's a big issue.<br /><br />"But as near as I can tell, everyone's pretty happy with Center School.."<br /><br />And who is "everyone"?Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-11249761571091646532011-10-27T07:24:07.203-07:002011-10-27T07:24:07.203-07:00private/public family, thanks for the added info o...private/public family, thanks for the added info on entrance tests to privates. I bet 3.5 hours is tough for a ten year old!<br /><br />My point that I was trying to make in my original...snarky...post was that the privates don't necessarily care about the HSPE, not about standardized tests in general. SAT/ACT are entrance exams for college - no one is required to take it to graduate high school. ALL students/families (one would hope) have at least some interest in these tests, as they are required (generally) for college admission. But ISEE, SSAT, SAT and ACT are not high-stakes graduation requirements (exit exams) for students: One set is an entrance exam to a private institution, the other to college.<br /><br />The more general point I was trying to make, perhaps not too articulately, was that (and I mean absolutely no disrespect) families who choose private schools are often (but not always, of course) able to afford that choice, and choice it is: Those who cannot HAVE to go public (or be homeschooled, which is a cost, in lost wages or parent effort, in itself.) And...At the tonier privates, there is a culture of support (parents might know CEOs, etc) where the student has more fail-safes if there is a struggle - life is a bit more secure for someone coming from a wealthier background.<br /><br />Lastly: Privates are free from the sort of standardization that hits publics - by nature, privates are independent and offer all sorts of ways of learning, where public are increasingly standardized. I would imagine that, given the choice, a parent/student would be happy to be thusly freed and, looking over at a public, say to themselves: "I'm glad I don't have THOSE restrictions, those simple tests that are framing the curriculum and instruction! No teaching to the test here! Here, we teach to the future in ALL its dimension."seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-50982365644189850722011-10-26T22:57:38.622-07:002011-10-26T22:57:38.622-07:00About Standardized testing and the higher priced p...<b>About Standardized testing</b> and the higher priced private schools. My oldest now 38 attended Charles Wright Academy in Tacoma from grade 7 thru 12. At CWA they rarely gave standardized tests. (perhaps once every three years).<br /><br />I remember his results from one test;<br /><br />Percentiles<br /> - national 98<br />- suburban public 75<br />- schools like Charles Wright 55<br />- Charles Wright 44<br /><br /><b>CWA did not give a hoot about Standardized tests.</b> The CWA social studies program in high school taught kids to write and emphasized a different style of writing each year.<br /><br />18 students was Danny's largest class in high school. Teachers had multiple plan periods per day. What was written was carefully read and commented upon.<br /><br />Danny struggled his 9th grade year at CWA. He went on to graduate from NYU in three years after gradation from CWA.<br /><br />All of his close friends from CWA are now College grads. Of his four closest friends ... one PhD in Chem. one Masters in Chem. one Masters in Aeronautical Engineering, one BA from WSU. -- These guys played massive "Dungeons and Dragons" two weekends a month in high school.<br /><br /><b>This whole SPS MAP testing gig is nonsense. </b> Teachers who teach kids are the ones who know what adjustments and interventions are needed. Unfortunately the "USS One Size fits ALL District" leadership is clueless about how to organize a school system to meet the needs of each student.<br /><br />MAP testing is another waste of funds .. that is a fundamental element of the Strategic Plan, a plan that does not work. --- and TFA is a strategy to close achievement gaps... and more training in Differentiated Instruction is desirable. <br /><br />How do these leaders manage a straight face? ... Check the data .. any claims any of this is working effectively are just total manufactured BS.dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-11602879597786512872011-10-26T21:50:01.912-07:002011-10-26T21:50:01.912-07:00Alf - what's up with the complaints? So what ...Alf - what's up with the complaints? So what if there's only 37? If they all leave and go somewhere else after 2 years, what's the big deal? The question of "successful" is really in the eye of the beholder based on the values of the beholder. I guess I might agree that if everyone else was dropping out, it would be a measure of failure. But as near as I can tell, everyone's pretty happy with Center School. And you haven't presented any data suggesting true failure. <br /><br />-parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-33010658279520963342011-10-26T21:39:45.431-07:002011-10-26T21:39:45.431-07:00Nearly all private secondary schools in the Seattl...Nearly all private secondary schools in the Seattle area require the ISEE, except for some of the more alternative schools. Lakeside will also accept the SSAT, which is similar to the ISEE. Both of them are similar to the SAT and take around 3 1/2 hours to do. It's a pretty challenging thing for 4th graders to sit through. There's no WASL snacks provided! You better believe Lakeside students care about standardized tests. SAT, ACT are key to admission to Ivy League schools - and Lakeside prides itself on those admissions.<br /><br />-private/public familyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-16949768506036110982011-10-26T21:34:20.555-07:002011-10-26T21:34:20.555-07:00Supermom -- so The Center School is successful -- ...Supermom -- so The Center School is successful -- when a graduating class starts with approx 90 students and ends up graduating 37? The 83% grad rate you cite is apparently 83% of whoever is left attending the school after the rest leave. I'm not sure that's a successful school. That's my only beef. It's not personal at all. The school was created to appease Magnolia families who couldn't get in to Roosevelt and Ballard, and now it continues to exist when it graduates only 37 students out of an original class of 80 - 90. I'm not sure why it escapes scrutiny with that kind of attrition.Alfnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-86887184901765402042011-10-26T19:14:14.532-07:002011-10-26T19:14:14.532-07:00The ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) sounds...The ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) sounds like a good test. It's ironic that an ENTRANCE exam for INDEPENDENT schools was compared earlier to a high-stakes EXIT exam for STANDARDIZED schools, but hey....<br /><br />"the ISEE consists of three parts: (a) carefully constructed and standardized verbal and quantitative reasoning tests that measure a student's capability for learning; (b) reading comprehension and mathematics achievement tests that provide specific information about a student's strengths and weakness in those areas; and (c) an essay section."<br /><br />It's late, WV is calling for its pup: indogie!seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-30597426762566818262011-10-26T19:07:48.735-07:002011-10-26T19:07:48.735-07:00Response to my correction of your misquote and poo...Response to my correction of your misquote and poor comparison, Quack? Or are you too flustered?<br /><br />sheesh...<br /><br />WV is...ach, I can't repeat it.seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.com