tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post672297552217732194..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Story in the TimesMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-49121589827796774522008-01-04T09:33:00.000-08:002008-01-04T09:33:00.000-08:00Also - if you think that it's impossible to get in...Also - if you think that it's impossible to get into the more popular schools if you don't live right by them, it may be that way in Kindergarten, but it is much easier in the later grades. There is turnover due to people moving, transferring to Lowell, or in some cases private schools. I've found that at my child's school whenever someone starts there 1st grade and up, in most cases their address tends to be much farther away.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-62554827435976052212008-01-04T09:14:00.000-08:002008-01-04T09:14:00.000-08:00How to choose a good school, for free.........Atte...How to choose a good school, for free.........<BR/><BR/>Attend as many school tours as you can and compare schools. Tours are free and no appointments are necessary.<BR/><BR/>Attend the school district kindergarten, middle and high school fairs at the John Stanford Center.<BR/><BR/>Go to the enrollment center and pick up the schools annual report. It's free, and it has so much information in it, including test scores, special education information, class size, racial makeup of the school. If you can't get to an enrollment center, go to your neighborhood library, get online, and go to the districts website.<BR/><BR/>Pick up an enrollment guide from the enrollment center. It has a wealth of information as well, and it compares services at each school.<BR/><BR/>Once you are in a "great" school, if you encounter any problems, meet with your child's teacher or principal, or someone at the district level to discuss them. I have found teachers and the principals at our schools to be very accessible. It's free.<BR/><BR/>And as a last resort, if you feel that all of your efforts have failed, change schools!!! It's free. <BR/><BR/>You don't have to have money or be middle class to want to get the best education for your children. The district goes out of their way to provide information, it is your responsibility to see which programs will work best for your child!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-85671133207430033992008-01-04T08:55:00.000-08:002008-01-04T08:55:00.000-08:00"Of course a school can be faulted for doing poorl..."Of course a school can be faulted for doing poorly."<BR/><BR/>Yes, there are schools that do poorly in Seattle. And there are students in them. Not mine, though. I would never allow my child to attend a school that I felt was "doing poorly". I am not middle class. I am a single mother, making wages barely above the poverty line. But, hey, it is free to change schools. No obstacle there. And, apartments in the North, Northwest, Northeast and West Seattle are no more expensive than apartments in the rapidly gentrifying Central area (have you looked at housing rates lately?). So even if I had to move (which I have not) to another neighborhood to "get in" to a better school, I would do it. I would do it for the sake of my kids. I just don't understand how so many parents just sit by and watch their kids struggle, fall behind and "get passed". And, so many who don't even notice it happening, until it's too late, and then blame the system. You see it happening all over, as is the example with parents of an 11th grader who reads at a 3rd grade level??? Where were they in 4th grade, 5th grade?? Why were they not on top of it then?? Why did they not take advantage of the myriad of free tutoring programs for low income and minority students? Why??? Perhaps, some just don't value education very much?? <BR/><BR/>I don't understand why parents are willing to send their kids to a struggling school when there is so much choice in Seattle. We are very lucky here, in that we do have choice. We are not bound to the school on the corner, like Shoreline and other districts are. Take advantage of it, and stop relying on the system to do your job for you. Sure, the system has a responsibility to educate our children, but when you see a problem, it is your responsibility to remedy it for YOUR child.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-67052728899864279232008-01-04T06:50:00.000-08:002008-01-04T06:50:00.000-08:00I, and the key word her is "I", would have known l...I, and the key word her is "I", would have known long before my child was passed to the next grade that there was a problem and I would have conferenced with her teacher, the principal and higher administration if necessary. If none of this was succesful and I felt that this environment was not adequate for my child's needs "I" would move her to a better school. There are very very good schools in Seattle. If you, and the key word is "you", do some research you will easily find them. If enough people did this, and complained enough about the situation, the school would be forced to address the issues or lose students, and ultimately close. Thats what the choice system does. It's competition, and it's supply and demand!<BR/><BR/>But the key word is "you". You have to do something. You simply can not just close your eyes and blindly navigate through the system.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-76321468784674127872008-01-03T23:20:00.000-08:002008-01-03T23:20:00.000-08:00sorry, I don't know how to post links on this blog...sorry, I don't know how to post links on this blog. Go to the Seattle PI's website, editorials. The name is called:<BR/><BR/>Middle Class Values aren't province of Whites OnlyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-64856527276739827882008-01-03T23:18:00.000-08:002008-01-03T23:18:00.000-08:00This editorial made me think of this long discussi...This editorial made me think of this long discussion on this thread - worth reading:<BR/><BR/>http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/345917_crouchonline04.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-12320660808961686762008-01-03T22:19:00.000-08:002008-01-03T22:19:00.000-08:00Anon. 6:34 - regarding GH Montessori and Autism in...Anon. 6:34 - regarding GH Montessori and Autism inclusion students, the district allows only one category per student. It is a fault with categories and not Montessori or GH.<BR/><BR/>GH's Principal has been fighting this battle with the district this year over Montessori vs. bilingual. Can't have both categories although there are ESL kids in the program.<BR/><BR/>GH Principal, Chris Morningstar, would be most happy to talk with any family that needs more explanation.<BR/><BR/>Again, it's not Montessori it's the district policy of only one category per student.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-936499873561392162008-01-03T22:05:00.000-08:002008-01-03T22:05:00.000-08:00"And, best of all we have the choice program. And,..."And, best of all we have the choice program. And, Oh rejoice, you can go to any school you want to!!!! "<BR/><BR/>When I go to the annual reports for the Seattle Public Schools, it's pretty hard to find a school that everyone picks as their first choice. <BR/><BR/>Didn't the new School Board candidates campaign on the issue that we all need to stay in our neighborhood schools and reduce busing? Isn't that what the middle class patrons really want?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-35215597834047138102008-01-03T21:57:00.000-08:002008-01-03T21:57:00.000-08:00"So you really can't blame the schools can you? "O..."So you really can't blame the schools can you? "<BR/><BR/>Of course a school can be faulted for doing poorly. What would you say if your child, who was a struggling reader, went to school every day and had 20 minutes of SSR (sustained silent reading)? What if you didn't actually know how low her reading skills are because she had been promoted with passing grades and never causes any trouble. Do you think it is ok for a child to sit staring at the same page, compliantly for 20 minutes every day?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-45020908592544227192008-01-03T21:30:00.000-08:002008-01-03T21:30:00.000-08:00"Those of you who are likely to form stereotypes a..."Those of you who are likely to form stereotypes are doing a good job of stereotyping a bunch of us who post anonymously. We are not all the same person. Seattle is a small town. You'd be surprised how we anonymous people run into one another!"<BR/><BR/>HOW DO WE KNOW YOU ARE NOT ALL THE SAME PERSON? YOU ALL HAVE THE SAME NAME. At this point, I am ignoring all of youAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-23366533799021329682008-01-03T20:27:00.000-08:002008-01-03T20:27:00.000-08:00"There are many roads to educational success. A go..."There are many roads to educational success. A good school is the fastest, smoothest way there."<BR/><BR/>Seattle has great schools. We have many very successful programs. So you really can't blame the schools can you? And, best of all we have the choice program. And, Oh rejoice, you can go to any school you want to!!!! <BR/><BR/>ERT, try again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-1989637325941515452008-01-03T19:59:00.000-08:002008-01-03T19:59:00.000-08:00"Zion prep, St. Therese, to name a few...."but the..."Zion prep, St. Therese, to name a few...."<BR/><BR/>but they aren't the gifted schools.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-24880667369330382812008-01-03T19:58:00.000-08:002008-01-03T19:58:00.000-08:00Blaming the adults in a child's life when that chi...Blaming the adults in a child's life when that child is not excelling seems like the flip side to taking credit for that involved parent being responsible for the success.<BR/><BR/>Of course, a positive attitude and encouragement is important. Those who are convinced that caring adults (from the home environment) who value education will offer the surefire way to the child's success seem to actually be de-valuing the school community by taking all the credit! The flip side to this - those who cast judgment on children who are not doing well are sure that there is nobody home who values education. It is not logical to give equal credit to a successful kid's success (due to the caring adult) as it is to blame a kid for failing because there is not enough adult support. There are many roads to educational success. A good school is the fastest, smoothest way there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-76934484067857275372008-01-03T19:54:00.000-08:002008-01-03T19:54:00.000-08:00Those of you who are likely to form stereotypes ar...Those of you who are likely to form stereotypes are doing a good job of stereotyping a bunch of us who post anonymously. We are not all the same person. Seattle is a small town. You'd be surprised how we anonymous people run into one another!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-82478619393205310582008-01-03T19:49:00.000-08:002008-01-03T19:49:00.000-08:00Thanks for the humor, anonymous at 7:17. I know it...Thanks for the humor, anonymous at 7:17. I know it's not PC, but it sure was great!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-53977262734837452182008-01-03T19:46:00.000-08:002008-01-03T19:46:00.000-08:00Just FYI, there are several well respected, predom...Just FYI, there are several well respected, predominantly black, private schools. Check em out..<BR/><BR/>Zion prep, St. Therese, to name a few....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-9636972056481211772008-01-03T19:41:00.000-08:002008-01-03T19:41:00.000-08:00At this point I think you are fishing for reaction...At this point I think you are fishing for reactions. I don't believe that your questions and accusations are legitimate, nor do they warrant any engagement.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-71255871606682689752008-01-03T19:32:00.000-08:002008-01-03T19:32:00.000-08:00Okay Frankie (so glad you're not anonymous), wher...Okay Frankie (so glad you're not anonymous), where is that private school for gifted students that's has the large percentage of black students???? Supposedly, it's the reason our APP program doesn't have any.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-78799160616537804912008-01-03T19:26:00.000-08:002008-01-03T19:26:00.000-08:00What type of special test would you like to see?? ...What type of special test would you like to see?? Use of different language like ebonics? More sports analogies?? What would work better for minority kids? What are you're ideas?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-15028404198780144382008-01-03T19:21:00.000-08:002008-01-03T19:21:00.000-08:00"There is also a pretty clear racism in the sugges..."There is also a pretty clear racism in the suggestion that the qualification has to be different for Black students than for White or Asian students. It leads to the statement "You're really smart... for a Black kid." That's not a statement that the District - or anyone else - wants to make."<BR/><BR/>Why is it so hard to imagine that different groups might require different WAYS TO ASSESS intelligence and ability? Everyone seems to agree that different people have different exposures to learning, different opportunities, not to mention different language use and different values. Almost every standard measure of intelligence assesses blacks at one whole standard deviation below the norm at large. Think about that hurdle. Is it any wonder that black students wouldn't be signing up to get tested? That means either the "test is wrong and insufficient" OR "some groups are actually just inferior intellectually." Why do people think using different measures is somehow "dumbing down" anything? Does different mean dumber? ??? And no, it wouldn't be illegal in any way to use a variety of appropriate testing measures so long as they still showed ability. The implication of that sort of flexible testing would mean that gifted programs would and should address difference and differentiate instruction (just like every other school in the district, I might add).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-4011293380803140052008-01-03T19:17:00.000-08:002008-01-03T19:17:00.000-08:00"The fact is that many, many, many more of the gif..."The fact is that many, many, many more of the gifted private school attendees are WHITE, mostly white, certainly much whiter than Seattle as a whole."<BR/><BR/>That's because white kids are much smarter than black kids. And, there families are much smarter and more saavy than black families. And, the district being as racist as it is likes white kids much better...so much so that they will simply not allow any black students into Montessori or APP. As you can see this very white district (that is 40% minority) does everything they can possible do to hold black kids back, and make them factory workers. And, of course, there are not any black gifted programs in the private sector, because as you know there are not any black kids that are capable of filling those seats. It was completely shocking to me when this white district brought two black Superintendant candidates to be interviewed. And then, the bomb dropped, when they actually hired Dr. GJ. They sold out, I guess. How will she run this white district? How will she deal with the blatant racism she surely is subjected to every day. She must be in despair knowing her black child will never be able to be in a gifted program in Seattle (despite her mother having a pHD), or even a Montessori classroom. <BR/><BR/>How mighty black of you to think this?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-75379915750557924572008-01-03T19:05:00.000-08:002008-01-03T19:05:00.000-08:00Are you dense? Thick? stuck on the fact that you v...Are you dense? Thick? stuck on the fact that you vehemently dislike white people?<BR/><BR/>Because you are not making sense. You are just raging, and spewing out inaccurate information. At this point I think you are just fishing for a reaction. You couldn't possibly be serious. Your making yourself sound foolish, but, luckily, you are posting anonymously.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-85159590758508762612008-01-03T18:43:00.000-08:002008-01-03T18:43:00.000-08:00About half of the students who are selected by Rai...<I>About half of the students who are selected by Rainier Scholars and who go through that program end up at private schools. That's probably good for the students, but it makes the District's statistics look worse. </I><BR/><BR/>The APP program evaluation didn't buy this argument and neither should anyone else. The District's statistics are WAY WORSE than the reality not better. The fact is that many, many, many more of the gifted private school attendees are WHITE, mostly white, certainly much whiter than Seattle as a whole. Who could possibly believe that there's some black gifted program out there in the private school sector and that was sucking down all the gifted black students? Ridiculous and not factual.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-24276310098764066062008-01-03T18:34:00.000-08:002008-01-03T18:34:00.000-08:00What would be great is if the autism inclusion stu...<I>What would be great is if the autism inclusion students were given the option of being included in either the traditional or Montessori program at Graham Hill.</I><BR/><BR/>Yes, they absolutely should be given the choice and a seating in both programs. In fact, they are entitled under IDEA to ALL programs availabe to others, including after school programs, enrichment, etc. And no, they have not been allowed into the Montessori. Phone the neighbors! Students in the resource room can go to the Montessori. How mighty white of 'em!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-42931766956246705232008-01-03T17:00:00.000-08:002008-01-03T17:00:00.000-08:00Charlie, I agree 100% with everything you said. Yo...Charlie, I agree 100% with everything you said. You laid it out clearly, and honestly. It is very hard for people to swallow the fact that a meaningful adult must be actively involved in a child's education for them to be successful. I love Maureen's story about Ben Carson! It is so touching, and shows the power of parental involvement and accountability. <BR/><BR/>Thank you for taking the time to post, it is very helpful.<BR/><BR/>Be prepared for a bashing from all of the people who do not and will not take any responsibility for their child's education, the people who find it easier to blame the schools, blame racism, and expect the education of their child to be the sole responsibility of the district. They refuse to even consider how important their influence is. It is sad, and in the end it is their children who lose out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com