tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post7950124116238888266..comments2024-03-28T23:38:22.511-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: So What Have They Done?Melissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-43130321514406004992014-09-12T06:09:16.437-07:002014-09-12T06:09:16.437-07:00Here is an interesting read:
http://www2.ed.gov/...Here is an interesting read:<br /><br /><br />http://www2.ed.gov/documents/press-releases/west-contra-costa-california-letter.doc<br /><br />Doesn't sound like SPS had any better existing Title IX structure than this school district.<br /><br />-SWWS Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-37742279108868236382014-09-11T04:35:58.240-07:002014-09-11T04:35:58.240-07:00@Wondering, it's a largely uncensored blog. Co...@Wondering, it's a largely uncensored blog. Comments are deleted only for failure to sign or for name-calling, which is pretty narrowly defined.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-1517653691267533642014-09-10T23:57:20.912-07:002014-09-10T23:57:20.912-07:00Those hired to picket are similar to those hired t...Those hired to picket are similar to those hired to collect signatures.<br /><br />Will you print this comment, too?Wonderingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-91836287452681697572014-09-10T23:54:51.556-07:002014-09-10T23:54:51.556-07:00Clarification: When protesting, will there be med...Clarification: When protesting, will there be media discussions related to the fact that there are talks to hire individuals to picket?<br /><br />Let's be honest.Wonderingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-34946954535750673332014-09-10T23:51:01.810-07:002014-09-10T23:51:01.810-07:00In the know, will you be telling people that there...In the know, will you be telling people that there are discussions to pay picketers?Wonderingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-62381796839517870362014-09-10T18:23:27.195-07:002014-09-10T18:23:27.195-07:00IN THE KNOW--
Your child was sexually assaulted? A...IN THE KNOW--<br />Your child was sexually assaulted? A major news outlet/distinguished award-winning journalist is preparing an article about Title IX in high school and would like to speak with victims/parents --even anonymously--about their experience in Seattle. He has written extensively about Title IX. Contact us through FB and we can pass along his phone number. Or if you know Charles or Melissa we can pass it to you through them. Or have a friend contact us through FB for privacy. This applies to other victims as well. This will greatly help advance public knowledge about Title IX in high school and before.<br /><br />Thank you for considering this.<br /><br />SSAIHSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-85888488489024758682014-09-10T18:13:51.073-07:002014-09-10T18:13:51.073-07:00Picketers:
it seems that if people want to peacef...Picketers:<br /><br />it seems that if people want to peacefully picket, the school district offices at the time of arrival, lunch, and departure would be appropriate. Of course the school board meeting too and possibly downtown or in front of KIRO 7. We suggest KRO7 because Natasha Chen at KIRO 7 wisely uncovered the District's falsehood about the FBI telling them not to investigate. She and the Stranger are definitely media that "get it"--so perhaps getting in touch with them would also increase awareness.<br />In my opinion, picketing in more visible places would be helpful than picketing in residential areas. We've been successful because the media has come along with organizations like API Chaya and NOW. Many other organizations are eager to help apply pressure to the District if citizens are willing to help organize these constructive events.<br /> How to proceed?<br /><br />Chen:<br /> http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/fbi-policy-disputes-seattle-schools-version-allege/ng6Mb/ <br /><br />SSAIHSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7267253759304092812014-09-10T17:56:27.746-07:002014-09-10T17:56:27.746-07:00IN THE KNOW
Thank you for advising us. At some p...IN THE KNOW<br /><br />Thank you for advising us. At some point I wouldn't mind sharing the response we got from John Welch. If interested, anyone could contact us through FB or stopsexualassaultatinhighschool@comcast.net. Or perhaps we can post it at SPS leaks<br /><br />I certainly intend to discuss this with law faculty as well. As you may appreciate, activism is a 24.7 job.<br /><br />In the meantime, I have printed out your much- appreciated advice.<br /><br />SSAIHSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-83828473477143541722014-09-10T17:25:29.881-07:002014-09-10T17:25:29.881-07:00I'm still calling BS. Mirimac knew individual...I'm still calling BS. Mirimac knew individuals wanted to protest in front of Peaslee's home.Calling BSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-75656889533706790822014-09-10T16:43:32.504-07:002014-09-10T16:43:32.504-07:00@ calling BS
Perhaps to serve a summons?
- could...@ calling BS<br /><br />Perhaps to serve a summons?<br /><br />- could happenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-88975004983582338642014-09-10T15:59:41.008-07:002014-09-10T15:59:41.008-07:00Don't make apologies, Miranda. Why would ANYO...Don't make apologies, Miranda. Why would ANYONE be wanting Peaslee's address?Calling BSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-55004800432210718132014-09-10T14:38:29.832-07:002014-09-10T14:38:29.832-07:00@mirmac1,
Well, hopefully the more moderate voice...@mirmac1,<br /><br />Well, hopefully the more moderate voices on this blog will convince those other other sites wanting to engage in more extreme tactics not to do so. I think such tactics would only encourage the board to dig their heels in deeper. I'm glad you think the peaceful demonstrations are having some positive effects on some board members.Mirandanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-25955321044743637622014-09-10T14:19:04.641-07:002014-09-10T14:19:04.641-07:00Miranda,
I agree that Peaslee should make a compl...Miranda,<br /><br />I agree that Peaslee should make a complete and sincere apology for her statements (and not with the usual non-apology public figures' use: "...if someone took offense at my remark, for that I am truly sorry blah blah")<br /><br />I had heard via another means, a call to picket her home. That was very stupid. Given the number of loud, raucous and disturbing protests I've witnessed at board meetings, the compelling Garfield demonstrations have been terrific. There have been less effective attempts to engage with board members, however. I hope to see more of the former and less of the latter. <br /><br />Peaceful demonstrations have had a strong influence on a number of board members. GREAT! That is the desired outcome.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-43172333351290253392014-09-10T13:52:15.678-07:002014-09-10T13:52:15.678-07:00WSDWG,
You said: "People have advocated pick...WSDWG,<br /><br />You said: "People have advocated picketing in front her her house." I don't think I've seen anyone say that on this blog. I've seen more people say NOT to do that, in fact. I know that Charlie wrote that one person asked him for her address - which he did not provide and he also actively discouraged people from going that route. Others have also discouraged it. I'm just not seeing on this blog anywhere that people are advocating such tactics. The most I'm seeing is talk of not voting for her again. I just reread the comments on the post regarding the cancellation of her meeting, and the only one who mentions violence or anything of the sort is Sue Peters. Please show me what I missed.<br /><br />I agree with your other comments.Mirandanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-44446629587753720742014-09-10T13:34:09.460-07:002014-09-10T13:34:09.460-07:00"Much of what is now required seems to be to ..."Much of what is now required seems to be to protect SPS from liability"<br /><br />Yup! You hit the nail on the head. And that's part of the cultural change that needs to happen throughout government institutions in general, not just school districts. But in SPS, it's what results in not doing the right things for the right reasons, but how to get and keep the district off the hook. <br /><br />This reminds me a lot of the insurance industry and medical malpractice lobbies who always whine about lawsuits and limiting liability, instead of asking "How can we improve patient outcomes?"<br /><br />At some level it becomes all about the money, and it usually blows up in our faces. Before Pete Holmes, the prior City Attorney aggressively defended the city on everything - against the citizenry - on behalf of the Municipal Corporation of Seattle. That's become the standard, and here we are: Us versus Them is reality, while the talk is all about "serving the people." <br /><br />WSDWG Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-53297792144410166672014-09-10T13:27:12.857-07:002014-09-10T13:27:12.857-07:00North End Mom, that is also my understanding of ch...North End Mom, that is also my understanding of chaperoning changes from last year.<br /><br />As for what's a Superintendent Procedure versus administrative procedures: I believe there are many internal/administrative procedures that do not belong on the external website. They are on the intranet site. These include how to fill out forms or order supplies or add new endorsements or handle cash and receipts or request a vehicle or input data into PowerSchool etc.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-73258820225284187402014-09-10T12:54:41.322-07:002014-09-10T12:54:41.322-07:00@ Charlie
I'm confused by this thread, as the...@ Charlie<br /><br />I'm confused by this thread, as there have been a number of changes to volunteer procedures that have been implemented, beginning last year school year.<br /><br />It is no longer just a matter of filing out the background check form and providing a copy of your picture ID. The new volunteer forms and procedures may be found if you go to "Families and Communities" and click on "Volunteering in SPS." <br /><br />The new overnight field trip chaperone procedure came out early last year, and took many by surprise. I remember there was some confusion over the fingerprinting issue.<br /><br />My husband volunteered to chaperone for a Nature Bridge field trip, and was required to attend a chaperone training class at our son's school. I don't know if it was training specifically for Nature Bridge field trips, or more general SPS training.<br /><br />The other new forms and procedures, such as reading and signing off on the volunteer handbook, as well as the online adult sexual misconduct course, was implemented last Spring, and PTA volunteers at our school were given a deadline for compliance.<br /><br />Much of what is now required seems to be to protect SPS from liability, though hopefully it will help to educate volunteers as to what is appropriate (and not appropriate) behavior on their part.<br /><br />The new procedures have greatly increased the number of hoops volunteers are expected to jump through, and I worry that the new procedures may result in an overall decrease in the number of parents and other adults who are willing to volunteer. Hopefully, it won't.<br /><br />- North-end MomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-73025346922638928632014-09-10T12:54:30.403-07:002014-09-10T12:54:30.403-07:00@Miranda: People have advocated picketing in front...@Miranda: People have advocated picketing in front her her house. To my knowledge, it hasn't happened yet, but I've read many comments encouraging it, if not relishing the idea a little too much. I don't want to see the parents efforts side-tracked by such tactics, nor do I want to see a good person deprived an opportunity to redeem herself. <br /><br />I agree that an apology of some type would go a long way, but it isn't likely when people are calling her a liar, "rapist defender/apologist" and calling for her head. <br /><br />The parents have brought a major issue to the fore here, which calls for major and substantial changes, not just in policy, but perhaps in JSCEE culture as well, and I don't want to see any part of those efforts be in vain. People like Sharon, and others, are going to make mistakes and missteps that are magnified in intensity given the issues here. Some may be unforgivable, but some aren't, and I'd put Sharon's in the latter category, as offensive as her words might have been. <br /><br />If I were Sharon, I'd want to meet with the parents, apologize and explain myself in private, before going public. However, now that there's a lawsuit apparently pending, I'm sure the district-wide call is "say nothing to anyone." Unfortunately. WSDWGAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-51210307204812131402014-09-10T12:19:23.891-07:002014-09-10T12:19:23.891-07:00WSDWG,
If I were in Sharon Peaslee's place, I...WSDWG,<br /><br />If I were in Sharon Peaslee's place, I would consider this a learning opportunity regarding her "offensive" and "ill-informed" remarks (your words) and apologize. Seriously, an apology for her remarks, rather than repeating them, would have completely ended the matter. But she didn't do that. Will she do it now? A heart-felt public apology at the next board meeting would go a long way in taking the focus off of her. Let's see what she decides to do.<br /><br />As for "shouting someone down, disturbing their peace and preventing them from doing their jobs", this seems like a highly inaccurate description of the 2 demonstrations that have been held so far which were a) silent, b) non-violent, and c) at the board meeting where Peaslee was doing her job.Mirandanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-45678129671479162122014-09-10T12:07:11.304-07:002014-09-10T12:07:11.304-07:00Folks, we need to lay off Peaslee. She's a go...Folks, we need to lay off Peaslee. She's a good person who has done a lot for our district, but who clumsily said some ill-advised and ill-timed things. <br /><br />It's time to show some love and patience to educate her on the facts and issues. It is not the time to bully her into resigning by picketing her at home. That's beyond the pale, and besides, how do you think Peter Maier would've handled this matter? Exactly as Ron English told him to, that's how. <br /><br />This case demonstrates the institutional dysfunction within JSCEE as good as any and provides an opportunity for substantial change of culture within JSCEE, where the power really lies, versus on the Board, which is always being called "dysfunctional" by the Times, and has the Ed Reformers and Mayoral Control hacks licking their chops right now. <br /><br />As offensive as her remarks might have been, they were at best ill-informed, not malicious. Sharon is not a liar. She got some things wrong, and is now hesitant to say anything given the reaction she got before. What would you do in her position? <br /><br />Intolerance begets intolerance, haste makes waste, and bullying is bullying. Exercising first amendment rights are one thing. But shouting someone down, disturbing their peace and preventing them from doing their jobs is another.<br /><br />This is not an easy matter for the Board, and they are prone to make mistakes and missteps in handling it. They need public support to make the changes people want. Scorning them into resignations will lead to less effective changes, not more. <br /><br />Given the history of Board elections over the past decade, people need to be really careful about what they wish for. Seriously. WSDWG Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-60577285400786795972014-09-10T10:47:32.761-07:002014-09-10T10:47:32.761-07:00I have seen the annual reports that the superinten...I have seen the annual reports that the superintendent provided the Board on new and updated procedures. There was no field trip procedure among them.<br /><br />The claim that field trip procedures were revised following the reported rape at NatureBridge is false.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-14551929148314867812014-09-10T10:39:01.642-07:002014-09-10T10:39:01.642-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-78659586211608452752014-09-10T08:20:02.822-07:002014-09-10T08:20:02.822-07:00Btw, you really could take Charlie's summary a...Btw, you really could take Charlie's summary and attach documents to get this done. Example-<br /><br />Paul Apostle violated WAC 181-87-060 by failing to fulfill his obligations as a Title IX compliance office by never conducting an investigation of the sexual assault of our child. Mr. Apostle's lack of knowledge and training in this role was identified in an OSPI audit, and despite being given two years to learn these responsibilities, he never performed them withr respect to your daughter.<br /><br />Attached the documents Charlie has shared about the audit and the meetings where is lack of training was discussed and the email pawning you off to English. That is all you need to do.<br /><br />-In the KnowAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-91891611150080718422014-09-10T06:55:42.181-07:002014-09-10T06:55:42.181-07:00SSAIHS FB,
You have to phrase things the right wa...SSAIHS FB,<br /><br />You have to phrase things the right way. Submit a complaint to Superintendent Welch stating that you are reporting that certificated administrators Ted Howard, Brad Westerling and Paul Apostle (he is a former principal, which means he has a Washington admin certificate) certificated teachers Heather Snookal and Rachel Finley, and certificated school counselor Kenneth Courtney have violated WAC § 181-87-060, Disregard or abandonment of generally recognized professional standards, by engaging in "performance of professional practice in flagrant disregard or clear abandonment of generally recognized professional standards in the course ... (1) Assessment, treatment, instruction, or supervision of students." Then without deviating, list out each person's specific failures related to your daughter. FOCUS on what each one did or didn't do that violates this WAC and attach supporting documents. You have to be focused, don't wander into asking him to do anything else other than investigate the specific named individuals. Don't waste your time talking about people he can't regulate (people without Washington certificates, ie English, Banda, Tolley etc). Have your attorney help you focus the complaint to be tailored to the professional practices WAC and then the ESD Superintendent will have to deal with it. <br /><br />You should send the same thing to Nyland and ask him to submit a professional practices complaint to OSPI. If he has reason to believe any of them have violated the WAC, he is obligated to report. If he doesn't, then he has also committed professional misconduct. <br /><br />-In the KnowAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-47088775125852328802014-09-09T22:03:09.503-07:002014-09-09T22:03:09.503-07:00DW--how do we get these people fired when the Dist...DW--how do we get these people fired when the District won't even properly interpret the staff complaint? We escalated our complaint to Superintendent Welch of Puget Sound Educational Service District. No help. Who is willing to join us to hold responsible staff accountable?<br /><br />If people are interested in working together towards holding the staff accountable,they can contact us. We have seen impressive developments after our story hit national media ca. July 25 because people worked together to apply the requisite pressure.<br /><br />SSAIHS FBAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com