tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post8371925580508806151..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools This WeekMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-87513115037035007662013-01-17T18:15:14.430-08:002013-01-17T18:15:14.430-08:00I too think that the "holt tight for a year a...I too think that the "holt tight for a year and try to get it right for the NEXT year" solution may be the right one here, though I acknowledge that some children somewhere here will end up caught in situations where, whatever solution is proposed, it would have been better for them had it been put into action a year earlier.<br /><br />I just recall the "hurry, hurry, we can't wait, we have to make these decisions immediately, come what may" atmosphere that prevailed during the last closures. If we had waited a year -- even 6 months -- it would have become obvious that most of the school closures, and many of the lesser "moves" of programs were unnecessary or actually contraindicated. <br /><br />This feels much more like the District is taking into account 3 and 5 year plans -- and not just reacting in panic to next year's (very real) problems. <br /><br />And I for one don't mind that the solutions (both numbers of proposals, content of proposals, etc.) keep changing. I know it is frustrating -- but to me it reflects, for the first time in I don't know HOW long -- a willingness on the part of downtown to listen and adapt to what they are hearing.<br /><br />We are in huge trouble, in terms of capacity, and there are lots of reasons (relating to bad management and less than effective governance) as to how we got here -- most of which relate to an unwillingness or inability to collect good data and analyze it effectively, and a concommitant inability to develop and manage a timeline for decisionmaking that works with fact gathering, community discussion and input, and deadlines for open enrollment and school year starts. <br /><br />Still -- in 2008/09, it seemed to me that the "commitment" was to preserving the "look and feel" of decisive action, regardless of its reality. It felt to me like the Board thought it more important not to undermine the impression of MGJ's leadership, or the validity of her staff's recommendations than it was to actually observe whether her data fit reality, or to absorb any of the community feedback (anguish, anger, better facts and analysis, etc.) that was generated.<br /><br />There are no great choices here, only "less bad" ones -- and those will vary from child to child, depending on circumstances. But as uncomfortable as this entire process is -- it still feels better than what was done with the last school closings and the adoption of the NSAP.<br /><br />Hoping so anyway.<br /><br />Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09923777229601243321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-49925979734755953202013-01-15T10:02:19.166-08:002013-01-15T10:02:19.166-08:00Per Director Sherry Carr it seems the District is ...Per Director Sherry Carr it seems the District is leaning toward making no major changes for 2013-14, see her email below:<br /><br />"Thank you for your email regarding our 2013-14 transition plan and short term capacity management. I appreciate that you have shared your perspective and will keep it in mind as we approach a decision. In response to parent feedback, our staff is now assessing the impact and feasibility of making no change for 2013 except for the use of surge capacity. This option, if feasible, would provide an additional year of planning time and allow the District to work boundary and feeder pattern changes in sequence with the planned opening of new schools. We will meet one more time as an Operations Committee of the Whole on Thursday, January 17 from 4:15 to 5:15 at John Stanford Center. The public is welcome to observe. The School Board will vote on the final proposal at the regular legislative meeting on Wed, January 23.<br /> <br />Best,<br /> <br />Sherry Carr"<br />kgrothnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-27267958579931138882013-01-15T09:06:51.860-08:002013-01-15T09:06:51.860-08:00I though John Marshall was going to be used for th...I though John Marshall was going to be used for the roll-up into the new Wilson Pacific middie school? If it's used for a sixth grade academy, wouldn't they still need a place to put Wilson Pacific student's prior to it's opening? <br />Zella917zella917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-64108572437281823072013-01-14T19:20:59.495-08:002013-01-14T19:20:59.495-08:00As I understand it, an additional meeting will be ...As I understand it, an additional meeting will be held on Thursday, Jan. 17 at Laurelhurst Elementary School at 6:30 (I'm guessing immediately following the one at the John Stanford Center?) This is from the HIMS home page: <br /><br />Important News for Parents: SPS and the School Board are in the midst of discussing a variety of short-term capacity management plans to address enrollment growth. Whatever plan is chosen will affect NEXT school year (2013-2014). <br /><br />A summary of the capacity management options currently being considered can be found here. These alternatives include the development of a Sixth Grade Academy at the John Marshall building, where all incoming Hamilton and Eckstein sixth graders would attend the Academy for one year before transitioning to their respective middle schools for seventh and eighth grade. We understand that the Academy option has gained traction and want to alert parents of an upcoming meeting (listed below) with School Board members where interested parents can be part of the conversations and express their views. <br /><br />Thursday January 17, 6:30 p.m.<br />Laurelhurst Community Meeting <br />Laurelhurst Elementary School<br />Featuring SPS Board Directors Harium Martin-Morris and Sherry Carr, and SPS Assistant Superintendent of Operations Pegi McEvoy.<br /><br />The School Board will vote on January 23. For official updates please refer to the SPS Capacity Planning & Management page.<br /><br />Maybe I shouldn't complain, but we live across the street from HIMS and my son is entering 6th grade in the fall...what a bummer we may have to send him to John Marshall for a year...Margarethttp://www.wallyhood.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-67494572131801211352013-01-14T19:01:16.115-08:002013-01-14T19:01:16.115-08:00Love how that new safety initiative has improved c...Love how that new safety initiative has improved communication with families...NOT!<br /><br />Recently I have taken it upon myself to let Banda/his expensive PR people know that, maybe, they should use the fancy robocall system to let us know WTF is going on!<br />mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-27262235048428186392013-01-14T15:39:59.789-08:002013-01-14T15:39:59.789-08:00HIMS also had an earthquake drill in 6th period to...HIMS also had an earthquake drill in 6th period today.<br />HIMS mom<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-18509874481052667522013-01-14T15:16:47.595-08:002013-01-14T15:16:47.595-08:00Yes, Nova and the World School went to Shelter in ...Yes, Nova and the World School went to Shelter in Place mode a bit after 2p. I'm a parent and happened to be at Nova at the time. From my point of view, the two schools coordinated well w/one another, students and staff secure in classrooms quickly. The all-clear was given before 2:30.<br /><br />I don't know the details, but it sounds like there was an armed robbery of a home in the area and the district called for security measures.<br /><br />Enormous thanks to our school staff for their support of our students. <br /><br />-owlhouse <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-12479313766869535722013-01-14T15:05:54.262-08:002013-01-14T15:05:54.262-08:00Well, it's this week, so...
I'm told that...Well, it's this week, so...<br /><br />I'm told that NOVA was on lockdown for a time this afternoon (Monday); anyone know why?Josh Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17242600011474990770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-84337217980298046082013-01-14T13:32:57.851-08:002013-01-14T13:32:57.851-08:00Agreed. I hope this new option/recommendation/sce...Agreed. I hope this new option/recommendation/scenario is to hold tight. There are too many ramifications if a quick (and poor) choice is made.<br /><br />And, at this point, with the constant changes, it would see ill-advised to come out with something completely new without vetting.<br /><br />Wonder what FACMAC thinks?Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-4883357530753885742013-01-14T12:35:24.037-08:002013-01-14T12:35:24.037-08:002014-2015 (sorry). Given the level of impact, the ...2014-2015 (sorry). Given the level of impact, the date and review process needs to be well-defined. <br /><br />Boundary watcherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-29793033778583775412013-01-14T12:21:05.413-08:002013-01-14T12:21:05.413-08:00Boundary, do you mean 2013-2014 or 2014-2015?Boundary, do you mean 2013-2014 or 2014-2015?Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-40183730760651867962013-01-14T12:12:25.797-08:002013-01-14T12:12:25.797-08:00My sources inside SPS tell me that the boundary ch...My sources inside SPS tell me that the boundary changes will also include a Guiness-record breaking game of musical chairs to be played city-wide.<br /><br />-NEDadAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-88647827680580026502013-01-14T12:05:01.718-08:002013-01-14T12:05:01.718-08:00Any new scenario should include the firm date by w...Any new scenario should include the firm date by which boundary changes for 2014 will be available for public review. <br />--Boundary watcherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com