tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post8762312344809308595..comments2024-03-18T16:51:10.406-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Open Thread FridayMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger123125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-88975193501564019592011-10-18T22:20:37.731-07:002011-10-18T22:20:37.731-07:00As a McClure parent of a current 8th grader, and s...As a McClure parent of a current 8th grader, and somewhat involved volunteer, I've seen McClure get better each year we've been there. I agree with other comments about poor teacher quality and a slow but sure track of moving poor performing teachers out of the school - - I'd like to see Sarah/Admin be more assertive with these moves, but they have happened and she's worked to be responsive to parent engagement coupled with facts and data.<br /><br />Our experience has been positive with a number of quality teachers, especially in the 2011-12 school year.<br /><br />As neighborhood families continue to commit to sending their kids, and volunteer their time and talent, the school continues to improve - - perhaps the whole point of the Neighborhood Assignment Plan.<br /><br />In all, having a middle school of only 500 kids, where the principal and nearly all teachers know my kid by name (in a postive way...) has been a good experience for him and our family so far. <br /><br />McClure MomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-52414193613666469752011-10-17T20:37:57.886-07:002011-10-17T20:37:57.886-07:00Mark Teoh says that the target date for posting th...Mark Teoh says that the target date for posting the Spring 2011 survey results is November 1.<br /><br />I have no idea why it takes them so long to tally the results.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-58807342506307915532011-10-17T13:51:40.677-07:002011-10-17T13:51:40.677-07:00i agree with another McClure parent@7:07pm. My chi...i agree with another McClure parent@7:07pm. My child attended McClure and I also volunteered at the school. My problem was with a couple teachers and not the administration. The principal was always available and I did complain and seek out options. It took two years but, one teacher is not there this year. McClure has some amazing staff as mentioned and many wonderful kids spent hours getting to school on Metro or the light rail. I call that dedication. One teacher bought uniform shirts for the Soccer team and sent them anonymously in a box to a game. McClure also had problematic students, theft, etc as most other middle schools. You can make a difference. I would like to see more electives at McClure such as the CAD classes at other middle schools. Not everything is rotten at McClure.<br /><br />Public school parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-73940346644295074292011-10-17T11:59:33.078-07:002011-10-17T11:59:33.078-07:00In the Wedgwood summer presentation, the model bei...In the Wedgwood summer presentation, the model being presented was to equally divide all groups among all classrooms. This is in conflict with the Brulles/Winebrenner cluster grouping book (and is pretty much the antithesis of the model). One question I will be raising is whether the books's model will be followed, and how the designations will be made, in the absence of district test data.TraceySnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-1705319734312370932011-10-17T11:41:34.152-07:002011-10-17T11:41:34.152-07:00none111 - that's a great question, since Wineb...none111 - that's a great question, since Winebrenner and Brulles both say in various books/ publications that self contained is the best way (for all students, not just AL students) when schools have the ability to do a self contained program. Cluster grouping is for schools that don't otherwise have a way to serve gifted students... <br /><br />RE: Dina Brulles visit.<br />She came to Lawton last spring too and I thought she was thorough presenter and an advocate for gifted ed.<br /><br />Be forewarned though... In her cluster grouping model the gifted cluster is what SPS typically defines as APP designation (percentage wise anyway - ie the top 2% on CoGAT). So those students would be in "group 1" - but that can leave our Spectrum designated students in no mans land (between groups 1 and 2) Some Spectrum students test very high and some not so high, but the individual test scores are known to the AL department, but not the Principal or teachers (so it makes it hard to assign who's in 1 and who's in 2 going by a %age GoCAT score, because the people doing the cluster creation (principal and/or teachers) don't actually have the test result data) -or so we were told. <br /><br />Since SPS has an established AL definition and designation for gifted, that includes Spectrum, Lawton designated all their Spectrum students Group 1. [Which I personally think was the right choice.] Naysayers say many of those children shouldn't be in Spectrum anyway (you know, the tried and true old "they're not really gifted/AL" argument) so therefore they shouldn't really be Group 1's. <br /><br />Swapped one set of labels for another set. <br /><br />--walked a mile in those shoesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-57275831432494604002011-10-17T11:35:10.649-07:002011-10-17T11:35:10.649-07:00I do plan to ask questions, but those questions ar...I do plan to ask questions, but those questions are better suited for Chris Cronas, I think. Dr. Brulles is here in her role as a consultant. She will be leading a workshop for staff during the day, an conducting a parent meeting in the evening. <br /><br />I am more interested in asking her about her body of work and how it applies to our particular situation. From what I understand, her experience is primarily with small districts that do not have either enough money or enough students for a full-fledged AL program like we have here, and she presents an in-classroom alternative. <br /><br />This is NOT to say that an integrated classroom is inferior, just that her solutions may be for a different problem. Right now, I am trying to read as much of her and Winebrenner's work as possible, so I can get a better handle on what her research says, and what problems her consulting practice typically focuses on.TraceySnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-58635240795177991692011-10-17T07:08:47.214-07:002011-10-17T07:08:47.214-07:00Be careful with taping a conversation (video or au...Be careful with taping a conversation (video or audio) without the other participants' permission...it's illegal and it can get you in a lot of trouble.<br /><br />Principals are essentially at-will employees. Unlike Teachers, who have union protection to oversee their due process rights, a superintendent could theoretically fire a principal for just about any reason. It is actually far easier to exit a bad principal than it is to exit a bad teacher. The problem is that a greater level of trust has been placed in principals, and it is often very hard for upper administration to see or believe that a principal needs to be exited.A Principalnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-22762118825409843472011-10-17T01:41:18.475-07:002011-10-17T01:41:18.475-07:00Thanks TraceyS,
I hope parents ask lots of questi...Thanks TraceyS,<br /><br />I hope parents ask lots of questions. I hope they think hard about what's happened to their school.<br /><br />Here's a pre-made Brulles question for anyone planning to attend:<br /><br /><i>Why would a principal dismantle a strong, self-contained program that had been working for decades, to replace it with cluster grouping when your book states cluster grouping is "for situations where self-contained classrooms are not an option".</i><br /><br />No, here's a better one: <i>What's the best way to re-implement self-contained classrooms after a principal foolishly dismantles them?</i>none1111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-38003905381198644522011-10-16T21:51:50.848-07:002011-10-16T21:51:50.848-07:00Meg, regarding the projected vs. actual enrollment...Meg, regarding the projected vs. actual enrollments, consider that at the high schools they are counting AAFTE which is different from headcount.<br /><br />Still need the tinfoil?<br /><br />There is a question about staffing adjustments, both up and down. For example, which teachers have left Rainier Beach high school now that the enrollment is 62 less than projected?Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-18672281263270881072011-10-16T21:19:16.634-07:002011-10-16T21:19:16.634-07:00Hey! Good question, Like to see school survey resu...Hey! Good question, Like to see school survey results.<br /><br />Where are the results of the most recent surveys and why aren't they posted to the district web site.<br /><br />The folks in Evaluation Research and Assessment aren't much for providing public information, are they?Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-39548620772042069712011-10-16T18:42:38.856-07:002011-10-16T18:42:38.856-07:00I know few will read this but I love the clean loo...I know few will read this but I love the clean look of the new blog design.Christinahttp://economichypochondriac.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-6546826894235506042011-10-16T16:18:37.783-07:002011-10-16T16:18:37.783-07:00none1111, Chris Cronas invited Dr. Brulles to spea...none1111, Chris Cronas invited Dr. Brulles to speak, from what I understand. At the summer meetings, where he announced the Wedgwood Spectrum changes, he mentioned her book. I bought a copy, and read it between the first and second meeting. I agree with your assessment that his plan varies quite significantly from what was described in her book. I attended three of the four meetings, and several parents did ask specifically about these changes. I don't think he really answered any of their questions - there was a lot of "I'll get back to you on that". <br /><br />It will be interesting to see the Oct 26 presentation, and if he has made any changes to his original plan based on his meeting with Dr. Brulles.TraceySnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-62455731902370308052011-10-16T16:06:29.469-07:002011-10-16T16:06:29.469-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716725891562757052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-68902096247358172132011-10-16T14:10:09.081-07:002011-10-16T14:10:09.081-07:00I'm sitting with a Hale student right now who ...I'm sitting with a Hale student right now who attended the dance. She was not given a test. Her friends were not given a test, and she heard about and saw no other students who were tested. Not sure where the info on "Every student" came from, but I heard it from the horse's mouth. <br />-ABCAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-91704306413854055132011-10-16T13:24:46.974-07:002011-10-16T13:24:46.974-07:00Different topic, but Erza Klein just posted an int...Different topic, but Erza Klein just posted an interesting summary of research that argues that efforts like KIPP and Harlem Promise Academy don't require charters, but can be implemented successfully in public schools.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/no-excuses-can-charter-principles-work-in-traditional-schools/2011/10/15/gIQAJSGpoL_blog.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/no-excuses-can-charter-principles-work-in-traditional-schools/2011/10/15/gIQAJSGpoL_blog.html</a><br /><br />Not surprising, but worth knowing about.Gregnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-11950849051930990332011-10-16T12:07:05.424-07:002011-10-16T12:07:05.424-07:00A hundred people will have a hundred different opi...A hundred people will have a hundred different opinions about drug testing at a school function. What I really want to know is it a civil rights violation? Can all children be drug tested at a school function without cause, provocation, or suspicion?<br /><br />This was a homecoming dance. There were 6 security guards and police officers there, in addition to many parent chaperons, and the principal. One of the first things that a police officer is trained to do is to be able to identify people under the influence. A police officer and/or a security guard should be able to tell with little effort if a teen is intoxicated. By all means drug test those kids and take appropriate actions, but to subject every kid to a drug test???? <br /><br />Maybe it's just me? Maybe it's just my parenting style? I choose to trust my children- unless they prove to be untrustworthy. Does that mean that I am blind and believe my kids will never do anything wrong? Never lie? Never try alcohol? Or pot? Shoplift? I'd be a fool to think that my kids will never do anything wrong. They are teens. They will. And when they do I deal with it appropriately. But unless I have a reasonable suspicion I choose not to randomly (or preemptively) drug test my kids, search their rooms, or enact unreasonable rules....just in case. <br /><br />SQanonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716725891562757052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-38925827778635821862011-10-16T12:02:20.607-07:002011-10-16T12:02:20.607-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716725891562757052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-87165347596698703862011-10-16T10:57:01.092-07:002011-10-16T10:57:01.092-07:00When my D was at Garfield- there was an incident a...When my D was at Garfield- there was an incident at a dance ( the off duty police officer who usually worked with Garfield was on vacation & another one who was more prickly was in charge) & for the rest of the year all their dances could not be on district property.<br /><br />I don't mind them checking everyone- I would rather that be the case, than certain groups of students being passed through because " they <i> never</i> would be drinking". <br /><br />Never- doesn't really apply to teens.Jet City momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804841958585043967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-25976078633688221442011-10-16T10:02:32.847-07:002011-10-16T10:02:32.847-07:00I heard there may be changes to the district PE wa...I heard there may be changes to the district PE waiver...do we wait to hand in forms, or do we submit before the change?<br /><br />Does anyone have more info?<br /><br />band parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-57382462111742211022011-10-16T09:58:10.959-07:002011-10-16T09:58:10.959-07:00correction: They didn't at Roosevelt.correction: They didn't at Roosevelt.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-50587893029645715902011-10-16T09:12:42.859-07:002011-10-16T09:12:42.859-07:00I'm not being hysterical; all you have to do i...I'm not being hysterical; all you have to do is look at the stats on teen drinking. And drinking and driving. <br /><br />I am surprised that Hale is using the breath test on all students. They didn't at Hale. It would seem appropriate for there to be a standard for all schools. <br /><br />I belong to the ACLU; I understand what you are saying.<br /><br />SQ, I agree about enforcing regulations and I know kids are ejected from dances. But some parents are very aggressive about suing the school over issues like this and I can only say that my experience is the schools (and district) are skittish about it. <br /><br />There's what should happen and there's the reality of what does.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-60144035594192807952011-10-16T08:41:19.238-07:002011-10-16T08:41:19.238-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716725891562757052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17503595977062679142011-10-16T06:53:27.335-07:002011-10-16T06:53:27.335-07:00Melissa, of course every intrusive governmental ac...Melissa, of course every intrusive governmental action involving children can be supported rhetorically by speculating about possible grave dangers, tittering about these kids today, and exhorting (without data, of course) that such measures save lives. That is exactly why we are supposed to have constitutional protections that shield people against suspicion less intrusions based on hysteria.djhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01720927162286657378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-23013617457155057082011-10-15T22:23:16.159-07:002011-10-15T22:23:16.159-07:00@Another McClure Parent: Just wondering if both yo...@Another McClure Parent: Just wondering if both your kids were in Spectrum classrooms? Because we chose McClure just as you did, and had the opposite experience. The school you describe is the one we thought we were getting. Instead we found a place with many absolute gems on the staff, both teachers and administrators -- but with an overall culture that was just awful. Rampant, out of control discipline issues; seemingly no clue how to solve them. Discipline was so inconsistent -- "everything goes" alternating with a zero tolerance policy randomly throughout the year.<br /><br />But the main reason we left was that the Spectrum classes were not full of Spectrum-qualified kids. Not even close -- so they took a whole bunch of higher-scoring kids out of general ed. That left general ed really, really dumbed down. I know it is common to fill those extra Spectrum seats with kids who "opt up" but I'm not sure most schools need to do it in such large numbers. It caused a huge imbalance -- and this was also before the NSAP, and very few of the bussed-in kids were opted up. I believe this also contributed to the poisoned, conflict-filled atmosphere. Not to mention those "ugly, underlying issues" AMP refers to. Additionally, the teachers refused to differentiate, including teachers I otherwise found admirable, so I figure they must have been too overwhelmed with discipline issues to manage more than basic teaching.<br /><br />Many ex-McClure parents I've talked to noted the same issues. Plus the fact that those few amazingly bad teachers AMP mentioned often seemed to be switched around in the grades so kids would have to endure a second year with them. By the way, at least one was exited to a different Seattle public school (lovely.) I've always been sorry McClure couldn't seem to thrive. I don't know about the allegations against Sarah Pritchett, but personally I didn't find her very inspiring and that school needs a truly gifted leader to climb out of this hole.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-81613460102775206402011-10-15T20:54:45.402-07:002011-10-15T20:54:45.402-07:00"There are many teachers who not only “get” t..."There are many teachers who not only “get” this age, but particularly enjoy them!"<br /><br />warmed my heart! I agree; bless those who are middle-school teachers (and there are some really good ones at Eckstein).<br /><br />Back to the drinking/drugs - no, I wouldn't like be tested every day at work but we're not talking about every day at school. <br /><br />I'm not sure every kid gets the breath test but I think the staff looks over each kid and asks a couple of questions. (It may depend on the school.) If the kid cannot answer the questions clearly, then they get a test. You should ask at your school if this bothers you.<br /><br />But in the end, wouldn't you like your child who might not be drinking but is in the car with someone who is, to be safe from that driver? The staff does not do this to embarrass or be punitive; it is to protect these students (some of them from each other). <br /><br />"Remove them from the dance, ban them from future dances, call their parents, whatever."<br /><br />Sure, you could do that but have you ever seen how these parents react? <br /><br />"You dared to kick their child out? What about other kids who didn't get kicked out?"<br /><br />As a former high school PTSA co-president, I've heard this stuff. <br /><br />Call the parents? The police told us at the drug/drinking prevention meetings that sometimes parents wouldn't even show up to pick up their kid ("put him in jail for a night"). <br /><br />Whatever? You might also ask your principal how difficult it is to deal with parents who say "my kid, right or wrong" and will not accept sanctions for their child.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.com