Stepping Away

Due to a illness in my family, I will be stepping away from blogging for awhile.

I want to sincerely thank Beth for asking me to be part of this blog. Beth has so much integrity and I was glad for the opportunity.

I know that lively and thoughtful discussions will continue on with Beth, Charlie, Michael and whoever else writes here.

I hope all of you continuing reading the blog and getting the message out that it exists because it is the one place in Seattle where parents and others can come and discuss the district. It's good and healthy to make these connections.

Please continue to support Seattle public schools, warts and all. There are good things happening in our schools and they need our support (and tough love).

Comments

SolvayGirl said…
Thank you Melissa for all of the time and care you have put into writing thoughtful, informative blogs on this site. You will be missed. May your family member recover quickly.
8/21/08, 8:16 AM
speducator said…
Melissa:
Thank you for your incredible reporting during the Sealth/Denny mess (which still continues).

Your insight and energy inspired many of us to keep going with our efforts to make the District accountable. Too bad we weren't successful.

I wish you strength during this time.
8/21/08, 9:05 AM
dan dempsey said…
Melissa you are an incredibly talented writer. Thank you for your dedication. You and your family are in my prayers.

I missed the Board meeting last night due to I-5 Northbound traffic. I will be teaching at Lummi Nations High School near Bellingham. (No more SPS School Board testimonies from me.)

Blog readers keep going with efforts to hold the SPS accountable.

Also please keep Terry Bergeson away from 4 more years as SPI.
8/21/08, 9:54 AM
zb said…
Thanks Melissa for all your efforts, and my thoughts are with as you negotiate your family life.
8/21/08, 10:25 AM
snaffles said…
Thanks melissa I haven't been around long, but I have enjoyed every minute of your in put, and pointed accountability pursuit of the Seattle School District.

My thought are with you and your family.
8/22/08, 2:45 AM
Beth Bakeman said…
The blog will not be the same without you, Mel. Take care of yourself and your family.

And I look forward to your return to blogging when you are able.
8/22/08, 10:05 PM
BullDogger said…
Thank you Melissa for all you've done. Your perspective and diplomacy have provided a much needed community service. You really have made the world a little better.

My prayers will be with you and yours. Hope to see you back to blogging soon.
8/23/08, 9:35 AM
Johnny Calcagno said…
Mel -

Thanks for all of your hard work. Truly priceless!!!

Good luck to you and your family.

I guess it's time for the rest of us to step up!
8/24/08, 2:07 PM
Denise Gonzalez-Walker said…
Melissa,

You've been a big inspiration and great resource for so many of us parents, and for me, as a fellow blogger. I wish you and your family strength and optimism during a challenging time.
8/25/08, 11:19 AM
Brita said…
Melissa,

Your well-researched, thoughtful (dare I say fair and balanced?) blogs have made a real contribution to the education discourse in Seattle.

I have learned a lot from you. Heartfelt thanks to your family for sharing you with us, and best wishes for them.

Best,

Brita
8/29/08, 8:19 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tuesday Open Thread

The speaker list is up for the Board meeting tomorrow; not as packed as I thought with just four people on the waitlist. The majority of the speakers are speaking on high school boundaries (with several wanting to talk about Ballard High). There are only three of us speaking about the Green Dot resolution asking the City to not grant the zoning departures that Green Dot has requested.  It's me, long-time watchdog, Chris Jackins, and the head of the Washington State Charter Schools Association, Patrick D'Amelio.  (I knew Mr. D'Amelio when he headed the Alliance for Education and Big Brothers and Big Sisters; he's a stand-up guy.)
Read more

Breaking It Down: Where the District Might Close Schools

Update 2: an absolutely fabulous interactive map made by parent Beth Day (@thebethocracy on Twitter - she covers Board meetings and is fun to read).   end of update    Update 1: Mea culpa, I did indeed get Decatur and Thornton Creek mixed up. Thanks to all for the correction. end of update   I suspect some who read this post will be irate. Why do this? Because the district seems very hellbent on this effort with no oversight skid marks from the Board.    To clearly state - I do not believe that closing 20 schools is a good idea. I think they hit on 20 because they thought it might bring in the most savings. But the jury is still out on the savings because the district has not shown its work nor its data. I suspect closing schools and THEN leasing/renting them is the big plan but that means the district really has to keep the buildings up.   But this district, with its happy talk about "well-resourced schools" is NOT acknowledging the pain and yes, gr...
Read more

Education News Roundup

From the ever-amusing Washington Policy Center : Vouchers are Pell Grants for students under 18.  Vouchers are no different than Pell Grants or GI benefits, except the money goes to the families of students younger than age 18.  Except they are. Pell Grants were created to help needy students and that's not really the goal of the voucher program.  The Pell grant website does have a couple of great studies on why low-income students drop out before finishing their higher ed and what makes a difference.
Read more