Update: Following a scandal at Aki Kurose Middle School, apparently the district has pulled the principal, Caine Lowery who leaves Aki for a promotion to Central Office to support/train/guide principals. Hmm. I also note that former Rainier View Elementary principal Anitra Jones, who was removed from that school, still doesn't show up on the staff roster at Rainier Beach High School where it was stated she would be. Where is she? Who knows? end of update This is going to be a difficult post to write because it is sad to see what looks like a norm now at JSCEE. The norm I speak of is largely an occurrence with principals as well as JSCEE senior staff. I also know that this is not going to surprise most who works at JSCEE. The norm I'm referring to is the one where some personnel have personal connections within the district that sees them moving between jobs and even getting promoted based on those relationships. In short, nepotism. This district is risk-adverse wh...
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Did you also notice how all of the TfA alum addressed their remarks to the Directors, the superintendent and the Seattle Public Schools community?
They did look pretty good. ..... Hey! I'm offended! :)
They were very earnest. I was a lot like that before I had kids! Except I have never dressed very well.
As I've always said on this blog, Seattle is an anomaly in that it does not have ghettos—even the diverse Southend (a place I proudly call home) would not come close to identifying with the barrios and ghettos of major cities like Chicago, LA, Detroit, and even San Antonio (where I lived for 15 years).
The community at RBHS is working to attract back the 800+ kids who shunned the school (and those waiting in the wings). Those 800 kids represent the extreme diversity of the RBHS attendance area (everything from the über-wealthy to those that qualify for FRL). If they manage to attract even half of those kids back, do you think those families who fled for Sealth et al would be thrilled with TFA teachers? With 9-hr days, 1/2 day weekends and three weeks in summer?
We aren't Chicago, or Detroit or LA. I don't believe TFA is the program for Seattle.
What is the community doing? What can it do without (apparent) district support?
Before West Seattle got totally broadsided by NSAP, we worked really hard to get IB at Sealth, for instance, and that is going well.
What do YOU want at Rainier Beach High School?
This is a question that the District never asked and, frankly, refuses to ask. It is, however, the correct first step to attracting families and students to the school.
What would Rainier Beach have to offer for you to choose it for your child?
I could guess what people will say, but I'm ready to be corrected with the real answer from the people themselves.
My guess would be: a safe campus and an appropriate academic opportunity.
They may want some other stuff, but all of that other stuff is covered by the District's "academic assurances". What isn't getting assured and what people are missing is safety and an academic opportunity.