Slow SPS Meeting Week but Big Education Event Month

Not much happening this week in SPS meetings but many education events this month.
There are two on Wednesday:
  • Strategic Plan Work Session from 4:00-5:30 p.m.  - This one mystifies me because they keep having these "refresh" and "work sessions" on the Strategic Plan and yet where is the information on what we are continuing to do, what is being pulled back on and what is on hold/canceled?  We have a major budget gap and the most obvious large area that could be cut back on and NOT hurt the classroom is the Strategic Plan.   I think we owed the information as to what is happening with this initiative.  (Note: this work session had been scheduled for 5/5 and is now on 5/4)
  • School Board Meeting from 6-9 p.m.
  • There had been a previously schedule Budget Work Session on Wednesday but it has been canceled until further notice.   
Also, all this week you can review  K-5 General Music materials up for adoption:

Monday - Friday, May 2nd - May 6th, 9a.m. - 4p.m.
Saturday, May 7th, 9a.m. 12p.m. (Stanford Center only) :

Materials can be reviewed at the following locations:

Broadview-Thomson, K-8 Library, 13052 Greenwood Ave N
Lawton Elementary Library, 4000 27 Ave W
Thurgood Marshall Elementary Library, 2401 S Irving St.
Southshore, K-8 Library, 4800 S Henderson St
John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence , Professional Development Library, 2nd floor, 2445 3rd Ave S

If you have questions regarding the K-5 General Music Adoption please contact Carri Campbell at cjcampbell@seattleschools.org or 206-252-0188.


Also this week, a review of Middle School LA Instructional Materials:


Monday - Friday May 2nd to May 6th from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 7th from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. (Stanford Center only)

Materials can be reviewed at the following locations:

Madison MS        3429 45 Ave. SW Seattle, WA 98116
McClure MS        1915 1st Ave. W Seattle, WA 98119
Aki Kurose MS    3928 S. Graham St. Seattle, WA 98118
Hamilton MS        1610 N. 41st St. Seattle, WA 98103
Blaine K-8           2550 34th Ave. W Seattle, WA 98199
Stanford Center   2445 3rd Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98134
           
Questions: Please contact Dan Coles, Literacy Manager, 206-252-0231


Here are other events to note on your calendar.
  
Monday, May 9th - General Meeting of the Seattle Council PTSA from ? to? at headquarters (no time given in the e-mail I have so I'll have to check).  They will have a presentation on the Families and Education Levy as well as a presentation on capacity management with discussion to follow.

CPPS has announced trainings for parent leaders at schools.  This follows from a parent leadership model out of Tennessee that has been highly successful  for over 20 years.  From their website:

It's time we worked together for quality neighborhood schools across our city.  And CPPS is starting with the parents in SE Seattle.  Our first parent leadership training workshops are scheduled and filling fast!

Session 1-- For Aki Kurose Feeder Pattern families and friends, Friday-Saturday May 6-7, 8:30-3:30 at the CHAMPS facility at 6718 MLK Way (Grace Apostolic)

Session 2-- For Mercer Feeder Pattern families and friends, Saturday-Sunday May 21-22, 8:30-3:30 at Mercer Middle School, 1600 Columbian Way S. 

Trainees commit to two days, and earn a leadership stipend of $75 per day; childcare and refreshments will be provided.
As well, our parents and community members are embracing These workshops will equip parents to better understand the data and expectations built into our educational system.  

Not a SE parent?  Let us know your interest and we'll try to arrange a training for your region.   

For more information or to apply, contact Project Director, Amber Banks (310) 430-5068

Also, a couple of further out events (but good to get on the calendar):

Sunday, May 15th -- UW Math Workshop for Middle Schoolers and Parents
Savery Hall, 1:00-2:00pm   
Sara Billey discusses "Computer proofs in Algebra, Combinatorics, and Geometry".  Free.


Monday, May 16th -- 37th District Democrats Forum on the Direction of Seattle Public Schools
Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 3515 S Alaska 7 -9:00pm
The 37th District Democrats will host a community forum on the direction of the Seattle Public Schools.  All community members are welcome to attend. Admission is free, although donations are welcome. **PDF flyer saved on desktop.  Public comment will be invited after the panel discussion and there will be opportunities for written feedback. Notes from the forum will be forwarded to all school board members and other stakeholders in the superintendent hiring process.
For more information, contact Susanna Williams, 406-1344 Chair of the 37th District Democrats.

Monday, May 16th --Commitment to Better & Best: Washington's Public Schools
Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center, 400 S 2nd St. Renton 4:00-6:00pm or 7:00 -9:00pm for the community 
Email your advance reservation by May 6th with name, email, time and district info to attend this event with CEO of the International Ctr for Leadership in Education Bill Daggett, Ed.D.


Thursday, May 19th -- Panel Discussion on Fighting Racism in the Public Schools 
Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1634 19th Ave. 7:00-9:00pm
Wayne Au, editor of Rethinking Schools,  James Bible, president of the King County NAACP, Jesse Hagopian, SPS teacher address Achievement Gap or Opportunity Gap? discussing the superintendent role, the challenges in our district, and the issues of schools in economically stressed communities   

Tuesday, May 24th -- 21st Century Parent Engagement:  CPPS Annual Meeting 
Lincoln High School Library, 4400 Interlake N 6:30-8:30pm
Don't miss this change to learn about parent leadership training, engagement for student achievement and school improvement, and more!

Comments

Maureen said…
I'm sort of confused about K-5 Music Materials. I guess some schools actually teach music? If your school covers teacher planning time with PE instead (for example) does the school still get the materials or do they only go to schools that have District paid for music teachers?
5/2/11, 1:40 PM
Anonymous said…
SCPTSA meeting is at 7PM on May
9th.

a parent
5/2/11, 5:01 PM
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