Saturday Updates (And Sorry)
Well, that was embarrassing. I knew this was a busy weekend in Seattle and trying to help parents out, I posted a list of events from last year. (Darn Google - I typed in "this weekend" but clearly should have searched by date). I apologize for any confusion. I just decided to delete the whole thing.
From Diane Ravitch's blog, we learn that officials in the Oklahoma DOE posted, at the website, personal information about students who had not taken the state test. These students had received exemptions and thus, waived their rights under FERPA but that didn't mean the state education officials had to do what they did. Unhappy legislators want to know if this was done out of ignorance or as retribution for students who opted out. What seems clear is that this was a distinct action and not an accident; meaning, someone had to directly put this info out there.
Congrats to West Seattle High School which learned it is receiving a grant from the Families & Education levy funds of $350k over the next seven years. This info comes from the West Seattle blog. It is funding a plethora of important work like mandatory after-school study hall and Saturday school, early interventions, and more.
A story from Seattle Bike Blog (via the Eckstein Bikes Facebook page) about the high bike ridership at Bryant Elementary.
Another huge bike to school success story. Bryant has had a bike to school program for about six years, but this was their biggest Bike to School Month ever. Check out these numbers: 143 kids participated in May, riding over 1300 round trips to and from school. This was over a 50% increase from last year!
It is a good idea to make our streets safe for bikes especially in neighborhood areas where there are schools. It's good exercise and gives a child a sense of independence. I know this is not an option for every student at every school but it's an option worth considering.
Start School Later Seattle will meet on Monday 6/11 at 5pm at the Wayward Coffee House on 65th and Roosevelt (parking available off the alley).
From Diane Ravitch's blog, we learn that officials in the Oklahoma DOE posted, at the website, personal information about students who had not taken the state test. These students had received exemptions and thus, waived their rights under FERPA but that didn't mean the state education officials had to do what they did. Unhappy legislators want to know if this was done out of ignorance or as retribution for students who opted out. What seems clear is that this was a distinct action and not an accident; meaning, someone had to directly put this info out there.
Congrats to West Seattle High School which learned it is receiving a grant from the Families & Education levy funds of $350k over the next seven years. This info comes from the West Seattle blog. It is funding a plethora of important work like mandatory after-school study hall and Saturday school, early interventions, and more.
A story from Seattle Bike Blog (via the Eckstein Bikes Facebook page) about the high bike ridership at Bryant Elementary.
Another huge bike to school success story. Bryant has had a bike to school program for about six years, but this was their biggest Bike to School Month ever. Check out these numbers: 143 kids participated in May, riding over 1300 round trips to and from school. This was over a 50% increase from last year!
It is a good idea to make our streets safe for bikes especially in neighborhood areas where there are schools. It's good exercise and gives a child a sense of independence. I know this is not an option for every student at every school but it's an option worth considering.
Start School Later Seattle will meet on Monday 6/11 at 5pm at the Wayward Coffee House on 65th and Roosevelt (parking available off the alley).
Comments
new biking parent
Helen Schinske
Our Brave New World
Gates, in my opinion, is deranged...
I cant believe we are at this point; its horrible - right out of a Matrix or Clockwork Orange-style sci-fi nightmare... as many commentators are asking - what will come next:
waiting for the shock collars and the cattle prods to be next...
the dog collars they use with invisible fences...
Kids and parents wearing them so we can monitor proper parenting... "Phone lines are open. Order bracelets for your entire class and the Gates Foundation will throw in a case of Soylent Green."...
Guess the Bell Curve is officially obsolete. Imagine the skin response to the old wooden paddle!OUCH...
Assignment: What’s wrong with America’s school system?