Friday Open Thread
Seattle's Central Library celebrates its 10-year birthday. Lots of fun events starting today with a concert by Harry and the Potters and ending with a big party next Friday, May 23rd. Music, temporary tattoos, cupcakes and a Lion Dance, starting at 10 a.m.
Lots of awards for high school students. From SPS Communications:
Keeley Michael, a senior at Ingraham High School, won the 2014 Congressional Art Competition for Washington state through the office of Congressman Jim McDermott.
Her work is headed to Washington D.C. where it will hang in the U.S. Capitol Building for a year, along with the winners from other Congressional districts across the country.
Madi Owen, another senior at Ingraham High School, was awarded the Washington Art Education Association Award for her artwork titled, "Combustion."
Madi won the award in the Puget Sound ESD High School Art contest, where her work was chosen to move on to the state competition through the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Two short films by students in the Ballard High School Video Production Program were award winners at the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY).
Song for Anna by Lucy Harstrick, Isaiah Hoban-Halvorsen, Josh Vredevoogd and Kiana Wyld won the Audience Award of the Musical Masterpiece program.
Ballard filmmakers also distinguished themselves in NFFTY’s 48-Hour Film Off. Jonny Cechony, Will Erstad, Simon Gibson-Penrose, Elizabeth Rosario and Raven Two Feathers represented Ballard High School, and their short Just Plane Lucky took 2nd Prize in the competition.
Just Plane Lucky will screen at the Ballard Film Festival on Friday and Saturday, June 6 and 7 at 7 p.m. in the Ballard High School auditorium.
No director community meetings this Saturday.
What's on your mind?
Lots of awards for high school students. From SPS Communications:
Keeley Michael, a senior at Ingraham High School, won the 2014 Congressional Art Competition for Washington state through the office of Congressman Jim McDermott.
Her work is headed to Washington D.C. where it will hang in the U.S. Capitol Building for a year, along with the winners from other Congressional districts across the country.
Madi Owen, another senior at Ingraham High School, was awarded the Washington Art Education Association Award for her artwork titled, "Combustion."
Madi won the award in the Puget Sound ESD High School Art contest, where her work was chosen to move on to the state competition through the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Two short films by students in the Ballard High School Video Production Program were award winners at the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY).
Song for Anna by Lucy Harstrick, Isaiah Hoban-Halvorsen, Josh Vredevoogd and Kiana Wyld won the Audience Award of the Musical Masterpiece program.
Ballard filmmakers also distinguished themselves in NFFTY’s 48-Hour Film Off. Jonny Cechony, Will Erstad, Simon Gibson-Penrose, Elizabeth Rosario and Raven Two Feathers represented Ballard High School, and their short Just Plane Lucky took 2nd Prize in the competition.
Just Plane Lucky will screen at the Ballard Film Festival on Friday and Saturday, June 6 and 7 at 7 p.m. in the Ballard High School auditorium.
No director community meetings this Saturday.
What's on your mind?
Comments
I attended part of and took notes at Monday's (5/12) curriculum and instruction committee meeting. I was interested in discussion of a draft School Board Action Report prepared by staff, in which staff recommended adopting Envision Math. I heard all five directors' comments, and heard the first 30 minutes or so of staff response. The discussion continued another 90 minutes or so after I left.
Briefly, four directors at the meeting told staff that they favored dual adoption, for reason that
1. the MAC did not sufficiently address community input (which overwhelmingly favored Math In Focus). The MAC did not give a rationale for why they picked EnvM over the community's favorite
2. Board policy calls for accessibility of text. The four directors believe that MIF, but not EM, meet this requirement (they described EM as text-heavy).
3. Equity: we already know there are schools using MIF and Singapore Math. These schools have PTAs that can afford to bear the cost. Board wants poorer schools to also be able to choose the curriculum that the community favored and that is showing great results in districts and schools where it is adopted.
Staff made various counterarguments before I left at 7 pm, none of which I felt had genuine merit, so I will not bother to summarize them here, unless someone asks.
Probably the strongest argument staff made up through 7 pm, IMHO, was the very high potential cost of Prof.Dev. for MIF.
I have been doing some research, and am certain that dual adoption need not be much more expensive than single adoption of EnvM, if we do certain things that are being done in other districts to bring down the cost of the materials and the PD, and taking into consideration that probably only 20%-40% of schools would choose MIF.
I have prepared a spreadsheet analysis to prove my point, and will be sharing this with the Board soon. [Why has not the staff done this - why does a community member have to do this!!!]
Joan NE
provided with core materials upon approval of a teacher’s request to teach science.
Removing this policy barrier and making systems more efficient has increased teacher
access to instructional materials by 25% over the past two years. I have to admit that does sound like an improvement.
I also read the BEX IV Monthly Status Report. I'm just realizing that in September 2016 we'll be opening two new K-5 buildings, a K-8 and a high school.) I remember hearing many stories when K-5 STEM opened about a general lack of preparedness by the district. (The school was lacking supplies and materials, playground equipment, etc.) We should be watching to see how things go with Fairmount Park and Jane Addams Middle School this fall.
Our district loves new programs and then does not back them up probably either with resources or staff.
http://www.seattle.gov/seattle-youth-commission/apply-to-be-a-youth-commissioner
The most important quality of a Youth Commissioner is a strong desire to work for positive change on behalf of young people in Seattle. No prior experience with local government is necessary, but you do need to be between the ages of 13 and 19. Priority is given to ensuring representation of as many schools, demographic groups, and neighborhoods as possible.
Full Commission meetings will take place every Wednesday from 4:00 to 5:30 pm at City Hall (600 4th Ave) during the school year, and every other Wednesday during the summer. To be on the Commission you'll need to be able to commit to the program from June of 2014 to June of 2015, including two optional but highly recommended confirmation hearings with the City Council.
In addition to this application form, in order for your application to be considered you'll need to have two people who know you well but aren't related to you complete reference forms on your behalf. Tuesday, May 20th is the application deadline by which we need to have received both your application and your references; we'll reach out to schedule an interview time once we've received your completed application.
If you have any questions, please contact Ilani Nurick at 206-335-4591 or ilanin7@gmail.com
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A student can server for more than one year. My kid did it for the last year and it has been a great learning experience.
HP
Shauna Heath made it seem that MIF required 8 days of training. This would bring an additional cost of $2.5 million dollars once you pay teachers for training.
I spoke with the STEM director at Highline this morning. Highline did not buy 8 days of training from MIF. They provided 3-5 days of training the first year, and then did their own in-house training. The other major concern about MIF was the alignment to CCSS. MIF has a transition guide to Common Core as part of their on-line resource that every teacher can access. So if a certain lesson is not in the book, they can download the lesson and worksheet from the transition guide.
I also found out Highline only bought the student textbooks, student workbooks, and teacher's manual. They did not buy any of the ancillary materials. I'm sure there are ways to cut down costs.
The actual vote will take place on June 4th.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
So there are about what 7 "re entry" programs in the Interagency? How many kids are being "re-entred" that SPS needs that many facilities?
What are Middle college high schools? Who do they serve? How many students attend those?
As for alternatives I see Center House, NOVA as high schools is that all? What are their jobs or roles and who do they serve?
As for South Lake that used to be the old Shaples and Marshall then Sharples became Aki Kurose if I recall.
So we have 7 re-entry, one school for single mothers? Is that all they do or what is their role?
Then we have Middle colleges. And we have 2 alternative hs
So what is the costs, how many students are they serving? What is the role in the community?
- Just Curious
tami
Seattle Schools photo archive
Still curious
Teaching this population can be difficult, messy, and doesn't always turn lives around, but it is very worthwhile. The only other option is not giving a shit, which costs a lot less than 5 million.
Signed,
I Don't Work For Interagency
-RR
Everyone has an equal right to medical care and an education.
So again you have been to all of these schools.. interagency, MCHS, South Lake, NOVA, Center School, the Home Partnership and see what they do there for say a week at a time..
---still curious
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upov6UT_5MA&feature=youtu.be
HP
HP
That sounds like a great thing for you do to. To get the answer to your question.
The differences in students served and services given are very different (for good reason).
I agree; if you are that curious/worried, the research is out there for you to do.
Excellent book on this - sections on how kids learn, what's wrong with schools based on the authoritarian model, how businesses grow - Google, Patagonia, etc.
http://amorebeautifulquestion.com/
I’ve learned that the #1 search that leads to this site is “Why do kids ask so many questions?” My question is, “Why do they stop?” Read my posts on how parents and teachers can keep the inquiry spark alive in kids.
-districtWatcher
Are you upset because I'm not going to jump up and investigate your concern on my free time after my fulltime job? Gee, not too concerned about your snark. I love how some think others are supposed to (ruff ruff) watchdog issues that only interest them. Hey the info is out there, if you are so interested.
Couch potatoes can read the Seattle Times for great education news opinion... Hah!
As you are a "concerned tax payer", why not investigate the cost of our prisons, including all the money that is paid to the private prisons that the GOP is so fond of. Then compare that cost to the costs of giving vulnerable populations an education so they have choices of means to feed themselves legally as adults. Then come back here and tell all of us which option uses "our tax money" more efficiently: schools or prisons.
We eagerly await your report, oh ye responsible, concerned tax payer.
CCA
We have to encourage that kind of thought and excitement and interest in all children.
Still curious, you seem to feel that because I don't have all the answers at hand you desire, I'm not doing my "job."
First, you used a too-long moniker for your last comment and it was deleted per our rules.
Second, you CAN go ask these questions - I'm just good and knowing who to ask and how.
Third, this blog is interested in all district things. I have often wondered about the costs for MANY things but these types of "alternative" schools are the least of our worries.
--- swk
observer
CCA
Why should anyone bust their gut pulling untold unpaid hours and effort, just to be maligned by people who throw mud anonymously at them on public forums.
CCA
However, you did not say "alleged" in referring to substance abuse by an SPS employee. You cannot make statements not based on proven fact. Please do not make such statements.
That said, I can understand why this person did NOT use their name. It would seem like a bad idea given the allegations.
CCA, was that posting about an APP teacher on this blog? Because I honestly don't remember that. And yes, I hear you on people who like to complain about school events but never step up to do the work themselves.
Speaking as someone who fostered a middle college student and known and assisted others, can assure you that they are taxpayers today and one of whom is getting his Master's Degree in counseling now - directly attributable to this fine program. Did you know for instance South Seatttle Middle College enjoyed FREE rent @ SSCC for 20 years before being moved? Is that efficient enough for you?
Tell us your priorities, perhaps we can help.
Leslie
Perhaps you would prefer that some of the kids at Interagency or Middle College who have fallen behind or have behavior issues stay at traditional high schools to be frustrated, perhaps act out and disrupt classes and learning there, rather than get the assistance they need? If, as you say $12k per must make it a good program - yes it would be for the potential cost/benefit ratio of others unimpressed learning.... You'd prefer we throw them in the street? Checked out the costs of homelessness, and the court and prison systems lately?
Again, tell us where you'd spend this money and effort - $5M pretty incidental to the bigger picture in SPS budget seen the Wilson Pacific or BEX threads lately?
Leslie