Tuesday Open Thread
 | ||
| Fun at Teacher Appreciation Day at Arbor Heights Elementary. |
I happened to be checking what schools require uniforms (I believe there are only 3-4 elementaries). K-5 STEM is one of them. From their webpage, the school certainly has quite a different feel to it. For example, they have four sections to their Uniforms page and the FAQ is really long and fairly strict. I can only say that you would have a problem getting most kids on the autism spectrum to abide by these rules (they say they make a case-by-case exception for kids with special needs).
Also, to put on your calendar, there will be a showing of the film, "Standardized; Lies, Money and Civil Rights, How Testing is Ruining Public Education" on Wednesday, May 14th at 6:30 p.m. at the NW Film Forum. The movie is free and sponsored by Seattle Education and Parents Across America, Seattle.
The push is on for the NCLB waiver. I always smile because you can tell when the ed powers that be in Seattle decide it's time for a topic. First, there was a push at Crosscut where we are told the most important thing to do for Washington State public education, right now, is to get that waiver back. Then, the Times had an op-ed that said that Hispanic parents would be confused if their children's schools were labelled failing. I would venture that that would depend on what their school and district tell them the reason for that label is.
The fate of over 200 Nigerian girls kidnapped from a boarding school by terrorists is unclear. All these girls and their parents wanted was for them to be educated. The terrorists who have them say they will sell them. I urge you to write to your US congressperson or senator and ask them to support efforts to find and free these girls. If you use Twitter, please use the hashtag: #BringBackOurGirls.
What's on your mind?
Comments
Great discussion in the comment section of the Times article on the SEA race for President. Wednesday is the last day for members to vote. We keep getting updates on how many members in each school has voted, and it's running at about 40%. I really hope our next SEA president is chosen by a true majority.
An estimated 200,000 victims of bullying bring weapons, including guns, to school over the course of a month, according to the authors' analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control's 2011 Youth Risk Surveillance System Survey. That's a substantial portion of the estimated 750,000 high school students who bring weapons to school every month.
http://m.motherjones.com/politics/2014/05/bullying-victims-carry-weapons-guns
Department of Health and Human Services's Stopbullying.gov website reports that the perpetrators of 12 of 15 school shootings in the 1990s had a history of being bullied.
At the CDC website the data for Seattle shows that in 2011, 11.1% of male high school students had taken a weapon to school in the preceding 30 days (sample size of 951).
We need to address bullying AND the widespread availability of firearms in our communities. Yes, the NRA-gun worshippers will say kids can take other weapons such as knives to school, but the results of a rampaging student with a knife are far less devastating than one one armed with a gun, This was clearly shown in a recent high school incident where 19 people were INJURED by a student with a knife; most didn't even require hospitalization -now picture the result if he had an automatic weapon.
What do you all make of states such a Georgia who, in spite of overwhelming evidence that shows greater access to guns = more gun deaths and injuries from homicide, suicide, accident, are relaxing their gun laws? In Georgia, guns will be Ok in schools (and churches, bars, rec centers - but funnily enough, not in the State Capitol building! Its gonna be like the wild west out there.
Food for thought
re: the horrific Nigerian school girl kidnapping...please note the self-confirmed perpetrators are from a group named Boko Haram.
The loose translation of Boko Haram?: WESTERN EDUCATION IS EVIL.
Sometimes I think all of us (myself included) forget to "look up"...to acknowledge that US Public Education, for all its flaws, is such an underpinning of our Democracy that obscure militias on the other side of the world lash out at its potential to change the lives of students, and by extension, the trajectory of whole countries and continents.
The action of Boko Haram is a reflection of its fear that Western Education could change the viewpoint and actions of Nigerian children and eventually the course of Nigeria itself.
Damn right it could.
EdVoter
I rarely do this, but I call Bull**** pure and simple. The legislature has shown over and over and over that it will solve the funding problem when forced to do so by the court...and not a moment before.
Want to comment on the editorial? Go here.
...finding experienced grantmakers like Gates and Carnegie misreading the interests and desires of the parents and educators who were purportedly the intended beneficiaries is surprising, if not shocking. It’s an unfortunate reflection of the top-down approach of some foundations, issuing prescriptions for the benefit of the public even if that public doesn’t buy in. The inability of many funders to see how counterproductive and unpopular their technocratic solutions are with their intended beneficiaries is a disappointingly pervasive trend in much of big philanthropy..."—Ruth McCambridge
-APP AC
I went and read the Seattle Times story about the race. Thought it was OK. There are pros and cons to both candidates and the choice could be a lot worse.
I do agree that Sue Peters should not have stepped into the race even as a private individual. It looks bad. But didn't think it's a big deal that other politicians or that Melissa issued an opinion. Fascinated that other labor organizations didn't like outside opinions. Myopic viewpoint.
Central Parent
Glad I left
Sounds similar to the one family's complaint that got Greenberg moved from the Center School. I can't help but wonder if it's that Greenberg is the problem or his target audience, largely affluent white families.
Nelly Bly
Could be just two unhappy kids, and everybody else is having a great year.
-sleeper
North of 85th
North of 85th
- curious
Chris S.
This appears to me to be a violation of her signed Code of Conduct and a violation of Board Policy No. 5251, Ethics. While there may not be a conflict of interest (although I think a strong case could be made), there is certainly an "appearance of impropriety."
While I don't believe a recall is in order, I do believe the board president should consider censure proceedings. This is serious business. I believe Sue Peters demonstrated a significant lack of sound judgment in endorsing Mr. Hagopian.
--- swk
Please write to the Board and ask them to delay tonight's vote for that exact reason! Of course, we all know that the meeting next week will just be a brainwashing session to convince us there was TONS of community engagement on WilPac and EVERYONE loved EVERYTHING they heard. And, they will present really old numbers (that I think must not have included APP kids, but no one at SPS will answer) to show us how crazy we are to be concerned about lack of capacity.
They've yet to mention even once that stakeholders hadn't been identified until after all but ONE of the 'community meetings'.
It's crazy to me that the Board members aren't representing or listening to the people who voted them into office or the taxpayers funding these projects. They seem so beholden to SPS staff that they (for the most part) border on rude and dismissive to us, the taxpayers and constituents.
Please, don't tell me to vote them out as punishment. It will be too late. $112 Million of OUR money will be wasted on this project so Mahlum, the architect, can win an award and SPS can say, look at our cute little "greenish" buildings.
Yes, I am ANGRY about this!
The only relevant questions here are (1) whether or not Sue Peters violated her ethics and code of conduct as an elected school director and (2) whether or not such a violation, if indeed it occurred, is egregious. Whether Sue Peters' ethics violations were more or less severe than Michael DeBell's is not a relevant question.
Furthermore, how the board handled or did not handle previous ethics violations is also irrelevant. To that end, this should be a motion before the board.
--- swk
I don't know where you're getting your information.
I know students and their families in Mr. Greenberg's class and they LOVE him. He is a capable, skilled teacher who is challenging them and expecting them to do rigorous work.
Before you start nasty rumors about an excellent teacher who has paid a high price for respecting the intellectual and civic abilities of his students, get your "facts" straight.
I would leap tall buildings to have my child in Mr. Greenberg's class, I would love to teach with him, and I've heard nothing to the contrary from parents whose children are lucky enough to be with him this year, or from his colleagues, who feel like they got lucky.
Nelly
Sue knew there was an appearance of impropriety if not conflict of interest in this endorsement because she went out of her way tell John Higgins in the ST that she endorsed Jesse as an "individual" and not as a school board member. Furthermore, on her endorsement on the SEE website, she does note that she is a school board member, but does so "for identification purposes only." I conclude that she is well-aware of the appearance of impropriety and made an effort to draw a line between her role as a school board member and her role as Jesse's friend. I'm suggesting that that line cannot be drawn when it creates a conflict with her elected and sworn duties as a school director.
--- swk
"Anonymous said...
My student took Greenberg Race and gender class. Best class SPS offered...sorely needed in all schools.
Your students are being given an amazing opportunity to learn some authentic US history. And parents want to align with the dry textbook curriculum so their are ready for an AP class.
Consider that Greenberg is driving his point over and over because these students need to have the point repeated.
Oh and my student also took and passed the AP English Comp exam at the end of Race and Gender class...go figure."
Is it possible students can have access to curriculum that's MORE rigorous and interesting than what's offered at Washington? Shocking.
Now that I've seen the strand you refer to I repeat that you are trying to start a rumor, a malicious one, and I don't see what anyone can possibly gain by your doing so. "Well, well, well. This is interesting."
No. It's stupid, is what it is, and not worth repeating. You sound like you're sharpening your chops in anticipation of a feast. Just stop.
If anyone suspects an ulterior motive for Peters to gain a seat on the school, I'd say they need to get off the pipe.
They only listen to staff explain why the CBA has been successfully negotiated and approve/disapprove. (Interesting, Knapp tried to make it sound like the Board is his boss and yet, he, too, was wrong.)
"Melissa, I was right there with you on DeBell and MGJ."
I'm not sure what that means. On the same page or seated with me? Because while you are certainly knowledgeable, I feel there is something of a cat and mouse game you are playing and frankly, I don't appreciate it.
So, if you're having trouble reading the blog, for the time being you should try a different browser. I don't know what's disagreeing with what, but that there IS a disagreement seems unavoidable. Cheers, all!
"At approximately 9:30, Eckstein went into Shelter-in-Place. All students and staff were safe. Police reported that there was an Eckstein student in the neighborhood who might be armed. Police apprehended the student at approximately 9:50 and we returned to business as usual. The student is in custody at this time. I would like to thank your student, the staff and SPD for their quick response in ensuring student safety.
Your student's safety is our top priority. If your student texts you that we are in an emergency situation, please do not call the school as we need our communication lines open. I promise you that I will communicate the situation as promptly as possible. Thank you for all you do to support Eckstein staff and students."
Have since heard grandmother called 911 this morning that her gun was stolen and police found a gun in the bushes near the student when he was apprehended, just a few blocks from the school.
Wow. Amazing how everyone - the grandmother, the police, the Eckstein staff - all did exactly the right thing to prevent what might have been a tragedy.
Very Grateful
Is it possible that the colloquialism "I was right there with you" isn't readily understood around here to mean "I was totally in agreement with you." Regardless, I apologize if you think I'm playing games. I am not.
--- swk
Eckstein, very serious but thank goodness for the alert actions of all.
Personally I would give my eye teeth for any of my students to have Greenberg, I think he is a gifted teacher and his work is on race is amazing.
On that same note, does anybody know what happened to his appeal to the district to have the transfer reversed?
Any updates?
--- swk
Warts-and-all: merging an elite program with a high-needs school
HIMSparent
And to all, if Board Members can endorse board candidates, why can't a board member endorse a union candidate? Maybe they should steer clear of endorsements just to keep appearances clean, but as odd as it may seem to some, I'm having trouble seeing the conflict of interest here. Because it's rallying people to her cause? That's what pols do all day long. What's more, I'm personally interested in what Board Members think about SEA candidates. It's a valid interest to know whether someone is considered favorable or unfavorable to the powers that be, as they'll be working together and some might think it good that people may share interests or go in one direction or the other. Without consulting the rules, I won't opine on transgressions, but on it's face, I kind of like and want to know what the Board thinks of leaders in our schools. Call me crazy, but isn't that worth knowing?
WSDWG
As to the backhanded compliment to RBHS, the Times and Ed Reform groups have done this of late. It's almost like they want to claim credit for the hard work the PTSA did, like "see Ed Reform can help even the worst school!"
That was a line from the Times' piece on RBHS.
As I said in my comment, explaining how the school has moved the needle and giving credit to the principal and staff and parents is NOT puffery.
But the Times doesn't know how to give an honest compliment nor give credit where it is due.
It's a doggone shame.
Good thing RBHS doesn't need the Times' stamp of approval to keep on doing their good/hard work.
observer
Are you talking about the two teachers at HIMS in 8th grade? If yes, I would add one important fact to your really well written description: this is one teacher's second year and the other's first year teaching at HIMS 8th grade (APP) classroom.
HIMS parent
observer
It DOES sound like there is some dissatisfaction with Mr.Greenberg and perhaps another teacher that are somewhat concerning.
Curious
This is, of course, exactly what the District promised families would NOT happen when the program was split.
Not one promise made to sell the split was kept. Not one.
curious
With my fact I was referring to the 8th grade HIMS LA/SS teachers' experience teaching in APP classrooms.
Also, have you tried the required book in your district library if it is not available in your school? That happened with us a couple of times and then my student asked around in the neighborhood's libraries until she found it.
HIMS parent