Tuesday Open Thread
A bit of dark place I find myself in.
Robin Williams, a giant talent who I saw twice live in San Francisco (and once in a little bookstore), killed himself. Very sad.
Then there's the essay by Joe Williams of DFER who says that "Suburbs Hold Key to Resolving Democratic Party's Tensions over School Choice."
It's hard to know which is worse - the idea that the "school choice" is the REAL issue among Dems (hint: it's not). Cue violins and wringing of hands - if only we could get the "huge swaths of black and Hispanic families" on the same page as "as the nation's soccer moms" where"no cul-de-sac left behind," why we'd all be singing Kumbaya, no?
(Note to Mr. Williams, you may have missed the World Cup but those of us who watched and who know soccer as the world sport, know there are MILLIONS of black and Hispanic soccer moms.)
According to Bazaar magazine, we have "the Savior in Seattle." Not "a savior" but "the savior." That would be one Mrs. Bill Gates, Jr.
Now an odd thing I find about nearly every article on the Gates Foundation - it seems when they want to look good (and/or not be challenged), their Foundation is all about world health. But public education in the U.S. and their efforts to mold it just never seems to come up. And so it is with this article.
She takes a seat in a conference room, wearing black trousers, a tan silk blouse, and a subtle Van Cleef & Arpels flower necklace.
(But she must have changed clothes for the photo. I was going to put the photo up but the only place you can do that is ...Pinterest. You can't make this stuff up.)
Gates's worst trait, she says, "is being too hard on myself. Bill reminds me often, 'You know way more than you think you know, Melinda. Just be nicer to yourself.' "
That's what big money (and Big Data) will do for you, I guess. It buys you the power to believe in yourself.
And then there was the C&I meeting. I'll let others report out but honestly, Director McLaren telling staff to enjoy "this sweet moment" while speaking of getting the Highly Capable report "done" was a little more than I could take. They really should go back to calling it Highly Capable because pretty soon, that's all that will be left.
What's on your mind?
Robin Williams, a giant talent who I saw twice live in San Francisco (and once in a little bookstore), killed himself. Very sad.
Then there's the essay by Joe Williams of DFER who says that "Suburbs Hold Key to Resolving Democratic Party's Tensions over School Choice."
It's hard to know which is worse - the idea that the "school choice" is the REAL issue among Dems (hint: it's not). Cue violins and wringing of hands - if only we could get the "huge swaths of black and Hispanic families" on the same page as "as the nation's soccer moms" where"no cul-de-sac left behind," why we'd all be singing Kumbaya, no?
(Note to Mr. Williams, you may have missed the World Cup but those of us who watched and who know soccer as the world sport, know there are MILLIONS of black and Hispanic soccer moms.)
According to Bazaar magazine, we have "the Savior in Seattle." Not "a savior" but "the savior." That would be one Mrs. Bill Gates, Jr.
Now an odd thing I find about nearly every article on the Gates Foundation - it seems when they want to look good (and/or not be challenged), their Foundation is all about world health. But public education in the U.S. and their efforts to mold it just never seems to come up. And so it is with this article.
She takes a seat in a conference room, wearing black trousers, a tan silk blouse, and a subtle Van Cleef & Arpels flower necklace.
(But she must have changed clothes for the photo. I was going to put the photo up but the only place you can do that is ...Pinterest. You can't make this stuff up.)
Gates's worst trait, she says, "is being too hard on myself. Bill reminds me often, 'You know way more than you think you know, Melinda. Just be nicer to yourself.' "
That's what big money (and Big Data) will do for you, I guess. It buys you the power to believe in yourself.
And then there was the C&I meeting. I'll let others report out but honestly, Director McLaren telling staff to enjoy "this sweet moment" while speaking of getting the Highly Capable report "done" was a little more than I could take. They really should go back to calling it Highly Capable because pretty soon, that's all that will be left.
What's on your mind?
Comments
To those concerned about sexual assault in public schools:
Citizens are gathering to support the movement to Stop Sexual Assault in High School. A peaceful demonstration is to occur, with your help, at the Seattle School Board meeting on August 20th, 4:40. Parking is available
It is possible that persons supporting the petition to remove Garfield Principal Howard for his role in fostering sexual violence (that led to the US Dept of Education, Office for Civil Rights, opened in response to the Garfield High School rape) may be present. (see petition link below)
The meeting starts at 4:15 with the consent agenda and any presentations related to superintendent comments. Testimony starts at 5pm. People can come at 4:40 and wait outside the front.
Please come at 4:40 and take pictures as the media turnout is still unknown. Please email your pictures to stopsexualassaultin highschool@comcast.net
We need the School Board to see people upset by the events that led to the opening of a Federal investigation.
Suggestions for signs:
Garfield Rape: No one accountable (Everyone Accountable is the district's motto)
Garfield rape gets Federal Investigation
Garfield rape was entirely preventable
Teachers didn't read/enforce chaperoning rules
Unscreened chaperone slept with earplugs
District fosters sexual violence
School Board says no sex harassment occurred
District failed to address sex harassment under Title IX
Sex assault reported: No excuse not implementing Title IX
District : "Sex on field trips can occur when chaperones
appropriately performing duties"
"Sex on field trips doesn't mean chaperones failed"
Why Have Chaperones if they don't read/enforce the rules?
Principal privileged assailant's tale of
consensual sex
District values athlete but devalues female victim
District's biased investigations conducted by insider
District response to rape outrageous, self-serving
This rape could be anyone's nightmare
Please feel free to forward this and have people email me.
District released victim's address to media!
Violated FERPA
Stop Sexual Assault in High School seeks to help families nationwide advocate for a student's rights after sexual assault. We will also be addressing prevention through trainings. Stop Sexual Assault in High School recently came into being after our family member was raped on a Garfield High School field trip. Our vision is to spare others the devastation that ensued when the Seattle School District failed to keep students safe and failed to extend any of her federally mandated Title IX rights. The District is now under federal investigation for violation of Title IX. We're only one month old but an unrelenting revolution is underway with the help of dedicated individuals, organizations, and media. Please join us!
Please visit our Facebook page including "Our Family's Story," our complaint opened by the US Dept. of Education, Office for Civil Rights, and other posts. Email us with your suggestions and let us know how you can be of service.
Facebook Page (peak following of 13,000+following Jezebel.com and Al-Jazeera coverage)
Stop Sexual Assault in High School
1st major study of reform math: Epic fail
parent
summer envy
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/lunch-lady-rises-to-union-leader-and-takes-on-all-comers/2014/08/11/04895a82-1e46-11e4-ae54-0cfe1f974f8a_story.html
-Believer in Change
Read it here. It's about a five-minute read, probably.
The flipped classroom stuff is equally as bad. It requires a certain set of conditions - motivated students, all kids with Internet access, functional computer/device access, a safe place to study - as well as the right kind of teacher AND subject. Some content areas are better served by this than others, but in many places it is being forced on all teachers despite the lack of any conclusive research base. Yet another fad, pushed by ed tech companies and groups like ISTE, and districts/principals buy into it.
CT
Garfied Sexual Assault Case Documents - REDACTED
Staff Complaint and Correspondence - REDACTED
EdVoter
HP
8 to move forward with the momentum required to achieve its vision." I liked her leadership and thought the school was doing well, and would really like to know what the deal is.
-- Arden
@Arden, is it true 12 teachers/admin have departed and won't be there for September?! If true, that is a sea-change.
What is going on? How is SpEd doing? Does all of this turn over affect Sped disproportionately?
-SB SpEd?
- Principal Jen Benkovitz (announced today)
-- Special Ed's Heather Wixom (not sure of position) and Devin Gurley (certificated teacher), recruited to work at central office level (announced 8/10)
-- 7th grade math teacher Janet Bogle, moved to McClure (announced 8/10)
-- Assistant Principal Brett Joachim, returned home to Spokane (announced 6/12)
-- Nurse Julie Kaloper (staying on as Loyal Heights nurse but said it was "time for a professional change" and is dropping Salmon Bay), announced 6/10
-- Karen Putnam, longtime administrative secretary, transferring to Jane Addams (announced 5/9)
--Kate Davis, 7th-grade language arts teacher, moved to Jane Addams (announced 4/14)
-- Anthony Malaki, counselor, transferred to Mercer (announced 3/20)
I would be surprised if Nathan Hale was disciplining minorities differently. Two years ago, both vice principals were African American. I think they have both moved on now to promotions.
What I did find disturbing was when I asked my daughter why an ambulance had been at the school. It turns out 2 girls were fighting and one got badly injured. My daughter said "It's only the black girls who fight." That was disturbing - and very sad.
Momof2
http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2014/08/14/social-justice-teacher-at-center-school-wins-reinstatement/#12899101=0
-stu
Please start a new thread on Jon Greenberg's case. While I am sure we are all thrilled that he has gotten his job back through a lengthy and grueling process, the fact remains that teachers know we can be Greenberged with one complaint and that there is little recourse.
open ears