Friday Open Thread

"DNA dragnet" - instead of "stop and frisk," it's "stop and spit" for underaged kids who are out and about from ProPublica:

While the largest cities typically operate public labs and feed DNA samples into the FBI’s national database, cities like Melbourne have assembled databases of their own, often in partnership with private labs that offer such fast, cheap testing that police can afford to amass DNA even to investigate minor crimes, from burglary to vandalism.

In Florida law, basically, if we can ask consent, and if they give it, we can obtain it,” said Cmdr. Heath Sanders, the head of investigations at the Melbourne Police Department. “We’re not going to be walking down the street and asking a five-year-old to stick out his tongue. That’s just not reasonable. But’s let’s say a kid’s 15, 16 years old, we can ask for consent without the parents.”
I'll be frank - I call bullshit on this one and I strongly advise you to tell your child to NEVER do this. Read the whole article  - it's "if your child does nothing, you have nothing to fear."  Your child's DNA should not be part of any database because fyi, that means they have your DNA.

Your child can be a Climate Ambassador (via the Climate Change for Families group.)

Mom creates a periodic game of Battleship, from the Huffington Post.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mom-creates-periodic-table-battleship-game-to-teach-her-kids-chemistry_us_5697f3d4e4b0b4eb759da83b
Saturday director meetings;
Director Blanford, Capitol Hill library from 10:00-11:30 am
Director Harris, High Point Library from 3:00-4:30pm
Director Pinkham, Broadview Library from 3:45-5:00 pm

What's on your mind?

Comments

Jet City mom said…
I've contacted the Summit k-12 art teacher originally involved, but I also wondered if anyone at another school had a place for the mural.

"Ballard Reuse will be taking down the mural affixed to the front of our store at 1440 NW 52nd St. The mural was originally painted and installed in 2006 by students from Summit K-12 with the help from The RE Store, members of the community, and local artists. The mural was supposed to be removed at the conclusion of The RE Store's lease, but when we took over in 2014, we negotiated to keep the mural and accepted responsibility for removing it. The mural was painted on 8 sheets of marine-grade plywood attached to a structure on the building. We understand that some members of the community have a deep attachment to the mural. Therefore, we will give the panels to anyone who can demonstrate their part in making the mural and/or a suitable plan for it's next life. Please share this so we can find it a great new home!"
It's a shame they are removing it, but I am happy they are taking the time to find it a new home, I think meaningful public art adds a great deal to our city, especially murals created by students.
Anonymous said…
My HS student, because of scheduling, can't take his foreign language requirement this year. Since he doesn't want to have a skip year and he wants three years of it, we were given a list of online providers. The counselor told him they couldn't recommend any particular online provider.
Does anyone have a recommendation: some of the providers were BYU, Apex, Federal Way Internet Academy, Northwest Liberty School, but there was a long list. Any one to stay away from?

Additional information: my student is a self-started and is already decent with the language. This would be more so that he doesn't forget and has three years of it.

Languaged out
Anonymous said…
Languaged out, My kid did BYU high school Spanish. You can talk on the phone to the people there. It worked fine for her. There are two options, being in a group or not. You do a project, you do online work, and take a proctors test. My kid went to University Tutoring for the test. There is a time limit, and you have to send transcript separately to college app., at least at my kid's high school.
GHSmom
NESeattleMom said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said…
My child used BYU for the second year of foreign language (not sure if 3rd year is offered), after having taken the first year at school and getting the basics of pronunciation, etc., and felt prepared going into the next year of language at school. From what I remember, there were graded quizzes at the end of each unit, along with short writing assignments. The final test (part written and part listening?) was proctored at school. There was no book, but you could order the printed course materials from BYU. Apex Learning is used by a nearby district (they actually help arrange online classes for students - imagine that). Just make sure it is an approved online provider for credit/graduation purposes.

fyi
ws said…
Does anyone know where I can locate the specific SBAC schedule for my child school?
Anonymous said…
Do other SPS principals have their own .com websites? Check out PrincipalTedHoward.com
Not sure what to make of this - an effort towards school community outreach and greater access to the principal or self-aggrandizement? And what is The Garfield Community Project (TM) that runs this site? No information available yet on the site about who they are. Anyone know?

GHSparent
madpark said…
Nice looking website, Principal Ted Howard. Will you be referring to yourself in the third person from here on in?



"Thursday September 15th was a great success!
Principal Ted Howard thanks all of you for your support."


"Sign up today to receive important information directly from Principal Howard, including podcasts, video and timely announcements."
Anonymous said…
Please, please, please, contact your council member about Council Bill 118794 - the one that will allow homeless encampments in City parks. I've heard Rob Johnson in District 4 particularly needs to hear from NE parents. Council member Burgess is the only one to have voted against this bill and his arguments are articulated on his website. Melissa had a thread on the 9th about this but action is needed NOW, as decisions will be made this weekend!

Im not sure why no one is really talking about this - it will have a dramatic impact on public spaces across the city.

2boysclub
Eric B said…
My child also took 2nd year language from BYU over a summer. It worked out pretty well. I think 1st or 3rd years would be harder.
Anonymous said…
Thanks, everyone. Looks like BYU it will be. Now to fill out the paperwork....


Languaged out
Anonymous said…
Although I have no experience with it - given that BYU is Brigham Young's language training component, I would suspect that it is excellent. Many BYU students do a year or more overseas for missions - foreign language is taken very seriously because of that goal. That alone would tip me to choosing them over any generic internet academy or indeed anything with 'liberty' in its name.

- speaks3
Outsider said…
I had a comment disappear earlier without the note that it was removed by the administrator. I wasn't sure if it was killed on purpose or just eaten by the system. If the former, sorry to be a pest, but if the latter, here is a repost:

I wondered if PrincipalTedHoward.com would be translated into Somali and Vietnamese? If not, perhaps the motivation for the principal's personal website is just to avoid pracitcal or financial barriers to loading content on garfieldhs.seattleschools.org. School websites have been rather barren since the switch to a new platform last year. The perfect is the enemy of the good, and perhaps accessibility is the enemy of content.
Lynn said…
I wonder why he's set up a new email address outside of the district system. He appears to be loading content that is related to Garfield on the site. If it's an SPS-related activity, I think he should be using his SPS email address.
Anonymous said…
I just heard that Barbara Casey is now principal at the Center School -- is that true, or is she still AP at Ballard?

just curious
Anonymous said…
Been trying to follow up on the Queen Ann elementary after school child care "mini club". Have not been able to find out tax id number for tax purposes or info on insurance or back ground checks of the employees hired by the pta. I'm hoping this "work around" of the after school child care crush is legal and can be used as a model for all schools soon!
Wondering
Anonymous said…
That's great that Ted Howard set up a site as another way to communicate but if he's using an email for school communication that isn't officially SPS, what does that do to open records, security of the transmissions, etc.

Wondering: Whose tax ID are you looking for? The QAE PTSA tax ID? Have you reached out to the enrichment team at QAE (you can find their info on their website) to find out how they are running this?

QA Parent
Anonymous said…
Someone asked about the testing schedule for 2016-2017. Here's what I've found:

k-8:
http://www.seattleschools.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_543/File/District/Departments/Assessment/assessment_calendar_grades_k_8.pdf

9-12
http://www.seattleschools.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_543/File/District/Departments/Assessment/assessment_calendar_grades_9_12.pdf

I'll be opting my kids out of all but the absolutely required testing (as in high school graduation requirements). As I did last year, I'm submitting an official opt out letter to the school office for each of my kids, AND placing a copy of the letter in each of their binders.

NOTE: Last year, the subject line of my letter referenced that my kids were opted out for all standardized testing for 2015-2015, and the letter was dated on 11/21/15. On the date of SBAC testing in May, my 7th grade son was called in for SBAC testing even though he had this letter on file. He produced the copy of the letter from his binder and said there was a mistake, he was opted out (we discussed this in advance). The office manager replied that the letter was dated for 2015, so was no longer applicable. My son pointed out that the letter referenced an opt out for all standardized tests in the 2015-2106 school year. The office manager told him no. My son called me against school rules, and said the school was making him take the test, even though he had shown them his letter. I started calling every administrator I could, including the principal, but received voice mail on every call. I texted my son that he should not take the test. He didn't reply. After calling eight different administrators over the course of the following hour, I finally connected with someone who said that my son would now be opted out. I later came to find out that the principal escorted my son personally down the hall, told him he was making a huge mistake to opt out, and told him not to tell anyone else he was opting out, since that would cause the movement to spread. Smoke burning from ears...

-Seattle parent
Anonymous said…
@seattle parent

sounds like that was a close call! very traumatic. glad he didn't have to test. you might think about litigation.

signed,
keep fighting
Anonymous said…
@2 boys club. I wrote a letter about legalizing encampments at parks. I too don't know why it isn't a bigger issue. I'm thinking people don't really realize what it means. We're really talking about losing our parks to encampments. Plus, I don't think encampments is a great deal either for the homeless. It reminds of the shanty towns from years ago. The thought that we are institutionalizing encampments is infuriating!
Crazy Idea
Anonymous said…
QA- any licensed child care program has its own tax id number and must follow the rules and regulations set forth by the state https://www.del.wa.gov/providers-educators/information-providers

Really just wondering how the pta is getting around these rules or if they are just ignoring them.
Wondering
Anonymous said…
They reached a PASS agreement it looks like? (From board meeting agenda) http://www.seattleschools.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_543/File/District/Departments/School%20Board/16-17agendas/09_21_2016/A01_20160921_Action_Report_PASS_packet.pdf

- MemoReader
Anonymous said…
@2boys club and Crazy Idea, from Tim Burgess' newsletter, he states that the ordinance as written will allow:"As written, the ordinance essentially establishes for the first time a new right to camp in tents or vehicles on public space throughout the city, including in our parks and greenbelts, and on city sidewalks and planting strips. It defines “public space” as “any area that is owned, leased, maintained, controlled, or managed by a government or public entity.” This is a very broad definition that would include property owned by the city government, King County, the state of Washington, the Port of Seattle and the Seattle School District. The ordinance expressly provides that the city must make public spaces available for camping, and campers will have an indefinite right to remain so long as there is an inadequate supply of housing in the city."
At the bottom of his newsletter he includes links to write to Seattle city council and the mayor.
GHSmom
Anonymous said…
http://us12.campaign-archive2.com/?u=11a79978ca7225050bfabf7ad&id=568d4b9370&e=2b78899fc8 is a link to Burgess' newsletter
GHSmom

Anonymous said…
From the Seattle Times dated Sept. 6, there are some different details: "Camping on sidewalks, rights of way, school grounds and highway overpasses would be prohibited under the ordinance sponsored by Councilmembers Rob Johnson, Lisa Herbold, Mike O’Brien and Kshama Sawant, they said.

The ordinance doesn’t explicitly name all of those areas, though, nor does it address camping in parks in detail. It says the Department of Neighborhoods would decide which locations would be off-limits.

For encampments deemed dangerous due to garbage accumulation and other unsanitary conditions, the city would be required to try to remedy the situation before forcing people to clear out — by providing them with garbage containers and portable toilets, for example."
GHSmom
Jet City mom said…
The Kathy Nyland that is the Director of Neighborhoods, isnt the same Kathy Nyland that is married to the SPS supe is it?

love Seattle maps.
note the significant population that falls inbetween the zones.
http://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/neighborhood-districts
Anonymous said…
Jet City, I opened the map you linked and saw the districts. I thought neighborhood representation had ended. The Dept of Neighborhoods is supposed to help determine where camping can take place. Are you referring to Director of Neighborhoods in this context or some other context?
GHSmom
Outsider said…
Another account here:
http://crosscut.com/2016/09/seattle-city-council-homeless-ordinance-encampments-aclu-ed-murray/

Says the ordinance "would mandate a 30-day notice period and promises of housing to the residents of encampments deemed 'suitable' before their removal. Those deemed 'unsuitable' would get 48 hours notice, allowed the opportunity to clean up the encampment and be offered a different place in the city to pitch their tent if evicted. Exactly what constituted a 'suitable' encampment was left largely undefined. In the case of wrongful evictions, campers would receive $250 in damages."

In other words, pitch a tent anywhere you want. In order to move you, the city must provide you a "suitable" camping space, where you can stay until the kind taxpayers of Seattle provide you free housing. This very favorable deal will attract homeless from all over the region, and eventually all over the country. I believe the technical term is for this sort of legislation is "bat-shit insane." Separately, I noticed a proposal to set up public heroin dens. The "Emerald City" moniker will become obsolete, to be replaced perhaps by "Black Tar City."

News accounts don't mention if there is a clear distinction made between encampment and favela, but when the city's ability to provide free housing is overwhelmed (which won't be long) tents-that-can't-be-moved will evolve into shanties, and Seattle will be Rio minus the carnival.

What I really wonder is -- who votes for these people? It definitely wasn't me.
Anonymous said…
@Outsider. I so agree! I find it so hard to believe that most of our city council is really in support of encouraging people to live in tents on public areas. In Greenwood, we've already lost the fight for some of our parks. Too many needles, RVs, and strewn garbage for kids to play. Is that really what we want for our city? Is that what I agreed to pay for as a taxpayer? I thought I was supporting green spaces, not encampments. I also agree that it is an open invitation for other folks to move to Seattle.
Frustrated
Anonymous said…
I agree. This devoted Democrat wants Mayor Murray out of office. He is ignoring neighbors, pushing over development of expensive condos, tie homes and apartments (note lack of affordable family housing), and rolling out the red carpet to drug users and too many homeless encampments.

Sad State
Anonymous said…
@Sad State. I agree. I am a dyed in the wool Democrat who is probably going to vote Republican for the first time. Mayor Murray and Mike O'Brien have a very different vision for the city and a different vision for how to solve Seattle's problems than I do. We probably agree on the issues but not the solution or vision for the future.
Frustrated
Anonymous said…
There is no publicity on this issue if they are deciding "this weekend". There seems to be a great divide between families and new residents living in new buildings with no kids. Do those people read the paper and realize the implications for young children and families? I have never voted Republican, and won't for the president, but I think this ordinance was written by people who can't visualize the consequences.
GHSmom
Anonymous said…
Yah, vote Rebublican. They will make the homeless go away, poof! with magic.

What are they going to do, round them up? They'll just make 'em sleep on the street, making more of a mess, and we'll never get more money for schools.

pepper
Anonymous said…
Could we just fast forward to the election for a new Mayor any sooner? He is a jerk. Ask people who have worked for or with him when he was in Olympia. I'm all about diversity. So fabulous that he's gay!! I have best friends, family and neighbors who are gay and I love them! I don't love Mayor Murray. He is as candle, and I believe things will come of of the closet after he's out of office that will be so disappointing.

Correction: I meant to say town homes, above. I type fast when I'm fired up.

Sad State
Anonymous said…
Oh God... He is a scandle! Not a candle.

No moreWine
Outsider said…
In fairness to the mayor, it seems that he was not behind the proposed ordinance. Says Crosscut (headline "Spurning mayor, council advances new approach to homeless encampments"):

"Murray for the most part has remained committed to encampment cleanups, arguing that they're for the good of both the community and the people living outdoors. But as pressure from advocacy organizations turned to pressure from the press and the council, Murray relented and adopted a now-familiar tactic — starting a task force to tackle the issue.

"Almost immediately after Murray announced the task force, the advocacy organizations released their own proposal, short-circuiting Murray's process."

The camp-in-parks ordinance was pushed by the ACLU and other homeless advocates, and advanced by the city council in defiance of the mayor. Some council members reported unspecified reservations. The press coverage generally suggests that the city dithered all summer, and went into panic mode with cold weather approaching.
Jet City mom said…
Anyone know where to get requirements for the preschools paired up with the city of Seattle?
I volunteered at one of the outdoor preschools, and I have so many concerns from in adequate bathrooms to inadequate snack and inappropriate materials.

I've written out my questions, but I wanted a better idea of requirements before I put my hands on my hips to tell them they are doing it wrong.

I was wondering however if city changed requirements because last year I saw they were looking for partners to offer a six hr program, but this program is 1/2 that.


Jet City Mom, are those new outdoor ones aligned with the City? If so, I didn't hear that. I had thought there might be issues with an outdoor pre-k for exactly the reasons you cite (plus the weather.).
Anonymous said…
Weather should not be an issue for outdoor preschools. The kids wear rainsuits and boots when needed. They use the city park shelters.

HP
Just sayin said…
http://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/OFE/AboutTheLevy/EarlyLearning/SPP-policy-shifts-2016-FINAL.pdf
Really HP? It never gets cold being outside?
Anonymous said…
They have similar schools in Europe and they seem to have figured out how to deal with it. Parents choose these outdoor schools on purpose. Waldorf kids spend a great deal of time outside in all weather in Kindergarten. The kids and the parents have to be prepared.

HP
I actually don't care if there are outdoor preschools or not; great for those who want that. I was just surprised that the City would want one of their preschools to be one.
Jet City mom said…
where this preschool is sited, there isnt a shelter. I think some were supposed to be built before school started, but perhaps they will use blue tarps/canopies.They do have about 5 other sites, and some of those must have shelters, which Im assuming are close to bathrooms.
My husband told me that if it was a job site, one portapotty would be inadequate for workers. I think its certainly inadequate for preschoolers who can't wait in line very well.

There is the environmental learning center, but after budget cuts it is not open to the public, unless reserved.
I see that rainboots and rainsuits have been donated so that all children will recieve gear, however it gets cold when you are damp, and kids can lose body heat quickly.

I feel like I didnt think this through, I was expecting it to be set up by folks who were both very experienced in what is developmentally appropriate, and very skilled in making the most of the site. We have tremendous resource in the city with the cooperative preschools hosted by the community colleges, and after being involved with them for years, I just spaced out that someone would attempt something on this scale without better planning.

the articles I read, made me think this was set up with the City of Seattle.
They are using curriculum the city recommended and they are held in city parks, but they arent listed in the Seattle preschool website, and I was attracted to it because low income families could qualify for subsidized care, but where I am helping it couldnt be used for child care as it is only 12 hrs a week. I think my biggest concern is that while there are two teachers for 16 kids, some of them may have barely turned 3 by the end of August, even though a few seem much older and something like this works better for kids who are at least 4, kindergarten age would be even better I think.
http://kuow.org/post/outdoor-preschools-are-coming-seattle-rain-or-shine

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