School Board Meeting Open Thread
I'm just diving in (I bypassed the annual report on the Native American program but will come back to it.). Listening to the Superitendent, he is talking about the budget and the cuts that will need to be made.
He said beyond staff that things that are thought of as regular-type items in the district like "dual language and Options schools" might be on the chopping block. I am baffled at this, both from a logistics point of view and given that the district has never really explained the extra expense from either type of program.
He said there would be a Board Work Session on the budget on January 11th. Feb.11th is the date schools will be notified about staffing cuts. The Legislature starts its work this Monday.
He makes a good point that this "crisis" is manufactured by the Legislature because yes, voters already DID approve those dollars and it's the State that has now decided to enforce the change date for a levy at that level.
He points out that SPS is getting dinged for giving the salary increases and he "begs to differ." He looked back over 17 years and State has promised to take care of salaries and COLAs and they have not. I definitely agree on the teachers' raises but the COLAS for JSCEE staff, including the Superintendent's, could have waited another year.
I agree with the Superintendent about the urgency of getting this message out and he said that they would be meeting with the Chamber of Commerce (and thanked the SCPTSA for their help with the budget meetings.)
On "hot topics," he said they want to protect the Eliminating Opportunity Gaps work as much as possible. That's fine except there has been no fine detail as to what exactly is the substance of that work. He said there is also less space for childcare and pre-K space.
He mentioned professional development for teachers for the arts over the next summer.
The City Council approved a $250K grant for the district in support of undocumented families and students.
He referenced the number of speakers at the meeting signed up to talk about the SAP and the Board was to have a discussion around it. He said there would be discussion to "delay action" on this item at the meeting. He said they could delay until next Wednesday at the latest.
Director Burke, in his comments, said he would be announcing another meeting to talk about the reopening of Lincoln High.
Director Blanford has cancelled his district meeting for this Saturday due to a death in the family and will try to reschedule.
There was heartfelt testimony on grandfathering rising 8th graders affected by middle school reopenings. I do think the point of no real solid numbers on transportation costs was a good one.
The Board discussed waiting until next Wednesday to have a Work Session on the SAP. An audience member asked if he could make a query which legal counsel Noel Treat said was not usual but President Peters said yes. The audience member said a Work Session does not allow for public input when they make the decision. Treat said that was up to the Board but could choose to do so.
Peters explained why the delay made sense but that they do need to move forward but with the best information and ramifications of amendments possible.
Burke asked staff for outcomes of a delay. The Superintendent said a week delay would be okay but they wanted the Board to have the best info.
Blanford asked if the vote would be cast at Work Session but Superintendent said no. The meeting would be cast as a "special meeting" but they could vote then if they choose to. The vote to delay was 5-0-1 with Burke abstaining. (Harris had left the meeting, probably due to illness.)
He said beyond staff that things that are thought of as regular-type items in the district like "dual language and Options schools" might be on the chopping block. I am baffled at this, both from a logistics point of view and given that the district has never really explained the extra expense from either type of program.
He said there would be a Board Work Session on the budget on January 11th. Feb.11th is the date schools will be notified about staffing cuts. The Legislature starts its work this Monday.
He makes a good point that this "crisis" is manufactured by the Legislature because yes, voters already DID approve those dollars and it's the State that has now decided to enforce the change date for a levy at that level.
He points out that SPS is getting dinged for giving the salary increases and he "begs to differ." He looked back over 17 years and State has promised to take care of salaries and COLAs and they have not. I definitely agree on the teachers' raises but the COLAS for JSCEE staff, including the Superintendent's, could have waited another year.
I agree with the Superintendent about the urgency of getting this message out and he said that they would be meeting with the Chamber of Commerce (and thanked the SCPTSA for their help with the budget meetings.)
On "hot topics," he said they want to protect the Eliminating Opportunity Gaps work as much as possible. That's fine except there has been no fine detail as to what exactly is the substance of that work. He said there is also less space for childcare and pre-K space.
He mentioned professional development for teachers for the arts over the next summer.
The City Council approved a $250K grant for the district in support of undocumented families and students.
He referenced the number of speakers at the meeting signed up to talk about the SAP and the Board was to have a discussion around it. He said there would be discussion to "delay action" on this item at the meeting. He said they could delay until next Wednesday at the latest.
Director Burke, in his comments, said he would be announcing another meeting to talk about the reopening of Lincoln High.
Director Blanford has cancelled his district meeting for this Saturday due to a death in the family and will try to reschedule.
There was heartfelt testimony on grandfathering rising 8th graders affected by middle school reopenings. I do think the point of no real solid numbers on transportation costs was a good one.
The Board discussed waiting until next Wednesday to have a Work Session on the SAP. An audience member asked if he could make a query which legal counsel Noel Treat said was not usual but President Peters said yes. The audience member said a Work Session does not allow for public input when they make the decision. Treat said that was up to the Board but could choose to do so.
Peters explained why the delay made sense but that they do need to move forward but with the best information and ramifications of amendments possible.
Burke asked staff for outcomes of a delay. The Superintendent said a week delay would be okay but they wanted the Board to have the best info.
Blanford asked if the vote would be cast at Work Session but Superintendent said no. The meeting would be cast as a "special meeting" but they could vote then if they choose to. The vote to delay was 5-0-1 with Burke abstaining. (Harris had left the meeting, probably due to illness.)
Comments
"Dir. Harris spoke about truncating K-8 schools, and how we “sell” our K-8 schools in the community."
And now the sup's comment tonight.
Seriously? I feel like a truck just hit me.
Audra
How would an Option School suddenly go away, and other than transportation how are they more expensive?
-StepJ
Then SPS needs to stop planning for budget cuts. And community members need to stop treating cuts like they are either inevitable or acceptable. I'm tired of us being told that "sorry, the money isn't there, kids have to suffer." At what point do we reject that horrible thinking and stand up and tell SPS and the legislature to fully fund our schools?
These cuts are immoral and unacceptable and it is our duty to prevent them from ever happening.
Audra
Converting option and dual language schools would also mean they'd have to redraw all the boundaries again. With the amount of time we spend on that process it can't be cheap.
Half Full
The superintendent states there will be a 10% across the board budget cut. That leaves 10% discretionary dollars.
Do you think a physical coup d'etat is in order, I mean should these elitist pro HCC members be removed by force from the board?
When do you think Burke will get us back to learning?
Ding the bell, Tik Tok, here comes you know who to the rescue...wait for it____
Still Waiting
Immersion schools will also implement split classes to correct for smaller class sizes on the English side or overages (more than 30 kids per classroom). Last year mitigation gave some schools that faced those issues a reprieve (when the District found those 10 million in pocket change they didn't know they had).
That said it might be more efficient to have dual language schools with just one language.
Move Jill
Are you sure you know what you're taking about?
Do you know the meaning of dual.
Just Askin
And by one language I meant only Spanish-English or one school with just Japanese-English
Pardon me, but do you have any gray poupon.
Just Askin
Just Askin
Sand Pointer
Grown up
It potentially saves money to have only two primary instructional languages instead of the current three, because you'd have a little more flexibility in combing classes when needed. Materials costs would also be a little lower, too, since you wouldn't need both Spanish and Japanese (or whatever language) of everything. But the overall $ savings might not be great. (I'd argue the benefit to overall school cohesiveness would be a better reason to make that particular change, and it would allow for a more immersive experience.)
Half Full
If it does cost money, then why can Chief Sealth add Mandarin Chinese for 2017-2018?
Bryant would Burst! Sandpoint would be happy. Think about who she hears from.
Wishing Well
Pay attention
Once more the district is putting forth a straw man to keep up the infighting among parents so we are too disorganized to fight for meaningful change. Better funding for all schools. Less money spent on pointless standardized tests for kindergarteners. Less money allocated to central office so that more money can be channeled directly to the schools.
NW MOM
Before we all start suggesting solutions, we should have accurate information on what is going on in the schools from the people who are in them.
In general, I don't think that the issue is really that any one program costs more than another (though I don't think resources are equitably dispersed either). The issue is that our government is failing on something we have asked it to do.
Just Sayin'
Super Predator
"There was physical revulsion present during Director Geary's statement against self-contained HCC. It brought to mind Madeline Kahn in Clue. The flames."
Still Waiting, who is "pro-HCC" on the Board? Because the only person who sometimes says anything is Peters.
Geary did run on Special Education including 2e.
JHC just read her comments on your own blog.
Flip Flopping
Fix AL
This sums up public education. Like it or not nothing will change until you all jump into the pool together.
--MJ
I think limiting the dual immersion schools to one target language would be a good idea but it doesn't solve another problem - the difficulty the district has with hiring world language teachers. Every year Garfield students sit in classes with substitute teachers for weeks while the school scrambles to find another Spanish teacher. They're in short supply now and next year's freshman will be the first required to pass two years of world language classes in order to graduate.
I'm not sure it makes sense to hire teachers with a valuable skill set for optional programs when they're desperately needed to help students meet graduation requirements.
Did anyone else hear Ashley Davies say last night that Chief Sealth will only be the pathway school for SE language immersion students for one year? What are they going to do - move the students back to Franklin or Rainier Beach for their sophomore year once they've convinced one of those principals to host the program?
Super Predator
Super, what film is that?
-StepJ
HP
One parent raised a question I am curious to vet here concerning if Director Pinkham should be abstaining from sponsoring and voting on this amendment. Apparently his wife is on the board of directors of an organization that has been advocating for space for a Native American education program to be set aside at REMS. Her organization would likely be providing services for the program. So Director Pinkham is proposing an amendment that could potentially benefit his wife's organization.
I did a quick google search and found that his wife is on the board of the UNEA and they have been lobbying for this space. What I cannot confirm is if they would be providing services and getting paid for said program, but it appears they did in the past.
Does anyone know more about this? As presented to me, it looks like it would constitute a conflict of interest but I don't know the school board rules on these ethical matters. If there is no opportunity for public testimony next Wednesday, is there any way to raise this concern with the board?
- Greenwood Mom
Just askin
Greenwood Mom, I would query Legal on this.
There is some known animosity towards non native people by some natives especially when it come to education and authority over them by non natives. I hope this comes out right, I not being anti native just trying to understand all the dynamics my non native student might encounter at RESMS.
RESMS Parent
Just Askin
What was broadcasted was a question. You know, just asking. If there is a conflict of interest it should be brought to light. If there is no conflict that will come out in discussion.
Are you, Just Askin, saying that there is not a conflict, or are you saying that the question shouldn't be discussed until someone can bring irrefutable proof of a conflict? You haven't provided any reason to dismiss the concern, so that leaves us with thinking that your moniker is highly ironic.
Principal discretionary dollars, which allow a little maneuvering at individual schools for a math aide or an IA or part of a librarian or counselor or art-music teacher? Gone.
The reduction in class sizes that has begun via McCleary this year? Gone. Rolled back. Welcome back to those big grade school classes as of next fall.
Then, according to a slide 49 from a fall work session referenced above, there are specific threats to staff at nonstandard schools: Dual language, IB, Montessori, small K8s - called out as Licton Springs, Madrona and Orca.
Final WSS and non-WSS cuts, in addition to a district-wide RIF, are due to be presented at a Board mtg. next week. At that point, changing recommendations looks to be unlikely, as SPS has made an effort to reach out in these past weeks. Not perhaps in a coherent way, but the effort has been made and the grim march forward looks inevitable. Parents are going to be up in arms. Too late.
A horrible situation is about to make headlines. Please, school communities, wake up.
EdVoter
I do not have poof either way.
Stop trying to interfere with LS @ RESMS.
Just Askin
RESMS Parent, as I understand it, LS is on the second and third floors of the building. It would be really hard to physically separate those schools, if nothing else for fire safety/escape reasons. You should probably ask the school(s) what the separation is. I would encourage you to just ask the question about separation (classrooms, lunch, recess time, etc.), rather than bringing up animosity. While I can see where you are coming from and take your comment about not being intentionally anti-native at face value, others may not. A good rule of thumb is that if you have to tell people you're not biased, what you're saying is highly likely to be taken as biased.
One mom
RESMS Parent, really? Just asking a question? Given how most of our nation's history towards Native Americans has been the opposite of what you suggest, I think your child will be fine. LS K-8 has its own area but yes, I think there is overlap in using the cafeteria, library, etc. As I reported, both schools are working to think of ways to coordinate teaching and learning that would benefit both schools.
Asking a question is not the same as interfering.
Agreed, Ed Voter, but maybe some people just need to see the rug pulled out directly from under them to get it.
The following quote is from a September article on indiancountrymedianetwork.com regarding the UNEA, the organization for which has Director Pinkham's wife is a board member:
"The Urban Native Education Association, which moved its Native youth programs from the former Indian Heritage School site to Nathan Hale High School while the new school is being built, plans to return to Eagle Staff when it’s completed." (https://indiancountrymedianetwork.com/education/native-education/seattles-new-middle-school-will-be-like-a-water-fountain-in-the-desert/)
So UNEA does provide direct services to students and wants space carved out for them at REMS.
It does seem like there are potentially some legit ethical concerns that are worth exploring regarding Director Pinkham's with the related amendment. At the very least, if this amendment is a maneuver to create space for special program at REMS, there should be an honest, open discussion about it. As far as I know, this has not been brought up in any of the discussions related to the amendment to send Broadview-Thompson and Greenwood kids to Whitman instead of REMS.
-T.S.
I have to say, while I think sticking the K8 in the REMS building is not a good idea now or ever, the school is doing good things and deserves a chance to grow, and they want to be on that campus. So, we'll make it work since that ship has sailed. I KNOW Director Burke proposed this amendment to fix the insane enrollment discrepancies between the north-end middle schools (some enrollments possibly as low as 350-450 while others at 1150+). I highly doubt the nefarious intentions Greenwood Mom presents have any basis in reality.
That said, Greenwood Mom, you should make your feelings known to Director Burke ASAP that you'd like to stay at REMS. I know other Greenwood families that want to stay at Whitman as well as some that want to keep the REMS assignment. Has Greenwood done a survey? I imagine if, say, Broadview Thompson provided feedback requesting to stay in Whitman's area, but the majority of Greenwood wanted to stay at REMS, Burke would amend his amendment. It's rick.burke@seattleschools.org. Personally, I wouldn't lead with the comments you made in this blog. You can state your preference for REMS and offer to gather opinions from Greenwood families if that hasn't already been done. I'd be surprised if the PTA hasn't already done so, but based on your post, it appears they haven't.
400 kids enrolled = $2.2M
1150 kids enrolled = $6.3M
Since each school has to offer basic core classes, ELL, SPED (not trying to start a debate about whether or not they do), the larger enrollment allows for bells and whistles such as music, drama, art, foreign language, electives, sports, clubs, etc. This is why some of us have been fighting for equitable enrollment across the middle schools. A middle school simply can't offer the comprehensive experience if it has 400 kids.
The only way I know how to try to do a survey would be to try to set one up on the school facebook discussion group, but that too would be totally unscientific and full of bias. I am not quite sure how I can set up a survey that makes an honest attempt to represent our school without over representing people who use social media, have good access to technology, and speak English. Especially in the short amount of time there is before the board votes. Is it appropriate for the school to distribute a simple survey?
I hesitate to report the Director Pinkham conflict concern to SPS because I do recognize that Native students,and all indigenous people, have been treated terribly and suffer from institutional racism. While I feel its very important for SPS to do all it can to avoid the appearance of corruption, especially given events that occurred during the MGJ era, the issue gets incredibly touchy and I am not sure I want to have my inquiry get distorted and result in myself and my family labeled as anti-Native rights. It can all get so ugly so quickly.
-Greenwood Mom
The information from various sources has the majority (90%+) of Whitman's currently enrolled 6th and 7th graders returning to Whitman by using school choice if needed.
Maybe Burke should and Pinkham should attend the next RESMS meeting THURSDAY JANUARY 5th MEETING, 6-7:30 PM, BROADVIEW BRANCH OF SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
It would also be nice to see representatives from the city of Seattle police dept and health and Human service to speak to the 89th street homeless project and other safety concerns.
It's interesting that there's this idea of feeder schools, because you child is assigned to a MS based on your home address, not which elementary they might have attended. Currently many of the students attending Whitman attended a Whitman feeder elementary school. Now the district wants to jerk them out of Whitman based on their home address. So there now a double standard, some will be placed my address and others possibly living just down the street will placed based on the elementary school. Nice!
Whitman Parent
From my experience, 85th and Aurora is no place for a child to be at anytime of the day or night. You could have them walk up the north side 85th from Greenwood to Fremont continuing north on Fremont then use 90th to cross Aurora, but keep in mind 90th is also very sketchy especially with the proposed homeless encampment being build on 89th and Aurora.
I'm not worried about the walking distance as much as other things like student jay walking tragedies on Aurora. Aurora's traffic has surge 2000% since the days of Wilson middle school and now SPS is going to have K-8 kids by the hundreds crossing Aurora twice a day. I hope parents are ready to man each crossing area and some places in between to help stop jay walking be the kids.
Another Parent
One thing about LS in the REMS building is it was done way before Pinkham was even on the Board. It was Sharon Peaslee who placed LS in a comprehensive middle school building at the 11th hour. I just don't see there being any teeth to this accusation. The biggest problem is that SPS staff had 3 years to normalize enrollment at these middle schools and they did nothing so the Board is left to fix this mess. At least someone realizes they can't leave the schools imbalanced like this. Who goes where will always be a huge battle. Just send your thoughts. Suggest they survey the Greenwood and BT communities. Burke could change his amendment to only send BT back to Whitman if that's what they want.
So let's sum it up, apparently the board doesn't understand that Greenwood parents want to feed RESMS not Whitman and on top of that, the board wants to use BT K-8 as a feed to another middle school. This is rubber room stuff, come on board we expect better.
-MJ
BT K-8 is not an option school. Parents don't choose it. It is a neighborhood school and students are assigned at K-5 as such. Same with the Catherine Blaine K-8. They are anomalies. The students have the right to move to a comprehensive middle school if they wish, same as all neighborhood elementary schools. As with all elementary neighborhood schools, staff has the right to change the feeder pattern to middle school if they obtain Board approval.
Capacity Wonk
Echo of EdVoter's comment. RESMS is consuming too much mindshare right now. Doesn't matter whether Whitman, RESMES or BT K-8 with no $$ for classroom supplies, staff, curriculum. The list of promised cuts goes on and on. The levy cliff fix apparently would only keep teacher cuts from happening. Try running a middle school without staff in the school's front office.
Middle school math upgrade also appears to be shelved.
@RESMS parent, your question disturbs and saddens me. I'm trying my best to understand how it might be a legitimate concern. I also wonder if the K-8 LS families are entertaining the same concerns regarding your middle school student. Most likely, they're anticipating the opportunity to celebrate the new school and the diversity RESMS will offer.
Jenny Young
I'm so sorry your are disturbed by my reality of the situation? It disturbs me that your disturbed by my right to be disturbed. As a parent I have a right to fully understand the situation at RESMS before committing and also the right to be disturbed.
Now for something completely different,
So I ask you this, why would MS students want to mix with K-5 students. Sure those who attended a K-8 are used to the large age difference, but those schools staff are highly aware of the dangers and are diligent in managing them.
I think the situation is compounded by LS being a separate school based off of race inside another school. When I was in school I wouldn't have felt comfortable in that situation and where does it stop. Are the RESMS school's students going to be constantly reminded of the past injustices that they are not responsible for? Who knows. I would love meet the LS community well before the opening of the 2 new schools, did anyone even consider this?
It would be fantastic to see and would completely support it if the RESM building became 100% used for LS, but the idea of mixing the two school cultures in a partially segregated way is problematic. There will be lots of charges and expectations that I don't think will be fair to either set of students.
Is there an example of a similar type of building arrangement that was successful. I think if we could see that it worked elsewhere then more people would feel at ease.
RESMS Parent
Short answer please.
POP3
Fix AL
A gened class at my assigned school?
O ya, I don't "need" it. I get to be the good, well-behaved above average kid in classrooms with struggling, and otherwise challenged students. Not that I am complaining, I like being part of a community of all types,but if I could go to program more tailored to me and kids like me...
B12
Or maybe you want students and families to be denied options, and if the school down the street isn't a good fit they should move. I prefer options that meet the needs of students...ALL students.
Wishing Well
http://www.seattleschools.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_543/File/District/Departments/Enrollment%20Planning/Reports/Annual%20Enrollment/2015-16/Section%203.pdf
Please come give me rides every day because my mom works, that is if I can get into HCC or Boren or JSIS. Which is very unlikely.
ALL students, actually most students, are unable to have any option whatsoever.
It's like saying to poor kids, work hard, you can succeed and be middle class like me. I don't have to work so hard because I'm already middle class, but there;s more room, just put in the effort.
B12
Long waiting lists at option schools indicate that we need to create more of them. As the planning for the next BEX cycle begins, every new building should be considered for an option program. This will provide what many parents have indicated they want and reduce the need for geo-splits.
DisAPPointed
P.S.- You DO get something special. Gen Ed classes are designed for students in the average range, including those a little below or a little above, like you. Most of our textbooks have extensions for students just like you, and any good teacher should be able to provide engaging and challenging work for a student a little above average. Our whole school system is designed to reward students just like you. So congratulations, you'll probably have an easy time of it and be wildly successful. Now please don't begrudge others, to whom the educational system was NOT tailored, a chance to be equitably educated.
The information from various sources has the majority (90%+) of Whitman's currently enrolled 6th and 7th graders returning to Whitman by using school choice if needed. "
Really? Then you need to communicate this information (with your data) immediately to all the board members. I can assure you that they do not have this information. That was not what was stated to them at the meeting by the Whitman PTSA representative who conducted a survey. spsdirectors@seattleschools.org
-clear information
"P.S.- You DO get something special."
Thank-you for reminding me.
Two homeless kids who arrive by taxi every morning, hungry and tired from not getting enough sleep at the homeless camp.
Six kids reading below grade level, 3 are two years below, 2 are 4 years below and one can't really read.
Math is pretty easy for me but it goes really slow because we have kids who are pulled out once a week only and pretty much sit there the rest of the time and the teacher has to try and help them, as well as a dozen other kids who don't really care and won't work. (Thanks for the "little" annotation to my self description as "average", I am actually very strong in math.)
All the kids who could leave for the HCC are gone, their parents private tested them and had them tutored to get in if they couldn't pass the district test. I overheard a parent on the playground after school calling my school a "sinking ship" and told another parent how to get into the cohort.
Don't begrudge MY experience disAPPointed, it's my life, my identity, my friends, my school family. HCC has hurt me and my school.It has drained students and resources, it has made us who remain feel like losers.
I'm glad for you having not to deal with the reality of public education right now because it's going to be a bear when it finally affects you and yours, which it will.
B12
LS is not based on race; it's based on culture and a new way of presenting learning.
"Are the RESMS school's students going to be constantly reminded of the past injustices that they are not responsible for? Who knows."
I'll answer that: no, they are not. But there is new curriculum around Native American history and that will eventually be taught to all students in SPS as it should be in every single school in this country.
"I would love meet the LS community well before the opening of the 2 new schools, did anyone even consider this?"
I'm sure Marni Campbell, the planning principal for RESMS, would welcome this suggestion. You are free to go and make it to her or the Board.
1. For the RESMS area's community police officer to attend the SAP meetings for RESMS to speak about the crime rates and other safety concerns in the area.
2. For a representative from the city of Seattle's health and human services to attend the SAP meetings for RESMS and address the concerns regarding the proposed homeless encampment/houses to be located at 89th and Nesbit.
-MJ
-Madera Verde
McLeary orBust
By the way, HCC is just as boring and slow for my kid as GE is for you. HCC isn't the magical, ideal situation you might think. There's a huge range of abilities in HCC, just like in GE.
DisAPPointed
He wasn't honest about the fact that a number of them made no reference to advanced learning at all. It wasn't obscured in any academic jargon, it was just absent.
He wasn't grateful for the work. It was a lot of work and it was work that HE should have done but didn't do.
He didn't apologize for failing to do his job or for the failure of his direct reports to do their jobs.
Then, on top of all that, he sneers at the inability of a "lay person" who lacks the necessary so-fees-tee-kay-shun to understand the rarified language of education professionals.
Rather than worry about my deficiencies, I think he should be concerned about his own. He didn't do his job. That's clear. Then he lied about it. That's also clear. He presented a set of CSIPs to the Board and claimed that they all met all of the requirements. I proved that false. He is going to come before the Board in two weeks and do it again. Will they believe him this time? There can be no doubt that his credibility has been damaged. And his dishonesty about the disclosure - claiming that the plan for advanced learners was there but obscure - didn't help his credibility recover. He would have been better served by an admission that the CSIPs were deficient and an expression of gratitude instead of contempt.
“And most of it was that there was language that was embedded in their CSIP but one of the things, an areas of improvement for us, is getting out of the educational language that we tend to us in house and how we take a public-facing document and put it out there doesn’t always translate to our public.
"And so one of the things, the feedback that we’re getting was when you say 'differentiated instruction' and 'common core state standards' doesn’t say anything about what you’re doing for advanced learners. And what’s assumed in that is, and I’m just being pro-active about this, about some of the concerns is that, for example, a fourth grade student who is an advanced learner is meeting standards at fourth grade and then it’s assuming that the school or the teacher or a department is just going to keep that fourth grade standard and that’s it. That they’re not going up to fifth grade standards or sixth grade standards. And so, on the outside, looking in, it might appear that there’s nothing being done for the advanced learner.”
Hey, you know what Mr. Starosky? It doesn't just look that way on the outside. It looks that way in the inside also because - are you ready for this? - that's what's happening in the schools. They are NOT going up to the next grade level standards and the one beyond that.
The failure to document service to advanced learners in the CSIP reflects the failure to serve advanced learners in the school. And it's not, as Director Geary's statement may have suggested, a public relations failure. Let's remember that every HCC student had been a student outside HCC first. And they saw that the schools were not supporting student work beyond standards. They didn't read about it in the CSIP; they experienced it.
So don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining. Just writing "differentiated instruction" in the CSIP doesn't create actual differentiated instruction in the classrooms. If it did, then there wouldn't be any need for elaborate descriptions of how the school will serve struggling students. They could just write that they are providing differentiated instruction and leave it at that. But that wouldn't be acceptable to Mr. Starosky so I don't see why it should be acceptable to the advanced learning community.
This isn't just ASSUMED ... it's what is happening at Whittier ... even after implementing walk to math, some students are NOT being allowed to access standards above grade level.
N by NW
Count your blessings, I guess?? :-(
Inconsistencies Abound
All the qualifications of an ED and more!
Don't be disappointed though, the bottom can't be far.
@RESMES parent
You have every right to explore whatever you wish. SPS also has the right to co-house schools and programs in the same building. High schools have had daycares on site.
There is no reason for you to wait to understand the LS program, as it currently exists and is housed in the Lincoln building alongside Cascadia. I urge you to also read up on adolescent development to gain insight into how having the opportunity to mentor younger students can be greatly beneficial to middle schoolers. Truly, the dangers are in your mind only. Licton Springs offers a small setting where respect for other cultural perspectives is valued. If you grew up sheltered with the only normal being the white normal (no matter what your personal identity is), then I hope you’ll explore your feeling of discomfort and guilt and move beyond that.
Jenny Young
You also said you're worried about the mixing of two school cultures. Is this re: Any 2 schools, or this one in particular, since it has a Native American focus? Maybe someone from Cascadia could allay your fears, as they've been sharing space with other schools at the interim Lincoln site for years. Space and core facilities might be challenges, but I haven't heard about any issues related to a clash of school cultures.
Re: whether or not RESMS will be constantly reminded of past injustices and made to feel bad, that's an interesting one. I doubt the staff at RESMS is planning to adopt a Native American-focused curriculum, but I think it would be a great idea for there to occasionally be joint assemblies or collaborative projects if time and space permit. It could be a great learning opportunity for everyone, and sharing space with LS might make some aspects of US history more meaningful to RESMS students when they cover it. But if you're worried that somehow bumping elbows with a larger (but still small) group of Native American students is going to make RESMS feel white guilt or something, I think you're worrying more than you need. For one, today's middle school students are not as likely to judge people by race as are their parents, and I'm sure they'll largely look beyond race--especially if they have opportunities to get to know LS students. Two, whether or not our schools teach students to feel white guilt really isn't dependent on whether or not there's a different school sharing space. There are some teachers who have a social justice agenda that they push in the classroom regardless of which school it is. We've seen it at Garfield, HIMS, and WMS, to be sure. HCC students are part of these schools, yet are made to feel bad about their academic and cognitive abilities...by teachers and administrators. We've also had teachers who push the gender equality issue too far, making boys feel guilty about their maleness. There's a fine line between creating awareness and demonizing, but I have a hunch RESMS and LS will find a way to work it out so they are doing the former. It's when individual teachers take over that it often becomes the latter.
kitty
As to your statement about "charges" that will be made, it almost sounds like you're planning something. Please tell us that isn't the case.
Fix AL
I think this is a big reason for the tension with HCC in the northeast HC hotspot neighborhoods. The idea that you need to be "gifted" to access acceleration (by joining HCC). There are so many students in these schools who should have an accelerated path available, especially in math with the abysmally slow grade level standards.
AB