Tuesday Open Thread

First up, I have received some news about an out-of-town environmental science field trip at Garfield - one that has been taken by students for 40 years - has been abruptly cancelled.  It had been approved, then reviewed and then denied...on the Friday before the break.  The reason may have been:

1) There was an issue w/ a student who drank last year and, in accordance with to SPS guidelines, sent home, 2) After initial approval,the trip was on hold pending the teacher finding an SPS administrator to join the trip (along with with the teacher and previously approved professionals/grad students/PhD's who had gone on the trip before), and 3) It is unknown what will happen with the non-refundable deposits paid for this trip.

I have never heard of the district or a school requiring that there be an SPS administrator on a field trip. 

And oddly, it appears that a different high school got permission for their environmental science trip.

We all know that Garfield has had its out-of-town field trip problems but why say yes, have parents/students do the work of getting ready and then pull the plug?  And what about those deposits?

I'm not too surprised, given the latitude that the district gives principals, especially high school principals but hurting students this way seems wrong.  Schools, all of them, should give timely responses to requests for permission for trips AND, if they are denied, provide a full explanation.  Again, what do we pay those Executive Directors to do?

I don't always like ReadyWashington but thought I would let teachers know of this opportunity:

Ready Washington and Puget Sound Educational Service District are hiring a cadre of Washington Teacher Leaders from all content areas from each of the nine Educational Service District Regions in Washington State. Teacher Leaders will contribute to the conversation and engage other teachers in talking about connections and best practices for Washington State Learning Standards and preparing all students to graduate college and career ready. CORElaborate is especially interested in amplifying the voice of K-12 teachers using arts integration, teachers of English Language Learners in the general education classroom, science, STEM, social studies, math, CTE, and English language arts.
Details about this unique and exciting opportunity, including the application are available on the CORElaborate website. We hope you'll consider joining the next #WATeachLead cadre!

I was recently told that there are a couple of blogs written by current/former SPS staff.  I have been unable to find them.  Anybody?

Boston Public Schools is considering changing bell times for the same health reasons as SPS did but boy, they had really early starts for their elementary kids.  Looks like they are pulling back on that idea. 

The changes would mean later start times for many high-schoolers, but elementary students and their families at more than three dozen schools may see starts of 7:30 a.m. or earlier.

From SPS Communications:

This fall, six educators from across Seattle were recognized for excellence in teaching. The honorees are nominated by their school principal, colleagues, students or student’s families; and selected based on their extraordinary efforts inspire and engage students.

Danielle Woods, Leschi Elementary School, Maret Poole, McGilvra Elementary School, Teresa Scribner, Cleveland High School, Jessica Torvik, Nathan Hale High School, Brian Robertson, Broadview-Thomson K-8 School, and Jennifer Morris, McDonald International Elementary School, were recognized as a 2017 Symetra Hero in the Classroom.

Each of these teachers were recognized for creating a positive climate for learning in the classroom. They all go above and beyond daily responsibilities to make a significant contributions to help students reach their academic and social potential.

Throughout the fall, the Symetra Hero in the Classroom awards and a donation for classroom books and supplies were presented to the educators in a surprise school assembly in each school. The honorees also received Seahawk home game tickets and acknowledgment during on-field presentations at the game.

SPS administrative offices are closed, starting Friday Thursday, December 22, 2017 until January 1, 2018.  However, President Leslie Harris will be having a community meeting on December 23rd at Delridge Branch Library from 3-5 pm.  Expect food and she doesn't like to eat alone.

I am still slogging thru the last Board meeting and will have a write-up of that soon.

What's on your mind?