Friday Open Thread
Negotiations continue on for the new teachers contract and will thru the weekend. In another thread, someone suggested that maybe the district WANTS the teachers to strike to call attention to how badly this legislation was handled. Hmmm.
In sad news, a 9-year old boy killed himself over bullying because he said he thought he was gay. What is troubling is how adults take that in a sexual manner rather than what it undoubtedly meant - he feels different from other kids. Many LGBTQ folks have said they felt that way from an early age but didn't say it.
I urge you to talk to your kids about differences among other kids and the need to be tolerant. I told my kids - you don't have to like everyone at school but you do have to be civil and tolerant. Otherwise, just ignore them if you don't like them.
Also of interest, an interfaith letter to the district, stemming from the district's decision to have kindergarten start on the first day of Rosh Hashanah. I like the letter but this part:
Forcing non-Christian students to choose between celebrating their religious heritage and being part of the school community is a choice they should not have to make.
I'm not sure Christian kids get their religious needs met altogether. Christmas is a federal holiday and yes, does stem from Christianity. However, the really important day - the one that makes Christianity what it is - is Easter (on a Sunday). In terms of school, Good Friday (the Friday before Easter) is important to Christians. And, they don't get that day out of school.
I think the district is going to have to take a good long look at this issue.
Great article from the NY Times with thoughts from teachers and students about learning in these United States.
Remember when Superintendent Juneau said she was going on a listening tour? She wasn't kidding. One of her latest tweets:
Up early this morning with @SeaPubSchools school nutrition staff. My grandmother was a school cook for 28 years. My 1st job was working alongside her in the school kitchen. Nutrition staff will alway have a big place in my
. Thx for all that you do for students! #SPSconnects
As well, there are several scheduled community meetings with her that I'll list in a separate thread.
Community meeting with Director Patu, tomorrow, Saturday, September 1st at Raconteur from 9 am-11 am.
What's on your mind?
In sad news, a 9-year old boy killed himself over bullying because he said he thought he was gay. What is troubling is how adults take that in a sexual manner rather than what it undoubtedly meant - he feels different from other kids. Many LGBTQ folks have said they felt that way from an early age but didn't say it.
I urge you to talk to your kids about differences among other kids and the need to be tolerant. I told my kids - you don't have to like everyone at school but you do have to be civil and tolerant. Otherwise, just ignore them if you don't like them.
Also of interest, an interfaith letter to the district, stemming from the district's decision to have kindergarten start on the first day of Rosh Hashanah. I like the letter but this part:
Forcing non-Christian students to choose between celebrating their religious heritage and being part of the school community is a choice they should not have to make.
I'm not sure Christian kids get their religious needs met altogether. Christmas is a federal holiday and yes, does stem from Christianity. However, the really important day - the one that makes Christianity what it is - is Easter (on a Sunday). In terms of school, Good Friday (the Friday before Easter) is important to Christians. And, they don't get that day out of school.
I think the district is going to have to take a good long look at this issue.
Great article from the NY Times with thoughts from teachers and students about learning in these United States.
Remember when Superintendent Juneau said she was going on a listening tour? She wasn't kidding. One of her latest tweets:
Up early this morning with @SeaPubSchools school nutrition staff. My grandmother was a school cook for 28 years. My 1st job was working alongside her in the school kitchen. Nutrition staff will alway have a big place in my
. Thx for all that you do for students! #SPSconnectsAs well, there are several scheduled community meetings with her that I'll list in a separate thread.
Community meeting with Director Patu, tomorrow, Saturday, September 1st at Raconteur from 9 am-11 am.
What's on your mind?
Comments
On the second day, everyone is expected to crack down and get to work. Showing up late because you couldn't find the class isn't as indulged, and draws more attention to yourself than it would have the day before. This might be the sort of thing that you're willing to trade off for an extra vacation day, but maybe not.
-Pragmatic Xennial
Mom
The school district could have done the right thing and changed the first day to Tuesday, or even Friday. It is disrespectful that they didn't.
For the writer of this blog to say that Christians aren't always accommodated either is just shocking. Christians are pretty much accommodated in this country. Easter falls on Sunday so I don't know what kind of accommodation she is hoping for. Good Friday is just not the same thing and if it is, then a student could take the day off. Jews are not asking for every Jewish holiday to be a day off. Just this particular one which coincides with the 1st day of kindergarten.
I only pointed out that the only Christian holiday observed in SPS is Christmas (which is now a national holiday). I didn't ask for an accomodation on Easter but yes, Good Friday is a big deal and no, it is not a day off for most schools.
As I have said previously, this distirct, like other diverse ones, faces a dilemma of how many religious days/observances they can accomodate. Maybe that needs community-wide dicussion with the caveat that the district is required to have a certain number of days in the school year.
That said, if possible, the district should make a bigger effort towards being understanding of community concerns.
Moving on.
https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/seattle-high-school-students-start-school-with-free-orca-passes/281-591086953