Friday Open Thread
The district just had its first institute of the school year for district Racial Equity Teams (RET).
I'm assuming these hard-working people are working off of something but what? At the RESMS meeting this week, one woman shouted at Board members about equity. Afterwards, I spoke with her, saying that the Superintendent has promised there will be a definition. She said she worked in this field and the City of Seattle and King County have one. Meaning, there isn't a reason to reinvent the wheel - just tell us all what the district means when it uses that word.
Because one problem with not having an official definition is that the word can mean what any given person wants it to mean.
There is also work going on around high school transitions and family engagement.
Racial Equity Team (RET) members represent educators across all levels; classroom teachers, education support professionals, principals, instructional assistants, parents, students, and community partners.I think this is great except for one thing. What is the district's definition of "equity?"
Team cohorts, referred to in Phases, have rolled out approximately 10 teams per year since the roll out of officially designated Racial Equity Team work. At the November 3 Institute, Phase Five teams were inducted, bringing the total number across the district to 50 teams out of 104 schools. Though the Saturday Institute was intended for new teams and new team members, veteran teams were also in attendance, as well as prospective cohorts.
I'm assuming these hard-working people are working off of something but what? At the RESMS meeting this week, one woman shouted at Board members about equity. Afterwards, I spoke with her, saying that the Superintendent has promised there will be a definition. She said she worked in this field and the City of Seattle and King County have one. Meaning, there isn't a reason to reinvent the wheel - just tell us all what the district means when it uses that word.
Because one problem with not having an official definition is that the word can mean what any given person wants it to mean.
There is also work going on around high school transitions and family engagement.
October 2018 marks the fourth year that Johns Hopkins University has hosted the Engaging Families in High School Success (EFIHS) Institute at the Seattle Public Schools John Stanford Center. Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, EFIHS is a collaborative project between Johns Hopkins University and Seattle Public Schools. The grant seeks to build the family engagement capacity of middle and high schools, specifically around high school transitions.The Superintendent has selected the students that will comprise the Student Advisory Board.
At the EFIHS Institute, each school team analyzed their school’s attendance and course passing data and developed a one-year plan, designing specific events and outreach activities tailored to their own students, families, and school community. In many instances, high schools were able to plan activities with their feeder middle schools to transfer and build relationships with families and support smooth transitions to high school.
The Seattle Public Schools Student Advisory Board is formed of student representatives from each district high school. The advisory board will provide student voice, advice, and perspectives to Superintendent Juneau and will meet with the superintendent throughout the school year. The goal will be to help ensure all students graduate from Seattle Public Schools ready for college, career, and community.There are no community meetings with directors this weekend.
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