Saturday Open Thread

Wonder if the large earthquakes in California will prompt the Washington State Legislature to help schools shore up their buildings and be ready?


Thoughtful story from the Seattle Times about the Pike Place Market daycare's exchange between preschoolers and senior citizens.

The idea is that different generations can learn from each other and provide one another with companionship. Older adults often love the structure and sense of community, but can also help children practice focusing, being patient and accepting people who don’t look like them or speak the same language, said Kathleen Richardson, the executive director of Pike Place’s daycare.

“I see it as almost like a movement,” said Matthew Kaplan, a Pennsylvania State University professor who has studied intergenerational programs for more than 20 years. “There’s growing recognition that for the health of individuals … we really need to have strong intergenerational connections.”

Great article about getting a "digital detox" for your kids.  From the New York Times:

Gloria DeGaetano was a private coach working in Seattle to wean families off screens when she noticed the demand was higher than she could handle on her own. She launched the Parent Coaching Institute, a network of 500 coaches and a training program.

Nearby, Emily Cherkin was teaching middle school in Seattle when she noticed families around her panicked over screens and coming to her for advice. She took surveys of middle school students and teachers in the area. 

“I realized I really have a market here,” she said. “There’s a need.”

In this 21st-century version, a group of parents band together and make public promises to withhold smartphones from their children until eighth grade. From Austin, there is the Wait Until 8th pledge.  

“She just said things like, ‘Are you telling your kids, ‘No screens at the table — but your phone is on your lap?’” Ms. Wasserstrom said. 

I'll have an expanded thread on the candidates for Director Betty Patu's seat on the Board - there are some very good people in there.  It will be interesting to see what weight the Board will give to certain aspects of each person's background.   Will leadership skills count more than knowing that region and being active there?  Will knowledge of the district be higher on the list (as I think it should) than a background in education?

I'll close by saying that it is helpful to learn about candidates via what is (and is not) out there on the internet.  I will be asking if I can see any other documentation that was submitted (and hopefully not have to wait for public disclosure as that could take months).