This and That in Seattle Schools

Updates:

The USDA is making changes to school meals.  

- For the first time, added sugars will be limited in school meals nationwide, with small changes happening by Fall 2025 and full implementation by Fall 2027.

-  Schools can continue to offer flavored and unflavored milk, which provide essential nutrients that children need, such as calcium, vitamin D and potassium. There will be a new limit on added sugars in flavored milk served at breakfast and lunch by Fall 2025.  

-  Schools will need to slightly reduce sodium content in their meals by Fall 2027.

- While not a new requirement, starting in Fall 2024 it will be easier for schools to serve protein-rich breakfast foods such as yogurt, tofu, eggs, nuts, and seeds, which can help reduce sugary food options, while also supporting vegetarian diets and other food preferences.

- Also starting in Fall 2024, schools have the option to require unprocessed agricultural products to be locally grown, raised or caught when making purchases for school meal programs, making it easier for schools to buy local foods.

 

Also, perhaps to come to SPS as well, Tacoma Public Schools is changing its bell schedule to save money. From KOMO News:

In a move that will reportedly reduce the number of bus routes and save about $1 million in costs, Tacoma Public Schools is changing its bell schedule for the 2024–25 school year.

High school hours will soon become 8:05 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.; middle school will shift to 7:40 a.m. to 2:10 p.m.; and some elementary schools will begin at 8:40 a.m. and others at 9 a.m., according to Tacoma Public Schools (TPS).

end of updates

 KUOW's Week in Review had a very short discussion about the ending of the HCC program in Seattle Schools. The panel included Insider's Katherine Long, GeekWire's Mike Lewis and political/public affairs consultant Sandeep Kaushik along with host Bill Radke. 

Radke, Lewis and Kaushik all somewhat sheepishly said they had been in gifted programs and Kaushik has a senior who has been in the program. Long said she was in favor of the change and "it is a long time coming." She said there is little evidence that such programs boost test scores. That's an interesting take because education is, of course, much more than a test score. She said she did empathize with parents but following the data is important.

Kaushik was a bit more direct. He said it was "terrible, idiotic and even self-destructive" for the district to make this change. He thinks it may lead to even more families exiting SPS. He said the Seattle Times story on this change had a photo with the teacher working with regular kids and the HCC kids off by themselves on iPads. 

He said that SPS has been slow to look at why people are leaving and maybe they are "afraid of what they will hear." 

I listened into only the beginning of the Seattle School Board meeting last week. Despite it being the first meeting for the newly full Board, new director Sarah Clark was not there because of a previously scheduled event. That makes two meetings that she has not been at so far. 

Superintendent Brent Jones mentioned the Open House at Memorial Stadium and that it will make the stadium's use continue for years to come with priority for SPS. He said they will continue to engage with community in the months to come.

Well, this is just a load of BS. As I previously reported, Seattle Center did not announce this event. Not on the project webpage, not on Facebook, not on Twitter, etc. Nor did SPS except a late blurb only on the Board's calendar. No one from the City has ever gotten back to me so you should expect that as it stands now that "public engagement" is all talk.

Jones also acknowledged the unhappiness of the Muslim community at Cleveland over the date set for their graduation that runs into a Muslim holiday. He said they want to express clarity and flexibility so that families can celebrate the holiday. But he said nothing specific.

Student member Aayush Muthuswamy welcomed the new Board member, Joe Mizrahi, and said this was maybe the 4th iteration of the board and it would be "good to have stability." He mentioned the fact that the last Board meetings of the year, including this one, are on Thursdays, not Wednesdays. He said it makes it hard for students to get to a 4:15 pm meeting. President Liza Rankin acknowledged that moving the meetings from Wednesday - which is an early release day - to Thursday could be problematic for students. 

To note, the two Board meetings in May - on the 8th and 22nd - are on Wednesdays but the sole one in June 10th is on a Monday and the sole one in July is on a Tuesday. 

I note that Rankin was wearing a button that said, "End Gun Violence." I am very much on-board with that work and glad to see her wearing that message.

Most of the public testimony was around the Cleveland graduation date. One speaker classified the change as "simple" when, in fact at this point, it will take some rearranging. 

However, I see from the graduation schedule that on one day they have three schools' ceremonies listed -  a 2 pm, 5 pm and 8 pm. I don't see that back-to-back-to-back for other dates.  From seeing this, I would see how it is doable. 

One speaker - a parent at Daniel Bagley Elementary - was asking for a redo of their enrollment projections because a single event - the ending of Montessori at Bagley - influenced that count. 

There were several speakers on ELL services for incoming immigrant students especially at the World School. One speaker, Councilmember James Lovell from SeaTac, even mentioned that SPS should not close the World School. What?! I hope not. That is a specialty school that needs to exist and should have the support of the Board. 

Samantha Fogg, SCPTSA President, said that students need to be centered more in the system of "well-resourced schools."  She said that some families have the ability to leave but most don't have that choice. She said the district had to have a clear plan for supporting newcomers to SPS. She said the mechanics need to be spelled out clearly and not with "performative language." 

Chris Jackins again cited RCWs around school boards that do say that school boards have responsibilities beyond policy-making which is the party line that the Board has tried to put forth around SOFG. 

He also asked for a delay in HCC changes for a year in order for public discussion to occur.

As well, he noted that he read about a change to signing up for public testimony at board meetings where they would eliminate phone sign-ups. I agree - I think that needs to stay in.