tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post116218386361937520..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: A Little Blog BusinessMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-1162258441857085822006-10-30T17:34:00.000-08:002006-10-30T17:34:00.000-08:00First, hats off to Beth for doing the hard work in...First, hats off to Beth for doing the hard work involved in this blog. I had thought of doing this for several months and didn't get to it and was delighted to see her blog. I, too, am willing to be a contributor, somewhat at large, given that I have a lot of interests/concerns from APP/Spectrum to WASL to high schools to bilingual ed to special ed. <BR/><BR/>Name of blog; I vote for simple.<BR/><BR/>Comments; I check back and if I see the number has changed, I look for new posts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-1162216141350980902006-10-30T05:49:00.000-08:002006-10-30T05:49:00.000-08:00I periodically check the bottom of each thread for...I periodically check the bottom of each thread for updates. I don't rely on the link that tells me how many comments are in the thread.<BR/><BR/>I have today, for the first time, posted a comment regarding APP. I can post more on APP as there is a lot going on right now. The District is reconfiguring APP at all grade levels, relocating and splitting the program. Because APP is a program rather than a school, there is none of the public process that comes with closing a school - no vote of the Board, no public hearings, just decisions made by a closed and anonymous committee.<BR/><BR/>This year the job of Manager of Advanced Learning was changed from a full-time position to 0.3 FTE.<BR/><BR/>Advanced Learning programs have been fighting for their lives for over five years, and will have to continue that fight for at least another two. If it seems that APP and Spectrum families testify before the Board a lot, that's why.<BR/><BR/>Consider this: a Board member put forward a plan that would place APP grades 1-3 at one building and grade 4 and 5 at another building. Can you imagine that recommendation being made about your child's school? Can you imagine a Board member suggesting that your child attend one school for kindergarten, another for grades 1-3, then move to a third elementary school for grades 4 and 5 before moving to middle school?<BR/><BR/>Most of the conflicts over APP and Spectrum occur in private meetings and the rest of the district community never hears of them. If people are interested, I can report on those discussions and decisions.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.com