tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post2222853682902124734..comments2024-03-27T20:01:11.889-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Tuesday Open ThreadMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-30129492555106991042017-11-11T11:18:10.378-08:002017-11-11T11:18:10.378-08:00There's "keeping kids in school," as...There's "keeping kids in school," as in keeping them from dropping out entirely, and "keeping kids in [SPS] schools." <br /><br />Providing the option of Running Start certainly keeps kids in school, and they can pursue a 2 yr degree which may lead directly to a job or provide transfer credits for a 4 year degree. It's a great option for some students. I think the objection is about forcing kids out of SPS schools and into Running Start to access more advanced high school level classes - courses that in years past have been offered in SPS high schools by having a critical mass of students at selected pathway schools. Without a critical mass of students, more students will be left little choice but to leave their SPS high school and enroll in Running Start. Had SPS plans started with the assumption of a minimum freshman cohort of 90 HC students for a designated pathway, would they have put forward a 5 (really 6) pathway plan? It does not seem like Franklin and West Seattle (or even Garfield, Ballard, and Roosevelt after the split to Lincoln) will have a large enough HC cohort to offer a 4 year continuum of coursework. <br /><br />questionable planAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-83709286212983222962017-11-11T08:55:04.474-08:002017-11-11T08:55:04.474-08:00Agree with KL--expanding access is their supposed ...Agree with KL--expanding access is their supposed motivation, so keep a site at Garfield and add a site or two in the northend. Minimum cohort threshold of 90 per grade with more students in pipeline should drive decisions to open new site.<br /><br />Fix ALAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-66117271345123727002017-11-11T08:08:30.634-08:002017-11-11T08:08:30.634-08:00@Egads-- Wow good catch. Yes university partners.....@Egads-- Wow good catch. Yes university partners....this would likely mean Running Start. <br /><br />So basically they are stating that if a school does not offer AP classes or enough sections etc. access to Running start is the "advanced learning service". I am not so sure this would meet legal requirements, because they are not providing for them within the district. <br /><br />Basically the truth is, they are dismantling a program that better ensures identified HC kids can access services (Garfield) and dispersing these students without a plan to service them at the 5 schools. <br /><br />When they could easily instead propose to expand the program and continue to offer it at fewer sites where there would be enough students. <br />KL Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-68965402586910271922017-11-11T07:54:48.782-08:002017-11-11T07:54:48.782-08:00@Liz-- Liz - I moved from NY years ago and have li...@Liz-- Liz - I moved from NY years ago and have lived all over Seattle. We love Ballard. Ballard is one neighborhood that has access to a ton of amenities nearby. North of 65th is zoned single family. It can be more affordable than NE Seattle, except along waterfront areas which have views. The elementary schools, middle and high school are among the best in the city. There is a great community feel and the downtown is very walkable & has a great Sunday market. Golden Gardens Beach and Carkeek Park are nearby. It has a small town feel within a big city. If commuting to downtown via bus, it is a straight commute 15th to downtown over the Ballard bridge, but there is no light rail yet.<br />NW mom Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-60029959745753498332017-11-10T23:15:22.199-08:002017-11-10T23:15:22.199-08:00@expand RS, yes, I do. The students I know who did...@expand RS, yes, I do. The students I know who did RS did so to access advanced courses they couldn't otherwise get. I'm interested to hear how RS keeps other kids in school though, so if you wouldn't mind sharing more about this, it might help with understanding. I was asking serious questions, not being sarcastic. <br /><br />Not likelyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-9848485364527806142017-11-10T21:54:00.636-08:002017-11-10T21:54:00.636-08:00I know of 6 students from Ballard and Ingraham who...I know of 6 students from Ballard and Ingraham who would have most likly dropped out, but RS changed their minds. Do you even know any students in RS?<br /><br />Expand RSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-44644239395010679472017-11-10T14:41:16.268-08:002017-11-10T14:41:16.268-08:00Expand RS, it is a good program but some irony on ...Expand RS, it is a good program but some irony on saying it keeps kids in school.<br /><br />I’m actually surprised the district is pushing this b/c they lose money on students not in their classes. Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-91086005708862135172017-11-10T12:50:56.035-08:002017-11-10T12:50:56.035-08:00Should SPS be known as a remedial and grade-level ...Should SPS be known as a remedial and grade-level only type district, not for advanced students? Do we really need to outsource our advanced offerings because we're unable or unwilling to provide them? <br /><br />@Expand RS, how does RS keep students in school? Doesn't it just transfer them elsewhere? And were you suggesting that the students who take RS classes are the ones in danger of dropping out?<br /><br />not likelyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-74889840026663923142017-11-10T12:43:37.466-08:002017-11-10T12:43:37.466-08:00Running Start can be a good option for many studen...Running Start can be a good option for many students - I don't think there is any disagreement - but the key word is "option." Should SPS move in the direction of it being the only option, kind of a forced option, for students who run out of coursework with the proposed "expansion" of HC pathways? If a significant number of students feel RS is the only option for accessing advanced coursework and they leave SPS, won't neighborhood high schools still limit the number of advanced courses they offer? Will there really be increased access to AL, as SPS suggests?<br /><br />questionable planAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-78236303863017339392017-11-10T12:22:19.101-08:002017-11-10T12:22:19.101-08:00Running start is a fantastic program keeping stude...Running start is a fantastic program keeping students in school. <br /><br /><br />Expand RS Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-59142772782038757462017-11-10T12:13:41.081-08:002017-11-10T12:13:41.081-08:00Running Start also has out of pocket costs for fam...Running Start also has out of pocket costs for families. Fees can be over $100/Qtr for full-time students, with books adding another several hundred dollars. <br /><br />not freeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-77231529440882616992017-11-10T11:10:37.263-08:002017-11-10T11:10:37.263-08:0030 students does not make a viable high school coh...30 students does not make a viable high school cohort. This 5 pathway (really 6 pathway with IHS) plan will eliminate access to the most advanced coursework, and not just for HC students<br /><br />- First, students do not take classes as a monolithic block. Once in high school, students branch out and may be on different pathways for world language, math, science, etc., even within the HC cohort. This is not middle school. IBX, for example, has had a cohort of around 100 students each freshman year, yet they have only one section of advanced 12th grade LA offered this year. One section. In a given year, perhaps only one section of students is on a pathway to take the most advanced IB or AP math or science course. <br /><br />-A master schedule cannot be built with single section courses. Teachers are limited in how many unique courses they can teach (3?) and creating a workable student schedule with single section offerings becomes nearly impossible. If the master schedule creates scheduling conflicts, a student is SOL, even if that class is a core class. <br /><br />-Schools are not going to prioritize AP or other more advanced classes. They are going to prioritize getting students to graduate. This plan will truncate offerings to the most basic of AP classes and most likely eliminate more advanced math and science offerings (Calculus based AP Physics, AP Calc BC, AP Chemistry...). Schools will tell them they can go to Running Start or take the non-honors/non-AP offerings. Who knows what will happen with world language offerings. <br /><br />-<i>Students in a high school HC pathway in 2018-19 will be grandfathered in their current pathway school.</i><br /><br />It's my understanding the only official HC pathway is Garfield, as IBX is an option. Does that mean only Garfield students will be grandfathered? <br /><br /><i>Once HC pathway schools are confirmed by the School Board, district and school staff will work with university partners, students, and families to discuss advanced learning services, including course offerings, at each identified school.</i><br /><br />University partners? Does that mean Seattle Central, North...in other words, Running Start?<br /><br />egads<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-6539934336484274882017-11-10T11:05:55.442-08:002017-11-10T11:05:55.442-08:00Liz, if "schools are the most important part ...Liz, if "schools are the most important part of where [you] land," I'd be hesitant to recommend Seattle. We moved here from CA, and it's been a disappointing experience educationally. The district is dysfunctional, and there's a lot of pitting of one group against others. It feels like one long, constant fight. If your kids are "typical" in most ways if may be fine, but if they are academically gifted or disabled or have special learning needs or may have something not yet diagnosed, I'd think twice. <br /><br />Traffic can be bad, but it depends on where you are what you're doing. Many kids end up playing "club" sports (e.g., competitive soccer) or are in specialized activities like dance , and in such cases you can end up with long, painful, and frequent commutes. I spend several hours a day in the car shuttling kids about, plus often end up sitting in the car waiting (or finding a random place to hang out) during practices because it's too hard to get home and back in time for pick up. There often aren't a lot of good options for extracurricular activities close to home, so many people end up in similar situations. <br /><br />Re: housing, the neighborhoods are all quite different. It's hard to know exactly what you mean when you say you're looking for city living, but to me Seattle only kind of feels like that. Many of the family-friendly neighborhoods people have mentioned have a bit of a suburban feel to me. They're walkable to an extent--if you're not too far from that neighborhood's core--but that core can start to feel small after not too long. When I think of city living I think of being able to jump on a bus/train and get anywhere easily (not the case here); being able to walk to a wide variety of cheap ethnic eats (you can find all types in Seattle, but most individual neighborhoods are more limited in offerings); and being able to experience all sorts of cultural diversity and events (Seattle isn't all that diverse, and most of the neighborhoods being suggested are very white--and while you can find culturally rich experiences, you'll generally need to go out of your way to get there). Some neighborhoods suffer from a shortage of park space, making it almost impossible to find a good place to throw a frisbee around on a nice day (we've had days where we had to jump in the car and drive around for quite a while to find a free spot). My own neighborhood is very walkable (for groceries, drug store, bank, etc., but I often get tired of the dozen or so restaurants, and if I need to do any shopping for clothes or gifts or something interesting I also need to look elsewhere. It often feels like my walkable, city neighborhood is just a place to sleep before doing the rest of my life somewhere else. <br /><br />I don't know if this makes sense, but I thought I'd share anyway. It's a big decision to move to Seattle, and I'd say it's been a mixed experience for us. Education is very important for us, too, and we gave up great schools for a disappointing experience here. After many years of not getting kids' needs met, we ended up in private schools--something we NEVER would have thought possible given our strong commitment to public education. But you have to do what you have to do, right? <br /><br />Best of luck in your move, whenever and wherever! If there's any way to come visit for a few weeks before you go all in, I'd recommend it.<br /><br />here nowAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-80355586319990663332017-11-10T09:39:09.760-08:002017-11-10T09:39:09.760-08:00Hello Liz, if you haven't noticed already, Se...Hello Liz, if you haven't noticed already, Seattle is Super PC, so the east coast slang and LA cool doesn't resonate as well. Have lived in one the big cities in N.E, and L.A., and the traffic, while poor, isn't as bad here. No one does 2 hour commutes to find affordable housing like in L.A./Orange County. What lacks is good rail transit, and the bus service is OK if you find a home and job on the bus line. West Seattle seems to hit a lot of your desires, lots of parks and beaches, good schools, and a very strong community feel. WS is like its own island, and its very common to run into neighbors, school friends and good people. There are many neighborhood pockets to choose from based on location and price. Check out the West Seattle Blog for more info. Also, many local neighborhoods have local blogs, so do a search on that specific area of the city. Good luck, and bring some of that NYC charm, it's missed!<br /><br />WS DadAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-79061399213544659752017-11-10T08:09:47.158-08:002017-11-10T08:09:47.158-08:00Liz, we raised our kids in Queen Anne, which is ve...Liz, we raised our kids in Queen Anne, which is very close to downtown Seattle and a lovely neighborhood. Magnolia is another beautiful place near large Discovery Park and offers a quieter local center. Both of these areas are in high demand.<br />We did a combination of private and public schools. The high schools we chose were public and offered very good teachers. Our only complaint was the math instruction. Seattle used reform math curricula which was subpar. I believe the district is phasing this out but it is something to look at carefully. Good luck!<br />S parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-57551716107481228642017-11-10T08:04:26.880-08:002017-11-10T08:04:26.880-08:00@annon1:30am--thanks for posting, haven't hear...@annon1:30am--thanks for posting, haven't heard much from HC families who would be sent to Franklin and W.Seattle. I wonder if Tolley/Wyeth/Herndon figure those 60 voices will get lost in the noise. Gotta figure RHS and BHS families are at least pacified, and QA/Mag families typically get the eye roll for being rich/privileged if they get worked up about any injustice.<br /><br />This is in the hands of a board in transition, with an anti-HC ops team. It is up to Patu, Peters/Mack and Burke to make sure those voices don't get lost in the noise and I hope they demand proof of complete and consistent master schedules at any pathway site that is equal or better than the current Garfield class selections. They can't do it. <br /><br />Anyone have time, energy, skills to run a survey for the HCC families that captures actual data and doesn't delete fodor inconsistent with a pre-planned direction?<br /><br />Titanic Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-80227519574700887632017-11-10T06:53:54.472-08:002017-11-10T06:53:54.472-08:00Liz, the first three places I mentioned were ideas...Liz, the first three places I mentioned were ideas to considerNESeattleMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14685367298254415469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-48221254174669034572017-11-10T06:53:04.351-08:002017-11-10T06:53:04.351-08:00Liz, Columbia City; Phinney Ridge; Maple Leaf; etc...Liz, Columbia City; Phinney Ridge; Maple Leaf; etc. There is a problem with finding affordable housing in Seattle. People who live in houses are settled. To move, not so easy. If you are renting, be sure to ask apartment leasing agent about their affordable units, if you may qualify. Older housing is being torn down everywhere and replaced with expensive townhouses. Consider Shoreline.NESeattleMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14685367298254415469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-70425578061715957762017-11-10T01:32:53.068-08:002017-11-10T01:32:53.068-08:00Went to the WSHS pathway meeting 20+ people around...Went to the WSHS pathway meeting 20+ people around the HC table. None to one around the others. Stephen Martin and Kari Hanson are real troupers. Kari has taken the brunt of the blowback. I truly respect their commitment to our kids. I believe they have now heard it in all the meetings. Yet they say they have no influence on the process. Contact the Board. <br /><br />So contact the board ASAP as of this post they want to have less than 30 freshmen per class at FHS and WSH. Nowhere enough to have have a robust offering. LHS will have to bus to GHS when there is BHS and RHS there for them to follow. <br /><br />The cohort is the only social and emotional support currently supported by SPS. You are 3x more likely to commit suicide if you are HC and not getting any services. They have nothing to support these kids. High schools have denied additional counseling. HS have denied them the basic continuation of their course work out their principals .... principles. <br /><br />A lot more thought should be done to this but as of right now... the fan is hitting the shit and it is hitting every HCC family from Shoreline to Renton. And if you are all hcc agnostic. You wont be very shortly. <br /><br />APP Classes priority<br />are Seniors (for graduation)<br />HCC Kids<br />anyone else<br /><br />So the magical cup is moving so fast you don't see it. If there are 30 kids who need AP XXX and there are 30 kids who are in HC that AP class is now gone for your kid too. Spectrum kids who once filled that class can't get in. No program for you. Staff has an easier way to deal with enrollment. TL would have sorted it out. <br />TLtoosoon :-(<br /> <br /><br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-77239443420744942602017-11-09T23:45:43.611-08:002017-11-09T23:45:43.611-08:00part 2 of above letter
HC PATHWAY SCHOOL
ATTEND...part 2 of above letter<br /><br /><br />HC PATHWAY SCHOOL<br /><br />ATTENDANCE AREA HIGH SCHOOLS<br /><br />Ballard<br /><br />Ballard and Ingraham<br /><br />Franklin<br /><br />Franklin and Rainer Beach<br /><br />Garfield<br /><br />Garfield and Lincoln (opening 2019)<br /><br />Roosevelt<br /><br />Roosevelt and Nathan Hale<br /><br />West Seattle<br /><br />West Seattle and Chief Sealth<br /><br /><br />Next Steps: The School Board will determine any changes to the high school HC pathways. The preferred recommendation, as part of the Student Assignment Plan (SAP) update, will be introduced to the School Board on Nov. 15 and staff anticipate the Board will act on Dec. 6. Adjustments to the draft high school boundaries will be made to accommodate the final advanced learning service model decision. Once HC pathway schools are confirmed by the School Board, district and school staff will work with university partners, students, and families to discuss advanced learning services, including course offerings, at each identified school.<br /><br />Background, updates, and frequently asked questions can be found on the SPS homepage news feed.<br /><br />If you have questions about the recommended changes to High School Advanced Learning services and HC pathways, please email advlearn@seattleschools.org. Comments may also be sent directly to the School Board at schoolboard@seattleschools.org.<br /><br /> <br />(The pathway part didn't copy properly but on this blog we have discussed what they currently are).<br /><br />-NP<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-62530404983885484172017-11-09T23:41:08.256-08:002017-11-09T23:41:08.256-08:00
I received the letter below from SPS
Dear Familie...<br />I received the letter below from SPS<br />Dear Families,<br /><br />Last month we surveyed families of students currently in grades 5-12 about improving access to Advanced Learning opportunities in high school; thank you to the many families who provided feedback. In response to three open-ended questions, the top 20 ideas from each school community were analyzed and grouped thematically by an outside evaluator. We also held home language focus groups in Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese and Somali.<br /><br />We heard overwhelmingly that families want increased and equal access to advanced courses offered closer to home. We also heard questions and concerns about timing and grandfathering options. To view top-rated themes for each question, examples of specific participant’s thoughts and differences between types of schools, please view the Advanced Learning Engagement Presentation on the Community Engagement page.<br /><br />Multiple solutions and ways to address community feedback were explored. A preferred recommendation was shared with the School Board’s Operations Committee on Nov. 2. The preferred recommendation is to develop regional Highly Capable (HC) pathways for students entering 9th grade beginning in 2019-20. Students in a high school HC pathway in 2018-19 will be grandfathered in their current pathway school. The suggested regional pathways are based on students’ attendance area high school.<br /><br />-NP<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-57161981629961630512017-11-09T19:05:48.872-08:002017-11-09T19:05:48.872-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-71454153216032379342017-11-09T17:28:56.920-08:002017-11-09T17:28:56.920-08:00Liz, In scouting your move, you might investigat...Liz, In scouting your move, you might investigate <a rel="nofollow"><b>Olympia, WA.</b></a><br /><br />Schools are fairly good in <a href="https://osd.wednet.edu/" rel="nofollow"><b>Olympia SD.</b></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.novaschool.org/" rel="nofollow"><b>The Nova School</b></a> is a private 6,7,8 middle school, which might be worth a look.<br /><br />-- Dan DempseyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-9273968053991948092017-11-09T17:10:54.240-08:002017-11-09T17:10:54.240-08:00I'm not totally sure why people assume I have ...I'm not totally sure why people assume I have a problem with the word because I don't understand about the history of the term or that I don't understand issues of violence or poverty. I have often heard people or clothing described as "ghetto" and I find if problematic, just as I find "white trash" to be problematic and disrespectful to people living in poverty. <br /><br /> I don't have a problem with people picking whatever neighborhood they feel good about, but I feel like it's my responsibility to point out blind spots to other privileged people like myself. My kids are in HCC too, although I'm not totally clear how that's relevant here. Liz, if this kind of back and forth isn't your thing, I would recommend a different city ;). If you like growing and learning about this stuff, c'mon over.<br /><br />WelcomeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-60690930449319883352017-11-09T17:07:21.921-08:002017-11-09T17:07:21.921-08:00P.S. Not only immigrants, but ethnically or racial...P.S. Not only immigrants, but ethnically or racially segregated could be blacks or Puerto Rican etc. I think the term ghetto though has evolved (ex a "Jewish ghetto" etc) through the years. Some people use the term as in "that is ghetto" used as a derogatory term, which is probably why it seems more offensive a term nowadays. People are trying to be sensitive to those in poverty. But ghetto's also exist in their original historical meaning and are written about and referred to also in this way. <br />-former NYAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com