tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post3985174263594611204..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Washington Middle School MeetingMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-53259394799425400972019-05-11T08:48:26.710-07:002019-05-11T08:48:26.710-07:00DIOGENES ELDER - If your student is now in second ...DIOGENES ELDER - If your student is now in second grade, it is a bit early to predict what will happen at WMS and other schools 4 years from now. Try to keep your options open. You never know what drastic changes will happen at any of the SPS schools from year to year. As of this moment, I cannot recommend WMS for an HCC student. But it might be better than Meany. But that is setting the bar rather low. The other schools you mention are probably better for an HCC student - as of this moment. But that could change i na few years. Good luck.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-39274745442572264432019-03-08T06:51:51.417-08:002019-03-08T06:51:51.417-08:00DABBL Brand –it is a leading Bathroom Shower Manuf...DABBL Brand –it is a leading Bathroom Shower Manufacturer of Shower Enclosures, Custom, Sliding Glass Shower Doors, Shower Cubicle, Bath Screen etc for your homes. Buy best design, top quality and very reasonable price, contact us at export3@dabbl.de visit here <a href="http://www.dabbl.de" rel="nofollow"> DABBL Brand Bathroom Shower Enclosures, Shower Doors, Shower Screen</a>Jessye Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13631922511602162327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-25931742240924176072019-01-30T18:10:24.822-08:002019-01-30T18:10:24.822-08:00I just heard that the Washington Middle School pri...I just heard that the Washington Middle School principal shifted schedules and teaching assignments but is telling staff and students not to discuss it at school. Teachers are being removed from classes they've been teaching all year, kids are being withdrawn from advanced classes like Spanish, and parents are not being told the full story. Is this just another attempt to get rid of HCC or is this just another insane move from the woman who didn't even have schedules done the first day of school and won't allow kids to go to the restroom during class time (because nature calls only during the period for the entire student body)? Are teachers & students aware of the transfer/open enrollment process out of that insane asylum? Is the union aware of this environment? Does anyone know if there's been discussion yet of her removal? I thought the new Superintendent was going to FIX Seattle Schools, not hire Professor Umbridge!<br /><br />-Lee G. <br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-40359536957508703702018-12-19T15:20:47.741-08:002018-12-19T15:20:47.741-08:00I realize that I am a little late to this thread, ...I realize that I am a little late to this thread, but I was hoping that with such knowledgeable people here, perhaps people could point me in the right direction with respect to a few questions I have.<br />My 2nd Grade daughter has just been declared HCC eligible. She's currently going to language immersion in McDonald Elementary up near Greenlake, and then she would continue on to Hamilton. <br />Based on where we live, entering the HC pathway would move her to Thurogood Marshall, and then she would move on to Washington Middle School.<br />I understand she also has the option of staying at McDonald and being offered HC services or alternatively moving to Montlake Elementary (then Meany) and receiving the same, or even applying to Decatur and/or Cascadia and receiving HCC if she gets in through the lottery.<br />Alternatively, we could opt out of HC altogether.<br /><br />With all of the concerns about Washington Middle School evident in this thread, should we be spending time evaluating the differences in educational opportunity at Hamilton vs. Washington MS? <br />Are the critiques presented here similar in theme but different in specifics to critiques I might find for any other Middle School?<br />Are there any other forums where I can find out more information about the process here and how to make an informed decision?<br /><br />FYI I went to Washington Middle School back in the early eighties in the first iteration of Seattle Public School's HC program, called IPP back then (before it became APP). I then went on to the EEP at the University of Washington. I've always felt very fortunate that there are so many great educational opportunities in public schools in Seattle. However it seems that unless you find the right advice / insights, it is easy to end up in sub-optimal settings. Help!<br /><br />(The foundation of every state is the education of its youth...We have two ears and one tongue so that we would listen more and talk less.) <br /><br />- DIOGENES ELDER<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-18659767926245574892018-09-25T22:43:47.510-07:002018-09-25T22:43:47.510-07:00The students that would by any stretch of the imag...The students that would by any stretch of the imagination like Leschi or Madrona could also be assigned to Washington to maintain a decent enrollment. The resources should never have been split. <br />joannanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-28739475286288449922018-09-23T11:14:01.823-07:002018-09-23T11:14:01.823-07:00It seems like a fundamental problem now that Meany...It seems like a fundamental problem now that Meany is open is WMS's program structure of two very different groups: HCC and gen ed students in south Seattle. Neither group gets its needs met while both groups compete for resources. This is probably a non starter but if (as the new principal indicates repeatedly) the priority at WMS is to raise gen ed achievement levels - a worthy goal to be sure - then perhaps the district should make WMS a model school to do that with proper funding. Then find another location where the HCC program can operate w/o being continually characterized as selfish.<br /><br />- Arboretum momAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-90837534303697761872018-09-21T15:03:08.420-07:002018-09-21T15:03:08.420-07:00@ so crazy, it's not addressed in the "po...@ so crazy, it's not addressed in the "policy" but there may be a standard "procedure." Someone should ask the board for a copy of the "Superintendent Procedure 2185SP – Physical Education." Not the Annual Review, but the actual Procedures. If there's nothing in there, it's clearly something the board needs to address. If it's vague, it also needs to be addressed. <br /><br />The Supt and the Board have so much cleanup to do it isn't funny. "Clean up on aisle... well, all of them."<br /><br />HFAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-84055629322514942422018-09-21T13:18:25.969-07:002018-09-21T13:18:25.969-07:00@so crazy,
I think it's worth pointing out t...@so crazy, <br /><br />I think it's worth pointing out that Eckstein sixth graders are required to take one semester of PE(except in cases of "physical disability or religious belief", they cannot waive for "directed athletics" until 7th grade), nor are they allowed to take world language until 7th. It looks like JAMS and HIMS students may apply for PE waivers all 3 years.<br /><br /><br />~KMG365<br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-75963582903305277462018-09-21T12:04:50.887-07:002018-09-21T12:04:50.887-07:00Strange that there is no standard SPS Policy for P...Strange that there is no standard SPS Policy for PE waivers. <br /><br />A quick look at 3 schools - Eckstein, JAMS, and HIMS - shows 3 different forms, all with slightly different rules. Eckstein's seems the best of the 3. JAMS seems overly restrictive in terms of what qualifies as "directed athletics," and both JAMS and HIMS seem more restrictive in granting the PE waivers - they must be enrolled in 2 yearlong electives. In looking at other schools, REMS has no forms posted and Whitman is even more restrictive, only allowing "community based, organized athletic teams...participating in team competitions." What about <i>non-competitive</i> community based athletics? Yoga? Cultural dance groups? Hiking clubs? Sheesh. <br /><br />so crazyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-24148625003544876682018-09-21T09:10:36.845-07:002018-09-21T09:10:36.845-07:00@ curious, the relevant SPS policy is Policy 2185 ...@ curious, the relevant SPS policy is Policy 2185 (https://www.seattleschools.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_543/File/District/Departments/School%20Board/Policies/Series%202000/2185.pdf), but it doesn't appear to address the issue you mentioned. Maybe it needs to be update to be more consistent with the RCW? It's probably addressed in the 2185 "Procedures", but what's posted in the Procedures section isn't really the procedures after all, but the annual review--probably a mistake.<br /><br />Re: WMS, if the school is overstaffed in PE and understaffed in other things, shouldn't they adjust their staffing? Maybe get rid of one PE teacher and hire a music or language teacher? I'm sure it's not that easy, but the goal should be to match the staffing to what kids need and want, not vice versa.<br /><br />HF<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-11235483893919042482018-09-21T06:26:14.337-07:002018-09-21T06:26:14.337-07:00@curious, the key word is "may." Distric...@curious, the key word is "may." Districts may, not must, allow waivers for directed athletics. However, since many SPS schools allow PE waivers for school sports and other activities - from karate to ballet to swim lessons, you name it - it follows that ALL SPS schools SHOULD allow them. Equity. If there is not a districtwide PE waiver policy, there should be! That is the job of the Board. They set policy. Parents can and should push back on the more restrictive WMS "policy." Write the Board and cc the Superintendent.<br /><br />rule readerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-55378658679585284172018-09-21T00:02:50.372-07:002018-09-21T00:02:50.372-07:00What I said earlier is relevant, but can be made w...What I said earlier is relevant, but can be made worse by administrators who don't understand the offerings that have made Washington a desirable school for decades.joannanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-72695123245089464452018-09-20T23:49:19.050-07:002018-09-20T23:49:19.050-07:00The consequences of reopening Meany as a middle sc...The consequences of reopening Meany as a middle school and the quest to assign enough students to Meany was never discussed by the district. When enrollment drops in by 3 or 400 and perhaps more, a change in the number of offerings is going to be the result. By every logical map Leschi for certain and likely Madrona students should be assigned to Washington. Yes, resources end up being split, but the politics of the situation never considered solutions so that the resources would be shared not split. Meany is under 3 acres, while Washington is 10 to 11 acres and could easily be remodeled into a great facility that would serve all the students and resources could be shared at one site. The situation is worrisome. joannanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-32792292085714914842018-09-20T23:40:03.542-07:002018-09-20T23:40:03.542-07:00Interesting. @rule reader above says:
"RCW ...Interesting. @rule reader above says:<br /><br />"RCW 28A.230.040 Physical education in grades one through eight.<br /><br />Every pupil attending grades one through eight of the public schools shall receive instruction in physical education as prescribed by rule of the superintendent of public instruction: PROVIDED, That individual pupils or students may be excused on account of physical disability, religious belief, or participation in directed athletics.<br /><br />*Participation in directed athletics* It's allowed by state statute."<br /><br />I don't see any SPS policies dealing with this, does anyone know of anything? Lots of kids at WMS have been pushed into PE instead of other electives (the principal basically said the school was overstaffed in PE) and the principal said PE waivers would only be allowed for medical and religious reasons (because they have the PE teachers and don't want to provide other electives?). So would this mean that kids who are on sports teams or participate in other "directed athletics" are legally entitled to PE waivers & the school would have to let them take some other elective?<br /><br />--CuriousAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-87040736853558589022018-09-20T22:05:20.549-07:002018-09-20T22:05:20.549-07:00CapHillParent, very KIPP-like. (For those who don...CapHillParent, very KIPP-like. (For those who don't know, KIPP is a chain of uber-discipline charter schools.)<br /><br />Ruthie, good question. I think it is but not in the way that many parents may see it.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10892613910857812542018-09-20T20:34:45.112-07:002018-09-20T20:34:45.112-07:00Equity is for south of the ship canal, Melissa. No...Equity is for south of the ship canal, Melissa. North, it's "huge offerings of music and languages" and "a satisfied community." Guess we should all just move.<br /><br />Is the north/south disparity not on SPS' radar screen at all?<br /><br />Ruthie Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-75657592774812896672018-09-20T19:08:03.969-07:002018-09-20T19:08:03.969-07:00I attended the WMS meeting that went from 7 pm - 8...I attended the WMS meeting that went from 7 pm - 8:40 pm. Generally, the principal stuck to her script, which she said was developed based on questions and emails she had received prior to the meeting. She answered very few questions from the floor and encouraged people to leave written questions that would be addressed later and posted on the WMS website.<br /><br />Many people seemed very frustrated, but it's not just about the HCC issues emphasized here. It was things like no communication from her or the school, sweeping policy changes, no bathroom passes, a shortened 4 minute passing time between classes which made it impossible to use the bathrooms and then getting frequent tardies from the teacher, incomplete and inadequate schedules, cell phone policy, the principal using email to communicate but not sending home messages via kid mail for those without internet, etc. It was about not enough lunch monitors and then not being able to go outside and have recess after lunch. It seemed that because they had 2 PE teachers kids were going to get a lot of PE. She didn't seem to understand the PE waiver policy in place in Seattle Public Schools nor why music would help with the master schedule.<br /><br />"Equity" however defined and perceived seemed to trump learning and enjoyment in school. I got no sense of school being an enjoyable, kind, or community place. I felt bad for parents, kids, and teachers. It seems that the lower student numbers, due to the opening of Meany, have really affected course offerings. Coming after Follmer, I think any parents with means or flexibility will be looking to enroll their students elsewhere for next year or pulling them out now. <br /><br />Equity, making sure everyone learns, helping kids get to grade level and supporting those that are beyond standard is important, but pitting groups against each other - as she seemed to be doing - isn't the way to do it. It was depressing and sad.<br /><br />-CapHill ParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-49533941331110408192018-09-20T18:05:33.480-07:002018-09-20T18:05:33.480-07:00@Melissa Westbrook- Its a good point. She listened...@Melissa Westbrook- Its a good point. She listened to you! I listened to the Superintendent on NPR recently. She stated that equity needed to be defined. She acknowledged that she did not think it meant the same across the district. <br /><br />Also, some HC kids and parents have had enough I think. My student's age group are part of the wave choosing neighborhood high schools over Garfield etc. So far, it's going great, you can't beat the commute & they have HC peers & other high performing kids in their classes. <br />KLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-40377548246293499192018-09-20T16:23:35.458-07:002018-09-20T16:23:35.458-07:00"If the goal is racial equity, how the hell i..."If the goal is racial equity, how the hell is that achieved by denying kids of color a chance at taking the same range of course offerings as kids who are better off get at other schools in the state? All this does is reinforce huge class distinctions and makes it a lot harder for kids of color at WMS to get into good colleges. It's tracking an entire school."<br /><br />What? Kids of color at any school can access any class. Period. Show me where that isn't happening. Now it's not going to happen at WMS because any student at L1 or L2 HAS to take a double block of LA which eliminates an elective. That's on the principal.<br /><br />HCC makes it harder for kids of color to get into good colleges? Explain that one.<br /><br />Ruthie, I have told the Superintendent, privately and publicly, that she and the Board MUST define equity for SPS. Oddly, the head of Race and Equity, Brent Jones, won't do that. So someone has to be bold and decide so that, going forward, everyone is talking about the same thing.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-18456492960780703532018-09-20T15:42:59.656-07:002018-09-20T15:42:59.656-07:00SPS needs to articulate its priorities, and what i...SPS needs to articulate its priorities, and what it means by equity. Otherwise, principals are free to do as they wish - I have no faith at all that the EDs exercise any oversight. If SPS decides that its priorities align with Jet City Mom, and that middle school world language is *not* a priority, then that priority should be reflected at *all the middle schools*. Even Eckstein.<br /><br />JR, I agree with you. Racial equity is not achieved by drastically reducing world language as an option at WMS - or any school - while other middle schools can offer more as they see fit. <br /><br />If anyone can articulate for me how that practice advances equity, I am here waiting to be convinced.<br /><br />RuthieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-11378578197100644292018-09-20T15:26:02.715-07:002018-09-20T15:26:02.715-07:00As someone mentioned, HC may not really serve kids...As someone mentioned, HC may not really serve kids who are taking the SAT in 7th grade, but that is what advanced learning was for I thought.<br />Wasn’t it originally for the kids who were in the top 3% or something of the district?<br />The girl who was in 6th grade, actually then entered the EEP program at the UW from Lakeside.<br />But most kids don’t need that. She triple majored at the UW in Russian /physics & astronomy, and incidentally did not take Russian until college.( although since she skipped high school, I guess it was like taking it in high school?)<br /><br />Since the state only next year is requiring two yrs of language for graduation, the priority has to be get all high school kids to that level.<br />It’s a great idea to have exposure to foreign language from preschool, but as a parent and taxpayer, my priority is to keep more kids in school and get more kids a meaningful diploma.<br />There are many ways to get exposure to a foreign language in middle school if that is something the student is interested in.<br /><br /><br />Jet City momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804841958585043967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-30248135083935978972018-09-20T15:01:24.880-07:002018-09-20T15:01:24.880-07:00Yes! It's tracking an entire school. Yes, that...Yes! It's tracking an entire school. Yes, that's what it's doing.E. Eaglenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36764668368561804192018-09-20T14:56:48.341-07:002018-09-20T14:56:48.341-07:00If the goal is racial equity, how the hell is that...If the goal is racial equity, how the hell is that achieved by denying kids of color a chance at taking the same range of course offerings as kids who are better off get at other schools in the state? All this does is reinforce huge class distinctions and makes it a lot harder for kids of color at WMS to get into good colleges. It's tracking an entire school.<br /><br />JRAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-45328877272641960222018-09-20T14:52:20.083-07:002018-09-20T14:52:20.083-07:00@ 88 keys, I admit it--you lost me. On one hand yo...@ 88 keys, I admit it--you lost me. On one hand you argue HCC classes prevent schools from offering a huge range of music and foreign language classes, while on the other hand you say schools should offer academic classes to kids at all levels that are needed. Huh? Is your beef that the HCC-specific classes are only for identified HC students--even though that's not the case, as Spectrum-identified (and sometimes advanced but not AL-identified students) are in these WMS Honors classes? Is your complaint with HC identification in general, and that you think all schools in all districts should, and would, just do the right thing without a law requiring accelerated for services? Do you think it's feasible for all schools to offer all levels of everything, or can you see how creating a critical mass of students (e.g., HCC cohort) helps make providing services more cost-effective? <br /><br />"Maybe if WMS was more inclusive and didn't have HCC self-contained classrooms, it would be more like Eckstein with huge offerings of music and language, lots of HC students who stay and blend, and a satisfied community."<br /><br />If WMS didn't have HCC-leveled classes, many of those who go there because it's their HCC pathway school wouldn't go there in the first place, so they wouldn't be "staying." As to "blending," I don't even know what that means--maybe some sort of self-imposed ceiling? Like not acting smart or not wanting advanced classes? Here's a newsflash--no matter how much you want HC students to just blend in, many are very different than their typical grade-level peers...and they couldn't blend in if they tried. Some could, sure. And many of them do just that--at their neighborhood schools rather than at the inconvenient HCC pathway school.<br /><br />HCC is not really tracking. Students can enter/exit any time they meet the cognitive testing and achievement criteria. Additionally, HCC students and non-HCC students alike are more and more tending to end up in the SAME levels of core classes in high school. If HCC is trying to put some students on a college track and on some alternate track, they're doing a pretty crappy job of it. HCC primarily seems to be about meeting students where they are in elementary and middle school, so that they have the opportunity to learn something (aside from learning to hate school, which is the other option). In high school, it's anything goes--for pretty much anyone.<br /><br />off keyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-4518417860319788982018-09-20T14:43:33.725-07:002018-09-20T14:43:33.725-07:00Maybe it would be like Eckstein, or maybe it would...Maybe it would be like Eckstein, or maybe it would be like Aki Kurose where they need a volunteer Spanish teacher because there's such a low number of students interested in trying a world language. I'm not sure why the teacher's union allows a volunteer teacher... <br /><br />I wonder, does Aki Kurose have huge offerings of music and language, lots of HC students who stay and blend, and a satisfied community?Volunteer Teachernoreply@blogger.com