tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post5411628086586387932..comments2024-03-28T23:38:22.511-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Tuesday Open ThreadMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-78007482607313234782015-09-13T06:40:25.574-07:002015-09-13T06:40:25.574-07:00Great pics, Joe. Thanks for sharing them (I am la...Great pics, Joe. Thanks for sharing them (I am late because I have been out of town and off line)<br /><br />JanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-76713294235460627132015-09-09T16:21:58.491-07:002015-09-09T16:21:58.491-07:00What's up with the "source"?
My ki...What's up with the "source"? <br /><br />My kid never brought home a report card or test scores at the end of the year because, apparently, he still had a classroom book he hadn't returned. We left of vacation for about a month immediately following the end of school, so couldn't sort out the details with the report card with his teacher after school ended.<br /><br />I was hoping to take a look at his test scores online, but the source has been offline whenever I've checked it this summer, and it looks like it may have been replaced with some new system that appears to be half broken when I look at it.<br /><br />This frustrates me. My kids has been struggling academically and received an IEP at the very end of the year. I'd like to have the information that the state test provides, though really it may be of limited value, since I can't compare it to previous tests -- another frustration, constantly changing testing strategies make it hard to compare his progress.<br /><br />Birdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-14583826317803766742015-09-09T12:55:53.679-07:002015-09-09T12:55:53.679-07:00Christina, the entire test is bogus to begin with,...Christina, the entire test is bogus to begin with, so it doesn't matter how late we get the results :)<br />Patrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16260807460417787614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-41417965881257213652015-09-09T09:51:17.028-07:002015-09-09T09:51:17.028-07:00-sleeper
Yeah, my student's primary lessons t...-sleeper<br /><br />Yeah, my student's primary lessons this school year are identifying what is administrative bogus (i.e. providing no benefit to student or family, does not contribute to learning) and developing persuasion and critical thinking skills, researching and presenting legal precedents to evade that bogus. Not getting assessments results until four months later or whenever the district feels like it is one part of the multi-faceted bogus.<br /><br />Check this gem from <a href="http://www.smarterbalanced.org/resources-events/faqs/" rel="nofollow">Smarter Balanced FAQ</a> page: "Because the assessments are administered online, teachers, principals, and parents can receive results end-of-year assessments in weeks, not months. Faster results also mean that teachers can quickly use the information from optional interim assessments to check student progress and plan instruction during the year." Christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16065719062339888773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-13413741102178558632015-09-09T09:34:34.486-07:002015-09-09T09:34:34.486-07:00Aaaand, SBAC scores are not on there. What a compl...Aaaand, SBAC scores are not on there. What a complete rip off. Really sorry I let a kid take that test. Never again.<br /><br />-sleeperAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-56163670163617866672015-09-09T09:23:43.467-07:002015-09-09T09:23:43.467-07:00Thank you Joe, I always enjoy looking at your phot...Thank you Joe, I always enjoy looking at your photos.NW momnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-25143143040060808722015-09-09T09:22:38.560-07:002015-09-09T09:22:38.560-07:00ps.seattleschools.org is now available (as of Sept...ps.seattleschools.org is now available (as of Sept 9 2015) for those wanting to register for Schoology accounts.Christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16065719062339888773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-16322081896991724372015-09-09T08:50:32.568-07:002015-09-09T08:50:32.568-07:00That interesting, Lynn, b/c the Board voted down u...That interesting, Lynn, b/c the Board voted down using Amplify. <br />Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-77787331876548295622015-09-08T22:25:17.708-07:002015-09-08T22:25:17.708-07:00I've heard good things about Kamiak HS and it&...I've heard good things about Kamiak HS and it's interesting to look at OSPI school data of Mukilteo and Renton school districts They have higher 4-5 year adjusted cohort college graduation rates and higher FRL and bilingual populations than SPS. That's pretty heartening to see given the challenges. Bellevue is often held up as the standard, but these school districts aren't as rich as Bellevue or Seattle, but appear to hold their own quite well. I'm thinking there something here they are doing right. <br /><br />readerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-42544069985361109942015-09-08T21:48:52.640-07:002015-09-08T21:48:52.640-07:00Some cheerful news. Here's this year's Sem...Some cheerful news. Here's this year's Semifinalists list for National Merit Scholarship:<br /><br />http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/education/national-merit-scholarship-program-announces-semifinalists/<br /><br />The usual suspects of course- Bellevue SD and Lakeside are up there. But tiny Holy Names and good on Renton's Liberty HS and Mukilteo's Kamiak HS placed well too. <br /><br />Congrats.<br /><br />readerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-31144738647071522932015-09-08T17:56:28.599-07:002015-09-08T17:56:28.599-07:00Link to my photo set of Cedar Park Elementary, sho...Link to my photo set of Cedar Park Elementary, shot August 29th. Includes interior and exterior views. <br /><br />https://www.flickr.com/photos/joebehr/albums/72157655597071514Joe Wolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16747791661117554332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-24467873537428060382015-09-08T17:55:58.512-07:002015-09-08T17:55:58.512-07:00I'm posting an excerpt from the minutes for la...I'm posting an excerpt from the minutes for last month's Audit & Finance Committee meeting. Someone new has been taking and writing up the minutes over the last few months and the quality is awful. It's sometimes difficult to understand what happened. Here's an example:<br /><br /><i>Special Attention Items<br /><br />• Notification of Contract Exceeding $250,000 (Anderson)<br />Eric Anderson spoke about Amplify contract chosen in RFP process for access and likening itself. As a possible renewal was getting closer, we contracted with them for creation services. These services included two workshops $13,500 for assessment creation services. This is just a notification of that amount exceeding the 250k.<br /><br />Directors question the new core is selling amplify will that affect us. Mr. Anderson spoke about how this year it will not effect. What impact that might have for future services is unknown. But they have been in contact with us and do not expect any interruption.</i><br /><br />What does this mean? Do the board members even read these?Lynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-78578215131747296992015-09-08T15:22:51.870-07:002015-09-08T15:22:51.870-07:00Cameo, that's why I directed that specific com...Cameo, that's why I directed that specific comment to SPS and not both. I don't think SPS seriously started negotiating until mid August, which is absurd given the size of the district and proposals on the table. I think the teachers may have shot the moon a little (though maybe could have moved more if they had been engaged in May instead of August?), and at this point it's pretty equally up to both sides to move forward and I see a strike as a failure on both sides. A strike is so harmful and disruptive, no matter what I think of the proposals. I just want them all to start compromising.<br /><br /><br />-sleeperAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-1406592453083084402015-09-08T15:20:11.315-07:002015-09-08T15:20:11.315-07:00Yeah, I hadn't seen that as I wrote my comment...Yeah, I hadn't seen that as I wrote my comment. That answers it--the charters become private schools funded by the various charter group venture philanthropists, and there's a messy legal issue at the end of the year as the schools get unwound. Eric Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-86477067100451309322015-09-08T15:19:36.908-07:002015-09-08T15:19:36.908-07:00Funny Bulldog,
Garfield counselors are working tod...Funny Bulldog,<br />Garfield counselors are working today. He or she may have put an auto-responder on his email proactively, but when I was there speaking to the counseling office staff person this morning, I heard that counselors were taking appointments with students who needed schedules, and taking schedule change forms for those who needed changes.<br />GHSmomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-59462893373850342072015-09-08T14:20:16.392-07:002015-09-08T14:20:16.392-07:00Eric, the Charter Commission entered into that con...Eric, the Charter Commission entered into that contract and yes, they represent the State but can they give dollars that the Supreme Court said are illegal to give to these schools?<br /><br />I think the Charter Commission may be sussing that out tomorrow. <br /><br />My latest thread explaining that private donors will step in if the State won't give the dollars. <br /><br />I believe that since the Supreme Court threw out the entire law, that the State can't just fund them. (Not against the backdrop of McCleary.)<br /><br />That's my take.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-70181957914475901732015-09-08T14:09:54.920-07:002015-09-08T14:09:54.920-07:00One more--the King County court now has to decide ...One more--the King County court now has to decide what to do about charters. I see two extremes with lots of shades of gray between. End #1 is to shut them down right now. If it's not constitutional to give charters money, they need to close now. End #2 is to let them stay open for a year. The state entered contracts with the charter schools, and they should be honored. #2 also gives time to theoretically at least get a constitutional amendment passed (though I doubt it would). <br /><br />Any opinions on where this is headed?Eric Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-76506977623140019262015-09-08T13:38:40.185-07:002015-09-08T13:38:40.185-07:00An email to a Garfield counselor was returned with...An email to a Garfield counselor was returned with an "automatic strike reply" - apparently, at least one Garfield counselor is already on strike! <br /><br />Funny Bulldog<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-89712147883047758782015-09-08T13:11:02.804-07:002015-09-08T13:11:02.804-07:00Seattle parent says, "It doesn't seem rig...Seattle parent says, "It doesn't seem right that Superintendent Nyland is allowed to use the district email list to communicate biased messaging on an ongoing dispute."<br /><br />He is a bad, bad man. How dare he use the power and authority of his office to communicate directly to parents/families in a way that supports his and his office's point of view? <br /><br />Shame on him.<br /><br />Citizen KaneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-50876649190206838172015-09-08T12:55:07.336-07:002015-09-08T12:55:07.336-07:00I sent an email to the board telling them that I s...I sent an email to the board telling them that I stand with the teachers, and support all their demands, including the pay raises they deserve and limitations on standardized testing. I also expressed my anger at parents being left out of the discussion on extending the school day, and I called out the district on their delaying tactics that caused this to become a last-minute crisis rather than an ongoing process throughout the summer. To have a scenario in place that includes kids not knowing until the night before school whether school is happening the next day is ridiculous. The decision might not even be announced until after kids have had to go to bed!<br /><br />Finally, I let the board know that I resent the manipulative emails sent by Superintendent Nyland that are sent on the pretext of informing parents, but are actually just propaganda emails to communicate the district's messaging on the SEA demands. It doesn't seem right that Superintendent Nyland is allowed to use the district email list to communicate biased messaging on an ongoing dispute. <br /><br />I believe in supporting our teachers, and I'm appalled at the way the district is treating them. It's no wonder that we have a shortage of teachers in our state, and if we don't start treating our teachers better, it's only going to get worse.<br /><br />-Seattle parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-2805363937425789632015-09-08T12:43:12.785-07:002015-09-08T12:43:12.785-07:00Anyone have a copy of the districts public records...Anyone have a copy of the districts public records request log? I want to see which candidates are district administration friendly and which ones aren't.<br /><br />Hale Parent Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-956353485886009522015-09-08T12:40:01.104-07:002015-09-08T12:40:01.104-07:00Sleeper - "START NEGOTIATING EARLIER"
N...Sleeper - "START NEGOTIATING EARLIER"<br /><br />Negotiations started on May 20th. What good is starting earlier if the district frequently doesn't show up, doesn't respond to proposals, and then drops something as major as a longer school day without compensation on August 17th. The district had a deadline of August 24th for the SEA general meeting to vote on a contract. They should have taken that seriously and not stalled for three months.<br /><br />CameoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-87681122723819667262015-09-08T12:37:21.697-07:002015-09-08T12:37:21.697-07:00Per Watching's comment:
5. Approval of Compen...Per <b>Watching's</b> comment:<br /><br /><i>5. Approval of Compensation Bulletin for Management Staff – (A&F) Approval of this item would approve the Compensation Bulletin for Management Staff and authorize staff to increase salaries on the salary schedules by 1.8% starting September 1, 2015, and an additional 1.2% starting September 1, 2015 through August 31, 2017.</i> (from the agenda for tonight's Board meeting)<br /><br />Wow that looks bad. Any Board member who votes yes for that and also for Nyland's injunction might as well just pack up their office tonight.Maureennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-29168301754889950842015-09-08T12:34:17.506-07:002015-09-08T12:34:17.506-07:00Yes, I reported on those raises when it was Introd...Yes, I reported on those raises when it was Introduced. Very bad timing, no?Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-39246058048630389952015-09-08T12:27:18.372-07:002015-09-08T12:27:18.372-07:00If there is a strike, will there be pickets at ind...If there is a strike, will there be pickets at individual schools? The Board vote tonight on taking teachers to court will do more than a voter's guide for many people. All of the candidates need to be asked how they would have voted on this, whether the measure passes or fails. Eric Bnoreply@blogger.com