tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post5602877811856204244..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Tuesday Open ForumMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-44489735419756126622015-05-01T17:08:19.887-07:002015-05-01T17:08:19.887-07:00To be honest, I am concerned that they would retal...To be honest, I am concerned that they would retaliate if I file a complaint at this time. They have yet to confirm an IEP or a 504, although I have multiple outside evaluations to confirm my child's challenges.<br /><br />I am concerned that they will decide against services and I'll have to fight another year on two fronts instead of one.<br /><br />Ticked Off<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-90939119426964984562015-04-23T23:22:07.914-07:002015-04-23T23:22:07.914-07:00Ticked Off. There are strict timelines districts ...Ticked Off. There are strict timelines districts must follow. You have grounds for an OSPI Citizen Complaint.<br /><br />The SPS Special Education Procedures Manual is intended for INTERNAL use only, all the more reason to share it with parents.<br /><br />https://www.scribd.com/doc/251264223/FINAL-SPS-INTERNAL-Procedural-Guide-4-1-15<br /><br />The timelines they must follow law are clearly stated. <br /><br />Go to the link below and file your complaint. It's an easy 2 page form.<br /><br />http://www.k12.wa.us/SpecialEd/DisputeResolution/CitizenComplaint.aspxmirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-65753454146562531972015-04-23T20:06:26.869-07:002015-04-23T20:06:26.869-07:00Ticked Off, I agree.
More administration at JSC...Ticked Off, I agree. <br /><br />More administration at JSCEE or staff at schools to help kids? I know what I would choose. <br /><br />Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7533207633750527742015-04-23T17:44:12.821-07:002015-04-23T17:44:12.821-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36430169471889078812015-04-23T14:22:24.237-07:002015-04-23T14:22:24.237-07:00@Looking- thanks for the wait list link.
So, it ...@Looking- thanks for the wait list link. <br /><br />So, it looks like there are 89 9th graders on the wait list for Garfield. After last year's SNAFU regarding the wait list at Garfield, with the district claiming that it should have been up to the school to move kids off the wait list, what's the plan for this year? <br /><br />Are they going to allow the school to move kids off the wait list, or are we going to have a repeat of last year, with no kids taken off the wait list and then the district claiming that enrollment was so low that teachers had to be removed??<br /><br />Of course, it doesn't just go for Garfield. Lots of desirable schools have large wait lists. The infamous Friday Memo now seems to suggest that A) the power to move kids off of wait lists is with the district, not the school, and B) the district can change the rules whenever they like without even telling anyone. Of course, I don't know why that surprises me...<br /><br />-Seattle ParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-1134389597918311832015-04-23T07:29:47.738-07:002015-04-23T07:29:47.738-07:00100% of Hale Juniors opted out!
HP100% of Hale Juniors opted out!<br /><br />HPAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-24764157436784797762015-04-22T13:55:14.385-07:002015-04-22T13:55:14.385-07:00Waitlist numbers by school are at:
http://www.sea...Waitlist numbers by school are at:<br /><br />http://www.seattleschools.org/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/1583136/File/Departmental%20Content/enrollment%20planning/WaitlistSummary%202015-16%20_%204-21.pdf?sessionid<br /><br />~ LookingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10339872755870504172015-04-22T13:41:31.362-07:002015-04-22T13:41:31.362-07:00If the district is not following the assignment ru...If the district is not following the assignment rules, they may not want to make that obvious.Lynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-49753127139080228812015-04-22T12:30:02.813-07:002015-04-22T12:30:02.813-07:00Why don't they have the waitlists for schools ...Why don't they have the waitlists for schools published yet? If you are on a waitlist, wouldn't you like to know how many others are on that list?<br /><br />HPAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-62990114982201839092015-04-22T10:49:05.780-07:002015-04-22T10:49:05.780-07:00North-end mom: I think that is what we ALL though...North-end mom: I think that is what we ALL thought! Until this Friday memo. . . .<br /><br />JanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-57314705132287747582015-04-22T08:17:43.445-07:002015-04-22T08:17:43.445-07:00I thought whether or not a wait list moved was due...I thought whether or not a wait list moved was due to whether or not there were seats available at the school with the wait list?<br /><br />- North-end MomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-39159554099976598682015-04-22T07:57:57.438-07:002015-04-22T07:57:57.438-07:00Charlie, when you are desperate, then the "ru...Charlie, when you are desperate, then the "rules" don't count. Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-60031074841267178982015-04-22T02:38:32.013-07:002015-04-22T02:38:32.013-07:00From the 4/10 Friday Memo:
"At this time, the...From the 4/10 Friday Memo:<br />"<i>At this time, there are still months to go before the start of school and the attendance area high schools (Franklin and Rainier Beach High Schools) will experience change in enrollment as students are added or removed. We are monitoring this situation carefully. At this point, 37 of the first 40, 9th grade students on the Franklin High School waitlist are assigned to Rainier Beach High School. Rainier Beach High does not currently have a 9th grade waitlist. As we get closer to the start of school, we will be able to make a determination on the ability to move the Franklin High School waitlist without having a significant negative impact on Rainier Beach High School.</i>"<br /><br />What does that last part mean? Does it mean that some kid who should get into Franklin won't be allowed to enroll there because the shift would be seen as having a negative impact on Rainier Beach High School?<br /><br />What are the rules?Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-74797915634236914702015-04-21T21:53:28.477-07:002015-04-21T21:53:28.477-07:00Perhaps I should have prefaced my remakes that the...Perhaps I should have prefaced my remakes that the quotes are from the Seattle Times series by Claudia Rowe.<br /><br />HollyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-77290595267921310432015-04-21T21:50:15.629-07:002015-04-21T21:50:15.629-07:00"One friend kept her children where they were..."One friend kept her children where they were comfortable — without advanced learning — watching as their peers left in droves. By third grade, what remained was a classroom heavily weighted toward students with low skills and high needs."<br /><br />View Ridge, Wedgwood, Laurelhurst maybe?<br /><br />The HCC offers the hope of challenging work and certainly a lot less "students with low skills and high needs."<br /><br />Only the most egalitarian and optimistic of parents would risk staying put when other parents are leaving "in droves".<br /><br />SPS has created a giant vacuum cleaner that sucks in "gifted" children as fast as the can get tested and as its mass increases, it pulls harder and harder, like an accreting planet.<br /><br />As far as the diversity, or lack of it, it's no big secret that the CogAT and other IQ tests all skew towards children living out of poverty and in homes with readers. Only affirmative action will change the demographics and the District chooses not to go that route, for some reason. Many AL programs do give extra points of some kind for low-income and traditionally under-represented groups.<br /><br />HollyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-66222669513434038972015-04-21T20:01:46.652-07:002015-04-21T20:01:46.652-07:00Melissa, I know how hard it is to lose a loved one...Melissa, I know how hard it is to lose a loved one; still knowing what a hard year you've had I selfishly hope you will run for School board. We need someone who can ask hard questions and demand accountability.WallyMomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-5688611597468048012015-04-21T17:02:51.005-07:002015-04-21T17:02:51.005-07:00So Eric B, what district do you live in?! :)
So Eric B, what district do you live in?! :)<br />Maureennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-25075100763140428172015-04-21T16:23:11.481-07:002015-04-21T16:23:11.481-07:00An effective board member:
Knows the history in th...An effective board member:<br />Knows the history in the district, at least as far back as the closing/reopening debacle, and preferably further <br /><br />Attends board meetings regularly before election so they are up to speed on day one<br /><br />Has a basic understanding of the budget, departments, and major players in the District admin before election<br /><br />Understands the role of the Board in the district (setting and enforcing policy, not day to day management)<br /><br />Knows at least one area of the district well and is willing to listen and learn about other areas<br /><br />An electable candidate:<br />Has access to a donor base for fundraising<br /><br />Has a base of people who will volunteer to help the candidate win<br /><br />Has a reason to run. Why are you better than the incumbent/your opponents? What will you do differently? How will that lead to better outcomes for students?<br /><br />Can explain that reason for running to someone unfamiliar with the district in 30 seconds using positive language ("I know this district and what needs to be fixed" not "The district sucks and I'm the only one who can fix it")<br /><br />Just my $0.02Eric Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-73066916856461569772015-04-21T16:01:11.888-07:002015-04-21T16:01:11.888-07:00@WSeattle
First,that article had nothing to do wi...@WSeattle<br /><br />First,that article had nothing to do with fact and a lot to do with innuendo. Second, attempts to add diversity can't be used as proof that there is no diversity. As discussed repeatedly on this blog AL and diversity is a national problem and one that requires larger solutions -- and shouldn't get in the way of those students who are currently identified needing those services. Also, AL pathway is mixed with only two subjects as AL starting in 6th grade. <br /><br />Times Hardlyright Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-5847198010137496362015-04-21T15:41:44.986-07:002015-04-21T15:41:44.986-07:00FYI- from the HCS AC list serve,
The topic of our...FYI- from the HCS AC list serve,<br /><br />The topic of our next 2e meeting (Tuesday April 21st at 7PM ) will be executive functioning and twice exceptionality. A deficit in executive function skills — the cognitive processes that enable us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, monitor our work, and multi-task – are commonly implicated in our kids’ school difficulties. But apparently there are solutions! <br /> <br />We are fortunate to be able to host Cindy Lehman, MEd, Director of Lehman Learning Solutions, who has decades of experience helping children improve their learning and their executive functioning skills. She will be discussing executive function interventions and will take your questions. We will be meeting at Lincoln High School library in Wallingford as usual. Hope to see you there!<br /> <br />Best,<br /> Laurie Clark Klavins<br /> 2e Parent Support Group Leader3inSPSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10626371367963265142015-04-21T15:22:00.582-07:002015-04-21T15:22:00.582-07:00"a plausible, winnable, candidate"
You&..."a plausible, winnable, candidate"<br /><br />You'd have to define "plausible" because from who has gotten elected in the past, that's open for debate. <br /><br />Winnable is another issue as well.<br /><br />Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-49834097331971625382015-04-21T14:47:57.010-07:002015-04-21T14:47:57.010-07:00Josh, some points that are probably obvious: Know...Josh, some points that are probably obvious: Knowledge of the district beyond single school or type of student (special ed, or APP). Experience working in a bureaucracy. Ability to collaborate on a board; continually being in a minority of one may be emotionally satisfying but doesn't actually accomplish anything. In order to win office, must be able to get funding from somewhere and impressing the Stranger's editorial board is a help.<br />Patrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16260807460417787614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-16611704213968404642015-04-21T14:35:24.315-07:002015-04-21T14:35:24.315-07:00Pretty weak article. "My thing is moving"...Pretty weak article. "My thing is moving" ???<br /><br />LaugherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-11075480046360075272015-04-21T14:24:18.119-07:002015-04-21T14:24:18.119-07:00APP is a White Privilege program as documented by ...APP is a White Privilege program <a href="http://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/skin-in-the-game-6-to-push-for-advanced-learning-or-not/" rel="nofollow">as documented by The Seattle Times</a>.<br /><br />WSeattle momAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-48803501207531233362015-04-21T14:05:49.595-07:002015-04-21T14:05:49.595-07:00@-DistritWatcher dude pick another name. I've ...@-DistritWatcher dude pick another name. I've been DistrictWatcher for years here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com