tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post584739337903063190..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Audit&Finance Committee Meeting TomorrowMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-2076054475270519372015-03-12T13:19:59.553-07:002015-03-12T13:19:59.553-07:00At the MTSS Update and Work Session this week, ref...At the MTSS Update and Work Session this week, reference was made of the African-American Male Scholars Think Tank "The Think Tank is developing a plan that will provide recommendations that help us increase academic achievement, social/emotional development, and access to opportunities and support for African American Male students." Ruiz said there was a hiccup of sorts some months ago but that the group is working again (?)<br /><br />Yesterday Cleveland's principal made a presentation on the concrete steps they have taken on Restorative Justice. He described considerable support staff funded by money he got somewhere (would've like to have heard how much and from whom, guessing WASTEM). Is this going to be another unsustainable effort like the Road Map Deep Dive at Emerson? Goodbye site coordinator. Goodbye Arts Impact, Sandalwood camp, SESEC, Arts Corp, afterschool support, and summer learning institute. What is the lesson we learned? That we know this stuff works but we can't afford it so...?!mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-84608082678783859722015-03-12T09:46:36.384-07:002015-03-12T09:46:36.384-07:00GL, yes, I would agree. There have been few, if a...GL, yes, I would agree. There have been few, if any, open discussions with communities on these issues. There is nothing stopping Martin-Morris/Blanford from going out and having open meetings.<br /><br />But also, to my point about Africatown, again, it appears that the district and Africatown are differentiating between new students who have immigrated from African countries and native-born African-Americans. Both groups have fairly specific needs and my perception is a turn towards the newer students. Why, I don't know.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-42259461933670454362015-03-12T09:37:08.033-07:002015-03-12T09:37:08.033-07:00Melissa,
What I am talking about is projects spe...Melissa, <br /><br />What I am talking about is projects specifically geared at the issues that the DOE is looking at. <br /><br />When you look at what the district has in place to foster the identity of young African American males, there is nothing. <br /><br />It has no ongoing discussions with any group representing families of students who are African American. What it has is this pseudo "relationship" with a group purporting to expertise in the area of African American culture. <br /><br />Nor does it have in place any programs to handle disproportionality of discipline. <br /><br />You and I know that the RM project has no interest in issues of disproportionality of discipline. All it gives a sh*t about is test results. <br /><br />The problem with that approach is that it ignores issues of race, culture, and socio-economics so that it can tie test results to teachers. <br /><br />That's what's going on in this district and that's where the money will continue to be put. <br /><br />It's not like these issues haven't been going on for decades. It's not like Martin-Morris couldn't have directed some policy about this a long time ago instead of galavanting around the country on the taxpayer's dime. It's not like it's rocket science. It's neglect, pure and simple. <br /><br />GL<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-13663915365155756832015-03-12T08:54:57.464-07:002015-03-12T08:54:57.464-07:00What are HMM and SB doing, you ask Melissa?
Sim...What are HMM and SB doing, you ask Melissa? <br /><br />Simple Answer: Talking. That's what they do, all they do, and all they ever will do. Talk, talk, talk, talk....<br /><br />WSDWGAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-28491596442164836612015-03-12T08:49:29.234-07:002015-03-12T08:49:29.234-07:00GL, the district has been partners in the Road Map...GL, the district has been partners in the Road Map project for a long time. And RM has a new ambitious project for the New Holly area. <br /><br />Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-59753878685155449962015-03-12T08:40:00.172-07:002015-03-12T08:40:00.172-07:00It makes absolutely no sense to offer a lease agai...It makes absolutely no sense to offer a lease again to a group that was unable to pay on a previous lease. The Board clearly should reject that.<br /><br />They won't reject the renewed lease but, when they don't, the Board and Superintendent should be reamed by the press for their dysfunctional and incompetence. The story writes itself.Jonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-4728476836211571142015-03-12T07:23:13.668-07:002015-03-12T07:23:13.668-07:00The only reason Africa Town is still a player is b...The only reason Africa Town is still a player is because the district has nothing, and I mean nothing for African Americans. The district has not a researched-based molecule for itself when it comes to this issue. <br /><br />GLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-31991153153070313412015-03-11T21:16:29.681-07:002015-03-11T21:16:29.681-07:00And here's the thing - Martin-Morris (and now ...And here's the thing - Martin-Morris (and now Blanford) have talked about how they want to do "something" about the education issues for African-American boys. What are they doing? I don't know.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-58406719590314150162015-03-11T20:22:30.430-07:002015-03-11T20:22:30.430-07:00Crap. Not another meeting I have to drag my tired...Crap. Not another meeting I have to drag my tired x*x to.<br /><br />Well, if it hasn't been made clear by now (and don't feel bad if you are not aware) but the district gap-closing strategies, MTSS initiatives and other things they talk incessantly about, are now specifically focused on African-American males. I do not disagree that this issue has been in freefall for years. My gripe is that, at least with respect to special education, the focus on African American males came up without notice in the SpEd Dept's Vision statement (and I pay close attention to SpEd).<br /><br />At today's work session the bulk of the time was spent, once again, on fancy charts showing that yes there is a gap and by golly REA is going to devise a "research program" to look into this data further. When will the district quite engorging itself with data and finally act upon what most successful districts know already works? I'd be mighty surprised that an Africatown program with its accompanying issues is a research-based best practice.<br /><br />The end of these carrot grants has been expected for some time. Soon new shiny things will be bought by Allen and Gates, by way of Clover Codd. For example the RMP Deep Dive grant for Emerson is expiring and a new grant is now floated for joint community centered wrap around service CBO P-5 (insert jargon here) program is in the works for New Holly. My question is: what will happen to Emerson, arguably the most challenged school in our district, now that the RMP "seed money" disappears? Are we back to square one? Will SPS try to find some other sugar daddy to continue the critical services these children need? Are Emerson's problems now considered solved by the players downtown?mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.com