tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post7205979573711791772..comments2024-03-29T02:41:52.718-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Friday Open ThreadMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-34373790586402402822014-04-07T07:31:09.667-07:002014-04-07T07:31:09.667-07:00I'm not interested in a longer school day - un...I'm not interested in a longer school day - unless that extra time is spent on recess, PE, art and music. Lynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-9654872274739594652014-04-06T21:23:17.574-07:002014-04-06T21:23:17.574-07:00topic idea: at my school we have three shared pos...topic idea: at my school we have three shared positions and I have a student whose parent is in a shared-position at another school. She agrees as do the teachers at my school that people in shared positions are giving the District time-and-a-half effort for half-time pay. <br /><br />I have no problem with shared positions but I'm looking ahead at how that affects full-time teachers. Yes, we are working time-and-a-half as well but can we really compete with more rested teachers who often specialize: one teaching mornings (reading...) and one teaching afternoons(science, math)? <br /><br />From a parent's perspective, I guess that would be the best wouldn't it? Two teachers specializing and both working 150%. <br /><br />Also, what do parents think about a longer school day? I've had conversations at the primary and intermediate level with younger teachers who say they would probably work less hard if they had more time to actually teach kids. More contact time. As it is, we are rushing at elementary to get everything in that is called curricula these days. It seems to be the more veteran teachers who won't work without more pay. Me, I'm older, but I'd love to slow down a bit. That would solve a lot of problems for me.<br /><br />I wish teachers would chime in on these kinds of issues as well as parents.<br />nnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-2792324308732226802014-04-05T19:43:22.294-07:002014-04-05T19:43:22.294-07:00Do you know a High School age actor or musician wh...Do you know a High School age actor or musician who is looking for a meaningful, FREE activity to participate in this summer? Have them check out <a href="http://www.blacktieproductions-mt.com/emerald-city-auditions.html" rel="nofollow">Black Tie Production's</a> original musical, <i><b>Emerald City</b>: A new musical about Seattle, a young man, and what it means to belong. </i>. <br /><br />It is being produced, written and composed by two Ingraham High School students. Performances are scheduled for the end of July at Ballard High School. Actors and musicians are being sought from all and any schools. Auditions begin April 28th. The composer has produced two other original musicals at Ingraham to great acclaim!maureennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-18372755934843286152014-04-05T15:16:06.455-07:002014-04-05T15:16:06.455-07:00Melissa - thank you for the backstory on Roosevelt...Melissa - thank you for the backstory on Roosevelt. I'm very happy you pressed to get the entry lights put back ... they are very, very cool.<br /><br />Glad you enjoyed the photos!<br /><br />I meant to include my photo set of Nathan Hale in my original comment. Here it is:<br /><br />https://www.flickr.com/photos/joebehr/sets/72157629164585263Joe Wolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16747791661117554332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36392776645913670442014-04-05T14:53:34.694-07:002014-04-05T14:53:34.694-07:00Smells like Reform Spirit - Communications bullet-...Smells like Reform Spirit - Communications bullet-points reform agenda after superintendent meetings: 500 people attended the five regional superintendent meetings, and, according to District Communications two of the three immediately noteworthy ideas from the small-group discussions and the Idea Cards distributed to attendees are (the third is about cultural competency, which is NEVER reformish - it's necessary):<br /> <br />• Give parents access to the data they need to gauge their students’ progress. <br />• Provide assurances that the district is committed to closing opportunity gaps and ensuring equitable access to rigorous curriculum and highly effective instruction in all Seattle Public Schools. <br /><br />Smells like the reformers wrote this release. Maybe someone can go through the Idea Cards and notes, etc, when they are posted (see below), and see if this is just District spin.<br />They say that the "District is compiling information from each meeting, including those received [sic] from Idea Cards and the answers to three questions: <br /> 1). If you were in charge of the District, what would you change to better serve students and strengthen relationships with families? <br /> 2). What role will you play in partnership with the District to ensure Seattle Public Schools provides the best quality education for every student? <br /> 3). How can the District most effectively communicate the progress of the Strategic Plan with families and the community? <br />The answers from attendees, along with an executive summary, will be posted on the Seattle Public Schools website by the end of May. In addition, administrators will determine which feedback will be incorporated into the Strategic Plan, which runs through 2018, and a timeline for the work to be completed."<br /><br />Also, watch for that timeline for work completed and see it is.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.seattleschools.org/modules/cms/pages.phtml?pageid=311395&sessionid=98cca3ee4802cd5be4373930c40f0e78" rel="nofollow">More than 500 family, staff and community members attended Superintendent Town Halls, gave valuable feedback</a>seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-73872812766850679142014-04-05T08:11:47.539-07:002014-04-05T08:11:47.539-07:00Eden, I don't know why the heck I don't ge...Eden, I don't know why the heck I don't get those announcements, given that I'm an officer in a PTSA. Aggravating. Thanks for the info.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-23138067914484560692014-04-05T06:50:24.692-07:002014-04-05T06:50:24.692-07:00Also at Seattle Center and free is World Rhythm Fe...Also at Seattle Center and free is World Rhythm Festival. Music and Dance performances and classes in the "armory." swps.org has the schedule.<br /><br />Glad I LeftAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-37672413745962820602014-04-05T03:06:32.558-07:002014-04-05T03:06:32.558-07:00An e-mail just went out from SCPTSA to PTA Leaders...An e-mail just went out from SCPTSA to PTA Leaders about the General Membership meeting on Monday--<br /><br />"Seattle Council PTSA General Meeting April 7th. <br />Superintendent Banda will be attending the first part!<br /><br />Don't forget the SCPTSA General Meeting on Monday April 7th from 7-9pm. Superintendent Banda will be stopping by for the beginning of the meeting!<br /><br />The meeting is at the JSCEE auditorium, and we hope to see you all there. We will also be voting in our new executive board, Ken Gotsch (SPS CFO) will provide a short presentation on the SPS budget process, and there will be round table discussions with SPS leaders from the following departments:<br /> <br />• Pegi McEvoy (bell times)<br />• Flip Herndon (capacity)<br />• Tracy Libros (enrollment)<br />• Michael Tolley (teaching and learning)<br />• Ken Gotsch (finance)<br />• Bernardo Ruiz (family engagement/equity and race)<br />• Bob Westgard (transportation)<br />• Carmen Rahm (technology)<br /> <br />See you Monday!<br /> <br />Katherine Schomer<br />President, SCPTSA"<br /><br />Eden <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-67775662807336560722014-04-04T21:07:04.810-07:002014-04-04T21:07:04.810-07:00So Melissa, at Ingraham at least, the principal di...So Melissa, at Ingraham at least, the principal did "step up." RosieReaderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16509678140588070623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-6935567386934877022014-04-04T21:05:34.525-07:002014-04-04T21:05:34.525-07:00As I understand it, the budget proposed by the Ing...As I understand it, the budget proposed by the Ingrwhwm principal included full funding for all three formerly-at-risk clerical positions. So the negative vote is basically a vote against allowing the principal to have discretion in deciding how to staff the school. Which makes no sense to me. I actually like giving discretion to the principal on things like this. Much as the principals now decide on the numbers of educators by department, etc. RosieReaderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16509678140588070623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7875809491510816142014-04-04T17:42:39.246-07:002014-04-04T17:42:39.246-07:00WEA to encourage parents to opt-out of state testi...WEA to encourage parents to opt-out of state testing!Watchingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-84300996942785510852014-04-04T17:42:06.967-07:002014-04-04T17:42:06.967-07:00WEA to encourage parents to opt-out of state testi...WEA to encourage parents to opt-out of state testing!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-11299476255810711332014-04-04T16:37:59.904-07:002014-04-04T16:37:59.904-07:00Those are great photos.
To note about Roosevelt (...Those are great photos.<br /><br />To note about Roosevelt (just because I had one son there and worked on the archives):<br />- the blue lantern (they are really more verdigris) on the top row is one of a pair. They were a gift from the class of '22 (I know it was the '20s). Regrettably, the district didn't want to put them up but, after some pressure, did. (No use having nice things if you don't use them).<br />- also in the top line of photos on the right is that roped off area? It's a mural done by a WPA artist. <br />- the countertops in library are the marble from the former boys' locker room. The library used to be the auditorium.<br />- that motto is, naturally, a saying from Teddy RooseveltMelissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-81944184724665936502014-04-04T15:18:30.935-07:002014-04-04T15:18:30.935-07:00parent - Thank you! My pleasure.parent - Thank you! My pleasure.Joe Wolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16747791661117554332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-90771359237073722852014-04-04T15:02:26.366-07:002014-04-04T15:02:26.366-07:00Joe, those are really fantastic photos! Thanks fo...Joe, those are really fantastic photos! Thanks for sharing.<br /><br />Parent of 2Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-5909428070872354272014-04-04T14:49:26.041-07:002014-04-04T14:49:26.041-07:00Unfortunately, it may take a year of NOT having th...Unfortunately, it may take a year of NOT having the needed clerical staff to get parents to notice.<br /><br />When you can't get thru to the school in a timely fashion, can't get the needed forms when you want them, students can't get information and everyone gets directed to the "website" to get answers, then it will become clear why you need those clerical staff.<br /><br />I'm a little surprised principals haven't stepped up because the clerical staff still there will have ever-more tasks to complete. Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-4582217938127963562014-04-04T13:20:34.594-07:002014-04-04T13:20:34.594-07:00Savvy Voter writes: How can the budget be the same...Savvy Voter writes: How can the budget be the same if JSCEE says it gave money back to the schools?<br /><br />It has to do with the difference between discretionary funds, (which is where the funding for the clerical staff is now coming from) and core staffing, which is where we (and most people) believe the funding should come from. By having the money be discretionary, we will be fighting this battle again next year. A strong clerical staff is a core function of the school, not a discretionary part. <br /><br />Incoming Ram writes: Is there anything that parents / students can do to support Ingraham staff on the budget issue?<br /><br />Yes, contact the School Board and Mr. Banda and express your feelings about this situation.Michael Ricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18231362823419529183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-14032340449475546412014-04-04T13:03:12.752-07:002014-04-04T13:03:12.752-07:00Photo Friday:
Links below to sets from my Flickr ...Photo Friday:<br /><br />Links below to sets from my Flickr page:<br /><br />West Seattle HS:<br />https://www.flickr.com/photos/joebehr/sets/72157635011583849/<br /><br />Roosevelt HS:<br />https://www.flickr.com/photos/joebehr/sets/72157635077729634/<br /><br />Garfield HS:<br />https://www.flickr.com/photos/joebehr/sets/72157635092027696/<br /><br />Franklin HS:<br />https://www.flickr.com/photos/joebehr/sets/72157635177875623/<br /><br />Franklin was one of SPS' first historic modernizations; it will be a candidate for some systems renewal in BTA IV.<br /><br />Melissa made a good point recently about the not-holistic approach to upgrades at Ingraham; RBHS has had that approach too. I hope we can include both campuses in BEX V.<br /><br />Finally, two sets of the cherry blossoms at the UW I shot after work on Monday.<br /><br />Dusk Series:<br />https://www.flickr.com/photos/joebehr/sets/72157643282099993/<br /><br />Traditional Series.<br />https://www.flickr.com/photos/joebehr/sets/72157643287147573/Joe Wolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16747791661117554332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-89029666092680688322014-04-04T11:57:59.218-07:002014-04-04T11:57:59.218-07:00@ Michael Rice
How can the budget be the same if ...@ Michael Rice<br /><br />How can the budget be the same if JSCEE says it gave money back to the schools? I have tried to follow the budget issue this year but am having trouble understanding the mechanism. I don't know if JSCEE is being deliberately or unintentionally vague. Have schools been given a budget cut or not?<br /><br />(I am admittedly down on SPS this week given the amount of test MSP test prep my grade schooler has sat through in the past 5 days.)<br /><br />SavvyVoter Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-57701511728340635662014-04-04T11:42:31.806-07:002014-04-04T11:42:31.806-07:00Michael,
Is there anything that parents / student...Michael,<br /><br />Is there anything that parents / students can do to support Ingraham staff on the budget issue? (We did sign Mary's online petition previously.)<br /><br />Incoming RamAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-81253762513321911062014-04-04T11:38:36.501-07:002014-04-04T11:38:36.501-07:00Does anyone know where we can get information abou...Does anyone know where we can get information about how earthquake ready our schools are?<br /><br />Gen Ed MomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-18241152188160697642014-04-04T11:25:10.284-07:002014-04-04T11:25:10.284-07:00Ingraham staff had another budget vote this week. ...Ingraham staff had another budget vote this week. The budget was basically the same one that was rejected 58 - 1 last time. This time it was rejected 60 - 0. have not heard what the next steps are, but I am very curious to see what happens. Enrollment is rising and the need to have a fully staffed clerical staff as part of the core budget is more important now than ever.Michael Ricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18231362823419529183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-4747488324536916832014-04-04T11:02:42.712-07:002014-04-04T11:02:42.712-07:00Nova is hosting "Music Night Out" tonigh...Nova is hosting "Music Night Out" tonight. It's an all-ages, cafe style show featuring students, parents, staff and alums in a range of musical styles. Great music. Tasty food. Good company. Join us if you like!!<br /><br />Music Night Out @ Nova<br />Fri, 4/4, 7p- doors 6:30<br />@Nova- 300 20th Ave E, 98112<br />$10/donation<br /><br />on Facebook @ "Nova Music Night Out"<br /><br />-Nova momAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com