tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post7515866041628609795..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Jane Addams RumorMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-83914750497440549172009-05-29T08:29:29.552-07:002009-05-29T08:29:29.552-07:00When I read the article I noticed that Debbie Nels...When I read the article I noticed that Debbie Nelson didn't actually confirm the rumor as it was interpreted here. She said something about needing more middle school space in the NE and ... <br /><br />It was not explicit. I don't know what she said on the record or MGJ said to someone but there is nothing explicit enough to confirm in writing.Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13865361028544783972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-61227037837855258852009-05-29T00:26:21.189-07:002009-05-29T00:26:21.189-07:00I wrote to Gregory King, incoming Lowell principal...I wrote to Gregory King, incoming Lowell principal, about the "wait list" thing. He, or an assistant, wrote back:<br /><br />"I believe those are kids who are assigned to Thurgood Marshall due to their home address, but put lowell as their first choice and so, are on the waitlist in case some lowell APP kids choose private school, stay at their home schools, move etc."<br /><br />Also, to add to the "guarantee" discussion. The current assignment plan, the proposed assignment plan, and the capacity management plan, all say that APP students, as long as they apply on time, WILL BE PLACED in the APP program. They go on to specify that Spectrum space is not guaranteed.<br /><br />Andrewandrewrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01804062087742405743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-90963918562355281422009-05-29T00:01:54.331-07:002009-05-29T00:01:54.331-07:00This was posted on the Seattle Schools site this e...This was posted on the Seattle Schools site this evening:<br /><br />"Over the past several days there has been speculation in our community that a decision has been made to move away from a K-8 at the Jane Addams building and to create one middle school (6-8) and a separate K-5 school. This is not accurate.<br /><br />Over the past year, our work with the community to address capacity management challenges has included discussion about needs at the elementary and middle school levels for north and northeast Seattle. The possibility of a comprehensive middle school at Jane Addams was discussed as part of our capacity management planning efforts, and a decision was made by the School Board in November of 2008 to create a K-8 school at Jane Addams.<br /><br />The work to develop our new student assignment plan and begin to create boundaries for schools is closely connected to our capacity management work. Our ongoing capacity management work requires that we plan for projected future middle school needs and continue to evaluate changes in enrollment and demographics that may indicate a need for more elementary capacity. Based on our current understanding of future middle school capacity needs, we will need additional capacity North of the ship canal in the next few years. Any evaluation of how we accommodate future growth would begin with an analysis of our current facilities in the areas experiencing growth. This work would occur following direction from the School Board and would involve an analysis of potential future options for students in North and Northeast Seattle.<br /><br />We deeply regret that incorrect information is circulating about an issue that is of such importance to our families and staff. We want to assure you that no decisions have been made about changes to Jane Addams as a K-8. We also want our families and staff to know that informative presentations are scheduled for our June School Board meetings, which are televised. We will also continue to post updated information to our Web site."<br /><br />Wow....talk about spin! It wasn't speculation, since Debbie Nelson confirmed it to the PI and others, and while I'd like to think they're backtracking because of the uproar, I really think they're going to try and let it die down before making huge announcements in the summer, when no one's paying attention.<br /><br />stuStuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11769983958729170219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7214003524352829882009-05-28T22:23:06.891-07:002009-05-28T22:23:06.891-07:00Techy Mom -
The info we received today about numb...Techy Mom -<br /><br />The info we received today about numbers is around 220 APP at Thurgood Marshall and around 303 APP at Lowell. The numbers of APP at Lowell this year was about 498, so this number is a little higher.<br /><br />WV - dismst. I wish we could say this is the fate of MGJ.jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15508195340087278296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-32437034696339457372009-05-28T20:25:32.029-07:002009-05-28T20:25:32.029-07:00How many total APP 1-5 students where there last y...How many total APP 1-5 students where there last year? Are there more (Lowell + Thurgood Marshall) this year?TechyMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04650916001250022778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-65127226583947719242009-05-28T20:12:31.784-07:002009-05-28T20:12:31.784-07:00Andrew, there is no federal mandate for gifted edu...Andrew, there is no federal mandate for gifted education. The Feds may consider kids s/a those eligible for APP a special needs population, but there is no federal law requires that gifted students be treated as a special population. <br /><br />Dorothy, Madrona and WMS had APP waitlists. Some students waited an entire year before gaining a seat in the program. Even Lowell-prior to the split- has had waitlists. The idea that every student who qualifies gets a seat is fairly recent w/n ten years or perhaps since APP elementary moved from Madrona to Lowell. The Enrollment Services web page does indicate that on-time applications for APP eligble students will be placed in their regional site. APP/IPP is 30 years old.another momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12303476240929715442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-1125975695689597912009-05-28T19:23:14.386-07:002009-05-28T19:23:14.386-07:00It's always been considered that app eligible kids...It's always been considered that app eligible kids who apply during open enrollment get in, no waiting list. Thus the enrollment fluctuations and no way at all for PTSA to buy down class size like at some other schools. Never. The only child I knew who was on the waiting list applied late. If that's changed, well, wow.Dorothy Nevillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17108759281089768738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-16557656254852961812009-05-28T18:53:17.302-07:002009-05-28T18:53:17.302-07:00A friend mentioned tonight that APP kids are consi...A friend mentioned tonight that APP kids are considered, by federal law, to be "special needs" students and, therefore, can not be turned away from the program. The district, I supposed, could change the test-in requirements to limit it but, at least for now, if you qualify, you're in.<br /><br />That said, he also pointed out that, perhaps, there's a wait-list for Lowell but, if there's no room, those students could be assigned to Thurgood Marshall. There's a guarantee of APP, not a guarantee of which building.<br /><br />Andrewandrewrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01804062087742405743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-23969190771997162902009-05-28T18:03:48.163-07:002009-05-28T18:03:48.163-07:00What rule or policy states that a waitllist for A...What rule or policy states that a waitllist for APP is not allowed? If this is written somewhere, I'd like to know. There have been waitlists for APP in the past, perhaps as recently as the last enrollment cycle. I understand that students become eligible for gifted services via testing and believe that waitlists for either APP or Spectrum should NOT happen. But is there really a rule that prohibits waitlists for APP? The WAC only speaks to each student found eligible for services and providing an IEP that documents the needs of the student and how the district is meeting that individual student's needs.another momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12303476240929715442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36991124050988432562009-05-28T17:06:52.021-07:002009-05-28T17:06:52.021-07:00This was sent out today by Lowell's new principal,...This was sent out today by Lowell's new principal, Greg King:<br /><br />"At Lowell, we are scheduled to have 45 Special Education students, 303 APP students, and 114 ALO students in grades 1-5. Of the ALO students, about half are from T.T. Minor and half come from around the city. In addition, 39 kindergarteners have been assigned to Lowell, so we may have two kindergarten classes. We also have a few students on the waitlist to get into Lowell's APP and ALO classes."<br /><br />I was also stumped by APP having a waitlist. I thought that wasn't allowed.jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15508195340087278296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-20743233505526732002009-05-28T16:54:36.378-07:002009-05-28T16:54:36.378-07:00A wait list for APP?
That can't be right. There i...A wait list for APP?<br /><br />That can't be right. There is absolutely not supposed to be a waitlist for APP. The rule is that every APP eligible student who enrolls is assigned to the program.<br /><br />Where is the information that APP at Lowell has a waitlist?<br /><br />Is the waitlist made entirely of APP students from areas that are assigned to Thurgood Marshall?Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-58481323088239867342009-05-28T16:46:45.026-07:002009-05-28T16:46:45.026-07:00Not only were many more kindergartners enrolled at...Not only were many more kindergartners enrolled at Lowell than expected for next year, but both APP and ALO have waitlists there. The main reason we APP parents were told to "embrace the split" was to give more kids opportunity to enroll in APP. Lowell APP is so full there is a waitlist for next year. So much for that.<br /><br />Another reason we were told the split was needed was to save on the cost of an assistant principal. Lowell is almost at 500 kids for next year. Isn't that the magic number for an assistant principal to be brought in?<br /><br />I wonder how full the other central area elementary schools are?jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15508195340087278296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-62746119372656471572009-05-28T16:46:20.971-07:002009-05-28T16:46:20.971-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15508195340087278296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-43026400466008469762009-05-28T15:39:36.019-07:002009-05-28T15:39:36.019-07:00@another mom
Geography and Money -- Marshall doesn...@another mom<br />Geography and Money -- Marshall doesn't help with the lake city middle school dead zone and the building is due for a few million dollars in repairs.north seattle momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16398949285827606629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-68532724694009537822009-05-28T15:24:50.582-07:002009-05-28T15:24:50.582-07:00Why can't the District leave Jane Addams a K-8 and...Why can't the District leave Jane Addams a K-8 and reopen Wilson or Marshall as a middle school?another momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12303476240929715442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-86223218357062034662009-05-28T15:06:45.342-07:002009-05-28T15:06:45.342-07:00Our friends have a 4th grader that they transferre...Our friends have a 4th grader that they transferred from View Ridge to Addams next year- thinking he'd be there for the next 4 years, through middle school.<br /><br />Instead, Her son will be in 4th grade at Addams, in 5th grade at Sandpoint or get this Viewlands, and then off to whatever middle school whose boundary she finds herself within. 3 schools instead of one. Not to mention no K-8, no earlier start time, no environmental science or math magnet, and no guarantee of Debbie Nelson either.<br /><br />And, like Patrick, she can't reverse her decision to move to Addams and keep her kid View Ridge. She tried this morning.anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716725891562757052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-82022630312424947982009-05-28T13:37:17.894-07:002009-05-28T13:37:17.894-07:00I am appalled. My daughter is in 2nd grade at Sac...I am appalled. My daughter is in 2nd grade at Sacajawea and we signed her up for Addams next year for the environmental science-math focus, for the K-8 experience, for the earlier start time that is compatible with two working parents, and for Debbie Nelson as principal. Now at least two of those reasons are not really going to happen, after being promised just a couple of months ago. And she'd be on a waiting list to continue in Sacajawea now.<br /><br />What a breach of good faith.Patrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16260807460417787614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-20619114971805428312009-05-28T13:02:26.695-07:002009-05-28T13:02:26.695-07:00There were 39 kindergardners assigned to Lowell, q...There were 39 kindergardners assigned to Lowell, quite a few more than were assigned to TT Minor General Ed last year. They may have a second K class, and fund it with pay-for-K. Central is full of kids born between 2003 and now, due to a combination of gentrification and a baby boom. The district seems to be surprised at this, though anyone who has been to Broadway in the last 10 years would say "duh."TechyMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04650916001250022778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-70243857793309404042009-05-28T10:47:11.581-07:002009-05-28T10:47:11.581-07:00ZB...you got the first quote right, but this:
"An...ZB...you got the first quote right, but this:<br /><br />"And, the saddest part of all is that they do not care. They don't care at all about the families or the children of this district. They have proven that time and time and time again."<br /><br />...was ad hoc.SolvayGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12709893209963350066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-79879456201415919202009-05-28T10:27:43.950-07:002009-05-28T10:27:43.950-07:00I did hear a rumor that Greenwood had a waitlist f...I did hear a rumor that Greenwood had a waitlist for next fall, which surprised me. According to the district page I found (http://blog.seattlepi.com/schoolzone/library/2008assignments.pdf), it hasn't had a waitlist in the last few years, and usually has about 20 families who choose it first for kindergarten. I wonder if that's an example of a sudden surge in enrollment.<br /><br />Helen Schinskehschinskehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10316478950862562594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-88159030576551471122009-05-28T09:48:53.052-07:002009-05-28T09:48:53.052-07:00Successful k-8's with the mushroom model don't nee...Successful k-8's with the mushroom model don't need a feeder pattern to fill them up. Look at Salmon Bay's MS, they take 320 kids, and have a 120 kid waitlist for 6th grade. There is no reason Addams couldn't do this too.<br /><br />But, I agree with North End Mom, Addams would be the best site for a comprehensive MS. And a MS is exactly what I advocated for 6 months ago. Along with opening Sandpoint k-5. That would have been the all around best solution. <br />But to do it now is absolutely wrong. You can't market a new school, hire two principals, an entire staff, enroll 320 kids, and then dismantle it before it even gets started. That's just incompetent.<br /><br />The only way that they could get away with doing this now is if they offer families spots at ANY NE school that they want. They owe that to us at this point. Eckstein can take 77 more 6th graders than they took this year, same for 7th grade. There are only 50 6th graders assigned to Addams, and 20 7th graders assigned to Addams - Eckstein CAN TAKE THEM. And for the families who want Hamilton they also have space. They are at Lincoln which can hold 1100 kids. And in 10/11 they move into their brand new 900 kid building.<br /><br />Then leave the k-5 students at Addams until Sandpoint opens, with the staff and the principal, and move them in tact to Sandpoint. Some families won't want to do this though - they signed up for a k-8. Those families must be offered space at a school of their choice in the NE cluster. <br /><br />Get some portables folks.<br /><br />This is the only way for this district to save face, prove that they are human and care about their families, and right this wrong.<br /><br />The excusable thing is that they have had the enrollment numbers at Addams since the end of open enrollment in March. Why didn't they address it then? Why assign kids there and then look at the numbers? Why dismantle it now? Why should 320 families suffer the chaos and turmoil of this districts repetitive, chronic, incompetence?anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716725891562757052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-2723509466876904482009-05-28T09:47:35.679-07:002009-05-28T09:47:35.679-07:00I also read that much of the surprise enrollment w...I also read that much of the surprise enrollment was outside the NE. That may be why Viewlands was mentioned as a school that might be re-opened.<br /><br />As for their inability to predict enrollment, we shouldn't be so hard on them. You can ask people to RSVP for your party, but there will always be people who show up unexpectedly and people who become unexpected no-shows. Completing Open Enrollment doesn't obligate families to actually send their students and a significant number of students do not participate in Open Enrollment.<br /><br />On top of all that you have a large pool of students in private schools who could show up without notice or, who could go through open enrollment but then attend a private school.<br /><br />It's a lot trickier than you might guess.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-68378242777411266162009-05-28T09:44:21.728-07:002009-05-28T09:44:21.728-07:00"Though my child will be "safe" in her private sch..."Though my child will be "safe" in her private school from all this insanity, I and my family will continue to fight to create quality schools in ALL of Seattle."<br /><br />Me, too SolvayGirl<br /><br />"And, the saddest part of all is that they do not care. They don't care at all about the families or the children of this district. They have proven that time and time and time again."<br /><br />I simply do not believe this to be true. But, yes, if you do believe it, the only solution is to leave the system.zbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13205346985598789513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-70546214192375682072009-05-28T09:39:30.065-07:002009-05-28T09:39:30.065-07:00And the remarkable thing is that I made my choice ...And the remarkable thing is that I made my choice back a couple of months ago to transfer my son to Jane Addams from AS1 next year. I made the decision by trying to "outthink" the SPS. <br /><br />My reasoning:<br />AS1 has had zero support for years and is in a small building in fairly poor condition. Most of the energy of the parents has been dedicated to keeping the school from closing every two years or so and my son was pretty worried about whether his school would close next year.<br /><br />My choices were either Rogers or Jane Addams. I chose Jane Addams because I was sold on it from the open house night and I thought that the "environmental science" idea was fabulous and that it would be safe from closure just as they would be unlikely to close one of the language immersion schools. I thought that Jane Addams could be a flagship type school. I also then assumed that John Rogers would probably close eventually as it's another small building too close to Jane Addams. <br /><br />I think my real mistake was trying to apply any sense of logic to figuring out this district. On the bright side, my son will be well-versed in adjusting to change as he will attend 6 or more different schools before he's completed high school.jsouthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18363755627713964785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36653410837453651582009-05-28T09:08:48.569-07:002009-05-28T09:08:48.569-07:00I completely understand the frustration here, but ...I completely understand the frustration here, but imagine if a year or so had gone by, and THEN they realized they needed to convert the K-8 to a comprehensive middle school. That would be much more devastating than this! The families would be much more invested in the K-8 experience.<br /><br />Adhoc- Even as a "mushroom" a K-8 can't be used as part of a middle school feeder pattern- you've argued yourself that kids shouldn't be assigned to a K-8. Perhaps they didn't think this part completely through when first planning a K-8 at Jane Addams, or perhaps the new projections are so great that in a few years the entire building will be needed to house a middle school. Either way, there needs to be an additional comprehensive middle school in the NE, and Jane Addams is the logical site, due to its geographic location, and its proximity to Hale.North End Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15781046556751463879noreply@blogger.com