Seattle Schools Community Forum

Both Green Lake Elementary and Genesee Hill Elementary buildings are being considered for city landmark status. From the Landmarks Preservation Board: The Landmarks Preservation Board will consider landmark nomination for Green Lake Elementary School at   2400 N 65th Street. The meeting will be on Wednesday, August 21 at 3:30 p.m. in the Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5 th   Avenue, 40 th   Floor in Room 4060.   The public is invited to attend the meeting and make comments. Written comments should be received by the Landmarks Preservation Board by 5:00 p.m. on August 20 at the following address: Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board, Seattle Dept. of Neighborhoods, P.O. Box 94649, Seattle WA, 98124-4649. A copy of the nomination is available for public review at the Green Lake Branch Library, 7364 East Green Lake Drive North (206-684-7547); and at Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Office in the Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5th Ave, Suite 1700 (206-684-0228). ...

Tuesday, June 18th Audit and Finance Ctm meeting (quarterly audit mtg) from 4-6 p.m.  Agenda . Includes: - exit conference from State Auditor on accountability - internal audits include Kimball Elementary, custodial services/grounds, and Denny - risk management - ethics update Wednesday, June 19th School Board meeting starting at 4:15 pm.  Agenda . Includes: - academic calendar for 2013-2014.  There appear to be two Options, A and B (the difference being PD waiver days in A and not in B.) They want the Board to approve both as the BOE doesn't meet to discuss the district's request for PD waiver days until July 12th.  The other difference is 2 days of TRI but different dates for A and B.  There appear to be two snow days at the end of the year in June and one they could use for the Day between Semesters.  And yes, there continues to be a full-week of mid-winter break.  It's unclear to me if this is a final from SEA.   - the NWEA contr...

Tuesday, June 4th The Board will be evaluating the Superintendent in an Executive Session.  I would think that he would get a pretty favorable evaluation given that he has filled some key posts.  As well, at yesterday's Board retreat, various people were thanking others.  Director Carr said, about Banda's efforts on the Strategic Plan, that she appreciated his collaborative attitude as compared to the previous SP which she labeled "top-down." Wednesday, June 5th Board Meeting , starting at 4:15 pm.   Agenda . I regret to inform you that, once again, the school calendar for next year has been pulled off the agenda by the Superintendent.  I would assume this is about the teachers contract but this is now getting very late for next year's calendar.   Cleveland High School will name its library after a teacher who taught there for 25 years, Edward Landon, and was beloved by students. The district is getting a grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundat...

Not sure if this helps but from SPS: Seattle Public Schools and the Seattle Education Association have agreed to key dates for next year’s school calendar, including: • frst day of school: Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013; • winter break: two weeks, from Dec. 23, 2013, to Jan. 3, 2014; • mid-winter break: Feb. 17-21, 2014, including the Presidents Day holiday; • spring break: April 14-18, 2014; and • last day of school: yet to be determined (June 18 or 19, 2014). The calendar also builds in four snow make-up days, including Jan. 31, 2014, May 23, 2014, and the two days after the last day of school. It’s important that families should plan for students to potentially be in school during these days, and to note that the last day of school could be Monday, June 23, 2014. Still undetermined are three professional development days, designed to allow teachers and other instructional staff time to collaborate and participate in professional development activities...

The big news is about the decision of President Smith-Blum to step down.  I wish her all the best and will miss her steady leadership.  I await the end of the day to see who is filing to run. Unbelievably the Board put off voting on the 2013-2014 calendar.  According to the district website: Board members had questions about state waivers for Professional Development Days and more research is being conducted. A School Board meeting to vote on the calendar will be determined at a later date. The Representative Assembly of the Seattle Education Association (SEA) approved the tentative 2013-14 calendar at its meeting on May 13. I have heard from enough parents to know this is a tough call the Board makes for parents who continue waiting. Friday funny - kids' notes about their parents.  What's on your mind?

Found this out at the Executive Committee meeting - intro and action at the May 15th meeting. Yes, I know this is late.  Yes, I know other districts get this done way earlier. There is to be a press release between SEA/SPS sometime in the next couple of days. Tentative highlights: - school starts on September 4th, ends on June 18th - full week Mid-Winter Break is back (I was confused during the discussion about why but I will endeavor to get a clarification), Feb. 17-21st - Winter Break starts Dec. 23rd, back to school in 2014 on Jan 6th ( note: the 6th is the correct day - I had it wrong the first time) - Spring Break - April 14-18th, 2014 - 4 snow days have been built-in Reminder - until approved by SEA/SPS, this is tentative.