Seattle Schools Community Forum

John Rogers Elementary is getting a new principal for school year 2013-2014. Their current principal, Marcia Boyd, is retiring at the end of the current school year. Sara Mirabueno will be their new principal.  She comes from John Hay Elementary where she is currently assistant principal.  Ms Mirabueno was also a teacher at several SPS schools. According to the Montlaker , Montlake Elementary School's nomination has been unanimously approved by the Landmarks Preservation Board.  Their designation hearing is in June.   It seems that some of the Board expressed "tepid support" so the designation may not come through but it only takes a simple majority vote to win. A representative from Seattle Schools testified to the board that the District had no formal position on the building’s landmark status. In this case, at least the property owner doesn’t oppose designation (as is often the case). I'm thinking the district's lack of a formal position is also ...

It's a quiet week for SPS because of Spring Break. The City has a survey about your use of the Internet, cable tv and city communications .  It might be good to take it as it may influence what kind of access to technology may be available in our city.  Transportation A group called Start School Later is doing a survey about flipping start times .  I received word about this from several readers and it appears to be aimed only at elementary parents.  Saturday, April 20th Memorial service for the late Cheryl Chow at Town Hall at 10:30 am.  This is likely to be quite crowded so be advised if you plan on attending.   Community Meeting with Director DeBell from 9-11 am at Cafe Appassionato by Fisherman's Terminal. Community Meeting with Director Martin-Morris from 9:30-11:30 am at Diva Espresso on Lake City Way. Parent Forum put on by the Road Map Project at Foster High School in Tukwila.  They will have workshops and a Resource Fair....

It has been announced that former School Board President and City Councilwoman Cheryl Chow passed away today.  She was 66.  Chow had been ill with lymphoma since 2011.  She was married to her partner, Sarah Morningstar, on March 16th. They shared a daughter, Liliana who is five years old. Chow had an relentless concern and commitment to children as evidenced by her decades-long career as an educator and as a basketball coach and Girl Scout leader. The Times reports a memorial will be held at Town Hall on April 20th but no other details are available yet. Condolences to her family which includes four brothers. 

Here's the agenda for the Seattle School Board Meeting of September 19, 2012. Not every meeting has a theme, but this one features some interesting timing decisions. Or perhaps the theme is evading public discussion.

The Executive Committee meetings are usually pretty boring and uneventful. They are generally about scheduling and such. The meeting this week, however, has a couple of intriguing items on the agenda . 1. Call to Order 8:00am - Approval of agenda - Approval of August 7, 2012 meeting minutes 2. Review of the September 19 and October 3 legislative session agendas 3. Government Relations 4. Community Engagement 5. Executive Committee Discussion - Conditional Certification Application (R. English) - Creative Approach Schools (R. English) - Review and approval of retreat agenda - Proclamation for Cheryl Chow - Presentations to the Board - Policy Development Process - Board meeting times/Comment timing (Board and Student) - NSBA Membership 4/1/13-3/31/14 - Directors’ 2012-13 Conference Attendance - Superintendent Evaluation - Board Calendar/Work Plan 6. A...

In sad news yesterday, former Seattle Board Director (and President), Cheryl Chow revealed that she has brain cancer and not much time.  Chow is 66. She also revealed that she is gay.  From the KING 5 report: Parents and kids, don't be afraid of saying that you're gay. I was afraid for over 60 years and those 60 years were wasted,” she said. Chow, 66, says she feared the reaction of the Chinese community and her mother, restaurateur and King County Councilmember, Ruby Chow, whom she wanted to please. She said her mother, in fact, was one of the first owners in town to welcome gay organizations to her restaurant. “However, that didn't mean that she wanted me to be gay,” said Chow. Chow has been a public servant, both on the Seattle City Council and the School Board.  For nearly her entire adult life she coached the Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill team and  told them to feel good about who they are. She showed her typical humor in this exchange:...