Seattle Schools Community Forum

The American Academy of Pediatrics  says it is hard to measure screen time because of the number of ways kids can be looking at one (beyond the tv). They also point out that, especially during the school year, kids could be reading a book (on a Kindle) or doing homework (on a computer). They recommend 2 hours a day for kids 3-18 for "entertainment screen time." You define "entertainment." The average 8-10 year old spends almost 8 hours a day on screen time with older kids spending up to 11 hours a day. About 75 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds own cell phones, and nearly all teenagers use text messaging. - See more at: https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/managing-media-we-need-a-plan.aspx#sthash.iJk8MHo5.dpuf The question the AAP asks is - what is screen time displacing? Physical activity? Actual interaction with family and friends? Two things that seem to stand out are 1) parents, heal thyself and 2) just say no.

School Board Retreat tomorrow - agenda .  It's open to the public and at the JSCEE from 10 am to 2 pm. What the heck?  How many times will they discuss governance issues and communication issues?  They have been over this territory so many times and yet every retreat agenda, there it is.   And, that part is for two hours. I do note the addition of the issue of communications "how does the Board interact with the media and how is a spokesperson assigned."   It appears there is a policy but they seem to feel the need to discuss it.  Update: Here's the agenda for the Special Board meeting next Wednesday.  As of now, I know of two topics; approval of negotiation of a contract with Dr. Nyland to be permanent superintendent and approval of a contract for new computers.  This process for the purchase of new computers is way behind schedule and there are no vendors or prices yet available. The new computers will cost between $1.2-1.4M but ...

Monday, November 3rd Growth Boundary Meeting from 6:30-7:30 pm at Alki Elementary Has anyone attended one of these?  I wanted to get to the one at Northgate last week but didn't. Tuesday, November 4th Election Day .  This may be the day when we learn the fate of 1A/1B and 1351.   I say "may" because as we have all seen from previous elections, our "postmarked by election day" voting means some races don't get determined on election day. I have had a very hard time reading the tea leaves on 1A/1B - it is a source of much confusion to voters.  On the one hand, voters do tend to vote no to items they don't understand.  On the other hand, we are in Seattle where voters love kids and education. I perceive that 1B may "win" because of the King County Labor Council endorsement.  Unions tend to be good at getting out the vote but we do have the awkward sight of unions against unions for 1A/1B.  That should tell you something about winners ...

You may recall my update on Common Core?   I left out the biggest news which is the looming showdown between California Governor Jerry Brown and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.  The fight is over - what else? - testing .  From EdSource : Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday defended the state’s decision to suspend state standardized tests this year and instead offer students a practice test in the Common Core standards that’s now being developed. And he gave no sign of steering away from a collision with the federal government over this issue. The governor wants to pilot CC assessments for schools that have the necessary equipment.  The issue is that a new California law says this: By requiring that every district capable of administering a computer-based test give students a Common Core field or practice test next spring, the bill will put California out of compliance with the federal No Child Left Behind law.  And that's because California - like m...

Contract talks march on.  Diane Ravitch endorses Sue Peters for School Board. Addicted to your computer (or is your child)?  Here's an article from the NY Times with a couple of book suggestions. Speaking of algebra, I came across this website recently - The Algebra Project .  What's on your mind?

From SPS: Seattle Public Schools is seeking unpaid volunteers to serve on the newly formed Classroom and Business Technology Advisory Committee (CABTAC) for a one-year commitment. The committee’s primary purpose is to advise the superintendent and Seattle Public Schools staff as it conducts its technology planning based on technology in education innovations and technology needs in the classroom, schools and central office. The committee’s work will include a periodic evaluation of --and input to -- the District’s ongoing technology planning activities and implementation of the technology strategic plan. Areas of engagement may include technology infrastructure, classroom technologies, business processes and business intelligence. The committee will meet once every two weeks initially for the first two months and then monthly meetings for the remainder of the year with the possibility of additional meetings on special issues after the start-up period. District st...

I was going through the public testimony when I last posted on this topic.

I'll let Dorothy and Charlie chime in here but last night was reasonably entertaining (mostly because of Dorothy and Charlie who were sharp and very funny).    It was a lean crowd, mostly of die-hard activists.  (You can always tell when it's summer.)  This was the last meeting until August 17th.   Director DeBell was not in attendance.  I am nearly on my way out the door to go to Tumwater (!) to testify against the UW proposal for Teach for America so this thread may come in two parts. What helped considerably was a shortened meeting - no academic, operational or financial updates.   Highlights: It was brought up several times that information was not in the Action reports to the Board about various issues.  How the Board stands by and allows that to happen is a mystery.  For example, there was a vote on computers for 10 schools and the schools weren't listed nor did staff come prepared with the list.  There were t...

Two thing prompted me to want to write this thread.  One was from the thread "This or That" about what readers think are important in the budget.  Here's what "Joanie" had to say (and I believe this person is a teacher): Sorry I didn't say it all in one post. Teachers' plates are getting fuller and fuller. I watch the board meetings fairly often and the teachers and parents who appear seem to be ignored most of the time. I agree with much of what I hear. Now Dr. Enfield is creating another way for teachers to communicate with parents: turning the school website into a potential blog site that will be monitored by teachers. Good Lord! That's not what we need. How much money has been spent on IT in the Distrist already. Put it at middle and high schools where kids can make more of it. Elementary schools do not need more IT. More bandaids for appearances. They need to change the paradigm. And, with all the money that has gone in...