Seattle Schools Community Forum

Naturally, in Seattle, the first "summer" holiday and it's raining.  At the Columbus College of Art and Design, two anonymous students create art for all to enjoy. Something to show the artist in your home. New names to look for in, say 2019, in SPS classrooms: And once again, Game of Thrones rules. There were 1135 Aryas, 241 Khaleesis and 67 Daeneryses born in 2013.   As well, for girls there is Vanellope, Pistol, Prim, Rarity (from My Little Pony?), Charlemagne and Rebelle.   (Editor's note; because "Rebel" is just too tough for a girl's name? I assume she'll be a feminist rebel.) Brand new boy's names included Rydder, Jceion, Hatch, Tuf, Lloyal, Xzaiden, Charger, Kyndle, Power, Warrior, Kaptain, Subaru, and Vice.  (That second one - Jceion - I believe is a new way to spell Jason.) The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is awarding nearly $7 million this week to 80 school districts to help them install emergenc...

Dear Seattle Public Schools community: As the 2012-2013 school year draws to a close, I want to thank you all for welcoming me in my first year as your Superintendent. It has been a pleasure to get to know the schools and community and learn about the ideas and concerns each of you have. My conversations with educators, students, families, staff and community members have provided insight for changes and priorities, both for this year and for the future.  Throughout the year we’ve celebrated successes and addressed challenges. The 2,900 students graduating from high school this year are a visible reminder that our primary purpose continues to be ensuring that students graduate prepared for college, career and life. We are building for the future Our enrollment continues to increase, with more Seattle families choosing to send their children to Seattle Public Schools. Thanks to approval by Seattle voters, two key levies will help us address running the...

From the Times : Potentially lifesaving allergy medication may soon be available to more students, thanks to an agreement reached last week by lawmakers and a school-nurses organization that had initially opposed the proposal due to safety and legal concerns. The now-amended Senate Bill 5104 , likely to be approved this session, would allow schools around the state to stockpile epinephrine, which can be used to prevent or stop severe allergic reactions that can kill within minutes. School staffers have only been able to inject students who have been diagnosed with an allergy. And the schools cannot currently store extra epinephrine, to be used in emergencies, or use one student’s EpiPen on another student. Under the amended bill, school nurses would be able to use epinephrine on any student, regardless of whether the student has been diagnosed. Other school employees, if designated and trained by the nurse, would be able to use epinephrine on diagnosed students...

I hope this to be the last word on capacity issues at Eckstein (but I suspect not as these parents are quite persistent).  From the  DPD/FMO.  (I am not posting the entire thing but here's pertinent info.) "During inspection, staff walked the halls and observed class sizes and hall traffic between classes.   No signs of overcrowding in halls or classrooms was observed with respect to allowing safe exiting in the event of emergency. " "For purposes of safe exiting, the more doors you have off (classrooms and offices and hallways), the more people you can have in the building.  Based on current building code standards, the size of the rooms and number/proximity of exits, Eckstein Middle School could safely handle over 4,000 people for purposes of exiting." "Portables with one door are limited to 49 occupants but portables with an additional exit can have more." Re: pedestrians - " The topic of student safety is important and should be discusse...

The Atlantic Street Center is hosting a Teens Against Guns Youth Summit @ New Holly Gathering Hall, 7054 32nd Avenue South tomorrow, Thursday June 7th, from 5-7 p.m.  It is for youth and organizations to come together and plan a positive way to show the community teens are against gun violence. The Summit will be focused on: being informed (sharing information about the recent incidents staying safe (giving info to teens on how to be safe around guns) taking action (having teens organize a plan to go out into the community to support an anti-gun message in a positive way Also of interest from Town Hall, Public Safety: a Community Conversation : Monday, June 18, 2012, 7:30 – 9:00pm Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue. Free with reservation . Town Hall Seattle staff, members, and board are deeply shaken and disturbed by the events that took place so close to our offices on May 30th. The other shooting the same day, previous incidents in May, and earlier in th...

Not enough time to do this justice but some thoughts from yesterday at Denny/Sealth and today at Lowell at Lincoln (and McDonald) and key points from the Board meeting.