Seattle Schools Community Forum

 From the thread on The Source/Fusion: Also, maybe this is a thread request, and potentially not relevant, but I am thinking about parent teacher conferences and what the expectations should be. What do you learn in P/T conferences, and what would you like to learn? Any hints for making the conference time more effective?  Both from the teacher POV and parent POV, what do you want from a parent/teacher conference?  

Now we come to that third rail of education - parents.  I have said this a lot in person but naturally, it's a dangerous subject.  Just like the first rule of Fight Club is not talking about Fight Club, the first rule of parenting is you don't criticize others' parenting.  Everyone has their own ideas about what is "good" parenting.  What might really help the education conversation - is for districts to express to parents what would help teachers/schools to do a better job.  This is NOT telling parents "here's what a 'good' parent does" but "here's what would help your teacher/district."   (I know that there are documents out there but I'm not sure there has been a widespread effort to help parents - especially immigrant parents who may come from a different kind of educational system - understand what teachers/districts would find helpful.) I will note that maybe there should be a letter from the PTA to the school/d...

It's a fairly quiet week around SPS this week.  Tuesday, January 22nd Call into the Board office (or e-mail) if you want to sign up for the Speakers list for the Board meeting on Wednesday.  Frankly, you will not be changing anyone's mind if you choose to speak BUT if you want to make a point, out loud and in public, now's the time to go on record. 252-0040 or boardagenda@seattleschools.org Wednesday, January 23rd   Rally to support teachers against MAP at 4:00 p.m.  This one is organized by the SEA and I sure hope there is a lot of teacher, parent and student presence.  School Board meeting at 4:15 pm .  Agenda

Monday,  January 14th Opening day for the Washington State Legislature.   Here's where the rubber meets the road on education. For those legislators who don't want to raise taxes, tell us what you would cut elsewhere.  For those legislators who say we don't need more money for public education, tell us how you would spend the current dollars better.  What would you cut and/or what would you add?   (I'm pretty sure the "private sector could do it better and cheaper" will come into play at some point.) Curriculum&Instruction Meeting from 4-5:30 p.m. Agenda includes Creative Approach Schools update, professional development waivers and parent-teacher conferences and alternative learning experience schools or program revisions. Wednesday, January 16th Committee of the Whole: Strategic Plan from 4-5:30 p.m. College Goal Sunday from 6-8 p.m. at Roosevelt High School Thursday, January 17th Operations Committee meeting of the Whole from 3:30-...

Dear families, The Seattle School District is reviewing whether it should apply to the State Board of Education for a waiver, to allow the three full-day parent teacher conference schedule to continue for elementary and K-8 schools. The waiver also seeks one day for middle and high schools. Your input is valuable to us as we consider this decision. Parent-teacher conferences are important to ensuring direct communications between classroom teachers and families, and we want to make sure that we gather input from as many families as possible about these meetings. We have prepared a brief survey that should take 5-10 minutes to complete. The survey will close on Friday, January 11th at 5:00 p.m.  The survey is available at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Parent-Teacher-Conferences-Jan2012   We appreciate you taking the time to provide us with your feedback. Sincerely, Michael Tolley Interim Assistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning Seattle P...