Seattle Schools Community Forum

With the district being effectively closed, here are some items of interest. SPS Family Connectors University , starts Jan. 12th.  The Family Connectors University program is a ten-week series of adult workshops that is designed to empower families with information on how to navigate the school system, how to create a college-going culture at home, and how to support their child’s, and other children’s, academic succes s. New School Lunch Menus -  Link . Over the past three years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has put in place many guidelines to help students make healthier choices in the school cafeteria, based on the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This year, in addition to further changes to the meal standards for breakfast and lunch, students will see changes outside of the school cafeteria as well. Food and beverages sold from vending machines, student stores and fundraisers will be affected by the new "Smart Snack" regulations....

Update:   it seems that despite the fact the ConnectEdu has declared bankruptcy last week, they may trying to forge on.  I will ask about the contract that SPS has with this organization and the SPS student data they have. End of update. The district recognized some Nutrition Services staff as part of School Lunch Super Hero Day.  This week is School Nutrition Week so thank a kitchen staff member for watching out for students at your school. It is also PTA Teacher Appreciation week so please do thank your child's teacher for their hard work.  May 6th is National Teacher Day.   It is also Choose Privacy Week as observed by the American Library Association .   It's a time for discussion about "privacy rights in the digital age."  Something for everyone to think about considering the district has is using ConnectEdu and havd kids sign up WITHOUT previously explaining to parents what it is and what student information is being put into th...

Like you'll really want to stay indoors and read this weekend but if you do, read on about: a $43K K-5 school in NYC how the income inequality gap hurts kids on both ends public disclosure in NYC lunchroom hidden camera - what's in that food, anyway?

Yesterday, Superintendent Banda and Mayor McGinn announced a new partnership called " Evening Community Meetings in School Libraries " that would open every school library for use by community/neighborhood groups.  The cost would be $15 for meetings held after school hours. From SPS Communications: Any local community group or nonprofit organization is eligible to sign up, but the libraries are not available for business or commercial uses, nor for events that have admissions or fees. Reservations will be available from 6 – 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday during normal school calendar academic business days.  Visit http://tinyurl.com/9ltgx4q where you can sign up for a user account, submit a request for space, and read the Seattle Public Schools rules and regulations (including the payment process and insurance requirements).   The fee is $15 plus any applicable custodial or heating and cooling costs. Rental does not include use of computers in the lib...

From the SPS press release: In May, local band Death Cab for Cutie held a surprise concert for Seattle fans, with all proceeds benefiting Seattle Public Schools' lunch program. The concert raised $7,185.06, which will provide a nutritious lunch to hundreds of students who otherwise couldn’t afford it. The donated proceeds will be administered during the 2011‐12 school year, when kitchen managers at all 20 SPS secondary schools can help students access the funds based on need. This is the second time that Death Cab for Cutie has donated money to support the lunch program at Seattle Public Schools. In January 2009, the band contributed $2,200 in ticket sales from shows played the previous year to help students access nutritious meals they might otherwise have gone without. Eric Boutin, Director of Nutrition Services for Seattle Public Schools said: "There's a direct connection between good nutrition and academic achievement, and we appreciate the efforts of Death Cab...

Death Cab for Cutie, a band from Bellingham with national stature, is putting on a surprise show at the Sodo Showbox tomorrow night to support the SPS school lunch program. Here are the details from The Edge radio station. The station had an interview with band members (who didn't ID themselves so I don't know who was speaking) but they stated that because of budget cuts to education they wanted to help.  They said they believe that providing meals is a " foundational " part of public education.  They are not making any political statement but their goal is to get kids fed. Thank you, Death Cab for Cutie!