Seattle Schools Community Forum

The district requested that I provide these updates for clarity.

I actually don't really want to write about this subject because it's pretty tiresome. I've done some research and frankly, I'm appalled at one big issue. According to the GHS website:

Teachers working without pay because... education.  From the Christian Science Monitor: The Chester Upland School District (CUSD) has struggled with economic and academic problems for years, but now a budget impasse in the state capital , combined with the explosive growth of public charter schools in the district, have conspired to put it on the brink of insolvency. CUSD officials informed teachers and support staff last Thursday that they wouldn’t be able to make payroll for the start of the school year. That day, the roughly 200 members of the local teachers union  voted unanimously  to work without pay. Secretaries, school bus drivers, janitors, and administrators will also be working without pay.  We all have decided to work without pay,” she continues. She starts to say “until” but then corrects herself. “As long as we can,” she says. “There is no ‘until.’ ” A West Virginia high school teacher - alone and without anyone on the outside of her class knowi...

From SPS Communications: Seattle Police chief talks safety with middle school students Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole will visit Denny International Middle School’s Youth Ambassador (YA) class this afternoon.  The class, facilitated by Lori Markowitz and Denny staff Mathew Riippa, emphasizes peer mentorship, leadership and compassion. The YA’s are currently culminating their acts of compassion projects. The scholars felt compelled to explore issues of student safety by writing a grant to help promote safety awareness. In preparation for the Chief O’Toole’s visit, the YA’s surveyed approximately 150 eighth graders to acquire a sample of youth opinions on how they feel safe in their neighborhood as well as questions and comments they would want to share with the chief.  This will be a great opportunity for the Seattle Police Department and students to share ideas and create visions for the community.

I'll confess that this does not have to do with Seattle schools or its students.  But with the lack of concern for ANY student exhibited here, you have to wonder if this kind of lax behavior could happen anywhere. Rep. Gerry Pollet, a true friend to public education, was being interviewed by KIRO-tv about the clean-up of radioactive sewer lines near Magnuson.  Look who comes walking along; students from the Waldorf High School.  How is this safe? From Rep. Pollet: Watch how students are protected by a chain link fence from radioactive contamination at Magnuson Park. Numerous groups of students walked within a couple of feet of the work crew in radiation protection tyvek suits as they dredge out radioactive contamination from a sewer line. Their protection against splashes and contamination is the chain link fence.  Students in this video are walking from NOAA road underpass towards Waldorf High School and Building 27 (indoor soccer).  We have ...

I'm confused.  What part of kids and a crosswalk do drivers not understand? Last night at about 6:30 pm, a 7-year-old girl was hit, not once but by two different cars and both cars left the scene.  Apparently she was with a group of people (kids?) and she got hit.  This is both near a park and a Boys&Girls Club.  She was (naturally) severely injured.  From Publicola: Since 2007, SBB reports, at least 32 major collisions involving a pedestrian or cyclist occurred within 10 blocks of that intersection since 2007, including one in which the victim was killed. MLK only escapes being considered the most dangerous street in Seattle because Rainier Ave., a few blocks to the west, takes that dubious honor; just a few weeks ago, a driver plowed through a hair salon and Greek restaurant at the north end of Columbia City, injuring numerous people. Last week, I was driving right by Roosevelt High School. There were two teen girls crossing 15th NE to get to t...

(Editor's note - the district is making a distinct difference here between oversight chaperones and day fieldtrip volunteers - I believe that may be what "A" and "B" volunteer categories are but I have a call into SPS about that.) From SPS Communications: To ensure the safety of our students and volunteers, Seattle Public Schools has updated our Volunteer Administrative Procedures, including certain instances where fingerprinting will now be required. Starting Feb. 1 , schools should follow these procedures: • As previously required, all overnight field trip chaperones must be screened via the WATCH (Washington Access to Criminal History) check. • Any overnight field trip chaperones living continuously in Washington state for more than two years shall not be required to be fingerprinted; clearance via WATCH (Washington Access To Criminal History) shall suffice. • However, if a prospective chaperone cannot provide verification of a two-year re...

From My Northwest: The Seattle School District has temporarily banned 11 students from Garfield High School while it investigates a widely publicized hazing incident that involved over 100 students.  The "emergency expulsion" prohibits the 11 sophomores, juniors and seniors from campus and school activities during the investigation, said spokesperson Teresa Whipple.  "We are working on an individual basis, so if a student is cleared, they can get back to school right away."  Once the investigation is complete, officials will determine punishments. They could range from being prevented to taking part in prom or graduation to suspension or expulsion. In the interim, the students are still able to do their school work and communicate with their teachers from home. I am still trying to get the police report from SPD but it is still unavailable.  Clearly, a serious issue.

From the Seattle Times, SPD are talking to six GHS students about the Garfield hazing event.  No arrests have been made and SPD will contact the parents of the students.  In the comments section, there were some more details (wild ones) about this incident.  It is clear that like Rashomon, it depends on who you are, where you were and what you saw. I have requested the SPD police report on this incident. President Smith-Blum said this at tonight's Board meeting: I want to speak about the incident in a public park where there was intentional hazing of students from a high school . Students - bad job, parents - rein it in. Hurling racial slurs is a truly a community problem and it takes all of us to solve this problem. Parents, it is not easy job. Sometimes they don't tell you the truth and you think you know what is going on and don't. Stay close to your students and create opportunities to talk. Don't be afraid to parent and if you hear there will be drin...

The Stranger follows up on this question with some answers (but still with question marks): As you may have noticed, the city began using automated cameras to enforce speed limits near four schools in December of 2012, and they're going to expand the program to install cameras near five more schools next year. By June, the city had issued 30,400 tickets at $189 a pop. While initially estimated to bring in some $800,000 in revenue for the year, they're now expecting closer to $5 million. Five million? Wow, wouldn't that fund crossing guards (the City used to pay and stopped several years back)? This morning, the council's government performance and finance committee approved a bill that would create a separate fund for those traffic-camera dollars, so that how, when, and on what the money is spent would be more carefully restricted. There's been talk of simply making sure whatever amount is raised from traffic-camera tickets would then be budgeted toward school...