Seattle Schools Community Forum

As I have previously stated, I have had public disclosure requests in for some time to various groups including former charter schools in Washington State, OSPI, and the Charter Commission.  I am still awaiting yet another drop from OSPI. I had a very difficult time getting ahold of anyone from couple of former charters and gave up.  But, if they ARE public schools, there should be no mystery of who is their public disclosure officer and how to contact that person.

Monday Another of Superintendent Banda's Community meetings , this time at Bryant Elementary 3311 NE 60th Street from 6-7:30 p.m. Director Peaslee Community meeting from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Lake City Library, 12501 128th Ave NE Tuesday Superintendent Banda Community meeting , this time at Concord International,  723 South Concord Street from 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday School Board meeting at 4:15 p.m.  Could I put in a plug here?  Please write to the Board and tell them that this time is not conducive to real public engagement - schoolboard@seattleschools.org.  Agenda. One key item here is the Creative Approach Amendment that is supposed to put in School Board oversight to this process.   I need to read it line for line but my quick read is...not so much.   I feel the Board should have some kind of final input on any change.  The issue to me is that this Amendment only says the Board has to approve a waiver request and not the overall change to a...

I have heard from a few parents who are confused over SPS attendance policies, particularly around excused absences.   This has been discussed here before but here's the link to the Truancy Office.  It is headed by Ruth McFadden, Program Manager. On excused absences, this is pretty much the bottom line: In general, family vacations of any duration may not be considered excused absences. The school principal has the final say on whether your planned absence, including family vacations or return to visit family in another country, will be excused. It is a very good idea for the PTA and/or parent to make sure they know at the beginning of the school year what your principal's policy is going to be.  The principal should put this information out but if not, ASK.   And, get it in writing.  I still think it a bad idea to give this over to principals because I'm sure the tolerance level may vary from school to school and that's neither consistent nor f...