Seattle Schools Community Forum

We subscribe to the NY Times and so I keep up a bit with education challenges in the NYC area. It does boggle the mind to think of a school system so huge with so many kids. Apparently, it is run in a fairly autocratic manner but then, I'm not sure I blame them. Interestingly, the NYC system has many magnet schools that - gasp! - are not inclusive and you have to test/apply to get in. And they are all full, go figure. There's one big difference between Seattle and New York. Denise Gonzalez-Walker over at the PI education reader blog supplied a link to the NYC parents' blog. They have a great guy who writes very funny satirical articles and, as well, there are a lot of hard-hitting ones as well. (They even have a running grade vote for how the Superintendent is doing. Hmm, something to think about.)

According to an article in today's PI, the Washington State Supreme Court has ruled that public school teachers who have unsubstantiated allegations of sexual misconduct are exempt under the Public Disclosure act. The ruling was 6-3. From the article: "The majority says a teacher's identity should only be released when alleged sexual misconduct has been substantiated or when that teacher's conduct results in some form of discipline, even if only a reprimand." I might go read this ruling and the dissent which apparently says the majority is ruling contrary to the act and that the ruling will put children at risk. I get this ruling except for one thing. My thinking is just that if a teacher has the accusation "substantiated" (I'm thinking that means evidence and the teacher is brought to trial) or the conduct results in discipline from the district then you should release the name. But if neither thing happens, either from the legal system or th...

If you're in that dark Tim Burton mood (or have kids who like the dark edges), here's some fun stuff. This article was in the PI about the feedings for the carnivorous plants at the Volunteer Park Conservatory. Also, Waldo, the Corpse plant is blooming as well. Within the 40-year lifespan, the plant may bloom only 2-3 times. It's stinky period has likely passed but it's one cool plant.

This blurb appeared in today's Times: "Fuel and energy costs are rising so quickly for the United States' public school districts that nearly one in seven is considering cutting back to four-day weeks this fall. One in four is considering limits on athletics and other extracurricular activities, and nearly one in three is eliminating teaching jobs. In the first detailed look at how fuel costs are affecting schools, a survey by the American Association of School Administrators found that 99 percent of 546 superintendents contacted said they're feeling the pinch, and 77 percent said they're not getting any help from their state." I've read more and more of these stories, most of them about how states are limiting bus service (this is the first I have heard about 4-day weeks). And yet, our district, with a very liberal transportation policy, is mum. Does the district seriously have the money, for the next 2 years until we have a new assignment plan that p...

Apparently there will be some on-the-street filming of a Robin Williams movie this week. It will happen on Wednesday, the 30th, on 45th between Bagley and Meridian in the Wallingford district between 6-9 p.m. Forty-fifth will be closed off to traffic in that area. All the businesses will be open on 45th so I'm assuming you can watch. It's a good opportunity for kids who are interested in film-making or production. Films are very much a "hurry up and wait" situation. As well, it's amazing the number of people it takes to make a film. And who knows? Maybe they need extras.

This article appeared in the Sunday NY Times about literacy, digital versus print. (Note: I had originally found this in the Seattle Times which printed an abbreviated version of the article. I thought it better to print the article in its entirety. Apologies for any confusion.) "Nadia checks her e-mail and peruses myyearbook.com , a social-networking site, reading messages or posting updates on her mood. She searches for music videos on YouTube and logs onto Gaia Online, a role-playing site where members fashion alternate identities as cutesy cartoon characters. But she spends most of her time on quizilla.com or fanfiction.net , reading and commenting on stories written by other users and based on books, television shows or movies. Her mother, Deborah Konyk, would prefer that Nadia, who gets A's and B's at school, read books for a change. But at this point, Konyk said, "I'm just pleased that she reads something anymore." Children like Nadia lie at ...

Seattle Public Schools has announced the resignation of Ana Ortega, the principal at Aki Kurose Middle School. Mia Williams, currently an assistant principal at Denny Middle School, will serve as interim principal until a permanent hire can be made. Ms Ortega served in the position for one year. For those keeping score at home, here is the lineup: Aki Kurose, Principals: 2006-2007 - Bi Hoa Caldwell 2007-2008 - Ana Ortega 2008-2009 - Mia Williams 2009-2010 - New Hire, TBD It will be extraordinarily difficult for the school to experience a turn-around or implement any sort of lasting reforms with a revolving door at the leadership. Incoming principals will have to implement the Southeast Initiative plans of their predecessors, many of them made by someone serving in an interim role. It presents a challenge, particularly with those elements that require a high degree of investment from the administration and the staff.