Seattle Schools Community Forum

Monday, April 30th Equity and Race Advisory Committee Meeting from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m., JSCEE Auditorium City of Seattle Departure meeting for Webster School , at Adams Elementary from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM City of Seattle departures meeting regarding the modernization and construction of a gymnasium for Webster School. I have heard district activist Chris Jackins reference this issue in his remarks to the Board.  I'm not sure I understand it totally but it appears that the district wants to construct a full-sized gym in an elementary school.

Our friends over at the West Seattle Blog had this story on Friday: Madison Middle School starts day sheltering in place because of threat

Should the ACT/SAT be given online?  A story of interest from the New York Times: Like Chisholm, Tulsa already gives all its end-of-year tests online. But this is the first year that SAT scores must be reported to the state for Oklahoma’s school accountability report cards, and principals just did not want to risk an internet problem or power outage, explained Erin Lester, director of assessment. There are other challenges for this urban district, too, like how to give an online test to those likely to be in jail, juvenile detention or a mental health facility, a number that could range from dozens to more than 100 on testing day. “Some of the jails don’t even allow computers with internet accessibility,” Ms. Lester said. “We wanted to be equitable.” A teachers strike in Arizona and a teacher walk-out in Colorado are gaining steam.  You have to be humbled and amazed by teachers in Arizona who first got offer a 1% (!) raise and then it went up to 20% but they s...

It wasn't the most exciting press conference this morning with Denise Juneau, the newly-signed superintendent-select.  But she did do one thing that I think even some of the jaded cameramen were surprised at - she shook hands with everyone in the room. My takeaway from her comments:

State Superintendent Chris Rykdal is seeking input on two areas.

Update from last night's Seattle School Board meeting via district communications: Starting July 1, Denise Juneau will become the next superintendent of Seattle Public Schools. The seven-member school board voted tonight to approve the contract it negotiated with Ms. Juneau since announcing her as their preferred candidate on April 4.

Robert Eagle Staff Middle Schools, Licton Springs K-8 and Cascadia Elementary are all relatively near Aurora and North 90th which makes this very close to the tiny home housing for homeless addicts, the subject of this recent article in the Times.