Seattle Schools Community Forum

UPDATED Monday, September 12 37th Democrats Candidate Forum (and Families & Education levy debate) at 7 p.m..m. at the Rainier Beach Cultural Center, 3515 Alaska St.  (Note:  I got my events mixed up; there is no F&E levy debate at this event.) Tuesday (new!), September 13rd Senator Scott White’s 3rd Annual Education Town Hall with Special Guests: Randy Dorn, WA Superintendent of Public Instruction Susan Enfield, Seattle Public Schools Interim Superintendent Lauren McGuire, President, Seattle Council PTSA Please join parents, teachers, and neighbors for a Town Hall discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing public education in Seattle, and across Washington. This was kind of interesting last year but having Randy Dorn and Susan Enfield might make it more so. 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Nathan Hale High School- Performing Arts Center 10750 30 Ave NE, Seattle Wednesday, September 14 Board Work Session on the Series 5000 Board policies t...

Sorry but it is a worthy subject.  There are many things that struck me that day - my mother calling me because she knew my husband was out of the country and was worried he was on a plane, my first viewing on the tv when I fell to my knees (sounds dramatic but that's how hard it struck me), being worried sick all day for my husband's cousins who worked in and around the Twin Towers (all got out safely but a friend of my husband's from high school's pregnant sister-in-law did not) and one school memory. My younger son was going to Whittier and I woke him up to trying to explain what happened and why it might change his day at school.  I didn't show him the footage.  Our principal at the time was Greg Imel, now at Bailey-Gatzert, who is one of our best principals.  I got my son to school and noticed the flag was not a half-mast.  I saw my son off and went to Greg and demanded he put the flag at half-mast.  He said he hadn't hear from Central.  I was...

From RBHS: "Rainier Beach High School Communities In Schools Site Coordinator Xaila Lewis has won  one of six 2011 Communities In Schools Unsung Heroes Awards .   This award was created to publicly celebrate the amazingly dedicated individuals who bring to life CIS’ core values. The tenets of personal commitment, accountability, persistence, equality and coordination have driven CIS’ work for 30 years. Although hard-working and passionate people populate our network at all levels, it is site coordinators who personally connect with the kids every day, and prove that it is indeed people, and their unique gift of building life-giving relationships with kids, that transform lives. Members of our national staff and board of directors were moved by the persistence and dedication with which they face the challenge of their job.  The award will be presented at a celebratory event held this fall in the Washington D.C area." Now I didn't know what a site coordin...

This is a fairly quick survey and it was interesting to see what they are pushing this year.    It closes on September 18th.  The topics are: early childhood learning school zone signs opportunity gap charters juvenile justice highly capable What is nice is that you do get to see how the survey is going at the end.  When I took it, there were some interesting results as far as charters.  About 32% of people ranked it very important/important, 33.5% were neutral and 34% said not important/insignificant.  If this survey is right, there's work for either side to win that group in the middle. For highly capable, 68% said it was very important/important.  Naturally, this is a small survey of a select group of people so not really valid results.

So it's just the third day of school so not even a full week yet.  Thoughts?  I just noted this Arts & Grants page at Target.  They announce the grants in September so the cycle doesn't start until March 1 next year.  But if your PTA is interested in something like this, you could work on it now and apply in March.  They also have Field Trip grants and there's just 20 days left for non-profit groups to apply.   Local recipients last year were Beacon Hill, McDonald, Salmon Bay, Thorton Creek and West Seattle.

Family Symposium on October 15 From the District: We at Seattle Public Schools are committed to preparing all of our students to graduate ready for college, careers, and life. A component of this commitment is strengthening Family and Community Engagement District wide. We would like to invite you to participate at our Annual Family and Community Engagement Symposium scheduled for Saturday, October 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Garfield High School located at 400 23rd Ave Seattle, WA 98122. The goal of our Family and Community Engagement Symposium is to support our families as critical partners with us in their student’s academic success. At this Symposium, we will offer workshops for our families and community partners on research-based best practices and practical strategies to help them support student academic achievement at home and in the community. PLEASE JOIN US! Light Breakfast and Lunch will be provided. Date: Saturday, October 15 Time: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. ...

Interim Superintendent Enfield has spoken explicitly about bringing about a culture change in Seattle Public Schools. She has done more than talk about it; she has taken action as well. We can congratulate her for the steps she has taken, but it is hard not to notice the long way she needs to go. It is even harder to ignore the steps that she has refused to take. The Board is VERY pleased with the change they have seen and even MORE pleased with the changes that have been promised. This reflects the gullibility of the Board. When will they learn to withhold their gratitude until after the action instead of giving it upon the promise of the action?