Seattle Schools Community Forum

It seems that Seattle Public Schools is found to have committed unfair labor practices just about every year. When it happens the Board has to read a notice from the Public Employee Relations Commission (PERC) into the record at a board meeting and promise to be good. Then they go ahead and do all of the things they promised to never do again.

From David Garrick, President of the Lowell PTA, in a message to Superintendent Banda, board directors, and others:

Family Symposium scheduled for Oct. 20 at Chief Sealth International High School Families, students, staff and community members of Seattle Public Schools are invited to participate in the annual Family Symposium scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 20 at Chief Sealth International High School. The goal of the symposium is to support families as fundamental partners in their student’s academic success. SPS will offer workshops and other resources for families and community partners to help support student academic achievement at home and in the community. The symposium, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., includes a resource fair with community booths and activities for children ages 4 and up. Families will learn how to support their children in the areas of early learning, math, reading and writing, college and career readiness, special education, essay writing for college entrance, graduation requirements and four-year planning, and financial planning. A light continental breakfast and ...

District updates: I asked the Board about their stand on I-1240 and received this reply from President DeBell: A Resolution opposing I-1240 is on next week's agenda  for introduction and action.  It was recommended unanimously by the Executive Committee to the full Board at yesterday's meeting and will be posted tomorrow.  This follows the Renton School Board's rejection of I-1240 as well.   So here how it is lining up against I-1240: Community groups, many legislators and other elected officials, the Washington State PTA, the Washington State School Directors Association, the Association of School Administrators, the principals' association, numerous labor groups, and, I predict, a huge number of specific school boards.  On the other side: Billionaires, LEV, Stand, DFER, many editorial boards and all the people who believe that by voting for charters they stick it to the teachers union.  (I say the latter because I have tracked the editoria...

 The No on 1240 Money Blast is still going strong today (and thank you to Diane Ravitch and our many donors from states where charters have been an issue).  We have only a few space left for $100 donors  to see their donation matched, dollar for dollar.  (Thanks to our angel donor!) More money - more outreach and education. If you want to fight this initiative, please consider donating at the No On 1240 website NOW.

Yes, it's a calendar day just for girls. To that end, CNN asked prominent women what they would tell their 15-year old selves.  What a huge question.  I far like myself better now than at 15.  I think that if, at that time, there had been more "you go girl" mentality, I would have been a stronger person.  If there had been more sports for girls, I would have been the athlete and not the person cheering on the sidelines.  (But I was a feminist even then and never let a boy tell me I couldn't do something.)  What would I say to my 15-year old self - Be bold, be brave, you are not what other people say about you, appreciate your mother more and stay true to yourself.  Don't hold a grudge but remember, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.  Learn from mistakes and realize you will ALWAYS make them.  (And, there are a lot of boys in the sea; don't waste time pining over just one.)   And, as Scarlett O'Hara said, t...

Anybody go?  Thoughts, reactions?