Needed Elementary APP Space
*Issue #3: The urgent need for elementary APP space in the north-end.* * * Possible solution A: Split the 450-student north-end APP cohort in two and place half at Broadview-Thomson and half at Jane Addams. There is no space for a 450-student cohort and these two schools, one in the east and one in the west, have available capacity. Possible solution B: Split the 450-student north-end APP cohort in two and place half at Lowell and half at Jane Addams (or Broadview-Thomson). There is no space for a 450-student cohort and these two schools, one in the north and one in the south, have ... more »
Needed Middle School Capacity in the North-end
*There is an urgent need for additional middle school capacity in the north-end.* * * Possible Solution A: A new attendance area middle school with a capacity of about 1,000 eventually located at the Wilson-Pacific site (the building is a tear-down). The program will meet at the Lincoln site until the new building is ready. I, personally, think this is the best path. Possible Solution B: A new attendance area middle school eventually located at the John Marshall site (the building needs significant renovation). The program will meet at the Lincoln site until the building is ready. ... more »
The Future of the Student Assignment Plan
Despite media reports that make the New Student Assignment Plan sound like a completed project, it is, in fact, a work in progress. After adopting a framework and then a new policy, the District applies annual patches and technical revisions to the Plan at least annually. These annual "transition plan" adoptions make both small and large changes to the basic framework and implementation of the plan. Last year's transition plan, for example, dramatically altered the transportation standards, added APP IB at Ingraham, changed the rules for siblings, created attendance areas for Rainie... more »
Other Program Placement and Capacity Management Issues to
*Other Issues:* * * Overcrowding at JSIS High School overcrowding Low enrollment at specific schools Your suggestions for other issues to be addressed
Needed Elementary Capacity in the Northeast
*Issue #4: The urgent need for additional elementary capacity in the northeast.* * * Possible solution A: A new attendance area elementary school eventually located at the John Marshall site (the building needs significant renovation). The program will meet at the Lincoln site until the building is ready. Possible solution B: A new option elementary school eventually located at the John Marshall site (the building needs significant renovation). The program will meet at the Lincoln site until the building is ready. The option program could house a new program or it could house the l... more »
Needed Elementary Capacity in West Seattle
*Issue #2: The urgent need for additional elementary capacity in West Seattle.* Possible Solution A: Two new elementary schools eventually located at Fairmount Park and at the Denny site. The programs will meet at the Boren site until the buildings are ready. I, personally, think this is the best path. Possible Solution B: Two new elementary schools eventually located at Fairmount Park or Genesee Hill or E.C. Hughes or the Denny site. The programs will meet at the Boren site until the buildings are ready. I, personally, think this is the best path. Important variations: The two n... more »
Curriculum & Instruction Meeting Review
I attended the C&I meeting on Monday. There were some interesting discussions. Sadly, I missed the one on innovation schools as I misheard and thought it was struck from the agenda. Turns out it was moved to the end of the agenda and there is an MOU between the SEA and SPS that I will write a separate thread on at a later time. *Highlights:* * * *Skills Center *- I was glad to see this has not gone away. As you may recall, Dr. Goodloe-Johnson was trying to create a Skills Center for CTE (career and technical education) and there was some sort of funding from the state that was b... more »
Garfield Students to Walk Out Today in Protest over State Cuts
From the Occupy Your High School Facebook Group: We are Garfield High School students, speaking on behalf of and with Seattle Public Schools students tired of the constant cuts to our education. We are the people who have been affected most by these cuts, and we are showing that we care. For too long, this state's budget has been balanced on the backs of its students. Apparently, our representatives in Olympia have forgotten that the constitution says that funding education is this state's paramount duty. This is a student voice reminding our legislature of that fact. And also of ... more »
Ultimate Frisbee Unites South End Rivals
Two heartwarming stories about rivals, Aki Kurose and Mercer Middle Schools, and a meeting of the minds (and bodies) over Ultimate Frisbee. I heard the the KUOW story myself and had to smile and a reader (thanks!) sent me the PI story. From the PI: *Four years ago, the kids from Aki Kurose and Asa Mercer middle schools – both in Seattle's South End – were bitter rivals. Mercer students would bus to Aki on half days to jump those who lingered after school. Aki students threw rocks at Mercer school buses. Gangs grew out of each middle school, and violence gripped the area. So Terr... more »
Capacity Management Meeting at Eckstein
FYI, the next FACMAC meeting is this Friday, Dec. 2nd from 10-noon at the Stanford Center, Room 3802. I am sorry to say this but I think there is a lot of confusion still and frankly, this meeting only served to exacerbate it. That's my impression. The main staff speaking at the meeting were Pegi McEvoy, Operations, and Lucy Morello, Capital Programs. DeBell, Carr, McLaren, Peaslee and Martin-Morris attended the meeting. I would estimate the crowd at about 60. (They stated that they moved the meeting from the library to the auditorium as they had expected 50 at Denny and 120 ... more »
News from Around the District
The district's School Beat newsletter is now available. Some of the stories: - how to find out if school is delayed or canceled this winter - Aki Kurose students break world record in 10-minute indoor rowing - Jane Addams K-8 had a Science Career day with 19 scientists, professors and engineers. - Roosevelt's Jazz Band will be playing its annual Duke Ellington's Jazz Nutcracker this weekend. - Nathan Hale High School is having its annual poinsettias sale to benefit it horticulture program. - Remember those defibrillators the district installed through The ... more »
Tuesday Open Thread
Anyone attend last night's capacity management meeting at Denny? Any updates? I plan on attending the Eckstein one tonight. I attended the C&I committee meeting yesterday; they didn't talk about innovation schools but there is news on graduation requirements and instructional waivers. I'll try to post a thread by the end of the day.
Teachers in Olympia Today
This in from the Stranger Slog: *Jesse Hagopian, a leader of Social Equality Educators, notes the 2010 ruling in King County Superior Court, that found Washington State is failing to meet its constitutional obligation to fund basic education. * *Just as the gavel struck and the Washington State House of Representatives concluded its opening day of session before the budget committee convenes, nearly three-dozen teachers stood up to protest what they fear will be yet another year of cuts to basic education and state colleges. * *"Mic check!" yelled Jesse Hagopian, wearing a suit. "Mi... more »