Odds and Ends
Re: our discussion about equity and race. This video from Upworthy is thought-provoking and gives a good idea how we might - gently - end some kinds of white privilege. (Of course, you have to be the kind of person who is able to stand up for others. That's not always easy.)Good op-ed from Web Hutchins (and Judith Billings) who continues to push onward for better civics in our curriculum. Fro
YESTERDAY
Quick Updates as We Head into the Weekend
One update, from KUOW, is that the contract negotiations between the district and the union have hit an impasse. The district has indicated they have given all they can.What are the issues?The SEA and the district are at odds over several issues. The union is unhappy with the district's half-hour extension of the work day for elementary school teachers because it would not result in extra classro
Seattle Schools' Calendar Coming Out
From SPS Communications:Seattle Public Schools would like to thank those organizations and businesses that sponsored the District’s 2013-14 wall calendar and family guide, which will be mailed soon to Seattle Public Schools students, families and staff. Sponsors include: Boy Scouts of America, Comcast, Defensive Driving School, Delta Dental, Foster Pepper, PCC Natural Markets, The Northwest Networ
Friday Open Thread
A bit of wild week and so into one of the last summer weekends for 2013.The new principal at Chief Sealth International High School, Aida Fraser-Hammer, will be having a Meet 'N Greet this Monday, August 26th from 10 am to 6 pm (!) with her administrative team. A really nice thing to do. Ms Fraser-Hammer seems like a great selection for this school as she is fluent in Spanish and spent a year a
AUG 22
The Mann Building
Based on statements made by Superintendent Banda and President Smith-Blum, I believe the district is doing its best to be diplomatic and pragmatic with the former tenants in the Horace Mann building. The Superintendent has said he wants to try to find solutions. President Smith-Blum says staff made it clear when leasing the building that it was for a limited time and has a "claw back" clause (as n
Washington State Legislature - Just Don't Blame our Schools, Okay?
Two good political reads today.First, from Publicola, the explanation of how we don't have enough money for McCleary but boy, do our legislators have enough money to continue tax breaks. It's just ridiculous and wrong. From their story(bold mine):Following up on a legislative session in which lawmakers fell $420 million short on funding specific line items to meet the Washington State Supreme Co
The Role of the Board
The annual Board Evaluation, presented on July 3, 2013 made it clear that the Board would focus, over the coming six months, on defining the role of the Board. Two of those six months have passed, but I haven't seen any greater clarity on the role of the Board nor any overt effort to reach consensus on it. But Seattle isn't the only Board seeking clarity about their purpose.The University of Texas
Audit&Finance Committee Meeting Today
The agenda was finally available when I checked this morning. Given its brevity, I wonder why it took so long.An interesting thing about these Board committee meetings is how the agendas are written. I find that C&I and Ex Ctm. have much more information generally than Ops and especially A&F.One intriguing topic for today:Resolution 2013/14-2 to Authorize the Direction of Selected Lease
AUG 21
Listening In at the School Board Meeting
One thing to note: the 30-second interruption before you are done. I don't get it because you get a light to tell you this but I expect it is because people are going over their time. (Do I blame them? No, because two minutes is not enough time.)Side note: It appears that the class size rise may have been taken off the table by the comments I am hearing but we will have to wait until the contra
NBA Players to Give Out School Supplies to SPS Students
From the Central District News:Three NBA stars, each Garfield High School alumni, are returning to the Central District to distribute school supplies to neighborhood students. The project is run by humanitarian organization World Vision.The participating players are Will Conroy, currently with the Minnesota Timberwolves; Tony Wroten, currently with the Memphis Grizzlies; and Brandon Roy, who playe
Washington State Charter Commission Meeting Update
Looks like TVW will be televising this meeting. They will be shooting from 11 am -12:30 pm, then back at 2:30 pm. In Seattle, TVW is Comcast channel 23.
Odds and Ends
In advanced of tonight's School Board meeting, a few updates:- packed speakers list. Unfortunately, Mr. Garrett, who is one of the leaders of the groups at the Horace Mann building, is on the list. He generally is not the most graceful and tactful of speakers so I expect that to be an unpleasant two minutes.As well, there are plenty of TFA people, including three of the four new ones up for con
Once Again, it was a Staff Member Who Got Between Children and a Bullet
I'm sure most of you saw the news yesterday about a heavily armed man entering a large (850 students) elementary school in Georgia. (Again, it was a locked-down school - meaning you had to be buzzed in but somehow he got in.)And yet, within a hour or so, he gave up his weapons (after a couple of shots back and forth with police). Why? Because school clerk, Antoinette Tuff, took the chance to t
AUG 20
Diane Ravitch is Coming
With her new book (Reign of Error) on September 26, 2013. Her talk will be at Kane Hall (Red Square on the UW campus) in Room 130 from 7-8:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. REIGN OF ERROR. An incisive, comprehensive look at today’s American school system that argues against those who claim it is broken and beyond repair; an impassioned but reasoned call to stop the privatization movement th
Tuesday Open Thread
Off the next Charter Commission meeting on Thursday - looks like they still don't have an Executive Director. Maybe they'll have more info on the charter lawsuit (as it pertains to their work).FYI, there are a couple of open seats coming up on the State Board of Education. Mary Jean Ryan's (Position 6 - our area) will be expiring in January 2014 as does Judy Jennings( private school rep), Phylli
Superintendent To Meet with Native American Parents
I understand that the Superintendent is scheduled to have a long meeting today with Native American parents and leaders. I'm sure it will be a compelling discussion and I hope he listens.Like all of U.S. history with Native Americans, the Seattle Schools' history doesn't have a whole lot to hold its head up about. I'm not even part of that community, nor was it on my radar for many years but eve
AUG 19
Seattle Schools Seek Equity & Race Advisory Committee Members
From SPS Communications:Seattle Public Schools is seeking nominations for its Equity and Race Advisory Committee to the Superintendent. To be considered for the committee, applicants should complete and submit a nomination form by Friday, Sept. 13. The committee will be composed of parents/families/guardians/community members/teachers/staff and instructional leaders who reflect the diversity of S
Seattle Schools Rethinking the Mann Building Use
In the "what!?" category, the Times is reporting that the district is "reconsidering" their plans for the Horace Mann building which is to rehouse Nova High School. There are some pretty unbelievable statements like:- in one place in the article the Times says the district has not been charging rent to any of the groups using the building. Yet later on, they say that one group was paying $3,300
AUG 18
Arson at Madrona Elementary School
The Times reports an arson-based fire at Madrona sometime Sunday morning. It was reported by someone who drove by the school and reported seeing fire. (Good thing or there might have been more damage.) According to the report, the damage was about $1,000 to the exterior of the building, $1,000 to a shed and $500 for the contents of the shed.Any Madrona parents/staff who might know what was in t
Seattle Schools This Week
Updated for Thursday the 22nd - see below for details of Charter Commission meeting and Audit and Finance Committee meeting.One update before I start. When I check the agendas for various District meetings, I generally only check once for committee meetings. I check more often for Board meetings because (1) things change quickly and (2) there is notification embedded in those Board agendas to a
AUG 17
Great Statement for both Students AND Teachers
From reader AD - you can use for signs or statements.
Seattle Schools Boundaries Session Today
Today, from 1 PM to 3 PM, Dr. Tracy Libros, Manager of Enrollment, will be available to talk informally about the Growth Boundaries Project. Meeting will be at the John Stanford Center; probably room 2750.This from Director McLaren; thanks for the reminder!