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Seattle Schools Community Forum
Random Seattle Schools Thoughts
From SPS history:South Africa's first black president, Nelson Mandela, visited Seattle and toured Madrona Elementary School almost 14 years to this date on Dec. 8, 1999. Madrona is now a K-8 school.What a lucky group of students on that day.At Board retreat today, a very different tone and feel. Still the same kind of talk and team-building but not the same vibe. A major theme is being collegial
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I know that many of you do not read these Ed News Roundups. I get it; there's a lot to do and read in a day.But understand this is to let you know what the REST of the country is experiencing so that (1) we don't have these things happening to our state and our district and (2) we can learn what works and doesn't work.My biggest fear is really two-fold. One, that too many entities for not-so-good reasons will want access to more data. The district has confirmed to me that MORE entities ARE asking for MORE data so this is not a "what if." Every single provider and group does not
Well, I just saw this and loved it so for the Friday funny - a flash mob for a painting.
My husband just happens to be in a conference in South Africa. He said they had a moment of silence this morning for Nelson Mandela and their first speaker said this:"He shamed us into putting aside our petty differences by shaking the hand of his tormentors when he was released from prison."I wouldn't say I have tormentors but I would like, as an early New Year's resolution, to try to talk with those whose work/opinions are different from mine and see if we can find common ground (especially in trying to get the Legislature to fulfill McCleary). I have tried in the past to do thi
DEC 05
City to Ease Pot Buffer Near Schools?
Publicola has been covering the issue of where pot stores will be springing up now that Washington State has a law to make them legal. There are more than 80 stores with applications to be in Seattle.In this thread, they show a map of where stores are proposed to be. However: If you overlay Baker's map with the city's own map of the areas where pot stores are likely to be allowed—under Seattle r
Nelson Mandela - A Giant of a Man
I had thought for a long while that it was futile to wish for Mandela to live for much longer. He was very old and had been through so much. And so he has passed. But he gave so much to this world and if it was only one thing (and I come back to this again and again as a topic) - it is not hope or fighting the good fight. It is resiliency. The ability to believe that you can and will overcome
Katie Dolan; Activist
Katie Dolan, a long-time activist for the rights of disabled people in Washington state, died last Saturday, the Seattle Times reports. I had never heard of Ms. Dolan but I'm glad to have read about her important contributions. Her family was among the first to participate in Northwest Center, which provided developmentally disabled students with teaching and jobs. In 1971, under what he once c
Religion Comes to School
There was an interesting story from Inside Bainbridge about Bainbridge Island School district about some volunteers who were youth pastors. An investigation was launched and the district has promised to improve its volunteer screening. The story was about a middle school where three evangelical youth pastors had been volunteering over the last year, mostly in the lunchroom and at registration.
DEC 04
New Seattle School Board Leadership Elected
Sharon Peaslee has been elected President of the Seattle School Board by a vote of 4-3. Sherry Carr was also nominated. Betty Patu was elected unanimously to be Vice-President. Marty McLaren was elected unanimously to be Member-at-Large. Superintendent Banda conducted the elections.I'll have a longer wrap-up of the Board meeting but a few notes.Blanford recused himself from two votes that involve
How Those Walls are Tottering
And I'm speaking of ed reform walls that are looking like mud caves in Seattle. - ALEC (the shadow group American Legislative Exchange Council) is losing its pow. Who would have thought that a group so powerful - both in money and in legislative power - could be falling so fast. But according to The Guardian story:The Guardian has learned that the American Legislative Exchange Council (Alec), wh
Structural Racism 101 for Youth
The organization, School's Out Washington, is sponsoring a workshop for youth (middle school to young adults), Structural Racism 101 for Youth. It's Saturday, December 7th from 10 am to 2:30 pm. It's free and breakfast and lunch are provided. 801 23rd Avenue S.It's "an opportunity to talk about race and your experience, to learn what youth can do about racism, and to provide input about how
We Have a New Seattle School Board
I attended the Oath of Office ceremony this afternoon for our two new and one returning Board members. It had all the usual trappings; family, supporters and a fair number of staff. There were speeches (mercifully brief) but, from talking to others, there is one person who stood out to many of us.I think I'll write this thread as straight as I can and you can be the judge of what stands out. (I
DEC 03
One Girl at a Time
From City Living Seattle, a great listing of empowerment programs for girls. Many types, many locations - good stuff. (Thank you to reader Carolyn.)
Tuesday Open Thread
For once, I am actually looking forward to going down to the JSCEE. Not that I hate it but it's usually for some lengthy meeting. Nope, today I get to see the installation of some new Board members. It is very nice to see some family member standing proudly next to the new Board member. It's a warm, fuzzy feeling and a brief shining moment, the Board stands as one (even if it's just for a phot
PISA Results
Today is PISA day (no, not the leaning tower although, having lived there, it's great). That's the day when the results of the international test (the Program of International Student Assessment) are announced. (It's given every three years to 15-year olds around the globe and where we get our hair-pulling upset over US students versus students in other countries). The Answer Sheet has the U.S.
DEC 02
Is There Such a Thing as "Casual Sexism"?
I've been noticing many more articles about sexism and the Web. I'm going to try to string some of these articles together in this thread to raise the issue of why more women and girls aren't in computer science AND why girls may not play as many video games (it might have something to do with the reception at online gaming rooms).The first article was a story on KUOW about UW and young women in
DEC 01
Seattle Schools This Week
A bit of an exciting week as the district welcomes two new Board members.Also FYI, the district is looking for members for its School Wellness Task Force.Seattle Public Schools is seeking members for a Task Force to review, revise, monitor, communicate and evaluate policies and procedures governing school food, competitive foods, nutrition education, physical education and physical activity. The T
NOV 29
The Third Rail in Education; Parents
Now we come to that third rail of education - parents. I have said this a lot in person but naturally, it's a dangerous subject. Just like the first rule of Fight Club is not talking about Fight Club, the first rule of parenting is you don't criticize others' parenting. Everyone has their own ideas about what is "good" parenting. What might really help the education conversation - is
Friday Open Thread
Wow. Listen to this less-than-3 minute video of noted teacher evaluation expert, Charlotte Danielson, talk about teacher evaluation. My favorite line? "You can't fire your way to Finland." Should be required viewing for every school district administrator. Next favorite line? "What can count as evidence and how can that be attributed to an individual teacher?" She also s