Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Council PTSA Meeting with Dr. Jones

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Council PTSA Meeting with Dr. Jones

Seattle Council PTSA Meeting with Dr. Jones

There were about 75 participants at the Seattle Council PTSA’s meeting last week with new superintendent, Dr. Brent Jones. Included in that count were Board members Lisa Rivera-Smith, Liza Rankin and Chandra Hampson.

In his introductory remarks, Jones said that he was a current SPS parents with a Cleveland High grad. 

Jones went on to say he had five goals.

1. He said that he was committed to having “the right people in place” to work on racial equity issues and being responsible to parents. Director Hampson chimed in and said they were there to provide “oversight and accountability.” 

1. He wants to “create conditions for students to thrive” and provide for their “well-being,” both mentally and physically. 

2. He wants the whole system thriving, not just barely functioning. (Not clear if he meant that the current system is barely functioning.) He wants students “Seattle-ready” and “competitive in their chosen field” as well as “being good citizens.”

3. He said it was important to have interesting and culturally responsive CONTINUE READING: Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Council PTSA Meeting with Dr. Jones

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Brent Jones Speaks

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Brent Jones Speaks

Brent Jones Speaks

Here is the first public statement from new superintendent, Brent Jones. As statements go, it’s about what you would expect but some editing might have helped. 

One key item - he does not say schools will reopen in their buildings in September. He just vaguely talks about “prepare for fall.” 

Also of interest is the fill-in form to contact him available at the district’s website.

Dear Seattle Public Schools Families: 

 

It’s a privilege to return to Seattle Public Schools as the interim superintendent. As I came to work this morning, it felt like coming home. 

 

I have spent more than half my life in SPS. I started at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School and graduated from Franklin High School – go Quakers! Most recently, I served as the district’s chief of equity, partnerships, and engagement and helped lead creation and adoption of the district’s bold strategic plan, Seattle Excellence. The five-year plan is laser focused on supporting students of color who are furthest away from educational justice. Unlike past plans, Seattle Excellence acknowledges that until our district changes systems and disrupts legacies of racism, we can’t fulfill the promise of a high-quality, world-class education – an education that every student deserves. I am also a parent of a graduating SPS senior. 

 

My commitment to SPS is personal.

 

Our city’s public schools need to offer students and their families the very best – rigorous learning, a deep commitment to educational justice, innovation, and a clear CONTINUE READING: Seattle Schools Community Forum: Brent Jones Speaks