Principal Butler Ginolfi resigns at Washington Middle School

From: Emily Butler Ginolfi <eabutlergino@seattleschools.org>
Date: Tue, Apr 30, 2019 at 4:15 PM
Subject: Update for WMS community

Dear Washington Community,

I am writing to let you know that I am resigning as principal of Washington Middle School at the end of the school year. 

I've worked my entire career in urban schools to advance the education of students and engage families disenfranchised by the public-school system.  After reviewing the school year, I have come to the realization that my skills and passion are better suited elsewhere.

I am committed to ensuring a strong close to the school year and a smooth transition for the next WMS leader before my last day on June 30th. I wish only the best for the students, families, and staff of the WMS community.

District office staff will reach out to the WMS community in the next few weeks and provide additional information about the transition and next school year.

Sincerely,

Principal Butler Ginolfi

US News and World Report HS Rankings 2019

The rankings are out for this year: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/washington/rankings    This should be understood in context of what is being measured:

Highlights:

• Garfield  #7
• Roosevelt #11
• Ballard #12

April '19 Open Thread

"From WCGE: We Need Your Help - Stat

The deadline for bills to be passed out of the Appropriations Committee in the House is April 9th. So far SSB 5354 has ***not*** been scheduled for a public hearing. The committee plans sessions on April 5, 6 and 8. There is still time!

Please contact committee chairman Rep. Timm Ormsby, even if you have already done so, and urge him to schedule a public hearing and executive session on SSB 5354 before the April 9th deadline. Add a few words about why this bill is important as an equity measure [talking points below].

timm.ormsby@leg.wa.gov

Please also send an email to your own House Representatives and ask them to urge Rep. Ormsby to schedule this bill. If you don’t know who they are: https://app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/

[Have friends and family across Washington do this as well.]

If this bill does not get out of Appropriations, it is ***dead*** for this session and we have to start all over again next year.

Suggested talking points (use your own words, but keep your message short):
* This is an important bill to improve equity in state highly capable programs
* The bill asks for important data disaggregation for better evidence-based decision-making about highly capable programs
* It calls on OSPI to provide equity-promoting guidelines when diversity goals aren't met
* It calls for highly capable professional development for principals, counselors, and student teachers – OSPI already has free professional development materials available online
* OSPI needs more than its current one half-time employee to serve the ENTIRE state with technical support and guidance and to provide data so that legislators and school districts can make evidence-based decisions
* It requires districts to acknowledge highly capable status from other districts for families that move a lot (military, migrant, etc.).
* It provides for transportation to highly capable schools, which is an issue especially in rural districts"
What's on your minds?