tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post3528381691580055857..comments2024-02-28T22:24:07.299-08:00Comments on Community Forum for HCC (APP) in Seattle Schools: August Open ThreadAndrew Siegelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06830585083467140758noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-66953990910727439912015-09-18T09:23:03.657-07:002015-09-18T09:23:03.657-07:00Is there anyone here who understands what is happe...Is there anyone here who understands what is happening next year to some of/all of the Spectrum sites? My 3rd-grade daughter is enrolled in Whittier Spectrum, qualified APP/HCC. I have heard our principal is closing the Spectrum program next year, even for students mid-stream. I have had a hard time getting information over the past couple of years, and I need to understand what my choices will be. Last year we implemented a walk-to-math program. If Spectrum is killed, I am wondering 1) How will my then-fourth-grader learn fifth-grade math, or will she be repeating curriculum (fourth grade, what she'll be doing this year); 2) If there is no more Spectrum for her to be enrolled in, I don't believe we'll be able to move her to APP/HCC Hamilton for sixth (our reference school is Whitman). Does anyone know what is happening more broadly or site-specifically for these kids?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-38087203834284042862015-09-04T17:42:19.020-07:002015-09-04T17:42:19.020-07:00I agree that the wording "disappointed" ...I agree that the wording "disappointed" is using is troublesome. This is an HCC blog, but all parents are free to read it and care should be taken to think about how things sound.<br /><br />Garfield and Ingraham are pathway schools for HCC kids but those kids do not, and should not, get priority over kids not in the program. Every 9th grader, regardless of program, should be able to continue their Spanish classes in high school. I am amazed and sad that Garfield is unable to meet the needs of something so basic. This school district is so poorly managed.<br /><br />-roverAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-18177312115897594752015-09-04T16:19:22.519-07:002015-09-04T16:19:22.519-07:00It's maddening to hear the District negotiatin...It's maddening to hear the District negotiating for a longer school day when the need for more teachers and more classrooms is so great.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-57441001404049046142015-09-04T15:40:37.188-07:002015-09-04T15:40:37.188-07:00Ok - I setup a new thread for discussing the cours...Ok - I setup a new thread for discussing the course selection at the high schools.Benjamin Leishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10974191081762367425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-36781600901737984742015-09-04T14:21:53.749-07:002015-09-04T14:21:53.749-07:00"these are kids that are clearly going to hav..."these are kids that are clearly going to have their eyes on college prep"<br /><br />As opposed to which other kids? The non-HCC kids at Garfield or the non-HCC kids in the whole rest of the district. This kind of elitist and condescending crap makes all HC families look like jerks.<br /><br />DonaldAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-72650000306372511972015-09-04T13:40:04.364-07:002015-09-04T13:40:04.364-07:00How about a new thread on scheduling at GHS and IH...How about a new thread on scheduling at GHS and IHS? <br /><br />-pleaseAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-21489575350023265562015-09-04T11:31:39.649-07:002015-09-04T11:31:39.649-07:00Historian, that is the message we're picking u...Historian, that is the message we're picking up. It's disappointing to see a supposed HCC pathway high school not adequately addressing college admissions issues; these are kids that are clearly going to have their eyes on college prep. It's doubly disappointing because it has been such a perennial issue. I went to public school, my parents were both professional educators, and I really want to support SPS, but this is the first time I've thought we might have been better off private.<br /><br />Disappointed<br /><br />P.S. Thanks for all of the comments about alternative learning opportunities.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-79725187429575143842015-09-04T10:29:43.938-07:002015-09-04T10:29:43.938-07:00World Languages take a hit in the school budget pr...World Languages take a hit in the school budget process because it is not technically a high school graduation requirement. It's always on the chopping block for that reason. Schools can't just hire 2 more Spanish teachers when they are at their FTE capacity. They have to have enough math, science, LA, history and PE teachers (mostly - though I know some kids that had to do US history at Seattle Central one year because the Garfield classes were full). <br /><br />HistorianAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-45211498826580527952015-09-04T10:23:14.399-07:002015-09-04T10:23:14.399-07:00And then there was the year, I think 2009, that th...And then there was the year, I think 2009, that they cancelled French. All the kids who had been taking French were left high and dry. After much parent lobbying, French was reinstated the following year, but it left every French student with only 3 years of French who had suffered through the year of no French. Go Bulldogs. I guess it does build resilience.<br /><br />Old low. <br /><br />Historian<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-72880759895924312042015-09-04T10:03:21.911-07:002015-09-04T10:03:21.911-07:00It's not a new low, it's an old low at Gar...It's not a new low, it's an old low at Garfield. Our son, now graduated from college, was part of a very large freshman class at GHS back in 2007 when Garfield was at Lincoln for the remodel. Spanish was full, he had to choose between Latin and Japanese. He chose Latin, hated it, and switched to Japanese sophomore year. Same story. Nearly 10 years later. <br /><br />Historian<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-39290038065187029782015-09-04T09:53:37.124-07:002015-09-04T09:53:37.124-07:00For IBX diploma candidates, a student needs to be ...For IBX diploma candidates, a student needs to be in the 3rd year of a world language by sophomore year in order to take an IB world language junior year. This means continuing with the language started in middle school, or taking a summer intensive. Maybe this forces an appropriate language placement (but you may have to be more flexible on your 2nd elective, even if it means no music), whereas Garfield has no such requirements. On the other hand, class options are generally more limited on the IB pathway. More options at Garfield, but fewer guarantees, vs fewer options at Ingraham, but perhaps better likelihood of getting requested classes. <br /><br />That said, world language is a basic requirement for college admission. To not provide a pathway for 3-4 years of the same world language, at any high school, especially for Spanish, does not seem like something with which students should just have to "deal." We've dealt with a lot of @#$% in this district, so our expectations have truly lowered, but come on, are you seriously chiding a parent for expecting a high school would provide world language? Seriously?<br /><br />-new lowAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-4146845412396270052015-09-04T07:56:52.268-07:002015-09-04T07:56:52.268-07:00For anyone considering UW summer classes next summ...For anyone considering UW summer classes next summer, note that the UW summer "A" session starts 6/20, prior to the end of SPS's regular school year (last day 6/23, barring any snow days or strike rescheduling). Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-59225874073536945222015-09-04T01:58:26.192-07:002015-09-04T01:58:26.192-07:00The UW also offers summer intensive language class...The UW also offers summer intensive language classes. Summer classes of all kinds are open to high school students beginning the summer after the 9th grade.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-22901256719992290362015-09-03T19:40:51.082-07:002015-09-03T19:40:51.082-07:00por favor, can you clarify? You said kid is comi...<b>por favor, </b> can you clarify? You said kid is coming out of an "international school" but is looking at Spanish 1 ( or 2)? That's no different than a WMS or JAMS grad I believe? Ingraham may have been a better fit for language if that was a priority since they accomodate HC and non HC kids from Hamilton. You chose Garfield so language wasn't your priority I guessing. It is nice to have two or three guaranteed HS seats, but even so, we can't have everything.<br /><br />IBX WatcherUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09977848093773607230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-1695893368106801692015-09-03T19:38:04.574-07:002015-09-03T19:38:04.574-07:00I know a super motivated GHS student who opted to ...I know a super motivated GHS student who opted to complete the 3 years of language at Seattle Central in one summer. Three 4 week long intensive classes back to back, hours every day. That student wanted to participate in both orchestra and jazz and was highly directed and motivated. Quite exceptional. But it worked and for reasons well beyond completing the language requirements, college acceptances were beyond most students wildest dreams. <br /><br />HistorianAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-15308275181542838662015-09-03T19:37:28.764-07:002015-09-03T19:37:28.764-07:00por favor, can you clarify? You said kid is comi...<b>por favor, </b> can you clarify? You said kid is coming out of an "international school" but is looking at Spanish 1 ( or 2)? That's no different than a WMS or JAMS grad I believe? Ingraham may have been a better fit for language if that was a priority since they accomodate HC and non HC kids from Hamilton. You chose Garfield so language wasn't your priority I guessing. It is nice to have two or three guaranteed HS seats, but even so, we can't have everything.<br /><br />IBX WatcherUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09977848093773607230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-2926742771265453172015-09-03T17:58:20.176-07:002015-09-03T17:58:20.176-07:00Why isn't Ted Howard hiring another Spanish te...Why isn't Ted Howard hiring another Spanish teacher (or two?) <br />Lynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-78749073322914593332015-09-03T17:34:54.147-07:002015-09-03T17:34:54.147-07:00Thank you GHS Parent for that advice. We learned t...Thank you GHS Parent for that advice. We learned today that not only is Spanish full, but also Latin and French. So the only option for a world language is Japanese. We are now considering the online courses approved by OSPI; if anyone has advice about that path, I would be interested. <br /><br />South End- We have been in the SPS with several kids for a combined total of 35 school years, and our kids didn't always get the choices they wanted. In fact, one of the reasons we are struggling now is because the middle school also denied our kids their requested language classes when they were too full. Your comment was not helpful and offered none of the advice we were seeking. We are looking for practical approaches to this chronic, and now also severe and widespread, problem. <br /><br />- Por favorAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-77638507058241146882015-09-03T16:47:22.952-07:002015-09-03T16:47:22.952-07:00This freshman class is the first of the really hug...This freshman class is the first of the really huge APP classes at Hamilton (and Washington and Jane Adams), all of those APP students having preferential access to Garfield. Before the split, the APP classes coming out of Washington had 100-125 kids entering Garfield, for years. Those numbers are much higher now, reflecting the growth of APP. Garfield has room for 1600. Two entering classes over 500 students is going to max the place out of control. Something will have to give. <br /><br />HistorianAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-42857664443863481272015-09-03T15:08:45.022-07:002015-09-03T15:08:45.022-07:00As a GHS Senior parent - I understand your frustra...As a GHS Senior parent - I understand your frustration with the Spanish placements. Apparently this year was particularly bad with the majority of freshman not receiving their language choice. The freshman class is HUGE -- we have heard 525+ - so that is likely one of the reasons. I haven't heard that we lost a Spanish teacher, so not sure what else the issue might be. <br /><br />FYI - our kid decided not to take AP Spanish this year because she really couldn't stomach another year with a particular teacher so she is heading into college with three years of language (not including middle school) and not finishing out the highest level. Her sanity was worth more to her than the painful year of AP Spanish. The majority of colleges just want 3 years of language - even the most competitive schools - so unless your child is planning on majoring in a language I don't believe that it will really hurt them with regard to college apps based on the conversations that we have had with admission counselors.<br /><br />GHS will be packed to the gills this year - as we graduated about 400+ seniors and are fitting in 500+ freshman - so it will be an interesting year. Next year will be even worse as we have heard that the class of 2020 will also be 500++ and the current senior class is only 375.<br /><br />That being said - welcome to GHS - it really is a great place for the kids to experience a very well-rounded public education. We are excited about the next step for our senior and have to say that a big reason for that is the feeling that she is 200% prepared for college coming out of Garfield.<br /><br />GHS Parent<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-9405091148276948842015-09-03T11:45:35.663-07:002015-09-03T11:45:35.663-07:00The full classes are an SPS issue and yes, it'...The full classes are an SPS issue and yes, it's a problem, but not HCC specific. All kids at SPS high schools should be able to continue their language progression. Access to Spanish teachers seems to remain a particular problem. Are you new to SPS? This sounds like the typical rude awakening. Welcome. On the bright side, they will learn how to be resilient & flexible - in spades.<br /><br />- South EndAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-51673474107971468672015-09-03T11:32:21.622-07:002015-09-03T11:32:21.622-07:00Following up on por favor's comment, we've...Following up on por favor's comment, we've now been informed that two of our three children attending Garfield in the HCC program will not be able to take Spanish because the classes are full. Is anyone else facing this problem? This seems problematic for an HCC program.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-47965671186783564422015-09-02T17:40:01.385-07:002015-09-02T17:40:01.385-07:00Wondering if any Garfield parents have advice abou...Wondering if any Garfield parents have advice about kids at GHS being denied Spanish. Our freshman didn't get it and was told not to bother with a change form because the class was full. We submitted a form anyway. The other language choices don't make any sense to us in the modern world (yes, we know Latin is great here, but we're not wanting four years of it, and we understand colleges expect four years of foreign language, preferably the same language). I know that kids didn't get Spanish 1 or Spanish 2, so apparently they are oversold at both levels. Seems like they are chronically short in this department from what I have heard. How is this acceptable for kids who are tracking from an "international" middle school and who have already been studying the language? <br /><br />-- Por favorAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-53771140609425231552015-09-02T10:33:04.681-07:002015-09-02T10:33:04.681-07:00This hasn't been getting much attention from t...This hasn't been getting much attention from the media but we're on the cusp of a teacher strike.<br /><br />http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Seattle-teachers-prepare-to-picket-as-threat-of-strike-looms-323860651.html<br /><br />We'll find out tomorrow and I'll setup a thread if something comes to pass.Benjamin Leishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10974191081762367425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-5076328639667071542015-08-27T18:50:35.773-07:002015-08-27T18:50:35.773-07:00JAMS families - is math club part of YMCA aftersch...JAMS families - is math club part of YMCA afterschool enrichment? There is a "mathletes" class listed in the Fall program. Is this the competitive math club for JAMS, or is there another club in addition to the YMCA class? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com