Student Assignment Plan Boundary Maps Unanimously Approved
On November 18 an important step in the new student assignment plan process was taken as the School Board voted to unanimously approve the New Student Assignment Plan boundary maps. The New Student Assignment Plan and recently approved boundary maps will be phased in beginning in the 2010-11 school year for students at entry-grade levels -usually kindergarten, 6th, and 9th grades. The final maps will reflect the changes included in an omnibus amendment submitted by the School Board Executive Committee that outlines adjustments for the McDonald, Whittier, Loyal Heights, Alki and Lafayette attendance areas. Two additional amendments were also approved that will be reflected in the final boundary maps. These include an amendment submitted by Director Martin-Morris that amends the Bryant and View Ridge attendance area boundaries; and an amendment submitted by Director Sundquist that shifts an area from the Lafayette area to the Alki area.
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New Student Assignment Plan: Recommended Attendance Area Maps Presented;
Meetings, Hearing Held Nov. 5, 7 and 9; Board Vote Set for Nov. 18.
Following four weeks of extensive community engagement, on November 3 Recommended Attendance Area Boundary Maps were shared with the School Board and community. The maps include revisions based on community input and ongoing analysis. Maps and an Address Lookup tool, a high-level summary of comments, a document explaining the rationale for changes and other resources are posted on the New Student Assignment Web Site. The presentation given at the workshop and a news release provide additional details. Additional community meetings were held November 5 and 7, and a public hearing was held November 9. The School Board will vote on the maps on November 18.
Community invited to meetings on curriculum alignment
As part of Seattle Public Schools' engagement process, the community is invited to four meetings designed to share information about curriculum alignment. One of the key strategies of our strategic plan, Excellence for All, is to align curriculum across the District to provide consistently high standards in every classroom.
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Seattle's elementary and K-8 schools close for Parent-Teacher Conferences November 23-28
Seattle Public Schools' elementary and K-8 schools will be closed from Monday, November 23 through Wednesday, November 25 for Parent-Teacher Conferences. These important conferences provide an opportunity for parents and teachers to share information, solve problems and establish relationships that directly contribute to student success. While the majority of parent-teacher conferences occur in the fall, parents are also welcome to schedule meetings with teachers at any time during the school year.
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Seattle Public Schools launches district-wide Performance Management system to boost achievement at every school
Seattle Public Schools is launching a district-wide performance management system which will provide the information and data needed to continuously improve the quality of education of all schools. A key strategy of our Excellence for All strategic plan, the performance management system is focused on improving performance at all levels of the district.
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February 9, 2010 Levies: Board to Vote on Levy Package on November 18
Seattle Public Schools depends on an operations levy for nearly 25% of the day-to-day educational program expenses that the state does not fully fund. Capital levies provide for upgrades to buildings and improvements in technology and academic facilities. A motion was introduced to the Board on November 4 to place a three-year, $442.7 million operations levy, which is a replacement of the 2007 three-year levy; and a $270 million capital levy, Buildings, Technology and Academics III, which is a replacement of the 2004 BTA II levy, on the February 9, 2010 ballot. A public hearing on the levies is scheduled for November 12, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Stanford Center. To sign up to testify, call 206 252 0042 or email hearing@seattleschools.org. For information about current and completed capital projects, visit the Buildings, Technology and Academics or Building Excellence Web sites.
New academic assessment gives teachers tools to shape instruction
Kindergarten to Grade 9 students at 76 schools will take MAP this fall
Seattle Public Schools' Strategic Plan, Excellence for All, sets teacher support and excellence in every classroom as a top priority. During September, teachers will begin implementing Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) for students in kindergarten through Grade 9 in 76 schools across the District.
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Maintaining Safe and Healthy Schools
Seattle Public Schools is committed to providing an excellent education for every student and a safe educational environment at every school. The District is an active participant in the Families and Education Levy and the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative. Our schools are part of the larger community; it takes a community effort to help prevent youth violence so that we can ensure that our city is safer for everyone.
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School Board approves the 2009-10 Operating and Capital Budgets
School Board Directors approved the 2009-10 Operating and Capital Budgets at the July 1 School Board meeting. The Operating Budget increased from a proposed $556.7 million to $558.3 million due to the District recalling 57 of the certificated teachers who received reduction-in-force (RIF) notices in mid-May.
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Review of District Central Administration Costs
Seattle Public Schools (SPS) is committed to making continuous improvements in operations to focus maximum resources on instruction. That commitment means that as we develop the district's annual budget, we consider our strategic plan, Excellence for All, carefully review our priorities, and direct funds to support them. At the School Board Audit and Finance committee meeting on November 5, the Executive Director of Finance presented an analysis of the costs of central administration. The analysis shows that SPS Central Administration costs are 6% of the general fund budget - in line with other districts with more than 20,000 students and below the state average of 7%. In addition, central administration costs as a percentage of our budget have been relatively level over the past 10 years.
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College Readiness is a top priority for Seattle Public Schools
Seattle Public Schools' central goal is to provide an excellent education for every student so that each student graduates ready for college, careers and life. College Readiness for all students is one of the major goals of Seattle Public Schools.
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BEX III Projects - Project Updates
Building Excellence III (BEX III), a capital bond, was approved by voters in February 2007. The bond funds renovation or replacement of four high schools, two middle schools and one K-8 school; and provides for other capital improvements. For more information on BEX III Projects, visit the BEX Web site.
Illustration on right shows an artist's rendering of the Denny/Sealth campus. |
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"Excellence for All": Significant progress made toward improving students' academic success
Seattle Public Schools' central goal is to provide an excellent education for every student so that each student graduates ready for college, careers and life. Excellence for All is our five year strategic plan that guides our work to achieve this goal. The strategies in Excellence for All are focused on academic excellence, accountability for performance, efficient use of resources and engagement with our community to ensure every school is an excellent school.
In our first year of plan implementation, we have strengthened instruction and improved operations in a number of important ways:
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For the latest news from around the District and schools, read School Beat, our District e-newsletter
School Beat, an electronic newsletter covering District and school-based news, is published twice a month during the school year for the staff and community of Seattle Public Schools. School Beat includes news and information on School Board meetings, student and staff accomplishments, school and community news, and upcoming events. The Public Affairs Office is always looking for stories on interesting classroom projects, inspirational people, or events in our schools to share with the greater Seattle community. If you have a unique story to share, please send your ideas to goodnews@seattleschools.org.
