Comments on: No permanent home yet for K-5 STEM at Boren: ‘You will be somewhere’

By: hmmmm

hmmmm — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 21:43:57 +0000

STEM sounds amazing – wouldn’t it be nice if there was this much passion/commitment and interesting curriculum for ALL of our public schools? Wouldn’t it be nice if ALL of our schools had great programs? Every single magnate or specialty school in Seattle has many more applicants than spots. Those not lucky enough to “win” the lottery – are out of luck. Doesn’t this tell us something? STEM may not be full now – but based on what I read here – it will be in short order. Wouldn’t more children than not benefit from Project Based Learning. Parents flee the “regular” public schools when a new specialty program opens. If they are lucky enough to get into one of the special programs. Why not figure out a way to improve the schools we already have before opening new programs that only a few have the opportunity to attend? We all want the best for our children. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math are key in preparing ALL of our kids for the future. SPS has proven over and over again that they are mismanaged, wasteful of our tax dollars, negotiate in bad faith, and you should not count on any “promises” they make.
I always, always vote for school levies – I am not confident that this money will be spent appropriately. SPS has a long way to go to prove themselves – we are an amazing city and should have amazing schools.

By: Brontosaurus

Brontosaurus — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 08:14:39 +0000

Here are the programs STEM has in addition to the K-5 elementary:

1-Transitional Kindergarten class
1-SPED Preschool class
1-Autism class (I’m not sure if I’m defining this class correctly, but I believe it’s a special autism class).

Everyone is part of the school community at Boren. The Transitional K class wear the school uniform and participate in assemblies etc. I’ve heard very good things about the Transitional K too.

@ptamemberws STEM is not a school for the gifted. EVERY KINDERGARTENER, WHOSE PARENT/GUARDIAN HAD STEM AS FIRST CHOICE IN OPEN ENROLLMENT, GOT IN. We had STEM second. We ended up 39th on the wait-list for our first choice, Pathfinder (now, that’s a school that is not open to enough people – if you’re not in the geo-zone or have a sibling there, good luck). Thankfully, we got into STEM too. Originally there were only three K classes at STEM, but the Design Team and SPS wanted to accommodate as many kids as possible, so they opened up an additional K/1 split, bringing in as many kids as possible from the wait list. So glad they did!

By: Evergreen

Evergreen — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 05:38:43 +0000

Hipster, no on-site before/after school care yet. However, buses drop kids off & pick them up at neighboring before/after school care programs.

Anyone have additional info for her?

By: insider & parent

insider & parent — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 02:35:28 +0000

STEM Preschool is an amazing SPED program. The staff are unbelievable. I know b/c those same staff have worked in my classroom, developed an outstanding program another school in SE seattle and lastly my child is there! Gatewood and HP do not have severely violent students. Gatewood has a strong reputation and yes, HP has issues, they are not related to the EBD program. Yes there are EBD programs, Yes the district is not adequately supporting SPED among other issues, Yes the district has finanical management problems…. Those are not examples to allow the future of our children to be forgotten or not funded….

By: STEM Parent Too

STEM Parent Too — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 07:43:41 +0000

Not using my normal WSB name as this is personal info. … my child has an IEP, and I know that there are quite a few at STEM. The teachers are caring and work well with each individual student, despite the large class sizes.

@ptamemberWS – find another job. You shouldn’t be working for a school district you so obviously despise. I’m happy for you, that you can afford to send your child to a private school (does SPS pay you enough? I’m surprised). BUT this levy money is not for SPS, it’s for our children. For the children of those of us who can’t afford to send our kids to private school. I’m tired of people saying, “I’m not voting for the levies because I don’t want to give that money to SPS” It’s not the school district you’re hurting, it’s our children!!

By: Heidi A

Heidi A — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 06:57:08 +0000

Ptamemberws – I invite you you come tour the school with an open mind. You will see that we have a special ed program and socio-economic diversity. I moved my son from Gatewood for project based learning, but we loved the gatewoodl community and its diversity (also my son was very safe there). When making the decision to move I was concerned that the STEM school would be as you described – but it’s not. Come see for yourself.

Yes, we have outspoken parents. I’m one of them, but I also work 50+ hours per week. I don’t have extra time and neither do most other parents. we have a strong community of volunteers all willing to work hard and do what they can. The great thing about an option school is that we are all there because we want to be – I hope we get to keep it that way.

I am 100% committed to making sure it is open to all by keeping it as an option school in a central location with the largest capacity – Fairmount Park.

Wsparent – thanks for the offer! Please send us a note through the PTA website, I would love to have diversity outreach happening with the open enrollment season and if you are willing to help, we gladly welcome it!

By: Evergreen

Evergreen — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 06:03:03 +0000

We have a special ed preschool at Boren. Also, there are kids with mild special needs integrated into the general classrooms. I’m certain we have IEP’s like everyone else. STEM doesn’t have a building to call our own, so really unsure what you are talking about. We are advocating for all of the kids currently at our school, and want all of us to be relocated to the same building. And what do you mean violent kids at Gatewood or HP? So confused. But I definitely agree that special needs kids do not get enough support, and that this needs to change (supposedly Banda is hiring new people and reorganizing the special ed dept?)…about EC Hughes, Westside doesn’t have to move out until 2016. Sounds more than fair to me for a leased building that is public property.

By: StringCheese

StringCheese — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 05:36:24 +0000

@ptamemberWS,
WHOA there! I can tell that you are very upset and while I can’t speak to all of the things you are ranting about, I can address a few. STEM is for everyone. It is an option school just like all others. Enrollment is done by lottery. We will have a geozone next year but aside from that, anyone who wants to attend can submit their choice during open enrollment and have the same chances of getting a seat. Also, we DO have a fantastic SpEd program at STEM that we are proud to call part of our community. We have an incredible and diverse student body.
.
I must admit that I am confused by your post and I hope that others will be able to address any other misinformation it might contain.

By: ptamemberWS

ptamemberWS — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 04:35:50 +0000

I am an SPS employee and with the way our district is busting at the seams yet it is so mismangaged financially I just can’t stomach a vote for the levies. You are just adding to the indecisive, irresponsible, bureaucracy. Good teachers can teach in the worst possible conditions, there is much data to support this worldwide. I also think it’s inexcusible what SPS has done to screw over Westside at EC Hughes. I’m seriously considering sending my own preschoolers to K at a private school. They will be absolutely safer than at the schools with the behavior programs for very disturbed and violent sped students at Gatewood and at Highland Park, our neighborhood school. There is not a decent sped program in West Seattle that is meeting the needs of the children that can possibly support all of these children who need constant care along with the other 23 students in each gen ed classroom. In light of the violence in Connecticut, I am praying for a charter school to open up in West Seattle so I have a CHOICE where to send my child that best fits our needs and that the district can’t jack up with their indecisiveness. Why can’t a sped program go to your STEM school? How many children at STEM are special needs? It is not meant as a school for the gifted. It’s supposed to be for all the children who want to be there. It’s turning out to be only for the most outspoken parents who can devote time to spearheading the revolution. The problem is, what about the students who have no voice? Isn’t that what you public school supporters are so worried about? STEM is the closest thing to a charter school that I’ve heard of in Seattle.

By: wseattle parent

wseattle parent — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 01:17:11 +0000

Evergreen –
That is very good news. Glad to hear no improvements needed in that area. I’m not an educator, but the project based approach does make a lot of sense. I’m sure a lot of kids find that more interesting. I’m sure I would have! Thanks for your reply and additional detail.

By: evergreen

evergreen — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 23:41:45 +0000

We have great diversity at STEM, and I believe this is b/c we are an option school. Parents of any socioeconomic background, race, household makeup, native language, etc…can apply. Jane Addams in the NE quadrant also has the same diversity b/c any parent wanting a STEM focus for their kid can apply. I have noticed a lot of families in both schools, perhaps b/c people from other countries are aware of the value of a strong math and science education. No recruitment has been needed, and most of the families do not have techy parents.

Just wanted to add that we are not the only school with good math and science in West Seattle. They are all probably equivalent. We just wanted a different approach, such as project-based learning. Neighborhood schools provide an equivalent education, and are also good choices for families. In response to the gifted divide, we also have kids who scored into Spectrum and APP, but they chose to come here. Our intention as a school in the design phase was to provide an education that explores topics more deeply, rather than at an accelerated rate. That said, my child’s 2/3 class is operating at the 3rd grade level, at least for the second graders. The teacher independently chose to start at a la

By: insider & parent

insider & parent — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 23:10:25 +0000

Equity think about it. what does it really mean?

There large affects of disproportionate equity in services throughout the district. Huge issues that are attempting to be solved by taskforces throughout the district. It’s not a bunch of bureaucratic red tape, it is simple things such as ADA compliance in old buildings, students with disabilities, and the new neighborhood assignment plan.

Levies will help improve equity, so will WA state properly funding K-12 education.

By: wseattle parent

wseattle parent — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 21:33:18 +0000

This looks like a lot of great work! I read the PTA site, and it is truly impressive! You can really tell there is a lot of great leadership at K5 STEM. My son will be entering kindergarten in the fall and it is on our list to check out. We will be at the open house.

Apologies as this may be off topic… The recent NYT article on accelerated programs got me thinking. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/13/education/in-one-school-students-are-divided-by-gifted-label-and-race.html?ref=nyregion&_r=0

I understand STEM is not an accelerated school, however I believe that STEM would also be a great opportunity for the children of families not currently employed in tech. I saw the comment in this string that said so far diversity is looking OK… let’s keep that energy going.

Is there a diversity outreach person at STEM? I would like to offer them my help.

By: hipster!

hipster! — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:48:30 +0000

This is a bit off topic but I’d like to know if they have secured onsite before/afterschool care yet? Will it be in place for this Fall? Thanks.

By: Stemama

Stemama — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:57:01 +0000

I, too, left the meeting feeling more positive. We took the leap last year, leaving a respected private school to attend STEM, and have not looked back. My kids LOVE it there. The teachers and administrators are outstanding and while the transition wasn’t easy, it was worth it.

Passing the BEX Levy is crucial to almost 50,000 kids. It’s not a new tax, it’s a renewal, and it pays for almost 30% of the SPS operating budget. Please vote YES- the entire city of Seattle will be deeply impacted if we don’t pass this.