Since this blog is anonymous - I am curious to know if you're:
A) 100% sending your child(ren) to STEM this fall
B) 100% NOT sending them to STEM
C) on the fence
I don't work for the district, I am just a curious parent who's (c) but leaning towards (a)
I currently have a 1st grader and a child entering Kindergarten in Sept; I am deffinately NOT sending either to STEM.
I'm sure the STEM program will be fine, but I like being able to walk my kids to school...and I can't do that at the STEM school site
maplesyrup
Member Profile
For us a lot depends on whether the program will continue into middle school.
Not too thrilled about the building or the location though.
I'm not 100% in either camp until I get more info.
I am on the fence, but strongly leaning toward the STEM option.
On the fence. I don't have enough information.
I am 100% send my son to STEM, we have to look at the long road. This new and where the money is going!! Plus the partners are awesome, so much potential!
C.
I think Pathfinder might fit my child better. Kudos to people who have already decided. I sincerely hope it works out well.
Tough call for us. One the one hand, I love the idea of the STEM school and a school that is starting from the ground up. But, it is just an idea at this point so is a risk. On the other hand, boundaries are very likely to change for neighborhood schools and our younger child will likely be caught up in that (and if we aren't happy with the stem school getting back into our neighborhood school may be impossible even if that hasn't changed). I am also concerned about the potential gender imbalance at the school after hearing from the Aviation High students. This is a big concern for us. We may hang back and see what happens and wait to meet the principal and then decide. I really wish SPS would extend the open enrollment window for the school until the end of March.
FYI - the district has just announced the 2nd informational meeting for March 1.
As I've said in many of the comment sections regarding this program, I think that it could be PHENOMENAL. However, I will not risk my child's current placement at the "word" of the SPS. I pride myself of making informed decisions. Just waiting for the "information" part before the "decision". If the facts support the dream, I would love to send my daughter to the STEM program. If my decision to wait means we lose a spot at the new program then at least I my daughter will stay at her current school. Honestly, we wouldn't even be looking at STEM if her current school were able to meet her math needs (heavy sigh)...
Yup, we're on board to switch. It's an easier decision for us, since our daughter is losing her transportation next year anyway (she was on a 2-year grandfathered plan to attend her brother's school, and that runs out), so our options were to switch schools or figure out alternative transportation. But even without that, the lure of potentially smaller class sizes and hyper-involved parents is a big draw.
The lure of a non-everyday math program is attracting me to it. I hear great things about Singapore Math, and the parents at the STEM meeting want it there. Which SPS *said* they would accommodate. With the amount of interest, I doubt we'll have smaller classrooms in the lower grades. But, who knows!
___
Curious, what math program do they use at Lafayette?
We go to Lafayette (kindergarten) and as far as I know the math curriculum is EDM and I have heard nothing about a plan to get a waiver.
My son has wanted to be an engineer for three years thus far, loves to build/design things, and would learn best in a hands-on type environment. STEM seems like a good fit. However, since the Seattle curricular standards are uniform across schools, I am skeptical about the execution of a STEM program. Will there really be the long-term funds or time set aside to have a strong program? It seems more likely to me that an elementary school in our district would feel they meet the definition of "STEM" by putting an aquarium in the class (science), utilizing power-point or white boards (technology), creating some element of the day's science or reading lesson with construction paper (engineering), and playing math games already used in EDM (math). How deep do you really think they will go? I know there may be community partnerships, but this is the Seattle district we are talking about...
bsmomma
Member Profile
I put in for the School Choice to have our child do the STEM program. I think with the way the world is moving as far as Technology, this is a great opportunity.
What I find troubling is that so many parents, teachers & SPS staff are talking about this "Miracle BEX IV levy" in 2014... correct me if I am wrong, but isn't this something that must be voted in by the public? at 50% or more to pass? I just feel like a lot of eggs are being put in one basket, and no one may buy that basket in two years, sending lots of eggs to break.
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I think if you send your kids to STEM, expect them to be at Boren longer than 2 yrs. It doesn't add up to me.
SPS Mom - the federal and private money is going to STEM programs. Because of that, the district will do everything to make it successful and attract those dollars. I have sent in our choice form to transfer my son there. It's a tough call because we're not unhappy with his current school, but I think he would be more engaged by STEM curriculum.
If we were at Schmitz Park or Pathfinder, I wouldn't apply. But since we are not, after a lot of thought & watching both videos we have also decided to go with it. We are hoping that the program will have more hands-on and project based learning. If it doesn't prove to be a successful STEM model, then at the very worst it will be exactly like my son's current experience in public school (since it's the same curriculum).
I wonder how many people are applying? It could be competitive to get in even this first year, but if so, we are fine w/ his current placement.
We'll be signing up our daughter tomorrow. I'd love to hear of more girls signing up! Are you out there girls? Either way, I think this will turn into something amazing.
Really thought about it but they didn't give me enough time. I just wish I had more time to make the decision.
We signed our 5 year old up. I am very excited, and look forward to many volunteer hour. Worse case senerio it won't be worse than the other schools.
Bonnie, don't forget you can request to be switched any time up through the end of September, if you need more time. You're slightly less likely to get in, but the worst that can happen is that you stay at your current assignment.
We applied for our 5-year-old daughter to go there. So there will be at least two girls, StringCheese! :-)
MercyMoi
Member Profile
I requested a spot for my incoming-kindergartener. I'm actually nervous they'll have to resort to lottery to place those of us interested...I think there are more supporters than are speaking up on WSB!
I agree Mercy. Due to the power outage at the Stanford Center today, open enrollment has been extended until 12:30 on Monday. I'm less worried because we are headed into 2nd grade. Anyone heard who they chose for the design team?
bsmomma
Member Profile
Make that possibly 3 girls! :) Ours will be in the 1st grade. I was talking to a parent who moved here from California and he said that the STEM school by Berkley was "THE" school to get in to down there. People lined up to get there names in. I just think it's a great opportunity and a great path to pave for there future. If they stay at Boren, I'm OK with it. :)
I was wondering if there would be an extension. My girl would be going into 3rd grade though. Maybe I will make up my mind by 12;30pm Monday.
I doubt the parents of girls at the elementary level have anything to worry about. I believe the research shows that fewer girls are interested in math by the high school level, but at the elementary level it is gender equivalent. Anecdotally, I've noticed that there is no disparity in my child's school -- the same number of girls/boys do "walk to math" (ie. receive instruction at one grade higher). I would be surprised if more boys than girls were enrolled in elementary STEM, especially in Seattle!
(Just wanted to add that yes, I know that males/females are equally capable & that the later disparity is cultural. Research confirms that neither gender has a biological advantage in math/science. Personally, I loved math as a girl throughout school. I'm now a mom to boys, and see that they struggle with sitting still & listening to classroom lectures -- I am choosing STEM b/c I hope that it allows kids to get out of their seats & do cool experiments. I'm sure that other parents of wiggly boys would choose a hands-on school for the same reason, and not just b/c it has a math focus.)
Good point Evergreen. One of the reasons we are transferring to STEM (aside from the most important which is that our daughter is outrageously excited about the program) is that I hope if we can solidify her confidence in these areas before adolescence, perhaps she'll be better prepared to overcome the gender stereotypes that start getting pushed on them in middle school.
Have I mentioned that I think this is going to be great?!
yo stringcheese, Dominic's friend Natalie has applied and is also going into the second grade!
Excellent Oliver! I can't wait to see who turns out for Tuesday's principal meet & greet!
I found this old article on the web about Principal Mckinney. I like her already:
And this about projected enrollment/budget allocation:
Walk/transportation zone:
http://www.seattleschools.org/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/1583136/File/Maps/boundarymaps/pdfs/GZ_TA_Boren.pdf?sessionid=1569aea836bd28d356a6c196011bdfbd
We have applied for 2nd grade.
Evergreen, that budget document must be a place holder or something. I will definitely bring it up to someone at the meet and greet tomorrow.
As for the walkzone, I am concerned about the walking route from the High Point neighborhood. The only ways down the bluff to Delridge is SW Brandon or Sylvan Way. There are no sidewalks on SW Brandon from 30th Ave SW to 26th. Not just no sidewalks, but ditches on either side of the road. It's flanked by chainlink fencing to Camp Long on the North and empty lots and Longfellow Creek to the South. NOT SAFE for anyone to walk - especially our youngest students. The Sylvan way route actually takes you OUT of the walk-zone before taking you to Delridge.
It's time the walk-zone people actually try to walk these zones BEFORE they put out a map. Perhaps they can send their 5 year olds down the very busy SW Brandon on a dark winter morning (or afternoon for that matter) before asking us to do it. Geez.
Stringcheese, there is a set of stairs that drops down the hill from Highpoint to 26th a couple of blocks south of Brandon that would basically take you along the south edge of the beaver pond (wedged between Delridge and 26th) and down to the Boren site. I can't remember the cross street, but I see it when I go for walks down there. That would be a safer route than 30th to Brandon to Delridge. There is a huge need for sidewalks along that stretch of Brandon, although you can walk along the trail for quite a bit of it (south side of Brandon). I think that set of stairs would be a better route depending where you are in High Point. Anyway, if you are in the walk zone check it out.
Kudos to all of you who are going for the stem school. I also think it could be really great. We decided to try for Pathfinder this year instead of the stem school, but if we don't get in, we may try for the stem school after open enrollment or just fall back to our neighborhood school for another year and then try for stem next year.
Here is a link to stairs. It is the "Graham West Stairway".
http://www.communitywalk.com/seattle/wa/seattle_stairs/map/388644
The only downside to this route would be figuring out how to get across Delridge. The nearest crosswalk would be Juneau which is a block north once you come out on Delridge from the trail.
Ah, the Graham St stairs... I didn't even mention them because the stairs are formidable, poorly lit, and would leave kids very vulnerable. It is because of this that neighborhood kids use it a place to toke up. I have taken the stairs many, many times as part of my exercise circuit. My knowledge of the MJ use on them is from multiple, personal encounters at all times of day. To be fair, the smokers have never harassed me or seemed particularly threatening. Nor do I buy into the notion that they would "push" anything onto younger kids when they walk by. But that's not really the point is it?
I encourage everyone to come walk them for yourself and see if you'd send your elementary aged child up and down them each day.
I simply want the decision makers to actually walk the walk they are imposing on families.
It is my understanding that children in West Seattle will have transportation to STEM.
From the SPS site: Starting in September 2012, Boren School will be reopened as an “option” elementary school, meaning that any Seattle student can attend. District bus transportation will be provided for students who live within West Seattle.
There is still a designated "walk zone" for areas they believe to be close enough to the school that transportation does not need to be provided. Here is the one for Boren:
Stringcheese, I understand your concerns. I have lived in the neighborhood around Boren for over 11 years and walked that route many times without any issues. Maybe a bus serving the high point community to Boren could be brought up with the design team since walkability is definitely an issue between lack of sidewalks, steep hills, and crossing Delridge safely. Speak up and hopefully you can get that change made.
Audio of Dr. Mckinney's presentation last week (located on Marty McLaren's website -- scroll down):
I hadn't checked in on this thread in a while.
Yes, the budget document was described as a placeholder by district staff at the design team meeting, which I covered.
TR
My daughter is in Kindergarten at Roxhill this year. We will NOT be sending her to STEM next year for first grade but would consider it for grades 2-5 depending on how the first year of operations goes and what their plans are for 2013/14.
She has a strong aptitude for math/science/language, and I'd love to encourage that moving forward. If the STEM school was able to add ART and MUSIC to the mix, it would be a no-brainer for me.
That said, we really love Roxhill and are very hopeful and excited for the future plans of our principal & the staff there. They are making great strides - especially with all the challenges they face as a Title 1 school. Crossing fingers and toes.
We'll see how things go this next year, and she progresses through 1st grade, and/or 2nd, 3rd, etc. In the end, we'll do what's best for our daughter and HER needs educationally.
Jasperblu -- I believe that all elementary schools are budgeted for 4th/5th grade music, and according to the K-5 Stem budget, there will be an art teacher. However, if you love your school, I see absolutely NO reason to change!! If I loved my child's current placement, we would not be looking at other options. I think anyone who loves their school shouldn't put their kid through the stress of a change, no matter what the alternative program may offer.
Based upon the discussions and feedback thus far, I would venture to say that the design team will be doing everything possible to have both a music and art program in place. Considering that music IS math and that engineering doesn't exist without the visual arts, it just makes sense.
Do what feels right Jasperblu, but don't make assumptions about the scope of the STEM school without further research (and time - the design team is just getting started!).
A Google Group is up and running for discussion of K-5 Stem @ Boren. Design Team members and prospective parents are part of this group, and anyone interested is welcome: http://groups.google.com/group/BorenSTEM
Scratch that last Google Group post. The group members have decided to move the discussion to a Yahoo group to make use of calendar, polls, and other features. More details soon.
Here are the details on K5STEM yahoo group:
Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/K5STEM
Group email address: K5STEM@yahoogroups.com
Come join us! Google group has been deleted. Thanks!
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