West Seattle High School 4-period-day fans say they’ll march

The controversy over West Seattle High School‘s impending switch from 4-period days to 6-period days is simmering on; the group behind this pro-4-period blog (with a comment thread where the fur’s been flying) sent this notice last night:

“Students for Democratic Process” are sponsoring: “March of the Wildcats” on Jan. 17 … 2:30-5 pm … WSHS students are marching from WSHS to Alaska Junction to protest the school district’s decision to switch WSHS from a 4-period day to a 6-period day. We invite all pro-4 students to join in! It’s our turn to roar!!

We have a follow-up question out to organizers, asking whether this Thursday protest is intended to be a march down the sidewalk, or the sort of street march for which a city permit might be required. 12:05 PM UPDATE: Just got this from one of the parents who will serve as a “monitor” during the march:

The students (and several adult monitors) will march from WSHS to the Alaska Junction, staying on the sidewalks and crossing with the lights. Once at the Junction, they will hold signs, pass out flyers, and cross four-ways at each “walk” sign.

I have applied for a permit in the event the number of students is high, and I have provided the police at the S.W. Precinct with a copy of our application and a map of the route.

24 Replies to "West Seattle High School 4-period-day fans say they'll march"

  • GenHillOne January 13, 2008 (8:26 am)

    Oh WSB, I do love you, but am so sorry to see this link get another mention. Fur flying is one thing, but I’ve been following the thread since you first posted it and it is filled with VERY bad behavior. It is truly an irresponsible and disgusting blog. I have the comments printed out and will have them in hand when visiting WSHS. I want a direct and clear answer from administration – when the schedule shifts to 6 periods – will students, especially new, feel the resentment of “go for 4” staffers, or god forbid be subject to the threat of fist fights (as mentioned in the comment thread) because they would rather go to their neighborhood school than commute across town. Along with looking at courses and programs offered (still up in the air at WSHS), this and the Sealth uproar is what we have to deal with as families trying to make a school selection before the end of February. Fun huh?

  • TheHouse January 13, 2008 (9:53 am)

    You’re all minors and there aren’t any Democratic processes in place. People make decisions for you because you can’t think for yourselves.

    If you attempt to think for yourself, you will hurt yourself.

    Enjoy 6 periods. It’s not such a big deal.

  • Jessica January 13, 2008 (10:59 am)

    This idea suggested by House here that just because someone is below the age of 18 that they cannot think for themselves and should not try and participate in Democratic processes is completely ridiculous. Not every teenager is a blithering idiot, and I don’t think they should all be treated that way. I don’t necessarily agree with either side here, there are pros and cons on both sides, but I definitely think those students who will be affected should have their say.

  • Jack Loblaw January 13, 2008 (11:04 am)

    As a parent of a middle school student I must ask what is the big deal about going to 6 periods instead of 4 ? The age group of the young adults affected by this has the attention span of a nat so in my way of thinking changing classes every 55 minutes is probably better than having longer classes where he students end up zoning out. What makes West Seattle High School so special that it must have a different schedule than all other schools ? I suspect that it is a culture localized to the school that has inbred itself to the point where it cannot imagine change. I have a suggestion for the school administration to solve this: transfer every one of the teachers and or staff to a different school and bring in new blood that is willing to follow the rules of the school district. We have been watching this mess evolve and are wondering if it would be better to send our student to Sealth when the time comes instead of WSHS even though it is walking distance from our home.

  • GenHillOne January 13, 2008 (11:22 am)

    Jessica, while I don’t claim to speak for The House, I’ll say this – he has a very dry sense of humor and sometimes that is missed without the ubiquitous blogging emoticon . My experience is that his stand is often in there, but with a twist. I have come to appreciate his style. House, no offense intended, so please (by all means) correct me if I’m not reading you correctly!
    Jack, I feel your pain.

  • j January 13, 2008 (1:41 pm)

    Can’t blame the students… When I was a high schooler I was always looking for dumb reason to skip school too.

  • TheHouse January 13, 2008 (2:39 pm)

    You hit the nail on the head, GenHillOne. Jessica, those of us that consider grammar to be
    like wine would consider your first sentence Two Buck Chuck.

  • Up In Edmonds January 13, 2008 (8:39 pm)

    I just stumbled upon this blog because of a mention in the Seattle Times, but I was wondering if the Seattle School District had looked at other schools before making this decision. At Edmonds-Woodway High School (Edmonds, WA) we have a four period that works quite well. It also balances with AP classes and the International Baccalaureate program that we have. So I don’t see why scheduling being taken up by honors classes is an excuse. I understand that the graduation requirements may be different, but why didn’t they try harder to make it work? Why does WSHS have to fall in line with the rest of the district?

  • Jessica January 13, 2008 (8:46 pm)

    Sorry guys, I just thought it wouldn’t be so terrible for these students to have their say. I actually agree that they should switch to a six period schedule. I went there during the four period days, and obviously my grammar could use some work. ;) I’m new here and I didn’t mean to ruffle any feathers or anything.

  • GenHillOne January 13, 2008 (9:10 pm)

    No worries, Jessica. How do you think I came to appreciate House’s delivery?!

  • acemotel January 14, 2008 (1:27 am)

    Well, since you brought it up, TheHouse, here’s some chardonnay for you: sentence #2? that s/b who.

  • Rick January 14, 2008 (7:35 am)

    SIX periods in one day!. How is one to cope? Why heck, we had to hike SIX miles through SIX feet of snow (uphill both ways, of course), usually avoiding at least SIX or more bears and during the course of the day had to learn at least SIX things. Remember when school was to teach basics and help you to aquire the tools to continue to learn throughout life? Have we become so privileged and entitled that a regular schoool day is such a hardship? I miss the bears.

  • Pro-4 All the Way January 14, 2008 (1:04 pm)

    A 4-period schedule does not make students “privileged and entitled”…it just gives them more opportunity for deep brain-based learning, and a chance to ask more questions of their teachers. Everyone learns in different ways…some learn well by listening, but others need hands-on practice and feedback before they really internalize the material. The 4-period day supports all kinds of learners, and many students who were “falling through the cracks” in a 6-period system, find themselves doing better and gaining confidence in their learning abilities with the 4-period schedule. Teachers work very hard to provide meaningful lessons, and many students have testified that they have gained skills far beyond “studying for the tests, and then forgetting what they learned”. Deeper thinking and learning skills serve EVERY student as they go out into the world. Those skills help all students/citizens to make better, well-thought-out decisions regarding their own lives.

  • Wildcat January 14, 2008 (8:56 pm)

    I would love for the media and the community to get wind that there are ADULTS on this blog, saying that students are, in effect, too stupid to make decisions for ourselves, and it would actually HURT us if we did. ABSOLUTLY ABSURD. What an insult to our intelligence. It is sad that there are still people in this world with such vile notions.

    The six period supporters have had their say, and now it is our turn. Stop bashing students who are fighting for their education!

  • Erik January 14, 2008 (9:45 pm)

    Well, if you’re looking for better learning skills I suggest tossing all those gadgets (ipods, computers, tvs, cellphones, etc.) that interfere with one’s ability to learn to be with themselves. This way you’ll have plenty of time for deep thought. Plenty of neurological studies have shown how a child’s creativity is robbed by these devices. But I’m just an idiot that went through a 7-period school day, and had to walk 7 miles through snow uphill.

  • GenHillOne January 14, 2008 (9:46 pm)

    I urge you to read all of the comments Wildcat. No one was really saying the students are stupid.

  • m January 15, 2008 (9:50 am)

    I don’t think anyone here wants to insult the teenagers at WSHS. There is clearly a lot of emotion coming from the teens that have posted comments though- all of us adults were teenagers once and we certainly did not forget how it was. It’s an awkward, dramatic and emotional time- this can really have an effect on opinions and decision making. So for the highschoolers reading this, I love seeing your input, but when you’re ten or fifteen years older you’ll probably be singing a different tune after you have more life experiences. It takes a long time to gain wisdom and there are several adults on this blog that have a lot of it. I’m certainly not one of them so it helps to read their comments and think about them carefully.

  • CaringParent January 15, 2008 (6:51 pm)

    Up in Edmonds…

    Edmonds-Woodway’s schedule and WSHS are very different. E-W is 8 classes per semester blocked in 4 per day. WSHS is 4 classes per semester where all 4 are taken every day. WSHS’s schedule has some problems that neighborhood parents have complained about for years. Finally these are about to be resolved. I’m glad E-W’s schedule works for them but it is not the same as WSHS.

    GenHill…

    I’m also disgusted by the blog you mention and think the WSHS staff and admin need to be challenged. I hope you publicly bring this up at the open house. Middle school parents seeking a high school to place their kids in 2008-2009 need to know what’s going on during the schedule transition at WSHS (school choice is in the next few weeks).

    Readers should also note that Students for a Democratic Process, and their protest, may not be all it seems. The district has removed the student club status because of the defining involvement by WSHS staff. I don’t think this has ever happened before in Seattle and is not something district lawyers would approach unless it was extreme.

    https://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=4738

  • a.g. January 18, 2008 (2:01 pm)

    I don’t understand all the fuss… Most schools have 6 periods a day.
    As to the comment from “Pro-4 All the Way” about “teachers work very hard to provide meaningful lessons, and many students have testified that they have gained skills far beyond “studying for the tests, and then forgetting what they learned”……
    If that is the case, why is WSHS one of the worst in the city? I live nearby, and unless something drastic happens, I will not be sending my kids to that crappy school! No wonder such a large % of parents over here send their kids to private school!

  • Concerned Parent/Community Member January 19, 2008 (4:04 pm)

    WSHS is a GREAT SCHOOL. It actually was a struggling, underattended, unpopular, semi-dangerous school in 1992, and the teachers have worked hard since then to transform WSHS into what Carla Santorno (2006) calls “one of the top three schools in the district” (based on their low achievement gap, low truancy rates, low dropout rates). The school has improved steadily since the institution of the 4 Period Day in 1994. If you care about all kids, and your kid in particular, you should care about this data. This school, with its present schedule and staff, truly helps ALL kids (all kids do well at WSHS). Students from West Seattle High School are currently being accepted into top ranked universities such as Johns Hopkins, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, USC, etc.

    All Seattle Public high schools with 6 Period Days have much larger achievement gaps/dropout/truancy rates than WSHS (meaning more students of color do better at WSHS and less kids “fall through the cracks” at WSHS) You will most likely see WSHS go into “retrograde” with the institution of the 6 Period Day,meaning more kids of color won’t make it, more kids will skip, more kids will drop out. The reasons for this devolution will include: less daily contact time between students and instructors, two more classes/daily to do homework for. With less time with each instructor/daily and more homework = students will experience greater levels of stress. Students with tutors or parents with time to help them with their homework will be able to “survive” in spite of the 6 Period Day, due to outside support, and kids without outside support will “fall through the cracks”.

    Could this battle be considered a classic “class struggle” or “racial struggle”? I understand that the parent group that is fighting hard for the 6 Period Day at WSHS is small, affluent and white. What do the parents of all the children of color have to say about this change? Where are their voices? What do they have to say? What do the students of color have to say? Why isn’t the core of the discussion about the WSHS Schedule change focused on what the students feel works best for them? As this change will hurt students of color the most, could it be considered unconstitutional? Parents of color… what do you have to say?

  • WS resident January 20, 2008 (2:39 pm)

    WOW-
    First, I am appalled with the implication that families who support a 6 period schedule are racists! I know first hand that there are many familes from all ethnic groups, all economic groups, all immigrant statuses, and all academic levels who support the 6 period schedule. Does that make them all racists?

    Is the 6 period schedule “unconstitutional”? What a joke! You better convince the other 91% of King County High Schools running on a 6 period day that they are all unconstitutional.

    Finally, this claim that the 4 period schedule is best for ALL students simply is NOT true. Last fall, there was an article in the Seattle Times that almost 500 students at WSHS (39%) had failed one or more classes last year. This fact was repeated again at a district forum for WSHS parents. Just ask the district- The district records show WSHS students failing one or more classes by ethnic background:
    36% Asians failed 1+ class (22% of WSHS pop.)
    52% Blacks failed 1+ class (15% of pop.)
    60% Hispanics failed 1+ class (14% of pop.)
    38% Native Am. failed 1+ class ( 2% of pop.)
    30% White failed 1+ class (46% of pop.)

    No, you have it wrong! When 30%- 50% of the students in ANY and ALL group are failing one or more classes at WSHS, then where’s the equity in the 4 period schedule? It is simply not an equitable schedule!

  • Anne January 20, 2008 (7:57 pm)

    Hi. I am of mixed race descent, as are my children. When I attended a steering committee meeting early in the spring (I never went back because it seemed a frustrating waste of time–for both sides), I saw that the parent group supporting the change to a 6pd was NOT entirely white, and I know a few personally from the group who are definitely NOT affluent (a single mom teacher, a part-time nurse.) WHY would you make such an accusation? I assume there is some desperation if you are choosing to pull out this card.

    By the way, in my own observations, it is not the most successful students who will benefit from the change in schedule. THe “smartest” kids will do fine in most any environment. It is the struggling students who need continuity in subject matter, such as full-year Language Arts, as well as not having a year’s worth of math or world language shoved down their throat in half a year. I saw that the school’s failure rate (remember, they give at least D to anyone who comes to class, per district policy) is way too high. Please be respectful of people of color and stop trying to incite. Happy MLK day.

  • another WS family January 20, 2008 (9:19 pm)

    Jan 19th entry from Concerned Citizen says: “This school, with its present schedule and staff, truly helps ALL kids (all kids do well at WSHS).”
    How do you personally tell that to the 51% of ALL students at WSHS who last year failed to pass “all 3” WASL tests (reading, writing & math)? How can this be glossed over? (the District average failure rate was lower, at 43%). The bottom line is that ALL kids at WSHS do NOT do that well.

    We must be hearing about two different schools. How can the “facts” lead people to such different conclusions? Or are we cherry picking data?

    Actually, in the same 2006 REA report that is quoted, there is also a note on page 3, “Ed Advocates did note an increase in academic achievement and attendance over the years since implementation, but it is important to remember that similar increases occurred at all high schools across the district.”
    Nothing to wave your 4 period day flag about, here.

    We are continuously hearing from 4 period advocates that WSHS has the lowest truancy (highest attendance) and lowest drop out rates. Look at the figures yourself on the REA website. The latest figures posted are from 2005-2006. In fact, WSHS’s annual dropout rate is listed at 3.0%, with four other Seattle schools showing lower rates than WSHS, as low as 2.1%. OK, let’s try suspensions. WSHS is listed at 9.8%, with eight other high schools in Seattle having lower rates, as low as 1.8% and three other less than 6%. For some reason WSHS’s suspension rates are never quoted by the pro 4’s. Hmmm. What about attendance? Yes, WSHS shows highest there, at 91.5%, but the top five schools in attendance rates are within a mere 2.0% of each other in that category. On time graduates? WSHS is behind six other high schools in Seattle (at 83.6% for WSHS and up to 91.7% at the highest), again a figure never quoted by the pro 4’s.

    Not exactly conclusive evidence that the 4 period schedule is so superior and helps ALL students? Data can be “used” to prove almost any point of view. Doing your homework pays off.

  • mom January 21, 2008 (12:18 pm)

    It is not hard to discern the hype from the facts. In fact if it weren’t for this blog, you wouldn’t even know anybody was “roaring for four”. These ~7 folks do not represent the school. They’re completely ridiculous in their claims. It’s over folks. We have a new schedule and we’re glad. WSHS is transitioning smoothly and happily to the new schedule. DO feel confident about sending your student to their neighborhood high school. WSHS is the best its been in years. The new administration is doing a great job. Come check us out!

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