Seattle Public Schools promise to parents: ‘Gains this year’

The speeches were short, the community-mingle-and-chat time long, during the fifth and final Seattle Public Schools regional “Welcome Back” meeting last night at Chief Sealth International High School. Above, Sealth principal John Boyd (left) is with Gatewood Elementary principal Rhonda Claytor, Mohamed Roble from the district’s Family and Community Engagement team, and head teacher Chris from Roxhill Elementary. Boyd and Claytor were two of 11 principals announced as in attendance from West Seattle schools; those who weren’t, had events under way at their schools.

Superintendent Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson was there, sharing a story she said she’d told at the previous meetings – about her kindergartener daughter wanting to choose her teacher, and hearing from Superintendent Mom that she couldn’t, but whomever she got would be “excellent.” She touched very briefly on several hot topics – saying that districtwide “curriculum alignment” was not the same as standardization, that the district has invested in its teachers through the recently approved contract, and that testing is vital – “it’s how we give formative data back to teachers about students.”

Her second-in-command, Chief Academic Officer Dr. Susan Enfield, spoke briefly, promising parents, “We will see gains [in student achievement] this year.” She also discussed the reorganization of the “executive directors” reporting to her and in turn directly supervising principals. Instead of being each assigned to manage a type of school, like elementary or middle or high school, they are now assigned regionally for “more tailored engagement with the community”; Aurora Lora, who’s in charge of West Seattle, spoke briefly, mentioning a “professional development” session earlier in the week in which she and the region’s principals gathered at Denny International Middle School. And there were other district leaders, such as Family/Community Engagement manager Bernardo Ruiz:

He told us that SPS families will see information sent home soon about what’s available for support through his department – with one major event coming up soon: a Family Academy and Early Learners’ Resource Fair, 10 am-2 pm October 16th at South Shore School (4800 South Henderson), featuring free workshops. The superintendent, meantime, is scheduled to return to West Seattle for another community event, one of her “coffee chats,” 6-7 pm October 25th at West Seattle Elementary.

9 Replies to "Seattle Public Schools promise to parents: 'Gains this year'"

  • Bonnie October 1, 2010 (7:11 am)

    Hey, it’s Chris from Roxhill! One of the best teachers in all of SPS!

  • ad October 1, 2010 (9:56 am)

    Bonnie, I agree! I aspire to be a teacher like him.

    I learned this from Chris and use it daily with my students:

    I am smart,
    I am very smart.
    I work hard,
    I work very hard.
    And the harder I work, the smarter I get!

  • luckymom30 October 1, 2010 (10:44 am)

    Hi Chris! Couldn’t have picked a better role model that is for sure!

  • Que October 1, 2010 (11:44 am)

    Yay Rhonda!!!! She is a WONDERFUL Principal!

  • LP October 1, 2010 (12:22 pm)

    YES. Rhonda is fantastic. Love her.

  • Oliver October 1, 2010 (2:23 pm)

    Yes, we are lucky to have Rhonda at Gatewood. She has great energy and enthusiasm!

  • micky mouse October 1, 2010 (2:52 pm)

    WOW, Shealth is going strong with blog info and lots of news and action promoting their school. So where is news and info from new principal at West Seattle High??
    Was hoping there would be better communication with parents and community with the new principal.
    Just more of the same at Westside.

    • WSB October 1, 2010 (3:16 pm)

      To be clear, Micky, last night’s event was at Sealth, as scheduled by the district, but it was regional for all the West Seattle schools. I haven’t heard from the new WSHS principal yet but we hope to set up some time to talk with her soon. The PTSA is sending us info, though, starting with an announcement of the meeting this week, and some other stuff in the hopper. We are open to all sorts of school news from all over West Seattle, but the best tips do tend to come directly from parents and teachers – let us know what you’re hearing and seeing, and what’s coming up! – TR

  • micky mouse October 1, 2010 (7:15 pm)

    I no longer have a student at WSHS but was hoping things would improve with new administration, doesn’t look like it yet. I hope for the kids and the community that things turn around for Westside.

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