Followup: District about to explain new STEM elementary

Since the Seattle School Board‘s vote last month to create a new “option” elementary focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering, math), to open this fall in a temporary home at the former Boren Junior High (left), many have asked – when will the district provide specifics about the plan for this school?

This afternoon, we have new information after following up with district spokesperson Lesley Rogers. She tells WSB, “A letter will go out to families in West Seattle this week announcing plans for the school, as well as a state for an open house” to be held before “open enrollment” starts February 27th. (We’ll add a copy of that letter when we receive it from the district communications team.) Rogers also says the district is creating a website for the new school, “hoping to get that up and running soon.”

The new school is also bound to be a topic tomorrow, when West Seattle’s school-board rep Marty McLaren holds her next community-conversation meeting, 11:15 am-1:15 pm at High Point Library (34th/Raymond).

pam February 7, 2012 (2:13 pm)

Is this a different name for what was MESA that was offered in the junior year for high school students – minority and females? It was a GREAT program.

a February 7, 2012 (3:12 pm)

Still so disappointed. SPS continues to disappoint. We need neighborhood schools not an option school! I really doubt this will do anything alleviate the horrible overcrowding at our schools.

AIDM February 7, 2012 (3:20 pm)

Its great news that they are getting this information and open house ready in time for open enrollment. I was seriously doubting this for a while. I’m hoping they will also come up with a name that embodies our hopes for the new school. Something like Nova or Einstein would be cool. Maybe they should hold a naming contest!

rhp February 7, 2012 (3:30 pm)

Just heard from SPS that their website will be updated with the STEM-Boren info by next week or so.

GreatSoFar February 7, 2012 (4:15 pm)

“Nova” or Einstein? Puhleeze give me a break. There already IS a Nova (or are they not “techy” enough for you?) Nova was the PIONEER in project-based learning, but…c’mon, they’re too “avant-garde.”

Frankly, in my view this is merely a Schmitz Park Annex to alleviate their overcrowding. To the extent it should appeal to parents of K-5 (for crying out loud!), it holds minimal interest.

You are now on notice that this was merely an extension of the Gates machine that thinks “if your kid doesn’t strive to work for us” than tuff.

ws resident February 7, 2012 (7:22 pm)

wow, so much negatives energy from you GreatSoFar, take a chill pill. There are some of us trying to move forward with a postive attitude for our kids sake. We are all not happy with past decisions made in regards to closing neighborhood school but what’s done is done.

HPMom February 7, 2012 (7:55 pm)

I am looking foward to hearing more about the new STEM school. We are strongly considering it for our child. West Seattle has one option school and the waitlist for K this school year was very long. Many families that wanted their child to go there did not get in. I believe having more options for our kids in West Seattle is a good thing.

GreatSoFar February 7, 2012 (10:59 pm)

Some have the local picture while the rest can see the gestalt. How is it that an area like WS, in dire need of a neighborhood school, must sit back and let a few newbie STEM proponents and central staffers determine the timeframe for alleviating our overcapacity issues in WS? Of what possible benefit does introducing engineering to K-5 truly lead towards careers in the tech fields Gates adores.

And here I was, in college thinking engineering students were too narrowly focused. Look at K-5! With a curriculum that’s made up as you go!

Ya, I’m chillin’. My child is learning the three R’s and learning them well. There’s plenty of time for her to learn what I apply everyday at my engineering job.

Public School Advocate February 8, 2012 (10:06 am)

The tail wagged the dog in this decision. It’s going to be another “escape route” for families such as “HPMom” who clearly DO NOT want to attend their neighborhood school and will choose any “option” school regardless of the focus/curriculum. I believe this will in no way reduce the overcrowding at schools such as Schmitz Park and Lafayette and instead draw students away from other schools primarily in the “South End”.
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I think SPS should reconsider how they base assignments to “option” schools. Perhaps each neighborhood attendance area gets a certain # of allocated seats (especially for Pathfinder). For example, if they take 50 K’s per/year that would mean 5 seats per zone (there are currently 10 neighborhood K-5’s in WS). If only 40 seats get filled this way, then the rest would go to lottery. Likewise, with the upstart of the STEM program, it may be wise to consider limiting the # of students that can leave a school per grade level to avoid too much destabilization or providing priority first to students at the most overcrowded schools (think this is already being considered).

WSB February 8, 2012 (10:10 am)

FYI for those just reading this story from yesterday – we have just received the letter the district is sending out, and it includes the date for the informational meeting (next Wednesday) – that story, including full text of the letter, is here:
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https://westseattleblog.com/2012/02/k-5-stem-at-boren-feb-15-meeting-for-new-west-seattle-school

HPMom February 8, 2012 (10:29 am)

Public Schools Advocate- I would not send “my child to any ‘option school’ regardless of the focus/curriculum.” I do, however, want options so I can send my child to the school that will best meet his/her needs and is a good fit for our family.

I would very much like to see the over capacity issue in west seattle public schools dealt with in a manner that brings about a win/win for all the schools, families, and neighborhoods involved.

k, west seattle parent February 8, 2012 (10:30 pm)

I think the proposal is very exciting. If a STEM program means smaller class sizes, with motivated kids/families who chose to be there for the curriculum, and the curriculum can finally dump Everyday Math and use something like Singapore, and the teachers are actually math and science experts I would love to send my kids there.
If it’s just hype, without a commitment to an academically rigorous and creative environment, than I would not go there.
Delridge is a diverse and unique community with a lot to offer. People “afraid” of the location are just sheltered, west seattle folks who need to open their eyes and minds to great possibilities, and not be blinded by irrational fears.
As for the spectrum/test score issue–I think that is not the point. I think kids and families that are motivated to be challenged will do fine, no matter what test scores they have. I don’t think Seattle need to segregate students like that anymore, as many “average” students can rise to high academic expectations if they are motivated by a great learning environment.
I guess the hardest part is being a part of something new, and I would want to know the background of the teachers being hired for this school, and be able to talk to them before deciding to put my kids there.

c February 9, 2012 (10:02 am)

@K, I agree with you. I am excited to hear what the district has to say on the 15th. I don’t see how they would have hired teachers yet. I think it might just be a leap of faith.

Yes I did say leap of faith about the Seattle school district!!!!

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