47 Replies to "Seattle Public Schools start date delayed to September 4th"

• Yma August 17, 2020 (8:48 pm)

  This is stupid. Start school on a Monday & get the cadence in. Friday? Really? And no way to know the classes (at least in high school) beforehand?c’mon -we can do better than this. We have the technology to do better than this.

  • Labor day August 17, 2020 (9:02 pm)

    Monday is Labor Day. So really, school should start on the 8th. A Friday start date before Labor Day weekend is asinine.

    • Kim August 18, 2020 (6:20 am)

      Washington state residents should be staying at home and not help spread the virus 🦠! So, if people in this state have travel plans and big parties plan then they are contributing to help this deadly virus 🦠 spread through out our state.  So, most people should not really careless if there’s going to be a three day holiday to begin with.  So, why does it matter what day school starts anyway. If you don’t want your children to go to school on Friday then don’t have them log onto their computer, it is as simple as that just like if school was in session you would not send your child to school. 

      • Kim too August 18, 2020 (8:31 am)

        You hit the nail on the head. Observed: parties (no masks); repair people—mask-less w/no distancing; summer vacations (I have family members who “have to” travel Across five states to pick-up a travel trailer; c’mon). Hideously selfish behavior by some of the same people who are cursing SPS and demanding we open the schools.

        • Avoiding WS For Now August 18, 2020 (6:49 pm)

          I just moved my family to Arizona for the school year to avoid narrow thinking like this.  The long term impacts of closing schools will far outweigh the impact of the virus on 99% of the population.

  • WS Resident August 17, 2020 (10:36 pm)

    My son who goes to West Seattle HS received his class assignments already.  I’m just not sure how he’s going to do Wood shop remotely! 😂But I completely agree that starting the Friday before a 3 day weekend is ridiculous!

    • Yma August 18, 2020 (6:46 am)

      How did your son get his assignments?my daughter goes to WSHS & we can’t get any info. I was told that we’d have to wait for the first day of school – and 2 other parents I know gave the same info. 

      • Yma August 18, 2020 (9:35 am)

        I JUST called WSHS – schedules have not been finalized. They will be out on Thurs, Sept 3rd & available on The Source.

        • WS resident August 18, 2020 (12:48 pm)

          Your question prompted me to ask my 16 year old and he said that a bunch of his friends figured out how to log in through a typing club in the SPS Schoology website to look them up.  He says it’s gone now though.  Sounds like teens hacking into the system?!  I thought they had emailed him!  But he got his class list and teachers names that way.  Maybe they’ll change though and that’s why they are unavailable now?

        • WS resident August 18, 2020 (12:49 pm)

          Yma,Your question prompted me to ask my 16 year old and he said that a bunch of his friends figured out how to log in through a typing club in the SPS Schoology website to look them up.  He says it’s gone now though.  Sounds like teens hacking into the system?!  I thought they had emailed him!  But he got his class list and teachers names that way.  Maybe they’ll change though and that’s why they are unavailable now?

    • Say What?! August 21, 2020 (2:33 pm)

      It isn’t set in stone a Friday, September 4th start. SEA hasn’t agreed to a contract and has safety concerns. SPS currently wants teachers to teach from school and some students with IEPs will have in person instruction.

• Frustrated August 17, 2020 (9:11 pm)

  I agree. Have they not had all summer to prepare? It just shows how ill prepared they are. Our poor children.  

  • Labor Day August 17, 2020 (9:22 pm)

    People all over the district have been working for months on end trying to prepare. Please don’t think that everyone started planning for this today. People have been working tirelessly for kids, families and teachers.  

    • K August 17, 2020 (9:50 pm)

      Our principal, just today, expressed how frustrating it was that they couldn’t make any concrete plans until the school board and teacher’s union came to an agreement.  It’s frustrating that both sides couldn’t work together sooner to give the time for planning that’s so desperately needed.  Other districts did. 

      • Wsteacher August 17, 2020 (10:48 pm)

        The teacher’s union has been trying to work with the district all Summer. This district is notorious for waiting to settle with the union at the last minute.

    • Zark00 August 18, 2020 (12:55 pm)

      Sorry, rhis is just untrue. SPS have been blocking techers and principals from moving forward with remote learning plans, SPS failed to even decide on a  ideo platform until like a week ago, and thats even still a mess. SPS, Juneau, told us 3 weeks ago that they were increasing  communication with teachers, teachers commented in real time during the meeting that it wasnt true. SPS have failed completely, and now have to delay because they did not spend the last few moths working. They did next to nothing.

• Infantry72 August 17, 2020 (9:29 pm)

  Can someone in the educational community help me to understand why starting a school year on a Friday, before a 3-day weekend, makes sense? I’m having a hard time wrapping my brain around this. It would seem a Tuesday September 8th makes much more logical sense? Am I missing something? 

  • WSTeacher August 17, 2020 (9:53 pm)

    As a teacher, I can say I have no clue why this is happening. I appreciate extra time to learn and prep considering we have had very little communication about the districts plans, but starting on the 8th would make much more sense to me. Just as a note. We, as teachers, often only learn about the districts plans minutes before the public if we get any advance notice at all. 

    • Jim August 18, 2020 (8:13 am)

      Teachers did not go to college to teach students remotely. Many teachers use their personal paycheck to buy things for their classrooms that the district does not provide. I knew a teacher where the district would not provide her with an alphabet chart and other academic posters nor would they reimbursed her for the money she used to buy them. Give teachers a break many are in the same boat you are, many teachers have young children and they also like other people who have jobs to go to have to find daycare to watch their children while they teach 28 plus students remotely. 

  • Alkilocal August 17, 2020 (10:27 pm)

    You are missing the weeks of union negotiations for conditions and negotiated contracted snow days, child care so teachers can teach, and such. Cause there’s no way you can remote work with kids  in the house. (Facetious tongue in cheek). Teachers can’t work to plan unless negotiations are approved and cleared. So the last minute news, odd dates, delayed start, and miscommunication you can thank your teachers union for. Nice to know who’s making decisions for our kids’ education. 

    • FrustratedParent August 17, 2020 (10:54 pm)

      The fact that negotiations took so long clearly shows the teachers are not putting the kids first. They’re more concerned with working conditions. This is a pandemic. Everyone is pitching in and doing things they wouldn’t normally do. And, the whole thing about child care and teachers not being able to teach with kids at home — I don’t know any other employers granting special conditions for parents trying to work remotely with kids at home. They still have to work their full schedule or take leave. Working parents are counting on the teachers to do THEIR jobs so parents can work rather than teach. 

      • High Point August 17, 2020 (11:40 pm)

        I’d be willing to place a large wager that the union (SEA) wanted classes to begin on the Tuesday after Labor Day and the district countered with the Friday start. This whole situation has really made the district, not the teachers or the union, look foolish. 

      • Wait what? August 18, 2020 (12:36 am)

        I can assure you that yes we are  fighting for safe and healthy working conditions for all stakeholders. you are correct, we are fighting for our working conditions. Wouldn’t you want to be safe at work? SPS is not making accommodations for teacher childcare, what gave you this idea? Teachers will be teaching your kids and their kids. So yes, teachers are also doing “their part”. Give me a break. 

      • Anne August 18, 2020 (10:27 am)

        Are you serious? Of course the teachers want to be sure they’ll be working  in as healthy & safe environment as possible-who wouldn’t?  For most-teaching isn’t just their vocation- it’s a calling-they want nothing more than to be back in the classroom in person teaching kids. They have a right to expect to do it safely- which -who knows-may not happen until there is a vaccine. I don’t condemn or begrudge them that-it’s what I would want in my workplace. 

      • Rita August 21, 2020 (8:03 pm)

        Of course they are concerned about work conditions. I would hope parents want that too. SEA wants a safe return. Proper and safe protocols in place to ensure safety for both students and staff. Currently SPS wants some special education instruction to be in person but they don’t have a plan in place.  SPS has dropped the ball not SEA. I do agree that teachers need to figure out childcare on their own. Just like school isn’t a daycare so parents can work.

    • AMD August 18, 2020 (7:06 am)

      The teachers have been trying to get the district to make decisions on things for months.  As someone upthread said, the school district is notorious for putting things off until the last minute.  Teachers wanting to be safe at work (and asking for that via their union) is something people in lots of jobs have done, and something that people in every job should do.  The issue isn’t the ask, it’s SPS dragging their feet to decide which way they’re going.

    • neighbor August 18, 2020 (10:59 am)

      The good news is that “contracted snow days” shouldn’t even be a factor this year unless they knock out power and/or internet, right?

• DB August 17, 2020 (9:42 pm)

  As a former SPS employee and friend to many there, please trust me that this has been a very heavy situation for every person involved in planning this school year and making these decisions. How can you be critical and unkind? Do you think this is easy? This is a difficult situation on its best day and SPS needs trust and support. There’s no way to please everyone, and I believe they are putting the kids first. 

  • Zark00 August 18, 2020 (2:23 pm)

    SPS and Juneau have failed our kids. Tjey had months to plan, did nothing, or if they did somerhing they have norhing to show for it. SPS is now scrambling. This could have been handled poorly and we would have been in a better spot. SPS did worse than poor.

• Joel August 17, 2020 (11:36 pm)

  Dear Front Office -My child has a dentist appointment on Friday and won’t be at school…she’ll be there on Tuesday – Dad

• Ms. A August 18, 2020 (12:15 am)

  As parents, we know the teachers are looking out for our kids and working hard to make this year better than last spring.  BUT – we need more information YESTERDAY.  Our household has 2 full-time working parents, a rising 2nd grader and a rising 8th grader.  Our employers have been patient so far, but not forever.  This planning and training should have happened weeks ago…

• Kim August 18, 2020 (6:06 am)

  By the way when a certain large school district announced that they were closing due to the virus my friend who is a teacher found out by her dad who sent a text on her phone that he heard it on the news and yet she had not been informed by the school district she worked at by email and the way teachers and staff found out was at the same time students found out was when the principal announced over the intercom to get all your belongings cause school is now going to be closed due to the virus and this was less than 30 minutes before school was dismissed.           I think that teachers like you wish that they could go and teach 28 plus students in their classroom. Teachers did not become teachers to remotely attempt to teach students via talking through a computer.        Training should have occurred long ago and yes decision should have occurred long ago. But then again I don’t think 🤔 people thought that this virus was going to be so devastating to the American people in the first place.

• Kim August 18, 2020 (6:08 am)

  By the way when a certain large school district announced that they were closing due to the virus my friend who is a teacher found out by her dad who sent a text on her phone that he heard it on the news and yet she had not been informed by the school district she worked at by email or phone call. The way teachers and staff found out was at the same time students found out was when the principal announced over the intercom to get all your belongings cause school is now going to be closed due to the virus and this was less than 30 minutes before school was dismissed.           I think that teachers like you wish that they could go and teach 28 plus students in their classroom. Teachers did not become teachers to remotely attempt to teach students via talking through a computer.   Yes decision and training should have occurred long ago. But then again I don’t think 🤔 people thought that this virus was going to be so devastating to the American people in the first place.

• flimflam August 18, 2020 (6:19 am)

  people are really concerned about labor day and the three day weekend? i’d think parents and teachers would want to get as much schooling in as possible – are “vacation days” really a thing this year?

  • isn’t this fun?? August 18, 2020 (5:00 pm)

    You’re implying that teachers want to get away For three days.  I generally use the Labor Day weekend to prep for the first day of school either at home or in my classroom. It’s just weird to go for one day and then have three days off and then go back. We haven’t even been able to access our classrooms at this point. We NEED prep days.  It’s not consistent. For a long time, sps didn’t start until after Labor Day. We would have Monday off and then Tuesday was a teacher prep day and then Wednesday would be the first day if school. I honestly think we should just go back to that schedule. 

• Jon Wright August 18, 2020 (6:31 am)

  It’s a pandemic. It stinks. Remote learning is, and will continue to be, difficult for everyone involved. Roll with it. I think we can all manage if school starts on the 4th instead of the 2nd or the 8th.

  • emy August 18, 2020 (8:17 am)

    Wuhan is already throwing giant pool parties I think it’s safe to reopen now

• Seattle Council PTSA August 18, 2020 (7:58 am)

  *Letter sent before the 9/4 start date announcement. Still relevant. Superintendent Denise JuneauSchool Board MembersSEA LeadershipWe understand the first day of school is on the calendar as September 2nd. Our council has listened to our students and families and on their behalf we make the following recommendations:- Verify that 100% of students have adequate internet access and deployment of devices before the first day of school. Training for families and students on how to get on Microsoft Teams and Schoology is crucial and must be completed before starting classes;- 100% coverage of district issued laptops for educators, paraeducators, instructional assistants and everyone else providing education and services to students;- An attendance policy and and follow-up plan that includes learning supports and wellness checks. – A grading policy that recognizes the needs and barriers of students receiving special education services and students furthest from educational justice that does not further exacerbate the opportunity gap and can potentially harm and punish students for issues beyond their control;- Completion of MANDATORY Professional Development for educators  including but not limited to: 1. Anti-bias, Anti Blackness, Race, Equity and Inclusion training. School administrators and teachers must be trained on best practices in Family Engagement with a rubric and evaluation.  2. Remote learning teaching best practices and internet etiquette.3. Mental Health support for students.We need a clear family engagement plan in remote learning. Families need consistent and thoughtful engagement in support of the education of their children.The spring remote learning left many families out, disengaged and lost. As a community we cannot afford to continue to fail those that did not have access to education since the school closure back in March.Without this supports in place, students furthest from educational justice will inevitably continue to fall behind. Seattle Council PTSA is very intentional in our advocacy for African American males, BIPOC, students receiving special education services, students with food and home insecurity, students in foster care, English Language Learners, immigrant students whether they are documented or not. Our Council is here to not only make our recommendations, but also to support Seattle students having access to their education. Please let us know how we can help ensure all students are ready to learn on the first day of school. In partnership,Manuela Slye, President Seattle Council PTSA

• SLJ August 18, 2020 (8:17 am)

  I appreciate that teachers will get a couple extra days of training so that the school year goes better than the spring. Starting the Friday before a 3 day weekend may seem odd, but really, what difference does it make? There are a lot bigger issues in the world right now than that. SPS usually starts after Labor Day anyway, so this change isn’t that big of a deal.Also–the pandemic is hard. For everyone. The teachers and the district all want the same thing at the end of the day. A 2-day delay is hardly a crisis.

• WSMom August 18, 2020 (8:36 am)

  I have a feeling attendance will be VERY LOW on the first day of school.

  • Jon Wright August 18, 2020 (11:54 am)

    Why? Because people are petty and it’s more important to them to try to prove a point than to make the best of a less-than-ideal situation? Friday was scheduled to be a school day all along so I just don’t understand what the big stink is.

• Duffy August 18, 2020 (12:12 pm)

  Who cares for crying out loud. If you don’t want your kid to start on the 4th, then don’t have them start on the 4th. All these parents complaining as if the school district and the teachers are supposed to have all the answers. I understand this is a frustrating situation for the adults and children, but the adults should stop acting like children and grow up.

  • Zark00 August 18, 2020 (2:27 pm)

    Its not about the 4th, its about tje complete failure of SPS to do anything when they had the time to do it. Last year was a debacle, SPS is indicating rhis one will be worse. It has nothing to do with parents acting like children, its about worrying about our kids and their futures, and what this newest failure from SPS means for the coming year. This entire thread just went whoosh right over your head, stay out of it from now on please.

    • Duffy August 19, 2020 (9:48 am)

      What is this “time” you are referring to? The initial plan was to start school again as normal in the fall if our community had made headway with the virus. That didn’t happen, so here we are. Tell me, genius, how do you expect the district and teachers to come up with this magical plan that will alleviate all of your stress and concern as a parent if they themselves are having to problem solve for a once-in-a-hundred-years pandemic with little to no support from the federal government? Oh it’s that easy, huh? Please, explain to all of us what is in this playbook you have to deal with an unprecedented situation. We will wait.

• ! August 18, 2020 (11:53 pm)

  My 3 children at WSHS still have zero class assignments and zero direction on how to proceed. 

  • Zimmerman ! August 19, 2020 (9:03 am)

    Sorry to hear about your 3 Children at WSHS don’t have a clue on what classes they will have. But I guess this is a life lesson that many people are now dealing with, not having a clue what the future now holds for them.  Yes, it is extremely devastating not to know what the future may hold for your children know matter what age the are.  Please now, think  how a parent of a young adult who just graduated from college might feel right now, knowing that jobs that their young adult was going to be able to apply for no longer exists!   Your children are probably just like almost every child in the world 🌎 right now not knowing what will happen in their lives due to the virus.
    I guarantee that teachers also wish they were at school teaching your young teenagers.

• Caleigh August 20, 2020 (9:55 am)

  Just got an update from the district on what the September 4 date will look like:” September 4 will be the first day for students! School for 1-12 grade students will begin on Friday, Sept. 4.  Preschool and Kindergarten will begin on Tues., Sept. 8.  September 4-11 are considered “Strong Start” days for fall of 2020.  We will focus on supporting students social and emotional well-being, culturally responsive community building, family connections, and making sure students know how to use their technology tools to access learning. There will be 2 hours dedicated to instructional support for students during the strong start, with the rest of the day being used for planning, meetings, and professional development (one-hour District/Principal-Directed and one-hour Building-Directed). September 14th is when the full instructional schedules will be implemented and followed.”So it sounds like the first day will be abbreviated and an acclimation day before the three day weekend. In response to a lot of the anti-teacher rhetoric in here- teachers are learning these changes at the same time as families. There is no maliciousness on anyone’s part here- we’re all grappling with what seems like an impossible situation. I think this is one of those times we need to assume everyone is doing their best. 

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