Community & Parents for Public  Schools of Seattle
Action, Passion and Leadership for Excellent Seattle Schools
CPPS is a network of parents and community members working together to ensure quality public schools for all Seattle children
In This Issue
PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD
CPPS AMBASSADOR MEETING
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES ON VOUCHERS, CHARTERS & MORE
SPS STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE
NEW STUDENT ASSNIGNMENT PLAN UPDATE
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Issue: # 14 February/2008
Hello!  It's been a busy month with caucuses, school tours, and positive outreach as the CPPS Ambassador Program grows, and we initiate cluster meetings.  Meanwhile, a new report on our district strengths and weaknesses was presented to inform development of our superintendent's strategic plan for SPS.  And, readers, we have a question for you...  read on!

IMPORTANT DATES:
  • February 18 - 22:  SPS mid-winter break
  • February 19:  Election Day, presidential primary and other ballot measures.  Note: Democrats will use only caucuses to allocate delegates in '08.  Republicans have used the presidential primary and/or the caucuses in previous elections to allocate delegates
  • February 19:  State of Public Education in Seattle, a Dialogue w/Key Leaders  Harvard Business School Club
  • February 29:  SPS open enrollment deadline Enrollment Services Web site February 27, March 12 & 26:  School Board Meetings
PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR PUBLIC GOOD?
CPPS Question of the Month                                      
 
CPPS members come in all shapes and sizes.  Most of us have children in public schools.  We come from a variety of cultural, economic and religious backgrounds.  Some of us have kids in pre-school or college.  Some of us are aunts, uncles, grandparents.   Some of us even have kids in private schools, or no kids at all.  What connects us is our collective belief in public education and our willingness to take action to support it.

During the last few months, many of us made the rounds of school tours, filled out applications and enrollment forms, considered programs, student needs, our own desires.  A lot of parents are stressed out by the process that emphasizes choice and "fit," but makes no guarantees.  Many Seattle families, in fact, nearly 30%, opt for private schools, one of the highest percentages in the country.

What it is that we as CPPS can do to make public school a competitive choice?  Read More...

Click here to tell your stories, and offer your experiences alongside your opinions, but please refrain from naming individuals inside or outside the schools.   

CPPS AMBASSADOR MEETING
What Do YOU Want to See When You Visit a School? 
What are the Red Flags?
  
 
CPPS held its first Ambassador meeting on January 30 at TOPS.  The discussion was lively and productive, as we focused on the marketing needs of our schools.  Though the representatives from eight schools came both from schools that are over-subscribed and those that remain under-enrolled, the group rallied behind the idea that connection and collaboration can help their outreach.  Read more...

Contact us to learn more about CPPS Ambassadors:

Stephanie Jones, [email protected], or

Kerry Cooley-Stroum, [email protected]

 

VOUCHERS, CHARTERS, AND MORE
Do You Know Where Our Presidential Candidates Stand on the Issues? 
 
Do you think we're hearing enough about public education on the campaign trail?  Voters!  That's us!  We have an opportunity, a responsibility to demand that our candidates make public education a priority.  Two great sites to help you prepared to advocate:

Education.com
WHAT'S NEW WITH OUR DISTRICT STATEGIC PLAN?
Presentation of Findings 
 
Follow the steps being taken to develop the strategic plan Dr. Goodloe Johnson initiated last summer.  The district's tagline, "Every student achieving, everyone accountable" sums up plan goals.   Read more...
UPDATES ON NEW STUDENT ASSIGNMENT PLAN
What's New with the Student Assignment Plan (SAP)?: 
 
During last week's SAP School Board Work Session, district staff recommended that SAP changes begin with high school (9th grade) beginning in September '09.   Elementary and Middle School assignment processes will phase in later. 

Read more...

Through forums, study groups, newsletter communications and more, CPPS brings parents and community members together to discuss issues, get informed, engage, advocate and lead for excellent public education in Seattle.   

We need your participation.  Click here to join us as a new or renewed member. 

Sincerely,
 


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Community & Parents for Public Schools of Seattle