Community & Parents for Public Schools of Seattle
ACTION, PASSION & LEADERSHIP
FOR EXCELLENT SEATTLE SCHOOLS FOR EVERY STUDENT
 
CPPS is a local, grassroots network of parents and community members working together to support and advocate for excellent public schools in our communities, and at the district, city and state levels.
 
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 Action Update
September, 2010 
 
Moving Forward in 2010-11 
 

Welcome back to school!  We are starting our year on an encouraging foot, with a new, compromise teacher contract between the Seattle Education Association and Seattle Public Schools that includes reform of the teacher evaluation process, and sensitivity to family and community, as well as management and educator interests.  CPPS applauds the continuing efforts of community groups, individual parents, negotiators, SEA, school board members, and district leaders to get it right on behalf of our kids.  We have long asserted that solution-oriented community engagement around the decisions that affect our schools and neighborhoods is critical to educational improvement and success in Seattle.  Let's see what else we can do to make a difference in classrooms and schools for all our children!

SEA AND DISTRICT SETTLE CONTRACT
Compromise Includes
Movement Toward Meaningful Change

We are one of many school districts nationwide wrestling with the best way to attract, grow and support effective teachers.  The contract includes provisions aimed at real change in this area by including additional collaborative time for teachers; support for struggling teachers; stipends for highest-performing teachers and those who work in lowest-performing schools; and a new evaluation approach that includes more evaluation categories and additional measures of performance, including student progress.  The teachers' union and District should be commended for making changes in a positive direction.  However, other issues of concern to parents were not addressed, such as the criteria for deciding who will be laid off in RIF situations.  In addition, the contract does not touch on the parent community's desire to hold the administration and teachers accountable.


We need to continue to push for change -- in contracts or elsewhere, -- to bring about sustained educational improvement.  Our parent presence at tonight's board meeting (Wed. Sept. 15), whether testifying or not, is action that tells the Board, staff, and unions that we expect an unwavering commitment to educational improvement.

 
To learn more:
 

Link to Crosscut analysis,

District Labor Relations information

or FAQs on the agreement


Our Schools Coalition analysis of the ratified agreement

 

Weigh in on the national discussion of teacher value here.

CALENDAR
What else will Fall bring?  In busy September and October, every school will offer opportunities for parents to engage.  Mark your calendar as well for some of these citywide or regional activities:
 

Thursday, Sept. 16 7-9 pm, John Stanford Center

2445 Lander Ave S. Rm 2776

Seattle Council PTSA Legislative Workshop:  Learn about legislative issues and shaping policy, including November ballot measures that affect education.  RSVP  More info 

 

Monday, Sept. 20
Deadline for Nominations to 2010-2011 School Family Partnerships Advisory Committee to the Superintendent (PAC): 
Committee charge and info             Application form 
 
SPS Regional community meeting with Superintendent, Chief Academic Officer, and Regional Executive Directors:

Monday, Sept. 20, 6:30-8pm, Eckstein Middle School
3003 NE 75th St.  -- meet NE Exec. Director Phil Brockman.

Wednesday, Sept. 22, 6:30-8 pm, Bailey Gatzert Elementary 1301 E Yesler Way -- meet Central Exec. Dir. Nancy Coogan

Thursday, Sept. 23, 6:30-8 pm, Hamilton Int'l Middle School 1610 N. 41st St. -- meet NW Exec. Director Bree Dusseault


Tuesday, Sept. 28, 6:30-8 pm, Aki Kurose Middle School

3928 S. Graham St. -- meet SE Exec. Director Michael Tolley


Thursday, Sept. 30, 6:30-8 pm, Chief Sealth Int'l High School

2600 SW Thistle St. -- meet W. Seattle Exec. Dir. Aurora Lora


Click here for more regional meeting information, including which schools belong to which regions. 


Finally, don't miss these early October educational opportunities: 


Tuesday, Oct. 5, 7pm  Seattle U. Pigott Auditorium

1016 E. Marion St. Seattle, 98122
Seattle University is hosting a video-conferenced conversation with renowned educator Diane Ravitch, author of The Death and Life of the Great American School System, along with panelists from Parents Across America and Social Equity Educators
Check out the information flyer 

Thursday, Oct. 7, 7 pm, Mount Zion Baptist Church

1634 19th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122
The League of Education Voters Speaker's Series kicks off  with "Preparing Students for Success," with Kevin Johnson, former NBA All-Star, Sacramento Mayor & Founder of St. HOPE,
Info and to register   
 

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And anytime this fall, schedule a Schools First presentation to learn about the Seattle Public Schools levy on the November 2 ballot and/or  a review of all the ballot issues that will impact education. 

To schedule 

CPPS NEWS
Logo small image
CPPS Awarded Neighborhood Grant to Achieve SE Engagement.
 
CPPS has received a Neighborhood Matching Grant from Seattle's Department of Neighborhoods and is launching the SE Parent Leadership Project - a parent organizing and training program in South/Southeast feeder pattern schools.  For more information or to participate in this effort, contact stephaniej@cppsofseattle.org.    
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.  Contact us for more info: stephaniej@cppsofseattle.org
 
Sincerely,
 

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Community & Parents for Public Schools of Seattle