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.

Community & Parents for Public Schools of Seattle
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April, 2011

21st Century Parent Engagement

 

CPPS has been asking parents what they want for nearly 4 years, and we've heard a lot of issues, questions, hopes and dreams for our children and our schools.  In a few cases where  people have advocated...lobbied, petitioned, and engaged others...we've seen improvements in the systems or policies that govern our interactions with the school district. Other voices have raised next generation concerns that will require new advocacy.  So are we getting anywhere?  In terms of parent engagement, when does the 21st century arrive?

Our new superintendent has promised to listen, and we hope that means an opportunity for two-way conversations about the things that matter, like access to quality programming, effective leadership, or appropriate homework standards.

21st century parent engagement should certainly include two-way conversations, but we believe it is more than that.  

 

Regional Executive Directors and neighborhood-based student assignment are beginning to reconnect communities of students and parents, which will potentially result in more targeted dialogue about community concerns.  But is that what we're looking for in a 21st century engagement model?  

 

Join us next month, on Tuesday, May 24th, 6:30-8:30pm at the old Lincoln High School library, 4400 Interlake Ave. N, to settle the question for yourself.  CPPS will bring together parents, community members, and our education leaders to explore possibilities for parent leadership and engagement.  Dr. Susan Enfield and her regional Executive Directors will be our special guests -- we'll engage them, and see what happens!

 

And share your thoughts with us too, via email, or  Facebook.

 

 PARENT LEADERSHIP TRAINING

Equip Yourself! 


It's time we worked together for quality neighborhood schools across our city.  And CPPS is starting with the parents in SE Seattle.  Our first parent leadership training workshops are scheduled and filling fast!

 

Session 1-- For Aki Kurose Feeder Pattern families and friends, Friday-Saturday May 6-7, 8:30-3:30 at the CHAMPS facility at 6718 MLK Way (Grace Apostolic)

 

Session 2-- For Mercer Feeder Pattern families and friends, Saturday-Sunday May 21-22, 8:30-3:30 at Mercer Middle School, 1600 Columbian Way S. 


Trainees commit to two days, and earn a leadership stipend of $75 per day; childcare and refreshments will be provided.

As well, our parents and community members are embracing These workshops will equip parents to better understand the data and expectations built into our educational system.  

 

Not a SE parent?  Let us know your interest and we'll try to arrange a training for your region.   


For more information or to apply, contact Project Director, Amber Banks (310) 430-5068
MAKE SURE YOUR LEGISLATORS KNOW...

Time for Lobbying Running Out 


With the regular legislative session at an end, and severe education cuts still under consideration, don't hesitate to make your voice heard in Olympia. 
Send the PTA "Action Alert" to communicate that saving dollars by furloughing teachers or further cutting back on the state's primary duty is not in our best interest.

                                                                 CALENDAR

WHAT'S ON? 

 

Monday, May 9th -- SCPTSA General Meeting

John Stanford Center, 2445 3rd Ave. S. 6:30-8:30pm  

Panel discussion on the Families and Education Levy.   Attend and get more information about the city Levy.

 

Saturday, May 14th -- SPS Building Bridges for Summer: Connecting Families and Schools

Garfield High School, 400 23rd Ave. 9:30am-2:00pm  

Seattle Public Schools is hosting another family symposium with workshops to help parents support their student's success in school. Come for one workshop or for the whole day. Free! Childcare and lunch provided. 

 

Sunday, May 15th -- UW Math Workshop for Middle Schoolers and Parents

Savery Hall, 1:00-2:00pm   

Sara Billey discusses "Computer proofs in Algebra, Combinatorics, and Geometry".  Free.

More information or register for the Math Olympiad 

 

Monday, May 16th -- 37th District Democrats Forum on the Direction of Seattle Public Schools

Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 3515 S Alaska 7 -9:00pm

The 37th District Democrats will host a community forum on the direction of the Seattle Public Schools.  All community members are welcome to attend. Admission is free, although donations are welcome. **PDF flyer saved on desktop.  Public comment will be invited after the panel discussion and there will be opportunities for written feedback. Notes from the forum will be forwarded to all school board members and other stakeholders in the superintendent hiring process.

For more information, contact Susanna Williams, 406-1344 Chair of the 37th District Democrats.

 

Monday, May 16th --Commitment to Better & Best: Washington's Public Schools

Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center, 400 S 2nd St. Renton 4:00-6:00pm or 7:00 -9:00pm for the community 

Email your advance reservation by May 6th with name, email, time and district info to attend this event with CEO of the International Ctr for Leadership in Education Bill Daggett, Ed.D. 

 

 

  

Thursday, May 19th -- Panel Discussion on Fighting Racism in the Public Schools 

Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1634 19th Ave. 7:00-9:00pm

Wayne Au, editor of Rethinking Schools,  James Bible, president of the King County NAACP, Jesse Hagopian, SPS teacher address Achievement Gap or Opportunity Gap? discussing the superintendent role, the challenges in our district, and the issues of schools in economically stressed communities   

 

Tuesday, May 24th -- 21st Century Parent Engagement:  CPPS Annual Meeting 

Lincoln High School Library, 4400 Interlake N 6:30-8:30pm

Don't miss this change to learn about parent leadership training, engagement for student achievement and school improvement, and more! 

                                                   SHARE YOUR VIEWS

FOCUS GROUPS  FOR PARENTS 

 

Want to share your public school experience?  Lesley Lavery of the University of Wisconsin-Madison is reaching out to Seattle public school parents to hear their views on the state of the public schools, school reform, and the connection between government and schools.  She will compile this data and send it to the district and our elected officials.  To share your views or invite Lesley to a parent meeting in your community, contact her today:  503-428-2858.
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: contact@cppsofseattle.org 
Sincerely,


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Community & Parents for Public Schools of Seattle