(Wallyhood welcomes a new writer, Margaret Steck)
If you’re a parent to young children like me, you’re probably scratching your head wondering how this whole re-assignment plan from Seattle Public School is going to shake out. I, for one, am puzzled in that the shift in school boundaries means my son will remain in his elementary school but my daughter will start Kindergarten in another. But something tells me I’m not alone in this predicament.
The New Student Assignment Plan also includes re-opening McDonald School on 54th. Given that the school’s building hasn’t been used in over 28 years, the general plan is to house the school at Lincoln next fall, after Hamilton moves into its spiffy, newly-renovated school. But with this plan comes many, many questions concerning the students assigned to McDonald School—particularly the little ones starting Kindergarten in the fall. Neighbors who live in the school’s proposed boundaries have already come together to initiate discussions with school board members. They are also encouraging anyone interested to get involved in this unique opportunity to provide input.
According to the group, there are several ways to get involved:
Subscribe to the McDonald School blog: http://mcdonaldschoolinfo.blogspot.com
The blog also features a poll with various language, Montessori, and Spectrum programs anyone can vote for to be incorporated into future discussions with the School Board.
- Join the McDonald School’s Yahoo Group for ongoing discussion
Attend the Meetings:
McDonald School Community Discussion
Saturday, November 14th from 11 AM to 12:30 PM
Bethany Community Church
Christian Education Building Auditorium
1147 N 81 St, 98103
(just down the street from Bagley Elementary School)
Invited: School Board Director Sherry Carr, School Board Director Michael DeBell
Meeting Purpose:
The purpose of this meeting will be to provide a dedicated forum for discussion with School Board Directors (and potentially some elected officials) on how to make the McDonald School re-opening successful.
Based on Yahoo list discussions and other McDonald School related discussion, proposed discussion items include:
- Siblings placement
- School boundaries
- Use of Lincoln High school as an interim site
- Program placement
- Design team, PTA and community involvement
- Hiring of teachers and a principal
Those interested in participating can contact Nytasha Sowers ([email protected]) with any other agenda topics related to opening the McDonald School. Their hope is to give some time to all of the agenda items – and not just have the meeting be about one particular topic. Also, Sherry Carr has asked for meeting attendees to let her know what they would like from her – she likes to get recommendations on how to address issues.
The group is also asking for people to take on one or more of the agenda items and prepare a summary of the issues and concerns – as well as any potential recommendations on how to address them. Please contact Nytasha Sowers ([email protected]) if you would be interested in developing a summary of issues, concerns and recommendations for each of these agenda items.
Planning meeting for McDonald School Community Discussion
There will be a planning meeting for the McDonald School Community Discussion on Sunday, November 8, from 2 pm to 4 pm at Meridian Market (2201 N. 56 St, Seattle 98103). The group will be working on the 11/14 meeting agenda, outreach strategy and logistics, etc.
Please contact Nytasha Sowers ([email protected]) if you can make – or can’t but would still like to help.
Looking for a good meeting facilitator
The McDonald School group is also looking for a non-biased, strong meeting facilitator for this meeting that does not live in the McDonald School area boundaries – either the first set of boundaries are the revised set of school boundaries. You can contact Nytasha Sowers ([email protected]) if you have a facilitator to recommend.
One last note…for the little ones
If you’re within the proposed boundaries and have children entering Kindergarten in 2010, contact Carolyn Cunningham, who’s taken on the responsibility of creating a group for this little niche. Send your name, email address, whether your child has an older sibling, and brief comments/concerns to: [email protected]