Java with Jim

Please click HERE for

Mr. Eaton's

presentation

Q:  What supports are in place for the new literacy curriculum for our 4/5 split classes?

A:  Our new Emerge! Curriculum provides many tools and resources to aid in differentiating instruction.  Literature standards are very similar between 4^th and 5^th grade, so there isn’t a concern for something getting missed, especially the way it has been structured.  While the curriculum is rigorous and aligns standards from multiple content areas, there are opportunities for differentiation during block schedule times.  Additionally, the tools embedded in curriculum have the ability to collect data to aid in identifying student strengths and weaknesses.  Teachers are enthused about the tools and resources is provides.  There is a well structured plan of implementation for this whole school year.  Our upcoming LEAP day in October provides three hours of literacy training.  The adoption of new curriculum typically takes 2-3 years for full mastery of all the features.

Q: Can we offer more than just in-class (e.g. Toymaker workshops) in the way of field trips? 

A: The Toymaker workshops provide grade level projects and activities in conjunction with science curriculum standards.  While similar,  each experience is uniquely designed to that grade level’s standards and provides value in this regard.  Onsite field trips are more common as they remove barrier for staff and students when going offsite.  Limitations in using district busses and high costs associated with chartering busses are a large factor.  Many issues with using parent drivers, including insurance requirements, car seats and such are also significant factors when deciding to plan an offsite field trip.  The district does not mandate that offsite field trips take place and ultimately, it’s extracurricular and up to individual teachers and grade levels.

Q: How can we as a community help foster a more robust 5^th grade outdoor ed program?

A: Outdoor education is up to the school to provide for this experience.  Each school uses a process with staff and teachers to determine what the Outdoor Education program entails. We revisit this topic each year with staff.  Overnight options for outdoor education are part of this discussion each year. Although there have been discussions about removing some of the barriers to overnight camps (e.g. additional stipends for staff and other alternatives),  we will remain with the extensive one day option this year.  We cannot require teachers/staff offer an overnight outdoor ed program. 

Q: Concerns shared over what seems to be losses for our students while maintaining high district leadership salaries.

A: The number of Leadership/Administrative positions within the district have actually declined along with enrollment.  Salaries are in line with market wages for similar position in other school districts. This is needed to attract and retain excellent people to these roles.  In our district, our resources are fully provided to “do the job well” in meeting our core requirements and providing robust learning opportunities for students.  We acknowledge the frustration at having to trim and align our resources and programs to match our funding sources, but overall, we are well positioned as a district and doing better than those in the surrounding cities in remain fiscally responsible and dependable.

Q: Blackwell looks to be at 86% of its enrollment capacity…where do you think this will take us given the boundary review/closure process?

A:  No decisions on anything have been made.  We are at the start of a year-long process and should begin to know more as meetings take place.   We expect the decision making to happen this year with the planning for the implementation to follow.  Any changes in boundaries will not occur until the 2028 -29 school year. Each community member is able to keep track of this process through the district’s realignment website dedicated to this project ----  Realignment - Lake Washington School District

Q: Why are there numbers instead of names on some student cubbies?

A:  That is up to individual teachers.  Some choose not to re-label cubbies each year as names change.

Q: Will there be a 4/5 split again next year?

A:  We are in the second year of a two-year commitment.  This configuration relies on enrollment numbers at each grade level, so it will depend where we are next spring in our enrollment.  Our school-based team will meet and follow our district prescribed process for determining 4^th and 5^th grade configurations.  The final decision is made by the principal.