I am a new TC parent. As such, there is plenty I don’t know. I am signing this because I am placing trust in those with institutional knowledge of how TC works. I understand that some may view this effort obliquely as a turf battle or as coercive. But it is my understanding that there are a number well-meaning people who have very serious concerns. Concerns that were raised due to decisions that were made without clear intentions. Jon Gasbar, as you wrote in your email about the new budget you would “encourage everyone to assume positive intent during this time.” At this impasse, right here, right now, I do believe it would be in everyone’s interest to hear a full-throated commitment to the unique position and decades of work that built TC, or an open and honest explanation of why things must change accompanied by reasons and explanations of how these changes help fulfill TC’s mission.
It’s no overstatement to say my family’s hopes for our future lie with this school. I hope you understand that my signing this petition is an appeal to understand your “good intent” and know that you can assume the same from me.
W
Whitney Gregory
7 years ago
Oops. didn't mean to comment twice. Not sure how this happened. I thought this one was deleted so I retyped it a second time.
W
Whitney Gregory
7 years ago
One more question: why is teacher retention threatened? Is this due to the budget changes, or something else? This is a big, and very concerning claim.
W
Whitney Gregory
7 years ago
Second try on commenting...
I am NOT signing this petition (at least I didn't intend to), but since it was authored anonymously, this was the only way to ask clarifying questions:
1. What did Jon mean regarding "standardizing" expeditions? Has anyone asked?
2. What is involved in the Expeditionary Learning and Responsive Classroom trainings Jon said he would complete? Are they offered in-house by our experienced teachers? Or are they the official trainings offered by the EL and RC entities themselves? If so, how often are they offered and where? Who pays for the trainings? Have ALL recently hired staff (teachers, counselors, IAs, etc) completed these same trainings?
3. What evidence is there that Jon will drop the ball and not manage the paperwork involved in maintaining the CAS status of the school? Please explain why this claim is made.
3. Thornton Creek's status as a Creative Approach School does not mean we don't participate in assessment. It is clear in the CAS criteria statement on the TC website that the school is accountable for giving state and federal assessments. The standardized assessment calendar is public and available on the SPS website. Opting out of assessment is the responsibility of each student's parent/caregiver, not the school. Opt-out forms are also available on the SPS website, can be submitted to the school at any time, and are valid for a full year. You can even make and submit your own form as long as you sign and date it, and clearly indicate which assessments you wish to opt-out of. Why was the CenterPoint testing seen as a surprise? Why would the room parents have any involvement in or responsibility related to the opting-out of children other their their own?
4. Why is EL seen as incompatible with ALO? Does Jon's proposal related to interventionists and ALO constitute a programatic change school-wide? Or does relate more differentiated instruction for individual students who qualify for ALO but
A
Anonymous
7 years ago
I am NOT signing this petition. Since this document was authored anonymously, this was the only way I could ask clarifying questions of the authors:
1. What did Jon mean when he said he proposed "standardizing the expeditions"? Has anyone asked him?
2. What constitutes the Expeditionary Learning and Responsive Classroom trainings Jon said he would complete? Are they in-house, offered by experienced staff? Or are they the official professional development trainings offered by the EL and RC entities themselves? How often are they offered? Has a line item been written into the appropriate budget supporting his participation in these trainings? Have ALL recently hired staff who have daily contact with the kids and actually deliver the instruction in EL and RC (teachers, counselors, IAs, etc) completed these trainings as well?
3. The district assessment calendar is public and available on the SPS website. Standardized testing in public schools is not a surprise. https://www.seattleschools.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_543/File/District/Departments/Assessment/Assessment%20Resources/Simplified%20Calendar%20K-8%2018-19-%20FINAL.pdf Opting out of assessments is the responsibility of the parent, not the school. The district provides opt-out forms on the SPS website that are valid for a year and can be turned in at any time. You can even make your own form, as long as it is signed and dated, and the assessments you wish to opt out of are clearly indicated. Why was the testing seen as a surprise? Why would it be the room parent's responsibility to alert other parents of the opt-out procedures? What information was withheld?
4. Please clarify why you think EL and ALO are incompatible and cannot coexist.
5. Why is teacher retention threatened?
I am uncomfortable with a document that was authored anonymously and signed "Thornton Creek Families." It does not represent all TC families. If any of the authors are willing to respond to my questions "public
T
Tom Ryan
7 years ago
Please be aware that commenting here is not the same as signing the petition. There are people who have made comments that looked like an intention to sign--however, there names are not contained in the signatures below. You are able to opt out of showing your name in the online signature list and this could be the reason for the apparent discrepancy, but I want to make sure that those who intend to sign actually do so, rather than simply comment. On my browser, the signature is in a column on the right side of the screen. Thank you.
L
Lindsay Gunnell
7 years ago
I know Jon must be under pressure from the district but I hope he can see the good intentions behind this. It would be great to go forward with a clear understanding that expeditiary learning can be maintained and teachers can be heard.
N
Noah Lawrence
7 years ago
As a parent of students in 3rd and K, I look forward to increased clear communication from school administration leading to a rebuilding of relations between teachers, admin and parents.
C
chris stewart
7 years ago
with two graduates, I can attest to the value of EL and the TC culture.
J
Jason Civjan
7 years ago
Please listen to the teachers, staff, & parents of TC. Keep this place special.
A
Anonymous
7 years ago
Not a real comment, simply testing the ability to add comments
M
Martin King
7 years ago
My friends,
This list of demands could have been an invitation extended a year ago. Instead, you've put your energy into letter-writing campaigns, your own secretive meetings, and whitewashing the damaging behavior you've employed to keep this school affluent, insulated and white.
You've chased voices from your school and then get angry at those who stand and bear witness. You've berated administrators here to protect our children and complain when they shrink at your insults.
Please put down your pitchforks and come together to cultivate love.
T
Ted Howard
7 years ago
It feels like Jon and other management don't appreciate how broken TC suddenly has become. I had thought that after the awful selection process, Jon would be smart and not rock the boat. oops
Maybe this petition will convince them that they've messed up and need to change course or lose families & teachers. I don't know of anyone who thinks things are going well.
J
Joanna Nelson
7 years ago
Jon, I really hope you are listening and will choose to support our community.
C
Colin Meyer
7 years ago
Parent on a first grader at TC
V
Valerie Mehring
7 years ago
Featured
Teachers must never be silenced. Intimidation and secrecy are never acceptable. These practices have destroyed parent trust in the administration.
We do not need more standardized testing.
J
Jennifer Lawson
7 years ago
Parent of K student
J
jessica knaster wasse
7 years ago
Featured
If changes are needed to improve equity at our school, I know this community will support those changes . But change must be approached transparently and collaboratively. Only together can we find solutions to our problems. Equity and collaboration are not mutually exclusive when we have visionary and effective leadership.
J
Jacob Kosman
7 years ago
Featured
I've had two kids go through the wonderful program here at TC. There's fear that the vision of the new leadership doesn't match the longstanding vision of the TC community. We need transparency regarding any differing vision. We need honest and candid conversation. Please be upfront with us: what is your vision?
J
Jennifer Jarrett
7 years ago
Featured
Can the TC community find support such as a professional coach or an experienced principal to mentor and support Jon as he grows into his position? I understand the frustration however we as a community should also give assistance to help our new administration become confident and effective leaders.
I am a new TC parent. As such, there is plenty I don’t know. I am signing this because I am placing trust in those with institutional knowledge of how TC works. I understand that some may view this effort obliquely as a turf battle or as coercive. But it is my understanding that there are a number well-meaning people who have very serious concerns. Concerns that were raised due to decisions that were made without clear intentions. Jon Gasbar, as you wrote in your email about the new budget you would “encourage everyone to assume positive intent during this time.” At this impasse, right here, right now, I do believe it would be in everyone’s interest to hear a full-throated commitment to the unique position and decades of work that built TC, or an open and honest explanation of why things must change accompanied by reasons and explanations of how these changes help fulfill TC’s mission. It’s no overstatement to say my family’s hopes for our future lie with this school. I hope you understand that my signing this petition is an appeal to understand your “good intent” and know that you can assume the same from me.
Oops. didn't mean to comment twice. Not sure how this happened. I thought this one was deleted so I retyped it a second time.
One more question: why is teacher retention threatened? Is this due to the budget changes, or something else? This is a big, and very concerning claim.
Second try on commenting... I am NOT signing this petition (at least I didn't intend to), but since it was authored anonymously, this was the only way to ask clarifying questions: 1. What did Jon mean regarding "standardizing" expeditions? Has anyone asked? 2. What is involved in the Expeditionary Learning and Responsive Classroom trainings Jon said he would complete? Are they offered in-house by our experienced teachers? Or are they the official trainings offered by the EL and RC entities themselves? If so, how often are they offered and where? Who pays for the trainings? Have ALL recently hired staff (teachers, counselors, IAs, etc) completed these same trainings? 3. What evidence is there that Jon will drop the ball and not manage the paperwork involved in maintaining the CAS status of the school? Please explain why this claim is made. 3. Thornton Creek's status as a Creative Approach School does not mean we don't participate in assessment. It is clear in the CAS criteria statement on the TC website that the school is accountable for giving state and federal assessments. The standardized assessment calendar is public and available on the SPS website. Opting out of assessment is the responsibility of each student's parent/caregiver, not the school. Opt-out forms are also available on the SPS website, can be submitted to the school at any time, and are valid for a full year. You can even make and submit your own form as long as you sign and date it, and clearly indicate which assessments you wish to opt-out of. Why was the CenterPoint testing seen as a surprise? Why would the room parents have any involvement in or responsibility related to the opting-out of children other their their own? 4. Why is EL seen as incompatible with ALO? Does Jon's proposal related to interventionists and ALO constitute a programatic change school-wide? Or does relate more differentiated instruction for individual students who qualify for ALO but
I am NOT signing this petition. Since this document was authored anonymously, this was the only way I could ask clarifying questions of the authors: 1. What did Jon mean when he said he proposed "standardizing the expeditions"? Has anyone asked him? 2. What constitutes the Expeditionary Learning and Responsive Classroom trainings Jon said he would complete? Are they in-house, offered by experienced staff? Or are they the official professional development trainings offered by the EL and RC entities themselves? How often are they offered? Has a line item been written into the appropriate budget supporting his participation in these trainings? Have ALL recently hired staff who have daily contact with the kids and actually deliver the instruction in EL and RC (teachers, counselors, IAs, etc) completed these trainings as well? 3. The district assessment calendar is public and available on the SPS website. Standardized testing in public schools is not a surprise. https://www.seattleschools.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_543/File/District/Departments/Assessment/Assessment%20Resources/Simplified%20Calendar%20K-8%2018-19-%20FINAL.pdf Opting out of assessments is the responsibility of the parent, not the school. The district provides opt-out forms on the SPS website that are valid for a year and can be turned in at any time. You can even make your own form, as long as it is signed and dated, and the assessments you wish to opt out of are clearly indicated. Why was the testing seen as a surprise? Why would it be the room parent's responsibility to alert other parents of the opt-out procedures? What information was withheld? 4. Please clarify why you think EL and ALO are incompatible and cannot coexist. 5. Why is teacher retention threatened? I am uncomfortable with a document that was authored anonymously and signed "Thornton Creek Families." It does not represent all TC families. If any of the authors are willing to respond to my questions "public
Please be aware that commenting here is not the same as signing the petition. There are people who have made comments that looked like an intention to sign--however, there names are not contained in the signatures below. You are able to opt out of showing your name in the online signature list and this could be the reason for the apparent discrepancy, but I want to make sure that those who intend to sign actually do so, rather than simply comment. On my browser, the signature is in a column on the right side of the screen. Thank you.
I know Jon must be under pressure from the district but I hope he can see the good intentions behind this. It would be great to go forward with a clear understanding that expeditiary learning can be maintained and teachers can be heard.
As a parent of students in 3rd and K, I look forward to increased clear communication from school administration leading to a rebuilding of relations between teachers, admin and parents.
with two graduates, I can attest to the value of EL and the TC culture.
Please listen to the teachers, staff, & parents of TC. Keep this place special.
Not a real comment, simply testing the ability to add comments
My friends, This list of demands could have been an invitation extended a year ago. Instead, you've put your energy into letter-writing campaigns, your own secretive meetings, and whitewashing the damaging behavior you've employed to keep this school affluent, insulated and white. You've chased voices from your school and then get angry at those who stand and bear witness. You've berated administrators here to protect our children and complain when they shrink at your insults. Please put down your pitchforks and come together to cultivate love.
It feels like Jon and other management don't appreciate how broken TC suddenly has become. I had thought that after the awful selection process, Jon would be smart and not rock the boat. oops Maybe this petition will convince them that they've messed up and need to change course or lose families & teachers. I don't know of anyone who thinks things are going well.
Jon, I really hope you are listening and will choose to support our community.
Parent on a first grader at TC
Teachers must never be silenced. Intimidation and secrecy are never acceptable. These practices have destroyed parent trust in the administration. We do not need more standardized testing.
Parent of K student
If changes are needed to improve equity at our school, I know this community will support those changes . But change must be approached transparently and collaboratively. Only together can we find solutions to our problems. Equity and collaboration are not mutually exclusive when we have visionary and effective leadership.
I've had two kids go through the wonderful program here at TC. There's fear that the vision of the new leadership doesn't match the longstanding vision of the TC community. We need transparency regarding any differing vision. We need honest and candid conversation. Please be upfront with us: what is your vision?
Can the TC community find support such as a professional coach or an experienced principal to mentor and support Jon as he grows into his position? I understand the frustration however we as a community should also give assistance to help our new administration become confident and effective leaders.