This week’s update highlights the work taking place with the Regional Implementation Teams. The Regional Teams are aligned to the regions identified in the updated recommendation for school consolidation. Pending final decision from the school board on March 16 at the Special Board Meeting,
Regional Implementation Teams meet weekly to prepare a smooth transition for students, staff and families and the blending of school communities.
These teams are utilizing the Bolman and Deal Leadership Framework to ensure they are attending to four frames impacted by the recommendation. The framework underscores the importance of alignment and understanding, “the importance of people regarding relationships and teamwork.” The four frames of the framework include:
- Structural – such as the location of the Olympic Program classes in the school building, revising lunch and recess schedules, etc.
- Human Resources – such as combining building leadership teams and staff assignments
- Political – such as alignment between school PTAs and communication
- Symbolic – such as welcoming events, school branded materials
In each discussion and for every topic, the group is asked to focus on the following key question:
How are we engaging our families that have been most marginalized, identifying issues and barriers, and co-constructing solutions?
Collaboration is key in this process. The teams, comprised of parents, classified staff, certificated staff, and administrators — those who are closest to and most impacted by the change — are guiding the plans and decisions. Together, teams are co-designing and co-constructing the transition elements for our students, families and staff. The designs and ideas are provided to working groups and teams at each school for implementation.
The following are outlines of topics discussed at each week’s meeting and dates for upcoming meetings.
Week of February 27, 2023
Summary of Topics:
- Introductions and welcome
- Review and discussion of team purpose and organizational team framework
- Brainstorm questions
- Schedule following meeting
Week of March 6, 2023
Summary of Topics:
- Common theme: creating community
- Blending school funding
- Symbolic domain explored
- Strategies to gather additional stakeholder input, especially from students
- Specific examples for receiving schools: open houses at receiving schools, field trips, virtual pen pals, summer activities
- Specific examples for sending schools: coordinated schedule for end of year (2022-2023)
Mid-West
Schools Represented: Wilburton, Clyde Hill, Enatai
Previous Meeting Dates: February 28, 2023 | March 7, 2023
Next Meeting Date: Currently being scheduled
South
Schools Represented: Eastgate, Spiritridge, Somerset, Woodridge
Previous Meeting Dates: March 1, 2023 | March 8, 2023
Next Meeting Date: Currently being scheduled
North
Schools Represented: Ardmore, Cherry Crest, Bennett, Sherwood Forest
Previous Meeting Dates: March 2, 2023 | March 8, 2023
Next Meeting Date: On pause pending final board action
We are truly grateful for the opportunity to engage with many of you over the past several weeks and acknowledge the impact this process has on families, students, and staff. While matters of declining student enrollment are challenging, we appreciate hearing from you and are sharing this as the first in a series of updates you will receive weekly while the recommendation to consolidate schools, and the timeline regarding it, unfolds.
The following are some engagements currently taking place to give families a chance to share their thoughts and experiences in a collaborative and interactive setting.
Multi-Lingual Language Department
On February 28, the Multi-Lingual Learners department held a focus group at Ardmore Elementary School for multi-lingual families to share concerns, ask questions and provide input on transition planning.
Special Education
Special education staff will send a survey to all families with students receiving services in the Olympic program. A focus group will be formed at Eastgate Elementary School to gather additional feedback and input during the week of March 6. A special education advisory group will be formed to review recommendations from families and provide guidance on how to improve special education services.
Advanced Learning
Advanced learning staff have sent out a survey to families to gather ideas on ways to ensure positive transition, necessary supports for students and an invitation to families to take part in a focus group for further input/idea generation which will take place week of March 6.
Early Learning/Preschool
Preschool staff are gathering feedback by calling every family with a student enrolled in the preschool program at Ardmore, Eastgate, and Wilburton elementaries who is eligible to return for the 2023-2024 school year. This input will help to determine which preschool location each family would prefer to attend for the 2023-2024 year and ensure impacted families know that they have choice in placement.
Mary’s Place
Similar to other focus groups offered around the district, we will be hosting a family focus group at Mary’s Place. We are currently working with the staff at Mary’s Place to schedule in the upcoming week.
Regional Transition Teams
Three Regional Transition Teams consisting of individuals from various schools and roles including parents, administrators, and school staff will meet weekly to plan positive and welcoming transitions for students and families. The teams are divided into three regions based on geographical location:
- Mid-West: Wilburton, Enatai, and Clyde Hill
- South: Eastgate, Somerset, Spiritridge, and Woodridge
- North: Ardmore, Bennett, Cherry Crest, and Sherwood Forest
Thank you for your involvement and support as we work on transition planning together as a community. The Board of Directors will review updated recommendations on the consolidation plan at their regular Board meeting on March 9 and will act on the recommendation at a special Board meeting on March 16. Please visit the Planning for the Future – Recommended School Consolidations page for additional information and updates.