Never a better time for Seattle Schools?

The new school year begins in Seattle today, with the superintendent feeling “excited and hopeful that anything is possible” in the year ahead.

I’m not as confident, yet.

My daughter starts her junior year of high school. She’s enthusiastic, optimistic and one of those students who always gets a “she’s a delight to have in class” comment on her report cards. She has the school system figured out. Today she’s on the team who will help incoming, possibly nervous, freshmen. Have a great day sweetie; I know you will.

This is not a routine day for my son. He’s making the transition from elementary to middle school. No more bubbly fish tank in the school lobby, little kids’ artwork on the walls and shock absorbing wood chips on the playground. Instead, he’ll be surrounded by the echoing thud of steel locker doors slamming, the shuffle of grown up-sized tennis shoes tromping through the halls and concrete sidewalks with weeds growing through the gaps. Have a great day son; I don’t know how your day will go. I can’t wait to find out this afternoon.

What I lack in confidence, the interim Seattle Schools Superintendent more than makes up for with her email to parents.

“I cannot help but think about how your student starts each school year – excited and hopeful that anything is possible. At Seattle Public Schools, we will do all we can to live up to your expectations,” says Susan Enfield.

She lists four goals for the school year.

1. Great principals highly skilled as instructional leaders
2. Great teachers highly skilled in meeting the needs of all students
3. Families and community partners connected to our schools
4. Central office staff who serve and support schools and families

Enfield details these goals in a 29 slide PowerPoint presentation that’s filled with pictures of smiling, engaged students and teachers. She concludes, “There has never been a better time to be in Seattle Public Schools—here’s to a great year together!”