In the Strike Zone

It's hard not to lose a little faith in the system during this strike. To not take it personally that Seattle Public Schools betrayed the trust with parents. We put our children and their futures in the hands of this system, and we trust SPS will find the best ways to educate them, retain the most qualified staff & teachers and provide a holistic education that nurtures their minds, bodies & spirits. Yet what's being revealed of SPS through the late negotiations, retention of legal services and disingenuous tone (when they finally do speak to the public) is an apathy--a disdain.

Why is this? Is Nyland just a frontman for a School Board drunk with power? Is this a larger issue of funding at the state level that might create a larger judicial & legislative crisis? Is this a symptom of efforts to privatize schools (charter schools)? Is there too much of a hierarchy in the SPS which requires "funding" before the teachers? 

I stand with the teachers (of course) yet at the same time I've had to quell my disappointment especially for our daughter and all the new Kindergarten families we know who didn't get to start this week. But I'm a stay-at-home mom, so I can absorb the inconvenience of her being out of school for as long as it takes. Obviously many other parents/teachers/staff members can't do that but it would be tragic if SPS successfully wears down the parents and teachers into accepting something subpar just to end this standoff--effectively turning parents against their kids' own best interests. 

But whatever happens, things will never be the same. It makes me wonder, since we're at the beginning of our relationship with SPS, is this what we can come to expect from them? 

Where I had never known before who my school board district rep is (looking at you, Sharon Peaslee), I know now so when reelection comes up, I will remember your name--and not in a good way. This process has swung the unrelenting, inquisitive eye of parents/voters/taxpayers/community members to take a long look into how schools are run and how teachers are treated by their employer. This is good for me as a parent to know and it shouldn't be taken for granted.
But what really encourages me, is that despite how hard the job is, how under appreciated and under compensated it remains, there are amazing teachers still dedicated to it.

Seattle Public Schools: Prioritize Recess, Compensate Teachers and Avoid a Strike

School here in Seattle is supposed to start on September 9th but not so fast... The teachers and the district still have not agreed on a contract. As much as I want Sidney to start 1st grade as scheduled, I am TOTALLY supportive of the teachers on this one. After last year's introduction to the public school system (as a parent now), the work most teachers do and the commitment they have to their jobs--given the politics and ridiculously low salaries--makes them nothing less than real-life superheroes. True story. Two of the biggest issues I see are getting enough recess/active time and pay increases for the teachers. So I let the school board know! If you are a Seattle Public School Parent and you care about this stuff too, feel free to write as well:

superintendant@seattleschools.org
ombudsman@seattleschools.org
schoolboard@seattleschools.org

Dear Director Sharon Peaslee, School Board Directors, Supt. Nyland & the SPS Ombudsman:

Before 2014, the negotiations, compromises and shortcomings between the Seattle Public School District and the teachers' union SEA didn't concern me in the least. I didn't know (as I do now) what all the hullabaloo was about. 

But when my first born started Kindergarten last year, I got to live and breathe what was splashed all over in the local papers and news casts. Volunteering in the classroom on a regular basis provided an indisputable view of the daily experience of my daughter and her 25 classmates. In the past, I had been dubious to some of the concerns and frustrations voiced by teachers, but my opinion now is that teachers are expected to achieve unattainable legislated expectations with uneven parental support & hostile oversight by the School Board which is like walking a tightrope while juggling knives through a ring of fire. Instead, we should be giving these teachers and school administrators everything they need to succeed so that our children can succeed. That means competitive wages with increases over their existing paltry salaries and 45 minutes of recess a day.

Simply put, a competitive, living wage will entice and retain talented individuals who can share their inspiration and love of learning with our children so for that, they definitely deserve a 21% raise over 3 years. Of course, if every kid in a classroom came to school (1) well-adjusted with a stable home life and supportive caregivers (2) unencumbered by learning, behavioral, mental or physical disabilities (big or small) and (3) academically proficient--maybe I could see being more hardline with teachers. But I watched my daughter's teacher continually and compassionately intervene to address 2-3 children again and again who clearly didn't have some of those advantages which directly affected their classroom behavior and ability to learn. 

I was also in the lunchroom (more like a pressure cooker) with the kids. I watched as they quickly scarfed down food so they could have a measly 15 minutes for recess/physical activity. I even tried to assist some of the kids buying lunch who were immediately disadvantaged and robbed of precious minutes to eat/digest. But I agonized over the sickening amount of perfectly good food that went to waste. The kids had to make a no-win choice on lunch vs. recess--while never getting enough of either. So, stop making excuses about state instructional time mandates because that has no impact on lunch and recess! Recess counts toward instructional time, so honoring the SEA and parent request of at least 45 minutes of recess per day is entirely feasible. The health, well-being, and ultimate academic success of our children depends on it. Please listen to what the experts, staff, and community are telling you. Be a progressive model for great education instead of an impediment. 

In closing, The lack of seriousness shown by the school district in regard to our children's health is appalling and disappointing. Therefore, I ask that you grant the SEA's request of 45 minutes of recess per day and to pay teachers commensurate for the significant responsibility they have. Without great teachers, our district is nothing.

******

Empire: Where are all the ladies?

The British-based Empire Magazine is hands-down my favorite periodical about the film industry. With few adverts, a comprehensive look at British cinema, US blockbusters & art house indies, they always deliver to the sweet spot of my interests. Also the editorial crackles with a wry & smart sense of humor though unconventional interviews, in-depth looks at projects in production, and helpful reviews. There is also a palpable, unapologetic penchant for Tom Hiddleston. He's somewhere in every issue. Seriously.

Before, I'd only ever seen the magazine in London when I went to school there in the mid-90's. Then a few years ago, I discovered Pike Place Market Newsstand here in Seattle carried Empire so I would make the trek down there when I could to pick one up. But now as luck would have it, I was recently gifted a subscription so I can save myself some trips downtown.

The latest August edition features a compilation of the "100 Greatest Movie Characters" voted on by over 10,000 readers. I know I shouldn't put too much stock into these kinds of things. I know it shouldn't matter...but as I read through all 100 characters, and good number of which I agree with, I noticed how few female characters made the cut. Only 10 out of 100 in the history of all films. That's kinda sad, because there absolutely has to be more worthy female characters out there. Has to. One of my absolute favorite characters, Ellen Ripley of the Alien franchise, is in the top 5--as she should be. But it's a long walk to the next female character in the 20's. When I checked the list (twice even), I noticed some glaring omissions.

Princess Leia: Wow, in a list that includes Luke Skywalker #50, Darth Vader #9, Obi-Wan #51 and Han Solo #3 (& Yoda #38!) to leave out the one person who gets sh** done in the original three movies? Shameful.

Scarlett O'Hara: One of the most dynamic heroines from an era when women weren't supposed to do anything without their father's or husband's permission. Scarlett embodied a larger-than-life personality in a larger-than-life film production. Short memories, people!

Hermione Granger: So Harry Potter #67 makes it but not the person who continually saves everyone's skin every single time because she did the homework? Brits, this is one of your own. How could you let this happen?

Elinor Dashwood: Okay, this could be a little niche given that it's a Jane Austen character but this movie rates as one of my all-time top favorite movies for it's writing and acting. Everything about this character is impactful and Elinor embodies such restraint and loyalty--Gah! Pass the tissue.

Bridget Jones: A modern, funny, poignant, flawed British woman played expertly by a Texan--and she nailed it. It makes up for all the British dudes honing their American accents for roles over here.

Mulan: A truly kick-ass, non-princess female Disney character. She's a warrior in an epic tale about self-sacrifice for one's family and one's country. If you're going to include animated characters like Optimus Prime #98, Woody #82, Edna Mode #100 or even Gromit #88, Mulan has got to rate in there too.

So maybe there is a great undervaluing of work women have already done in film by Empire readers or maybe there aren't enough 'greatest-movie-character' caliber parts available to women. But if you look at it, this list is really male and really white so it probably has more to do with who answered this poll than anything else.

But these lists influence what people watch, especially when it comes to building cinematic foundations and back catalog. In future, Empire should reveal it's polling demographic data or aim for a 50/50 target representation of participants in future polls to make things really interesting.

On Writing

My New Year's Resolution this year was to read a book that had nothing to do with parenting. Just one was the goal. Mission accomplished and it only took 7 months!

I was once an avid reader, especially when I was in school--it also didn't hurt that I was an English minor with an emphasis in literary criticism. But since becoming a parent, I have found my time highly fractured and overcommitted.  The anguish of trying to read a novel or long-form story with that constant pressure, outweighed any perceived benefit. To fill the void, I consumed the snack food of the literary world: magazines, graphic novels, comics and fan fiction (some of the best-worst stuff ever written, btw). Of course, many of the moms I interact with participate in book clubs and I marvel at their ability to finish 'real' books. That should have been my first (and continuing) clue that I was making excuses. Also, I just need to step away from the Facebook, hours upon hours get sucked down that insatiable black hole.

Anyway, I set my expectations low on purpose because I didn't want to fail. But during our recent LA vacation, I read Stephen King's writing memoir On Writing. I discovered this book when I briefly considered signing up for an online class about writing adult fiction--a genre I have no experience writing. Well, that's not entirely true: there were earnest (though misguided) attempts in college where overwrought self-awareness and a profound lack imagination combined into a cringe-worthy mess. But while reading reviews about the online writing course offered by a prolific fiction writer (not Stephen King), many people instead praised King's memoir as being a superior, highly instructive awas a much cheaper alternative to the class.  By coincidence, my mom, who is writing children's fiction, credited the tools and advice in his book for helping her break though to a major revision and advancement of a story she's been working on for years. And after reading her energized and imaginative revision, I was all "I'll-have-what-she's-having." With enough mental reserves to appreciate King's solid advice, our kid-free, care-free LA trip proved to be a perfect time and place to read On Writing.

In high school, I devoured a sampling of King's work like It, Tommyknockers, Misery, The Dark Tower, The Stand and one of his short story collections. The accessibility of his writing was something I always admired even if the subject matter was unsettling. A few weeks ago when I was only half done with On Writing, we lunched in Santa Monica with a college friend who is a writer. I recommended this book to him in an "I've-discovered-something-new" way.  He assured me he'd read it 3 times since it came out 15 years ago. Oops, late to the party again. But the book still stands up, no question, which explains why I was #14 deep in Seattle Public Library's hold queue for it. 

One thing I always disliked about "writers" as opposed to actual writers, is that "writers" were people who debated, agonized and over-analyzed writing (I'm very aware that I'm toeing that line right now.) But the people who just sit down everyday and put in the time are the shit. Even if it's drivel. The output won't often be inspired and it's not guaranteed to be good but like anything else, you have to put in the time to practice. 

I think at this point, the audacity of writing a fiction novel is like deciding to run a marathon just because you bought new shoes. I haven't trained a lick but, by gawd, I have the shoes. Still there's something so plucky and fresh in that. Another thing King said, and I'm not spoiling anything here, is that a good writer reads. I think my English teacher in high school, Maggie Bates, mentioned that too. Seeing how others make ideas flow, develop characters and tell a story is the other half of "marathon" training. 

One main thing King emphatically championed was a writing space with a door to shut out the world. After a few years of envying everyone else's retreat space in this house, I finally commandeered part of our guest bedroom, which will continue to pull double duty but at least it's something. We'll see what comes of it. No excuses.