The Bryant Building Leadership Team (BLT) is a group of selected teachers, staff, and parents who meet monthly on Thursday mornings from 7:30-9:00 am. The team is facilitated by principal Kim Fox. Everyone is welcome to attend the BLT Meetings.

The work of the BLT, defined by the Seattle Education Association’s (SEA) contract with the intent of creating a collaborative decision making culture in every school, is directly related to three areas: the development and implementation of the academic achievement, professional development for teachers and staff, and development of building budgets.

The work of Building Leadership Teams is supported by the school district through the offices of Professional Development and Curriculum and Instruction and is directly related to the implementation of the Continuous School Improvement Plan or CSIP. The ultimate goal of school CSIP Plan is changed school practice to help bring all students to standard as measured by the Measurement of Student Progress or MPS and Measurement of Academic Progress MAP.

Current members of the Bryant BLT include: Kim Fox - principal; Karen Ludloff - Head Teacher, Trudy Springer - Secretary; Susan Finnegan - Librarian, Kevin Gallagher - Kindergarten Teacher, Craig Arango - Fifth grade teacher, Terrie McCoy - Ed Forum Chair, Jenny Williams - Third Grade Teacher, Kathy Weinman - PE Teacher, Cliff Traisman - Parent, Kimberly Mitchell - Parent, Tamie Callahan - Daycare, Beth Goldberg - PTSA President, and Lauren McGuire - PTSA Treasurer.

Caprice Hollins, Psy.D., the Director of Equity, Race and Learning for Seattle Public Schools, spoke at last month’s Forum on Education. Dr. Hollins is a gifted and insightful speaker. She described her own experiences growing up in a culturally diverse environment, effectively illustrating the challenges children face when living in an environment in which they are the minority.

Dr. Hollins also spoke about what the District is doing to eliminate the achievement gap. Goals include:

• Increasing the effectiveness and relevance of instructional support services for children

• Eliminating systemic barriers to students achievement

• Working with staff to increase their cultural competence and, therefore, their ability to provide culturally responsive instruction, effective cross-cultural communication and improved decision making

Bryant Forums on Education are regularly scheduled public events designed to inform and educate Bryant’s adult learners. Topics and information about Bryant Forums can be found in the Weekly and at the school website. Bryant’s Forums are facilitated by a group of parents and the principal.

Partners Council Members

2007-08

Cindy West, facilitator
Janet Miller (5th)
Margaret Cary (5th)
Elisabeth Archer (2nd, 5th)
John Schantz (4th)
Beth Mountsier (5th)
Jeff Scoma (1st)
Geeta Teredesai (1st)
Linda Robinson, co-facilitator