Connections - August 29, 2017

Welcome back!

This newsletter is just one way to stay in touch with what is happening in the district. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-date news and information.


Learning-Focused

A Message from Dr. Traci Pierce, Superintendent

Welcome to 2017-18
Learning, Growing, Building #proud2bLWSD

We are so excited to begin the 2017-18 school year! Our teams have been working hard over the past several weeks to finalize preparations for the start of school. We look forward to welcoming all new and returning LWSD families and students.

As superintendent, I want to make sure you know our district commitment to student learning and our vision of Every Student Future Ready. When we say every student, we mean every single student. Lake Washington is proud to serve a diverse and growing community. We care about every single one of our students and are committed to their learning and success. Read more of Dr. Pierce’s September message to the LWSD community.


Building on Success

Building on Success is Lake Washington School District's long-term plan to reduce overcrowding, accommodate growing enrollment, and continue to provide quality learning environments and experiences for our students. A $398 million bond, approved by voters in April 2016, funds eight school projects. Specific bond projects are based on recommendations from the Long-Term Facilities Planning Task Force. This group also made suggestions that guide our district's approach to school design and construction.

To meet forecasted enrollment growth, the Task Force recommended a number of projects through 2030. The district, with support of a Bond and Levy Advisory Committee, developed a long-term bond funding plan that includes the 2016 bond measure in addition to measures in 2018, 2022 and 2026.

Check out the Building on Success webpage, or sign up for future updates.


Important Reminders & Updates

Verify your student’s information online now

You can now verify your student’s information online through Skyward Family Access. Check the information on file for accuracy. You can also change student information, including health information and emergency contacts. Read more.

Boundary Process for New Schools in the Redmond Learning Community

As two new elementary schools and a new middle school are built in the Redmond Learning Community, attendance boundaries must be adjusted. Last spring, the Redmond Boundary Committee was formed to analyze the attendance areas for the elementary and middle schools in the Redmond area. This committee is also analyzing high school attendance areas, given current and future projections. The committee has developed scenarios and collected feedback from parents, staff and community members throughout the process. In September, new scenarios will be shared and additional feedback will be collected from the community at open houses and online. In October 2017, the last set of scenarios will be shared online for feedback from families and community members. In November 2017, a final recommendation for boundary adjustments will be presented to the LWSD Board of Directors. Read more about the Redmond Learning Community Boundary Review Process.

Update on School Start Times

For the past two years, the College and Career Readiness Task Force has been studying the impacts of the new state 24-credit graduation requirements and the potential for a seven-period day for grades 9-12 and other creative ways to expand options for students in grades 9-12. In April 2017, the Task force recommended adding time to the high school day to create a seventh period in each of our high schools. This change would not take place any earlier than the 2018-19 school year.

In addition, this committee is studying school start times. In June, we surveyed K-12 staff, parents, and high school students to gather feedback on four start/dismissal time options currently under consideration. In September 2017, the School Start Time Advisory will convene and review the results of the June survey and determine additional information needed to make a recommendation for any change to current school start and dismissal times. Any proposed school start changes would not take place any earlier than 2018-19. Learn more about the work of the College and Career Readiness Task Force, or sign up for updates from this committee here.

What’s the best way to reach you? Let us know through Skylert

Skylert is a new tool that allows you to control how we contact you for emergencies, attendance calls, food service balance notifications and other communications using our parent notification service.

You can get to Skylert through Parent Access. In Parent Access, click on “Skyward Family Access” (right side of the page). Next, click on the Skylert tab. In Skylert, you will see the phone numbers, email addresses, and text message numbers on file for you. Select or unselect the boxes to indicate which phone number or email address should get each message by type. You can add phone numbers to get text messages. You can also add more contact numbers/emails.

Keep your student healthy – Reminders from Health Services

Before school starts on September 5, don’t forget:

  • Families must show proof of immunization or certification of exemption for each child to attend school. Students cannot start school without the required documentation. Read more.
  • If your child has a life-threatening health condition, you must supply the required emergency medication, health care provider orders, an individual health plan, and any necessary supplies on or before the first day of school. Until those items are in place, your child will not be able to attend school. Read more.

Getting to/from school:

Riding the bus: LWSD’s transportation department will mail out postcards to all families whose student(s) qualify to ride the school bus to/from school early this week. Watch for them in your mailbox soon. Questions about buses? Contact the transportation department at 425-936-1120 or visit the district website.

Walking or Bicycling: Walking and bicycling are healthy ways for students to get to school. Suggested Walk Route Maps for elementary schools are available on the district website. A subcommittee of the district’s Safety Advisory Committee, along with traffic and pedestrian safety experts, worked with a consultant to develop these safe walking/biking routes.

Kindergarten Family Connections help students, families have a successful year

Lake Washington School District provides full-day kindergarten, funded by the state of Washington. The first day of school and classes for kindergarten students will be September 11. (Grades 1-12 begin school on September 5.) Kindergarten families will meet with their student’s teacher in a Family Connection meeting between September 5-8. Schools will connect with families directly to schedule these meetings.

Peachjar to deliver community electronic flyers

LWSD will continue using the Peachjar eflyer service this school year. Peachjar distributes eflyers from nonprofit organizations as well as from schools and school-related organizations directly to parent email inboxes. If you are new to LWSD, you will receive a welcome email from Peachjar that gives instructions on how to manage flyer delivery preferences.

Is your child’s backpack too heavy?

According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), backpacks should weigh less than 10 percent of a student’s body weight. Backpack Awareness Day is September 20. Purchasing a backpack this year? Visit the AOTA website for tips on purchasing the right backpack for your child.

Want a full LWSD Calendar for the 2017-2018 school year?

Printable versions of the district calendar are available on the district website. You can also access the Tandem Online Calendar for school-specific events.

Meal prices increase for 2017-18

At the May 8 School Board Meeting, the Board approved price increases for breakfast and lunches for the 2017-18 school year. The impact of inflation on both food and labor costs make an increase necessary. The last time prices were increased was in the 2014-15 school year. See this year’s prices below.

Breakfast:

  • Elementary = $1.50
  • Secondary = $1.75
  • Adult = $2.50

Lunch:

  • Elementary = $3.00
  • Secondary = $3.25
  • Adult = $4.00


Budget

On Monday, August 28, the Lake Washington School District Board of Directors unanimously approved the 2017-18 budget. The full budget document may be reviewed here.


Work with us

LWSD is hiring Special Education Teachers for fall

A recently approved contract reduces Special Education caseloads and includes time for teachers to work on case management. It also includes release days and a pay increase for Special Education teachers.

LWSD also has an award-winning New Teacher Support Program. Our strong community, innovative programs and community partnerships help support teachers and students. Apply today or email nteteak@lwsd.org for more information.

Looking for a new job? We’re hiring!

LWSD needs bus drivers and substitute custodians. Job descriptions are available on the district website, under “Employment” then “Classified Positions.” Bus drivers earn $24.80 per hour. Learn more about why driving a bus for LWSD is a great job. Substitute custodians earn $16.78 per hour. Please share this information with your friends and neighbors.

Sodexo/Nutrition Services is Now Hiring

Are you looking for a way to get involved in Lake Washington School District? Would you like a part-time job that gives you the flexibility to be with your kids before and after school? Shifts that range from two hours to eight hours are available, helping serve students breakfast and lunch. Starting pay depends on experience. If interested, contact Nutrition Services at 425-936-1385.


Student & Staff Success

Redmond Middle School teacher named Outstanding New Art Educator of the Year

Emily Jacobson-Ross, an art teacher at Redmond Middle School has been named the Washington ART Education Association (WAEA) 2017 Outstanding New Art Educator of the Year. Jacobson-Ross was nominated by her peers for this award. Judges used a comprehensive scoring rubric to determine the winner. Read more.

Increasing outcomes for all students: Heather Sánchez recognized for vision in K-12 public education

Heather Sánchez, Director, Accelerated Programs, Choice & Innovation, has received the 2016 Dr. Doyle E. Winter Scholarship for Administrative Leadership in Education. This $1,000 scholarship was presented to Sánchez at the 2017 Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA)/Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) Summer Conference in Spokane, Wash. on June 26. This award is co-sponsored by Piper Jaffray & Co. and WASA. Read more.