LINKS Volunteer Program - Lake Washington School District

The LINKS (Looking into the Needs of Kids and Schools) volunteer program is part of the Lake Washington School District (LWSD), with additional funding provided by the Lake Washington Schools Foundation.

In the LINKS Lunch Buddy Program, we bring students together with caring adults. Mentors come during school hours once a week and spend the lunch hour in a pre-assigned area to eat, play games, make crafts, talk and do other agreed-upon activities. Mentors provide support to students who need a little extra one-on-one attention.

LINKS Lunch Buddy mentors help students feel engaged, supported and challenged which can improve students' confidence and help students acquire the skills needed for lifelong success, in school and beyond. Studies have shown that children with mentors are more likely to succeed.

Mentoring promotes

Increased self-esteem
Better social skills
Increased attendance
Fewer discipline referrals
Improved attitude towards school and the future
Improved grades

Apply to be a LINKS Lunch Buddy

LINKS Lunch Buddy mentor support

Required orientation

If you applied to be a LINKS Lunch Buddy, a 2 1/2-hour mentor orientation is required to support a successful experience. Upcoming orientation dates are listed in the section below.
To sign up for an orientation, contact Victoria Goetze-Nelson at 425-936-1410 to reserve a spot.
Orientation may be cancelled due to low enrollment. Please check the "Upcoming orientations" section below the morning of your scheduled training date to confirm the meeting has not been rescheduled.

Upcoming orientations

Mentor manual

How to join a Microsoft Teams meeting with your Lunch Buddy

Join a Teams meeting on the web (without installing the app)
- In your email invite, select Click here to join the meeting. You can also use a dial-in number and conference ID from the email to call in.
You have three choices: (Choose option 2, continue on this browser)
- Download the Windows app: Download the Teams desktop app.
- Continue on this browser: Join a Teams meeting on the web.
- Open your Teams app: If you already have the Teams app, go right to your meeting.
Type your name.
Choose your audio and video settings.
Select Join now
Tips for your Microsoft Teams Video Meeting
- Be aware of your surroundings. Select a quiet location before beginning the session. Look around and make sure that your background is appropriate for your Lunch Buddy to see. You are welcome to use any of the free backgrounds that Teams provides (if you choose to install Microsoft Teams App). If you are not sure how to switch over to one of their backgrounds, please email the District LINKS Program Coordinator (she would be happy to help!).
- Do not be distracted. Paying attention to your mentee is key. If you are fiddling with your keyboard, cell phone, or writing, your mentee will feel that they are not important to you.
- If you want to do an on-line activity that is not on our list, please send an email to your School Site Coordinator a few days before you meet so they have time to review the site you want to share.
- If you are going to share your screen, make sure to close other open windows on your computer before you meet so the only things your mentee can see are you and the activity you are going play/share.
- Stay seated in one place during the session, don’t move around.

Mentor resources

LINKS Lunch Buddy Program FAQ

Who are LINKS Lunch Buddy mentors?

What does a LINKS Lunch Buddy mentor do?

Who are the students and how are they identified?

There is a wide range of reasons students get referred to the program. A teacher, principal or counselor can identify which students will benefit the most from the program and who face challenges to their academic success. The students might:

Qualify for Safety Net Services
Be English Language Learners
Qualify as homeless under McKinney-Vento
Be having behavioral challenges which affect their ability to focus on academics
Be having trouble connecting and engaging with the teacher or other students.
Be any student that would benefit from having extra adult support.

What support is available for mentors?

All mentors attend a two-hour orientation that will provide information and tips to be successful. There are also a variety of activities and resources available on this webpage. In addition, every school has a Lunch Buddy School Site Coordinator that manages the program at their school. The district LINKS Program Coordinator, Victoria Goetze-Nelso (425-936-1410) is also available at any time to answer questions or address any concerns.

Which schools have a LINKS Lunch Buddy Program?

LINKS Lunch Buddy schools
School Name	Phone Number
Kirkland Schools
Franklin Elementary 12434 NE 60th Street, Kirkland 98033	425-936-2550
Juanita Elementary 9635 NE 132nd Street, Kirkland 98034	425-936-2570
Keller Elementary 13820 108th Avenue NE, Kirkland 98034	425-936-2580
Lakeview Elementary 10400 N.E. 68th ST, Kirkland, WA 98033	425-936-2600
Muir Elementary 14012 132nd Ave NE, Kirkland 98034	425-936-2640
Sandburg Elementary 12801 84th Ave NE, Kirkland 98034	425-936-2700
Thoreau Elementary 8224 NE 138th Street, Kirkland 98034	425-936-2720
Twain Elementary 9525 130th Ave NE, Kirkland 98033	425-936-2730
Redmond Schools
Clara Barton Elementary 12101 172nd Ave NE, Redmond 98052	425-936-2480
Einstein Elementary 18025 NE 116th Street, Redmond 98052	425-936-2540
Ella Baker Elementary 9595 Eastridge Drive NE, Redmond 98053	425-936-2790
Redmond Elementary 16800 NE 80th Street, Redmond 98052	425-936-2660
Rush Elementary 6101 152nd Ave NE, Redmond 98052	425-936-2690
Sammamish Schools
Mead Elementary 1725 216th Ave NE, Sammamish 98074	425-936-2630
Smith Elementary 23305 NE 14th Street, Sammamish 98074	425-936-2710

Contact Information

Victoria Goetze-Nelson
LINKS Program Coordinator
Email: lunchbuddy@lwsd.org

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