Capital Projects Levy by the numbers 

The LWSD Capital Projects Levy will be on the April 23, 2019 ballot. Between now and the election, the district will be providing opportunities to learn more about what is included in the levy proposal in publications like Connections, the district website and elsewhere. Stay tuned for more information as we get closer to April. The 2019 Levy page is now available on the LWSD website for additional information. 

Below are some fast facts related to the district’s enrollment numbers.

HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health curriculum presentation for grades 4-12

Interested in learning more about the HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health curriculum for students in grades 4-12?  Attend the HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health curriculum presentation for 4 -12 grade parents on February 5 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the LWSD Resource Center (16250 NE 74th Street, Redmond, WA 98052). Information about the curriculum will be shared and materials will be available for parents to review.

Building on Success is Lake Washington School District's long-term plan designed to accommodate a rapidly growing student enrollment and provide quality learning environments and experiences for our students. The long-term plan guides the district as we continue building toward future success. The bond measure that passed in April 2016 provides funding for eight capital improvement projects from the long-term plan.

Geothermal heat, native plants, LED lights: JHS students learn about their new school

The construction project team for the new Juanita High School (JHS) visited students in the JHS Earth Corps club and AP Physics class on November 6. They shared how to incorporate sustainability into a variety of jobs and industries. The team also emphasized the diverse career paths that led them to their roles on the project team.

The team discussed several features of the new school that will reduce its impact on the environment. Designer Kim Young from Integrus Architecture explained how the design of the building will utilize low impact development and bioretention planters to allow stormwater to slowly filter through the ground. Since Lake Washington School District utilizes native landscaping at its facilities, the district won’t need to water the established plants during the summer. The landscaping is also designed to shade the building during warmer months. 

Jed Reynolds, LWSD’s Resource Conservation Manager, told students to look for LED lights inside and outside of their new school. Occupancy sensors will turn off the lights and HVAC system if the room is empty. If they look closely, students will also be able to spot the photocells that measure daylight and dim artificial light when it is not needed. The design of classrooms and common areas take advantage of natural light to reduce the need for artificial light.

Water savings at JHS will come from high-efficiency toilets and sinks, as well as high-efficiency kitchen appliances.

Melinda Herrin, a mechanical engineer on the project, explained the physics of the geothermal heating system to the students and their teachers. One student wanted to know why the system at JHS requires more than 200 holes drilled to a depth of 300 feet – about the height of the Statue of Liberty. Herrin explained that the optimal surface area is calculated based on average temperatures as well as the area of the school. A geothermal/heat pump system is 400 percent efficient compared to a boiler heating system that is only 80-95 percent efficient.

After the presentation, Earth Corps students went to work on a video to promote correct recycling and composting at their school. Because, as they learned during the presentation, “the most important sustainable feature of all is you!”

Tell your neighbors and friends: Kindergarten Registration for 2019-20 starts February 7

If you live in Lake Washington School District (LWSD) and your child will be five years old on or before August 31, 2019, it is time to register them for Kindergarten. Registration takes place at your neighborhood school, beginning February 7 from 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. and continuing during regular school hours through the beginning of the 2019-20 school year. 

While registration will continue throughout the school year and summer, parents are highly encouraged to register students as soon as possible. Doing so helps ensure class sizes are balanced and adequate staff are hired in time for the new school year. 

Visit the Kindergarten Registration webpage for more information.

Lake Washington Schools Open Enrollment Is February 1-28, 2019

Some schools closed to those outside their area
Lake Washington School District holds an open enrollment period once each year for parents who want their children to attend a school other than their neighborhood school. Parents may apply between February 1-28 for a change to the school assignment for the 2019-20 school year for their student in grades 1-12. This option is also known as an In-District Variance.

This open enrollment option only applies to neighborhood schools that have space available. The list of schools that are closed to students outside their neighborhood will be available on the district website on January 31. Schools are closed if current and projected enrollment shows that students who live within their attendance boundary will fill the school’s capacity. District enrollment has increased rapidly over the last seven years. Learn more on the In-District Variance webpage. 

Reminder: Choice School applications open; Middle school and high school options booklets available

Choice school applications are now available online for the 2018-19 school year. The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. January 18, 2019, for any school that relies on a lottery to determine enrollment.

Parents of students in grades five or eight should have received a Middle School Options postcard or High School Options postcard. They outline the opportunities in these respective levels, including information about neighborhood schools and choice schools. Videos about each choice school are posted on the district website and YouTube channel.

High school students demonstrate a robot at Mann Elementary

Teachers at Horace Mann Elementary School have been collaborating this year with students from Redmond High School (RHS) who are members of the Infinity Robotics club. During Computer Science Education Week, three RHS students from the club presented a demonstration of their robot for second-graders and fourth-graders. Read more about the demonstration.

It’s all in the music – former LWSD student excelling as owner of music instruction company 

Lake Washington High School graduate Nathan Straub has been very busy since graduating in 2010. The Kirkland native graduated with a masters from Washington State University, started teaching music and is now the owner and director of a local music instruction business. This was all before the age of 26!
Read more about Nathan Straub.

Read more student and staff success stories here.

We’re hiring!

LWSD needs bus drivers, custodians, para educators and instructional assistants. Job descriptions are available on the district website, under “Employment” then “Classified Employees.” Bus drivers earn $25.57 per hour. Learn more about why driving a bus for LWSD is a great job. Please share this information with your friends and neighbors.

Lake Washington School District is currently hiring paraeducators

Paraeducators make an important difference in the lives of our students. Paraeducators are responsible for individual and small-group instructional support for students who have physical, behavioral or medical needs; encourage and help students working on assignments; support students’ health care needs; and much more. Additional job descriptions, qualifications, openings and more are available on the district website.

Custodians needed

LWSD is looking to fill multiple custodial positions throughout our district. Custodians need to have a high school diploma or equivalent, complete a physical and pass a criminal background check. Job descriptions are available on the district website, under “Employment” then “Classified Employees.” Pass along to anyone looking for an important and fulfilling position with LWSD.

Sodexo/Nutrition Services is hiring

Are you looking for a way to get involved in LWSD? 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.