LWSD schools are open May 24 and 28

The updated 2018-19 calendar on the district website correctly shows that school is in session on Friday, May 24, 2019 and Tuesday, May 28, 2019. This calendar was updated online after the decision was made on how to make up the missed time due to the February snow events. Calendars created before last summer had shown that May 24 was a scheduled LEAP day and May 28 a snow make up day. We apologize for any confusion. For the most accurate and up-to-date calendars, please refer to the district website.

Time capsule at Mead Elementary reveals what has changed – and what hasn’t – in 14 years

Also, Mead Elementary planning alumni event to celebrate the opening of the new building

When construction began on the new Margaret Mead Elementary School last year, workers dug up a time capsule from 2005. It was filled with newspapers, the school yearbook, lists of trends and letters from students. Some of the letters were written to future students and other letters were written to the students’ future selves.  

Some things have changed since 2005. Technology was a popular topic in the student letters. Several wrote they were hoping to have an iPod in the future. Apple was working to release its fourth-generation iPod in 2005. The first iPhone would not hit the market for another two years. In the evening, students enjoyed chatting on AOL Instant Messenger or watching the hit TV show, “Survivor.” Video game consoles were popular. Students played Xbox, PlayStation 2 or Nintendo DS.  

The school hopes some of the former students will return for an alumni and community event on Thursday, June 6 from 7 - 8 p.m. Alumni can look through their old yearbooks in the library or write a fond memory on the exterior walls. The 2005 time capsule will go back into a wall of the new building until 2030 – the 50th anniversary of Margaret Mead Elementary. 

Read more about the Mead time capsule and alumni event on the district website. 

Planning for 2019-20 

Becky Kadrmas named Director of Accelerated Programs, Choice and Innovation

Becky is currently serving as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Evergreen Public Schools, a position she has held since 2016. In this role, Becky led a team of content specialists and TOSAs with oversight for the district’s curriculum adoption process. Becky was also responsible for providing oversight for Evergreen’s Highly Capable Program, including implementing screening tools, identification and student placement. In addition, Becky provided coordination for professional learning of new teachers and ongoing job-embedded professional learning. Prior to this role, Becky served as an elementary principal in Evergreen School District and has additional experience as an elementary and middle school principal in other districts.

Chris Brenengen named Director, Business Services

Chris has been selected to serve as the Director, Business Services. Chris comes to us from Northshore School District where he has worked for the last 17 years. Most recently he served as the Director of Finance overseeing the district finances, budget processes, enrollment projections and reporting, and assisting with bond and levy preparations. Chris has been part of multiple committees to inform district work including the 7-period day committee and enrollment and demographic task force and has been working closely with staff to implement new federal and state required accounting structures. Prior to his service at Northshore, he worked for the City of Seattle in the Accounting Department.

Kimberly Brenner named Associate Director, Early Learning

Kimberly Brenner has been selected as the new Associate Director, Early Learning for Lake Washington School District. For the past four years, Kimberly has served as the principal of Silver Firs Elementary School in the Everett School District. As part of this position, she supervised district preschool programs and developmental kindergarten.  Under her guidance, the early learning program added additional classrooms, developed parent nights for families, engaged with community and implemented the roll-out of PBIS. Before serving in her current position, Kimberly was an Assistant Principal at Eisenhower Middle school for two years.  She began her educational career as an elementary special education teacher and spent almost ten years in the classroom supporting students with special needs.

Rob Jones named Associate Principal at Redmond High School

Rob Jones is honored and excited to accept the position of Associate Principal at Redmond High School! A school steeped in rich history, academic excellence. and high expectations is indeed an amazing place to be and he is thrilled to join the team. Ensuring that every student is engaged, has a voice, and an equitable opportunity is of paramount importance to Rob. This is Rob’s 13th year in public education and along the way he has worked in a variety of positions and capacities to help students learn and succeed. Originally from Pennsylvania, his first several years of teaching experience were on the east coast. He moved to Washington in 2010 and has called LWSD his professional home since then. His experience includes teaching 9-12 grade English and History classes at three different high schools. serving as a Humanities Department Chair, 504 Monitor. and most recently, Dean of Students at Eastlake High School.
 
Colette Roche named Associate Principal at Redmond High School

Colette Roche is excited to join the Redmond High School (RHS) staff as an Associate Principal. She is looking forward to working with students, staff. parents, families and community members to continue the tradition of educational excellence that is RHS. She brings to RHS a passion for teaching, learning, and building community. Next year she is excited to begin her 28th year as a high school educator during which time she has served as an English teacher, a swim and water polo coach, an educational technology coach, an assistant principal, and an associate principal. Throughout these experiences she has enjoyed and appreciated many opportunities to build relationships with and empower students, staff, parents and community members in Vallejo and Oakland, Calif. 

Reminder: Attention fifth-grade parents: Tdap vaccination requirement  

Parents of fifth grade students: To enter the sixth grade, families must show proof of one dose of the Tdap vaccine (to help prevent pertussis/whooping cough). The deadline to turn in the completion form is June 1, 2019, unless your child has a summer birthday. Children with summer birthdays just need to have a completed form on file by the first day of school. The form is also available on the district website.

If you choose to take an exemption based on medical, religious or for personal reasons, it must be documented on a Certificate of Exemption (COE) form.

If you have any questions, please contact your school nurse. 

Reminder: Lake Washington School District to Offer Summer High School Athletics Program

Summer athletics programs to operate the same as during the school year 

Starting in Summer 2019, Lake Washington School District (LWSD) is offering high school summer athletics as part of its overall athletics programming. 

Starting this year, LWSD will officially offer a summer athletic season that will compensate coaches for providing supervision, establish a system that ensures compliance with WIAA rules, ensure that team summer activities are carried out in a fashion consistent with the same standard of care as is applied throughout the school year, and ensure that all participants are medically cleared to participate.

Read more about the summer athletics program.

Reminder: Lake Washington Preschool Program accepting applications

Lake Washington School District's Preschool Program is now accepting tuition-based applications for the 2019-20 school year. Parents are encouraged to apply so students can be placed on their preschool site's waiting list*. 

Applications will be accepted at the Resource Center on any school day from 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

*Acceptance to preschool programs is based on space at each school. 

Read more about Lake Washington Preschool Programs.

Parents will be notified of results by May 15. After April 1, applications will be accepted at the Resource Center on any school day from 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

*Acceptance to preschool programs after the lottery is based on remaining space at each school.

Read more about Lake Washington Preschool Program.

Reminder: Tell your neighbors and friends: Register early for Kindergarten for 2019-20

If you live in Lake Washington School District (LWSD) and your child will be five years old on or before August 31, 2019, now is the time to register them for Kindergarten! Registration takes place at your neighborhood school 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 Information webpage for more information.

Best of the best – two LWSD high schools ranked in Washington state’s top 20 

The annual U.S. News & World Report high school rankings are here and Lake Washington School District (LWSD) schools did very well. International Community School (ICS) and Redmond High School (RHS) are both ranked in the top 20 in Washington state. ICS came in second place and RHS was ranked at number 14. Four other LWSD high schools made the list as well. Lake Washington (No. 22), Juanita (No. 29), Eastlake (No. 73) and Futures School (No. 125). Nikola Tesla STEM High School was not ranked as part of this report. Read more about the rankings. 

Conservation is not “for the birds” – students highlight the beauty of the natural world through art

Artistic expression and exploration of nature come together in the annual U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Junior Duck Stamp Art Stamp Contest. This is the first year Lake Washington High School (LWHS) advanced art students submitted artwork to the contest. Congratulations to the four LWHS students who placed on the state level: 

• Daniel Garcini, 2nd place
• Autumn Workman, 2nd place 
• Malia Lakman, 3rd place
• Zara Ramerman, 3rd place

Read more about the award winners.

Read more student and staff success stories here.

We’re hiring!

LWSD needs paraeducators, instructional assistants, bus drivers, custodians, plumbers and electricians. 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.

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.