A Message From Dr. Jane Stavem, Superintendent

Spring is in the air

As the days grow longer and warmer, the world around us is coming alive with blossoms and blooms – many that I have never seen before. The colors are amazing, and I have taken more than a few pictures as spring unfolds.

Spring is also unfolding in our schools with numerous activities and events. Students have been performing, presenting and competing in so many ways and it is really exciting to see their talents in action. As I attend many of our school district events for the first time, I continue to be inspired by the creativity and commitment that our students show in the activities and projects they pursue. 

I think we often listen to the current narrative about students who are apathetic about learning or don’t have ways to explore interests and opportunities. Or we hear that students don’t care about school and aren’t challenged to do their best. 

Read Dr. Stavem’s full message here.

Thank you, voters!

The April 2019 Capital Projects Levy passed with 56.06 percent approval

“We are grateful to our community for supporting this measure as we continue to experience rapid growth in our district,” said Dr. Jane Stavem, Superintendent.

Levy funds will pay for critical projects to address enrollment growth and student safety and security. Proposed projects include: classroom additions at Lake Washington High School, including auxiliary gyms and commons; classroom additions at Carson Elementary, Franklin Elementary, Rose Hill Elementary, and Twain Elementary, including expansion of core facilities where feasible; and support student safety by adding exterior security cameras at elementary schools and create entry modifications for security at Eastlake, Redmond and Lake Washington High Schools. (Juanita High School’s entry modifications will be added during the current construction project.) 

LWSD is growing rapidly. LWSD’s official October 1 student enrollment was 29,987 students. This represents 417 more students than last year’s October 1 count. For the last 10 years, from 2008 to 2018, the district’s enrollment grew by approximately 620 students each year. That is the size of a large elementary school. A total of 6,218 more students are in LWSD schools today than 10 years ago, representing 26 percent growth. 

New schools built with sustainability features

New schools that are funded from the 2016 bond have many sustainable building features that conserve natural resources and enhance learning: 

• Abundant natural light saves energy and improves student learning.
• LED lighting inside and outside. Sensors will also dim lights automatically on sunny days. 
• Geothermal loops help keep the building comfortable. 
• Native and drought-resistant plants.
• High-efficiency plumbing fixtures. 
• White roofs will reflect heat on warm days.
• The infrastructure for electric car charging and solar PV systems will be in place so that these systems can be easily installed when funding is available to purchase them. 
• LWSD has 34 schools that have been named – or are working toward – King County Green Schools recognition.

Learn more about the projects funded through the 2016 bond measure.

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 available here:

https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/Pubs/348-106_CertificateofExemption.pdf

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

Lake Washington School District to Offer Summer Athletics Program 

Brings summer athletics programs into alignment with systems used during the school year 

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

Many of our high school students participate in athletic activities associated with their school during the months of June and July. WIAA allows for these activities (WIAA Rule: 17.10.0 – 17.10.5). Currently, coaches volunteer their time, or these activities are sponsored by booster clubs. There are varying practices in how these activities are both funded and organized, and LWSD has an interest in providing clarity to coaches, student-athletes and parents.

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 on our district website.

An easier way to purchase ORCA cards 

It’s now easier than ever to purchase youth, senior and Regional Reduced Fair Permit (RRFP) ORCA cards. ORCA To Go will be at Redmond City Hall on the second and fourth Thursday every month from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. At these times, customers will have access to full-service ORCA card sales and assistance for purchasing or loading bus fare on to a card. 

Here are the available options to you while ORCA To Go is at Redmond City Hall and some other details about the ORCA card:

• Adult, youth cards, senior, and Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) cards are available for purchase. ID is needed at the time of purchase for youth and senior cards. 
• Cash, checks, tranben vouchers, and major credit cards accepted for payment.
• Add e-purse monetary value to any existing ORCA card.
• Report a lost card, change your personal data associated with your card, correct an address, register your card and more.
• ORCA stands for “One Regional Card for All” and can be used across Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro Transit, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, Sound Transit and Washington State Ferries.
• See ORCA options

Previously the nearest location to purchase senior, youth, and disabled RRFP ORCA cards was in downtown Seattle or by mail. This new option makes the cards more accessible to our entire community.

Reminder: Lake Washington Preschool Program now accepting applications starting for 3- and 4-year old students 

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*.  

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 Programs.

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.

Tesla STEM student named semifinalist in US Presidential Scholars Program 

Nikola Tesla STEM High School senior Pranav Sukumar has been named one of 621 semifinalists in the 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Sukumar is one of only 13 students from Washington state selected. The semifinalists were chosen from nearly 5,300 candidates expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in the year 2019. Read more about the US Presidential Scholars Program. 

Spot on – Eighth grader collects more than 500 pounds of food for pets 

Animals at the Seattle Human Society (SHS) are wagging their tails in joy now that they have hundreds of pounds of food waiting for them. Environmental & Adventure School (EAS) eighth grader Marknisha Hervol coordinated a pet food drive for the shelter as an opportunity to volunteer in the community. Her goal was to collect more than 500 pounds and by the time she donated the food on March 26, she had reached 563.5 pounds. Marknisha collected 463.5 pounds from her drive at EAS and an additional 100 pounds from the community. Read more about the pet food drive. 

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.