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Connections - August 30, 2019
Welcome Back!
Learning Focused
A Message from Dr. Jane Stavem, Superintendent
Welcome to 2019-20
Dear Lake Washington Families,
Welcome to the 2019-20 school year! As the first day of school approaches, the Lake Washington School District team is looking forward to welcoming our students to another exciting year of learning!
Each new year provides a renewed opportunity for the district to provide the best possible education for every one of our students. This fall we will launch a new three-year strategic plan, with the theme of Elevate, focused on raising the quality of everything we do to provide the best education in the world for our students.
Read Dr. Jane Stavem’s Back to School message here.
Elevate – LWSD Strategic Plan 2019-2022
Our strategic plan was developed over the course of this past year with input and feedback from staff, parents, community members, and administrators. We want every staff member to not only be familiar with the strategic plan so that they know what resources or initiatives are being prioritized to meet the needs of our students, but more importantly so that each staff member can find ways of connecting their work and their practice with these priorities.
We elevate everyone and everything as we focus over the next three years on:
- Success by setting high expectations and providing support to help students and staff grow every year,
- Well-being by creating safe, welcoming, and inclusive places to learn for students and staff,
- Engagement by collaborating with students, families and community partners to improve student outcomes and build trust,
- Excellence by ensuring organizational responsibility through the effective use of resources and systems that align with district values and strategic priorities,
- Innovation by encouraging new ideas that embrace creativity and reimaging teaching and learning; and
- Equity by addressing barriers to engagement and success to equitable outcomes.
Our strategic plan goal areas are:
- Academic Success – We believe that every student can learn and achieve at high levels and it is our responsibility to help each student learn, grow, and be challenged.
- Well-Being – We believe that all students must be safe and feel a sense of belonging if they are to succeed.
- Community Engagement – We believe that strong communities build strong schools, and strong schools build strong communities.
- Excellent Staff – We believe that each employee in our district plays a vital role in contributing to the success of our students.
- Effective Use of Resources – We believe that using our resources responsibly and strategically will result in success for our students.
You can read the full plan on the strategic plan page.
District Announcements
The old Parent Access portal is gone!
To access Skyward, Online Payments, FinalForms (Athletic Registration), Powerschool Learning, School & Bus Finder and other helpful resources, visit our For Students and Families page. For login or access questions, email ParentQuestions@lwsd.org.
Getting to/from school:
Riding the bus: LWSD’s transportation department mailed out postcards to all families whose student(s) qualify to ride the school bus to/from school. Questions about buses? Contact the Transportation Department at 425-936-1120 or visit the transportation page.
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.
New Bus Stop app for parents!
Wondering where your student’s bus is? Download the Versatrans My Stop app for Apple or Android. GPS technology allows families to view estimated times of arrival for buses at bus stops. (Data on the app is updated every 5 minutes.)
Visit the My Stop App page for information on how to download and use the app.
Keep your student healthy – Reminders from Health Services
Before school starts on September 3, 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.
- 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 about life-threatening health conditions and how to report them to schools.
Kindergarten Family Connections help students, families have a successful year
Lake Washington School District provides full-day kindergarten for all students. The first day of school and classes for kindergarten students will be September 6. (Grades 1-12 begin school on September 3.) Kindergarten families will meet with their student’s teacher in a Family Connection meeting between September 4-6. 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. Learn more about Peachjar.
Want a full LWSD Calendar for the 2019-2020 school year?
Printable versions of the district calendar are available on the district website. You can also access the LWSD Online Calendar for school-specific events. You can sign up for alerts and/or create a filter when using the calendar to see events specific to your school(s).
A quick reminder about volunteering in LWSD
In order to volunteer at school events or chaperone field trips for your child's school, you must be an actively approved LWSD volunteer. Volunteer approvals are valid for two years from the date of approval. You can apply to be a volunteer by visiting the LWSD website and registering through our Raptor Volunteer system.
We ask that volunteer applicants apply early, at least two weeks prior to the event or activity, in order to ensure there is enough time to complete the volunteer approval process. The Communications Office processes applications as quickly as possible but there are typically thousands of applications at the beginning of each school year.
If you have any questions, please contact Chris Robison at crobison@lwsd.org or 425-936-1270.
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.
Ready to go!
This school year, LWSD is opening up a brand new middle school, two rebuilt elementary schools and the first phase of a rebuild at one of our high schools. Take a look at the videos below for a quick virtual tour of the new buildings by clicking on the school name or image.
Margaret Mead Elementary School
Work with us
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 $24.80 per hour. Learn more about why driving a bus for LWSD is a great job. Please share this information with your friends and neighbors.
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.
Student & Staff Success
Lake Washington School District (LWSD) Accepted into National Network of Innovative School Districts
LWSD joins Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools, will partner with other leading educators, entrepreneurs, and researchers from across the country
Lake Washington School District (LWSD) was accepted recently into the League of Innovative Schools, a national coalition of forward-thinking K-12 school districts organized by Digital Promise, a nonprofit organization with the mission to accelerate innovation in education and improve the opportunity to learn for all through technology and research. Read more about this partnership.
Two additional LWSD students receive National Merit College-Sponsored Scholarships
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) recently announced that two additional Lake Washington School District (LWSD) students will receive National Merit College-Sponsored Scholarships:
- Heng-Min Tan, Redmond High School – National Merit Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Scholarship
- Sahas Goli, Redmond High School – National Merit Vanderbilt University Scholarship