Connections - November 21, 2019

Learning Focused

Credit Requirements for High School Students Available in Family Access  

Students and families now are able to monitor progress towards high school graduation requirements. There is now a tab called “Graduation Requirements” on the left menu in Student and Family Access. After opening this menu you will see a list of the coursework requirements. Questions about how to interpret the information can be found on our Skyward Family Access Support page

 

LWSD honors Veterans Day 

Students around LWSD recognized Veterans Day with special performances to honor parents, grandparents and community members who are veterans. Check out these photos from assemblies across Lake Washington School District.


American History Traveling Museum: Unspoken Truths at Eastlake 

Join Eastlake High School for a special community event on Tuesday, December 3 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Eastlake’s Black Student Union presents Delbert Richardson’s award-winning American History Traveling Museum: Unspoken Truths. 

The "Unspoken" Truths American History Traveling Museum chronicles the rich history of Africans in Africa prior to American Chattel Slavery, the experiences and impact of American Chattel Slavery, Jim Crow Era, and the many contributions African Americans have had on scientific, cultural and technological innovations in the U.S. and the world.

The museum is open to all ages and will be set up in the Eastlake High School Library. 

In addition to the evening event, the PTSA is funding an all-day viewing of the museum for Eastlake’s Junior Class on December 3. The museum will be open from 7:30 a.m. - 2:20 p.m. and is appropriate for ages 15 and over.

For more information about the Museum please visit the website: www.unspokentruths.org/

For questions about the event please contact Rachelle Horner at rhorner@lwsd.org 

 

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

Choice School applications are available now for the 2020-2021 school year. The deadline to apply is 4:00 p.m. on Friday, December 13, 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 in the mail. 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.  

 

Reminder: Is your child too sick for school?  

While school attendance is important, so is the health of all students and staff. If your child experiences any of the following symptoms, please keep him/her at home or make appropriate child care arrangements: fever, vomiting, lice/scabies, diarrhea, chronic cough and/or runny nose, sore throat, rash, ear infection (with fever), or eye infection. If he/she experiences any of these symptoms at school, the school nurse or office staff may ask you to pick your student up as soon as possible. Read more about when to keep your child home from school.

 

District Announcements

Building on Success: Learn about upcoming construction for classroom additions 

Thank you to our voters for passing a Capital Projects Levy last April. You are invited to attend information nights about the elementary school additions funded by the 2019 Capital Projects Levy. These will be open-house style poster sessions. Feel free to drop by any time during the one-hour events.

  • Mark Twain Elementary (4 classrooms): November 21, 2019 from 6-7 p.m. at Twain Elementary
  • Benjamin Franklin Elementary (8 classrooms): December 5, 2019 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Franklin Elementary
  • Rose Hill Elementary (8 classrooms): December 12, 2019 from 5-6 p.m. at Rose Hill Elementary
  • Rachel Carson Elementary (4 classrooms): An information night for Carson Elementary will be scheduled next year.

 

Volunteers Needed for LINKS Lunch Buddy program! 

Lake Washington School District (LWSD) recognizes the importance of providing opportunities for students to meet with and learn from community members. We are currently looking for mentors for two different mentoring opportunities: AVID and the LINKS Lunch Buddy program.

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is an elective offered in four LWSD middle schools and all LWSD comprehensive high schools. Mentors meet with a small group of students in the classroom at least once a week for one class period and lead inquiry-based discussions to help students learn to problem solve.

LWSD will offer a one-hour information session to learn more about the AVID program. For specific dates and times please visit the AVID Information Sessions and Orientations calendar. For those who would like to become mentors, training is provided, and the dates are also listed on the calendar.

In the LINKS Lunch Buddy Program (Looking Into the Needs of Kids in Schools), mentors provide social-emotional support to elementary students who need a little extra one-on-one attention. Mentors are matched with a student and meet once a week during the school year for lunch, games, crafts and conversation. All Lunch Buddy mentors attend a two-hour orientation session to learn about tips and resources for a successful mentoring experience.

To learn more about Mentor Programs, please visit the Volunteer Programs page on the LWSD website at: www.lwsd.org/volunteers. For more information please contact Chris Robison at crobison@lwsd.org or call 425 936-1270.

 

Support our young musicians—attend a performance at Redmond Town Center 

Several LWSD school music groups will perform on Center Stage in Redmond Town Center this holiday season. Norman Rockwell Elementary will perform on Saturday, December 7 at 10:30 a.m., and the performances will continue with Horace Mann Elementary at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 12, Rose Hill Elementary at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 14 and Louisa May Alcott Elementary at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 17. More schools will perform throughout December, see the full schedule on the Redmond Town Center website.

 

Reminder: Thanksgiving break coming up!  

We hope that you enjoy your Thanksgiving Break, November 28-29. Please remember that Wednesday, November 27 is a half day of school. For more information, visit the Half-Day Dismissal Times page of our district website. 

 

Reminder: Are you ready for inclement weather?   

When emergency conditions such as snow and ice or windstorms result in school schedule changes, the district will notify families directly through our SchoolMessenger automated phone system. You can learn how to know when school is delayed or cancelled on the School Closures and Late Starts page of the district website. Families with students who ride the bus should watch their mail in mid-November for a postcard with information about their bad weather bus route. Want to make sure you receive alerts about school closures right away? Sign up on flashalert.net to be notified about the latest school delay and school closure news from LWSD. 

 

Reminder: World Language Proficiency Testing 

District World Language Proficiency Testing is open to all high school students who speak/read/write a language other than English and register for the test. Students can take the test once free of cost and earn up to 4 high school credits. Tests will be offered on the following dates:  

  • December 11, 2019, 1:30 p.m. at Lake Washington High School 
  • February 26, 2020, 1:30 p.m. at Redmond High School 
  • April 29, 2020, 1:30 p.m. at Juanita High School  

Registration will close 2 weeks before each test date. Registration and further information about assessments can be found on the LWSD website: World Language Credit Options

For additional information please contact Theresa Vasquez, World Language Teaching and Learning Specialist. 

 

Reminder: High School PE Credit Options 

High school students can meet the Physical Education graduation requirement through taking PE classes, taking the Fitness Knowledge Assessment or submitting a Fitness Plan. The Fitness Knowledge Assessment is offered three times a year. The first session was on October 9, but there are additional sessions on December 4, 2019 and February 19, 2020. Students must fill out specific forms and register for this test at their high school. Students opting for the Fitness Plan will have three opportunities to submit their plan this year. See the district website for more information. 

 

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. 

Margaret Mead Elementary celebrates during Grand Opening Ceremony

Before Seahawks Dancers led students in a countdown to cut the ribbon at their new school, parents and guests at Margaret Mead Elementary were treated to songs from more than 600 students. The Grand Opening celebration on November 14 also marked the school’s 40th anniversary. Retired teachers and staff received applause at the door as they arrived to celebrate with students.

Speakers included Superintendent Dr. Jane Stavem, School Board President Siri Bliesner, Principal Sandy Klein and Capital Projects Manager Laura DeGooyer. 

Siri Bliesner, LWSD School Board President, thanked the community for their support, which will “ensure a welcoming and inclusive environment for all our kids in the community for years to come.”

 

Work with us

We’re hiring!

LWSD needs paraeducators, instructional assistants, bus drivers, mechanics, 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. 

 

Student & Staff Success

LWSD accepts U.S. DOE Green Ribbon Schools award during ceremony

Green Ribbon Schools Ceremony

Lake Washington School District (LWSD) was one of 35 schools and 14 districts honored on September 25 at the 2019 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools ceremony. The award recognizes schools and districts for their innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and costs, promote better health, and ensure effective environmental education. Read more about the award.


Three Lake Washington High School Teachers Accepted into a Local STEM Program 

WAB ACCESS STEM Teachers

Three teachers from Lake Washington High School (LWHS) were recently accepted into the 2019-20 Accessing Career Connected Experiences for Student Success (ACCESS) Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Program. Teachers include Michelle Coon, Matt Macomber and Casey Rummel. These teachers were three of the 38 educational participants in Washington state. The goal of the program is to increase student access to STEM career pathways through partnerships between educators and businesses. This program is presented by the Washington Alliance for Better Schools (WABS). Read more about the program

 

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