This newsletter is just one way to stay in touch with what is happening in the district. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for up-to-date news and information.

 

We're hiring! Consider a career in LWSD

LWSD is always seeking great talent for positions throughout our district. In addition to other positions, we are looking for applicants for the following positions:

• Instructional Assistants (IAs)
• Paraeducators
• Custodians
• Bus drivers
• Substitutes

These positions are also available in a substitute role. Check out the LWSD website for job descriptions and postings.

 

Lake Washington School District Board of Directors named “Board of Distinction”

34 school boards across the state recognized

The Lake Washington School District (LWSD) Board of Directors was one of 34 school boards in Washington state to be named a “Board of Distinction” by the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA), and one of 14 in the “Large School Districts (9,001+ students FTE)” category.

“Despite historic challenges this year, school boards displayed tremendous leadership in bringing students back to in-person learning safely and creatively,” said WSSDA Director of Leadership Development Tricia Lubach. “Given the obstacles districts have had to face, I think being able to recognize so many boards this year is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our school directors. The boards that are being honored developed unique approaches that reflected the needs of their students and families and relied on careful analysis of data that indicated those needs.”

Read more about this on the LWSD website.
 

Reminder: COVID Testing

We are excited to announce that we are now offering COVID testing at five regional locations at schools in our district. If your child’s school recommends COVID testing for your student, they can provide you with guidance on district test options. We continue to recommend public testing sites or visiting your child’s medical provider as the first option. We recognize however, that due to the onset of cold and flu season, that testing centers may be busy. Our goal is to minimize the amount of time that our students have to miss instruction. 

Answers to many common questions about testing and COVID safety can be found by visiting King County’s website. They provide information in 33 languages. For questions about COVID-19 testing, we recommend the following:

• Find a list of free testing sites
• Call your medical provider
• Contact King County’s COVID-19 Call Center at 206-477-3977. The call center is open between 8am – 7pm daily. Interpreters are available.

 

Reminder: COVID Safety 

We are committed to the safety of our students and staff. Part of our COVID safety efforts includes regular communication with the Washington Department of Health and Public Health King County. Recently both issued new guidance for schools that includes adjustments to how schools should respond to symptoms of illness. A summary of this guidance can be found by clicking on this link - COVID Symptom Decision Tree. 

If you have specific questions regarding your child’s symptoms, please contact your school nurse. We thank you for your ongoing partnership as we seek to keep our students’ healthy and in school. 

 

Reminder: LWSD to place three levies on February 8 ballot

Two replacement levies and Building Excellence Capital Levy
Lake Washington School District is planning three ballot measures for the February 8, 2022, election. The measures are a replacement of the existing Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy, a replacement of the existing School Technology and Capital Levy, and a Building Excellence Capital levy. A recommendation was presented to the Board of Directors on October 4, and they formally approved the levies at their October 18 board meeting.

“Our students deserve educational programs, services and environments that match the excellence we are working towards for each student,” said Dr. Jon Holmen, Superintendent. “Our community has an opportunity to set the stage for future generations, continuing to make the Lake Washington community a great place to live, raise a family and to educate children.”

Why does the district need three levies?
To continue to provide excellence in education for the students of our community, LWSD is placing three measures on the ballot.

• Replacement of the existing Educational Programs & Operations Levy – This levy accounts for 14% of the district’s operating budget. School districts are required to renew EP&O levies every four years. EP&O levies ensure our students have continued access to staff, programs and course offerings to be successful and graduate future-ready. The levy provides support for social/emotional learning and mental health counselors, health and safety, professional learning, additional course offerings, special education programs, English language programs, Highly Capable programs, transportation, athletics and activities and more. The EP&O levy fills the gap between what the state funds for basic education and what our students and schools need. 

• Replacement of the existing Capital Projects Levy - The four-year Capital Projects Levy replaces the expiring Capital Projects Levy which was approved by LWSD voters in 2018. This levy funds technology and facility needs not funded by the state, helping ensure our students have technology and healthy school buildings for learning. This levy funds facility needs such as: heating/ventilation systems; roofing replacement; athletic and playfield improvements; portables; and safety measures. It also funds technology needs such as infrastructure; network security; staff and student computers; instructional software; security cameras; communication and business systems; and staff training.

• Building Excellence Capital Levy – To continue meeting the needs of our growing district, this levy will help us add classroom space to our schools. The Facility Advisory Committee provided recommendations for future facility projects to accommodate our rapid enrollment growth and continue to provide learning environments that promote excellence for students. The board considered these recommendations, received information and feedback from the Levy Advisory Committee and considered multiple options for addressing short and long-term capacity needs in seven study sessions between January and September 2021. This levy would fund the first step of three funding measures to provide required student space by 2034. This Levy funds critical capacity needs required by 2024: 

  • Elementary: Redmond area
  • Middle: Juanita, Kirkland and Redmond areas
  • High: Kirkland, Redmond and Eastlake areas

Learn more on the LWSD website.

 

Middle school and high school options information now available – Choice school applications now open

Parents of students in grades five or eight should have received a Middle School options message or High School options message in their email. The messages 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.

If you did not receive this message or are interested in learning more, click on the links below:

• Middle School Options (Español)  
• High School Options (Español)

Are you interested in enrolling your child in a choice school? Learn more about the process and curriculum at our information sessions coming up in November and December. Applications for choice schools open Monday, November 1 and will close on Friday, December 3 at 4 p.m. For more information, visit: lwsd.org/choice-schools

 

Reminder: Join our committee: French language instructional resources 

In the Lake Washington School District, we convene committees of stakeholders to review our adopted curriculum on a regular basis. These committees consist of teachers, administrators, specialists, community members and students. The committees meet up to two times a month to engage in learning about current research, standards, and effective instructional practices and then apply that learning in evaluating resources for potential adoption. The process of reviewing and/or adopting new curricular materials can be a one or two-year commitment, depending on the size and impact of the adoption. We are starting the adoption process for French language instructional resources this fall. If you are interested in applying to be part of this committee, please fill out the application below. For any additional information, please contact Dr. Jen Rose, Director of Teaching and Learning.

6-12 French Adoption Committee: Student Recruitment
6-12 French Adoption Committee: Community Member Recruitment

 

No school on Thursday, November 11 – Veterans Day 

LWSD schools and district buildings will be closed on Thursday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day.

 

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.

• Here are some other ways to find out about school schedule changes: Pop-up alert on www.lwsd.org and school webpages. 
• Flashalert.net – this website allows you to sign up for text messages as well. 
• Local TV/radio stations – they get a feed from Flashalert.net of all school schedule change decisions.

 

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.

Juanita Elementary affirmation mirror

Strong kids begin with strong minds. That's why Jordan McClellion at Juanita Elementary is nurturing her students to see the best in themselves through the "affirmation mirror" station. Students pick a word, then recite it with the purpose of empowering them with a specific goal.