We're hiring! Consider a career in LWSD

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

• Nurses
• 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

For the third consecutive year, the Lake Washington School District (LWSD) Board of Directors has been named a "Board of Distinction" by the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA). Only 34 of that state’s 295 school boards received recognition as Boards of Distinction. LWSD is one of 14 recognized in the "Large School Districts (9,001+ students FTE)" category.

The annual Boards of Distinction program honors school boards that demonstrate effective use of the Washington School Board Standards. These standards promote research-based governance practices that lead to high levels of student and district achievement and help close gaps that impact student success. 

"The recognition as a Board of Distinction is well deserved and serves as a source of pride for our district and community," stated Dr. Jon Holmen, Superintendent. "The LWSD School Board has set a high standard for themselves and other school boards as they continue to focus their work on supporting every student in Lake Washington."

Read more about this on the LWSD website.

 

Explore future building projects with local school districts

Lake Washington School District is partnering with the Edmonds School District's Capital Projects Office and other local school districts to host an open house to go over upcoming opportunities for building projects.  Local, minority, women, small, disadvantaged and veteran-owned businesses are invited to learn about public works processes and discover how they may participate in learning environment projects for our students.

When: 
Thursday, December 14, 2023, from 1-3 p.m.

Where:
Edmonds School District Office
20420 68th Ave. W.
Lynnwood, WA 98036

RSVP:
bit.ly/BuildingProjectsRSVP

View the flyer for more information. 

 

Reminder: We value your feedback - Inclusion program survey

As Lake Washington School District continues its inclusive schools efforts, we want to engage with our families, staff and students in celebrating successes and in identifying barriers. 

Inclusion is about creating community and seeing each member of the community for the strengths and assets that make them unique. Since 2018, we have piloted the Inclusive Schools program in preschool and a handful of elementary schools. This school year, all elementary schools are participating, and we look forward to seeing the benefits of inclusive education for ALL students by way of greater academic gains, improved empathy and reduced fear of differences.

For more information please visit: Inclusion in LWSD video series

Please complete this survey by November 9, 2023: https://survey.k12insight.com/r/QjagVT

 

Reminder: Fall Smarter Balanced Assessment PDF reports available through Skyward/Family Access

In spring of 2023, students in grades 3-8 and 10 took the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) in English language arts and math. Students in grades 5, 6 and 11 took the Washington State Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS). The primary purpose of these tests is to check in on how students are doing compared to some of the state standards. 

Scores from these tests were posted to Family Access in June under “Test Scores.” OSPI has now provided electronic score reports in PDF format to the district for the students that took the spring test. These score reports do not provide any new student score data; however, they do provide some graphical and textual explanations of the data. These score reports are now in Family Access.

To access the PDF score report:

1. Login to Family Access.
2. Select “Portfolio” on the left menu.
3. Select “Show Scores” for the assessment.

Skyward Family Access support is available on the LWSD website.

 

Reminder: Choice School application process is now open, closes on December 1

Choice Schools and programs are optional schooling alternatives, created to meet specific needs and interests. They are designed to be smaller and use innovative approaches to education that are different from traditional public schools. Choice Schools and programs are often housed within an existing school or on the same campus as another school.
 
Applications for Choice Schools and programs will close on December 1, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. via ParentSquare. Please visit the Choice Schools webpage for details: https://www.lwsd.org/schools/choice-schools.

 

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 ParentSquare.

• Here are some other ways to find out about school schedule changes: Pop-up alert on https://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. 

Curious how school schedule change decisions are made? You can learn how to be updated when school is delayed or canceled on the School Closures and Late Starts page of the district website.

 

Journey of inclusion: Four inspiring books added to LWSD school

LWSD librarian Kerry Glassburn is delighted to share four of her favorite books purchased with LWSF's Inclusive Libraries grant. You will want to add these to your holiday wish list! Learn more.

 

Pantry Packs Fall Food Drive

The Pantry Packs program is hosting its annual Fall Food Drive! You can help feed hungry students in our community through one of two ways:   

• Donate food directly through our Amazon Wish List. 
• Deliver your donations (with food from our kid-friendly food items list) on November 14 (2-4 p.m.) & 

November 15 (11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.) at our Pantry Packs warehouse located at 14816 NE 95th St - Bldg 6, Redmond, WA.   

Pantry Packs is a program of Lake Washington Schools Foundation.

 

Sleep Hygiene | Parent Chat webinar on November 15

Having restful and adequate sleep impacts mental health. Join LWSF to learn how you can encourage healthy sleep hygiene and habits for your kids. 

Wednesday, November 15, 7-8 p.m., over Zoom  

Register at www.lwsf.org/parentchat

Parent Chat is fully funded by the Lake Washington Schools Foundation.

 

Five tips for writing your college admissions essay

High school seniors, follow these tips from Mary Pat O’Neil to help you craft an outstanding college essay that truly reflects you. 

 

Lake Washington School District receives an additional $2 million grant from King County Parks for Juanita Pool

In September, the King County Council announced that the Juanita High School Aquatics Center was one of 53 projects selected for a 2023 Parks Levy Grant. The Juanita High School Aquatics Renovation, Phase 2 project will receive $2 million from King County Parks.

This grant will provide partial funding for life-cycle upgrades at the Juanita High School Pool by:

• Replacing pool equipment that is beyond its useful life.
• Providing ADA upgrades.
• Upgrading pool viewing area.
• Upgrading pool deck surface.
• Replacing the building controls and pool lighting.

The district must provide at least 50% of the total project cost to qualify for this grant. The district’s share will be funded by the voter-approved 2022 School Technology and Capital Projects Levy. We anticipate Phase 2 work will begin in Summer 2024.

In February 2022, the District received the first award for Juanita High School Aquatics Renovations, Phase 1 project. This initial $1.8 million grant provided partial funding for initial life-cycle upgrades which included replacement of HVAC and pool equipment that were beyond its useful life, provided ADA upgrades, and replaced the roofing system. Phase 1 work began in Spring 2023 and will be completed soon.  

Learn more about the King County Parks grant for the Juanita High School Aquatics renovations here.

 

Kamiakin students are digging their reforestation project

Sixth grade science students at Kamiakin Middle School are putting to use what they learned in the classroom in a fun and unique way. While learning about biodiversity, the students have gone outside to remove invasive species from the school grounds. They are digging up Himalayan Blackberry and removing English Ivy from the trees. Students will head back out in December to plant more native species. The plan is to restore 2,000 square feet a year on campus.