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.

 

Choice School application process opens November 1 at 9 a.m. Information nights start the week of October 23

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 open on November 1, 2023 at 9 a.m. via ParentSquare. Additional information about the application will be sent out soon. Schools will be hosting information nights as early as the week of October 23, 2023. Please visit the Choice Schools webpage for details: https://www.lwsd.org/schools/choice-schools.

 

Advanced Placement exam registration information for 2023-24 school year 

Registration and payment is open now until October 31, 2023, 11:59 p.m. for Advanced Placement exams!

We encourage all students who want to take May 2024 AP exams to complete the registration on time and pay for their exams during this period.  

Exam information, exam dates, costs, late registration windows/fees, and cancellation fees can all be found on our new LWSD Advanced Placement webpage: Advanced Placement - Lake Washington School District (lwsd.org)
 
*Please note* Exam registration and exam payment are separate required processes. 

1. Students register for exam(s) via AP Central. AP teachers and the school’s AP coordinator will have the codes that students will use to register for each exam.   
2. Students pay via Online Payments or directly to the school bookkeeper. Students can pay for their exam(s) from now until October 31. 

 An AP Late Registration window will be offered in February. Students who register during this late window will pay an additional $50 per exam late fee in addition to the regular exam fee.  
 
Questions? Please contact your AP teacher and/or school’s Advanced Placement Coordinator: 

• Eastlake High School- Chase Covington chacovington@lwsd.org
• International Community School- Rebecca Zavala rzavala@lwsd.org
• Juanita High School- Breck Ivy bivy@lwsd.org 
• Lake Washington High School- Joe Joss jjoss@lwsd.org 
• Redmond High School- Nikole Lalas nlalas@lwsd.org
• Tesla STEM High School- Heidi Cooperrider hcooperrider@lwsd.org
• WANIC Skills Center- Jana Robertson jrobertson@lwsd.org 

 

Lake Washington students continue to score well above state average on state assessments

Lake Washington School District (LWSD) students continue to score well above the state average in all areas tested by the Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA) and the Washington State Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS). 

“Lake Washington School District staff strive to ensure academic excellence for every student,” noted Dr. Jon Holmen, Superintendent. “While our results are still not quite back to where they were pre-pandemic, we are pleased to share them with our community as we continue our work as an organization to support and accelerate our students' academic and social growth.”

Students in grades three through eight and in grade 10 took the Smarter Balanced Assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) and in Math. Students in grades five, eight and 11 also took science tests. 

In English Language Arts, the percentage of LWSD students meeting the new standards ranged from 75.3 percent in sixth grade to a high of 83.4 percent in fifth grade. At the state level, the percentage of sixth grade and fifth grade students meeting the standard in English Language Arts was 46.3, and 52.5 respectively.  

Read more about this on the LWSD website. 

 

Wear orange! Unity Day is on October 18

October 18 is Unity Day this year. Several schools and district buildings throughout LWSD will participate in events to come together against bullying, be united for kindness, acceptance and inclusion. Remember to wear orange on October 18! 

 

Reminder: New and International Families Welcome Event – October 14 from 9 – 11 a.m.; Community Resource Fair 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

Lake Washington PTSA Council, in coordination with Lake Washington School District, is hosting its seventh annual welcome event for new and international families on Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the LWSD Resource Center (16250 NE 74th Street, Redmond, WA 98052).

Our welcome events are a great opportunity for families to learn about the school district, ask questions and meet other LWSD families. Topics will include accelerated programs, college and career readiness, special services, basics of the American school system, and social emotional learning and supports. Whether you’ve moved from a different county or are from a different country, this event is for you! 

LWPTSA is working to provide on-site childcare from 9 – 11 a.m. Children must be toilet trained and a parent or guardian must stay on-site. LWSD and LWPTSA will also host a resource fair and clothing swap at the LWSD Resource Center after the event, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. The clothing swap is an opportunity to donate or take gently used coats, school clothes and concert dress items for students. 

If you would like to request a translator for the event, please contact Shannon Parthemer; for other questions contact Kristen Dorwin.

Community Resource Officers

Lake Washington School District (LWSD) continues to partner with all four local police agencies in our district for the 2023-24 school year. This year, the partnership will include Community Resource Officers to support students at all schools. 

For the 2023-24 school year, each law enforcement agency will select one Community Resource Officer for each comprehensive high school feeder pattern. If additional law enforcement resources are available, the agency may assign other school-trained officers to provide additional services. You can learn more about the duties and expectations of the Community Resource Officers, District and Law Enforcement here: https://www.lwsd.org/programs-and-services/safety/community-resource-officers. 

Community Resource Officers will work with all schools to:

• Participate in threat assessments, as needed or requested 
• Provide continuous support of district efforts to manage threats of violence or harm 
• Respond to 911 and other emergency calls at schools 
• Conduct scheduled safety assessments of school facilities at the request of district administration 
• Conduct Child Protective Services (CPS) investigations  
• Truancy paperwork service 
• No Trespass paperwork service 
• Respond to collisions that occur on campus 
• Provide support for traffic and pedestrian concerns in school zones 
• Collect/dispose of evidence/paraphernalia obtained during school operations 
• Provide educational support, if requested by building administration 
• Provide safety training for staff, students, parents and the greater community, as requested 
• Comply with district policies and procedures

Community Connectors
In addition to the Community Resource Officer program, LWSD is creating a new program called Community Connectors. This group will be made up of stakeholders and partners, as well as those individuals and organizations that we do not presently collaborate with, to gather information that will strengthen our school safety planning efforts.

LWSD envisions a community that supports a unified definition of school safety, supports effective teaching and learning by creating and promoting a physically, emotionally, socially, behaviorally and academically secure climate for students, staff and visitors. Keeping our schools safe involves planning for prevention, mitigation, response and recovery. We have worked on building a thoughtful community engagement process to inform our district’s plans for school safety. Subsequently, we have used this process for the upcoming 2023-24 school year on our Community Resource Officer program, previously the School Resource Officer program.  

For more information on both Community Resource Officers and Community Connectors, visit the LWSD website.

 

Reminder: LWSD partners with Seattle Visiting Nurse Association (SVNA) to offer flu & COVID shot clinics in October            

LWSD is partnering with Seattle Visiting Nurse Association (SVNA) to offer flu and COVID vaccine clinics throughout October. The exact products available will be the Flucelvax Quadrivalent Preservative-Free Flu Vaccine and the newly approved monovalent XBB 1.5 COVID booster from Moderna. Flu shots can be provided to those ages 4+, but patients must be at least 5 years old for COVID vaccines. Flu and COVID vaccines will be available at the following five locations:

Dates/Locations (some locations may no longer have appointments)

• Wednesday, October 18, 2-7 p.m. at Eastlake H.S. (400 228th Ave N.E., Sammamish)
• Friday, October 20, 1-5 p.m. at LWSD Resource Center (16250 NE 74th ST, Redmond) 
• Monday, October 23, 2-7 p.m. at Rose Hill M.S. (13505 N.E. 75th ST, Redmond)
• Thursday, October 26, 2-7 p.m. at Kamiakin M.S. (14111 132nd Ave N.E., Kirkland)
• Saturday, October 28, 9a.m-4p.m. at Redmond H.S. (17272 NE 104th ST, Redmond)

Register here: https://schedule.seattlevna.com/home/b2e67bfb-a83a-ed11-9db1-6045bd0054d4

Important Information:

• Each patient needs their own individual appointment registration, in their legal name, completed with their individual information. For records reporting purposes, please ensure the accuracy of your demographic information, including your name and date of birth.
• Please have your confirmation code ready. The confirmation code will be included in your confirmation text message and email.
• If you have an approved insurance plan, including Medicare and Medicaid, you must provide this information during registration, and we will bill your insurance. You will not be charged a co-pay or deductible. 
• Patients without an active, accepted insurance plan may pay out-of-pocket at the time of service.

Questions? Email info@seattlevna.com.
 

Reminder: CDC’s Bridge Access Program for COVID vaccines

CDC’s Bridge Access Program provides no-cost COVID-19 vaccines to adults without health insurance and adults whose insurance does not cover all COVID-19 vaccine costs. No-cost COVID-19 vaccines through this program will be available until December 31, 2024. Visit vaccines.gov to find a provider that offers no-cost COVID-19 vaccines through the Bridge Access Program. Please note: SVNA is not a Bridge Access Program Provider.
 

Reminder: World language proficiency testing

LWSD offers in-person, world language testing for high school students. These tests help students meet the “world languages” graduation requirement. They can earn up to four high school credits. They can also earn the Washington state “Seal of Biliteracy” on their transcript and diploma.

• All high school students can take one language test for free. 
• Students can take the test at any location (see list below).
• Tests are available in any language that is both written and spoken.

See below for test dates and locations.

Register and find more information here.

Questions? Contact the Assessment Team at assessmenthelp@lwsd.org.

 

Are you All In For Kids?

Are you a person who wants to make a meaningful difference in the lives of local children and support better schools and brighter futures? When you support the Lake Washington Schools Foundation, you help remove barriers, build connections, enhance learning and support wellness for all students in the Lake Washington School District. Join LWSF in going All In For Kids – donate today at www.lwsf.org/all-in-for-kids.

 

Deep Breathing Practices for Self-Care and Regulation | Parent Chat webinar

Discover the benefits of deep breathing for parents and families alongside a series of short, practical techniques you and your child can do any time for mental focus, anxiety, anger management and sleep. Get ideas to create your own calm corner! 

• Wednesday, October 18, 7-8 p.m., over Zoom 

Register at www.lwsf.org/parentchat

Parent Chat is fully funded by the Lake Washington Schools Foundation

 

Kid Coming Together Events

Kids Coming Together community service events are great opportunities for children grades 3-8 to meet new friends and connect with their community. High school student volunteers are welcome!

View and register for upcoming events at www.kidscomingtogether.org 

Kids Coming Together is a program of Lake Washington Schools Foundation. 

 

Get personalized feedback on your College Essay | Find Your Fit webinar

High schools seniors, register for one-on-one sessions with independent college counselors, Mary Pat O’Neil and Jensen Woods! Don't miss this opportunity to receive expert feedback and guidance on your college essays. Mary Pat and Jensen are here to help you shine!

• Sunday, October 15 or November 5 from noon to 2 p.m., over Zoom

Register at www.lwsf.org/our-work/find-your-fit

Find Your Fit is a program of Lake Washington Schools Foundation. 

 

Making Dollars & Sense on the Cost of College | Find Your Fit webinar

Surprised by the steep price tag of American higher education? Join college counselor Mary Pat O'Neil and college financial planning expert Peg Keough for an eye-opening session on the annual cost of college, need-based vs. merit-based aid, upcoming changes to the FAFSA, student loans and how they work, and proven strategies to reduce the cost of college. 

Thursday, October 19, 6:30-7:45 p.m., over Zoom 

Register at www.lwsf.org/our-work/find-your-fit

Find Your Fit is a program of Lake Washington Schools Foundation. 

 

School Construction Input Team visits Kirk Elementary   

Did you know that diverse groups, including staff members and parents provide input into the design of our schools? On October 4, a School Construction Input Team (SCITs) from Alcott and Smith Elementary joined our Capital Projects design and construction team to tour one of our recently rebuilt and enlarged elementary schools – Peter Kirk Elementary, built in 2019.

As a reminder, Alcott and Smith are two aging facilities in Lake Washington School District. The Capital Projects team is completing pre-design studies on four aging schools which also includes Kamiakin and Evergreen Middle Schools. A future bond or levy measure would be needed to complete work on these schools, but designs, with concepts informed by community voices, will be completed in advance to ensure the schools can be built faster once funding is secured.

The need to focus on aging facilities like Alcott, Smith, Kamiakin and Evergreen was identified by our previous Facility Advisory Committee in 2021. This committee included these aging facilities in their recommendations as they do not fully meet the educational needs of our students.

After a brief overview of work done in a previous meeting, members of the SCIT toured the school to view flexible learning spaces, art/science classrooms, commons/gymnasium spaces, outdoor areas, the music room, library, office and more. Watch this video to learn more about how SCIT provides input into the design of our schools.

Follow your heart – Juanita High School offers heart screenings, four students uncover issues

Did you know, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), that nearly 1 in 100 babies born in the United States have a heart issue? And some of those issues can go undiagnosed, even into adulthood. Juanita High School (JHS) hosted voluntary heart screenings for area students on October 4 to try and identify any students who may have heart abnormalities. The event was in partnership with the Nick of Time Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping detect hidden cardiac problems.

Read more about this on the LWSD website.

 

Innovate and celebrate – Redmond MS student named finalist in national science competition

Redmond Middle School eighth grader Advait Badrish is on his way to Washington D.C. as a finalist in the 2023 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge. This is the nation’s premier STEM research competition for middle school students. Advait was nominated by the Washington State Science and Engineering Fair for his project titled "HeartNN: A High-Accuracy Neural Network for Cardiac Auscultation." Out of nearly 1,500 entries submitted for the national competition, there are now 30 finalists competing for more than $100,000 in prizes. All finalists will receive a $500 cash award. There is also prize money dedicated to some of the finalists’ schools.

Read more about this on the LWSD website.