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.

 

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 7th 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.

 

Three new students selected as student representatives for Lake Washington School Board

Four students will share their voices in Board conversations

The Lake Washington School District Board of Directors has added two additional student representatives to the Board, bringing the total number of student representatives to four each year. Student representatives were selected through an application and interview process. 

The goal of adding student representatives to the board is to add the perspective and experiences of students as the Board considers various topics. Two students will attend each board meeting, as they are available. 

To learn more about the Student Representatives for Lake Washington School Board, visit the LWSD website.

 

Final reminder: Highly Capable referral window now open, will close October 2

K-8 Families
Referrals for Highly Capable eligibility are now open and will be available on your Skyward account. The referral window opened at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, September 12, and will close on Monday, October 2 at 11:59 p.m. 

Referrals that are submitted after the referral window closes will not be accepted.
  
First and fifth grade families 
PLEASE NOTE: As of July 2023, Washington state law now requires universal screening for two grade levels. LWSD will be universally screening ALL first and fifth grade students for Highly Capable services. Families who choose to opt their first or fifth grader out of Highly Capable universal screening must do so by completing the opt-out form in their Skyward account.

K, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 families must complete the Permission to Assess referral form on Skyward to opt their child into the eligibility process.

More information regarding the eligibility and assessment process this year will be found on the updated Accelerated Programs webpages.

 

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

• 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.
 

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.
 

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.

 

Reminder: LWSD supports Spanish-speaking families through local partnership  

Weekly Spanish bulletin provides families with culturally-relevant district news             
Lake Washington School District (LWSD) has joined forces with the Lake Washington Schools Foundation, Bellevue School District, Bellevue Schools Foundation, Eastside Pathways, and Equity in Communication Collaborative Action Network, as part of the Remote Learning and Living Collective Action Network (now known as the Equity in Communication Collaborative Action Network), convened by Eastside Pathways. The partnership was formed with a shared goal of better supporting our community of Spanish-speaking and Latinx families through thoughtful and culturally-relevant communications.            

Produced weekly, the video newsletter provides more equitable access to district information, allowing families to support their students. Project partners are looking forward to continuing this work, finding new ways to support and engage families, and having a positive impact on the Spanish-speaking and Latinx community. 

Check out the Noticias en español para familias de BSD y LWSD Facebook page.

Videos are also posted on the LWSD website.

 

Reminder: Register your Youth ORCA card!

As a reminder, youth 18 and younger ride transit for free. For riders 13 and older, using a Youth ORCA card (also known as a Free Youth Transit Pass) is highly encouraged, but not required. Tapping a Youth ORCA card allows transit agencies to better understand how many young people are riding transit, including where and when. Learn more about participating agencies and read FAQs at FreeYouthTransitPass.com. 

Students who have Youth ORCA cards: To ensure that their card provides free fare until they turn 19 years old and does not expire sooner, all students should register their card at FreeYouthTransitPass.com as soon as possible. This 2-minute process requires only an email address, Youth ORCA card number, and birthdate. Students who currently have a Youth ORCA card should not order a new card but should register the card they already have.

Students who need Youth ORCA cards: Students aged 13 and older are encouraged to order a free Youth ORCA card by visiting https://www.myorca.com/buy-online/ (the card will automatically be registered when ordered). If online ordering is not an option for students you serve, please contact us to discuss alternative options. 

 

Creating Calming Corners: Empowering student wellbeing in LWSD high schools

In today’s fast-paced and demanding educational landscape, Lake Washington Schools Foundation (LWSF) is more committed than ever to support student mental wellness. Through a collaborative effort with high school counselors, LWSF has recently provided funding to an impactful initiative known as “Calming Corners” at high schools across the district. This project has created or enhanced designated spaces within LWSD high schools where students can retreat, recharge, and find solace amid the daily pressures they face. Learn more here.

 

The impact of donor support through the Lake Washington Schools Foundation    

Last school year, an amazing community of donors, sponsors and partners played a pivotal role in creating a brighter future for LWSD students, and LWSF is excited to share the incredible impact they’ve achieved together. See their new Impact Report. 

Together, LWSF helped remove barriers, enhance learning, build connections and support wellness for all students in Lake Washington School District.

LWSF Parent Chat webinar: School Anxiety – Build Confidence & Resilience       

Gain practical tools to address school anxiety and support your child's well-being for a successful academic journey. Say goodbye to worries and school refusal. 

Wednesday, October 4, 7-8 p.m., over Zoom 
Register at https://www.lwsf.org/parentchat.

Parent Chat is fully funded by the Lake Washington Schools Foundation. Learn more at https://www.lwsf.org.
 

Parenting for Emotional Wellbeing workshops    

Parenting challenges us like nothing else. The most effective way to support your child's social and emotional growth is to cultivate your own Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) skills as a parent.  

Take the first step today and join LWSF for their upcoming Parenting for Emotional Wellbeing workshops in October. Spaces are limited so register early! Virtual and in-person options available: www.lwsf.org/parentingworkshop.

 

2022 School Technology and Capital Projects Levy    

The 2022 School Technology and Capital Projects Levy passed by voters provides continued funding for student computers, classroom technology and building updates not funded by the state. As part of that levy, crews worked hard over the summer to ensure quality learning environments by maintaining our investments in our facilities and sites.

 

Summer projects overview

Construction crews were busy over the summer completing several projects throughout the district. As part of the 2022 School Technology and Capital Projects Levy, LWSD had the opportunity to update and improve several of our campuses. Below is a list of some of the projects completed or started this summer:

• Juanita High School
  • Parking lot and loop paving upgrades
  • Roofing upgrades on fieldhouse/pool
  • HVAC upgrades for the fieldhouse/pool 
  • Locker room and ADA upgrades in fieldhouse/pool 
• Lake Washington High School
  • Synthetic turf and track upgrades in the stadium
  • New synthetic turf practice fields
• Redmond High School
  • Expanded two classrooms to support Career and Technical Education (CTE) learning 
  • Lifecycle upgrades to exterior stairs 
• Inglewood Middle School – Gym floor refinished  
• Redmond Middle School – Tennis court upgrades with new pickleball lines 
• Rose Hill Middle School – Tennis court upgrades with new pickleball lines 
• Audubon Elementary
  • Parking lot and bus loop improvements included a new bus loop, repurposed the existing bus loop into an additional student pick-up/drop-off loop
  • New carpet and flooring upgrades 
• Dickinson Elementary – New carpet 
• Juanita Elementary – Parking lot and loop improvements, phase 2 
• Rose Hill Elementary
  • New inclusive and accessible playground project got underway and is expected to be completed this fall
  • Polish concrete flooring refinished
• Support Services – Bus lot paving upgrades 
• Resource Center – Roofing upgrade on the westside of the building
• District wide – Ongoing project that provides water bottle filling stations, installed at four elementary schools and one middle school.

Photo: Overhead shot of Redmond Middle School's newly painted pickleball lines on the tennis courts.

Photo: New Audubon Elementary bus loop.

Technology services summer work    

The passing of the 2022 School Technology and Capital Projects Levy allows the district to address the technology needs required to keep the district running. The state provides a minimum amount of funding for technology in schools, and at the same time, technology in our school district is imperative to teaching and learning and running the business of a large organization. Because our voters passed this levy, the Lake Washington School District has been actively working on projects and performing updates and maintenance to our district systems and devices over the summer; as well as delivering Helpdesk support and preparing to launch several significant solutions and pilot initiatives at the beginning of this school year. 

Here is a list of some of the projects LWSD took on over the summer:

• Delivered 24x7 technical support to our staff and families during summer school programs, District Leadership Team week, Educator Introduction Academy (EIA), new teacher support and LEAP week.
• Reimaged 15,672 elementary student devices and released the automatic Windows 11 software update to all secondary and staff devices.  
• Performed system checks and a refresh of instructional equipment like SmartBoards in 1,918 classrooms.
• Installed new Audio Enhancement systems in all the Middle School classrooms to support the ability of ALL students hearing the teacher.
• Added new Technology Integration Facilitator (TIF) program with roles to support teachers using digital classroom tools and an instructional leadership cohort to align support with the Instructional Playbook.  
• And much more.

For additional information on construction projects visit our website at https://www.lwsd.org/programs-and-services/facilities/construction.

 

LWSD and community partners host first annual Eastside Back-to-School Block Party

More than 2,000 families were on site for the first annual Eastside Back-to-School Block Party at Juanita High School. The event on August 26 was the first of its kind in the area with volunteers handing out school supplies, a DJ spinning music and more. While more than 2,100 backpacks were distributed to families, 17 students also received a free haircut.

Read more about this on the LWSD website.

 

Keller Elementary teacher honored on "The Big Day"

The University of Washington Spirit team and mascot Harry the Husky were on hand at Keller Elementary Tuesday, September 19, to present fourth grade teacher Paige Snider with a $1,000 check to use in her classroom. Each year, the College Football Playoff Foundation launches their Extra Yard for Teachers initiative that pumps funding into schools that are close to college football programs. Tuesday was “The Big Day” when colleges throughout the nation honor local teachers and schools.

To see more pictures from this event, visit the LWSD website.