Connections - April 10, 2025
Spring Break: April 14-18 (no school)
As a reminder, next week (April 14-18) is Spring Break. There is no school for students. In addition, school buildings will be closed. District offices remain open.
Work with us
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.
Learning Focused
Help recognize our teachers: Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up!
Show our teachers how much you appreciate them by nominating one! Email us at communications@lwsd.org or send us a message on Facebook and Instagram for a chance to be featured on the district's social media channels.
March was Music in Our Schools Month
Lake Washington School District has a strong and active music program, with classes for everyone from beginners to students with years of experience. These young musicians perform in concerts, festivals, and in the community throughout the year, which prepares them for continuing their musical journeys in high school and beyond.
View the videos of various performances our students have put on the LWSD Facebook page.
Providing care – LWSD celebrates school athletic trainers for National Athletic Training Month 2025
March was National Athletic Training Month, a month dedicated to honoring and celebrating the valuable contributions of athletic trainers. The theme this year is “Champions in Health Care.” This month provides an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the individuals who play a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of athletes for Lake Washington School District (LWSD). At LWSD, we are proud to recognize and appreciate the dedicated athletic trainers who serve each of our four comprehensive high schools.
- Kendall Kauzlarich, MAT, LAT, ATC (Eastlake High School)
- Kayla Cunningham, MAT, LAT, ATC (Juanita High School)
- Delaney Farmer, LAT, LMT, ATC (Lake Washington High School)
- Shauna Delaney, LAT, ATC (Redmond High School)
Reminder: Lake Washington High School spring college fair
The Lake Washington High School (LWHS) spring college fair is coming up April 22 from 5-7:15 p.m. on the LWHS campus. There are several colleges signed up to attend such as Penn State, UMass Amherst, University of Washington-Seattle, University of Wisconsin-Madison and many more. There will be breakout sessions with the following topics:
- UW Seattle application session
- Choosing the right college - What really matters?
- Understanding the three types of colleges in the US: the Impact on admissibility & cost
- Financial aid
FINAL Reminder: Congressional art competition 2025
Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the Artistic Discovery competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated.
Each member of Congress may choose to host the program in their individual districts and ask a panel of local artists, such as artists-in-residence, art teachers, gallery owners, etc., to act as judges. The winning artwork will hang in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol for one year. The tunnel is the most highly traveled access point between the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Capitol. Every day, Members of Congress, distinguished visitors and tens of thousands of tourists – from the United States and abroad – walk through the tunnel and admire the artwork.
Students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of judges select the winning entries. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, DC (with two free plane tickets to get there). The winning works are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol.
Congresswoman DelBene – Washington’s 1st District
All submissions are due by April 18, 2025. Award ceremony and reception to be held the week of April 21, final date and details TBA. For more information and to fill out the form, visit https://delbene.house.gov/constituent-services/art-competition.htm.
District announcements
Safety first – LWSD staff, community members and emergency personnel practice incident response
A top priority in Lake Washington School District (LWSD) is the health and safety of our students and staff. During their monthly meeting on February 12, members of the LWSD Safety Advisory Council, which includes district leaders, parent representatives and local emergency personnel, performed a tabletop exercise to focus on emergency preparedness. LWSD maintains the Safety Advisory Council to provide district-wide guidance with our community partners in safety, security and emergency preparedness and to set overall direction of district-wide safety and security measures.
Final Reminder: Thinking about serving on the school board?
Two LWSD school board positions will be on the November 2025 ballot: District 3 and District 4. The board and district will host informational and engagement sessions to share information about what it means to be a board member.
School board directors are elected by voters in a school district. School districts identify five areas called “director districts” which aim to distribute population evenly across each of the five areas. To run for a school board position, a person must live within the designated area even though the individual will be listed on the ballot for all voters within the school district. School board members are elected to serve four-year terms. Visit: https://www.lwsd.org/about/school-board/becoming-a-board-member for additional information.
Upcoming school board information session:
April 21, 2025, at 7 p.m. (In-person at Resource Center)
Session 3: Questions & answers and dialog with board members
King County election filing information: Online candidate filing for 2025 offices is available 24 hours a day starting Monday, May 5, 2025 at 8 a.m. and ending on Friday, May 9, 2025 at 5 p.m.
Learn more: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/elections/for-candidates/online-candidate-filing.aspx.
Building Excellence
Community collaboration for upgrades of fieldhouse and community pool at Juanita High School
On Wednesday, March 26, 2025, a kickoff meeting for the Upgrade of the fieldhouse and community pool at Juanita High School (JHS) took place in the JHS library. This exciting project is funded by the Lake Washington School District capital construction levy, which was passed by voters in November 2024. Thank you, voters!
The School Construction Input Team (SCIT) assembled a diverse committee to provide valuable input into the design process. The team includes district and school leaders, staff members, representatives from Wave Aquatics and City of Kirkland, and community members/parents. The meeting marked the beginning of the concept design process with a focus on minimizing disruptions to students and daily operations.
During the meeting, participants broke into groups to discuss various aspects of the project. Key topics included:
- Opportunities for improvement: Parents highlighted the potential for enhancing the space. Comparisons were made with other pools to ensure efficient usage.
- Athletic operations: The JHS Athletic Director discussed the use of the space for large tournaments and other athletic events.
- Logistical challenges: The extra-large building is both a benefit and a challenge, offering space for multiple PE classes but presenting logistical challenges such as audio issues and student support during class.
- Multipurpose use: The gym's multipurpose nature was discussed, including its use for graduation, youth programs, music performances and AP testing. Enhancing the flow and sightlines, and incorporating new technology were identified as opportunities.
- Inclusivity and accessibility: Ensuring space is inclusive and safe for all individuals was a key consideration. Improvements to locker rooms, security and restrooms was also discussed.
- Community engagement: The project presents an opportunity to reconnect with the community, offering underprivileged families access to the pool for water safety education.
We look forward to the continued collaboration and input from our community as we work together to create a modern, inclusive and efficient fieldhouse and pool at Juanita High School.
Thank you once again to our voters for making this project possible. Your support is helping us build a better future for our students and community!
Want to learn more about this project? Visit the Upgrade of Fieldhouse and Community Pool at Juanita High School webpage, and sign up for updates.
Student & Staff Success
The essay heard round the world – Eastlake High junior onto nationals in writing contest about the American Revolution
There is only one more stop on the journey for Eastlake High School junior Advaith Shyam to take home the top prize in a national essay writing contest. Advaith has already won at the local and regional levels of the George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest. For the contest, students must submit an original 800- to 1,200-word essay based on an event, person, philosophy or ideal associated with the American Revolution, Declaration of Independence or the framing of the United States Constitution. Each student’s essay is judged based upon its historical accuracy, clarity, organization, grammar and spelling, and documentation.
In the limelight – LWSD students take part in thespian festival
Three Lake Washington School District high schools put their students on display at the Washington State Thespian Festival March 20-21 in Seattle at the Convention Center. All three competing high schools received team awards. Eastlake, Juanita and Redmond high schools sent participating students to the competition. Each school received a Gold Honor Troupe Status. Through the Honor Troupe program, schools/troupes are recognized for their many achievements and endeavors during the school year. To be evaluated and considered for an Honor Troupe award, the troupe must submit a portfolio to present evidence of the troupe’s accomplishments and endeavors.