Connections - December 18, 2025
Winter break begins Monday, December 22, and extends through January 2. Learning will resume on Monday, January 5, 2026. District offices will be closed to the public during winter break. Until then, enjoy your break and happy holidays!
Season of Giving
'Tis the Season of Giving in Lake Washington School District (LWSD). Each year schools and district buildings across LWSD think of ways to benefit those most in need during the holiday season. They do so by holding food or clothing drives or collecting items to donate to others in the community. The items collected are distributed to families and non-profit organizations throughout the area.
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.
2026 Levies
Five facts to know about the 2026 levies
As we head into winter break, we want to ensure families have a clear understanding of the two levy renewals that our district is asking voters to consider on February 10, 2026. These measures help support the learning experiences, resources, and staff that students count on every day.
Here are five key facts:
- Both levies are renewals, meaning they replace expiring levies previously approved by our community in February 2022.
- Washington state does not fully fund K-12 education, which is why districts rely on locally approved funding measures to bridge the gap.
- The Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy and the School Technology and Capital Projects levy provide funding that supports every school in our district.
- The EP&O levy funds the day-to-day operations of our district. This includes funding for staff, special education, athletics/extracurricular activities, and more.
- The School Technology and Capital Projects Levy funds our districtwide technology program. It also provides funding for small-scale infrastructure projects throughout the district.
If you have any questions, please go to our website https://www.lwsd.org/2026-levies.
Save the date: LWSD levy town halls in January 2026
LWSD Superintendent Dr. Jon Holmen and Associate Superintendent of Business and Support Services Barbara Posthumus will offer a series of online town hall events about the 2026 Replacement Educational Programs & Operations Levy and 2026 Replacement School Technology & Capital Projects Levy.
Each town hall meeting will offer an opportunity for question/answer sessions.
PUBLIC EVENTS:
- Wednesday, January 14, 2026, from 6-7 p.m. (Meeting link)
- Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 7-8 p.m. (Meeting link)
- Tuesday, January 27, 2026, from 12-1 p.m. (Meeting link)
- Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 6-7 p.m. (Meeting link)
Learning Focused
Event tonight VIRTUAL ONLY: Elementary ELA curriculum pilot family/caregiver information night
The information night tonight, from 5:30-6:30 p.m., will be a virtual only event. At this meeting, we’ll share details about the ELA curriculum selection process and provide samples to explore. You can join the meeting by clicking this link.
The Reading Advisory Committee has selected two K-5 ELA curricula to pilot from mid-September 2025 through late March 2026, following a rigorous review process grounded in research-based practices and Common Core standards. The selected programs are:
- Benchmark Advance/Adelante
- McGraw Hill Emerge!/Dual Literacy
Teachers will communicate with families before implementation. Throughout the pilot, the committee will assess curriculum effectiveness, alignment to standards, and inclusivity, while gathering feedback from students, caregivers and the community.
Curriculum materials were available for public review at the Resource Center September-October.
For questions, please contact Kelly Moses Pease, Director of K–5 Teaching and Learning, or Whitney Blackstone, Elementary Literacy Specialist.
Computer Science Education Week celebrated in LWSD schools
Computer Science Education Week took place last week (December 8-14). This is an annual, worldwide opportunity that occurs every December to inspire K-12 educators and students to engage in computer science to solve problems, advocate for equity in computer science education, celebrate the contributions of students, teachers, and partners to the field, and underscore the critical role of computing in all careers. This year’s theme was “CS (Computer Science) Powers AI Innovation.”
Excellence in Action
From Superintendent Dr. Jon Holmen:
Congratulations to one of December’s Excellence in Action recipients, Cameron Miller. Cameron is a Counselor and Department Chair at Eastlake High School. In the Excellence in Action video, we see Cameron exemplify the heart of our Student Profile through her daily interactions with students. As a counselor, she walks alongside young people during some of their most pivotal decisions: planning next steps, exploring future pathways, and navigating the complexities of growing up. Her work reflects both deep purpose and deep care.
We had a second Excellence in Action recipient for December, Jen Wiechert, Early Learning Program Specialist. Jen has a significant impact on our Early Learning programs across the district and brings with her a varied background of experiences that allows her to support, advocate, coach and simply be excellent every day. Please take a few moments to hear about Jen’s exceptional work and join Dr. Holmen in congratulating Jen Wiechert as our Excellence in Action recipient.
Regional town hall on education funding – January 7, 2026
Our community, our schools
The state continues to fall short of fully funding K-12 education, and our students feel the impact every day. The regional town hall on education funding — Wednesday, January 7, 2026 from 7-9 p.m. brings students, families, educators, community members and legislators together to advocate for equitable, sustainable funding. When we show up as a community, we strengthen our schools and our future.
📍 Newport High School gymnasium (4333 Factoria Blvd SE, Bellevue, WA 98006)
📝 Pre-submit your questions to legislators
📣 Volunteer sign-up link: https://bit.ly/4pPSTcH
Secondary math materials adoption community information session
Please join us on Teams for a webinar style information session about the secondary math materials adoption process and the materials that are currently under consideration.
- Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 6 p.m.
- Webinar: Teams meeting link
- Use this link for more information about each set of materials.
Recording will be posted to the Curriculum Review & Adoption - Lake Washington School District site.
Contact Nyla Fritz, Director of Secondary Teaching & Learning, at nfritz@lwsd.org with any questions you may have.
Have an elementary student interested in culinary arts? Future Chefs competition is here for students in grades 1-5
We’re thrilled to announce the fifteenth Future Chefs National Challenge! This year, we’re accepting entries from grades 1 through 5.
The idea behind this event is to help educate the kids in HEALTHY EATING HABITS. Too often, we hear about kids not making the right choices in terms of their eating habits. Plus, eating healthy should be fun!
This year’s theme is Passport to Flavor - Take your taste buds on a global adventure! We’re inviting all Future Chefs to create a recipe inspired by a country or culture from anywhere in the world - from spicy tacos to tasty noodles or sweet treats - the possibilities are endless!
Judging will be based on the following criteria:
- Originality
- Kid friendly
- Ease of preparation
- Healthy attributes
- Plate presentation
- Taste
- Student chef presentation to judges
View the flyer for more information. Included with this flyer is a link and QR code to submit their recipe electronically. The portal is open and accepting student recipes.
For more on this year’s Future Chefs competition, please visit the event page on the LWSD website.
District announcements
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.
Safety corner
Guidance for students on e-bikes and self-transportation
The health and safety of our students and staff is the number one priority in Lake Washington School District (LWSD). We recognize that many students choose bicycles, e-bikes, scooters and other self-transportation options to get to and from school. These choices promote independence and sustainability but safety must always come first.
Why encourage biking?
Riding a bike to school offers numerous benefits for students and families. It promotes physical activity, reduces traffic congestion around schools and supports environmentally friendly habits. For students, biking can foster a sense of responsibility and time management while providing a healthy, active start to the day.
Why safety matters
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), children under 10 often lack the decision-making skills needed to navigate streets safely without supervision. Families should consider age, experience and local traffic conditions before allowing younger students to ride independently.
Safety tips for students
- Follow the directions of school and district staff.
- Be mindful of pedestrians, cars and buses.
- Wear protective gear, including helmets, and use visibility aids like lights or reflective clothing.
- Obey traffic laws and ride predictably.
- Familiarize yourself with local and state regulations for your mode of transportation.
District guidance for families
- Storage: Students should use designated bike racks on campus and secure their equipment with a sturdy lock during school hours.
- E-Bikes and Electric Transportation: Charging e-bikes or electric scooters on school property is prohibited. All charging must occur at home. Families should review local and state laws regarding e-bike use.
- On Campus: All modes of transportation - bikes, scooters, skateboards - must be walked or carried while on school grounds.
Important reminders
LWSD is not liable for injuries, damages or lost/stolen items related to personal transportation devices. District staff cannot safeguard students’ personal property.
By working together, we can ensure that self-transportation remains a safe and positive option for everyone. For more information, visit LWSD Walk Route Maps or contact Risk & Safety Services at semry@lwsd.org.
Lake Washington Schools Foundation
Mapping Your High School Journey: Picking Classes in High School | Find Your Fit
Choosing high school classes soon? Join college counselor Mary Pat O’Neil and LWSD school counselor Taylor Reuhl for a conversation on choosing the right high school classes—covering rigor, Running Start, graduation requirements and more. This webinar is suitable for middle and high school families.
Details and registration at: https://www.lwsf.org/our-work/find-your-fit.
Building Excellence
Redmond High School addition project update
As part of the ongoing construction efforts on the Redmond High School addition project, demolition of the former administration wing will begin Monday, December 22. This work will take place during daytime hours throughout winter break, except for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The demolition is expected to be completed prior to January 5.
The addition at Redmond High School is funded by the 2022 Building Excellence Capital Construction Levy approved by voters. You can view additional information about this project and sign up for updates at: Redmond High School addition - Lake Washington School District.
Rebuild & Enlarge Project at Rockwell Elementary reaches a big milestone
On Thursday, December 18, the Rebuild & Enlarge Project at Rockwell Elementary reached a big construction milestone – the “Topping Off” ceremony.
The “Topping Off” ceremony happens when the last beam is placed. This usually coincides with the highest point of the building. The tradition started in Scandinavia and includes placing a tree on the beam to honor nature. Placing an evergreen tree on the structure honors old traditions, symbolizing growth, life and respect for nature.
For Rockwell Elementary, it’s a simple way to pause, recognize the achievement and look ahead to the community that will soon thrive inside.
In honor of the Rockwell “Banana Tree” (a tree with limbs that are shaped like a banana that the kids like to sit on), students wrote their hopes and dreams for Rockwell Elementary on small bananas that were hung from the tree used in the ceremony.
The Rebuild & Enlarge Project at Rockwell Elementary is funded by the 2022 Building Excellence Capital Construction Levy approved by voters. You can view additional information about this project and sign up for updates at: Rebuild and Enlarge Rockwell Elementary - Lake Washington School District.
Student & Staff Success
Celebrating Transition Academy students for their outstanding service
On November 19 and 20, Rose Hill Elementary had the privilege of hosting students from the Lake Washington School District (LWSD) Transition Academy, who generously dedicated their time and talents to serve drinks to the entire Rose Hill staff.
This thoughtful gesture was more than just a warm cup of coffee. It was a demonstration of teamwork, professionalism and community spirit. The students’ attention to detail and friendly service created a welcoming atmosphere that uplifted staff and reminded them of the power of connection and gratitude.
Redmond High students win Congressional App Challenge with innovative health app
Lake Washington School District is proud to celebrate the creativity and innovation of three Redmond High School students who have earned national recognition for their work in technology. Isabella Li, Hiya Pandey, and Anya Mehta were announced as winners of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for Washington’s 1st Congressional District by Congresswoman Suzan DelBene.
Their winning app, AnemoDx, is designed as a non-invasive, early warning system for individuals at risk of anemia. The app estimates hemoglobin levels and alerts users if their levels are too high or too low, encouraging them to seek medical attention when needed. This tool is especially valuable for people in rural or underserved communities who may have limited access to regular blood tests or healthcare facilities.