Connections - March 28, 2025
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
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
Reminder: 2025 graduation schedule available
The graduation schedule for 2025 has been posted. You can find the details on the LWSD webpage. We look forward to recognizing our class of 2025 graduates in June. Additional information, including details about tickets, will be shared with families by each school.
Reminder: Unofficial transcripts now available in Skyward
Unofficial transcripts for high school students are now available in Skyward Student and Family Access. These transcripts are under "Portfolio." The steps to access them are:
- Log in to Family or Student Access.
- Click on the "Portfolio" tile.
- Select the download or view options for the Unofficial Transcript.
These are updated three times a year (after Semester 1, after Semester 2, and at the end of September).
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
King County Metro update
King County Metro will be bringing back fare inspection effective March 31, 2025. As a reminder, all youth 18 and younger will continue to ride Metro for free. Everyone will be asked for proof of payment, but youth will not face penalties if they do not provide a Free Youth Transit Pass (Youth ORCA card) or a school ID. They will receive information on how to obtain a Free Youth Transit Pass (Youth ORCA card), which is highly encouraged.
Youth ORCA Cards for young people ages 6 through 18 can be ordered for free with proof of age at FreeYouthTransitPass.com. Learn more here: https://www.lwsd.org/services/transportation/orca-card.
Reminder: We want to hear from you! Panorama family survey extended to April 4
Families, students and schools all play important roles in helping students do their best in school. By taking the Panorama Family survey, you can help LWSD learn how to make your child's schooling experience as positive and beneficial as possible. The topics covered in this spring family survey are about your engagement with the district and your local school.
The Panorama family survey can be accessed here.
If you have students at different schools, we encourage you to take the survey multiple times – one time per school.
Thank you in advance for completing this year’s Family Panorama survey!
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
Building Excellence is Lake Washington School District's long-term plan to provide permanent classrooms for students and address aging facilities and reduce reliance on portables through 2034. The Building Excellence Plan identifies the specific projects needed and a long-term funding plan that allows all required projects to be completed by 2034.
Rebuild and Enlarge Emerson High School/Emerson K-12
We are currently in the design phase for the Emerson High School/Emerson K-12 rebuild and enlarge project which will provide modern, state-of-the-art learning environments to our students and educators.
The School Construction Input Team (SCIT) meetings are actively underway, ensuring that the voices of our educators, administrators, parents and community members are heard and incorporated into the design process. We also held student engagement sessions during lunch for all students on campus to provide feedback on what they would like to see in their new school. We heard requests for outdoor learning and quiet spaces for heads down work. The project goal is to create spaces that not only support academic excellence but also foster creativity, collaboration and well-being.
In an effort to keep our community informed and involved, we will be hosting a community open house along with City of Kirkland in Spring 2025. This event will provide an opportunity for community members to learn more about the design plans, ask questions and share their thoughts. We encourage everyone to attend and participate in shaping the future of our schools. Construction for the rebuild and enlarge project is slated to begin in Spring 2026. We are committed to ensuring that the construction process is efficient and minimally disruptive to our current educational activities and neighbors. The new school is scheduled to open Fall 2027.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this exciting journey. Together, we are building a brighter future for our students and our community. Thank you for your continued support and involvement.
Student & Staff Success
Twenty Lake Washington educators achieve, maintain National Board Certification
Highest certification an educator can achieve
Twenty Lake Washington School District educators achieved or maintained their National Board Certification®, as announced by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). Nine educators were certified for the first time and 11 educators maintained their certification this year. Certifications must be renewed every five years. Educators from around the district completed the process and were recognized at the school board meeting on February 10.