Connections - May 2, 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
Canvas to be rolled out as learning management system for 2025-26 school year
This school year, Inglewood Middle School and Lake Washington High School used Canvas as their learning management system (LMS). Their success has paved the way for LWSD’s full adoption of Canvas as the official LMS for all secondary schools starting with the 2025-26 school year. As a family member who supports a student in grades 6-12, here are a few things to know about Canvas at LWSD:
- Anyone who supports a student in Canvas is called an “Observer."
- Only secondary (grades 6-12) students and staff will be using Canvas.
- All Observer accounts will be created automatically and paired with their student(s) using Primary Contact Email in Skyward. So, please validate that LWSD has your correct information before the start of the 25/26 school year.
- Check out the Canvas for families page on our district website for the most up-to-date information and resources related to supporting your students via Canvas.
Important Update: Changes to outside-of-district credit policy
After careful consideration and input from stakeholders, we have updated the guidelines for how outside-of-district (OOD) credits will be recorded on student transcripts. This policy update brings our practices in alignment with those of other school districts in our region, while staying true to the policy's intent: to allow students to pursue enrichment opportunities outside our district that may not be offered in our schools. By maintaining a balance between flexibility and transcript integrity, we aim to provide meaningful avenues for student growth while respecting the academic framework of our district.
- Seven outside credits on transcript: High School students are allowed to earn up to seven credits from outside-of-district courses beginning the summer before entering the 9th grade. This provides greater flexibility for students to explore enrichment opportunities. Students submitting the Appendix C form, must be enrolled in six courses at their high school with the exception of seniors who have an early dismissal or late arrival.
- Credit limits for grade improvement: Out of the seven outside credits, a maximum of three credits can be used to improve grades in courses taken previously. These courses will be awarded both a grade and credit.
- Courses taken for initial credit: Any initial coursework will be recorded as "P" (Pass) and will only show credit, not a grade, to maintain the integrity of the student's academic record. Students can send the outside transcript as a separate document in college applications.
*Please note: The district does not verify whether outside courses meet specific college or NCAA requirements or qualify for scholarships. Parents and students are responsible for ensuring courses meet their needs.
Implementation:
- Class of 2025 and 2026 (current seniors and rising seniors) will follow the previous policy and procedures of the district. Any approved initial coursework may be posted for credit on the transcript with a letter grade.
- Class of 2027 and beyond will follow the updated policy and procedure of the LWSD. Any approved initial coursework may be posted for credit on the transcript without a grade.
You can find more information about these opportunities here: More Ways to Graduation - Lake Washington School District.
LWSD to fly rainbow flags for Pride Month, as well as Juneteenth flag on June 19
This June, schools across the Lake Washington School District will fly rainbow flags in recognition of Pride month and on June 19, they will fly the Juneteenth flag in recognition of this federal holiday honoring the end of slavery. A couple years ago, students and staff members shared with the district the importance of flying the Pride flag as a symbol of the district’s commitment to an inclusive and safe school environment. In response, the district developed a policy regarding the exhibition of flags at district facilities which specifically authorized the flying of the two ceremonial flags in alignment with action taken at the state level to authorize the flying of these flags at state facilities. Policy 6980 was adopted on September 27, 2022.
LWSD celebrates Earth Week 2025
Many schools celebrated Earth Week in April with educational activities. This year’s theme was "Our Power, Our Planet." Muir Elementary students had the opportunity to plant vegetable and flower seeds in celebration of the observance! The school used milk cartons that were taken from the lunchroom trash as planting containers. Visit the LWSD Facebook page to see how LWSD celebrated this important day.
Arts in Education Month
May is Arts in Education Month in Washington state. LWSD recognizes that the arts can transform our schools into havens of creativity and exploration - places where students want to learn, teachers want to teach and all learning community members are more engaged and motivated. Thank you to all the LWSD staff who help bring the arts to our students.
View the LWSD proclamation, signed by the Board, for Arts in Education Month.
Reminder: 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.
District announcements
Nexus: Mental Health Hub
Lake Washington School District is excited to announce the official launch of Nexus, a mental health platform for students. Created by Inglemoor High School student, Taanvi Arekapudi, Nexus offers a 360° view of mental health support including online self-help resources, available 24/7, and regularly scheduled in-person events.
You can access Nexus by visiting the District’s Student Services webpage, or directly at https://lwsd.nexusforschools.com/. English and Spanish mental health resources are currently available with more languages coming soon.
A handy student-focused app is coming soon. Lake Washington School District is grateful to Taanvi for all her efforts to improve students’ mental health by providing easy, coordinated resource access.
City of Redmond: Help Redmond plan for teen services
Teens, parents, caregivers and service providers, please take the City of Redmond's questionnaire to help the City of Redmond understand how best to serve teens and future generations. You can learn more about teen services and take the questionnaire at LetsConnectRedmond.com/TeenServices.
Lake Washington Schools Foundation
Honor your favorite teachers and staff during Teacher Appreciation Week
Teacher Appreciation Week begins next Monday. Are you looking for a way to show your thanks but are running short on time? Lake Washington Schools Foundation (LWSF) can help!
LWSF has an easy way for you to honor the amazing teachers and staff of LWSD and support the work of LWSF at the same time.
When you donate to LWSF in a teacher or staff member’s honor, they’ll put their name on their virtual Wall of Appreciation, send them an inspirational postcard or even include a limited-edition lapel pin! Order now.
What Counselors See: The Quiet Power of Pantry Packs
School counselors see what most of us don’t – the quiet, powerful difference a simple bag of food can make. Hear directly from Megan Melby and Stacey O'Brien about how Pantry Packs is changing lives, one black bag at a time.
LWSF seeks new trustees to join its board
LWSF is seeking dedicated trustees to help guide their mission of ensuring every student in LWSD has the support they need to thrive, both now and in the future. They’re especially interested in thoughtful, diverse candidates with community ties, who are eager to help grow LWSF’s impact.
Apply today at www.lwsf.org/trustee-application.
Questions? Contact us at LWSFBoardRecruitment@lwsf.org.
GiveBIG for students: Support LWSF on May 6–7
On May 6–7, thousands of people are going to show their support for their favorite Washington nonprofits during GiveBIG.
When you support Lake Washington Schools Foundation on these global days of giving, you're helping supercharge our mission to help students in the Lake Washington School District thrive by removing barriers, supporting wellness, enhancing learning and building connections.
Join the movement and make your donation today!
Summer college bootcamp for rising seniors | Find Your Fit
Rising seniors and parents: Summer is the perfect time to start your college journey!
Find Your Fit is offering a summer college bootcamp for rising seniors (class of 2026) at the end of June. Learn how to build a balanced college list, complete your Common Application and write standout essays. Details and registration at https://www.lwsf.org/our-work/find-your-fit.
Let Go and Let Grow: Raising Confident, Independent Children | Tuesday, May 6, 12-1 p.m.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of modern parenting? What if the key to raising responsible, independent kids is doing less – not more?
Join LWSF’s next virtual ParentEd Talk with self-proclaimed “free-range” parenting mom and advocate, Lenore Skenazy. Learn how to let go of the worry that plagues parents and set yourself, and your kids, free!
Sign up here for this free Q&A-style webinar. You'll also gain access to recordings for the entire series, so you can watch them anytime, anywhere.
Be the Bridge 2025: Moments we shared
This year’s Be the Bridge Spring Benefit was a reminder of the strength we find in community and the impact we can create together. Whether you were able to join LWSF or were with them in spirit, LWSF invites you to take a moment to reflect on the evening's program through this highlights video – and to celebrate the connections and possibilities they’re building for students and families across our community.
Building Excellence
Groundbreaking of rebuild and enlarge project at Rockwell Elementary
Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 5 p.m.
Please join us as we celebrate the groundbreaking for Rockwell Elementary School. This project creates space for 252 additional students while addressing an aging facility.
Rockwell will include 30 classrooms and support spaces in a new two-story building that will open in Fall 2026. Construction will begin this summer. (Preliminary work started this spring).
The rebuild and enlarge of Rockwell is funded by the 2022 Building Excellence Construction Levy.
For additional information:
Upcoming open house for addition at Eastlake High School
May 14, 2025 from 7-8 p.m.
Join us for an informational meeting on Wednesday, May 14 at 7 p.m. in the Eastlake High School commons. Learn more about the school addition design, construction schedule and meet members of the project team.
The Eastlake High School addition is funded by the 2022 Building Excellence Construction Levy.
This project creates space for up to 300 additional students. The Eastlake High School addition will include 12 classrooms and support spaces in the north wing of the building that will open in Fall 2026. Construction will begin this summer. One temporary portable will be added to the site to house the library for one year.
View the EHS informational meeting flyer for more information.
Student & Staff Success
Three LWSD students win national medals for excellence in art and writing
Nearly 310,000 works were submitted for the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards this year. Only about 2,800 students nationwide received national medals and three of those students are from Lake Washington School District (LWSD). The following students won awards at the national level:
- Gold Medal in Writing
- Jasmine Zhen, International Community School, “’Coming from a Black Man’s Soul’: Emotional Pain and the Redefinition of the Black Experience in Harlem Renaissance Art and Writing”
- Silver Medal in Art
- Rosie Bao, Eastlake High School, “Distortion of Time”
- Rosha Roudaki, International Community School, “The Journey, Acceptance, and Betrayal”
LWSD student receives National Merit Corporate-Sponsored Scholarship
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced Wednesday (4/23) that a Lake Washington School District senior will receive National Merit Corporate-Sponsored Scholarship:
- Thomas Longcore, Juanita H.S. - National Merit Boeing Scholarship
National Merit Corporate-Sponsored Scholarships are financed by about 125 corporations, company foundations and other business organizations. This student is one of only 830 distinguished high school seniors nationwide, and just 14 in Washington, to win a scholarship.
Scholars are selected from students who advance to the Finalist level in the National Merit Scholarship Competition and met the criteria of their scholarship sponsors. Corporate sponsors provide National Merit Scholarships for Finalists who are children of their employees, who are residents of communities the company serves or who plan to pursue college majors or careers the sponsor wishes to encourage.