Connections - November 22, 2024
Windstorm update
We want to extend our appreciation to the team who has been working hard to restore our operations over the past few days. This includes our partners at our cities (Kirkland, Redmond and Sammamish), King County, and Puget Sound Energy. Our Emergency Operations Center has been meeting several times each day to provide updates and work-through options to ensure that once power is restored, we can resume school. This team includes administrators from many departments, including facilities, maintenance, risk/safety services, technology operations, nutrition services, communications and transportation. We hope to be able to provide you with additional updates by Sunday afternoon (November 24, 2024) about school for Monday, November 25.
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.
Learning Focused
Lake Washington students continue to make gains on state assessments
Lake Washington School District (LWSD) students continue to score well above the state average in all areas tested by the Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA).
"Lake Washington School District is pleased to share the results of our state assessments with our community,” said Dr. Jon Holmen, Superintendent. “We continue to work as an organization to accelerate and support our students’ academic and social growth. Student learning was impacted during the pandemic and we can see recovery in our standardized academic progress. Lake Washington staff strive each day to ensure academic excellence for every student."
Students in grades three through eight and in grade 10 took the Smarter Balanced Assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) and in Math. Students in grades five, eight and 11 also took science tests.
Native American Heritage Month
A message from Lauren Nabahe, Eastside Native American Education Program Coordinator
Let us recognize the brilliance, the power and beauty of our Native youth-every single day and not just in the month of November.
Though this is a great time to highlight the contributions and manner in which Native ways of knowing has enriched the world we walk in, I hope we can strive to make that recognition an integral part of who we all are.
In Lake Washington, Bellevue and Northshore School districts, we have hundreds of Native students representing hundreds of Tribal Nations.
Let us all come together to honor these students. Honor their history. Honor their ways of knowing. Honor their ways of being. Honor their traditions. Honor their inherent gifts, values, talents and brilliance.
Lauren Nabahe, Eastside Native American Education Program Coordinator
Email: lnabahe@lwsd.org
Computer Science (CS) Education Week & Hour of Code, December 9-15, 2024
Hour of Code started in 2013 as an annual call to action to inspire K-12 students to learn computer science, advocate for equity in computer science education and learn about the role of computing in all careers. In today's technology-driven world, students’ success will increasingly depend on understanding how technology works and how to solve problems and create with technology. Students across the district, at all levels, have participated in these events in the past, either in their classrooms or on their own, and have had a great experience.
In 2019, LWSD saw participation in Hour of Code expand with new levels of support from the Teaching & Learning and Career & Technical Education departments. Today, computer science learning happens in all schools during this week and beyond!
This year’s theme for CS Ed Week, "Make the Invisible Visible," is about those thrilling moments when students make real-world connections between computer science and the things they love.
During this week students engage in a variety of activities both on and off the computer that:
- Cultivate students’ interest and make connections to STEM subjects and their daily lives.
- Empower students to be creators of technology, not simple consumers.
- Deepen understanding of the intersection between computer science and other subjects and skills.
Even at the earliest grades students are beginning to explore computational thinking concepts like sequencing, algorithms, loops and events. Reach out to your student’s teacher and school and find out how you can help during this week and beyond.
Inclusive Schools Week: December 2-6, 2024
Inclusive Schools Week is December 2-6, 2024. The theme this year is "Every Voice Matters." Inclusive Schools Week is celebrated annually the first week in December by families, schools and organizations around the world. The week highlights and celebrates the progress that schools have made in implementing inclusive practices to ensure a quality education for an increasingly diverse student population.
The week provides an important opportunity for educators, students, and parents to discuss what else needs to be done to ensure that their schools continue to improve their ability to successfully educate all children. It is an occasion to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of teachers, administrators, students, and parents in making their schools more inclusive, and, thereby, significantly contributing to the development of a more inclusive society.
Final Reminder: Choice School application process open through December 1
Choice Schools and programs are optional schooling alternatives, created to meet specific needs and interests. They are designed to be smaller and use innovative approaches to education that are different from traditional public schools. Choice Schools and programs are often housed within an existing school or on the same campus as another school.
Applications for Choice Schools and programs are now open via ParentSquare. Please visit the Choice Schools webpage for details.
District announcements
Winter Toy Drive
November 1-December 10
Help spread holiday cheer in our community by donating new, unwrapped toys this season. Your generosity will benefit children throughout Lake Washington School District. The Winter Toy Drive runs from November 1 to December 10, and toys are needed for children and teens ages 5–18.
Drop Off Locations:
- LWSD Resource Center
16250 NE 74th St., Redmond
- Kirkland City Hall
123 5th Avenue, Kirkland
- North Kirkland Community Center
12421 103rd Ave NE, Kirkland
- Peter Kirk Community Center
352 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland
Monetary donations can be made through our partnership with Lake Washington Schools Foundation at www.lwsf.org/lp/winter-toy-drive/.
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.
Lake Washington School Foundation
Introducing ParentEd Talks: Free parent education webinars
Lake Washington Schools Foundation is excited to announce that we will be providing the entire LWSD Community with FREE ACCESS to ParentMap’s ParentEd Talks — a dynamic series of parent education webinars designed to guide you through the ups and downs of parenting.
Featuring renowned parenting experts, these 12 virtual sessions will dive into essential topics such as building resilience, navigating screen time, fostering independence and youth mental health.
Register for the entire series now, then join any live talk throughout the year. Plus, you’ll receive access to the event recordings to watch anytime, anywhere. To redeem your complimentary tickets ($120 value), sign up here and enter promo code LWSFNDN.
Donor support makes it possible for us to bring valuable resources like this to the community.
Reminder: Pantry Packs Thanksgiving Food Drive
Participate in this year’s Pantry Packs Thanksgiving Food Drive! Pantry Packs provides weekend food packs to food-insecure Lake Washington School District students. There are two easy ways to donate to our annual Fall food drive:
- Direct donation via our Amazon Wish List
OR - Deliver your donations to their warehouse at 14816 NE 95th St – Bldg 6 in Redmond. Below are the times you can drop your donations off:
- 12/4 (2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.)
- 12/7 (10 a.m.-12 p.m.)
The most needed items for families can be found here.
Click here to view the flyer.
Student & Staff Success
Tesla STEM computer science teacher selected as a University of Chicago award winner
Students accepted into the University of Chicago Class of 2028 were asked to nominate an educator whose guidance has helped them along the path toward intellectual growth. Responses were received from hundreds of students in recognition of educators who have positively impacted their lives. In October, it was announced that Tesla STEM High School computer science teacher Bethany Kankelborg was selected as a 2024 University of Chicago Outstanding Educator.
According to an email sent to Tesla STEM, Kankelborg stood out among a field of incredible, capable and inspiring educators. She was invited to join the University of Chicago for a virtual event celebrating this year’s winners on Tuesday, October 29. Kankelborg was chosen by Anusha Pandey, a former student of hers who was recently accepted to the University of Chicago.