Connections - November 7, 2024
Thank you, voters!
As of 8 p.m. on November 5, the Lake Washington School District community voted to approve Proposition 1, the LWSD capital construction levy. Thank you to our community for your continued support of LWSD students, staff and schools. The Building Excellence Capital Construction levy will help ensure that all students have access to safe, modern learning spaces that support their education. For more information on the levy, please visit https://www.lwsd.org/2024-levy.
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
Celebrating Veterans Day in LWSD
All schools and district offices are closed on Monday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day.
Lake Washington School District wants to take this opportunity to thank all veterans for their service and dedication to our country. This week, throughout the district, many schools are holding assemblies, giving presentations and hearing stories from veterans.
Reminder: Choice School application process is now open – Information nights have begun
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.
Reminder: Lake Washington School District preschool availability
Looking for a preschool for your 3- or 4-year-old? We currently have availability in all our preschool locations! The preschool sessions and cost are as follows:
- AM Session 8:40 - 11:10
- PM Session 12:10 - 2:40
- $475/month
Preschool Locations:
- Bell Elementary
- Juanita Elementary
- Sandburg Elementary
- Wilder Elementary
- Carson Elementary
- Old Redmond Schoolhouse
Students must have turned three years old by August 31, 2024. Transportation is not provided. For questions or more information, call 425-936-2845 or visit lwsd.org/preschool.
District announcements
Join Us! Budget Realignment Online Town Hall – November 12, 2024 at 5 p.m.
Learn more about the status of the Lake Washington School District budget for the 2025-26 school year and beyond. Ask Superintendent Dr. Jon Holmen and Associate Superintendent of Business & Support Services, Barbara Posthumus, questions about the LWSD budget.
Click here to join the Town Hall on November 12 at 5 p.m.
Expanding mental health access for local students, families, and staff through Care Solace partnership
LWSD, LWSF, and City of Redmond join forces to offer comprehensive mental health care coordination
Lake Washington School District (LWSD) is proud to announce a new partnership with Care Solace, a comprehensive mental health care coordination service designed to support students, families, and staff. Powered by significant grants from the Lake Washington Schools Foundation (LWSF) and the City of Redmond, this collaboration aims to strengthen links between school-based support and external mental health and addiction recovery resources by providing timely, confidential connections to care.
Recent data from the 2023 LWSD Healthy Youth Survey reveals the alarming mental health challenges facing high school seniors: 25% report symptoms of depression, 12% have contemplated suicide, and 26% feel they have no adult to confide in. Additionally, 13% have experienced unwanted sexual contact, and 11% identify as “problem” or “heavy” drinkers. These figures underscore an urgent need for expanded access to mental health care.
"The statistics are alarming, but they also highlight the incredible need for a service like Care Solace," remarked Katy Philips, LWSF Executive Director. "We are grateful for the opportunity to make mental health care more accessible and to work alongside LWSD and the City of Redmond to support our community’s well-being."
Care Solace connects individuals with a large network of verified mental health providers, addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, substance use, trauma, and more. The service offers 24/7/365 multilingual support in over 200 languages and is available at no cost to all LWSD students, families, and staff, regardless of insurance status.
Innovative collaboration between Bellevue School District and Lake Washington School District to enhance language access
We are excited to announce an innovative collaboration between Bellevue School District (BSD) and Lake Washington School District (LWSD) focused on improving language access services. This partnership aims to enhance the quality of interpreter services, ensuring that all students and families receive the support they need to thrive.
Started on October 15, this initiative includes two interpreter training sessions on Special Education Services, hosted at both LWSD and BSD locations. These training sessions will equip interpreters with comprehensive knowledge and skills related to Special Education, enabling them to effectively support our families during their communications with schools and specialists. By incorporating an equity-focused approach, this training aims to address and bridge gaps in communication, ensuring that every family with students receiving these services is met with understanding and sensitivity.
Read more about this on the LWSD website.
Reminder: Are your 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
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:
- 11/12 (2:30-4:30 p.m.)
- 11/13 (11 a.m.-2 p.m.)
- 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.
Reminder: Understanding Standardized Testing: Key updates and strategies | Find Your Fit event
Tuesday, November 12, from 6:30-8:00 p.m., at LWSD Resource Center in Redmond
A lot has changed over the past five years in the world of standardized testing (ACT and SAT). Join Mary Pat O'Neil and guest speaker Matty Steiner (Compass Education Group) as they discuss the role of test scores in college admissions, useful strategies for families, how to prepare for the tests and much more; including the role of Advanced Placement (AP) scores.
This event is suitable for high school students and parents. There will be a question and answer period at the end. Details and registration: www.lwsf.org/our-work/find-your-fit.
Reminder: Screen-Based Childhood | Parent Chat webinar
Wednesday, November 13, 7–8:00 p.m. on Zoom
At our next Parent Chat webinar, we will explore how screen time affects your child's mental health. Learn practical tips and strategies to help navigate today’s screen-dependent world and foster a healthier relationship with technology.
Details and registration.
Student & Staff Success
Eastlake High School student named Coca-Cola Scholar semifinalist
Eastlake High School senior Alon Ragoler is one of just 19 students in Washington state selected as a Coca-Cola Scholar semifinalist. Nationwide, more than 105,000 students applied for the award and 1,336 (1.27% of applicants) were selected as semifinalists. Students are selected for outstanding leadership, academic achievement and dedication to their community. A committee will now select 250 regional finalists. After that round, 50 Coca-Cola Scholars will be selected to receive $20,000 scholarships and attend a Scholars Weekend in Atlanta, Ga. in April.
View this story on the LWSD website.
Alcott kindergarteners in ABC Bootcamp Fashion Show
ABC is easy as 123! Kindergarten students at Louisa May Alcott Elementary have been working hard to learn their alphabet and sounds. As part of the lesson, students made a vest of their assigned letter and decorated it with items that begin with that letter. Students then rocked the red carpet, modeling their one-of-a-kind creations in their ABC Bootcamp Fashion Show.