Connections - September 12, 2024
Happy first day of school!
We are so excited to welcome back our students. Visit our Facebook page to see some of the photos from the different first days of school at all levels.
You can view Superintendent Dr. Jon Holmen's welcome back video here:
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
Sixty-seven LWSD students named National Merit Semifinalists
Sixty-seven Lake Washington School District (LWSD) high school seniors have been named semifinalists in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced the semifinalists on Wednesday, September 11.
Sixteen thousand high school seniors nationwide qualified. More than 15,000 semifinalists are expected to advance to the Finalist level. A little less than half will win a National Merit Scholarship. These students will be able to continue in the competition for 6,870 National Merit Scholarships, worth nearly $26 million.
Reminder: View the 2024-25 school year calendar
The 2024-25 LWSD school calendar is available on the district website. Here is a direct link to the PDF of the calendar from the site.
Reminder: District tip line
Safety is one of our district’s top priorities. To keep our school community safe, our district uses Vector Alert, a tip reporting service that allows students, staff and parents to submit safety concerns to our administration five different ways:
- App: Search for “Vector Alert” in the App Store to download for free
- Phone: 425.529.5763
- Text: Text your tip to 425.529.5763
- Email: 1342@alert1.us
- Web: http://1342.alert1.us
If an administrator is not nearby or available to take your tip, you and your child can easily report tips on bullying, harassment, drugs, vandalism, threats of violence or any safety issue you're concerned about through Vector Alert. When you submit a tip, be sure to use our district’s identification code: 1342 in your communication.
Every tip Vector Alert receives about our district is immediately logged in the system and our administration is notified so that they can investigate and take appropriate action. And, tips may also be submitted anonymously if you prefer.
Together, using Vector Alert, we can make our district a safer place to work and learn! Thanks in advance for your support.
Reminder: 988 suicide and crisis lifeline
On July 16, 2022, the country transitioned to using the 988 dialing code for the suicide and crisis lifeline.
988 is more than just an easy-to-remember number—it is a direct connection to compassionate, accessible care and support for anyone experiencing mental health related distress—whether that is thoughts of suicide, symptoms of mental illness or substance use disorder or other factors. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need these types of crisis supports.
District announcements
New mental health resource: Care Solace
We are excited to share a partnership with Care Solace! This is a free, confidential service that connects students, staff and their families to mental health providers and substance use treatment matched to their needs – regardless of insurance. As a care coordination resource, it is designed to remove barriers to mental health care. School counselors will get training and be provided with a link to refer students soon.
What this means for schools:
- Barrier-free access: It is accessible to all, insured or uninsured.
- Service monitoring: Keep track of the services referred.
- Peace of mind: Students get support outside of school.
- Simplified process: Streamlined Release of Information (ROI) process to stay informed.
Benefits for students and families:
- Access for all: Insured or not, find counseling easily.
- Relief for parents: Connect with therapists quickly.
- Collaboration: Keeps supportive adults informed.
- Privacy: Families can access the service directly from home without school involvement.
Read the flyer for more information.
Reminder: Nutrislice – A new platform for school menus and nutritional information from LWSD Nutrition Services
LWSD Nutrition Services is implementing an online website and mobile app called Nutrislice that is designed to provide parents and students with information about our school menus and nutritional information. Users may view menus specific to their school(s), as well as important information about each item that is offered. Benefits of Nutrislice include:
- Menu is available on demand via the web or smart phone app.
- Parents and students have detailed access to menu ingredients.
- Compliant with updated Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Language translations in 50+ language platforms.
- Last minute menu or product changes can be reflected.
- Menu can be filtered making it easier on those with special dietary and allergen considerations.
A link to Nutrislice menus is posted on the district’s Nutrition Services webpage or the direct link to school menus is available here: Nutrislice | Lake Washington School District.
Lake Washington School Foundation
Reminder: Who is Lake Washington Schools Foundation?
Discover the heart and soul of the Lake Washington Schools Foundation in just a few minutes. Watch their short video and learn how LWSF works together with the community to make a difference in the lives of LWSD students.
Don’t miss out on inspiring stories and impactful opportunities! Sign up today to receive exclusive emails from LWSF featuring heartwarming stories, behind-the-scenes insights and opportunities to transform student lives! Stay informed, stay inspired and be part of a community that cares. Visit www.lwsf.org/subscribe to join us today.
Reminder: Call for ambassadors
Join the Foundation Family! LWSF Ambassadors are adult volunteers who represent their school community and champion LWSF programs that help every student in our school district thrive.
At the heart of our mission are dedicated individuals like LWSF Ambassador Zahra Eslami, who is committed to empowering students and building an inclusive community where every child's voice is heard. Hear her story and see how you can make a difference, too.
To learn more and/or to apply, visit the LWSF website or contact june@lwsf.org.
Meet Zahra Eslami, Passionate LWSF Ambassador
Learn about LWSF Ambassador Zahra’s commitment to advocacy, education and fostering an inclusive community, inspired by her family’s values and her desire to ensure every student’s voice is heard. Read her story here.
LWSF welcomes five new trustees committed to helping students thrive
LWSF is pleased to announce the addition of five new members to its Board of Trustees: Manish Agrawal, Swarnima Aswinkumar, Jenni Baldwin, Catherine Leap and Eric Synn. These esteemed individuals bring a wealth of experience, passion and dedication to education, community engagement and student success. Learn more about them here.
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.
2024 Building Excellence Capital Construction Levy
Did you hear the news? Lake Washington School District is running a capital construction levy in the November 5, 2024 election. This levy will continue our Building Excellence Plan, moving into Phase 2, which focuses on rebuilding and expanding our oldest schools. The goal is to ensure each school has enough permanent classroom space, updated safety and security features, and modern technology and HVAC systems to support 21st-century learning.
Here are some quick facts about the four schools that will be rebuilt and enlarged:
Alcott Elementary (Redmond):
- Built in 1986
- Permanent capacity for 483 students, 634 students enrolled (2023-24)
- 12 portables
- Anticipated open date: 2027
Kamiakin Middle School (Kirkland):
- Built in 1974
- Permanent capacity for 570 students, 607 students enrolled (2023-24)
- 7 portables
- Anticipated open date: 2029
Smith Elementary (Sammamish):
- Built in 1988
- Permanent capacity for 483 students, 572 students enrolled (2023-24)
- 8 portables
- Anticipated open date: 2031
Evergreen Middle School (Redmond):
- Built in 1983
- Permanent capacity for 796 students, 806 students enrolled (2023-24)
- 13 portables
- Anticipated open date: 2031
Learn more about the levy and what else it means for our students at https://www.lwsd.org/2024-levy.
Please join us! 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 2024 Building Excellence Capital Construction Levy. Each town hall meeting will offer an opportunity for question/answer sessions.
- Tuesday, September 24, 2024, 6-7 p.m., Meeting link
- Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 7-8 p.m., Meeting link
- Thursday, October 24, 2024, 12-1 p.m., Meeting link
- Tuesday, October 29, 2024, 6-7 p.m., Meeting link
Student & Staff Success
How outstanding! – Eastlake High teacher wins chemistry society award
Over the summer, Brian Wikrent, chemistry teacher at Eastlake High School, won the American Chemical Society’s Puget Sound Section 2024 High School Teacher of the Year award. The award is given to nominees who demonstrate quality in their teaching, an ability to inspire and challenge students, and extracurricular work in chemistry or a chemical science. The award comes with $250 cash plus $750 for science supplies, and an invitation to the awards dinner that takes place on September 28 at Renton Technical College.