Connections - September 25, 2025

Join us! Apply for one of several advisory committees or workgroups

Lake Washington School District (LWSD) will have several advisory committees and workgroups during the 2025-26 school year. We are seeking diverse perspectives from our community. Workgroups will include parents, students, community members, seniors, members of the business community, PTA members and staff. The commitment varies depending on the group. Most meetings will take place on Thursday evenings at least once per month. If you are interested in supporting the work of one of these committees/workgroups, please complete this application form by September 30, 2025: https://forms.office.com/r/s7gZuS1Ygv.

Details about each committee/workgroup are available here: Committees - Lake Washington School District.

Advanced Placement exam registration information for 2025-26 school year

Registration and payment is open September 29, 2025, 12:01 a.m. until October 17, 2025, 11:59 p.m. for Advanced Placement exams!

We encourage all students who want to take May 2026 AP exams to complete the registration on time and pay for their exams during this period.

Exam information, exam dates, costs, late registration windows/fees, and cancellation fees can all be found on our UPDATED​ LWSD Advanced Placement webpage.

*Please note* Exam registration and exam payment are separate required processes. 

1. Students register for exam(s) via AP Central. AP teachers and the school’s AP coordinator will have the codes that students will use to register for each exam.
2. Students pay via Online Payments or directly to the school bookkeeper. Students can pay for their exam(s) from now until October 17. 

An AP Late Registration window will be offered in February. Students who register during this late window will pay an additional $50 per exam late fee in addition to the regular exam fee. 

Private and homeschool students will request and register through Juanita High School's website and pay fees in-person to the bookkeeping office at JHS.

Questions? Please contact your AP teacher and/or school’s Advanced Placement Coordinator: 

Eastlake High School
Cheryl Kenyon - ckenyon@lwsd.org
Russell Berrett - rberrett@lwsd.org

International Community School
Meggan Houlihan - mhoulihan@lwsd.org

Juanita High School
Breck Ivy - bivy@lwsd.org

Lake Washington High School
Joe Joss - jjoss@lwsd.org

Redmond High School
Kasey Dauenhauer - kdauenhauer@lwsd.org

Tesla STEM High School
Heidi Cooperrider - hcooperrider@lwsd.org

WANIC Skills Center
Jana Robertson - jrobertson@lwsd.org

World language proficiency testing

LWSD offers in-person, world language proficiency testing for students in grades 8-12. These tests help students meet the “World Languages” graduation requirement. Students can earn up to four (4) high school credits. If they earn four credits, they are also eligible to earn the Washington State Seal of Biliteracy on their transcript and diploma.

See below for test dates and locations. Students can take the test at any location.

* Testing has a capacity of 200 students. Registration will close early if we reach capacity ahead of schedule.

You can register and find more information here. Questions? Contact the Assessment Team at AssessmentHelp@lwsd.org.

New & International Families Welcome Event – October 8 from 4-7 p.m.

Lake Washington PTSA Council, in coordination with Lake Washington School District, is hosting our 9th annual Welcome Event for New and International families on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 4-7 p.m. at the LWSD Resource Center. Speakers will present information in the Board Room from 5-6:30 p.m. A community resource fair will take place from 4-7 p.m. in the lobby of the Resource Center.

Our welcome events are a great opportunity for families to learn about the school district, ask questions and meet other LWSD families. Topics will include an introduction to Lake Washington School District, information about family support services and engagement opportunities, and insights into multilingual programs and resources.

If you would like to request an interpreter for the event, please contact Shannon Parthemer (sparthemer@lwsd.org), for other questions contact Danish Majeed (FACE@lwptsa.net).

ENAEP Indigenous Peoples Day event October 13

Come celebrate the beauty of Indigenous people with the Eastside Native American Education Program (ENAEP)! The event will have traditional drumming, dancing, singing and presentations from the students as well as families.

Event details:

• October 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
• Lake Washington High School Commons

 This event is open to everyone! Click here to see this year’s ENAEP brochure. 

ENAEP Honoring Our Youth Powwow October 25

Come join in the Native community and the Eastside Native American Education Program (ENAEP) in honoring our youth! We are hosting a powwow to recognize our amazing youth. There will be vendors, concessions, dancing, powwow drumming, a raffle and more!

Event details:

• Families are invited to a private event at 3 p.m. in the Juanita High School Commons area.
• Powwow grand entry at 6 p.m. at Juanita High School gymnasium.

WA-01 Congressional App-A-Thon

The WA-01 Congressional App-A-Thon is a one-day event that we host in conjunction with the Congressional App Challenge. It is an opportunity for middle and high school students to work on applications that they may then submit to the Congressional App Challenge. Students can come with apps in beginning stages, or those that just need a final touch! At the App-A-Thon, students have the opportunity to learn from industry experts about coding, technology and what is needed to build an app from start to finish. We will have mentors from the local technology community to assist in answering questions and solving problems. At the end of the day of the App-A-Thon, teams present their application to a judging panel to be considered for prizes.
 
After the App-A-Thon, teams are encouraged to submit their apps to the Congressional App Challenge. The winner of the App-A-Thon will not necessarily be the winner of the Congressional App Challenge, and vice versa. The App-A-Thon is an event to encourage participation into the Challenge.
 
The App-A-Thon will take place on October 11 at UW Bothell from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (final times TBA). Students can register for the App-A-Thon here. 

Reminder: Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook

The Lake Washington School District Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook is now available on our district website.
 
Our mission is that every student will graduate prepared to lead a rewarding, responsible life as a contributing member of our community and greater society. A key part of this mission is creating a positive, harmonious environment where diversity is respected and encouraged.
 
The Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook is designed to help students, families, teachers and staff understand the district’s expectations. It summarizes laws, regulations and district policies related to student rights, responsibilities, discipline and due process. These expectations reinforce our mission and values by promoting mutual respect, responsibility and inclusion in daily school life.
 
We encourage you to review this resource as we partner together to support a safe, respectful, and thriving learning environment for all students.

To view the handbook in your preferred language, simply select the globe icon "Translate" at the top of webpage.

Reminder: LWSD continues partnership with Care Solace

Welcome back to a new school year! We are excited to partner with you in supporting every student’s learning, growth and well-being.

As we step into the year ahead, we know that balancing school, family and life can sometimes feel overwhelming. Please remember that you are not alone, our district continues to partner with Care Solace, a free and confidential service that helps students, families and staff quickly connect with mental health and wellness supports.

Through Care Solace, you can:

• Receive 24/7/365 live support in any language.
• Be matched with local or virtual providers based on your needs.
• Get help navigating insurance or finding options without insurance.

You can access support at any time by visiting: caresolace.com/lakewashingtonsd

We encourage you to save this link as a resource throughout the year and share it with anyone who may benefit. Together, we can create the conditions where students and families feel supported, connected and ready to thrive.

LWSD partners with Seattle Visiting Nurse Association (SVNA) to offer flu & COVID shot clinics in October

LWSD partners with Seattle Visiting Nurse Association (SVNA) to offer flu & COVID shot clinics in October LWSD is partnering with Seattle Visiting Nurse Association (SVNA) to offer flu and COVID vaccine clinics throughout October. The exact products available will be the Flucelvax Trivalent Preservative-Free Flu Vaccine and the newly updated 2025 Moderna Spikevax (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA), which protects against the LP.8.1 strain of the virus. Flu shots can be provided to those ages 4+, but patients must be at least 5 years old for COVID vaccines. Flu and COVID vaccines will be available at the following five locations:

• Wednesday, October 15, 2-7 p.m. at Inglewood M.S. (24120 NE 8th St. Sammamish)
• Friday, October 17, 1-5 p.m. at LWSD Resource Center (16250 NE 74th ST, Redmond) 
• Monday, October 20, 2-7 p.m. at Rose Hill M.S. (13505 N.E. 75th ST., Redmond)
• Friday, October 24, 2:30-7 p.m. at Kamiakin M.S. (14111 132nd Ave N.E., Kirkland)
• Saturday, October 25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Redmond H.S. (17272 NE 104th St, Redmond)

Register here: https://schedule.seattlevna.com/home/b2e67bfb-a83a-ed11-9db1-6045bd0054d4.

Important information:

• Each patient needs their own individual appointment registration, in their legal name, completed with their individual information. For records reporting purposes, please ensure the accuracy of your demographic information, including your name and date of birth.
• For example, a family of four will need four separate appointments. If you are unable to schedule all family members in the same time slot, please register the remaining members in the closest available time slot. You may all still come to the clinic at the same time.
• Please have your confirmation code ready. The confirmation code will be included in your confirmation text message and email.
• As of September 4, 2025, Washington State has signed a public health order which allows all Washington residents to receive COVID-19 vaccines, regardless of health conditions, and expands vaccine access beyond current FDA/CDC recommendations. The Washington State Department of Health recommends COVID vaccinations this season for everyone age 6 months and older. 
• If you have an approved insurance plan, including Medicare and Medicaid, you must provide this information during registration, and we will bill your insurance. You will not be charged a co-pay or deductible. 
• Patients without an active, accepted insurance plan may pay out-of-pocket at the time of service. Cash rates for the 2025 season are $55 per flu shot and $200 per COVID-19 immunization.

Questions? Email info@seattlevna.com.

First annual Juanita Unified 5K

Get ready to lace up your running (or walking!) shoes – our first annual Juanita Unified 5K is coming up soon! This is more than just a race – it’s a chance to come together as a school community, show our support for inclusion and have some fun along the way.
 
Whether you’re a runner, a walker, or a cheerleader on the sidelines, we’d love to have you be part of this special event. Staff, students, families and community members are all invited to participate!

• Event date: Saturday October 11
• Location: Juanita High School
• Who can join: Everyone – staff, students, families and friends!
• For more info: Juanita Unified 5K - Heroes Run Here.

THANK YOU, VOTERS! REBUILD & ENLARGE PROJECT AT ROCKWELL ELEMENTARY MAKES PROGRESS

Over the summer, construction teams made progress on the project to rebuild and enlarge Rockwell Elementary. This project is funded by the 2022 Building Excellence Capital Construction Levy approved by voters.

Lydig Construction added larger viewing windows to the safety fencing surrounding Rockwell Elementary so students can have a better look at the action as their new school takes shape. Think of it as a "construction theater," where every day brings something new for our students to watch. The new school is growing every day, and the latest milestone is a big one. The building foundation walls are now complete. These short concrete walls are very strong for their size and give the building the support it needs. From here, the rest of the school will start to rise and take shape.

Learn more about the Rebuild and Enlarge project at Rockwell Elementary here: Rebuild and Enlarge Rockwell Elementary - Lake Washington School District.

Contractors at Eastlake High School give a special tour of the construction area

Students at Eastlake High School recently had the opportunity to participate in a guided tour to observe a concrete pour in the former library area, part of an ongoing effort to connect the first floor to the E-wing. Special Education staff and building administrators requested this opportunity to provide students with a greater understanding of the construction project which has brought additional personnel on campus and created some noise and disruption near classrooms. The contractors working on the Eastlake High School addition welcomed students and provided them with a unique opportunity to learn more about the construction process and upcoming changes to their campus.

Learn more about the addition at Eastlake High School here: Eastlake High School addition - Lake Washington School District.

Best of the best – Redmond High teacher wins chemistry society award

Over the summer, Brian Schnierer, chemistry teacher at Redmond High School, won the American Chemical Society’s Puget Sound Section 2025 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 27 at Renton Technical College. 

Read more on the LWSD website. 

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