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Lake Washington School District Parent E-Newsletter
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New district assessments to provide more clarity around elementary student performance
Elementary students will continue to take District assessments in some subjects this year, to provide more information for teachers and parents on how students are doing. All students throughout the district will take the same District assessments. These tests will tell what a student knows with respect to the standards in a content area, like writing or math. Three assessments will be given during the year in writing, math and science, and one in social studies.
The results will help teachers know what students in their class are doing well on and what areas they need help in. Parents, too, will have a better understanding of how their student is performing and where improvement is needed.
This information will be posted to the online grade book, Family Access. In fact, titles are being put into the grade book so that teachers will just have to enter the grade. If you see a blank item that begins with the letters "CDSA" in your student's online grades, this is one of those placeholders. Don't worry if there is no grade for that item yet: grades will be filled in after your student takes that assessment. |
School Board Highlights - Levy resolution approved
At the Monday, November 8, meeting, the Lake Washington School District Board of Directors voted to approve Resolution 2069 to place a capital projects levy on the ballot for February 8, 2011. This levy, if passed, will provide funding to build classroom additions and expansion of core facilities for Eastlake High School and Redmond High School. It would also allow the district to construct and equip one new secondary school, which would focus on a science, technology, engineering and math curriculum (STEM). That school would be located in Redmond but open to students from around the district.
The board is making this proposal to the community in response to student population projections that anticipate over 800 more students than the total school capacity for those two schools by the fall of 2012. More information on the proposed levy, including Frequently Asked Questions and the population projections that led to this proposal are available on the district's website.
In other business, Forrest Miller, director of support services, presented a report on the progress of the modernization projects going on at this time. This systematic program is designed to evaluate each school building every 30 to 40 years for potential renovation. Schools in the district have been reviewed and divided into four eight-year phases. A bond measure passed in 1998 paid for modernization of 11 schools, which was completed by 2006. A 2006 bond measure is paying for schools in the current phase.
Three schools - Lake Washington High School, Finn Hill Junior High and John Muir Elementary School - are currently under construction. Others are in the planning process. Information from this report will be posted on the district website in the modernization section in the coming weeks.
The Board also awarded certificates of recognition to the National Merit Semi-finalists and Commended Scholars from Eastlake High School and Lake Washington High School. |
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Foundation announces grants to schools
In its continued effort to support academic excellence and student success, the Lake Washington Schools Foundation (LWSF) has awarded more than $50,000 in grants to schools in the Lake Washington School District. Schools will use the grants to extend student learning opportunities in math, literacy and science, and to provide assistance for students with financial needs.
Thirty schools in the District received up to $1,500 for school or classroom grants that extend and enhance learning; over $40,000 was awarded. Ten secondary schools also received a total of $10,500 in grants from the Foundation's Access Fund, which provides funding for secondary students with financial needs.
Each year the Foundation raises funds to bridge the gap between basic education funding provided by the State of Washington and what is needed to meet the Lake Washington School District's goals of academic excellence.
Thirty schools in the District received up to $1,500 for school or classroom grants that extend and enhance learning; over $40,000 was awarded. Ten secondary schools also received a total of $10,500 in grants from the Foundation's Access Fund, which provides funding for secondary students with financial needs.
For more information and a complete list of grants awarded, visit the Foundation's website. |
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Lake Washington PTSA Council's Annual Scholarship Basket Auction
The Lake Washington PTSA Council cordially invites you to their Annual Scholarship Basket Auction on Thursday, December 2, at 9:30 a.m. in the LWSD Resource Center lobby. Enter to win one of several great raffle prizes! All proceeds provide scholarships to graduating seniors and staff in our district. Silent bidding begins November 5 and ends December 2 at 10:30-11 a.m. |
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Do you know where to find information on community events that matter to you?
This year is the second that fliers from community organizations mostly have been distributed electronically rather than coming home in student folders. That saves the district the time and effort to distribute the fliers and saves the nonprofit organizations the cost of printing. But it does mean that parents must search out these fliers with valuable information on activities that may be of interest to their family. Your school newsletter may list recent fliers but you can check on them yourself whenever you would like.
On each school's website, under the "For Parents" section, there is a page called the "Community Bulletin Board." This page is where you will find all of the fliers from community organizations that have been approved by the district for distribution through the schools. Fliers must be from nonprofit organizations and include a district disclaimer. The community organizations can select on which school websites they want their flier to appear and the flier will only appear on those sites. All fliers are available on the district's bulletin board. |
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Awards & Achievements
John Muir Elementary Named "School of Distinction"
On Friday, October 22, the Center for Educational Effectiveness (CEE) and Phi Delta Kappa Washington State Chapter announced the 94 schools statewide named as recipients of the 2010 School of Distinction Award, including John Muir Elementary School in Kirkland, Wash. These schools are honored for outstanding improvement in student achievement. Read more.
Blackwell teacher named "Golden Apple Award" recipient by KCTS 9
Carol Nicholson, a second grade teacher at Elizabeth Blackwell Elementary School in Sammamish, is one of seven individuals and three programs that have been named winners of the 19th annual Golden Apple Award, sponsored by KCTS 9, for making a positive difference in Washington state elementary and secondary education. Read more.
District honored for Visionary Leadership by Committee for Children
Local nonprofit Committee for Children celebrated its 30th anniversary at a gala event last week by honoring Denise Louie Education Center, Highline Public Schools, Snohomish County Human Services Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, and Lake Washington School District with Visionary Leadership Awards for their outstanding work. Read more.
November Staff Star: Mary Cronin, principal, Rachel Carson Elementary
Going to the principal's office is not so scary if you are a student at Rachel Carson Elementary School in Sammamish. Principal Mary Cronin spends time visiting classes, working with and talking to the students in her school, making them feel more comfortable with her because they know her. Read more.
Have an award or achievement to share?
Send all of the information to Shannon Parthemer, or contact her at (425) 936-1300. |
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11/22 - School Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Resource Center
11/23 - PTSA Special Needs Meeting, 7 p.m., Resource Center
11/24 - HALF-DAY: Thanksgiving Break
11/25 - NO SCHOOL: Thanksgiving Day
11/26 - NO SCHOOL: Thanksgiving Break
11/29 - Junior High Quest Applications Available
12/1 - GEAC Meeting,
6:30 p.m., Resource Center
12/2 - PTSA Council Meeting, 9:30 a.m., Resource Center
12/6 - School Board Meeting, 7 p.m., Resource Center
12/17 - Junior High Quest Applications Due, 4 p.m. A full list of events is available on the Tandem Online Calendar. This calendar can be filtered by school and is searchable. More details about the Tandem Online Calendar are available here.
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The district saved $263,000 in trash hauling fees last year thanks to increased recycling and food composting by district staff and students, which reduced trash volume by 21%. |
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The following Parent Education Courses are available:
11/16 - Parent's Role in Sports, Tim Driver, 7-8:30 p.m., Rose Hill Junior High
12/2 - A to Z Parenting Toolbox, Laura Kastener, Ph.D., Redmond High School
12/6 - Great Conversations Between Parents & Kids: Top Ten Talks to Have Together, Julie Metzger, 10-11:30 a.m.
For additional information, visit the Parent Education section of the Lake Washington PTSA Council website. |
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Lake Washington School District | (425) 936-1200 | www.lwsd.org
The Lake Washington School District complies with all federal and state statutes and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. |
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