|
|
Connections |
April 20, 2012 |
|
|
|
 Lake Washington School District teacher's contract extended, calendar set for next year
School ends one day later; secondary students have "transition" day
At its last meeting, the Lake Washington School District Board of Directors approved a one-year extension to the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Lake Washington Education Association (LWEA). This extension will extend the current contract to cover the 2012-13 school year. In March, members of the LWEA voted to approve the contract extension by over 96%. The calendar for the 2012-13 school year was approved as part of this contract extension. Read more...
The final 2012-13 calendar is posted on the district website. Vacations remain the same. School ends one day later, on June 19. A "transition" day has been added for secondary schools on September 4. Two grades will be transitioning to a new school at both middle and high schools this year, rather than the one grade that happens every year. Secondary schools will use the "transition" day to enable different grades to get an introduction to their new school in a smaller group, more focused on their grade's specific needs. Middle and high schools will have specific "transition" day and first day schedules. Students and parents should check with their schools to determine when students should come to school on those two days. Elementary students will begin school on September 5. |
Know a teacher who deserves recognition?
Nominate a staff member or program for a KCTS 9 Golden Apple Award by April 30
Do you know someone who deserves a Golden Apple? There are thousands of great teachers, administrators, staff, volunteers, community organizations and businesses working to make Washington state's schools innovative and exciting places to learn. The KCTS 9 Golden Apple Awards recognize outstanding contributions made by these people and programs serving children in pre K - 12 grades. Golden Apple winners will receive a cash award and be featured in a statewide primetime special on public television.
Former LWSD Golden Apple Award winners include:
- Sandi Droz, Juanita Elementary - 2001
- Brian Anderson, Redmond High School - 2006
- Elizabeth Sirjani, Eastlake High School - 2006
- Mike Town, Redmond High School - 2008
- Susan O'Malley, Explorer Community School - 2009
- Carol Nicholson, Blackwell Elementary - 2010
If you know of a deserving teacher or programs making a difference in our schools, please visit KCTS9.org/goldenapple or call 1-800-766-0900 to obtain a nomination form. All nominations must be postmarked by April 30, 2012.
|
Limited STEM School openings in 10th grade
Ninth grade is full, with wait list
If you have a current ninth grader who might be interested in attending the new Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics high school next year, there is still a chance. Four spots remain open at 10th grade. (Ninth grade is completely full.) Applications will be accepted through April 30. Students from anywhere in the district may apply. To get an application form or for more information, contact Nancy James. |
School Board highlights
Principal Brady Howden led a presentation on McAuliffe Elementary School, the host school for the April 16 board meeting.
Several community members questioned the appropriateness of some books available to students in junior high and high school libraries. Dr. Chip Kimball has asked for a review of policy and practice on review of library books.
The board approved the collective bargaining agreement with the Lake Washington Education Association (see story above).
Director of Curriculum Matt Manobianco and members of the curriculum adoption committee presented information on the books recommended for adoption for Grades K-12 Music, Grades K-12 Fitness, Grades 6-12 Health, Grades 6-12 Visual Arts, and Grades 8-12 Spanish. The materials recommended for adoption by the committee were approved. These adoptions are part of a cycle that reviews each curriculum area every ten years.
Two reports, on communication and counsel to the board and on asset management, were reviewed and accepted. Board member Siri Bliesner observed that requests for maintenance seem to be going up. Support Services Direct Forrest Miller said that it is primarily because the staff is doing more preventative maintenance work orders, which will save the district in the long run. Board President Jackie Pendergrass asked if graffiti was an issue at specific buildings. Miller noted that graffiti is treated as an emergency work order and that he believes the district was doing better overall on vandalism.
Dr. Kimball reported that the good news coming out of the legislature was a lack of cuts for K-12 education. |
School traffic reminders
Every school struggles with the best way to handle the rush of traffic that happens at the start and end of every school day. Hundreds of students, many with parents in their cars, all converge or exit at the exact same time. For those schools with very limited entrances and exits to the school grounds, these issues are even more difficult. For safety reasons, it's very important that parents remember and follow the traffic and parking rules at their school(s). In addition, our students learn from the interactions of the adults around them.
You can help reduce the traffic issues at your school. If it is feasible for your student to walk, bicycle or ride the bus, please encourage them to do so. If you drive your student to school, please remember:
- Review traffic patterns and parking rules for your school and follow them
- Follow directions of staff members in the parking lots
- Do not impede the flow of traffic: let students out where and when designated
- Allow extra time and be patient: until the Star Trek transporters are invented, we can't all arrive or leave at the same time.
|
|
Awards & Achievements
April Staff Star: Beth Weaver, teacher, McAuliffe Elementary
Whether she is encouraging students to be involved in their school ASB or serving as a faculty representative on the PTSA board, Beth Weaver is helping Christa McAuliffe Elementary students become "Future Ready." Read more.
Two LWSD Students Named National Achievement Scholarship Program Winners
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced today that Shelby Jennings, a student at International Community School, and Elizabeth Alexander, a student at Lake Washington High School, are two of 800 outstanding Black American high school seniors who have won Achievement Scholarships® through the National Achievement Scholarship Program. Read more.
DECA Students shine at State Career Development Conference, move to Internationals
DECA students from Eastlake, Juanita, Lake Washington and Redmond High Schools were shining stars at the State Career Development Conference, where they competed against 3400 other students. These students will move onto compete at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Salt Lake City, Utah at the end of April. There will be over 13,000 students competing at this level. Read more.
Have an award or achievement to share?
Send all of the information to Shannon Parthemer, or contact her at (425) 936-1300. |
Upcoming Events
4/24 - PTSA Special Needs Meeting, 7 p.m., Resource Center
4/25 - Measurement of Student Progress (MSP) Paper & Pencil and Online Testing Window Begins
5/2 - GEAC Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Resource Center
5/3 - PTSA Council Meeting, 9:30 a.m., Resource Center
5/7-5/11 - National Teacher Appreciation Week
5/7 - 7th - 12th Grade Math/Science End-of-Course Exam Window Begins
5/7 - School Board Meeting, 7 p.m., Resource Center
5/8 - National Teacher Day
5/9 - National School Nurse Day
5/13 - Mother's Day
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. |
|
 
Quick Links: www.lwsd.org | Community Bulletin Board | Tandem Online Calendar
Lake Washington School District | (425) 936-1200
The Lake Washington School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, gender, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran, military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Director of Human Resources, 16250 NE 74th Street, Redmond, Washington 98052, (425) 936-1266. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
