Starting this year, The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) replace the current Washington state and Lake Washington School District standards for English language arts and mathematics. Up until now, all 50 states have each had their own set of learning expectations for students. The CCSS have now been adopted by 45 states, including Washington. These standards describe in detail what students should learn and be able to do. They apply to English language arts and mathematics in each grade from kindergarten through 12th grade.

The standards were written to be rigorous, to prepare students for college readiness and to compete in a global economy. The CCSS reflect the knowledge and skills that young people need to succeed in college and career. They focus on problem solving and critical thinking skills.

A new section on the LWSD website provides information for parents on these new learning standards. Web pages describe key features, what Lake Washington School District has done to get ready and many other resources. You will find links to publications for parents by grade and by subject on the key features in English Language Arts and key features in mathematics pages. Take a few moments to learn more about what your student will learn this year.

Parents interested in learning more about Quest program for highly capable students and the Quest application process are strongly encouraged to attend the appropriate Quest Parent Information Night.

• Elementary Quest Parent Information Night is for parents of first graders who attend private schools or who are homeschooled and for parents of all students in grades 2 through 4. It will be held on Thursday, September 26, at 4:30 p.m. and repeat at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Lake Washington High School (12033 N.E. 80th St, Kirkland, WA 98033). Parents are encouraged to come to the earlier session if they need to bring children with them.
• LWSD First Grade Parent Information Night is for parents of first grade students enrolled in LWSD schools. It will be held on Tuesday, October 15, at 4:30 p.m. and repeat at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Lake Washington High School (12033 N.E. 80th St, Kirkland, WA 98033). Parents are encouraged to come to the earlier session if they need to bring children with them.
• Middle School Quest Parent/Student Information Night will be held on Tuesday, October 1, at 7 p.m. at Evergreen Middle School (6900 208th Ave. N.E., Redmond, WA 98053).

Quest applications will be available on the district website beginning on October 1 for both the elementary and middle school programs. Applications will be accepted through October 30, 2013, at 4 p.m. Late applications will not be accepted.

Full information about the Elementary Quest application timeline and Middle School Quest application timeline can be found on the district website.

Lake Washington Schools Foundation announced it has awarded over $72,000 in grants to schools across the Lake Washington School District for the 2013-2014 school year. Reaching for Success grants fund programs and equipment that provide valuable tools to students, teachers and principals. Examples include online math practice, tutoring, student leadership opportunities and musical instruments. Grants give teachers an opportunity to implement proven programs or to create new approaches to learning. At the same time, they help schools meet their state-required, but unfunded, improvement goals. All district schools were invited to apply for grants of up to $3,000 each. Twenty-eight grants were awarded to 16 elementary, four middle and four high schools. Read more.

Lake Washington Schools Foundation President Peg Hunt reported to the board the grants they have funded this year. Those grants include the Reaching for Success grants described above, as well as:

• $72,500 to support the LINKS mentoring program
• $70,000 for STEM Signature programs in high schools around the district
• $34,000 for high school programs to increase graduation rates
• $22,000 for the Access program, which helps low income high school students pay for school-related expenses such as lab fees or AP tests

Total grants came to $271,215. Hunt thanked our generous community. She singled out AT&T, whose grant helped fund the last two items.

The district's four directors of school support each gave an opening of school report for their learning community. The reports included new school administrators and completed school buildings. They reported increased enrollment in each of the four learning communities.

During the public comment period, members of the Lake Washington Education Support Professionals spoke to the board concerning current negotiations with the school district. The five members who spoke described their job responsibilities and roles within schools. Cheryl Ronbeck, bookkeeper at Lake Washington High School, noted that the state has provided no cost of living increase for the past six years. Healy Landis, office manager at Emerson K-12, shared that health care costs for staff members have increased. That cost increase has resulted in a net decrease in take-home pay. Members also described the need for a living wage.

The board passed a resolution stating their intent concerning future swimming pool partnerships. If the bond measure on the February 2014 ballot passes, some funds available from the past bond measure would be repurposed to support providing pool access to district swim teams. (If the bond does not pass, these funds would be needed to house our growing enrollment.) Board member Doug Eglington urged the board to help lead the discussion toward solving pool facility needs in a number of geographic areas. Board President Jackie Pendergrass expressed some concern that the swimming community who came to the board has not communicated with the city of Kirkland about the need for a pool. The resolution was unanimously approved. The next steps will be to go to the city of Kirkland for discussions about possible partnerships.

Dr. Pierce reported that preliminary enrollment as of September 9 was 25,922 students. That's 842 more students than last year's September count. The projections for increased enrollment are proving accurate. The board discussed issues that affect the district's ability to accommodate this student growth. The bond measure proposed for the February ballot is designed to accommodate growth for the next eight years.