Spring Break – April 8-12 (no school)
As a reminder, next week (April 8-12) is Spring Break. There is no school for students. In addition, school buildings will be closed. District offices remain open.
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
- Substitutes
These positions are also available in a substitute role. Check out the LWSD website for job descriptions and postings.
Learning Focused
Help recognize our teachers: Teacher Appreciation week is coming up!
Show our teachers how much you appreciate them by nominating one! Email us atcommunications@lwsd.orgor send us a message on Facebook and Instagram for a chance to be featured on the district's social media channels.
March was Music in Our Schools Month
Lake Washington School District has a strong and active music program, with classes for everyone from beginners to students with years of experience. These young musicians perform in concerts, festivals and in the community throughout the year, which prepares them for continuing their musical journeys in high school and beyond. View the videos of various performances our students have put on the LWSD website.
Providing care – LWSD celebrates school athletic trainers for National Athletic Training Month 2024
March was National Athletic Training Month, a month dedicated to honoring and celebrating the valuable contributions of athletic trainers. The theme this year was “From Head to Toe.” Themonth provides an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the individuals who play a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of athletes for Lake Washington School District (LWSD). At LWSD, we are proud to recognize and appreciate the dedicated athletic trainers who serve each of our four comprehensive high schools.
- Ashley Hohmann, LAT, ATC (Eastlake High School)
- Kayla Cunningham, LAT, ATC (Juanita High School)
- Delaney Farmer, LAT, ATC (Lake Washington High School)
- Shauna Delaney, LAT, ATC (Redmond High School)
Read more about this on the LWSD website.
Reminder: We want to hear from you! Panorama family survey closes April 5, 2024
Families, students and schools all play important roles in helping students do their best in school. By taking the Panorama survey, you can help LWSD learn how to make your child's schooling experience as positive and beneficial as possible. The topics covered in this spring family survey are school fit, school climate and school safety.
The Panorama family survey can be accessed here.
If you have students at different schools, we encourage you to take the survey multiple times – one time per school.
Thank you in advance for completing this year’s Family Panorama survey!
Reminder: Congressional Art Competition 2024
Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the Artistic Discovery competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated.
Each Member of Congress may choose to host the program in their individual districts and ask a panel of local artists, such as artists-in-residence, art teachers, gallery owners, etc, to act as judges. The winning artwork will hang in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol for one year. The tunnel is the most highly traveled access point between the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Capitol. Every day, Members of Congress, distinguished visitors and tens of thousands of tourists – from the United States and abroad – walk through the tunnel and admire the artwork.
Students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of judges select the winning entries. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, DC (with two free plane tickets to get there). The winning works are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol.
Congresswoman DelBene – Washington’s 1st District
All submissions are due by April 19, 2024. Award ceremony and reception to be held the week of April 22, final date TBA. For more information and to fill out the form, visit https://delbene.house.gov/constituent-services/art-competition.htm.
Congresswoman Schrier – Washington’s 8th District
The art that is submitted must be work that has been completed between the dates of April 28, 2023 and April 27, 2024 and must be a two dimensional piece of work on any medium. Artwork and release forms can then be photographed or scanned and sent toArtCompetitionWA08@mail.house.govno later than April 27, 2024 which will then be sent to the judges. Dimensions of the artwork along with further questions can be found by following this link onRep. Schrier’s website.
Reminder: 2024 graduation schedule
The graduation schedule for 2024 has been posted. You canfind the details on the LWSD webpage. We look forward to recognizing our class of 2024 graduates in June. Additional information, including details about tickets, will be shared with families by each school.
District Information
Reminder: New Skyward system coming summer 2024
We are excited to be moving to a new version of Skyward in the summer of 2024. The new version of Skyward includes improved Family Access and Student Access interfaces. Parents and students will begin to use the new system in August. More information about the new system will be coming out later in spring.
Reminder: New, free tax filing option for WA state residents
Haven’t filed your 2023 tax return yet?
If you live in one of the 12 pilot states, the IRS encourages you to see if Direct File is the right option for you. Join thousands of taxpayers who have successfully usedDirect File.
Check out the IRS’stips for successto help you prepare to file your return with IRS Direct File. Get guidance to help you:
- Gather your personal information
- Organize your tax records
- Prepare to take credits and deductions
- Be ready to securely sign-in
- Prepare to sign your return electronically
Check your eligibility at theDirect File website. You can log in toDirect Fileto start your return and complete it any time before the April filing deadline.
Lake Washington School Foundation
Sibling Rivalry: Navigating the Complexities of Sibling Dynamics
Explore sibling relationships with LWSF by uncovering rivalry roots, tackling triggers and fostering stronger bonds. Gain insights and strategies for peaceful family dynamics. Register for LWSF’s April 17 Parent Chat webinar.
Applications being accepted for LWSF Board of Trustees
The Lake Washington Schools Foundation is looking to add new trustees to our governing board. LWSF raises funds and amplifies community resources to provide students in Lake Washington School District what they need to thrive, both now and in the future. LWSF activates their mission through four focus areas:
- Removing barriers
- Building connections
- Enhancing learning
- Supporting wellness
LWSF is very interested in building their board with thoughtful, diverse candidates who have enthusiasm for the work they do, connections to local businesses and corporations and the ability to help them expand their reach.
If you have a passion for serving and impacting students and families across the district, LWSF encourages you to apply online at www.lwsf.org/trustee-application.
Please reach out to LWSFBoardRecruitment@lwsf.org with any questions.
Building Excellence
2022 Building Excellence Levy - Additional high school capacity - Eastside area
Drawings are proof of concept only.
On Monday, March 25, the School Board of Directors was provided with a recommendation from LWSD to redistribute the funds for the additional high school capacity on the Eastside project. LWSD is proposing to pause construction at Site 59 in Sammamish and redirect the funds to build additions at Eastlake High School and Redmond High School. This will add up to 24 permanent classrooms between the two schools and modify core spaces such as commons and hallways at each school. Read the full announcement here.
Alcott Elementary update
We want to sincerely thank all the staff members and families who came to the community open house in late February to provide input into the possibility of relocating Alcott Elementary to Site 44 (Cadman Property), as well as those who provided input through the online form.
After careful study of both sites and community feedback, we recommend rebuilding and enlarging Alcott Elementary at its current site. This allows Lake Washington School District to hold Site 44 (Cadman Property) for other school district facilities, such as a potential fifth comprehensive high school in the future.
As a reminder, any plans to rebuild and enlarge Alcott Elementary will require voter approval of the next Building Excellence Levy, currently scheduled for November 2024. If the levy is approved, the current timeline would be to complete the new school by Fall 2027.
In the meantime, Alcott Elementary has some important work that is currently taking place. This summer, a mechanical system upgrade is planned to help with heating issues. This 1980s building was not built with a commons/cafeteriaspace – other schools similarly built either use the gym as a dining space for part of the day or had an addition built for student dining. Due to the high enrollment at Alcott, shared use of the gym space is not an option. So this summer, contractors will enclose the undercover playground to provide gym and dining areas for the students at Alcott Elementary.
Rendering above is a proof of concept for Alcott Elementary.
Student & Staff Success
LWHS students craft bill to help combat opioid overdoses in all Washington state high schools
On March 19, 2024, Lake Washington High School students Petar Damjanovic, Reilly Jones, Joanna Lymberis, Sophia Lymberis, Theodore Meek, Olivia Milstein and Kassie Montgomery, and their teachers, Bethany Shoda and Michael Dawson, had the honor of attending the signing ceremony for bill SB 5804 with Governor Jay Inslee. The bill was developed in their AP US Government classes and requires all high schools to carry two doses of anti-opioid overdose medication. KOMO News and King 5 interviewed students about the bill.
Bravo! - Dozens of LWSD students honored at regional and state competitions, many eligible for nationals for this year’s Thespys
Three Lake Washington School District high schools put their students on display at the Washington State Thespian Festival March 15-16 in Ellensburg, Wash. Ten of those students received recognition at the state festival and all three competing high schools received team awards as well. Eastlake, Juanita, and Redmond high schools sent participating students to the competition. Each school received a Gold Honor Troupe Status. Through the Honor Troupe program, schools/troupes are recognized for their many achievements and endeavors during the school year. To be evaluated and considered for an Honor Troupe award, the troupe must submit a portfolio to present evidence of the troupe’s accomplishments and endeavors. Read more about this on the LWSD website.
