Community Letter

Dear LISD Families,

March 13-17 is Education Support Professionals Week (formerly Classified School Employees Week). This is an opportunity for us to celebrate our paraeducators, librarian, kitchen crew, bus drivers, office coordinators, literacy interventionists, custodial and maintenance crew.

This tradition started in 1975 to recognize the contributions of Education Support Professionals in the public school system. It is a statewide celebration to recognize these important professionals for their contributions to our schools and students. These folks make up over half of our staff and their work is invaluable to the district. They are the glue that holds everything together, and they make it possible for us to serve the students and families of Lopez Island.

Please help us recognize and celebrate our Education Support Professionals next week with sweet words of appreciation whenever and wherever you get the chance.

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do." ― Pele

We hope you have a wonderful weekend.

All our best,

Mary and Martha

Elementary spring conferences are March 27-31. There is a noon dismissal every day that week and teachers will be reaching out to parents to schedule afternoon conferences. If you have a particular concern, please contact your child's teacher to make sure we schedule a conference at a time that works for your family.

Secondary spring conferences will be Wednesday, March 29, 1:00-7:00. There are limited slots, so teachers will be reaching out to families for whom a conference would be especially important. You'll be able to sign up for conferences in Qmlativ beginning March 20.

There will be a noon dismissal on March 28 and March 29 for secondary students.

We encourage both elementary and secondary families to bring your child/teenager to the conference.

Time is flying by and so are the books! You might remember the days of Read Alouds? Well, they're alive and well in our school library. Currently, the first grade is enjoying "The Boxcar Children" and the second grade recently heard "Babe, the Gallant Pig" (with a lamb visiting for a brief moment. Thank you, Ms. Leanne!) "The Case of the Lost Boy" is their current read aloud. The third grade enjoyed "The Islander" by Cynthia Rylant; and is currently listening to "Wishtree" by Katherine Applegate. "Me, Frida and the Secret of the Peacock Ring" by Angela Cervantes is the fourth grade's current listen, after finishing "Kavik, the Wolf Dog" by Walt Morey prior to mid-winter break. And, finally, the fifth grade enjoyed and finished “The War that Saved My Life" by Kimberly Bradley prior to mid-winter break. This reader was overwhelmed by the book's ending, as were the students. Their clapping was intense! We are currently reading “Flight of the Puffin” by Ann Braden.

The LMC hosts many secondary students throughout the day, and is open continually for student tech and library support as well as relaxation. Many meetings are held in the LMC after school. We are very thankful for the new, wall mounted screen which allows for easy access and fabulous viewing of materials for classes or meetings. Thank you to the Lopez community and the Tech Levy funds for making this happen.

In closing, you may wonder how many books have been checked out since the beginning of the school year. Well, we're up to 2,671. January and November topped the charts with 520 per month! Amazing! Please drop by anytime if you'd like to see what's happening in the library.

Deirdre Steinbrueck

Media Assistant / LMC

Do you have elementary age children that might be interested in playing soccer this fall? If so, please fill out the attached form, this will help us gauge interest.

Also, there is an ongoing elementary community soccer hour at the gym, 4-5 on most Sundays. All elementary youth are welcome. Please reach out with any questions to serinaadams@gmail.com.

https://forms.gle/u94eiB7eAt5x6LXTA

¿Tiene niños en edad de primaria que podrían estar interesados en jugar fútbol este otoño? Si es así, complete el formulario adjunto, esto nos ayudará a medir el interés.

Además, hay una hora de fútbol comunitario de primaria en curso en el gimnasio, de 4 a 5 la mayoría de los domingos. Todos los jóvenes de primaria son bienvenidos. Comuníquese con cualquier pregunta a serinaadams@gmail.com.

https://forms.gle/ueQwLzy9AmRsNdfo8

The Seal of Biliteracy is a designation given to graduating seniors who have demonstrated proficiency (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) in both English and a world language. There are several different pathways to demonstrating English proficiency. For the world language, OSPI has a list of acceptable assessments. Students who pass the world language assessment and meet graduation requirements for English Language Arts can be celebrated at graduation with a special seal on their diploma and recognition in the graduation ceremony program.

This is the first year we have made the Seal of Biliteracy available to LISD students, and we have INCREDIBLY GOOD NEWS TO SHARE! Two 12th graders took the Spanish assessment and passed it. In fact, they both did very well! Valentina Rendon and Jennifer Ramos will receive the Seal of Biliteracy on their diplomas this June. To read, write, speak, and listen in two languages is a real achievement and we are so very proud of them.

Seven other high school students were so inspired by Jennifer and Valentina, they took the Spanish assessment two weeks later, and every one of them passed! This means that when Abril, Uli, Amelia, Ruby, Evelyn, Melissa, and Michelle graduate from high school, if they have met the graduation requirements for English proficiency, they will receive the Seal of Biliteracy because they have already passed the Spanish assessment.

Please join us in celebrating these brilliant and accomplished students, their families, and our Spanish teacher, Al Torres.

The Lummi Nation was asked to create and deliver a totem to support the Apache Nation in protecting sacred ancestral land in Oak Flats, Arizona. Representatives from Lummi will visit 30 different locations on their journey to deliver it to Arizona, and we are lucky to have been one of those locations on Tuesday. Secondary students participated in the blessing of the totem during advisory.

Mr. B's 3rd graders took part in the blessing as well.

Lopez Island Cheerleaders are hosting their spring fundraiser with hanging basket sales! Baskets come in sun or shade-loving varieties and are 12" premium flora and fauna ready for spring. $40 each with all proceeds going towards the growing cheer program.

Click here to order...and thank you for supporting the Lobo Cheer Squad:

https://forms.gle/immLXucxAUf4jPPC7

If you have trouble accessing the QR code, just click here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3YXuMCMfhH8qQkvtRekSjABEJAEBiiEVi0S8PLG2kgaGuBw/viewform

The middle school students in the after-school program planned, prepared, and served a delicious dinner to their families on Saturday, March 4. The food and service were both top-notch!

What’s your earliest memory at LISD? In kindergarten, someone brought a cello into our classroom and played it. I thought it was really cool. Another memory is bringing a little pocket knife to school in kindergarten. It fell out of my pocket onto one of the little carpet squares and then ended up on the teacher’s desk. I never told anybody that it was mine because I knew I was supposed to have it.

What clubs/athletics/extracurriculars have you been involved in? I played basketball, baseball, soccer, and ran track. I wish baseball had continued through high school but I really enjoyed basketball when MR was coaching.

What is one positive memory from your time here that you’ll carry with you forever? I had a really great time in woodshop class. I made a gun rack.

What is the best piece of advice you have received from a teacher? Mr. Tetu always tells us to stand up to authority.

Finish this sentence: “I cannot live without…….”: Freedom.

What is the most creative excuse you have ever used to get out of school work? I’ve definitely faked sickness.

What is one piece of advice you have for incoming high school students? Focus on the basics with reading, writing, and math. You need education but you don’t have to let it define you. You don’t have to do things that are strictly academic related. You should pursue education in the things you enjoy.

What’s the most important quality in a friendship? Always being there to help.

In 10 years, I will be… Something blue collar I think...like being a lineman, a truck driver…or maybe excavation. I have options.

Who/what do you find inspiring? My parents. They are hard workers and they’re always there to help out when they’re needed. They help everybody.

What are your plans after high school? Enter the work force. Actually I’m already in the work force….so continue that.

What is one important life lesson you learned in kindergarten? The letter E has only three lines, not ten.

March 15, 4 pm (LMC)- Special School Board Meeting

March 18, 8 am (MPR)- Budget Committee Meeting

March 22, 6 pm (MPR)- School Board Meeting

Short-term, Long-term, part-time, full-time, daily, weekly... whatever you want, there is a position here for you!!!!!

Many of these positions qualify for Medical, Dental, Vision, & Retirement benefits, plus EAP and paid leave time (personal, sick, & vacation). Allocations are based on hourly commitment and classification.

Classified:

· Elementary Custodian - perfect for you if you like to work independently! This position helps to clean and maintain the Lopez Island school buildings. This is a 7 hours daily position starting ASAP.

· ParaEducators - Interested in working with students individually, in small groups, and/or in general classrooms and helping assist teachers in modifying student behavior? Then Paraeducator is your dream job, and we have positions available!

· Special Needs Behavior Technician- If you have been thinking about being a Special Needs Behavior Technician for Lopez Island School District...well you are in luck!!!! We are looking for a Special Needs Behavior Technician to hire for this school year!! Behavior technicians are responsible for assisting behavior specialists and the Special Education department to implement behavior reduction and skill acquisition treatment plans. The candidate will assist students with day to day activities, monitor their behavior, record and collect data on students’ progress, and communicate with the team.

· Van Driver - Want to get out and see the island? This transportation position drives a wheelchair van (or another vehicle) to transport student(s) with special needs to and from school. This 3.5 hour per day, Monday through Friday.

- Stipend:

· HI CAP - providing leadership of the Special Service Program for Highly Capable (HC) students, grades K-12, in the Lopez Island School District.

- Substitutes:

· Certificated Teachers

· Paraeducators

· Bus Drivers

· Cooks

You can see full postings on our website! Just go to District Info and then to HR and Employment for more details.

We look forward to working with you!!!

Ed Murray, Superintendent

Martha Martin, Secondary Principal

Mary Fordham, Elementary Principal

The Lopez Island School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employee(s) has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, Ed Murray – emurray@lopezislandschool.org; Title IX Coordinator, HR Specialist, Summer Hagge – shagge@lopezislandschool.org; Section 504, Mary Fordham – mfordham@lopezislandschool.org; OR contact by phone, 360-468-2202, OR mail to 86 School Rd, Lopez Island, WA 98261.

Website: lopezislandschool.org
Location: 86 School Road, Lopez Island, WA, USA
Phone: 360-468-2202