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Dear Friends
December 12, 2023
Welcome to our new School Board members!
Serviss elected to School Board
Rob Serviss has been elected to fill the Snohomish School District Board of Directors post recently vacated by Dr. Sara Fagerlie. Serviss will be sworn into office at the Wednesday, December 13, School Board meeting.
Serviss resides in the district with his wife Nicole and their five children. He is a 1995 Snohomish High School graduate and received his Bachelor of Science degree in flight technology from Central Washington University in 2001. Serviss is a local real estate broker and is president of the Swim for Life community organization. He served as the assistant supervisor and aquatic manager at the district’s Snohomish Aquatic Center from 2013-2022 and was a long-time girls’ and boys’ swim coach for Glacier Peak High School and Snohomish High School.
Serviss noted his focus will include “empowering district staff to work with parents to foster an environment where all children feel safe and eager to learn, and ensuring transparency between schools and homes so that all parents feel confident in the education their children are receiving.”
Fagerlie, who served as the Board Member representing District 2, has been a member of the Snohomish School District School Board of Directors since 2017. She decided not to seek reelection after completion of her current term. The District 2 Board Member position was decided in the November 7, 2023, General Election with Serviss winning the election.
Larkin elected to School Board
Sherri Larkin has been elected to fill the Snohomish School District Board of Directors post recently vacated by Sarah Adams. Larkin will be sworn into office at the Wednesday, December 13, School Board meeting.
Larkin resides in the district with her husband Gary and is the mother to five adult children. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of Puget Sound. Larkin is currently a local substitute teacher. She has served her community in volunteer roles with Glacier Peak High School, Hope Creek Backpacks for Kids, and Gold Creek Community Church.
Larkin noted her vision for public education will include “focusing on fundamental academic skills of reading, writing, and math will give students confidence to develop critical thinking skills to be applied in every area of learning. I also believe partnering the teacher with the family unit is critical for a student’s highest achievement of academic and social development. Students are most successful when they have support in school and at home. I have witnessed first-hand fostering transparent classroom communication with parental involvement creates a positive learning culture. I will stay focused on building a strong foundation of academics and family inclusion to achieve this vision.”
Representing District 4, Adams was appointed to the Snohomish School District School Board of Directors in August 2022 after Brandy Hekker decided to step down from the post mid-term. At that time, the School Board was tasked with appointing a replacement to serve through the next regularly scheduled board election. The District 4 Board Member position was decided in the November 7, 2023, General Election with Larkin winning the election.
Middle school reconfiguration
Information about the consideration
We want to share information about an upcoming consideration that will impact the structure of our school system. The district is recommending the reconfiguration of our schools by moving 6th grade to our middle schools, thereby creating K-5 elementary schools and 6-8 middle schools. The reason we are looking to reconfigure is based on the academic and developmental needs of our students. Visit www.sno.wednet.edu/middleschool read more about this recommendation, the “why,” timelines, and how you can get involved.
Upcoming meetings
You are invited to join us at the meetings and opportunities below to learn more about the district's possible middle school reconfiguration. Community meetings and School Board meetings are open to all, regardless of which school you or your child attend or where you live within the Snohomish School District community.
- January 4, 2024 – February 13, 2024: Schedule staff meetings at each individual school
- January 9, 2024 – Tuesday at 6 p.m.: Community meeting at Valley View Middle School.
- January 10, 2024 – Wednesday at 6 p.m.: School Board agenda informational item
- This presentation will provide the details of the proposal, along with going over the timeline and FAQs.
- January 16, 2024 – Tuesday at 6 p.m.: Community meeting at Centennial Middle School
- January 24, 2024 – Wednesday at 6 p.m.: School Board agenda informational item
- February 14, 2024 – Wednesday at 6 p.m.: School Board agenda informational item
- February 28, 2024 – Wednesday at 6 p.m.: School Board recommendation action item
If the School Board approves the proposed reconfiguration, the goal would be to implement in fall 2025.
Sign up to be considered for Steering Committees
Don't forget!
Important dates
- Wednesday, December 20 – Half-day early release
- Thursday, December 21-Tuesday, January 2 – No school/Winter Break
- Wednesday, January 3 - Classes resume after Winter Break
- Monday, January 15 - No school/MLK Jr. Day
- Monday, January 29 - No school/Beginning of second semester and non-student day
- Friday, February 16-Monday, February 19 - No school/Mid-Winter Break
- Week of March 25 - Spring conference week
View important dates, the multi-page district calendar, the single-page student calendar, school start and dismissal times, and school office hours at www.sno.wednet.edu/calendar.
Join us in some applause!
Yearbook named among nation's best
Glacier Peak High School’s yearbook, The Edge, was named a finalist for the prestigious National Scholastic Press Association Pacemaker Award!
Of the entries received, The Edge (2023 edition) is one of 56 high school yearbooks to be named a finalist. This is the highest honor awarded in scholastic journalism, and the finalists will be honored at the Spring Journalism Convention in April in Kansas City. Well done student editors, student staff and advisor Annie Green! You are definitely the "best of the best" with us!
Learn more at https://studentpress.org/nspa/2023-yearbook-pacemaker-finalists/
Local winners named for VFW essay contest
Congrats to the following district students and teacher who were named recipients of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) annual essay contest! VFW Gay Jones Post 921 of Snohomish was the awarding post. The awards ceremony was held at Earl Weinhart Post 96 of the American Legion in Snohomish on December 10.
Youth Essay (YE) - 2023 topic “What does the word veteran mean to you?”
- 1st Place - Emma Esquivel – Cascade View Elementary (3rd grade)
- 1st Place - Judith Alonso Mendez – Machias Elementary (4th grade)
- 2nd Place - Sadie Parks – Machias Elementary (4th grade)
- 3rd Place - Gavin Emgarten – Machias Elementary (4th grade)
- 1st Place (co-winner) - Holden Fogg – Machias Elementary (5th grade)
- 1st Place (co-winner) - Eloise Liao – Cathcart Elementary (5th grade)
- 2nd Place - Micah Prince – Machias Elementary (5th grade)
- 3rd Place - Aubrey Forsythe – Machias Elementary (5th grade)
Patriot Pen (PP) - 2023 topic “How are you inspired by America?”
- 1st Place – Marley Esquivel – Cascade View Elementary (6th grade)
- 2nd Place – Gloria Reinhard – Machias Elementary (6th grade)
- 3rd Place – Dylan Maechler – Machias Elementary (6th grade)
Voice of Democracy (VOD) - 2023 topic “What are the greatest attributes to our democracy?
- 1st Place – Chloe Cahan – Snohomish High School (12th grade)
- 2nd Place – Koko Bumatay – Snohomish High School (9th grade)
- 3rd Place – Ruby Carlson - Snohomish High School (9th grade)
High School Teacher of the Year:
- Elaisa Navarro, Snohomish High School
The VFW’s annual essay contest involves students competing through the local post (city), district (county), state, and national levels with cash prizes awarded at each level. The Youth Essay (YE) contest is for 3rd through 5th grades and only advances to the state level. Patriot Pen (PP) is for those in 6th through 8th grade and Voice of Democracy (VOD) is for those in 9th through 12th grades. VOD requires students to not only submit a written version of their essay, but also an audio recording of them reading their essays. Students are judged only on the audio file for content and delivery. VOD contestants are eligible to compete for a $35,000 scholarship given by VFW at the national level at their annual convention in June. Learn more at https://vfwwa.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp?pid=79734.
Winter preparedness
Closures and late starts
Important links
- District weather info - www.sno.wednet.edu/weather
- Limited transportation (snow, ice and flood) bus routes & schedules - www.sno.wednet.edu/snowroutes
- FlashAlert - www.flashalert.net/id/SnohomishSchools
- Puget Sound Energy outage map - www.pse.com/outage/outage-map
- Snohomish County PUD outage map - https://outagemap.snopud.com/
- Snohomish County road closure information - https://snohomishcountywa.gov/518/Road-Closures
- Snohomish County snow and ice response - https://snohomishcountywa.gov/2113/Snow-and-Ice-Response
Get involved!
Online interest form
We are looking for adults interested in getting involved in the work and activities of the Snohomish School District? Click here for an online interest form for you to complete, so when an opportunity arises, we will know of your interest. Community engagement is a priority for our school district, and we are looking for adults who are interested in getting more involved at a district level. Involvement could include participating on committees or focus groups.
If you are interested, please click here to complete an online interest form. As potential opportunities for involvement arise throughout the school year, we will be in touch with those who have expressed interest.
Next PLUSS meeting - January 11
The next Parent Leaders United for Snohomish Students (PLUSS) meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 11, at Glacier Peak High School (7401 144th Place SE in Snohomish). PLUSS attendees will tour many of the programs involved in our district's Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. In the past, this annual tour has been very popular with parents/guardians and our community. We encourage you to attend and to invite others from your school community who are interested in learning more.
PLUSS is comprised of parent/guardian leaders from each of our schools and community. The goal of PLUSS is to connect with each other, share information as it relates to the schools and the district, and work together for a broader understanding of our schools. PLUSS is an information resource - a comfortable place to try out new ideas, make suggestions, and learn about what's going on throughout our district.
Upcoming 2023-2024 meeting schedule
- Thursday, January 11 - Topic - Career and Technical Education pathways tour at Glacier Peak High School (7401 144th Place SE in Snohomish). Learn more about CTE at www.sno.wednet.edu/cte.
- Thursday, February 8 - Topic – Learn more about respectful students, respectful schools, and building positive school climate
- Thursday, March 14 - Topic – Learn more about district and school safety
- Thursday, April 11 - Topic - Snohomish Aquatic Center tour (516 Maple Avenue in Snohomish)
- Thursday, May 9 - Topic - Year-end wrap up
Meeting details
PLUSS meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at the district's Resource and Service Center (1601 Avenue D in Snohomish) unless otherwise noted. Meetings usually last about two hours. Learn more about PLUSS at www.sno.wednet.edu/pluss.
Nominate a district staff member
Is there a district employee who you would like the district to recognize for helping our students thrive? Golden Apple is an employee recognition program that recognizes two staff members quarterly for their student-centered service to students, staff, families and/or community. Staff members selected for this quarterly honor will be recognized for helping “create an educational community that ignites a passion for learning where every student is known and empowered.” Students, parents/guardians, district staff, and community members are encouraged to nominate a staff member at any time! To have your nomination considered for the next quarter, please submit a nomination no later than January 1. Visit www.sno.wednet.edu/goldenapple to learn more or to nominate a staff member!
Snohomish Aquatic Center news
Lifeguard training - Two December sessions
The Snohomish Aquatic Center lifeguard training course is taught in a blended learning format. Students will be required to complete online education session at home, prior to the course sessions, and provide a certificate of completion prior to each course day. Instruction will combine lecture and in-water skills practice to ensure that all course content is sufficiently covered prior to final testing. Upon successful completion, students will receive certification in lifeguarding, CPR, first-aid, AED, and bloodborne pathogens.
Course requirements
- Candidates must be 15-years old or older by the last day of the course.
- 100% attendance is required at all class sessions.
- Candidates will be required to perform a swimming assessment on the first day. The assessment is:
- A 300-yard swim, using either freestyle/crawlstroke or breaststroke.
- Tread water for two minutes without use of the hands.
- Swim 20 yards, dive no less than 10 feet, and retrieve an object weighing 10 pounds. Return to the starting point, keeping both hands on the object, and the face out of the water. Remove the object, and then exit the pool without using stairs or a ladder.
Lifeguard training course dates (two session options)
Session 1 - December 15-17
- Friday, December 15, 3-8 p.m.
- Saturday, December 16, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
- Sunday, December 17, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Session 2 - December 27-30
- Wednesday, December 27, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
- Thursday, December 28, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
- Friday, December 29, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
- Saturday, December 30, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
12 Days of Christmas sale
The Snohomish Aquatic Center gift shop is bursting with festive holiday items! The annual 12 Days of Christmas sale starts today - Tuesday, December 12! Each day from December 12-23 the Snohomish Aquatic Center will highlight different items in the gift shop at 25% off.
- December 12 - Gnomes
- December 13 - Mugs
- December 14 - Holiday decor
- December 15 - Snohomish Aquatic Center water bottles
- December 16 - Bags and purses
- December 17 - Handmade soaps
- December 18 - Ornaments
- December 19 - Keychains
- December 20 - Pet Shop gifts
- December 21 - Capri Blue
- December 22 - Don’t forget a gnome!
- December 23 - Entire gift shop
Join our team
If you or someone you know is looking for fun and fulfilling opportunities, we've got it covered! Join the Snohomish Aquatic Center team! Maybe it's you. Maybe you have an interested friend. Spread the word!
Opportunities at the Snohomish Aquatic Center are great part-time jobs. Must be ages 15+ for most jobs (water fitness instructors must be ages 18+). Experience not required - we will train the right person. Lifeguard applicants must be certified. All are rewarding jobs with flexible hours.
- Competition systems support (meet management) - $18-$21/hour
- Water fitness instructors - $16-$22/hour
- Lifeguards - $16-$18/hour
- Swim instructors - $16-$18/hour
- Guest service reps - $16-$17/hour
To be considered for a position at the Snohomish Aquatic Center, please visit www.sno.wednet.edu/pooljobs. Please feel free to contact Chris Bensen, facility supervisor, at 360-563-1986 or 360-568-8030, with any questions.
Community resources
You are not alone
The holidays, winter’s darkness and cold, personal and family struggles, and other factors significantly impact many causing depression, anxiety, and feelings of despair or hopelessness.
You are not alone. If you or someone you know needs help please visit www.sno.wednet.edu/suicideprevention for a listing of online resources (crisis, suicide prevention, mental health, and substance abuse) for students, staff, and families.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - Call 988
- 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor
As an additional resource, Headspace is free for all U.S. teens between the ages of 13–18 years old. Headspace has hundreds of guided meditations and mindfulness exercises to help teens with stress, focus, and anxiety. Learn more at www.headspace.com/teens.
Free and low-cost programs
Below are links to some free and low-cost programs which we are aware of that are available for our district students and community members:
- All grades - Free/reduced meals
- All grades - Basic Food (also known as SNAP) is money for groceries. If eligible, a family of four can receive over $600/month.
- All grades - Student families eligible and approved for the free/reduced meal program eligible for Snohomish County PUD discounts
- All grades - Washington 2-1-1
- All grades - Affordable Connectivity Program
- All grades - T-Mobile Project 10Million
- All grades - Clothes for Kids
- All grades - Hand in Hand
- K-9th graders - Operation School Bell
- 2nd graders – Swim for Life Second Grade Swim Program
- 4th graders - Every Kid Outdoors
- Children birth to age 5 - Dolly Parton's Imagination Library/Imagination Library Washington
- Students age 13-19 - TeenTix pass
- Youth - Youth ride transit for free
- Youth - Youth on Course golf program
- Senior citizens – Golden Kla Ha Ya Club
District-approved community fliers
This week's fliers
- Christmas House Information & Snohomish County Winter Resources
- Climb the Mountain Speech and Debate - Winter 2023
- Cub Scout Pack 193 - 2023-2024 Calendar
- Evergreen Recovery Centers - Youth Detox
- Fly Me to the Moon - Glacier Peak High School Swing Dance - January 20
- Free Financial Literacy & Education Program for Youth - WorkSource and Workforce Snohomish Opportunities
- Girls Lacrosse Spring Registration
- Girls Who Code at Fred Hutch
- Girl Scouts of Western Washington
- Girls Grizzly Holiday Hoops Camp - December 21-22
- Marine Science Club at the Seattle Aquarium
- Reflections School of Dance
- Santa Slam Girls Winter Basketball Camp - December 21-22
- Seattle Children's Chorus Registration
- Snohomish Healing Project - Volunteers Needed
- Snohomish Youth Volleyball - March through May
- Strategic Kids Chess at Cathcart Elementary
- Strategic Kids Chess at Riverview Elementary
- STEM and Storytelling at Snohomish Library - December 28 and 29
- Taekwondo for Kids - December 2023
- YES Together Foundation Winter Events and Activities
- YMCA Overnight Camp - July and August 2024
How to reach us
- Snohomish School District
- Website - www.sno.wednet.edu
- Phone - 360-563-7300
- AIM High School
- Website – www.sno.wednet.edu/aim
- Phone - 360-563-3400
- Glacier Peak High School
- Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/gphs
- Phone - 360-563-7500
- Snohomish High School
- Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/shs
- Phone - 360-563-4000
- Centennial Middle School
- Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/cms
- Phone - 360-563-4525
- Valley View Middle School
- Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/vvms
- Phone - 360-563-4225
- Cascade View Elementary
- Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/cascadeview
- Phone - 360-563-7000
- Cathcart Elementary
- Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/cathcart
- Phone - 360-563-7075
- Central Emerson Elementary (Central Campus)
- Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/centralemerson
- Phone - 360-563-4600
- Central Emerson Elementary (Emerson Campus)
- Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/centralemerson
- Phone - 360-563-7150
- Dutch Hill Elementary
- Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/dutchhill
- Phone - 360-563-4450
- Little Cedars Elementary
- Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/littlecedars
- Phone - 360-563-2900
- Machias Elementary
- Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/machias
- Phone - 360-563-4825
- Riverview Elementary
- Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/riverview
- Phone - 360-563-4375
- Seattle Hill Elementary
- Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/seattlehill
- Phone - 360-563-4675
- Totem Falls Elementary
- Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/totemfalls
- Phone - 360-563-4750
- Parent Partnership Program
- Website – www.sno.wednet.edu/ppp
- Phone - 360-563-3423
- ECEAP
- Website – www.sno.wednet.edu/eceap
- Phone – 360-563-4641
- Snohomish Aquatic Center
- Website - www.snohomishaquatic.com
- Phone - 360-563-8030
Our mission
To create an educational community that ignites a passion for learning where every student is known and empowered.
Email: communications@sno.wednet.edu
Website: www.sno.wednet.edu
Location: 1601 Avenue D, Snohomish, WA 98090
Phone: 360-563-7300
Non-Discrimination Notice
The Snohomish 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 employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator, Title IX Coordinator and ADA – Darryl Pernat, 1601 Avenue D, Snohomish, WA 98290, 360-563-7285, darryl.pernat@sno.wednet.edu; Section 504 Coordinator and Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying – Shawn Stevenson, 1601 Avenue D, Snohomish, WA 98290, 360-563-7282, shawn.stevenson@sno.wednet.edu.