Community Letter

Dear LISD Families:

From September 15 through October 15, we celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. September 15 is an important date because it marks the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico's day of independence is September 16 and Chile's is September 18.

We are thrilled to introduce two new LISD staff members: Dallin Hatch, Elementary Building Custodian, and Jan Marshall, Elementary EL Teacher. Look for their bios and photos soon. Welcome to the team, Dallin and Jan!

Have a great weekend!

All our best to you and your family,

Mary and Martha

Families and individuals can communicate with school staff using a language interpreter by

following these steps.

It's harvest season and the production garden is the picture of abundance! Here is the story of a delicious tomato....and hundreds of it's friends and family :-) Thanks to our Gardener, Sara Wysocki, our LIFE Program Coordinator, Sara Jones, our Chef, John Shaw, our small but mighty kitchen crew, and the volunteers who help us pull it all off.

Would you like to have some COVID tests on hand at home? We have rapid antigen COVID tests that we are happy to distribute to students and their families so students and other household members can test themselves at home as necessary. Contact the school nurse's office if interested.

Would you like to be more involved in our school? How about becoming more involved in Lopez Island's community? Making some money? Earning some paid time off or other benefits? We would LOVE to help with that and there are SO MANY different opportunities available for you at our school!

Bottom line: WE NEED YOU; THE CHILDREN OF LOPEZ NEED YOU!

- ParaEducators and ParaEducator Substitutes - Interested in working with students individually, in small groups, and/or in general classrooms and helping assist teachers in modifying student behavior? You can apply to become a ParaEducator with a regular schedule or else a ParaEducator sub for flexibility!

- Cook/ Dishwasher Substitutes- Help make and share all the FRESH, HEALTHY, and DELICIOUS local foods with the children and staff of Lopez Island School! We are looking for some help in the fast-paced, fun and friendly kitchen at Lopez Island School.

- Bus Driver Substitutes - Lopez Island School District is accepting applications for qualified school bus drivers substitutes with potential for upcoming permanent positions. Candidates must be appropriately endorsed for CDL and Washington State School Bus driving, or be willing to complete a training class administered by Lopez Island School District (likely late October/ early November 2022).

- 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.

- Special Services Administrative Assistant- to provide assistance to the Special Services Coordinator and the District’s Special Services programs. There will be a high degree of confidentiality and attention to detail required, as this person works with parents, students, and others to serve students with special needs and those struggling with school. There will be some flexibility of schedule desired, but the position is based upon 15 hours per week throughout the calendar year.

- 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. This position qualifies for paid time off, retirement, and insurance benefits!

- Stipends:

Senior Advisor - advise 12th grade students & facilitate the planning, organization and execution of events in and around graduation.

Elementary RTI - provide intervention support for the purpose of improving academic and/or behavior achievement in different elementary settings.

Secondary RTI provide intervention support for the purpose of improving academic and/or behavior achievement in different secondary settings.

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

Robotics - advising students grades 3-12 in an after school or weekend club. Topics and scope will be arranged with the secondary principal and will tie in to the curriculum and focus of the school.

District Liaison to JCS - provide intervention support for the purpose of improving attendance within Lopez Island School District. The position works under the direction of the administration and alongside the Attendance Support Team and San Juan County Truancy court.

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

Let me know if you are interested in any of these positions! I am at school 11-4 Monday – Thursday and available at 360-468-2202 extension 2303 or hr@lopezislandschool.org to help see if there is a good fit here for you!

Thank you and I look forward to working with you (in whatever capacity),

Summer Hagge

Human Resources Specialist

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 11am - 4pm

Hello! I’m Edee, and I’m excited to join the amazing and welcoming Lopez Island team as your new Special Education Teacher. I specialize in working with young neurodiverse children and children who are differently abled. I particularly enjoy providing supports that develop functional communication, independence, self-advocacy, and self-regulation. I’ve also worked as a general education and highly capable teacher for 5th and 6th grade.

I began dreaming of living in the islands 17 years ago when I started cruising the Salish Sea with my family after we moved to Redmond, WA from the mountains in Southern California. My two children are now grown and launched, so I have plenty of time to enjoy the boating, crabbing, kayaking, and hiking that I love so much about your islands. I also love to hike while I travel. Here’s a photo of me walking 77 miles of the Camino Portuguese in Spain this past spring. I look forward to working with your children and seeing you out on the trails and the water!

Originally from south Texas and not thrilled to be just another trombone jock, Al jumped when the opportunity arose for him to serve his country. Carrying his trombone in one hand and Old Glory in the other, Al fought against the imperial forces of diminishing classical music throughout these United States, making our country a safer place for democracy and Sousa marches. After 24 years of offering Uncle Sam his musical/soldier services came the inevitable yearning for a greater challenge; making tacos and smoking brisket.

Upon retiring from the Army, Al moved to Portland, Oregon. He soon realized that taco money was insufficient to maintain his lavish lifestyle, and picked up a position at the Portland VA Medical Center (PVAMC). By day he worked in public affairs and health information and by night he was a performing musician in jazz clubs and musical theatre. In 2015, Al decided to leave PVAMC to work for the Portland Public Schools as an assistant music teacher. In October 2020, Al and his lovely wife Jennifer, decided to pack their bags and move north to the fun filled island of San Juan, grid coordinates: 48°29’4” N 123°2’43” W.

Within what seemed like mere moments of settling on the island, Al was recruited by the San Juan Island School district as the School and Community Liaison. Al also worked as a long-term Spanish substitute teacher. Knowing that teaching was his true calling and destiny, Al obtained the coveted certification and endorsements, and eagerly accepted the fine offer made to him to provide his linguistic skills to budding Spanish speakers. Al very much looks forward to being a member of the Lopez Island School District team!

High school athletics competition is underway. The soccer team played Providence Classical Christian School in Bothell on Tuesday and Grace here at home this afternoon. Our volleyball team beat Providence on Thursday in a 3-0 blow out! Go Lobos!

The volleyball team has three home games next week...Monday the 19th against Lummi at 3:00, Wednesday against Shoreline at 3:00, and Friday against Cedar Park Center at 3:00. The soccer team plays Cedar Park Christian at home on Friday at 2:30. All of that means there are PLENTY of opportunities to come out to cheer on our Lobos :-)

Middle school practices started last week and students are preparing for competition. The first home soccer game is against Lucille Umberger on Tuesday, September 27 at 2:00, and the first home volleyball game is against Bayview on Tuesday, September 20 at 2:00.

Calling all volunteers (parents AND community members)! If you are interested in helping with middle school and high school sports, especially if your student participates in extracurricular athletics, the LISD booster club, PACK, is asking for your support! The sports program needs help with concessions, lines (volleyball), score keeping, and other important roles. If you can help, even for just one game, please contact samantha.olson3040@gmail.com or trishaarnott95@gmail.com.

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
Phone: 360-468-2202