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Dear Friends

October 11, 2022

Dear FriendsOctober 11, 2022
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District teams busy maintaining schools and campuses

Our district’s maintenance and custodial teams have had an incredibly busy summer and the first few months of school! Below are just some of the summer and early fall projects that were completed or will be completed in the immediate future. As additional projects are completed in the months ahead, we will share information in future Dear Friends newsletters. Projects were made possible through funding provided by our local voter-approved levies. Thank you, Snohomish, for your ongoing support of our schools and campuses!


Roofing

  • The roof at Central Emerson Elementary (Emerson Campus) was replaced.
  • Sections of the original Centennial Middle School building were reroofed.
  • The roofs of five double portable classrooms were replaced (two at Cathcart Elementary, one at Seattle Hill Elementary, one at Totem Falls Elementary and one at Dutch Hill Elementary).
  • The roof at the Resource and Service Center was replaced.


Siding and painting

  • The exterior of Central Emerson Elementary (Emerson Campus) was repainted.
  • Large portions of siding were replaced on four double classroom portables (two at Cathcart Elementary, one at Seattle Hill Elementary and one at Dutch Hill Elementary).


Fencing

  • New gates and permanent fencing were added to the Seattle Hill Elementary campus.
  • Fencing and gates were added to the back campus at Machias Elementary.
  • New gates and fencing were added to the Cathcart Elementary campus.
  • New gates and fencing were added to the Parkway Campus.


Cameras and intercoms

  • The intercom system at Central Emerson Elementary (Emerson Campus) was replaced.
  • Security camera systems were installed at Riverview Elementary, Machias Elementary and Totem Falls Elementary.
  • Security cameras will soon be installed at the district’s Transportation Center and Resource and Service Center.


Furnaces and HVAC

  • Several furnaces were replaced at the older district elementary schools.
  • Approximately 780 HVAC unit filters were replaced across the district.


Facilities and grounds

  • Custodial, grounds and landscaping crews were busy preparing school classrooms and campuses for the return of school.
  • Detention ponds at Glacier Peak High School, Little Cedars Elementary and the Snohomish Aquatic Center were cleaned out.
  • The tracks at Centennial Middle School and Valley View Middle School were power washed and restriped extending their life.
  • Custodial teams refinished gymnasium floors across the district.


Post-pandemic furniture moves

  • Our custodians were very busy this summer helping our schools and campuses transition out of the pandemic. Due to the pandemic, significant number of desks, tables and furniture needed to be returned back into the buildings or had to be moved to storage or surplussed. For example, during COVID-19 many of our district lunch rooms had been utilizing desks so students could sit six-feet apart. Those desks needed to be redistributed or moved out altogether.
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October Cultural Awareness and Recognitions: Global Diversity Awareness Month

In the Snohomish School District and community, we honor and recognize our diversity. Recognizing diversity facilitates our collective ability to support each and every student and family regardless of ethnicity, socioeconomic class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, physical ability, cognitive ability, background, personality, and more. Diversity presents the opportunity for critical thinking to occur through exposure to different viewpoints, life experiences, and beliefs allowing us to explore and examine our world. Check out this article communicating the benefits of inclusion and diversity in the classroom.


According to census.gov, the U.S. Census Bureau was one of the first government agencies to hire men and women of many ethnicities. The diversity in staff provided the agency with local knowledge, language skills and cultural understanding to engage with various community groups. The census website also provides a diversity index which tells us the chance that two people chosen at random will be from diverse ethnic groups. The numbers range from 2.2% in Puerto Rico to 76% in Hawaii.


With October being Global Diversity Awareness Month, several groups are recognized during this time. Please see the list and links below:


For more information on recognitions throughout the year please check out this link from pta.org.


"Diversity is a fact. Equity is a choice. Inclusion is an action. Belonging is an outcome." ~ Arthur Chan

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Yearbook wins top award

Glacier Peak High School's student media group received top honors at the Washington Journalism Education Association Conference held earlier today! The 2022 The Edge yearbook received the prestigious Emerald Award. The GPHS student group was one of three in the state to achieve this recognition. Delaney Gaffney was student editor of the 2022 yearbook and teacher Annie Green is yearbook advisor. Congratulations to the entire team!
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Way to go ladies!

The Glacier Peak High School and Snohomish High School Sonic Squirrels (FRC 2930), with their alliance partners Jackson High School (FRC 2910 Jack-in-the-Bot) and Holy Names Academy (FRC 5588 Reign Robotics), took top honors at this weekend's Washington Girls’ Generation robotics competition. This FIRST Washington robotics competition was held at Tahoma Senior High School in Maple Valley. The main focus of this all-female drive team robotics event was to raise awareness of women in STEM. We are so proud of you!
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Annual Snohomish Great Pumpkin Race

Who: All elementary-aged children in the Snohomish School District


What: Children will run the following distances based on grade level:

  • Grades 1 & 2 - 800m
  • Grades 3 & 4 - 1200m
  • Grades 5 & 6 - 1600m


When: The race will be held on Wednesday, October 19. The times below are approximate.

  • 1st Grade – 4 p.m.
  • 2nd Grade – 4:20 p.m.
  • 3rd Grade – 4:40 p.m.
  • 4th Grade – 5 p.m.
  • 5th Grade – 5:20 p.m.
  • 6th Grade – 5:40 p.m.


Where: The races will be at Veterans Memorial Stadium at Snohomish High School.


Cost: Minimum of two cans of food to benefit the Snohomish Food Bank.


Registration: https://sites.google.com/view/pumpkin-race/home


Prizes: A "pumpkin trophy" will be awarded to the top three finishers, male and female, in each grade. All participants will get to keep their commemorative race number.


Sponsored by the Glacier Peak High School and Snohomish High School cross country teams.


Special thanks to Bailey Family Farm for its support!

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High schools receive six-year accreditation

Glacier Peak High School and Snohomish High School were recently recognized by Superintendent Larry Francois of the Northwest Educational Service District 189 at a recent School Board meeting. Both high schools recently received a six-year accreditation by the Association of Educational Service Districts (AESD).


In recognizing GPHS, AESD noted GPHS's "school leadership has created a positive and welcoming culture that is a point of pride by students, families, and staff as evidenced by 'We are GP.'"


In recognizing SHS, AESD commended SHS for "using the data and understanding the practice, culture and make-up of the community to make data-driven decisions."

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Siblings win figure skating gold metal

Glacier Peak High School sophomore Kayla Black and brother Kamden Black, Glacier Peak High School 2021 graduate, recently won the Pacific Coast Figure Skating Sectional Gold Medal in the Junior Pairs category. In November, they will advance to the Pairs Figure Skating Finals in Lansing, MI and hope to qualify for the National Championship in January.
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Help us chart our course!

The school district is engaging in a strategic planning process and would like parent/guardian feedback. Parent/guardian feedback will help us outline the goals for the future of the Snohomish School District.


At each session, participants will discuss:

  • What is Snohomish School District doing well?
  • What could the Snohomish School District do to improve to meet the needs of our students?


The groups are facilitated by strategic planning consultant Mary Fertakis and will last one hour. Dedicated sessions have been set up for our district staff, and there are also in-person input sessions scheduled for students. Student sessions are being coordinated directly through our middle and high schools.


Thursday, October 6


UPDATED - Wednesday, October 12


Thursday, October 13


Thursday, October 20


Once we receive this input, a Strategic Planning Committee will analyze and create a strategic plan recommendation to take to the School Board. This committee will be made up of community members, staff and students. If you would like to be considered for this committee, please click here to complete an online interest form.

Fall teacher conference information

This year’s fall teacher conferences will be held the week of October 24. Please watch for school-specific conference details that will be communicated directly by our schools.

Please note that AIM High School and Parent Partnership Program conference and half-day early release day schedules are different from the schedule noted below and will be communicated directly from each school to families.


October 24 Week Schedule
Monday, October 24

    • No parent/guardian/teacher conferences will be scheduled.
    • Regular in-school food service will be provided.


Tuesday, October 25

    • Elementary parent/guardian/teacher conferences will be scheduled between 12:30-3:20 p.m.
      • Exception: Central Emerson Elementary (Central Campus) will also hold conferences from 4:05-7:35 p.m. on Tuesday evening.
    • Middle and high school parent/guardian/teacher conferences will be scheduled between 11:15 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
    • Elementary, middle and high school students can grab a lunch to-go at dismissal.


Wednesday, October 26

    • Elementary parent/guardian/teacher conferences will be scheduled between 12:30-3:20 p.m. and from 4:05-7:35 p.m.
      • Exception: Evening conferences will not be held at Central Emerson Elementary (Central Campus) on Wednesday evening.
    • Middle and high school parent/guardian/teacher conferences will be scheduled between 11:15 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
    • Elementary, middle and high school students can grab a lunch to-go at dismissal.


Thursday, October 27

    • Elementary parent/guardian/teacher conferences will be scheduled between 12:30-3:20 p.m.
    • Middle and high school parent/guardian/teacher conferences will be scheduled between 11:15 a.m-2:30 p.m. and from 4:30-7 p.m.
    • Elementary, middle and high school students can grab a lunch to-go at dismissal.


Friday, October 28

  • Half-day early release for elementary, middle and high schools.
  • No parent/guardian/teacher conferences will be scheduled.
  • Elementary, middle and high school students can grab a lunch to-go at dismissal.
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Join us at Snohomish School District “Nights at the 'Tips!”

Excited to share that we have coordinated two Snohomish School District “Nights at the 'Tips!” events!


Join us at one (or both) of these games. The Silvertips play at Angel of the Winds Arena in downtown Everett. The Silvertips have set aside two sections for our district:

  • Section 101 - Tickets are $16/each (normally $19/each)
  • Section 201 - Tickets are $10/each (normally $16/each)


Snohomish School District will be recognized on the jumbotron for both events!


Sunday, October 16 at 4 p.m.

  • Everett Silvertips vs. Spokane Chiefs


Friday, March 3 at 7 p.m.

  • Everett Silvertips vs. Portland Winterhawks
  • March 3 is also a hat giveaway night … first 1000 fans through main doors will get a hat! Doors open at 6 p.m.


Tickets can be purchased by clicking here. We hope to see you on the ice!

Fall Panorama survey

With the school year well underway, we are asking our 3rd through 12th grade students to again participate in the Panorama survey for social-emotional learning. For elementary, the questions center on their current knowledge, how they feel about the school environment, and whether they have access to staff and resources to feel safe and successful. For secondary, the questions center on the same areas and further explore whether students feel they have the skills, opportunity, or ability for personal and academic growth along with social awareness and positive relationships. The survey window will be open for two weeks from October 17-31. Survey results will be available approximately two weeks after the survey window closes, which places us around November 14. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's principal.


Our goal as a district and community is to ensure that each student feels safe, welcomed, and supported in our schools and while attending school activities. The information provided through this survey is one tool we can use to hear student voice and perspective. Other considerations will continue to include conversations with students, families, and staff and monitoring of academic progress and social-emotional awareness. It is ok to not feel ok, but please know that there is help and support so that it does not have to remain that way.


Click here for a link to more information about the Panorama survey.

District facilities and grounds are a community resource

The Snohomish School District believes that district facilities and grounds are a community resource. Our facilities not only include our schools and buildings, but also include our playgrounds, athletic fields, parking lots and the Snohomish Aquatic Center.


Our facilities are typically available for community use before and after the school day and when such use is not in conflict with school operations and board policies. With exception of coordinated facility use and rentals, our district and school playgrounds, athletic fields, parking lots and property are closed for public use at dusk and may be locked. If you witness vandalism or inappropriate activity on our property after hours, please call 911. Our district's Operations, Grounds and Maintenance Department can also be reached at 360-563-7230.


Gyms, cafeterias, fields, conference rooms, libraries and performing arts centers are all available for community use at nominal fees to cover costs. Fees are charged on a scale depending on the specific facility and the renter. The lowest fees are charged for non-profit organizations sponsoring activities for children and youth. For more information on facility use and rentals, please click here.


When using our facilities and grounds, please note the following:

  • Crime, vandalism and other inappropriate activity will not be tolerated.
  • Dogs and animals (with exception of service animals) are not allowed inside schools and buildings or on school property and athletic fields.
  • Alcohol, tobacco and firearms/weapons are prohibited on all property.
  • Fireworks and fires of any type are prohibited.
  • District athletic equipment is for district/school use only.
  • Trash cans are located on all school property. Please use them to dispose of your waste and help keep our facilities and grounds clean.

Mental health services available for high school students

Therapeutic Health Services Integrated Cognitive Therapies Program (ICTP) is offering school-based mental health services for students at Glacier Peak High School and Snohomish High School during the 2022-2023 school year. Therapists will be able to help with identifying mental health and substance-use concerns and will work with individuals to develop an individualized plan for treatment. This may involve assisting with crisis stabilization, getting connected with community resources, and/or weekly individual counseling appointments. Therapists are trained to address both mental health and substance-use disorders and incorporate proven, evidenced-based approaches such as motivational enhancement therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and contingency management. Therapists may also facilitate psychiatric services and medication management appointments with a psychiatric practitioner if necessary. Click here for the Therapeutic Health Services Integrated Cognitive Therapies Program (ICTP) Program Handbook.

K-3 highly capable program information

If your student is currently in grades K-3 and you are interested in your student receiving highly capable services to include learning opportunities with more depth, complexity, and acceleration in the classroom please be aware of the following information. Students currently identified for highly capable K-3 services do not need to go through the K-3 referral process.


Referral packets for the K-3 highly capable program are available in all elementary schools, and on the Snohomish School District websites in English, Spanish and Russian. The completed referral packet is due Wednesday, October 19 and can be turned in at your home school or the Snohomish School District office (drop box located by the main entrance) located at 1601 Avenue D, Snohomish, WA 98290. Click here to learn more.


If you have questions, you may contact Linda Varner at 360-563-7296 or Julie Francois at 360-563-7258.

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Now hiring!

Join our team! Visit www.sno.wednet.edu/jobs or call 360-563-7233 today!


Current high-need school and district openings include:

  • Paraeducators/Educational Assistants
  • Psychologists, Occupational/Physical Therapists and Speech Language Pathologists
  • Elementary and Secondary Teachers
  • Administrative Assistants and Office Support
  • Custodians
  • Maintenance Workers, Plumbers, and Carpenters
  • School Bus Drivers and Substitute Bus Drivers
  • Substitute Nurses
  • Substitute Teachers/Guest Teachers
  • Substitute Paraeducators/Educational Assistants

  • Kitchen Staff

  • Lifeguards

  • Swim Instructors


Snohomish School District positions


Snohomish Aquatic Center positions


Chartwells K-12/Compass Group (district's food service provider) positions

Free and low-cost community 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:

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Register to vote

Election day is November 8. Below are some important Snohomish County voter reference materials:


And if you are a 16- and 17-year-old in the state of Washington, you can pre-register to vote! Registrants under the age of 18 will have their registrations held until they become eligible to vote. Visit www.myvote.wa.gov to:

  • Register to vote
  • Request a replacement ballot
  • Update voter registration info
  • View a listing of your elected officials
  • View what elections are impacted at the address on file
  • View ballot status (mailed, received, not received, etc.)


As a reminder, ballot boxes are located at:

  • Centennial Middle School
  • Glacier Peak High School
  • Sno-Isle Library in downtown Snohomish

School & district news

  • School newsletters - If you would like to receive Dear Friends and other district and school newsletters, or if you have a high school student who wants to receive the school Daily Bulletin, you must subscribe to our listserv subscription tool. For directions on how to subscribe or change your subscription preferences (for those already signed up), please click here.
  • Dear Friends - Looking for back issues of our Dear Friends enews? Visit www.sno.wednet.edu/dearfriends.
  • Facebook - Today, 11,000 Facebook fans receive regular district updates through our district's Facebook page - www.facebook.com/snohomishschooldistrict. This site is just one of many ways we communicate with our students, staff, families and community. Although we are aware of other Facebook pages, please note that this is the only verified Facebook page of the Snohomish School District and is where official information is posted.
  • School Messenger - Our district uses the School Messenger automated system as a tool for communication with our parents, families and staff. School Messenger works with the district’s student-data system (Skyward/Family Access) to notify families and staff through phone and/or email of emergencies, critical school and district messages, school/district closures, inclement weather, attendance issues, underfunded student meal accounts and other events/activities. The overall goal of using this service is for parents and families to receive critical information about Snohomish schools - especially information that affects their children - in a timely manner. As long as we have accurate primary phone numbers and email addresses on record for our students in Skyward/Family Access, families should automatically receive these messages when they are sent out.

District-approved community fliers


    Fliers are typically posted on Tuesdays during the months of August through June. For additional flier program details and/or to complete a request for distribution, please click here.
    Sign up to receive school communications
    If you have not already subscribed and would like to receive newsletters from your student's school or the high school Daily Bulletin, please click here to follow the directions and subscribe or edit subscription preferences to our listserv.
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    How to reach us

    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.
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    Our mission

    The Snohomish School District, in its commitment to excellence, places the success of each student at the center of all decisions and actions. Partnerships and strong academic programs ensure competent, responsible, lifelong learners.

    Email: communications@sno.wednet.edu
    Website: www.sno.wednet.edu
    Location: 1601 Avenue D, Snohomish, WA, USA
    Phone: 3605637300
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/snohomishschooldistrict/