Community Letter

Dear LISD Families,

Tomorrow, April 22, is Earth Day! The theme this year is Invest in Our Planet. Investment in our planet means taking steps to protect our future and the future of generations to come. Globally, those efforts include climate and environmental literacy, sustainable agriculture, ending plastic pollution, laws and policies aimed at environmental justice, and many more initiatives. The idea of investing in or protecting a whole planet can feel overwhelming, but there are ways to become involved in these efforts at the community level. You can dedicate your time, energy, and resources in ways that make a positive impact.

In the San Juan Islands, we celebrate and acknowledge Earth Day by participating in the Great Islands Clean-up. This is coordinated by the County's Department of Environmental Stewardship Solid Waste Program in coordination with other organizations on Orcas, San Juan, and Lopez. On our island, the Lopez Island Solid Waste Disposal District (a.k.a. The Dump) is coordinating efforts.

Gather friends, neighbors, and family members, and head to the Lopez Village Park between 10 and 11 to pick up bags, vests, and grabbers. Coffee, tea, and fresh baked treats will be provided. Participants on the south end can collect vests and grabbers at the Southend Store. You can drop off your collected trash at the dump between 12 and 2. We hope to see you out there tomorrow, helping make Lopez Island, and therefore our planet, a cleaner and healthier place. See more information below!

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It is that time of year when students in grade 3 - 12 take the annual state required assessments: Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) and Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC). This past week, the 5th grade class successfully completed the WCAS. Below is the schedule for the remainder of the assessments:

• Week of April 24: SBAC - English Language Arts for grades 3 - 8, 10, and a few in 11 & 12

• Week of May 1: SBAC - Mathematics for grades 3-5

• Week of May 8: WCAS for grades 8 & 11

• May 11th & 12th: SBAC - Mathematics for grades 6-8, 10, and a few in 11 & 12

These assessments are important because the results inform our school on the areas that we need to improve our instructional practices and curriculum. It also provides students and families with information on how their child is doing in school and where additional help might be needed. Test refusals will result in a penalty for our school district. Each student who refuses to participate in the state assessment will be counted as “does not meet standard”. In addition, if our school falls below a 95 percent participation rate on state tests, this jeopardizes eligibility for some state and federal money. If you have more questions regarding the importance and/or refusals for state assessments, please refer to OSPI’s State Testing Frequently Asked Questions: OSPI State Testing Frequently Asked Questions. Scroll down to see more information about SBAC testing.

All our best to you and your family,

Mary and Martha

The electric bus started the school year with a rough start. We immediately had some glitches in the electric system. It was disappointing to have to send the bus back to the dealership for repairs but with any new technology it is not totally surprising. On top of that the supply chain for parts being available was more than challenging. All of the repairs were covered under warranty so there won’t be any additional cost to the district.

We are very happy to have the bus back and operating at full power.

Please enjoy this video that was filmed and produced by Ken Kortage in the fall when we first received the bus: https://youtu.be/qOZ3mJxd5sg

The 17th Annual Tour de Lopez, organized by the Lopez Chamber and co-produced by the San Juan County Parks and Fair Department, has recently sold out with overwhelming support. However, for those who were not able to secure a spot for the ride, the event organizers want to remind everyone that they are still welcome to swing by and enjoy the live music and vendors as it's a great opportunity to connect with friends, make new ones, and celebrate our vibrant community."

The Tour de Lopez, scheduled for Saturday, April 29th, will be centered around the open space between Brewvado and the Blue Heron Bistro, with the Cajun Band and the student's MPPACT band providing lively entertainment. Local vendors will also be showcasing their wares, offering a unique shopping experience open to all. Brewvado will also be serving refreshing beverages in their beer garden for those looking to relax and enjoy the atmosphere.

The Tour de Lopez is not only a fun event, it also supports the Lopez Island community, with all proceeds used to keep the Village restrooms open year-round and maintain the Village Park. The event is made possible by the efforts of dedicated volunteers, who help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.

For more information about the Tour de Lopez, please visit the Lopez Island Chamber of Commerce website or contact them at 360-468-4664 or email lopezchamber@lopezisland.com.

Join us at the Tour de Lopez for a day of music, vendors, and community celebration, even if you weren't able to participate in the ride!

Join the LIFRC for summer fun and save the dates!

• British Challenger Soccer Camps. June 26-30. Open registration with a fee. Registration opens in April.
• Specialty Camps for Tots: Dates TBD in July/August. Open registration with a fee. Registration opens in May.
• Six weeks of full-day Summer Camp Huckleberry (going into 1st-5th grade) and Summer Camp No Name (6-8th grade): July 10-August 18, Mon-Fri 9 am-4 pm

Free of cost to full-time Lopez resident families – funded by a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant. Note that priority will be given to campers who are enrolled in the current After-School Program and attend regularly. For more information and to apply for a spot in the After-School program, visit the LIFRC Website.

Only looking to join Summer Camp? We have a waitlist.

The Lopez Island Farm Education (LIFE) program is partnering with the Lopez Garden Club again this year to offer a plant sale on Saturday, May 13. We are seeking plant donations! If you can start a tray of garden vegetables or flowers to donate in May, it would be most appreciated. We are accepting all plant starts except tomatoes. This is a very popular event and we could use more plants to ensure we have a great selection for our community.

Additionally, we are in need of plant pots and trays. If you have any extras please consider donating. 4 inch pots are ideal but will take any size. For more information, please contact Sara Jones, sjones@lopezislandschool.org.

High School Athletes and Families, please mark your calendars for the Athletic Awards Banquet on the evening of Wednesday, June 7 at the Lopez Community Center for the Arts. This event is sponsored by Pack (thank you, Pack!). Stay tuned for more information to come!

On Tuesday, students used a topographic map of Lopez Hill that they added features to in class yesterday to pull a bearing from the trailhead to the summit. They oriented themselves according to that bearing at the trailhead before hiking. This is the first of several map and compass skills assessments to be completed by students over the course of the next several Tuesday morning hikes.

Lopez Island School District’s Music Production and Performance Artist Collective for Teens (MPPACT) will be headlining this year’s Tour De Lopez on April 29th in the heart of Lopez Village. The music kicks off at 11 am with the Lopez Cajun Band and MPPACT will take the stage from 1:30-3 with their mix of pop, reggae, R&B, and classic rock. There will be food - there will be drinks - there will be local vendors - there will be music!

MPPACT is a student-driven LISD extracurricular led by Jesse Hammond. Created in 2015, this program has since exploded and brought youth music to the Lopez community and beyond. MPPACT isn’t limited by traditional boundaries or genres and these young musicians explore the styles of jazz, rock, classical, R&B, pop, blues, and more. Their shows feature top hits and deep cuts from a virtual musical time warp and are sure to inspire you to smile, sing, and dance. For more information, please visit https://www.lopezislandschool.org/we_are_unique/music/m_p_p_a_c_t

6th graders had a great experience this week at Camp Moran. They learned ecological knowledge of Moran State Park, Leave No Trace principles and Samish stories and dances. They hiked to waterfall (twice!), made s'mores, played games, and ate a lot of meals together. It was wonderful and we are so grateful for the Lopez Island Family Resource Center Staff, Samish tribal elders, and Moran State Park rangers for making this trip possible.

We can't wait to host the 7th and 8th graders in May and June! Please make sure your child has turned in their permission slip, assumption of risk form, and medical paperwork.

• 7th grade: May 22-24
• 8th grade: June 12-14

Washington students take state and federal tests regularly to assess their learning growth

as well as the progress of the educational system as a whole. State tests include the

following:

Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA): English language arts (ELA) and math

tests in grades 3–8 and 10 are required for federal and state accountability. The

high school ELA and math assessments can also be used to meet a student's

graduation pathway requirement.

There are two parts to each assessment:

• ELA Computer Adaptive Test (CAT)
• ELA Performance Task (PT)
• Math Computer Adaptive Test (CAT)
• Math Performance Task (PT)

Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS): Science tests for

grades 5, 8, and 11 are required for federal and state accountability

Dates for Smarter Balanced Assessments at Lopez Island School District.

Elementary: Grades 3, 4, 5

ELA CAT Tuesday, April 25; Make up Wednesday, April 26

ELA PT Thursday, April 27; make up Friday, April 28

Math CAT Tuesday, May 2; make up Wednesday, May 3

Math PT Thursday, May 4; make up Friday, May 5

Secondary: ELA and Math Grades 6, 7, 8, 10, and some 11/12

ELA CAT Wednesday April 26

ELA PT Friday April 28

WCAS (Science) Grades 8 and 11 Monday, May 8

Math CAT Thursday May 11

Math PT Friday May 12

Make up testing will continue until all students have completed the testing.

For more information or questions, please contact Kathy Booth, District

Assessment Coordinator at kbooth@lopezislandschool.org

Please be sure that students have their computers charged and ready for the

assessments which will be held in mornings from 8:35-11:00 am.

Lopez Island School District (LISD) is grateful to select staff and community members who have agreed to serve on a Calendar Committee to consider traditional and alternative calendar possibilities. We expect the 2023-2024 calendar to follow a traditional model, as it has in years past. The committee is dedicated to taking the time needed over the next five months to explore proposals for future years that consider the needs of our entire community, including students, staff, families, farms, community partners, and local businesses.

Right now, the committee is in an initial data-gathering phase. Over the spring, they will be seeking community input. Please stay tuned for opportunities to share your thoughts--and thanks!

Many of these positions qualify for Medical, Dental, Vision, & Retirement benefits, plus paid leave time!

Classified:

· Paraeducator - Are you fluent in both Spanish and English? We would love to have you work with our secondary students in their classrooms as a Bilingual Paraeducator! This is a daily position starting ASAP.

· 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