LISD School Newsletter

Hello LISD Families!

It has been such a great week at school. On the elementary side, we've had conferences, and I've been hearing teachers talk about how wonderful it is to meet with families. In the spring, there is always so much to share about a child's academic, social, and emotional growth. Thanks to all the parents and guardians who attended conferences. We know you are busy so we are always grateful for your time and energy.

It has been Intensives Week in the secondary wing. Students got to step away from their regular classes and choose something to learn about for a whole week. Choices included Outdoor Cooking and Lawn Games, Glass Mosaics and Glass Blowing (thank you Kelly O'Dell and Raven Skyriver), Board Games...the Long Ones, Fins/Furs/Ferries, Team Sports, Asian Cooking and Culture, and Hiking and Biking. We so appreciate the extra time teachers have spent planning these experiences and the volunteers who have lended a hand. Also, we couldn't do this without funding from the Lopez Island Education Foundation and Lopez Island Family Resource Center. Check out the pics below, highlighting a few of the intensives.

I hope all our students have a fun and relaxing break from school, and I hope all our parents and guardians get a bit of that too!

All my best,

Martha

• April 8 - 12: SPRING BREAK
  
• April 16: Camp Moran Parent Meeting, 5:30 pm MPR
• April 18: Kindergarten Info Night, 5:30 pm MPR
• April 19: Sign up deadline for SAT.
• April 23: LISD Town Hall - follow up from the Feb 1 Town Hall
• May 4: SAT Exam
• May 9: Band & Orchestra Concert at the Community Center
• May 6 - 9: Camp Moran trip for 6th grade
• May 13 - 16: Camp Moran for 7th grade
• May 20 - 23: Camp Moran for 8th grade

The Lopez Island Family Resource Center (LIFRC) is once again partnering with LISD to offer a 4-day/3-night camp experience at Camp Moran on Orcas Island. Students will take boat a trip to one of the outer islands, learn about the ancestral history and cultural significance of the San Juan Islands, participate in outdoor education activities with the LIFRC staff and a state park interpretive ranger. This is an amazing opportunity for our current and rising middle schoolers!

We are having a family information night on Tuesday, April 16 at 5:30 in the LISD multi-purpose room. We will have packing lists and permission slips to sign, provide more detailed information about the trips, and answer all your questions. Please come!

Camp Moran dates:

• 6th Grade - May 6-9
• 7th Grade - May 13-16
• 8th Grade - May 20-23

This week we have some new college acceptance offers for our seniors. New updates are in bold:

• Ava Barzegar: Has been accepted to Abilene Christian University, Schreiner University, Southwestern University, Tarleton State University, Texas Lutheran University, University of Dallas, and University of Texas at Arlington.
• Jade Gonzales: Accepted UCLA, UC Irvine, Gonzaga, Whitman, Case Western, Harvey Mudd College, and Washington University St. Louis. New additions: University of Colorado, University of Denver, University of Utah, and University of Wisconsin.
• Bryan Coro: In addition to being accepted to Seattle University and Central Washington University, Bryan has also been accepted into University of Washington - Bothell.
• Basil Pendragon: Accepted to Western Washington University, Fairhaven College
• Cameron Napier: Accepted to Bellingham Technical College - Radiology
• Emma Hatchel: Accepted to Everett Community College - Nursing

Families that have a child starting kindergarten in next year are invited to an info night on Thursday, April 18 at 5:30 pm in the MPR. This is a great oppportunity to register your student and learn more about what your children will experience in school and how best you can support them during this exciting time!

This Wednesday, the elementary school welcomed Dave O’Hare and his dog, Quigley to the library. Dave is the author of the book Quigley Lopez, which he read to every grade in the elementary school! A special moment, enjoyed by all. Wonderful to have Dave visit our students this week. His message of trust, compassion and perseverance had meaning to everyone.

Interested in becoming a new buddy to incoming secondary students? Mentorhub program will pair you with a 6th grader buddy to participate in fun activities and games + special lunches to promote cross age student bonding similar to the previous buddy day tradition! Mentors must be:

• Willing to participate in program activities

• Available for program events/meets to spend time with buddy

• Easy going and committed to building connection with buddy

Please contact: Satya@lifrc.org or Valentina@lifrc.org with any questions and to access the required sign up sheet. Gift cards + other goodies included for participation and follow through of program. Sign up by April 26th!

Lopez Island School will be joining all public schools in Washington in administering the Smarter Balanced (SBAC) and Science (WCAS) assessments. The purpose is to accurately measure our students’ learning as well as help our educators pinpoint areas in need of improvement. These tests provide an academic check-up and are designed to help teachers and parents know whether students are on track to be college and career-ready by the time they graduate. The tests are untimed, so the students are not under pressure to complete in a certain number of minutes. There will be additional sessions for students who need more time to complete.

The SBAC and Science assessments will be administered to different grades and on different days throughout the few weeks following Spring Break, from April 17 - May 3. More information will come out via Parent Square ahead of testing dates.

The weather is changing and NASP Archery Club has started up again! This year the club is coached by NASP certified coach Becca Hamilton with Asst. Coaches Brett Jensen and Lorri Swanson! This club is open to any student grades 5th - 8th who has an interest in learning or getting better at archery. The club meets on Thursday afternoons from 3:20 - 4:45 in the covered area. No experience is necessary and all equipment is provided. We are hoping to do a field trip to an outdoor archery range towards the end of the school year. For more information on the NASP program go to https://www.naspschools.org/.

This week, a small group of Lobos in grades 7 - 12 participated in the Furs, Fins, and Ferries Intensive lead by Ms. Rose and Ms. Trisha. Thanks to the generosity of the LIEF program, students were able to go on three separate field trips, to the Woodland Park Zoo, the Seattle Aquarium, and the Outback Kangaroo Farm. The students learned to navigate the ferry schedule, made many observations, gained some independence, and one brave student conquered a fear of elevators! On Thursday, Mike Rosekrans from the Youth Conservation Corps joined us to teach us about local animals. In all, it was a fabulous week that left everyone pleasantly exhausted.

Lopez Island School District is looking for members of the community to serve on the “for” and “against” advocacy committees for the coming Safety and Technology Levy. The committee member’s responsibilities would be to craft a statement for the voter’s guide as well as attach their names to the statement. If you are interested in joining either committee, please contact Jesse Hammond at jhammond@lopezislandschool.org

Sign up here

Saturday, April 6, 2024, 2-4 pm in the school culinary room

In this first of a series about eating locally and seasonally, we will focus on EGGS, which are abundant this time of year. We will discuss the nutritional properties of eggs, the difference between factory-produced and locally produced eggs, and how to preserve them using pickling and water-glassing techniques. We will prepare and share Spanish tortillas, and discuss other ways of turning eggs into meals. This event is Free of Charge, (donations welcome) and limited to sixteen adult participants. Sign up at: info@transitionlopezisland.org

For the last two years, little unicorns have been coming to the Lopez Library to celebrate National Unicorn Day. Last year over a hundred little unicorns paraded through Lopez Village before having a big unicorn party. This year, for the third year in a row, little unicorns will again parade through Lopez Village at 5 pm on Saturday, April 6 to coincide with First Saturday Art Walk.

The Unicorn Day Party will be held at Lopez Center for Community and the Arts as a bigger venue to host this all ages event. Kids and families are invited to arrive at 4 pm already in costume, or build their own unicorn horns and rainbow tails at the interactive workshop tables and engage in unicorn themed activities. Please bring a favorite “Unicorn Food” to share for the Unicorn Potluck following the parade.

At 5 pm, the kids and their parents are invited to join the Unicorn Parade which will go though Lopez Village, stopping at the Lopez Library to receive stickers and applause, then circle back to the LCCA for a Unicorn Food Potluck and live music dance party. Community members of all ages are then invited to don colorful unicorn or magical themed costumes or just come as they are for a free, high energy dance party DJed by Kid Ridiculous from 7-9 pm at the LCCA. For more information, please visit www.lopezlibrary.org.

What clubs/athletics/extracurriculars have you been involved in? Two years of student EMS and obtaining my AHA eCard (CPR Certification). Also, joining fire academy as an adult and receiving my Firefighter 1 and my Incident Qualifications Card “Red Card” (aka. becoming qualified for wildland fire operations).

What is one positive memory from your time here that you’ll carry with you forever? Taking Health Sciences with Ms. Studzienko! I learned so much from that class and also made so many fun memories. She had a lot of fun ways to help us remember the information so I still have all the songs and dance moves in my brain.

What is the best piece of advice you have received from a teacher? “Set ambitious goals, pursue them with relentless determination, and never let fear of failure deter you from achieving your greatness. (aka. kicking ass and taking names)” -Mr. Torres

Finish this sentence: “I cannot live without…….”: Coffee, learning new things, and my dog (Sam)

What is the most creative excuse you have ever used to get out of school work? I’m not a good liar…but maybe a sarcastic “my dog ate my homework?” If I don't get something done on time, I try to make it a priority.

What is one piece of advice you have for incoming high school students? Create a schedule for yourself that works with your own life plan. You’ll find that getting your work done comes easier if you also make time for yourself and know your priorities. I know what time I need to go to bed, I make myself a real breakfast, and I know when it works for me to do homework.

What is the most meaningful assignment ever given to you by a teacher? In 10th grade English with Ms. Studzienko, we had to live in someone else's shoes for a month. I did the candida diet, experiencing what life is like for someone who has candidiasis. It was a really cool project.

What’s the most important quality in a friendship? Why? Trust and honesty. I think almost anyone would say this in some variation. If you can't trust someone, they aren’t your friend.

In 10 years, I will be… Hopefully finishing up med school!

Who/what do you find inspiring? Candace Owens talks a lot about “victim mentality” and I find that really inspiring. “The only limitations are the ones we place on ourselves” - Candace Owens

What song summarizes your feelings about graduating from high school? “Life is a Highway” (Rascal Flatts). The remainder of your life will be just as exciting as the wild trip that was your high school years.

What are your plans after high school? College, med school, travel, move someplace secluded and have a nice quiet life with a family of my own.

Is there anything else you want people to know about you? My coffee order: double shot iced americano with a splash of oat milk… (for anyone who wants to buy me coffee) *wink wink.*

Brady Smith, Superintendent

Martha Martin, K-12 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, and Title IX Coordinator Brady Smith, HR Specialist Beth Stanford; Section 504, Mary Fordham. OR contact by phone, 360-468-2202, OR mail to 86 School Rd, Lopez Island, WA 98261.