Lakewood's Going Places

Greetings,

First and foremost, I want to thank you for an amazing start to the school year. The start of each school year is always a time of great possibilities, and our students have truly embraced this with high levels of engagement, dedication to their learning, and through the development of strong relationships and connections with one another and our staff. All of these elements only occur when there is strong alignment and connection between our families and our schools, and I want to thank you for your continued support of our district staff as we work collaboratively with you to support the needs of each student.

As I write this note, I am dazzled by the speed with which we are already moving into this school year. We recently celebrated Homecoming at Lakewood High School, which is a celebration not just for the high school, but across our entire district. The deep connection of our students, staff, families, and community members to our district and community was on full display throughout this week with our districtwide spirit week, activities, and parade.

In addition to Homecoming, October is a month full of celebrations, recognition, and activities. On October 2, we recognized the tireless work of custodial staff on National Custodial Workers Day, and the dedicated service of our coaching staff, on October 6 — National Coaches Day. October is also Principal Appreciation, Disability History and Awareness, Bullying Prevention, Dyslexia Awareness, and Filipino American History Month. While not a celebration, I also want to highlight our district's participation in the Great ShakeOut on October 17. Across the state of Washington, schools and businesses engage in earthquake drills on this day as a way to support our preparedness. If you are interested in learning more about resources related to “The Great Washington ShakeOut” you can access them at: https://www.shakeout.org/washington/

Thank you to each of you who completed the survey on our district's strategic priorities — we had more than 300 staff, students, parent/guardians, and community members respond to the survey. We also had more than 40 people interested in being part of our strategic planning committee. This committee will help develop a comprehensive vision and strategic plan that will guide our district for the next five years. This plan will be instrumental in making decisions regarding what our community prioritizes in terms of providing high levels of learning, growth and achievement for each student.

Thank you to each of you for your partnership with district staff in serving your student and family. We are truly honored to serve our community and wish you a wonderful start to the fall season.

All my best,

Erin Murphy,

Superintendent

Superintendent Dr. Erin Murphy, School Board President Sandy Gotts, and other educational leaders from around the state were interviewed for a special report on KIRO 7 about school funding. Learn more about the challenges that school districts are experiencing.

Lakewood High School is learning by listening to its most important people: its students. During the school board meeting on Oct. 16, Principal Jeanette Grisham and students Saya Barber and Amelia Escalante accepted the inaugural “Schools on the Rise” banner from Kamrica Beaver, Associate Director of the Association of Washington School Principals.

The award recognizes the school for seeking out student voice and collaborating with students to improve school culture and belonging. LHS started a student belonging committee last year to identify areas that were causing division instead of inclusion. School administrators supported the group’s collective creation of a path forward. Students also met during the districtwide Cougar Cabinet to brainstorm ideas for improvements. In partnership with school administration, students are working to create a culture of mutual support and accountability.

School conferences are a great opportunity to check in with your child's teacher. Be sure to watch for a message from your teacher about scheduling your conference.

• K-5 conferences (half-day schedule): Oct. 28-Nov. 1
• 6-12 conferences (half-day schedule): Oct. 29-Nov. 1

Half-Day Schedule Dismissal Times

• Lakewood High School: 11:15
• Lakewood Middle School: 11:10
• Cougar Creek Elementary: 12:10
• English Crossing Elementary: 12:15
• Lakewood Elementary: 12:15

Looking ahead: Check out the school calendar at a glance. The one-page calendar is also available at the bottom of each school's Calendar page and the district calendar page.

It's not too late to register to vote or to update your address. Visit VoteWA.gov by October 28 to register to vote, check your registration, or update your voter information online. You can also pick up a voter registration form at your school, library or post office. Make sure your voice is heard!

The Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) and the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) use a scoring scale of 1 to 4 to measure students’ knowledge and skills. In the past, students who scored a 3 or 4 were considered at or above grade level, while those who scored a 1 or 2 were seen as not meeting grade-level expectations.

This year, however, there’s been a significant update to how these scores are interpreted. The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, which develops and updates the test, has made changes to better reflect students' actual performance.

Now, students scoring a 2, 3, or 4 are considered to be demonstrating grade-level knowledge and skills—just at different levels of complexity. Here’s a breakdown of what each score means under the new guidelines:

• Score 4: Students consistently show “advanced” grade-level knowledge, with a deep understanding and a wide range of complex skills.
• Score 3: Students demonstrate “proficient” grade-level knowledge and skills, with a broad understanding of concepts.
• Score 2: Students show “foundational” grade-level knowledge and skills, but with a more limited range of complexity.
• Score 1: Students who score a 1 are not consistently demonstrating grade-level knowledge or skills.

Why Was This Change Made?

According to experts, the previous system didn’t accurately reflect the different levels of student performance. The new system is designed to avoid the misconception that students scoring a 1 or 2 “can't read” or “can't do math” and to better showcase the progress students are making at each level.

What Does This Mean for My Child?

This new scoring method does not change the difficulty or rigor of the SBA itself. The state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) encourages districts to use SBA scores to improve teaching and learning practices. Our schools use the results of the SBA to identify strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in instruction, helping students who need extra support.

Our schools are participating in Socktoberfest with LINC NW! We are collecting new packs of socks and underwear to support families in our community from now until Oct. 26. All sizes are welcome and can be dropped off in the bin located at each school. Donations will allow LINC NW and the Marysville Cold Weather Shelter to help people in our community this winter.

Lakewood School District’s Child Find process ensures that all residents and private schools within the district are made aware of the special education and related services offered by the district.

Child Find seeks to locate, evaluate, and identify children between the ages of birth to 21 years with suspected disabilities in need of special education services.

Child Find seeks to reach children residing within the school district boundaries, highly mobile children (such as children who are homeless, in foster care, and migratory), children who have a disability and may need special education services even though they are advancing from grade to grade, and children at home or home schooled.

Questions or concerns about the development or progress of your child? For children ages 3-5 years old, or school-age children currently enrolled in a private or home-based school program, please call 360-652-4500.

For school-age children currently enrolled in the Lakewood School District, please contact your school psychologist.

A shout-out to our amazing principals, assistant principals and deans during National Principals Month! These educational leaders play a crucial role in creating a positive and supportive school environment that fosters a culture of belonging and student success.

Physical therapist Patrick McKenzie wants to make sure that every student has the opportunity to be successful. “If you can’t walk from one class to another, you are at a disadvantage,” he says. As the district’s only physical therapist, McKenzie can be found at any of the schools, but he works primarily with the developmental preschool program at Lakewood Elementary. Students learn how to climb stairs with a set of miniature stairs that are about half the height of a standard set of stairs. He also has a special wheelchair, therapy balls, and toys that make the therapy feel like a game for kids.

While McKenzie might only see a student for 30 minutes per week, he is glad to work in a collaborative school community. He said teachers have valuable input and parents are involved in all decisions. “I know the work is having an impact seeing the strides they make,” he said.

McKenzie likes working in a school setting because the kids always have a smile on their face. “That inspires me,” he said. Happy National Physical Therapy Month!

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. Lakewood School District screens students in Grades K-2 for weaknesses in literacy skills that may be associated with dyslexia. We provide training and support for our teachers in the areas of evidence-based literacy instruction and district screening tools.

All K-2 students are screened multiple times per year using an adaptive assessment called Early Literacy STAR and STAR Classroom Based Assessments (CBM). Teachers use the results to identify areas of concern. Interventions include small-group reading instruction that focuses on phonemic awareness and fluency. Frequent measurements and an enhanced curriculum are demonstrating enormous student growths in these areas. For more information, see the Washington State Dyslexia Resource Guide.

• October: National Principals Month
• October: Disability History Month (Washington State Civic Observance)
  
• October: Dyslexia Awareness Month
  
• October: Filipino American History Month
  
• October 14-18: National School Lunch Week
• October 18: Early Release Friday
• October 21-25: National School Bus Safety Week
• October 25: Early Release Friday
• October 28-November 1: K-5 Conferences (Half Day)
• October 29-November 1: 6-12 Conferences (Half Day)
• November: Native American Heritage Month
  
• November 5: First Quarter Ends
• November 5: Election Day
• November 11: Veterans Day (No School)
• November 11-15: National School Psychology Week
• November 13: Regular Board Meeting, 6 p.m., LHS library
• November 22: Substitute Educators Day
• November 27: No School
• November 28: Thanksgiving (No School)
• November 29: Native American Heritage Day (No School)

View our calendars page

Most fourth graders can dress themselves, hold a cup by themselves, and eat without help. But some people have a disability that makes it challenging to complete these everyday tasks. As part of Disability History Month, LES librarian Ashley Miller read fourth graders a book by Shane Burcaw, who has spinal muscular atrophy, a disease that hinders muscle growth. The book, “Not So Different: What you really want to ask about having a disability,” is a humorous look at some of the questions that people ask Shane about living with a disability.

Shane explains that — while he relies on help from his family and friends — he is not so different from everyone else. He likes pizza, sports and playing video games. Students also had a chance to hear part of an interview with Shane and his girlfriend on the Today Show, about their hope to normalize interabled relationships like their own.

Since 1962, National School Lunch Week has promoted the importance of a healthy school lunch in a child’s life and the impact it has inside and outside of the classroom. A few students shared their favorite school lunch:

Seventh graders in the Project Engineering class at Lakewood Middle School have been busy designing wooden boxes and even their own furniture using tools such as the scroll saw, the laser cutter and engineering software.

As part of Bullying Prevention Month, students have been learning to recognize bullying and how to help someone who is being bullied. As part of Unity Day on Oct. 16, students at English Crossing Elementary wore orange to show they are united for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. They also created orange paper chains with ideas to prevent bullying such as "Be Kind," and "Be a Friend."

Eighth-graders in the Lakewood Middle School yearbook class drew inspiration from National School Lunch Week for their assignment this week. The students are learning interview techniques and took turns asking a partner questions about what they like to eat for lunch.

Some favorites were the cheese-stuffed breadsticks, chicken burgers, nachos and sandwiches. Several students said they would like pretzels to be added to the lunch menu ... stay tuned to see if our Nutrition Services can make it happen.

Rain couldn’t dampen our Cougar spirits! Lakewood High School brought high-fives and smiles to our other schools during the annual Homecoming Parade.

LHS students voted for their peers who they felt represented Kindness, Positivity, Inclusivity, and promoting Cougar Pride at Lakewood High School:

• Class of 2028: Gavin and Martin
• Class of 2027: Xander and Adilyn
• Class of 2026: Whitney and Rayna
• Class of 2025: Saya and Kaui
• Homecoming Monarchs (Class of 2025). Bakary and JJ

During the Homecoming Assembly, the voice of the Mariners, Rick Rizzs, surprised senior Alisia Sanchez with a $5,000 Dave Henderson “Hendu” College Scholarship. Alisia is one of 13 Washington recipients. She would like to study nursing.

From forestry to public speaking, the FFA program helps students explore career interests and leadership opportunities. Two Washington FFA Association state officers visited Danika Welty’s agricultural science classes on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at Lakewood High School to delve into the different experiences. FFA, an intracurricular student organization, provides students with hands-on experiences in both agriculture and leadership. The state officers led students in various leadership-building activities.

Freshmen in the Intro to Agriscience class participated in a scavenger hunt to explore different Leadership Development Events (LDEs) and Career Development Events (CDEs) offered by FFA. Popular CDEs included Forestry, Horse Evaluation, and Potato Evaluation. One notable LDE was Employment Skills, where students practice applying and interviewing for jobs. Other options included Extemporaneous and Prepared Public Speaking. By the end of class, students presented to the rest of the class one CTE or LDE that they would like to complete.

In Veterinary Science, 11th and 12th graders participated in a “Shark Tank” Advocacy activity, inspired by the entrepreneurial television series. The officers guided students through the process of creating a simple advocacy campaign and presenting it to their peers. One team even advocated for their favorite ice cream flavor.

Our substitute applications can now be done online! Learn more about our substitute positions on our Jobs page or apply online.

Apply online for the following open positions:

• Speech Language Pathologist
• Bus driver (Multiple Positions)
• Paraeducator (Multiple positions)
• Assistant Coach (LHS Cross Country, LHS Soccer)
• Athletic Trainer (LHS)
• Strength Coach (LHS)