Community Letter

Dear LISD Families,

Did you know that April is World Autism Month, beginning with the United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2? This is a good month to foster worldwide support by focusing on sharing stories, providing opportunities to increase understanding and acceptance, and creating a world where all people with autism can reach their full potential.

We had a conversation with an LISD parent of a child with autism, and she shared some important insights and advice for increasing awareness and acceptance. She said, "We have a sign in our house that says, 'Why fit in when you were born to stand out?' We focus on how wonderful our world is with so many different people."

Open dialogue is essential. Here are some ways to talk about autism and other exceptionalities with your children and teenagers:

• Encourage your child to ask questions and learn as much as possible about autism. There are a LOT of resources out there!
• Engage your child in a conversation about how to be a friend to someone with autism.
• See all children as children first, rather than focusing on abilities.
• Focus on what a person CAN do, instead of what they can't do....yet.

"My mom says my brain is wired differently." - LISD student with autism

Here are some resources to share together as family, as you learn more about autism:

• Website: Autism Speaks - Autism Statistics and Facts
  
• Video: TED Talk - The world needs all kinds of minds | Temple Grandin
  
• Video: Understanding Autism - Capitalizing on Strengths of Secondary Students
  
• Video: Sensory Overload Interacting with Autism
  

As the saying goes, when you meet one person with autism, you've met one person with autism. We are all unique and beautiful humans. You can't go wrong if you lead with curiosity rather than judgement, and if you focus on seeing the humanity in everyone.

All our best,

Mary and Martha

Please make sure your children and teens are here for class photos next week. Photos will be taken by the LISD yearbook committee student photographers.

• Middle School: Wednesday, April 20, 10:20
• High School: Wednesday, April 20, 10:40
• Elementary: Monday April 25, 10:20

Our 3rd and 5th grade classes spent Thursday at the Seattle Aquarium. It was a fun filled day exploring sea life. So glad both classes got to enjoy this great field trip!

Visions and Voices members Karina Cerda and Cecy Martinez are putting together what we hope will be the first of many Día del niño y niña celebrations (Children's Day Celebrations). For those who are unfamiliar with International Children's Day, it was first commemorated in 1925 at the World Conference on Child Welfare as a way to raise awareness of children's rights. Today, it is celebrated in more than 90 countries around the world. Join us in a fun, family filled day April 23rd from 12-3pm at the Lopez Island Community Center. There will be games, piñatas and FREE pizza for everyone under 18 years old. This event will be open to the community and free for all to enjoy.

The children are our future, let's celebrate them!

Please click on the link below to let us know that you plan on attending. That way we can calculate the amount of food needed.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/ 1FAIpQLSc5Wa9q9eEc71vhs6a8xE2oQBN6KufrOhGxgC728Y37hNkIpw/

April 23, 2022

12:00 - 3:00pm

Lopez Community Center

Free, RSVP Requested

Hello everyone.

Spring vacation was great and I hope everyone had some fun.

We are hearing reports of another variant marching around out there. Please be safe. Even though there is no mandate to be fully vaccinated, distancing from others and continuing to wear your mask whenever you are in close contact with anyone indoors is still the best defense.

The county is planning a vaccination clinic right before school restarts in the fall. Please check your children's vaccination records and watch for the announcement of the time and place for the vaccination clinic.

Karen Hattman

Would you like to be more involved in our school and community? Make some money? Earn some paid time off or other benefits? We would LOVE to help with that, and there are many different opportunities available for you at our school!

- *NEW* Cook/ Dishwasher- 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 from 8am - 2pm daily (with a 30 min break). The position starts at $18.53 an hour and qualifies for paid time off, retirement, and insurance benefits!

- 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 position is 3.5 hour per day, Monday through Friday and qualifies for paid time off, retirement, and insurance benefits!

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: 96 School Road, Lopez Island, WA, USA
Phone: 360-468-2202