LISD School Newsletter
It's hard to admit that this is Coach Berg's last year. He will be missed terribly but that means we have an opportunity to welcome another amazing PE Teacher to our school. Please share the news that we are looking for a full time PE teacher to join us in the Fall. Full job description on the LISD Human Resources page.
Also - we are still seeking a Middle School Track Coach! Please help make sure that our middle school students don't miss out on track this year!
Ongoing staff needs include Special Services Coordinator, Paraeducators, and many substitute opportunities including maintenance, school bus drivers, and certificated teachers.
Please see our website for more information and details about how to apply.
Did you know that March is Music In Our Schools Month®? It was designated by the National Association for Music Education nearly 40 years ago as a chance to highlight the importance of music education in our schools. To celebrate, we’ll be sharing different parts of our music program in the newsletter each week, including our secondary ensemble classes and elementary general music classes, and giving a preview of a new music class that will be available to secondary students next year.
The Lopez Garden Club and the School LIFE Garden team are joining together again this year to host the annual Mother's Day Weekend Plant Sale. This fundraiser is one of the biggest events for both organizations and helps support education of students in the classroom as well as guest speakers and other garden-related programming.
This year's plant sale will be the Saturday of Mother's Day weekend, May 11th from 10 am to 1 pm. We are asking for grower participation with the following contributions:
How can you help?
Grow specific plants for the sale (we have a wish list as well as some seed available)
Grow extra starts to donate when you’re starting your own seeds
Divide perennials, bulbs or other plants
Offer cuttings to the Sustainable Ag class to root and pot up
Sort through your collection of potted plants and pass on any you don’t have room for this year
Purchase extra plants from your local nursery to donate to the sale
Set up a table at the plant sale, sell your plants and make a sale percentage donation to the event
Offer items for the raffle
Make a cash donation to the School Garden or Garden Club
Volunteer at the event
We are looking for all types of plants- annuals, perennials, houseplants, succulents, flowers & veggies.
If you can contribute through any of these ways, please contact Sara Jones, sjones@lopezislandschool.org, (360)468-2202 x2300 or Dixie Budke, dixiebudke@gmail.com.
What clubs/athletics/extracurriculars have you been involved in? I was in volleyball in 9th and 10th grade but had to quit for health reasons. I did MPPACT in 8th, 9th, and 11th grade. I volunteered with LAPS throughout high school whenever they need help. I also ran my business, J. Renee Sweets, since 8th grade, making custom cakes, cupcakes, and wedding cakes.
What is one positive memory from your time here that you’ll carry with you forever? My favorite memory is bringing staff cupcakes. I always do this at the end of the year…and sometimes for Valentine’s Day or Christmas or the start of the school year. I like being able to share something that I enjoy doing and it makes me happy that everyone likes my cupcakes.
What is the best piece of advice you have received from a teacher? This is from Coach Berg…”All things are difficult before they are easy.” I like it because it just reminds me of all my school work. Trying anything new can be intimidating, like Calculus, but gets easy the more you do it.
Finish this sentence: “I cannot live without…….” I cannot live without having life goals. When you’re going through a challenge, goals are really important. They help you focus on an endpoint and persevere through the challenges. Goals are especially good for keeping you motivated.
What is the most creative excuse you have ever used to get out of school work? Normally, if I don’t do my school work, I just say I didn’t do it, because I’m really bad at lying. I might start laughing.
What is one piece of advice you have for incoming high school students? If you are taking a class you know you’ll need help with, find your resources ahead of time…before you need the help. Don’t be afraid to ask community members, because there are a lot of people in our community who have knowledge of things you might not expect and who want to help.
What is the most meaningful assignment ever given to you by a teacher? Last year in AP Language, we had an assignment after we read Frederick Douglas. I wrote about a system that I think is unfair. I wrote about a family friend who I believe was unfairly prosecuted for murder. I don’t think the justice system gave him a fair trial, so I felt very passionate about this.
What’s the most important quality in a friendship? Why? Definitely trust. That’s just the foundation for any relationship. Without trust you can’t do much of anything else. It’s just so important.
In 10 years, I will be… I’ll probably still be in school. I really love learning so I can see myself staying in college for a long time or until I run out of money. Hopefully I’ll have a PHD by then (in mechanical, biomedical, or robotic engineering) or be finished with medical school.
Who/what do you find inspiring? I find Candace Owens inspiring. She is confident in her beliefs and not afraid of being judged for them. She is always challenging trends or the current agenda. She’s also super respectful of people who disagree with her.
What song summarizes your feelings about graduating from high school? Long Way to Go by Cassie, because it’s true that I do have a long way to go in completing the education I want.
What are your plans after high school? I want to attend a university and hopefully get into one of my top schools where I can get a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in 5 years or a dual degree in four years. Then get my PHD or go to medical school so I can be a cardio-thorasic surgeon.
Is there anything else you want people to know about you? As someone who has gone through a lot of intense challenges, I think it’s important to adopt a growth mindset and see everything as a learning opportunity. It would be easy to have a victim mindset, which only hinders your ability to persevere.
Lopez Island School District
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.