LISD School Newsletter
Hello LISD Families.
We have had a fabulous first week of school with students getting used to different classes and teachers, new staff jumping into their roles, and ironing out the wrinkles in new programs and practices.
Our ASB President, Ruby Ervin-McLean, rang the bell on Monday to kick off the 2024-25 school year, and the kindergarteners rang the bell on Thursday, their very first day of school!
On the first day, we reviewed news, updates, and expectations with our students. In a parent survey we sent out last spring, behavior expectations emerged as a top priority, so we are starting the year with clarity and consistency. In elementary school, we did "expectation stations." Each class rotated to different areas of the school (hallways, bathroom, lunch room, playground) to review acceptable behaviors and answer questions connected to our four habits of character. We finished the day in a quick first day assembly to welcome our elementary students back to school and review assembly behavior. In secondary, we gathered students in the gym to share information, updates, and expectations.
Here is how you can help us keep our school running smoothly:
- Elementary students should not bring toys and personal electronics to school unless instructed to do so by a teacher for a special event. If a student has a cell phone, it must remain off and in the backpack all day. Elementary students who need to call home can get permission to do so in the office. Please make arrangements for play dates and other after school plans/activities with your child at home so we can reserve the office phone for more urgent issues.
- Secondary students are only permitted to use cell phones between classes and during nutrition and lunch breaks. If you call or text your student during a class, they will not be allowed to return your call or message while class is in session. Wireless ear buds connected to phones are considered an extension of the phone.
- For all students, it helps if parents speak positively about school, encourage students to make an appointment with a teacher if they need help with an assignment, to report bullying or harassment, and to be kind to both peers and adults.
Other expectations will be included in our elementary and secondary student handbooks, both of which are being currently revised.
Happy First Week of School!
All my best,
Martha Martin, K-12 Principal
We are seeking a volunteer to serve as volunteer coordinator for the 2024-25 School Year. Yes, that's right! We have a list of opportunities for interested volunteers but our staff does not have the capacity to coordinate volunteers. A volunteer coordinator would work with the school administration to recruit volunteers, coordinate all necessary steps to clear volunteers for work in the school, and meet with volunteers to identify a volunteer role.
Other possible volunteer opportunities include:
- supporting teachers and Reading Coaches by serving as a 'reading friend' which involves reading with a small group of elementary students to further instill a love of reading and to reinforce the literacy instruction they receive (we would also welcome math people to support numeracy)
- serving as a class parent
- supporting playground and lunchroom management and field trips
- volunteering in the school garden or music program
- and more!
We also hope to celebrate the 85th Anniversary of The Lopez School in June of 2026 with a celebration that honors all who have attended The Lopez School. We hope alumni (including those who attended but graduated elsewhere) will gather at school for a special event and all-class reunion. We plan to scan and digitize all of the yearbooks over the years and share these wonderful images via social media and hope we can motivate former students from the last 85 years, near and far, to join us for this celebration. Details to be determined, but we are also looking for volunteers to join a planning committee for the 85th Anniversary. If you or someone you know would be interested in volunteering in any of these capacities (or have other volunteer ideas), please email bsmith@lopezislandschool.org
Ginger Plum, our new Athletic Director and PE teacher gave a great overview of her school athletic philosophy and expectations on Monday evening. She covered a lot of important updates related to school attendance, behavior expectations, and travel arrangements.
You can see her presentation here.
All athletic games will be featured on the school's athletic calendar. This calendar will have the most updated information so if you have any questions, it's a good place to look.
Practice starts September 9!
Practices run Sept-March, every Monday from 3:15-4:15. During basketball season practice time may be longer. Coach provides a light snack before each practice. Elementary team is grades 2-6, with consideration for grade 1. An additional tumbling season is being added this year as well which runs April-June. We follow the school schedule, meaning if the school is closed we will not have practice.
This cost includes everything your cheerleader will need, you will not be asked to buy anything additional. Scholarships available if needed.
The LIFE production garden is in full swing harvesting tomatoes, kale, peppers, tomatillos, summer squash and orchard fruit for the cafeteria. The fall rains have given new life to the tired summer grass and helped put on some late season growth of crops. Students from Elementary Enrichment and Secondary Sustainable Agricultural class have been spending time outside with garden livestock (our chickens and the neighbor's surprise goat visitor) and have had a chance to explore what's been growing in the garden over the summer.
Just before the school year, the LIFE Team bid farewell to our summer LCLT Intern, Ella, who helped out with so many projects including new painted signs from Brenna Jael. We welcome the community into the garden to come see its bounty and beauty this time of year by visiting for a tour or by donating time, services or funds to the program.
Reach out to Sara Jones for more information and sign up for the LIFE Mailchimp Newsletter for events, volunteer info and more garden news.
School chef John Shaw is offering knife sharpening service again on Fridays. This service is a fundraiser for the school's LIFE (Lopez Island Farm Education) program. The cost is $10 per person +$2/in per knife. So if you bring in three knives that are 6in long it would be $46 total.
Sharpening happens on Fridays, ideally you would drop them off in the morning and then John will have them done before 3pm. Email jshaw@lopezislandschool.org to book a slot.
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 ; Section 504, Mary Fordham. OR contact by phone, 360-468-2202, OR mail to 86 School Rd, Lopez Island, WA 98261.