LISD School Newsletter

Dear LISD Families,

Today I'm writing about Since Time Immemorial (STI) standards for the State of Washington. These standards are designed for K-12 and are focused on tribal history and sovereignty in the Pacific Northwest through inquiry, place based, and integrated approaches to instruction.

One way that LISD is approaching the STI standards is through our partnership with the Lopez Island Family Resource Center (LIFRC). The LIFRC has worked hard to develop positive working relationships with tribal leadership. Through grant funding, they have been able to compensate tribal elders to join the Camp Moran trips and share ancestral history, song, dance, and crafts with our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. In addition, Leslie Eastwood, former General Manager of Samish Nation, came to LISD to talk to each of these classes to build some background knowledge before the trips.

Here is the LIFRC website, which describes the significance of this partnership and serves as an informational guide for LISD parents and staff:

https://lifrc.org/coast-salish-land-sea-and-place-cslsp/

Also, OSPI has a wonderful STI website if you are interested in learning more: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/student-success/resources-subject-area/john-mccoy-lulilas-time-immemorial-tribal-sovereignty-washington-state.

The Camp Moran trips begin next week with 6th graders. This is such an incredible opportunity, so we hope they are excited!

All my best,

Martha

• May 4: SAT Exam
  
• May 4: High School Prom at Woodmen Hall
• May 9: Band & Orchestra Concert at the Community Center, 6 pm
• May 11: LIFE Program Plant Sale, 10am - 1pm
• May 6 - 9: Camp Moran trip for 6th grade
• May 13 - 16: Camp Moran for 7th grade
• May 18: Coach Berg Celebration at the Lopez Community Center, 3 - 5 pm
• May 20 - 23: Camp Moran for 8th grade
• May 31: Elementary Field Day
• May 31: MPPACT Performance at Vita's
• June 4: Elementary Arts Night MPR
• June 5: Athletic Awards Night presented by The PACK

The majority of students have finished their state testing. Wooo-hoooo! Makeup testing will continue this month. Thanks to the students and teachers for their hard work in making this testing "season" go so smoothly. Cheers to all!

The After School Program has an awesome creative and fun opportunity for 5 - 8th graders. Sign ups are open for this Fused Glass Workshop series. Three ​Thursdays after school (May 9, 16, 23rd) from 3:20 - 5:30 pm. Limited to 15 spots ​- sign up now. Sign up here.

The fifth and sixth graders are helping get ready for the big plant sale on May 11th! Thanks to Debbi Arnott and Valerie Yukluk for donating plants to the cause. After releasing the pregnant onions from their pots, the kids separated and repotted the individual plants.

Japan Connections 2024 Community Presentation will be May 10th at 6:00 in the Science Room. Please come and learn about the program and the students' experiences from their trip.

The school gym is in dire need of resurfacing. The Pack is fundraising to cover the costs so our student athletes continue to have a great experience playing Lobo sports. Please help if you can.

Come support our student musicians and enjoy a night of orchestra and band music. Concert is free.

The Lopez Garden Club and the School LIFE Garden plant sale is Saturday, May 11 from 10 am to 1 pm. This year, the plant sale will be held inside the school - in the Multi-Purpose Room (MPR). 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.

The school is still accepting donations of all types of plants- annuals, perennials, houseplants, succulents, flowers & veggies. If you can contribute, please contact Sara Jones, sjones@lopezislandschool.org

Volunteers Needed! If you can help for a a little bit on Saturday, sign up here.

All Lopez Island PTSA members and prospective members are invited to a social on May 16 at Grace Community Church, 4:30 - 6:30 pm. For more information or to RSVP - contact lopezislandptsa@gmail.com

If you think your student will want to play sports next year - the best time to get their sports physical is the summer!

The Lopez Island Medical Clinic has opened up two dates in the summer for sports physicals - July 15, and August 8. Call (360) 468-2245 and press #2, then press #1 to connect to the clinic and schedule your child’s sports physical today!

All student athletes must have a sports physical on file before they can participate in a practice and the physical must be current through the entire season. Sports physicals are good for two years.

Sign up to show our teachers a little extra TLC! Sign up here!

Name: Zachary Sanford

What clubs/athletics/extracurriculars have you been involved in? I’ve been on the golf team for five years and played guitar with MPPACT for four years. I’ve also been part of the after school D&D club since last year.

What is one positive memory from your time here that you’ll carry with you forever? My brother and I have done a Russian dance called the Kazotsky Kick to the Rasputin song at high school dances. Everyone gets in a circle and starts clapping to the song. It’s fun and joyful.

What is the best piece of advice you have received from a teacher? This is from Mr. Tetu when he was here. During golf district championships, he said, “Don’t focus on whatever is stressing you out. Just focus on the here and now, and get through it.”

Finish this sentence: “I cannot live without…….” My friends or family. I care deeply about them.

What is the most creative excuse you have ever used to get out of school work? I have said that I was busy working or studying for a drivers test. Both are true.

What is one piece of advice you have for incoming high school students? It may be a little rough around the edges at first. You just have to persevere through the hardships of your experience. It’s a new chapter and you should own it.

What is the most meaningful assignment ever given to you by a teacher? In Marine Biology, I’m doing a presentation on how military sonar devices are slowly causing decomposition sickness to whales. It’s meaningful because marine mammals are being killed. I love the ocean and this really makes me sad.

What’s the most important quality in a friendship? Why? Trust. I’ve had bad experiences with people who are not trustworthy…saying they are going to do something, and then just not doing it. I’ve had really good experiences with friends I can trust…and they can trust me too.

In 10 years, I will be… I want to be an artist. Maybe Pixar stuff.

Who/what do you find inspiring? I’m inspired by Robert Downey Jr. and the characters he plays in movies. He is kind and would do anything to save the people he loves.

What are your plans after high school? I’m going to play more music…more songs on my guitar and more instruments (drums and base). I’ll be working with my dad at IMC this summer. I’ll also be looking at colleges for art and music programs. Western Washington University and Skagit Community Colleges are possibilities.

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.