Dear Friends

Mark your calendars for our Spring Into Kindergarten event. All 2024-2025 kindergarten families and students are highly encouraged to attend and register on this day. Spring Into Kindergarten will be held on Thursday, March 7, from 4-6:30 p.m. at district elementary schools. Families should complete and return their kindergarten registration paperwork that day. Each school will also be conducting school tours and having important information available for families (WaKIDS, PTA/PTO/parent organizations, bus transportation, special services and more). Learn more at www.sno.wednet.edu/kindergarten.

Have you recently moved to the area? Or, do you have a child who will be new to the Snohomish School District during the 2024–2025 school year? We can’t wait for you to join us! Register now at the Snohomish elementary, middle, or high school your child will attend or visit www.sno.wednet.edu/newstudentenrollment.

Do you have a preschool-age child who will be eligible for kindergarten after September 2025 (Note: To enter kindergarten, a child must be 5-years-old on or before August 31)? Has it been a challenge for you to access a preschool program for your child? If so, the Snohomish School District’s Transition to Kindergarten pre-K program may be the place for your child to learn and grow! Our Transition to Kindergarten program:

• Serves 4- to 5-year-old students
• Is a state-funded, free Monday through Friday full-day preschool program
• Serves children and families who demonstrate a need through the Transition to Kindergarten pre-K application and screening process
  

To learn more about Transition to Kindergarten, please fill out the district Preschool Inquiry Form at www.sno.wednet.edu/preschoolform. Upon completion of the form, a district enrollment specialist will be in touch! Screenings and placements typically will occur in March, June, and August. Learn more about all of the district’s early learning programs at www.sno.wednet.edu/earlylearningprograms.

In addition to Transition to Kindergarten, we offer other early learning programs including Developmental Preschool and Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP). Developmental Preschool serves 3- to 5-year-old students who meet eligibility requirements for special education services. ECEAP is a state-funded, free preschool for limited-income families.

To learn more about ECEAP and Developmental Preschool, please fill out the district Preschool Inquiry Form at www.sno.wednet.edu/preschoolform. Learn more about all of the district’s early learning programs at www.sno.wednet.edu/earlylearningprograms.

Students should live within the attendance boundary of a school in order to enroll. Unsure of which school your child will attend? Use our SchoolSite Locator Service. Enter an address and the list of schools for that particular address will pop up:

• English locater link
• Spanish locater link
• Or, call our Transportation Department at 360-563-3525.

If a student in the district wants to attend a school outside of their neighborhood attendance boundary, a request for an in-district or choice transfer must be submitted for consideration each year.

Snohomish School District students who will be in the 4th through 6th grade next year are invited to participate in the district’s 4/5/6 Elementary Highly Capable Program which provides learning opportunities around depth, complexity, and acceleration. If interested, the following dates and information are important. Students currently enrolled in the 4/5/6 Elementary Highly Capable Program do not need to complete the referral process.

• Referral packets for the 4/5/6 Elementary Highly Capable Program will be available at all elementary schools, online and at the Snohomish School District Resource and Service Center (1601 Avenue D in Snohomish) in English, Spanish and Russian. Referral packets can be downloaded from school and district websites (on the main page or under Departments & Programs … Highly Capable/Honors) or by visiting www.sno.wednet.edu/hicap.
• Wednesday, February 7 - There will be a parent/guardian information night held from 6-7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 7, at the Snohomish School District Resource and Service Center (1601 Avenue D in Snohomish).
• Thursday, February 29 - The completed referral packet deadline is Thursday, February 29. Completed packets can be turned in at student home schools or the Snohomish School District Resource and Service Center (1601 Avenue D in Snohomish). There is a drop box at the district office.

Learn more at www.sno.wednet.edu/hicap. Questions can be directed to Linda Varner at 360-563-7296 or linda.varner@sno.wednet.edu and Belinda Kelly at 360-563-7258 or belinda.kelly@sno.wednet.edu.

Juniors and seniors are invited to participate in the annual Trade Up! Apprenticeship Day. This is an opportunity for students to experience several hands-on activities in different trade areas in one space. This event will be held on Thursday, March 21, at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds, hosted by the Snohomish & Island County Labor Department in partnership with several local businesses and apprenticeship programs. Interested students from Glacier Peak High School or Snohomish High School can sign up in their career centers, and AIM High School students can sign up in the counseling office.

Potential participating trades and groups include:

• Plumbing
• Fire fighting
• Transit electric
• Carpentry
• Advanced manufacturing
• Concrete
• Construction
• Sheet metal
• Cement masonry
• Pipe fitters
• Public works
• Washington Laborers Union
• Snohomish County PUD
• Finishing Trades Institute NW

For more information, please contact:

• Glacier Peak High School - Kari Winckler at kari.winckler@sno.wednet.edu
• Snohomish High School - Patty Stapleton at patricia.stapleton@sno.wednet.edu
• AIM High School - Derek DeGroot at derek.degroot@sno.wednet.edu

• Friday, February 16-Monday, February 19 - No school/Mid-Winter Break
• Week of March 25 - Spring conference week
• Tuesday, March 26-Friday, March 29 – Half-day early release
• Monday, April 1-Friday, April 5 - No school/Spring Break
• Monday, May 27 - No school/Memorial Day
• Monday, June 17 - Tentative last day of school (as of January 30, 2024)
• Wednesday, June 19 - No school/Juneteenth
• Potential inclement weather make-up days
• Tuesday, June 18
• Thursday, June 20
• Friday, June 21

View important dates, the multi-page district calendar, the single-page student calendar, school start and dismissal times, and school office hours at www.sno.wednet.edu/calendar.

Do you need to register to vote or update your voter information in Snohomish County? Register to vote or update your voting information at https://voter.votewa.gov/WhereToVote.aspx.

Did you know that 16- and 17-year-olds in the state of Washington can pre-register to vote? Registrants under the age of 18 will have their registrations held until they become eligible to vote.

Upcoming elections

• February 13, 2024 - Special Election
• March 12, 2024 - Presidential Primary

• April 23, 2024 - Special Election

Testing dates:

• Glacier Peak High School - Tuesday, February 27
• AIM High School - Wednesday, February 28
• Snohomish High School - Thursday, February 29

The ACT is a leading U.S. college admissions test and includes tests in science, writing, reading, math and English. It is a curriculum-based educational and career planning tool that assesses students’ academic readiness for college. It includes an interest inventory that provides students with valuable information for career and educational planning, as well as a student profile section that provides a comprehensive profile of an examinee’s work in high school and their future. To learn more about the ACT, please visit www.act.org.

Our next Parent Leaders United for Snohomish Students (PLUSS) meeting is set for 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 8, at the district’s Resource and Service Center (1601 Avenue D in Snohomish). Superintendent Kent Kultgen will discuss the proposed middle school reconfiguration and school counselors Kelly Stinson and Crystal Williams will have a conversation about respectful students, respectful schools, and building positive school climate.

PLUSS is comprised of parent/guardian leaders from each of our schools and community. The goal of PLUSS is to connect with each other, share information as it relates to the schools and the district, and work together for a broader understanding of our schools. PLUSS is an information resource - a comfortable place to try out new ideas, make suggestions, and learn about what's going on throughout our district. These meetings are open to school parent/guardian club leaders, as well as anyone from your school community who wants to attend.

PLUSS meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at the district's Resource and Service Center (1601 Avenue D in Snohomish) unless otherwise noted. Meetings usually last about two hours.

More information also be found on our district website at www.sno.wednet.edu/pluss.

The safety of our students and staff is our priority. The Snohomish School District utilizes the “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s programs for crisis response and post-crisis reunification. Our standard response protocol includes:

• HOLD
• SECURE
• LOCKDOWN
• EVACUATE
• SHELTER

Visit www.sno.wednet.edu/safety/response to learn more about our district standard response protocol and safety and security response definitions.

Our district Marine Corps JROTC program is on the road to leadership! The JROTC team recently hosted the first competition of the season at Snohomish High School with eight local JROTCs participating. Here are some highlights from their achievements at the competition:

• The Armed Drill Team took 1st place and Isabelle Saunders, Drill Team Commander, placed 2nd.
• The Air Rifle Marksmanship Team took 2nd place.
• The Color Guard Team 1 took 2nd place, and Sophia Manwell, Team 1 Commander, placed 2nd.
• The Color Guard Team 2 took 1st place, and Molly Shackleford, Team 2 Commander, placed 2nd.
• The Physical Fitness Team took 3rd place.

Captain Will Lennon and Master Sergeant Matthew Torres are the district's JROTC teachers.

Fantastic! Snohomish High School FCCLA students recently competed at regionals and each earned a gold! They will continue onto the state competition March 5-8 in Spokane.

• Tiffany Turski, senior - Project: Food Innovations
• Hailey Woodard, senior - Project: Career Investigation
• Kelsey McIver, senior - Project: Focus on Children

Teacher Linsey Turski is FCCLA advisor.

We are excited to share this year’s regional award recipients of the 2024 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards! 403 teens in Snohomish County submitted 769 pieces of artwork, and 211 pieces received regional honors. Of the 211 pieces of artwork, 51 pieces were created by students from Glacier Peak High School (GPHS) and Snohomish High School (SHS)! Award-winning artwork will be exhibited at the Schack Art Center in Everett (Mezzanine Gallery) from January 30-February 11.

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are the country's longest-running and most prestigious scholarship and recognition program for creative students in grades 7–12. This is the 29th year the Schack Art Center has been hosting the art awards for teens in Snohomish County. Student work was recognized by a panel of creative professionals as the most outstanding work submitted among their peers, exemplifying the awards’ core values: originality, technical skill, and the emergence of personal voice or vision.

GPHS and SHS high school art and photography teachers are Jay Adams (SHS), Annie Green (GPHS), Jennifer Holcombe (GPHS), Christa Mallory (GPHS), Toni Minish (SHS) and Kate Obukowicz (SHS).

Below are this year’s award recipients from the Snohomish School District (Work Title, Student, Grade, Category School, Award):

• Refresh, Anneliese Ballou, 10, Photography, Snohomish High School, Gold Key
• Floating Away, Azure Birch, 11, Photography, GPHS, Gold Key
• Jumping Into the Unknown, Eleanor Johnson, 12, Photography, GPHS, Gold Key
• Carlee, Kylie Standing, 12, Photography, SHS, Gold Key
• Ellis Island, McKaye Morrill, 12, Photography, SHS, Gold Key
• Suffocation, McKaye Morrill, 12, Photography, SHS, Gold Key
• Rolling Clouds, Preston Nilson, 12, Photography, SHS, Gold Key
• Looking in from the Outside, Watson Stilwell, 12, Mixed Media, SHS, Gold Key
• Dancing Potato Offering, Arrow Austin, 10, Drawing & Illustration, GPHS, Silver Key
• Death Grip, Bryson Wheat, 11, Photography, SHS, Silver Key
• Broken Down, Evan Marquardt, 12, Photography, GPHS, Silver Key
• Within the Warped Silhouette, Isabelle Paulsen, 12, Photography, GPHS, Silver Key
• The Light, Mack Anderson, 11, Photography, SHS, Silver Key
• A Delicate Reflection, Mai Nguyen, 12, Photography, GPHS, Silver Key
• Another World, Max Gorelyy, 10, Photography, GPHS, Silver Key
• Steps of Devotion, McKaye Morrill, 12, Photography, SHS, Silver Key
• Glazed, McKaye Morrill, 12, Photography, SHS, Silver Key
• Take a Break, Meera Raisinghani, 11, Painting, GPHS, Silver Key
• Smokey Skull, Nikolas Stamatiou, 11, Photography, SHS, Silver Key
• Empty Head, Ryan Martin, 12, Photography, SHS, Silver Key
• Music Castle, Samuel Klein, 11, Drawing & Illustration, SHS, Silver Key
• Self Portrait: Food For Thought, Watson Stilwell, 12, Expanded Projects, SHS, Silver Key
• A Step into Reflection, Yu-Chen Lin, 10, Photography, GPHS, Silver Key
• The Experiment, Alexus Cook, 11, Photography, SHS, Honorable Mention
• The Man in the Leather Jacket, Alex Iverson, 11, Photography, SHS, Honorable Mention
• Serene, Caribbean Ridgeway, 11, Painting, GPHS, Honorable Mention
• Crystalline Mug, Claire Mason, 10, Ceramics & Glass, SHS, Honorable Mention
• Concealed Fear, Eleanor Johnson, 12, Photography, GPHS, Honorable Mention
• Moth Portrait, Emilie Taylor, 11, Drawing & Illustration, GPHS, Honorable Mention
• I Love You / You're Worthless, Emma Fontenot, 12, Sculpture, SHS, Honorable Mention
• Keep Out, Emma Fontenot, 12, Sculpture, SHS, Honorable Mention
• Feathered Friends, Evan Marquardt, 12, Photography, GPHS, Honorable Mention
• The Long Night by the Sea, Evan Krieger, 10, Photography, SHS, Honorable Mention
• Duck Duck Goose, Gabriel Wilton, 12, Painting, SHS, Honorable Mention
• Teddy, Gabriel Wilton, 12, Painting, SHS, Honorable Mention
• The Eye of the Storm, Hanami Siso, 12, Digital Art, GPHS, Honorable Mention
• Conscience of the King, Hanami Siso, 12, Painting, GPHS, Honorable Mention
• Practice, Jaxen Lara, 12, Photography, GPHS, Honorable Mention
• Bloating, McKaye Morrill, 12, Photography, SHS, Honorable Mention
• Distorted Reality, McKaye Morrill, 12, Photography, SHS, Honorable Mention
• Tempus Fugit, Miranda Myers, 11, Drawing & Illustration, GPHS. Honorable Mention
• For All The Tea You'll Drink, Molly Dumont, 12, Ceramics & Glass, SHS, Honorable Mention
• Egg, Noah Phillips, 10, Photography, SHS, Honorable Mention
• Pause, Robert Cranwell, 10, Photography, GPHS, Honorable Mention
• Broken Egg, Ryan Martin, 12, Photography, SHS, Honorable Mention
• Sparks of Life, Samuel Klein, 11, Photography, SHS, Honorable Mention
• Splash, Sophia Manwell, 12, Photography, SHS, Honorable Mention
• The Spiral, Taylor Dunn, 12, Ceramics & Glass, SHS, Honorable Mention
• Vanity is Blind, Watson Stilwell, 12, Printmaking, SHS, Honorable Mention
• Lighthouse, Watson Stilwell, 12, Drawing & Illustration, SHS, Honorable Mention
• The Watcher, Watson Stilwell, 12, Drawing & Illustration, SHS, Honorable Mention

In the Snohomish School District and community, we honor and recognize our diversity. Please join with us this month as we acknowledge Black History Month and the Lunar New Year.

Black History Month has origins which date back more than 100 years. The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), founded in 1915, originally designated the second week of February as a time for researching and promoting the achievements of Black Americans. The second week of February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

By the late 1960s, the week had evolved into a month on many college campuses. In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month and called upon the public to honor the often-over-looked contributions of Black Americans to American history. Since 1928, the ASALH has selected a theme for each year. The theme for 2023 is “African Americans and the Arts."

This February marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year. Also, or more commonly known as Chinese New Year, this is one of the most important celebrations in East and Southeast Asian cultures. According to Britannica.com, the celebration is based on the cycles of the moon and can vary slightly between late January to mid-February. The celebration begins with the second new moon after the winter solstice and runs until the full moon arrives.

Celebrations vary amongst cultures, but is typically marked by food, decorations, and activities which promote prosperity, abundance, and togetherness. The celebration concludes with the Lantern Festival which includes parades, dances, and fireworks.

For more information on recognitions throughout the year please check out this link from pta.org.

"Diversity is a fact. Equity is a choice. Inclusion is an action. Belonging is an outcome". ~ Arthur Chan

We want to share information about an upcoming consideration that will impact the structure of our school system. The district is recommending the reconfiguration of our schools by moving 6th grade to our middle schools, thereby creating K-5 elementary schools and 6-8 middle schools. The reason we are looking to reconfigure is based on the academic and developmental needs of our students. Visit www.sno.wednet.edu/middleschool read more about this recommendation, the “why,” timelines, the FAQs, and how you can get involved.

• General questions
• Campus and space questions
• Curriculum questions
• Special education services questions
• Music questions
• Busing and transportation questions
• Extracurricular opportunities (example athletics, activities, and clubs) questions
• Grading questions
• Middle school day questions
• Staff specific questions

• Clothing

• Childcare and education

• Events and activities

• Food and meals

• Health

• Shelters and housing

• Transportation

• Utilities

• Wrap-around services

The holidays, winter’s darkness and cold, personal and family struggles, and other factors significantly impact many causing depression, anxiety, and feelings of despair or hopelessness.

You are not alone. If you or someone you know needs help please visit www.sno.wednet.edu/suicideprevention for a listing of online resources (crisis, suicide prevention, mental health, and substance abuse) for students, staff, and families.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - Call 988
• 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor

As an additional resource, Headspace is free for all U.S. teens between the ages of 13–18 years old. Headspace has hundreds of guided meditations and mindfulness exercises to help teens with stress, focus, and anxiety. Learn more at www.headspace.com/teens.

• Alateen Meetings in Lake Stevens
  
• Boeing Manufacturing Summer Internships Summer 2024
  
• Campfire of Snohomish County
  
• Candy Sushi at Snohomish Library - February 13
  
• Climb the Mountain Speech and Debate - Winter 2023
  
• Cub Scout Pack 193 - 2023-2024 Calendar
• Everett Rowing - Spring Season
  
• Evergreen Recovery Centers - Youth Detox
• Flag Football - Snohomish Panther Junior Football Association Spring Registration for Youth
• Free Financial Literacy & Education Program for Youth - WorkSource and Workforce Snohomish Opportunities
• Girls Lacrosse Spring Registration
  
• Girls on the Run - Riverview Elementary
  
• Girls Who Code at Fred Hutch
• Girl Scouts of Western Washington
• Marine Science Club at the Seattle Aquarium
• Reflections School of Dance
• Seattle Children's Chorus Registration
• Seattle University Summer Reading Skills Program
• Sky Club for Kids Soccer Classes
  
• Snohomish Girls Lacrosse
  
• Snohomish Healing Project - Volunteers Needed
• Snohomish Resource Fair - February 24
  
• Snohomish Youth Volleyball - March through May
• Spring into Kindergarten - Thursday, March 7
  
• Strategic Kids Chess at Cathcart Elementary
• Strategic Kids Chess at Riverview Elementary
• Taekwondo for Kids - January 2024
  
• Teen and Tween Programs at Snohomish Library
• YES Together Foundation Winter Events and Activities
• YMCA Overnight Camp - July and August 2024
• You Are Not Alone - February 3
  

There are many benefits to being a school nurse including:

• Make a significant difference in students' lives and build meaningful relationships.
• Work a set schedule and work only during school hours.
• Work the school calendar (get weekends, summers and holidays off, plus extended time off for winter and spring breaks).
• Work independently.
• Opportunity to educate children on health-related topics.

We are looking for registered nurses (RN) to join our Snohomish School District team! Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to work with a great group of students, teachers, staff and community!

We have a full-time position ($70,006-$138,991/year) available as well as substitute positions ($40.32-$45.23/hour). Salary dependent on educational level and work experience.

Learn more and apply at www.sno.wednet.edu/jobs/nurse or contact Human Resource Services at 360-563-7233 for more information.

Join the Snohomish School District’s transportation/bus driver team and make a difference in students’ lives!

Benefits:

• Starting pay is $29.49/hour.
• Paid training provided at $20/hour.
• Work while your kids are in school.
• Enjoy the same school breaks and holidays.
• Full benefits for many positions including excellent medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits.

Applicants must have five years’ experience as a licensed driver, successfully pass a drug/alcohol test, and have no more than three speeding tickets in the last five years.

Apply now at www.sno.wednet.edu/jobs/busdriver or call our Transportation Department at 360-563-3525 to learn more!

Our strength comes from the people who work in the Snohomish School District. People with different backgrounds, different experiences, and different ways of accomplishing things add to our strength and diversity. Our district has so much to offer that we have received the Best of KOMO Communities Award – Best Place to Work in Snohomish, and ratings collected from millions of Niche.com users rank us #27 out of 247 in Best School Districts in Washington.

Career opportunities with us are as diverse as the people who fill them. To be considered for positions (teachers, paraeducators, substitutes, office personnel, and more) , please complete an online application at www.sno.wednet.edu/jobs/application. Contact Human Resource Services at 360-563-7233 for more information.

Reasons to consider applying:

• Full-time and part-time opportunities
• Training and professional development for staff
• Generous compensation and employee benefits program
• Certificated staff are among the top-paid in the state

• Snohomish School District
• Website - www.sno.wednet.edu
• Phone - 360-563-7300
• AIM High School
• Website – www.sno.wednet.edu/aim
• Phone - 360-563-3400
• Glacier Peak High School
• Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/gphs
• Phone - 360-563-7500
• Snohomish High School
• Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/shs
• Phone - 360-563-4000
• Centennial Middle School
• Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/cms
• Phone - 360-563-4525
• Valley View Middle School
• Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/vvms
• Phone - 360-563-4225
• Cascade View Elementary
• Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/cascadeview
• Phone - 360-563-7000
• Cathcart Elementary
• Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/cathcart
• Phone - 360-563-7075
• Central Emerson Elementary (Central Campus)
• Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/centralemerson
• Phone - 360-563-4600
• Central Emerson Elementary (Emerson Campus)
  
• Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/centralemerson
• Phone - 360-563-7150
• Dutch Hill Elementary
• Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/dutchhill
• Phone - 360-563-4450
• Little Cedars Elementary
• Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/littlecedars
• Phone - 360-563-2900
• Machias Elementary
• Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/machias
• Phone - 360-563-4825
• Riverview Elementary
• Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/riverview
• Phone - 360-563-4375
• Seattle Hill Elementary
• Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/seattlehill
• Phone - 360-563-4675
• Totem Falls Elementary
• Website - www.sno.wednet.edu/totemfalls
• Phone - 360-563-4750
• Parent Partnership Program
• Website – www.sno.wednet.edu/ppp
• Phone - 360-563-3423
• ECEAP
• Website – www.sno.wednet.edu/eceap
• Phone – 360-563-4641
• Snohomish Aquatic Center
• Website - www.snohomishaquatic.com
• Phone - 360-563-8030

To create an educational community that ignites a passion for learning where every student is known and empowered.

Email: communications@sno.wednet.edu
Website: www.sno.wednet.edu
Location: 1601 Avenue D, Snohomish, WA 98090
Phone: 360-563-7300