LISD School Newsletter

This has been an awesome and very busy week. We hit the ground running after spring break with a Camp Moran parent meeting for middle school families, Kindergarten Information Night, planning for LISD Town Hall #2, and kicking off state testing in 5th and 8th grades to name just a few.

The Town Hall is next Tuesday from 6:00 to 7:30 at the Community Center. Please come! Town Hall #1 in February was for providing information about the financial reality of the school district. Town Hall #2 is all about action!

The mastery based learning team has begun collaborating with our coach, Kate Gardoqui. As part of the grant we received for culturally responsive mastery based learning, we have been assigned a coach to help guide us toward implementation. Kate visited LISD the week before spring break to spend a day on campus and analyze staff survey data with our team. The team has been meeting together every other week, attending conferences and other professional development, and learning a lot. As a reminder, mastery based learning is a set of practices based on specific learning outcomes for each subject area, student's demonstrating a mastery of content, meaningful assessments, and differentiated support. In mastery based learning, we separate behaviors and habits of scholarship from the mastery of knowledge and skills so we get to the heart of what a student really understands.

Stay tuned for more information about our implementation journey as we continue learning about strategies, and make decisions about what we should start, stop, and continue as a school district.

Have a wonderful weekend!

All my best,

Martha

• April 20: LIFE Garden Work Party, 10 - 12
• April 23: LISD Budget Town Hall #2, 6 - 7:30 pm
• April 27: Tour de Lopez
• May 4: SAT Exam
• May 4: High School Prom at Woodman Hall
• May 9: Band & Orchestra Concert at the Community Center, 6 pm
• May 11: LIFE Program Plant Sale, 9 am
• 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

Japan connection students are on their second week of their Japan Study Tour. They have visited Tokyo, Himeji Castle and Lopez Sister school on Leshima Island. The students were able to try Japanese Calligraphy Shodo, Taiko drumming, and Judo martial art. Everyone is very much enjoying the experience!

This week we have some new college acceptance offers for our seniors. New updates are in bold:

• Ava Barzegar: Accepted to Abilene Christian University, Schreiner University, Southwestern University, Tarleton State University, Texas Lutheran University, University of Dallas, and University of Texas at Arlington. New additions: Texas Wesleyan, St. Mary's University, Texas State University, Texas Christian University
• Jade Gonzales: Accepted UCLA, UC Irvine, Gonzaga, Whitman, Case Western, Harvey Mudd College, Washington University St. Louis, University of Colorado, University of Denver, University of Utah, and University of Wisconsin. New addition: University of Michigan
• Bryan Coro: In addition to being accepted to Seattle University and Central Washington University, Bryan has also been accepted into University of Washington - Bothell.
• Basil Pendragon: Accepted to Western Washington University, Fairhaven College
• Cameron Napier: Accepted to Bellingham Technical College - Radiology
• Emma Hatchel: Accepted to Everett Community College - Nursing

The Lopez Island Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) is seeking new members for our board. No prior board experience necessary - just a desire to support our Lopez students and teachers and help our school be an amazing place to learn and work.

The PTSA organizes multiple family friendly activities during and after school hours. Fun events like the Pumpkin Carving Extravaganza, the Talent Show & Auction, Chili Sales, and the Elementary Field Day help foster a strong sense of community among our school families. PTSA members also participate in various boards and committees and provide valuable feedback to school leadership on emerging school issues. Our Lobo community is stronger when we work together through the PTSA to support our students and teachers. The stronger our PTSA is, the better we all are for it.

All 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

Interested in becoming a new buddy to incoming secondary students? Mentorhub program will pair you with a 6th grader buddy to participate in fun activities and games + special lunches to promote cross age student bonding similar to the previous buddy day tradition! Mentors must be:

• Willing to participate in program activities

• Available for program events/meets to spend time with buddy

• Easy going and committed to building connection with buddy

Please contact: Satya@lifrc.org or Valentina@lifrc.org with any questions and to access the required sign up sheet. Gift cards + other goodies included for participation and follow through of program. Sign up by April 26th!

Student fees notices will go out next week. Watch for a message in ParentSquare. Now you can pay all your school fees online! Sports fees, school meals, ASB membership - all can be paid online. If you prefer not pay online, sending a check into the District Office is fine as well. Links to detailed instructions on how to set up an online payment account:

• English
• Spanish

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!

Bryan and Manuel Coro have been working with their mentor, sculptor Bruce Richardson for over 4 years. Alongside Richardson, the Coro brothers learned how to use different tools and work with different materials in sculpture making. After honing their skills and creating a beautiful stone rabbit that was on display at the school during the fall, Bryan and Manuel pitched the idea of carving a Lopez Lobo out of stone. They expect to donate it to school by the end of the school year. More information about this great story can be found here.

Saturday, April 20, 2024, 2-4 pm in the school culinary room

In this second of the series about eating locally and seasonally, we will focus on BEANS, which are easily grown on our island. We will discuss the nutritional properties of beans, both fresh green and dry beans, especially when organically and locally grown, and how to prepare and process them. Since we are in the shoulder season, we will make a seasonal dry bean dish, Vegetarian Chili, and discuss a spicy bean casserole we call “Beans with Attitude.”

Assisted by Taproot, sponsored by Lopez Locavores, Lopez Island School District, the Family Resource Center, and the Lopez Thrift Store.

This event is Free of Charge, (donations welcome) and limited to sixteen adult participants. Sign up at: info@transitionlopezisland.org

What clubs/athletics/extracurriculars have you been involved in? I’m playing golf this year and also the ASB senior class representative. I’ve been in Spanish Club for two years, and this year I’m the president of the club.

What is one positive memory from your time here that you’ll carry with you forever? My friends! I have a really great friend group here….friends that will last forever. I like any time (like lunch) I get to hang out with them because we are all so busy.

What is the best piece of advice you have received from a teacher? Mr. Torres said, “As you travel beyond the school doors, always carry kindness in your heart as it is the bridge that connects friends, strengthens families, and opens new doors.” He gives a lot of very good advice.

Finish this sentence: “I cannot live without…….”: Family, friends, and music….yes, definitely music. It helps me concentrate.

What is the most creative excuse you have ever used to get out of school work? I can’t think of anything. My mom doesn’t give me the opportunity to skip school or make excuses. IfI didn’t do something, I just tell the truth that I forgot.

What is one piece of advice you have for incoming high school students? Try your hardest, but you’ll eventually get the hang of school. Sometimes school is hard. Your friends can be a great support system, and you should always ask your teachers for help…even when you don’t want to. Don’t be shy about it.

What is the most meaningful assignment ever given to you by a teacher? I really liked the “Who Am I?” stories we wrote with Mr. Torres last year. I used that to help me with the senior portfolio.

What’s the most important quality in a friendship? Why? You have to feel comfortable with your friends so you can have meaningful conversations. It makes your friendship stronger when you can talk about anything.

In 10 years, I will be…: I hope I have accomplished some things I want. I hope I stuck to my goals of becoming a nurse and getting my real estate license.

Who/what do you find inspiring? My mama. I know what she went through to get us all here and it’s impressive. I see the hard work she puts in for us and all the sacrifices she has made.

What are your plans after high school? I want to go to college to become a nurse. I really like working with kids. Since I’ve had health issues, I think I would be good with kids who are also going through that. Eventually, I also want to get my real estate license as a backup plan. I like to be prepared!

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.