LISD School Newsletter

Dear LISD Families,

We had a great week at school, getting norms and routines established. And I'm looking forward to some fun fall activities like a 4th-6th grade biking trip to Shaw and first home games for varsity sports.

Our mastery based learning initiatives are underway and our team of 7 will be leading the work this year. We have two side by side tracks for our staff to work on collaboratively...culture/character and academic. In elementary and middle school, we are working on consistency and intentionality in our morning meetings. This is a practice that has already existed in our elementary school but is new to middle school. It is the way we begin the day with belonging and empathy, and the way we transition from home to school. So very important!

In secondary, we are working on clear and consistent classroom expectations, which include the way adults and students treat each other, the way we expect students to show up to class ready to learn, and the way teachers respond to norms violations. We are having great discussions about how students earn grades based on mastery of standards, but teachers still value and keep track of the habits that impact grades...participation, homework, use of time in class. There are great models out there and our Mastery Based Learning Cohort grant ensures that we are part of a group of schools all working towards very similar goals.

I'll always keep you posted on our progress and decisions made, and I'll present this information at board meetings.

Have a wonderful weekend!

All my best,

Martha

• September 9: Middle School Soccer Practice starts
  
• September 9: Elementary Cheer Starts
• September 13: Biking Adventure on Shaw (3-6th grade)
• September 14: High School Volleyball at home, 2pm
• September 27: No School!
• October 9: School Picture Day

The LISD school board is looking for a new member! Come join this energetic group of volunteer community members to help steer the school as we move in exciting new directions. The position will be appointed to fill the remainder of an existing term, finishing in November 2027. The voice of a parent of a current LISD student would be much appreciated! For more information or to send a letter of interest, please contact sjones@lopezislandschool.org or Mprice-morris@lopezislandschool.org.

Monday, Sept 9th, is the first middle school soccer practice from 3:30 to 5 pm. The last 30 mins of practice on Monday will be a parents meeting to answer any questions and discuss student/parent expectations for the season. Practices will be every day of the week from 3:30 to 5 except on Tuesdays when it will be 2:15 - 3:45 pm.

From Coach Kredell: Hello Lobo middle school parents and students! My name is Matt Kredell and I'm excited to coach the middle school co-ed soccer team this year. Having fun while developing skills will be our goal for this season. So rest up, hydrate, and see you Monday Afternoon! This season we will be concentrating on fundamental skills, position knowledge, and increasing speed/stamina. I want to ensure all players have a great skill-set base upon which to grow to their full potential. Above all else, I want this season to be FUN and conducted in a safe learning environment for all participants.

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!

The 6th Grade class helped school gardener Brett harvest tomatillos this week. Some of the students were familiar with tomatillos already—we even had one who knew they were in the nightshade family!—and for others they were a brand new experience. It was quite the treasure hunt, with sticky green jewels as the prize.

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.

Cost: $150 for cheer; $75 for the additional tumbling class

This cost includes everything your cheerleader will need, you will not be asked to buy anything additional. Scholarships available if needed.

Sign up here.

Youth ages 9-13 are invited by the Economic Development Council to participate in Youth Arduino Coding, an after-school introductory course designed to teach the basics of circuits, robotics, and programming with a simple Arduino kit used by professionals for prototyping. Students will work with hardware and software to build their technical skills. This program is sponsored by San Juan County, Orcas Island Community Foundation, Lopez Island School District, the Town of Friday Harbor, the Port of Lopez, the Port of Friday Harbor, and the Washington State Department of Commerce.

No prior knowledge of Arduino or coding is necessary. Participants will need basic computer skills and access to a laptop or desktop computer less than five years old, and they will have 2 hours of projects per week which they may complete during class or on their own schedule. More information here.

This is a super important part-time and well paid position that is key to ensuring all our Lopez kids get the support they need. More info here.

Do you want to be a lifeguard or swim instructor at the Lopez Island Pool? There are some great opportunities for students! Fill out this super short survey and come to the orientation on Tuesday, September 10 at 5:30 pm at the Lopez Library Meeting Room.

If your student has food allergies or dietary concerns, please reach out to school chef John Shaw to discuss accommodations. jshaw@lopezislandschool.org

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.

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.