LISD School Newsletter
I hope you all were safe and warm this week and that all the kids got to spend some time playing in the white stuff. I enjoy many things about winter, including the quiet peace that comes with a snowfall, but there is also the worry about freezing pipes, cars sliding off the road, and (a new one since I moved to Lopez) falling branches and trees laden with heavy snow. As I write, I'm sipping a cup of hot tea and keeping my eye on some sinister looking branches hanging over our house...two sides of the same coin, like so many things.
Many thanks to our superintendent, Brady, for timely decision making and communication with staff and families; transportation director, Teri, and maintenance director, Denny; our school chef, John, for braving the roads and arriving at school early to fix breakfast...just in case; our secondary custodian, Jimmy, for coming to school in the afternoon to shut off a leaky pipe (NOT in the building, thank goodness!), and everyone else who worked behind the scenes this week in the best interest our our students.
There is undoubtedly more winter weather to come, so stay warm, drive safely, and check Parent Square for updates.
All my best,
Martha
In December, four LISD high school students passed the Spanish Seal of Biliteracy exam! This is a state sanctioned world language exam. If a student passes the test AND meets the State of Washington English language graduation requirements, they get an actual gold Seal of Biliteracy on their high school diploma and a special cord to wear at the graduation ceremony. This special designation means that the student can proficiently read, write, speak, and listen in two languages. It's a real accomplishment, and we are so proud of Sherlin Colon-Clavel, Bryan Coro, Juan Pellegrino, and Rafa Velazquez for passing this rigorous exam.
Does your student love to sing? Consider signing them up to participate in Elementary Choir Day! Sign up by January 25.
In March, elementary choir students will have the opportunity to travel to the mainland and perform with other young singers in the San Juan Music Educator Association's Elementary Choir Day. This will be an optional field trip for interested students, and is a great chance for them to meet and sing with other young musicians from around the region.
Choir Day info:
Who: 4th & 5th graders
Date: Saturday, March 23
Time of event: 12:30 - 4:00, concert at 3:30
Ferries: likely 9:15 ferry leaving & 5:55 ferry returning
Location: TBA, likely Bellingham area
There are several pieces we will need to learn, so interested students will be asked to come to rehearsals after or before school for a month or two before the date. Details on the trip and rehearsal times will be shared in the coming weeks. If your student is interested, you can sign them up here: Choir Day Sign Up Form.
The sign-up deadline is Thursday, January 25 to make the event registration deadline. Please feel free to contact Naomi Vliet (nvliet@lopezislandschool.org) with any questions!
Our school district will be hosting a town hall on the evening of February 1 at the Lopez Community Center for the Arts to provide information and answer community questions about the district's financial reality and challenges. We'll send more information about this in the next couple weeks as well as a link to submit questions. For now, please save the date.
If you didn't fill out the calendar survey already - there is one last chance to register your opinion. One survey per household please. If you already responded when the note went out in Parent Square, do not participate again.
As a reminder, this survey is coming from a group of parents, teachers, admin, school staff, and community stakeholders who explored various calendar options and how they impact learning loss, absenteeism, social-emotional health etc. After several months of data gathering and researching, the group has proposed a few different calendar options to fit within our existing budget constraints, and the realities of island living. We are asking for your feedback on possible calendar changes.
A few notes: This is an opinion survey only. Nothing is binding as a result of this survey. It is also important to know that the number of days school is in session is mandated by law. Any additional days off scheduled during the year require adjustments to the summer break schedule. Exact adjustments still TBD.
Survey results will be presented to the School Board.
Zero period orchestra is open to new and returning string players in grades 5-8. Students will have the option to play violin, viola, cello, or upright bass and will learn skills including playing techniques, how to play in an ensemble, and how to read music.
Sign up here: Orchestra Sign Up Form
Please contact Naomi Vliet at nvliet@lopezislandschool.org with any questions
Who: 5th-8th grade students
Time: 7:15-8:15 am
Days: Monday - Wednesday - Friday
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 Martha Martin; 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.