Community Letter

Dear LISD Families,

Our three writers in residence finished up their two week Writers in the Schools residency today. We have loved working with Magda, Corinne, and Meredith. They have helped our students activate their imaginations, play with language, use their voice, and get creative in their writing. Big thanks to Malia Sanford. In her former role with the Lopez Island Library, she worked with the Seattle Arts and Lecture series to bring the Writers in the Schools program to Lopez Island, which involves both fundraising and logistical planning. We also appreciate Darren Hoerner, the Lopez Library Director, for supporting the program and hosting a community gathering for our writers to introduce themselves and share their experiences at LISD.

This is our last community newsletter before the winter break. If there are any important announcements before break, we'll send a school messenger email.

We wish everyone a safe and joyful winter break. We have lots of fun activities planned for next week, and we will look forward to seeing staff and students again in January.

All our best to you and your family,

Mary and Martha

Students will be dismissed on Friday, December 16 at 2:00 and they will come back to school on Tuesday, January 3.

Malia Sanford has lived on Lopez with her daughter Maisie and husband Will since 2016. For the past five years, she worked at the Lopez Island Library as the Programs Manager, and spearheaded a number of programs in partnership with the school district, including the Afterschool Outdoors Program in 20/21, the Reading Rangers literacy intervention program last summer, and the Writers in the Schools residency program of 22/23. She brings lots of administrative experience to her new position and is excited to be working directly with the LISD community.

Environmental Science students went under the surface of the Skagit River and Salish Sea using virtual reality headsets. This lesson called "Immersive Education" was shared by Jess Newley of Friends of San Juans who filmed the underwater habitats using 360 degree cameras. Students got up close with schools of herring and spawning salmon.

Both boys and girls teams played their hearts out this week and the girls won games at home and on the road.

You can come out to see our lobos hit the court on Tuesday, December 13 at 3:15 (girls) and 4:45 (boys).

Important note to athletes and their parents (straight from the handbook): To play in a game or travel with the team, the athlete must be in school a full day on the day of the event or a full day on the day before the event if the event is on a Saturday. In their first period class, they can be no more than 30 minutes late.

This week, the LIFE Garden got chickens! The Secondary Ag class students helped to move three hens into one of the Hoop Houses. Over the winter, these birds will turn the straw mulch, scratch out bugs, and add some fertility back to the soil.

Happy Holidays from the LMC where we are happy to provide library and technology services to all LISD students and staff!

The Islands’ Lions Clubs announce the arrival of the International Lions Annual Christmas Ship on Dec. 11 at 11:30 a.m. at the Orcas Ferry Landing and 3:15 p.m. at Odlin Park. Santa said he hopes there is no wind and high seas – his elves get seasick if it is too bad.

The 4th and 5th grade class have been working really hard to raise funds for their trip to Olympia. We are thankful for our friends, family and the Lopez community for helping us reach our goal of raising just about $4000! We can't wait for our trip in March to visit our state's capital!

We need parent chaperones this week. If you can help, please email Nikyta Palmisani at nikyta@lopezlibrary.org.

Short-term, Long-term, part-time, full-time, daily, weekly... whatever you want, there is a position here for you!!!!!

Many of these positions qualify for Medical, Dental, Vision, & Retirement benefits, plus EAP and paid leave time (personal, sick, & vacation). Allocations are based on hourly commitment and classification.

Classified:

· Literacy Interventionist - multiple positions are available fill the newly created position of Elementary Literacy Interventionist, working one-on-one or with small groups of students in grades 1, 2, and 3 to practice the fundamentals of literacy. This contract position runs for two 10-12 week sessions during the school year.

· Leave Replacement Food Services Manager - This exciting, professionally enriching, and challenging position will provide tremendous opportunities for professional growth in a food services program that has earned state, regional and national recognition. The District is looking for a Leave Replacement Food Services Manager to work from the beginning of January 2023 thru the end of the 2022-2023 school year (June 16th, 2023).

· ParaEducators - Interested in working with students individually, in small groups, and/or in general classrooms and helping assist teachers in modifying student behavior? Then Paraeducator is your dream job, and we have positions available!

· Special Needs Behavior Technician- If you have been thinking about being a Special Needs Behavior Technician for Lopez Island School District...well you are in luck!!!! We are looking for a Special Needs Behavior Technician to hire for this school year!! Behavior technicians are responsible for assisting behavior specialists and the Special Education department to implement behavior reduction and skill acquisition treatment plans. The candidate will assist students with day to day activities, monitor their behavior, record and collect data on students’ progress, and communicate with the team.

· Van Driver - Want to get out and see the island? This transportation position drives a wheelchair van (or another vehicle) to transport student(s) with special needs to and from school. This 3.5 hour per day, Monday through Friday.

Certificated Teaching:

· FTE Special Education Teacher- We are looking for a full-time Special Education teacher to help serve our students starting ASAP. This 7.5 hour per day, Monday through Friday.

- Stipend:

· HI CAP - providing leadership of the Special Service Program for Highly Capable (HC) students, grades K-12, in the Lopez Island School District.

· Middle School Girls Basketball Coach - 6-week season with proactive daily from 3:30-5 starting the first week of January 2023. The stipend amount for this position is $1,350.

- Substitutes:

· Certificated Teachers

· Paraeducators

· Bus Drivers

· Cooks

You can see full postings on our website! Just go to District Info and then to HR and Employment for more details.

We look forward to working with you!!!

Ed Murray, Superintendent

Martha Martin, Secondary Principal

Mary Fordham, Elementary 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, Ed Murray – emurray@lopezislandschool.org; Title IX Coordinator, HR Specialist, Summer Hagge – shagge@lopezislandschool.org; Section 504, Mary Fordham – mfordham@lopezislandschool.org; OR contact by phone, 360-468-2202, OR mail to 86 School Rd, Lopez Island, WA 98261.

Website: lopezislandschool.org
Location: 86 School Road, Lopez Island, WA, USA
Phone: 360-468-2202