·        Happy first day of spring! Barbecues, swimming, outdoor concerts, and lawn darts can’t be far behind (under the protection of umbrellas, of course).

 

·        This Friday, March 21, is a Learning Improvement Day. Students have the day off as educators in every building collaborate, train, research, and work strategically to improve classroom learning.

 

·        INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY ALERT for high-school females: Are you interested in an all-expense-paid exchange to Morocco this summer? This opportunity—sponsored by the American Moroccan International Exchange (AMIE) in partnership with the City of Issaquah—is a chance to forge peace, understanding, and new relationships with teens on the other side of the world (and to theatrically say, "Here's looking at you, kid," while in Casablanca).

 

·        INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY ALERT for all seventh- and eighth-graders eligible for free- or reduced-price lunch: The state wants to pay for your college tuition and books! Apply now for the College Bound Scholarship and let go of the worry about the cost of attending college after graduation. More information is available in middle-school counseling offices. Even if you are uncertain about your college aspirations, sign up now—otherwise it will be too late.

 

·        The Issaquah School Foundation’s annual Calling for Kids Campaign is underway. All proceeds will provide strategic training opportunities for teachers—one of the most important ways to increase student achievement. The Foundation’s website has specific information about GLAD, the training program the campaign is supporting, including a video with teachers and parents showing how GLAD has positively impacted their students. Community members can donate now or when students call on April 1 and 2.

 

·        The District Grind:  Superintendent Rasmussen wants to hear from you! Join him at the Administration Building in April or May for a cup of coffee and an informal chat about his first nine months in Issaquah and the District’s goal to prepare each student to be successful in their post-graduation pursuits.

 

·        The District is forming a Graduation Requirements Steering Committee. Inquire at your high school’s main office if you are interested in applying, and follow the committee’s progress online.

 

·        Check out the progress we are making toward our new District website!

 

·        The walls come down this summer, but the century-long legacy will live on forever: Issaquah High School invites everyone—students, alumni, past and present staff, community members, or anyone who has a place in his or her heart for the school—to a "Farewell to the Old School" celebration at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 29 in the main gym.

 

·        The Boundary Review Committee met last night. The large group formed a decision-making process and heard information about the link between student enrollment and school resources. Small groups looked at data and continued to hone suggestions for potential boundaries. The next meeting is Wednesday, April 2. Everyone is invited to attend. Meeting information, minutes, input opportunities, and a committee roster are online.

 

·        Next Monday, Liberty students speak out about the experiences and extreme situations and emotions that have made them who they are today.

 

·        Students in Skyline High School’s leadership class invite all community members to two upcoming events: A dance performance from 7-9 p.m. tonight, March 20, in the Skyline theater—donations will benefit World Vision; and a Family Game Night with carnival games, board games, candy, and pizza from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, in the Skyline gym—admission is $2 and all donations will benefit Children’s Hospital.

 

·        Point of Pride: The Issaquah High Robotics team not only won the most prestigious award at a major regional competition this month, members learned that—because of their presentation—the Legislature included $150,000 in the state budget next year to support robotics in high schools across Washington.

 

·        School Snapshot: Fourth- and fifth-graders in Clark Elementary’s Science Technology program washed more than 70 cars at Front Street market last Saturday, raising awareness about eco-friendly washing practices and more than $1,200 for the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery to create a wetland.

 

·        Point of Pride: Congratulations to our brilliant artists. Three students won “Outstanding Interpretation”—the highest award—at the state-level PTA Reflections contest, earning their art pieces entry into the national competition: Kyle Anderson, Skyline High School, Musical Composition Senior Division, “Better Days;” Victor Xu, Endeavour Elementary, Visual Arts Intermediate Division, “We Need Cleaner Environment;” and Cindy Zhao, Sunny Hills Elementary, Visual Arts Primary Division.

 

Several students also won Awards of Excellence in their categories: Michelle Breen, Skyline High School, Visual Arts Senior Division, “A Little Love Can Change a Life;” Sammy Britt, Apollo Elementary, Film/Video Intermediate Division, “Sam’s Dream;” Matthew Duff, Clark Elementary, Literature Intermediate Division, “My Life is Being Ruined by Trash!!!”; Anthony Elevathingal, Beaver Lake Middle School, Film/Video Middle Division, “How to Make a Difference …;” Danielle Lemmon,  Liberty High, Literature Senior Division, “Smiles;” Jacob Lindstrom, Maywood Middle School, Film/Video Middle Division, “How to Make a Difference …;” Divya Mahesh, Discovery Elementary, Film/Video Primary Division, “Recycling;” Nicholas Reasoner, Maywood Middle School, Musical Composition Middle/Junior Division, “Planting Trees Even in the Harsh Winds;” Nathan Tuvey, Challenger Elementary, Visual Arts Primary Division, “Building a New House;” Eleane Ye, Discovery Elementary, Visual Arts Intermediate Division, “I Can Make a Difference By Keeping Our Home Clean Because Earth is Our Home.”