• Happy Earth Day: the green spirit lives in our schools! Congratulations to Tasha Kirby and Sue Macnamara from Discovery Elementary and Ellen Ferrin and Liza Rickey from Clark Elementary, who have been named Earth Heroes in Schools by King County. As one example of their work, the Discovery “Green Team” tomorrow is attempting to break the Guinness World record for the most plastic bottles recycled in an eight-hour period. Please bring your bottles by to help them (then you can say you’re in the Guinness Book!).

 

• Let’s get ready to WAAAAAAAAAAAASSLL! In the midst of assessment season, watch how the Skyline Spartans got prepared and pumped up to take the WASL.  

 

• The Boundary Review Committee on Wednesday agreed on a preliminary recommendation to leave high school boundaries unchanged. The committee members are sill working on middle and elementary boundaries. Once completed, the committee will hold public preview nights to share the preliminary recommendations, and the committee will reevaluate and make changes based on community feedback before giving the superintendent a final recommendation. The next committee meeting is Wednesday, April 30.

 

• Stanford test scores for students in kindergarten through ninth-grade will be available online in Family Access in mid-May. Make sure you have your login and password information now so you will be able to access the information.

 

• What’s for dinner tonight? Liberty’s culinary students—some of the top teenage chefs in the state—have shared their award-winning recipes so we, too, can feel like Mario Batali when we cook at home. Bon appétit!

 

• The District Grind: Superintendent Steve Rasmussen is hosting two informal chats over coffee next Wednesday, April 23. He wants to hear from you and talk about the District’s goal to prepare each student to be successful in their post-graduation pursuits.

 

• You’re invited: The high school graduation requirements committee is holding a public linkage meeting next Thursday to hear from employers about the skills and knowledge students need to be work-force ready.

 

• Nominate an outstanding educator, school program, or volunteer that has had a powerful impact on children in our community for a KCTS Golden Apple award. Nominations are due by the end of the month.

 

• Students at Issaquah High, Pacific Cascade Freshman Campus, Issaquah Middle School, Pine Lake School, and Sunset Elementary are joining forces with guest choir Breath of Aire to present the Third Annual Mostly Americana Concert this Saturday, April 19, at 7 p.m. at Issaquah High. The event will incorporate more than 350 singers from ages 9 to 75 along with drums and brass instruments in a tribute to our troops and the music of America. As a sweet bonus, desserts will be served!

 

Family-centered messages from our partner municipalities:

• For the first time ever, Issaquah Parks and Recreation and Issaquah Youth Advisory Board are holding an all-high school dance. Entitled “Five Schools, One Community,” the event is 8-11 p.m. Friday, May 16, at the Community Center. The cost is $5 at the door, and students need ASB cards to enter. Adult volunteers are needed—call Cathy at 425-837-3317 to sign up.
• The American Red Cross is holding free CPR certification classes all day on “CPR Saturday,” May 3, at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle. Classes will be held in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language.