LISD School Newsletter

Hello LISD Families,

Hope you all enjoyed this most recent three day weekend. These balanced calendar days are a recent modest change made to better support and serve our school families. The idea is that these “mini breaks” give students a chance to rest and recharge on a more frequent basis as well as giving families more opportunities to take care of off-island errands and appointments without missing school.

Another change we have made recently is the formation of an attendance team. The purpose of this team is to take a more holistic approach to addressing attendance at school. Regular attendance is such a critical factor when it comes to a successful and meaningful school experience for students and families - beyond academic performance. By having several staff members working as a team on this, we will be better positioned to identify and support families as attendance issues arise.

Later this week, you will be receiving a letter regarding our district attendance policy and the importance of regular school attendance for both social/emotional and academic progress. Please give that letter your attention.

Have a great week and don't forget to sign up for conferences in Parent Square if you haven't already.

• Oct 22: School Board Meeting, 5:30 pm, LMC
• Oct 23: Vaccine Clinic, 3 - 6 pm, culinary room
• Oct 24: Middle School Dance, 8 -10 pm, MS Commons
• Oct 25: School Work Party, 10 - 4 pm (drop in anytime)
• Oct 27 - 31: Elementary Conferences, noon release all week
• Oct 27: Volleyball, Varsity only 4:30 pm. Senior Night
• Oct 27: LIPTSA Pumpkin Carving Event, 4 - 6 pm
• Oct 28: Girls Soccer - 2:30 pm, Boys Soccer - 4 pm. Senior Night for both teams
• Oct 29: Financial Aid Info Night, 6 -7:30 pm, LMC
• Oct 29 - 31: Secondary Conferences, noon release W - F
• Oct 31: MPPACT at Trunk or Treat, 6 pm

Join Superintendent Brady Smith for a work party at the school - focusing on general clean up inside and outside. As you know, we are without a full time maintenance staff person this year so we are counting on volunteers to help keep school grounds and buildings looking good. Hours are 10 - 4 but volunteers can drop in whenever. Seek out Brady when you arrive to check in and get a job. Thank you in advance!

Elementary and secondary students have different schedules during conference week. Elementary students are dismissed at noon every day during conference week. All elementary students will still receive school lunch. Secondary students are dismissed at noon only on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Secondary students will NOT receive school lunch on the noon dismissal days but will receive an extra hearty nutrition break.

Open to all youth from 6 months to 19 years old. Flu, Covid, and any other needed vaccines will be offered. No appointment necessary.

Next Monday is the annual pumpkin carving event put on the Lopez Island PTSA. Pumpkins are only $5 and all the tools are provided. This is such a fun family event - all are welcome. Looking forward to seeing a packed house again!

This event is most relevant for families with students in 12th and 11th grade but anyone is welcome to attend. You can also Zoom in from home if you prefer. Signup here or through the QR code to attend on Zoom. Our partners FuturesNW will be leading this event which will go over the basics of financial aid for college and other post-high school pathways. Bilingual breakout rooms will be available.

Please help us honor veterans in our community by the following ways:

1. Invite a veteran to our Veteran's Day assembly on Monday, Nov 10 at 12:55 pm.

2. Share a photo of them to be posted on campus. Submit photos and details via this form.

This celebration is always such a fantastic family event - hope to see a big turnout. Crafts, prizes, food - there is something for everyone.

Looking for something fun and engaging after school? The Lopez Island Family Resource Center is offering peer-to-peer leadership, challenges, event planning, pizza parties, snacks, take-home games, and more! The bus will take students directly from the school to LIFRC after-school on Fridays. Parent pickup at 5:00 PM.

It’s for youth, by youth. Come hang out and help shape what happens next!. Sign up here.

Wrestling club is starting up soon! The Lopez Island Mat Club will begin having practices again on Monday nights starting November 3rd and continuing through the end of January. We will meet in the school cafeteria. Elementary grades will practice from 5:00 to 5:45 PM and grades 7-12 from 5:45 to 6:45 PM. Wrestlers need a $25 membership card to participate for liability coverage. Email Robb Ellis if your student has not participated in wrestling club before and you want more details: rellis@lopezislandschool.org

Help the glow return to Lopez! Every Saturday, join Debbie Collins and friends in the library’s Community Room for a new round of luminary-making. From 10am to noon, we’ll gather around tables full of supplies, laughter, and creativity. Together, we’ll craft lanterns that will bring warmth and light to our long winter nights. These luminary work sessions are open to all ages, kids under 12 with an adult please. Everything you need is provided. Come for the crafting, stay for the camaraderie.

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 Sarah Rucker; Section 504, Mary Fordham. OR contact by phone, 360-468-2202, OR mail to 86 School Rd, Lopez Island, WA 98261.