InDistrict News for May 2026

Congratulations to our April Apple Award winners! Our Apple Awards recognize employees who work to create a positive, caring and productive school environment through exceptional effort, dedication, or performance in their areas of responsibility. They are nominated and selected by their peers.

Top from left: Anna Collins, student mental health support specialist, Lake Stevens Middle School; Michael Garcia, teacher, Stevens Creek Elementary School; Tiffany Jumper, teacher, Lake Stevens High School; Tina Kinnard, teacher, Cavelero Mid High School; Monica Meadows, Human Resources Director of Talent, Engagement, Belonging and Support, Lake Stevens School District; and Joe Michaud, custodian, Early Learning Center.

These employees were honored at the May 13 meeting of the Board of Directors. Each month, district employees are nominated by their peers for Apple Awards. A committee of district employees (one representative from each school or department) reviews the nominations and selects up to five winners (sometimes six if there is a tie). Nominating a colleague for an Apple Award is quick and easy. Just click the button below!

For more information, contact Jayme Taylor at ext. 1501 or Kelly Lee at ext. 1500 or via email.

As you know, employees are nominated by their peers for Apple Awards and recognized at a school board meeting. A committee of staff representatives—one from each school or building/department—reviews nominations and selects the winners.

As we take a fresh look at this process, we’d like to hear from all staff. Your feedback will help ensure this recognition remains meaningful, accessible and manageable. Please take a moment to share your thoughts by completing this Google Form.

Five Lake Stevens School District schools were recognized by the Washington State Board of Education through the Washington School Recognition Program for their performance during the 2024-25 school year.

This statewide recognition highlights schools that demonstrate exceptional progress in key areas of student success. Only 16 percent of schools across Washington received this distinction this year.

The Washington School Recognition Program honors schools in three categories:

• Achievement – High performance across multiple student groups and measures such as proficiency, attendance, and graduation rates

• Growth – Significant improvement across key indicators from one year to the next

• Closing Gaps – Measurable progress in improving outcomes for student groups previously identified for additional support
  
  

Congratulations to:

• Stevens Creek Elementary School | Achievement in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math

• Highland Elementary School | Closing Gaps (Targeted)

• Lake Stevens Middle School | Closing Gaps (English learner progress)

• Glenwood Elementary School | Growth (English language learners)

• Mt. Pilchuck Elementary School | Growth (English language learners)
  
  

Recognition is based on the Washington School Improvement Framework (WSIF), which evaluates multiple indicators including academic performance, growth, attendance, and student progress.

This honor represents the collective efforts of students, staff, families, and the broader community. Together, we are creating learning environments where every student has the opportunity to grow and succeed.

Site work is underway for Elementary School #8

Work continues to move forward on multiple projects funded by the voter-approved school construction bond, with several milestones reached this spring and more activity scheduled in the coming months.

Building design and construction follows a multi-phase process that includes schematic design, design development, bidding, construction, and eventual move-in. Schematic design focuses on the overall layout and big-picture concepts, while design development adds detail, including room layouts, systems, and materials.

The district accepted key bid packages for secure reception areas and special education improvements at North Lake Middle School, Sunnycrest Elementary, Mt. Pilchuck Elementary, Highland Elementary, Hillcrest Elementary, and Cavelero Mid High School. These projects will enhance safety and support student services across several campuses. These projects will begin immediately after the last day of school, and we anticipate they will be complete before school starts again this fall.

The Hillcrest Elementary gym project began over Spring Break, following final design approval and acceptance of bid packages. Construction also began for Elementary School #8 in April. Schematic design work for the district’s future central kitchen has been completed.

Design development meetings for the Glenwood Elementary School replacement project took place in April, and schematic design has been finalized. District teams collaborated with more than 40 staff members in this process to gather input that will shape the redesign of this school. By early summer, site work is expected to begin at the combined Skyline and Lake Stevens Middle School (LSMS) site, following meetings with almost 30 Skyline staff members last fall. District teams also began collaborating with LSMS staff this spring, and anticipate continuing this collaboration into the fall.

We are hosting an Open House to gather community feedback on the new Skyline Elementary School. Join us Wednesday, June 3 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Skyline to view renderings and design, ask questions, and learn more about this exciting project.

This month, the district is preparing for upcoming construction activities, including opening bids for Skyline Elementary School’s early site work, finalizing preparations for secure reception and special education improvements, and completing schematic design work for Lake Stevens Middle School.

Learn more at lkstevens.wednet.edu/bond.

When staff photos were removed from our website, direct email links were also removed. Visitors now use a “Contact” button that opens a form. Messages submitted through this form will arrive in your inbox like this—please treat them the same as any Gmail message.

Our Annual Report provides information about our school district, schools, staff members and students. This report is designed to provide parents and community members with important demographic, budget, facility and student achievement data.

Additional information about our schools is available on the Washington State Report Card.

Have you registered for our spring and summer camps and classes? We have offerings for a variety of ages and sports. Visit our website to learn more. You can register online or at our school district office! (There's no on-site registration at the camps.)

Our district has an Employee Assistance Program available to all staff members and their families. These services are free and confidential.

Acentra Health's Employee Assistance Program
Counseling, Education, and Referral Services
1-800-999-1077
Access Code: LKSTEVENS