Lakewood's Cougar Connections

Greetings,

I hope that this message finds you well and having a joyous holiday season. Creating a strong sense of connection and belonging are truly hallmarks that set Lakewood apart. During the past month, that spirit of generosity, service, and care has been on full display through our district food drive and Holiday Helpers program.

This year's food drive was unique, with all collected food being given directly back to members of our Lakewood community. More than 6,250 pounds of food were collected and distributed! Our Holiday Helpers program provided warm winter clothing and a gift to 88 children in our Lakewood community who are experiencing homelessness.

Our district continually strives to provide a strong educational experience for all students to grow and thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. I am pleased to share that three of our schools have been recognized by the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) and Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL) with the 2025 Culture Kickoff Award. Only 30 schools around the state received this award. Lakewood Elementary, Lakewood Middle, and Lakewood High School all received this recognition, highlighting schools that launch the year with intentional, community-centered efforts that build belonging, strengthen relationships, and establish a positive tone for the months ahead. The award letter noted that receiving three awards in a single district “reflects a remarkable, districtwide commitment to creating environments where students feel welcomed, supported, and connected” from the start of the year. LHS was one of eight schools who received this recognition for the second year in a row.

In addition, our school board was recently recognized by the Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA) as a 2025 Board of Distinction for their high levels of collaboration, development of a new district strategic direction, focus on advocacy and partnerships, and commitment to district improvement.

Wishing all Lakewood families a wonderful holiday season and the chance to connect with family and friends. Best wishes for a great start to 2026!

All my best,

Erin

During special assemblies on Thursday, Lakewood Middle School and Lakewood Elementary received their Culture Kickoff Award banners, joining Lakewood High School as an award recipient. This was the second year that LHS received the recognition, one of only eight schools to receive the recognition two years in a row. A total of 30 schools received the award this year.

Dameon Brown, from Association for Washington School Principals, presented students and staff with their banners. He told students, "You set the tone. Teamwork, positivity, responsibility. Culture is not just an event. It is how we treat each other every day."

Learn more about the activities schools are doing to kickoff the school year:

Lakewood Elementary

Staff embraced themes from The Energy Bus to guide professional development around optimism, teamwork, and relationships. Their kickoff featured joyful team-building, a neighborhood bus tour to greet families, and a student-centered launch inviting every child to help create a culture of encouragement and belonging.

Lakewood Middle School
The middle school’s award reflects a layered approach that starts before September. Spring orientation events engage families and future students, relationship-building continues through summer, and spirited activities—planned by staff and student leaders—welcome students back. These efforts foster belonging and sustain connection year-round.

Lakewood High School
As a second-year recipient, the high school is recognized for its community-driven launch to the school year. Transition events for freshmen, spirited traditions, and leadership-led activities build confidence and unity. Yearlong mentoring and student-led initiatives reinforce pride and belonging.

This collective recognition underscores Lakewood School District's dedication to ensuring that students enter their school year feeling connected, supported, and ready to thrive.

School bus snow routes are now posted to Family Access and on the website Inclement Weather page.

The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. District administrators begin evaluating conditions in and around our area beginning as early as 3:30 a.m. on days we experience severe weather. The decision to delay or close school is usually made by 5:30 a.m.

The District uses a number of tools to communicate schedule changes to families:

• Visit FlashAlert. You can also subscribe to receive automated e-mail or text alerts.
• Television and radio stations.
• Transportation Information Line: Pre-recorded information on weather-related delays or closures: 360-654-2024.
• Email to families from the district.
• LWSD mobile app.
• Families who included a phone number, designated as a cell phone, during registration will receive a text message at that number from the district.
• Visit the District website and Facebook page for updates.

To avoid phone calls in the early morning hours, we do not use our automated calling system to contact families. If no messages are posted, schools are open and operating on normal schedules.

To update your contact information in Family Access, please contact your school.

The holiday edition of the Cougars Pause for mental health newsletter from the Lakewood Mental Health Leadership Team includes:

• Holiday survival tips for coping with grief and stress
• Seasonal Affective Disorder prevention
• 15 Days of Merry Mental Health
• And much more!

Thank you to everyone who helped to make sure every student could experience the joy of the holidays this season! Our Lakewood Holiday Helper volunteers purchased games, books, clothes, gloves, PJs, and even favorite snacks for 88 children in our community who are experiencing homelessness.

Cougar Cabinet students are leading the way in making their schools a welcoming environment.

Lakewood Elementary students focused on inclusion by creating welcome-back cards for absent classmates and banners to make everyone feel welcome. They hope these efforts will encourage attendance and reduce absences.

English Crossing Elementary students worked on anti-bullying initiatives, creating posters and preparing classroom presentations to promote kindness and respect.

Cougar Creek Elementary introduced the Golden Plunger Award for clean bathrooms, while Lakewood High School restarted its cleanup crew and launched efforts to reduce substance abuse and promote positive choices.

Lakewood Middle School is launching Cougar Cash rewards to recognize students and looking at creative fundraising ideas like Tiny Trinkets.

Together, these projects show how students are building belonging, respect, and pride across all Lakewood schools. Watch the video below to see their creativity in action!

• Dec. 19: Early-Release Friday
• Dec. 22-Jan. 2: Winter Break (No School)
• January: Americans of Chinese Descent History Month
• Jan. 9: Early-Release Friday
• Jan. 16: Temperance & Good Citizenship Day
• Jan. 16: Early-Release Friday
• Jan. 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No School)
• Jan. 23: Early-Release Friday
• Jan. 26 Semester Break (No School)
• Jan. 30: Early-Release Friday
• Feb. 6: Early-Release Friday
• Feb. 13: Early-Release Friday
• Feb. 16-17: Presidents Day and Mid-Winter Break (No School)

View our calendars page

Can you program your VR robot to drive to your age on a 10x10 grid? December 8–12 was Computer Science Education Week—a time to inspire students to build skills for the future.

In robotics class at Lakewood Middle School, students are learning how to give simple, step-by-step instructions to a virtual robot using easy, block-based Python commands on the computer. Each square on the grid is 200mm by 200mm, so students must plan their robot’s movements carefully to reach the correct spot. When the robot doesn't act as expected, students have to think about what went wrong and how how they can overcome challenges.

Once they understand the basics of how robots follow commands, students will move on to programming real VEX robots later this year.

The rain couldn't dampen spirits as the Cougars took the field for the first-ever varsity and JV girls flag football games in school history on Dec. 10. The Cougars struck first during the varsity game with an early touchdown, but Oak Harbor answered to tie the game 7-7 at halftime. In the second half, the Wildcats pulled ahead with two more scores. The Cougars fought hard until the final whistle, adding a late touchdown to finish 14-21.

Girls flag football is now a sanctioned varsity sport in Washington, and Lakewood is proud to be part of this premiere season.

To help with start-up costs, the Seattle Seahawks surprised students during a special spirit assembly and presented players and coaches with a $4,000 grant from the Seattle Seahawks and their partners, Coca-Cola, Safeway, Delta Air Lines, and P&G.

The team was excited to meet Blitz, the Seahawks mascot. These athletes are paving the way for future generations of Cougar pride!

Apply online for the following open positions:

• Occupational Therapist
• Physical Therapist
• Speech Language Pathologist
• Teacher (1st grade, Resource Room, Developmental Preschool, Kindergarten)
• Bus driver
• Custodian, LHS
• Paraeducator (Multiple positions)
• Student Supervision (ECE)
• Assistant Coach (LHS: Flag Football, Soccer; LMS: Wrestling)
• Weight Room Supervisor (LHS)

Substitutes are also needed as bus drivers, custodians, food service, paraeducators and student supervision. Apply online.

Wondering if you missed something? Check out our District News page on the website.

Have school news or photos you would like to have published? Please email Kristina Bowman, kbowman@lwsd.wednet.edu, for consideration.