Lakewood's Cougar Connections
Greetings,
I hope that this message finds you well as we approach the final weeks of the school year. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your patience as we worked to navigate the cyber incident over the past month. We recognize that this posed a number of challenges for students and families and thank you for your patience as we addressed this issue.
With graduation a little over two weeks away and the last day of school following on June 16, our end-of-the-year activities and celebrations are in full swing. Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the annual Marysville Rotary Scholarship awards and am excited to share that 11 Lakewood High School seniors received awards, I believe this is the most ever, with their combined scholarships totaling $51,000. I am grateful for the generosity of the Rotary and all local organizations/groups for their support of our amazing LHS seniors as they prepare to embark on their post-graduation paths.
The recognition of the work of our students and staff is always something that we can collectively be proud of. Please join me in congratulating LHS Senior Rylee Thompson who has been selected as one of 627 students nationally (out of a pool of 6,500 candidates) to be named a semifinalist for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Selections will be named in the coming months and those selected will be announced by the U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. If you wish to see a list of the 2026 semifinalists, visit http://www.ed.gov/psp and click on “2026 Semifinalists.”
In addition, I am honored to share about recognition that members of our staff have recently received. Danika Welty, our LHS AgriScience instructor and FFA Advisor, was nominated and received recognition as not only the regional Early Career Agriculture Educator of the year but also received the award for the entire state. Danika's application/nomination now moves for consideration at the national level. I also want to recognize Executive Director of Finance, James Peckham, and the entire finance team for State Auditor's Office Stewardship Award.
As this year comes to a close, we have a number of staff who will be retiring and preparing to start a new chapter in life. Please join me in recognizing and celebrating the contributions of the following Lakewood School District retirees: Dawn Bechtholdt (ECE), Joy Cangemi (ECE), Melanie Dugan (ECE/LES/CCE), Heidi Klippert (LHS), Lisa Schoon (LHS), Candy Skaugrud (LMS), and Jill Winn (ECE). The district will be hosting our annual retirement and years of service celebration on June 4 at 4:30pm in the LHS Commons.
As summer break approaches, we are excited to share that we have been collaborating with Sno Isle Libraries (Smokey Point/Lakewood branch) to co-sponsor a community reading program. Additional information will be shared in the coming weeks, and we encourage you to consider joining us on this journey as we read “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” by Jonathan Haidt.
It has been an amazing year of student learning and growth across our district, and I want to thank you for your continued collaboration with our staff as we work in partnership to support high levels of learning and achievement for every student.
All my best,
Erin
Dr. Erin Murphy, Superintendent
Nominate a deserving student, alumni, staff, or community member for the Heart of Lakewood Community Service Award!
Eligible activities include initiating a community project that provides a substantial service to the Lakewood community; serving as an inspiration in the community as a result of selfless commitment to compassion and kindness that contributes to the greater good; or providing leadership in a community-based endeavor that brings out the best in other people.
The deadline for nominations is June 1, 2026. Awards will be presented during the June 17 Board meeting. Learn more.
Lakewood School District is proud to announce that Lakewood High School senior Rylee Thompson is one of 11 Washington state semifinalists for the prestigious U.S. Presidential Scholars Program in Career and Technical Education (CTE), recognizing exceptional achievement in CTE fields. This is one of the nation’s highest honors for graduating high school students.
Established in 1964 by executive order of the President, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program recognizes and honors some of the nation’s most distinguished high school seniors. Each year, up to 161 students are selected based on outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, and accomplishment in career and technical education. Student application is by invitation only.
Melanie Irish, Career & College Specialist at Lakewood High School said, “We are so proud of Rylee! Being named a U.S. Presidential Scholar semifinalist is an amazing accomplishment. It is a reflection of her academic excellence as well as her leadership, character, and commitment to service.”
Final selections for the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars will be announced by the U.S. Department of Education later this year.
Kristin Cortés, LES Principal, and Rylee Thompson, LHS senior
Cassie Hanson, Lakewood-Smokey Point Library Manager
School buses must meet strict inspection criteria to transport students to and from school. To ensure these criteria are met, the Washington State Patrol conducts comprehensive inspections of all school buses each year, with additional unannounced checks year-round. The inspections take a close look at critical safety components like brakes, lights, stop signs, warning signals and emergency exits. If a bus has a safety hazard, it is immediately taken out of service.
For three consecutive years, Lakewood School District has earned a Letter of Achievement for demonstrating exceptional results. Thank you to our mechanics and our entire transportation team for working every day to keep students safe!
- Most eligible students are automatically enrolled in SUN Bucks. Look for your approval letter and new SUN Bucks card in the mail in early summer.
- Need to update your address? Contact the SUN Bucks Call Center at 833-543-3230 or TTY 800-833-6384.
- Get additional benefits by using your SUN Bucks card at farmers markets and grocery stores that participate in SNAP Market Match and SNAP Produce Match.
- If you do not receive a SUN Bucks card, you can still apply during the summer at sunbucks.dshs.wa.gov.
- Sign up for Sun Bucks Text Alerts for status, benefit details, important reminders, and answers to questions.
- All eligible households will receive new cards for Summer 2026. SUN Bucks benefits expire 122 days after the date they are issued.
Children 18 and younger are eligible for free breakfast and lunch
Join us in the Lakewood High School cafeteria this summer for FREE meals for all kids 18 and under from June 29–July 30 through the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program. No sign-up needed—just come by and enjoy!
- Breakfast: Monday–Thursday | 8:00–9:15 a.m.
- Lunch: Monday–Thursday | 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Kids can fuel up, connect with friends, and stay energized all summer long!
Looking for more meal locations? Check them out here: https://www.hungerfreewa.org/help/summermeals
Win a free copy of “The Anxious Generation” and read with us this summer
Join Lakewood School District and the Lakewood/Smokey Point Public Library this summer in reading The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. Choose online or in-person discussion groups, where we will discuss the implications of smart phones in the lives of today’s youth.
Copies of the book can be placed on hold and picked up at the Lakewood/Smokey Point Library or the Lakewood Lockers. Lakewood/Smokey Point Library also has a limited number of books for immediate checkout if you call or visit in-person.
Interested in your own copy? Lakewood/Smokey Point Library will be giving away a limited number of books to families at each school. Sign up by June 11 to get your name in our drawing to receive a free book.
Lakewood School District will host discussion groups on the following days:
- July 30 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.: in-person discussion groups at Lakewood/Smokey Point Public Library
- Aug. 10 from 12-1 p.m.: remote breakout groups via Zoom (Visit www.lwsd.wednet.edu for the Zoom link closer to the event)
- Additionally, on Aug. 10 from 5-6 p.m., Lakewood/Smokey Point Library will host a panel discussion on the topic of online safety at the Lakewood High School Performing Arts Center.
Looking for more activities to get your family outside this summer? See these resources from Sno-Isle Libraries:
The year 2026 will mark 250 years since the founding of the United States as marked by the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. This commemoration is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to come together with a shared purpose in reflecting on the past, while working together to build stronger, more connected communities in the future.
- Freedom Plane National Tour at MOHAI in Seattle: Documents That Forged a Nation
- George Washington Speaks: Vern Frykholm of Sequim, better known as George Washington, has been portraying our first president since 2011 in his free audio messages.
- The Washington State Archives has an original letter written by George Washington in 1777. Learn more about the letter and read a transcription.
Find more resources:
Intro to Agricultural Sciences
The annual American Association of University Women (AAUW) High School STEM Scholar Recognition was held on May 14 honoring junior girls nominated by their STEM teachers from Arlington, Lakewood, and Stanwood high schools. Recipients (from left) Kaitlyn Hatter, Sophie Barrett, Kinsey Lichty, Naomi Koon
Ethan's Smile Scholarship: Makenna Mattox is the recipient of this scholarship in memory of Ethan Chapin, a University of Idaho student from Conway, whose life was cut short in 2022.
Lakewood High School FFA attended the 96th Washington FFA State Convention at Washington State University this month. Students were recognized with several accomplishments:
- Mia Brubaker earned her Washington State FFA Degree
- Lakewood FFA was recognized as a Superior Chapter
Students had the opportunity to participate in several tours at WSU:
- Students toured the WSU Beef Lab Facility and learned about the Wagyu-Angus breeding program, cattle genetics, and livestock management practices.
- At the Entomology Department, students explored the fascinating world of insects and arachnids. They saw walking stick insects, hissing cockroaches, tarantulas, and more.
- Students received a backstage tour of the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital and veterinary facilities, where they learned about animal care, veterinary medicine, diagnostics, and career opportunities within the animal science field.
Congratulations to our FFA students and to our agricultural education program!
Therapy dog Preacher knows just how to help students — and adults — feel calm and supported. He quietly stands by, welcoming gentle pets of his soft, furry coat.
Preacher and Linda, his human, visited the Lakewood Middle School Comprehensive Skills Program and students learned how to safely interact with dogs they might meet in their neighborhoods, building confidence and an important life skill.
Several staff members also stopped in for a moment of canine therapy as we wind down the school year — because everyone can benefit from a little extra calm this time of year.
Students at English Crossing Elementary powered up their learning during a hands-on Science on Wheels visit from the Pacific Science Center in May. Fifth graders in Alisha Krogmann’s class explored the world of electrical engineering by learning how energy powers our lives.
To start, students became part of the circuit themselves, testing whether they could light up an energy stick using the flow of electricity through their bodies. When the circuit was complete, colorful lights flashed—but even a small break instantly stopped the flow, demonstrating how circuits work.
Students then put their engineering skills to the test through a series of design challenges, building both series circuits (think about testing those holiday lights to make sure each one is working) and parallel circuits that keep lights shining even if one connection fails. Along the way, they learned key concepts like open, closed, and short circuits.
The exploration continued in the pop-up exhibit area, where students experimented with a wind tunnel, built bridges and marble tracks, and discovered how powerful microchips can fit into tiny spaces. Students were inspired to solve problems just as they would as engineers.
State FFA Convention
State Golf
State Tennis
State Track
State Music
Congratulations to seniors Caleb Greenland and Leiana Riveira on signing with George Fox University this week to continue their basketball careers with the Bruins!
Leiana’s journey to collegiate basketball has been shaped by a lifelong connection to the game and a unique coaching relationship. Coached since she was young by her mom, Rachael Anderson, Leiana has always been described as a competitive player. To make the coaching relationship work, they had one important rule: “No basketball talk at home.”
Coach Anthony Wiederkehr praised Caleb as an incredible leader and captain who truly embraced his role. He also emphasized Caleb’s relentless work ethic, describing him as “one of the hardest working players I have seen,” a quality that will continue to serve him well.
We can’t wait to see what’s next for both of these athletes as they compete at the collegiate level!
Open positions at Lakewood School District
Apply online for the following open positions:
- Physical Therapist
- Teacher (Multiple Positions)
- Paraeducator (Multiple positions)
- Student Supervision (Multiple positions)
- Assistant Coach (LHS Basketball, Soccer)
- Head Coach (LHS Basketball, Tennis, Volleyball)
Substitutes are also needed as bus drivers, custodians, food service, paraeducators and student supervision. Apply online.