LMS Principal Update

October 14, 2026

Hello Cougar Families! It really feels like fall now!

Picture Re-takes We have picture re-takes next Tuesday, 10/20. If you missed picture day, or are not satisfied with your original portrait, please take a picture on make-up day! If you are getting a retake, please provide the photographer with your original picture packet with all of the contents. If you would like to pre-order your Make-Up day portrait, please follow these steps:

• 1. Go to bellimaging.com
• 2. Click on “Order Images”
• 3. Use Code “MAKEUP”
• 4. Select your school and place your order

**There are also flyers at the front desk at LMS.

Snohomish County Elections will mail ballots to voters on October 9. Be sure to check your mail and return your ballot. Official ballot drop boxes are the most reliable and direct way to return your ballot. If you prefer to mail your ballot (no stamp needed), Snohomish County Elections recommends mailing at least one week before Election Day to ensure a timely postmark. One convenient option is the ballot drop box across the street from Lakewood Middle School. Ballot drop boxes close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. Need to register to vote or update your address? October 26 is the last day to register or update your voter information online for the November 3 election. Learn more at votewa.gov.

Great Shakeout Earthquake Drill The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. To help us prepare for emergencies, all schools in our district will participate in the Great Shakeout Earthquake Drill on Thursday, October 15 at 10:15 AM.

This drill helps us:

• Practice how to protect students during an earthquake

• Improve our emergency response plans

• Strengthen our ability to keep everyone safe

As part of the drill, we will activate our Standard Response Protocols (SRP), which guides how we respond to different types of emergencies. If you have any questions regarding emergency drills or safety, please reach out to jbarth@lwsd.wednet.edu.

Share your voice: Family survey open until Oct. 30 Family feedback is an important part of helping us improve and provide the best possible education for all students. We invite you to take a brief survey and share your thoughts about your child's school experience. The survey takes approximately 8-10 minutes to complete and is open through Oct. 30, 2026.

To access the survey, visit: https://ceesurveys.org/s/lakewood-sd-ees-family-v4-3-fall-2026

• Choose your preferred language on the opening page of the survey.
• Select your child’s school. If you have children in multiple schools, complete one survey per child.
• Complete the survey and click submit.

Your input gives us valuable information to support our building’s School Improvement Plan and all our students. Thank you for your feedback.

Parent Conferences Our conferences this year are Wednesday, October 28 and Thursday October 29. We have two different types of conferences; on Wednesday from 12-3 and Thursday from 4-7, we will have in-person conferences and on Thursday from 12-3 we will have Zoom conferences (nothing in person). Teachers will send information for signing up for Zoom conferences no later than October 19th. If you have not heard from a particular teacher by 10/19, please reach out to the school.

Honoring Our Heroes at LMS In celebration of Veterans Day, we are creating a special Hall of Heroes display in Cougar Hall to honor the brave men and women who have served or are currently serving in the United States military. We invite LMS families to submit copies of photos of your loved ones who are veterans or active-duty service members. These photos will be proudly displayed during our Veterans Day Celebration and we will do our best to return them back to you.

Please include the following with each photo:

• Name and Rank of the service member
• Branch of Service and Years of Service or Dates Served
• Name of the LMS student they are connected to

Deadline to submit photos: Thursday October 29th, 2026. Send photos to: LMS Main Office or Miss Doty (kdoty@lwsd.wednet.edu)

SocktoberFest 2026 LINC NW and the United Lakewood Community Coalition are teaming up to turn everyday essentials into a whole lot of comfort - and we need your help! From October 1 through October 30, everyone across the Lakewood School District is invited to celebrate Socktoberfest by donating new, unopened packs of socks and underwear. We are collecting all sizes and cuts for children and adults, because something as simple as a clean pair of socks or underwear can bring dignity, confidence, and relief to a neighbor in need. At Lakewood Middle School, we will have a donation bin in the main office, or you can give your donation to the staff member out front at drop off.

Statewide Civic Leadership Opportunity for Girls & Young Women (Ages 14–22)

The Washington State Women's Commission (WSWC) is currently accepting applications from girls and young women to serve on our inaugural Youth Advisory Council (WCYAC). The Council’s 13 members will shape state policy, elevate issues, and build leadership experience to help the Women’s Commission achieve its mission: ensuring state policies and programs reflect and respond to the real needs of women and girls.

All interested youth ages 14-22 who live in Washington and identify as a girl or young woman are encouraged to apply! Click to apply: Deadline: October 25th, 2026.

This week:

Wednesday, 10/14: Girls VB at Coupeville MS

Cross Country meet @ Granite Falls HS

Thursday, 10/15: Boys soccer @ home (at LHS at 3:15 pm)

Friday, 10/16: Early Release – students dismiss @ 12:40 pm

Monday, 10/19: Girls VB @ King’s Jr. HS (Shoreline)

Tuesday, 10/20: Picture Day Make up

Boys Soccer Game @ Kasch Park in Everett

Have a great week!

Sincerely,

Amanda Coté, Ed.D.

Principal, LMS

acote@lwsd.wednet.edu