About Creekside

Highlights

• Creekside was built with state of the art technology in mind (wireless capability, 4:1 ratio of laptops and desk top stations, ActivBoards, document cameras, and sound systems in each room, a 30 station computer lab and additional mini lab in the library) balanced with a green design (an increased emphasis on day lighting and natural ventilation strategies to reduce energy consumption, use of clean, renewable products such as seed board, and rain gardens to filter water before it returns as groundwater). We received King County Level l, II and III Green School Awards for student and staff involvement in environmental stewardship, including food and paper recycling and raised bed gardens.  Creekside was the recipient of the 2011 Terry Husseman Sustainable School Award, achieved Green Leader School Pillar One status, and the Certificate of Excellence in 2012’s Zero Waste Challenge. 
  
  
• Creekside staff have created a supportive Professional Learning Community culture where staff members participate in ongoing school-wide professional development to stay abreast of current research and best practices and to find ways to meet the diverse needs of our students.
  
  
• Creekside has been awarded various grants: a K-5 guided reading leveled book room, art supplies, and numerous enrichment grants from the Issaquah Schools Foundation, and additional art materials from the Issaquah Arts Commission.
  
  
• Music and the arts are very important at Creekside and each grade level performs an evening concert. Students learn how to play marimbas, guitars, and recorders, and fourth and fifth graders may participate in an extracurricular choir and marimba clubs. Our PTSA sponsors a strong art docent program and provides grade level grants to bring artists into the classrooms.
  
  
• 5th grade students participate in a three day/two night environmental education program at Camp Colman in Longbranch, WA.
  
  
• Students may participate in school sponsored activities such as Student Council, Safety Patrol, Global Readers, Math Olympiad, Cross Country Club, Waste Watchers, Newspaper Club, and Homework Club. Other after school programs include Chess, Art, Chinese, and Spanish.
  
  
• Otter Club, a branch of the District’s on-site school age care programs, offers a fun, safe environment for children before and after school.
  
  
• Creekside enjoys a very strong PTSA partnership.  Family fun activities include our Fall fundraiser ("Hawk-a-Thon"), Family Science Night, Spelling Bee, Art Docent program, Destination Imagination, Cultural Fair, Talent Show, Movie Night, Halloween Bash, and Reflections Art program.

 Improving student achievement

Creekside combines writing and thinking for our Continuous Improvement Plan focus. Emphasis includes professional development in STAR Protocol (Skills/Knowledge, Thinking, Application, Relationships) and instructional practices for staff and goal setting with planning and reflective strategies for students. One-to-one and peer writing conferences during daily Writers’ Workshops helps teachers meet the needs of all writers.  Creekside students build leadership notebooks (goal setting and data collection) which are showcased during student participatory conferences.

 Special programs

Special programs include Special Education pull-out/drop-in programs with certificated and classified staff, Learning Assistance Program (LAP) to support developing readers and mathematicians, English Language Learner (ELL) support for students learning English, SAGE (Special Approach to Gifted Education) for qualifying 3-5th grade students, and the V.O.I.C.E. (Volunteers Of Issaquah Supporting Education) mentorship program.