Included in this E-News:
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Season 3 (Winter 2) Coaches Still Needed
This is an update regarding Season 3 (Winter 2) intramurals. At this time, a coach has not been found for intramural boys basketball or intramural girls soccer. We will hold off a little longer in hopes that someone will step forward to coach. A final decision whether or not we will be able to field these teams will be made by Friday, January 31st and we will communicate to families who have signed up by that date. Students who have signed up for intramurals also have the option of trying out for the varsity and junior varsity teams. If you know anyone who is interested in coaching, please contact Ms. Bosshart bosshartm@issaquah.wednet.edu. More details about the position and the online application can be found at https://issaquahjobs.hrmplus.net/JobOpenings.aspx
Parents of students participating in winter sports:
8th Grade Panoramic Picture - Online Ordering Available
Order Online and it will be shipped directly to your home! • Go to www.yuenluischools.com • Order Pictures > Find Your Organization • On your school page - click on the Order button • Click on View Gallery for your specific photo date • Complete the online order process
GIVE DRIVE, JANUARY 29TH – FEBRUARY 14TH
Tukwila Elementary School is a sister school of Beaver Lake. Many of the students attending Tukwila Elementary do not have all the essential needs, such as food and clothes met. ASB would like to make sure that families get some of what they need for winter this year by hosting a “Give Drive”. We are looking for donations of WINTER HATS/BEANIES, GLOVES/MITTENS AND SOCKS that will be given directly to Tukwila students, while blankets, jackets and other winter wear (NEW OR GENTLY USED) items will be given to the school to distribute based on their needs.
The GIVE DRIVE is our culminating project leading up to Kindness Week, which will celebrate the joy and importance of kindness, caring, and giving. Starting January 29th, Beaver Lake students can bring in their donated items to be placed in the box in their BBT. This is a competition so the top 3 classes with the most average points will win a Doughnut Party!!!!!
Hats/Beanies 20 points
Gloves/Mittens 20 points
Pair of Socks 15 points
Blankets/Scarves 10 points
Jackets/Sweater (new or gently used) 10 points
The more we donate, the more Tukwila Elementary students and families will get what they need! Let’s show empathy and love by donating as much as we can, for kindness is the best policy! Have a great rest of your week and go Bulldogs!
Gibson Ek Fest
Please join Gibson Ek High School for a fun filled evening this Friday, January 31st from 5:00 - 8:00 PM. Ek Fest is a student-run concert and showcase of our school. We encourage current 8th graders and their families to come and learn more about Gibson Ek and all the school has to offer. Admission is free and all are welcome to attend this event. We’ll have tours, music, info sessions and more! A flyer is attached to the bottom of this enews.
Gibson Ek High School Applications
Gibson Ek High School is now accepting applications from current 8th graders for the 2020-2021 school year. Gibson Ek is a project based, real world learning school where students personalize their learning through projects, design labs, and internships in a vibrant and supportive environment. Students in the Class of 2024 are invited to learn more about how Gibson Ek continues to reimagine education at our upcoming information sessions:
Jan. 13 and Feb. 10 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the GEHS Commons.
Jan. 31 at the student-run Gibson Ek Fest from 5-8 p.m.
Applications are open now until Monday, February 24, 2020 followed by a lottery for admission on February 27th at 4:30 pm.
Learn more about Gibson Ek on the About Us page.
Apply on the Application page.
Yearbooks
Beaver Lake Families – our yearbook purchase cut off is the end of the day on Friday February 14th. If you haven’t yet purchased a yearbook for your student either online or with the bookkeeper, now is the time. A list of students who have made the purchase will be available during lunch starting on Monday February 3rd. Your student is welcome to check the list to verify purchase or as always feel free to reach out to the bookkeeper with any questions. Yearbooks will be distributed in June and the cost is $28.
Parent Project Course
Are you a frustrated parent trying to get your child to complete their homework and/or chores? Is there a little too much "drama" in your home? The Issaquah Police Department is hosting a series of 10 Week Parent Project courses as a tool for parents to learn and practice specific prevention and intervention strategies. For information or to register, please visit the following site: http://issaquahwa.gov/2937/Parent-Project-Course. The next class begins Feb 27th.
BLMS Festival of Cultures
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
6:30-8:30 PM
BLMS Commons
We wanted to let everyone know that we are going to postpone our Festival of Cultures because we would like a little more time to plan and promote and prepare. This winter storm has impacted our timeline a little bit. Our ASB students voted and the new date will be March 31st. Thank you so much to everyone that already signed up to represent a culture or volunteered to perform! I will be reaching out to you Individually to make sure that you are aware of the new date and hopefully it still works for your family. We are looking forward to celebrating our diversity and welcoming the entire community to Beaver Lake for our Festival of Cultures.
For questions, please contact Stacy Cho: chos@issaquah.wednet.edu
Beaver Lake Middle School Twitter Account
We now have a Twitter account for our school. Mrs. Cho is starting to tweet about our bulldogs and you are all encouraged to follow along.
Volunteer at Beaver Lake
All volunteers must complete the online registration and be approved each school year.
If you were approved to volunteer last year, you will need to sign into the system, go to your check-off list and make sure all information is updated and current, then submit for approval for this new school year. New volunteers will need to complete the entire approval process before being able to volunteer.
Online volunteer registration applies to all parents and community members who are on campus before, during, or after school. High school students can get a volunteer form from our office.
Attention Parents of 5th Graders Transitioning to Middle School in 2020-21
March 9 - 5th Grade Parent Night at BLMS, 6:30 PM (parents and guardians only)
March 11 - 5th Grade Visit to BLMS, 10:30 AM (students only)
Do you have a 5th grader who will be attending Beaver Lake Middle School next school year? Information will be coming home from their elementary school soon about the 5th Grade Visit to BLMS and 5th Grade Parent Night.
We are thrilled to welcome all of our new families and share a little bit of what Beaver Lake Middle School is all about.
Summertime = Sports Physical Time
Will your student be participating in the sports programs offered at middle school? If so, mark your calendar and plan to get his/her sports physical during the summer. Students entering 6th and 9th grade are required to have a physical dated after June 1, 2020. A physical date in the summer is valid for the entire school year. If you normally schedule your child’s physical around his/her birthday, we suggest you postpone until summer. Fifth grade students getting their physical while in the 5th grade will be required to get a second physical dated after June 1 if they want to participate in middle school sports. For more information on middle school sports and the required physical form check out the ISD Middle School Sports webpage or call the middle school office. The office team will answer all your questions.
School District News:
EP&O renewal levy would not increase total local school tax rates
How would taxes be impacted by the ISD EP&O renewal levy? The District is asking voters to authorize a levy of $49.85 million in 2021 and $54 million in 2022. This is about $6.7 million less than we are legally authorized to collect. This will allow us to maintain our current programs while remaining fiscally responsible and sensitive to the overall tax rate. Because previous bond debt is ending and because we’ve planned conservatively, the estimated total local school tax rate will go down from $3.46 to $3.25 per $1,000 of assessed property value in the first year and to $3.30 in the second year.
Did you know that Washington state law provides property tax exemptions and deferrals for senior citizens and people who are disabled who meet income requirements? If you think you or someone you know might qualify, check out www.kingcounty.gov/depts/assessor/TaxRelief for more information and to apply. For more information on the renewal levy, visit the district website.
Issaquah City Council Approves Designation and Zoning for Schools at Providence Heights
You have likely seen in the news or on social media that Washington State has had one confirmed case of coronavirus. We know this kind of news is worrisome to families. The District has an emergency response plan and protocols in place for health risks that we will enact if needed. The Washington State Health Department is generally the lead agency in health crisis situations and they provide direction to school districts. While it is a serious illness, at this time the Washington State Health Department considers it a low risk to the public.
STEMPOSIUM: Save the Date
WHAT: Showcase of STEM learning hosted by teachers and students from the Issaquah School District. Teachers and students through interactive booths and demonstrations share how they learn STEM skills and knowledge through classroom projects, afterschool clubs, and student competitions. In addition to teacher/student booths, there will be various STEM related industries invited to share their work in the area of STEM.
WHEN: February 13, 2020 - 5:30-7:30 pm.
WHERE: Issaquah High School Commons – 700 2ndAvenue SE, Issaquah 98027
The annual ELPA21 assessment is an online assessment given between February 3- March 27 to all students who qualify for English language development (ELD) services.The ELPA21 summative assessment measures students' English language proficiency in reading, listening, writing, and speaking. Results from this test determine which students are eligible to continue receiving ELD services.
Open Enrollment Begins February 1
Per ISD Regulation 3131 regarding In-District Student Transfers, students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) may apply to transfer to any District school other than their neighborhood school during open enrollment through the month of February for the following school year. For complete information on the open enrollment process, including applications, please click here.
Secondary Summer School Registration Opens February 3
Registration for Summer School 2020 opens February 3 at 8:00am. Additional information, including live registration links, will be available at that time. For more information about secondary summer course offerings, please visit the Secondary Summer School webpage.
Issaquah Schools Foundation News: La Casita is the February Dining for Kids partner. Join us Wednesday, February 5th and La Casita will donate a portion of your bill to Issaquah Schools Foundation. These funds go to programs and resources for Issaquah School District students, including food & snack support during the school day. More info: http://isfdn.org/dining-for-kids/
Mark your calendars for Issaquah Schools Foundation’s Annual Fundraiser and Celebration: Nourish Every Mind 2020.
Nourish Every Mind 2020: Luncheon - Friday, May 8th, Breakfast - Tuesday, May 19th Both Events Held at Eastridge Church, Issaquah Online Auction – April 24-May 4, 2020 More info: http://isfdn.org/nourish-every-mind/
City of Issaquah News:
Did you know that the Issaquah Community Center always has a basketball court reserved for middle schoolers every day after school? $4 daily drop-in fee. Call Issaquah Parks & Recreation at 425-837-3300 with questions.