June 2, 2025

Dear Northshore Colleagues: 

As we near the close of another remarkable school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the inspiring events of these past few weeks—each a powerful reminder of the compassion, diversity, and dedication that define our Northshore community.

On Tuesday, May 20, we celebrated the C.P. and Dorothy Johnson Humanitarian Awards, where two students from every school were recognized for their kindness, commitment to their community, and advocacy in support of others. Selected by school staff and administrators, these students represent the very best of what it means to be a humanitarian. It was a true joy to be in community with our students, their families, and our staff—honoring the values that unite us. I look forward to seeing how these young leaders continue to spread this spirit of care and connection throughout our schools. Visit the Northshore website to learn more about the award and or watch the 2025 ceremony. 

The following evening, I spent time with the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Board. I can’t say enough about these student leaders. I am so grateful for the wise counsel they have provided to me and my entire team this year. From providing guidance on the 2025-26 Budget Development to influencing our new Mobile Communication Device policy and procedures, they have informed and helped shape major District decisions. To the staff that nominated them to the Student Advisory Board - Thank you.

On Wednesday, May 28, we gathered to recognize our District’s graduating Latino/Hispanic seniors. The Northshore Latino/Hispanic Graduation Celebration was a beautiful event filled with pride, culture, and community. Photos are below. I want to extend my gratitude to the Northshore Schools Foundation for generously providing stoles, to our parent leaders for their vision and providing and serving the food, to Bothell culinary students that prepared the sandwiches and supported logistics, to our school staff that showed up in support, and to our dedicated Family Engagement Specialists who organized and brought this celebration to life - Thank you. 

And finally, on Thursday, May 29, we had the honor of celebrating our Northshore retirees — individuals who have given so much of themselves in service to students, families, and one another. Whether your work was in a classroom, a front office, a school bus, a kitchen, or here at the District Office, your impact is lasting and profound. You have helped ensure each and every Northshore student receives a high-quality education and the support they need to thrive. 

It truly takes all of us—every role, every day—to create a district where students are seen, valued, and challenged. The legacy you leave behind will continue to shape the lives of students, inspire your colleagues, and strengthen the foundation of excellence that defines Northshore. Thank you. 

In partnership, 

Michael Tolley

Superintendent

Have a story you would like to see shared in the "Highlights from Around the District" section of this message or on our website? Submit using this form.

Congratulations to the 62 seniors from the Class of 2025 who were recognized by the Scholarship Foundation of Northshore at the annual awards breakfast on May 20. Together, these students from Bothell, Inglemoor, Innovation Lab, North Creek, Secondary Academy for Success, and Woodinville High Schools will receive a total of $441,000 in scholarships to support their post-secondary educational pursuits. The Scholarship Foundation of Northshore has supported local students for over 40 years, awarding more than $5 million in scholarships to date. Thanks to community donors, students receive meaningful awards—many of them renewable—to help ease the cost of higher education. See the full list of 2025 scholarship recipients on our website.

During the next two weeks, the Northshore School District will celebrate the brilliance, creativity, and hard work of our Class of 2025 during seven high school and program graduations. Our community is proud of what you have accomplished and eager to see what comes next for you! Most ceremonies require tickets but will also be live streamed on our website and YouTube for family and friends who cannot attend in person. Visit the graduation website for schedules and links.

Over 650 individuals, including the 2025 graduates, showed up to celebrate our students at the 2nd Annual Latino/Hispanic Graduation Celebration. The evening included formal recognition of students by school leaders and educators, food prepared by families and the Bothell culinary students, student dance performances, a D.J., and photo opportunities. Thank you to everyone who helped support this parent-led celebration including the Northshore Schools Foundation, parent leaders, Northshore Family Engagement Specialists, Bothell High School staff and students, and Communications and Engagement team.

This summer, celebrate the start of construction on Phase 1 of the school replacement projects funded by the 2022 Capital Bond, which was generously approved by Northshore voters. Events will take place on June 17 at Inglemoor High School and Leota Middle School. The families and staff at the schools will receive an invitation soon, and the community is encouraged to watch for more information on our District website later this week.

Huge congratulations to the Woodinville Boys Soccer team. On Saturday, May 31, Woodinville beat out Hazen High School to take home the 4A State Championship (2-1). You can watch the match-winning goal here. Congratulations to all spring student-athletes for your success and hard work this season, including the following teams who competed at state: Inglemoor Girls Fastpitch, North Creek Girls Fastpitch, Inglemoor Girls Crew (competing at nationals), Inglemoor Boys Baseball, North Creek Boys Baseball, Bothell Boys Soccer, Bothell Boys Golf, Inglemoor Boys Golf, Inglemoor Girls Golf, North Creek Girls Golf, Bothell Boys and Girls Track and Field, Inglemoor Girls Track and Field, and Woodinville Boys and Girls Track and Field. We will share state tournament outcome details in next week’s Connections Newsletter.

On Saturday, Northshore Transportation participated in the regional Bus Safety competition. It was hosted by ESD 121 and took place at North Creek High School. The theme this year was “Don’t Roll the Dice on Student Safety.”  Districts around the region arrived in buses decorated with a distinctly Las Vegas theme.

Our Northshore team did very well in the competition, which involves both a written and driving test. Northshore took 1st place for Best Bus Camp and Team Spirit and 1st Place for Complete Team. Individual drivers also placed in the competition. Tracey Rachuy took 2nd and will be going onto the Washington State Rodeo. Gene Budbill placed 7th, Charle Bratsch placed 9th, Anie McDugle placed 12th, Mattew Nothaft placed 13th, and Tina Watts placed 14th. Along with those competing, Northshore had a great cheering section and had numerous people helping with behind-the-scenes duties to make the day a complete success.

The following section features non-school days, Northshore School Board meetings, and religious and cultural observances, including dates listed on the Days of Highest Impact and Days of Fasting charts that are part of Northshore’s Religious and Cultural Observances Calendar. This aims to expand awareness about the multiple forms of diversity among our students and families, the days that students may not be at school due to religious observances, and the days that students may be fasting. 

*Begins at sundown of previous day/ends at sundown

June 4

• Early Release Wednesday

June 9

• School Board Regular Meeting, 4:30 p.m.

June 11

• Early Release Wednesday

June 19

• Juneteenth - No School

June 20

• Last Day of School - check our website for dismissal times

June 23

• School Board Regular Meeting, 7 p.m.
• School Board Study Session, 5:30 p.m. Topic: 2025-26 Budget

July 3

• Northshore School District Admin Center closed for the Independence Day holiday

July 4

• Independence Day - Northshore Admin Center closed

July 14

• School Board Regular Meeting, 4:30 p.m.

The following section features additional important dates, including those listed on the Full Religious and Cultural Observances chart three, which is part of Northshore’s Religious and Cultural Observances Calendar.

*Begins at sundown of previous day/ends at sundown

June 1-30

• Pride Month

June 2-3

• Shavuot* - Jewish

June 6-9

• Hajj - Islamic

June 6

• Day of Arafah* - Islamic
• Eid al-Adha* - Islamic

June 8

• Pentecost* - Non-Denominational Christian
• Pentecost - Christian

June 9

• Whit Monday - Christian

June 15

• Trinity Sunday - Christian

June 16

• Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib - Sikh

June 19

• Corpus Christi - Christian

June 20

• Summer Solstice - Neo Pagan

July 9

• Martyrdom of the Bab* - Baha’i

Northshore School District is enriched by the many experiences and perspectives each individual member brings to our District and community. Therefore, our District prohibits discrimination based on age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, cognitive, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.

Civil Rights and ADA Coordinator for Staff: 
Jerred Kelly
3330 Monte Villa Parkway
Bothell, WA 98021-8972
425-408-7622 or 7604
TitleIXOfficer@nsd.org  

Title IX Coordinator: 
Jerred Kelly
3330 Monte Villa Parkway
Bothell, WA 98021-8972
425-408-7622 or 7604
TitleIXOfficer@nsd.org 

The Northshore School District shall provide equal educational opportunity and treatment for all students in all aspects of the District’s academic, activities, or employment programs without discrimination. In addition, the District provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups in its programs and activities.

Section 504 and ADA Coordinator for Students: 
Rick Ferrell
Director of Student Services
3330 Monte Villa Parkway
Bothell, WA 98021-8972
425-408-7632
rferrell@nsd.org 

Any Northshore School District staff and community member has the right to raise concerns or make a complaint regarding discrimination under this policy without fear of retaliation. The above-listed employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged unlawful discrimination.