Message from the Interim Superintendent |
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January 9, 2023 Dear Northshore Students, Families, and Staff: Welcome back! I hope all of our students and their families had a successful return to school last week. I also hope that over the two week winter break, you were able to reconnect as a family, relax, and do things that bring you joy.
While I really enjoyed the winter break and spending time with my own family, I was ready to get back to the important work of public education. You have likely heard me say that the highlight of my job is spending time in our schools. These regular school visits help me increase my understanding about what is working and where I should prioritize district support. I am committed to doing whatever it takes to make sure that each and every Northshore student receives what they need, when they need it to thrive. Last week, I was out at Canyon Park Middle School for a fantastic visit with staff and students. This week, I will be visiting Timbercrest and Northshore Middle Schools.
One of the many lessons I have learned during my Listen and Learn tour - that also includes my school visits, is the importance of language access in making sure families are supported as partners in their children’s education. In response, we are launching a new, multilingual communication tool this month - ParentSquare. Northshore is a language-rich district with over 100 different languages and dialects spoken by our families and students. Communicating with families in their preferred language is one way we can demonstrate our commitment to inclusion, belonging, and strong family partnerships. You can learn more about ParentSquare in the Connections newsletter below.
I also want to take this moment to reaffirm the District’s commitment to racial and educational justice. Next Monday, January 16 we will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This is an opportunity to pause and reflect on how far we have come, and how far we may still need to go to realize the dream Dr. King shared with the nation. Dr. King challenged us all to make good on our nation’s promise, a promise of unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness - a promise to everyone. A promise that people will be treated fairly and justly without prejudice and that our differences, our unique perspectives, will be honored as gifts and assets in our communities.
I am committed to ensuring your children have the opportunity to pursue life, liberty, and happiness; and I believe education is foundational to that pursuit. Thank you for your partnership in this commitment. Together, we can make sure that all students have the opportunity to achieve their hopes and dreams. 2023 is shaping up to be a great year! It is an honor to serve as your interim superintendent. In partnership, Michael Tolley Interim Superintendent
To read any of Interim Superintendent Tolley's messages to families, students, and staff, please click the button below. |
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District News and Updates |
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Superintendent Search Town Halls |
The Northshore School Board is committed to a transparent and thorough Superintendent Search engagement process as it prepares to select the permanent superintendent for the Northshore School District for the 2023-24 school year. In December and January, the community, families, staff, and students have the opportunity to provide feedback through a variety of channels including Town Halls and focus groups. You are invited to participate in the upcoming in-person town hall: - Tuesday, January 10, 6-7:30 p.m., Northshore Middle School, Library
Thank you to the many individuals that completed the online Superintendent Search Survey, which closed on Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. |
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Northshore Launching ParentSquare Communications Tool for Families and Secondary Students |
Northshore School District is committed to continually evaluating and improving our communication services and supports for families and students.
We are excited to announce that the District has adopted a new communication tool called ParentSquare. This multilingual communications platform is designed to keep families, guardians, staff, and middle and high school students informed and encourage greater engagement and connection with our schools and the District. ParentSquare will go live on January 23, 2023 for the District, School Leaders, and Office Staff. Educators and other school staff will receive training in January and February.
ParentSquare will provide families and students streamlined communications, responsive to your needs including, but not limited to: - Communication in your preferred language;
- Messages from school(s) or the District via email, text, or app notification;
- Opportunity to receive information as it is sent, or all at once with a daily digest at the end of the day;
- Ability to reply to staff directly from a post (similar to social media) in the app;
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Direct messaging to staff; and
- Ability to sign up for conferences, sign forms, permission slips, and much more all from your mobile device or computer.
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School Board Recognition Month |
January is School Board recognition month! Please help us in thanking our dedicated School Board Directors for their commitment and service to our students, families, staff, and greater community. You can read the Governor’s 2023 Proclamation here. |
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As winter weather approaches, this is a good time to remind our Northshore community about the District’s snow and hazardous road condition response. The decision to close or delay schools due to inclement weather is made by the Superintendent as early as possible, typically by 5:30 a.m.
Northshore is a large district that covers more than 60 square miles. While conditions may seem normal in your neighborhood, it may be unsafe in others. All of this is taken into consideration when a decision is made to cancel, delay, activate snow routes, or keep everything on a normal schedule. Remember, if the District does not make an announcement, it means schools are open and buses are operating normally. |
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Let’s continue to work together to support our school community’s health! Students and staff are encouraged to follow these easy steps to limit the spread of respiratory illnesses including the flu, COVID-19, and RSV: - Stay home if you’re sick
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Test for COVID-19 if you feel sick and before returning to school or work. You can get free tests for your family.
- Wash your hands frequently
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Stay up to date on vaccinations
Learn more about our tips for staying healthy on our District’s Health webpage. Families are also highly encouraged to review current guidance from Public Health so you can make informed decisions about masking, community risk, and vaccinations.
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Registration Now Open for Innovation Lab High School – Learn More at Info Nights, School Tours |
Innovation Lab High School supports independent thinkers and doers coming together in a community to create, experiment, and learn. Academics are integrated across courses resulting in students’ deep understanding of the content and how it applies in real-life situations through learning expeditions and class projects. Families currently enrolled in a Northshore middle school or high school who would like to learn more about this choice high school program are encouraged to attend an upcoming parent/student info night (no registration required) or school building tour (register in advance as space is limited):
- Info Night: Wednesday, Jan. 11, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Canyon Park Middle School Library
- School Tour: Thursday, Jan. 12, 4-5 p.m. at Innovation Lab High School (register here)
- Info Night: Tuesday, Jan. 17, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Northshore Middle School Theater
- School Tour: Thursday, Jan. 19, 4-5 p.m. at Innovation Lab High School (register here)
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School Tour: Thursday, Jan. 26, 4-5 p.m. at Innovation Lab High School (register here)
In addition, the Innovation Lab High School application window is now open and the “first consideration” deadline for applicants is Jan. 31, 2023. |
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Interim Superintendent Tolley’s Listen and Learn Tour: Next General Session is Jan. 12 |
Between August 2022 and January 2023, Interim Superintendent Tolley will be implementing a comprehensive Listen and Learn Tour. The Listen and Learn Tour reflects the Interim Superintendent’s personal commitment and strong desire to engage and learn from students, families, staff, and partners. The next opportunity to participate will take place: -
Thursday, Jan. 12 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Woodinville High School, 19819 136th Avenue NE in Woodinville
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Racial & Educational Justice |
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High School Students: Second Annual Student Justice Conference Planned for March 24 |
The Racial and Educational Justice Department will offer its second annual Student Justice Conference on Friday, March 24, 2023, and the event will be open to high school students in Northshore. This year’s theme is “Unapologetically Dreaming, Designing & Doing for Justice.” The purpose of the Student Justice Conference is to create space for Northshore’s high school students to celebrate their intersectional identities, build community and collaborate with one another, grow their knowledge and understandings about various forms of justice, meet and work with educators and community partners, and learn more about various higher education opportunities.
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Partnerships & Volunteers |
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High School Seniors: Apply Now to the Scholarship Foundation of Northshore |
The Scholarship Foundation of Northshore is now accepting applications from current high school seniors for spring 2023 scholarships. The deadline to apply is Feb. 22, 2023. Visit sf-ns.org to view the opportunities available, which include 93 different new and returning scholarships, including ones specific to students interested in the trades. The Scholarship Foundation of Northshore provides annual awards to deserving graduates of the Northshore School District’s high schools, distributing scholarships valuing more than $4.3 million to over 2,270 students since 1984.
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January 11: Wednesday Early Release
January 16: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – No School January 18: Wednesday Early Release January 23: School Board Meeting, 7 p.m.
January 25: Wednesday Early Release January 27: First Semester Ends January 30: Non-Student Day/Grading – No School |
Additional religious and cultural observances: Lohri is January 13. Orthodox New Year is January 14. Makar Sankranti/Pongal is January 15. Birth of Guru Gobind Singh is January 20. Lunar New Year is January 22. International Holocaust Remembrance Day is January 27. |
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Northshore School District prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, sex, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification, in all its employment procedures, training, programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employee(s) have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged unlawful discrimination: Abel Ghirmal, Director of Human Resources (Title IX, ADA and Civil Rights Compliance), Rick Ferrell, Director of Student Services (Section 504), 3330 Monte Villa Parkway, Bothell, WA 98021, 425-408-6000.
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