Connections: June 9, 2025

Connections: June 9, 2025

Northshore School District logo in blue

Connections Newsletter

News from the Northshore School District

June 9, 2025

Message from the Superintendent

Dear Northshore Community,

 

As we approach the end of the school year, I want to take a moment to celebrate a life milestone that means so much to our students, families, and staff — High School Graduation season. 

 

Together, we will celebrate all that our 2025 Northshore graduates have accomplished beginning with Secondary Academy for Success (SAS) graduates tomorrow evening. You can view the full list of graduations on the District’s website as well as the live stream information. 

 

Our graduates have accomplished so much during their time here in Northshore. They have grown as scholars, artists, athletes, leaders and engaged members of their school communities and beyond. Whether heading off to college, an apprenticeship or career, the military, or another exciting next step, each student is well prepared to achieve their dreams. I can’t wait to see what they do next.  

 

To the families and loved ones who have supported them every step of the way — thank you. And to our incredible educators and staff who have guided and inspired these students throughout their Northshore journey — your impact is immeasurable. This week’s celebrations are a reflection of your care and commitment.

 

I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to the Northshore Council PTSA for hosting last week’s spring recognition event. It was a joy to celebrate the many dedicated volunteers and PTSA leaders who give so much of their time and energy to our schools. Your unwavering support plays a vital role in enriching the lives of our students and strengthening our community each and every day. Thank you. 

 

As we celebrate our 2025 graduates and the many contributions of our school PTSAs and Northshore Council PTSA, I am filled with gratitude. Thank you for all you do to make Northshore such a special place to learn and grow. 

 

In partnership,

 

Michael Tolley

Superintendent

 

Successful Students, Staff & Schools

A collage of images featuring graduation ceremonies and school logos.

Class of 2025: Celebrating Graduates

During the next week, 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.

Two graduates smile, wearing graduation gowns and stoles, posing for a photo.

Latino/Hispanic Graduation Celebration, 2025

Over 650 individuals, including our 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 Culinary Arts Class students and staff, and Communications and Engagement team.

Scholarship Foundation of Northshore Honors 62 Seniors

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.

Three people stand in a room, one speaking into a microphone.

Northshore celebrates its 2024-25 retirees

Congratulations to the 59 Northshore staff members who have retired or are planning to soon retire from the Northshore School District. These individuals have served Northshore schools and students for a total of approximately 1,330 years. Congratulations on the significant impact you have made to the students and families of our district! On May 29, retirees gathered together to celebrate their years of service and retirement during a district recognition event. Visit our website for a list of the 2024-25 retirees, photos from the event, and more.

A soccer team in green jerseys celebrates their state championship victory.

Spring Sports Wrap-up: Woodinville Boys Soccer Wins State Championship, Inglemoor Girls Crew Advances to Nationals

Congratulations to our spring sports student-athletes for tremendous seasons. Two Inglemoor girls crew teams won first place at regionals and advanced to nationals June 12-15, and the Woodinville boys soccer team won the state championship (2-1) on May 31. You can watch the Woodinville match-winning goal here. Visit U.S. Rowing to watch for updates on Inglemoor crew as they compete at nationals. See a full list of teams and individuals who competed at state on our website.

A group of people gather on a green field on a sunny day to play cricket.

Northshore Hosts Successful Cricket Tournament

Northshore’s Cricket tournament took place mid-April through May with more than 150 middle and high school students participating. For the first time, the tournament was partly student-led, with a dedicated group of students on the Student Cricket Committee guiding the process. This volunteer-driven program gave students a chance to try cricket, a sport quickly gaining popularity in the U.S. Throughout the season, students received coaching from a veteran cricket coach who is the grandparent of a Northshore student. In addition, representatives from the Seattle Orcas, Seattle’s Major League Cricket team, visited along with their mascot to encourage our Northshore student-athletes. The season culminated in a match between students and their families. Thank you to the many families, community members, and supporters who volunteered to make this season possible for our Northshore students.

Awardees stand together, many wearing medals.

C.P. and Dorothy Johnson Humanitarian Award Recipients Recognized

On May 21, Northshore celebrated 71 outstanding students from preschool to grades 12+ for consistently demonstrating the value and dignity of others, treating others with respect, and promoting the common good. The annual recognition program highlights the varying ways in which our students are making a difference in their school communities and our communities as a whole. The ceremony recording and information about each award recipient are available on our C.P. and Dorothy Johnson Humanitarian Awards website.

 

News & Updates

Last Week of School: Start and Dismissal Time Reminders

Please note the following about our school start and dismissal times during the last week of school:

  • Monday-Wednesday, June 16-18: Full Days of School (no Wednesday Early Release on June 18)
  • Thursday, June 19: Juneteenth Holiday – No School
  • Friday, June 20: Last Day of School – check our Start and Dismissal Times webpage for school-specific information.

A maroon banner reads 'Northshore Back to School Resource Fair' with running figures.

Back-to-School Resource Fair - Thursday, Aug. 7

The Northshore School District will once again host the Back-to-School Resource Fair from 4-5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7 at Pop Keeney Stadium. This is an opportunity for families to learn about the resources provided by our community partners, and to also get information from a variety of District departments including, but not limited to: Transportation, Food & Nutrition Services, Student Services, Health Services and more. 

 

Pop Keeney Stadium is located at 9809 NE 188th St, Bothell, WA 98011. Everyone is welcome to attend this free community event. To learn more about the event, visit our District website.

Northshore's Wall of Honor Induction Ceremony - Thursday, Aug. 14

The Wall of Honor ceremony will be held at Pop Keeney Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 14 from 6-7:30 p.m. The Northshore School District and a group of alumni founded the Wall of Honor and established a process that recognizes outstanding Northshore graduates and individuals associated with the District whose careers and lives have made a difference in our world. Additionally, the Wall of Honor has established a scholarship given to a recent Northshore graduate to encourage today’s students to dream big and strive to achieve their full potential. Learn more on the Wall of Honor website. The Northshore Connections Newsletter will include an update on this year’s inductees in August.

Community Serve Day - Sunday, Aug. 24

In partnership with Northshore Community Church, Community Serve Day will take place at many of our Northshore schools on Sunday, August 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers will be helping our schools prepare for the new school year by tidying up the grounds and assisting our educators with classroom setup. Last year, more than 2,000 volunteers participated in Community Serve Day. For more information and to volunteer, please visit the Community Serve Day website

 

School Board News

Members of the board

Connect with the Northshore Board of Directors

The Northshore Board of Directors represents all of our families and residents, and board members encourage you to learn more and get engaged in the business of the District. In this section you will find information about school board meetings, including upcoming meetings and information about past meetings. Links are included for more information.

 

Upcoming Meetings and Topics

  • Monday, June 9 at 4:30 p.m. Regular Meeting of the Board (view the agenda). 

 

Past Meeting Highlights

  • Monday, May 12. Regular Meeting of the Board (view the agenda and draft minutes). Topics included: Reviewed and accepted the Monitoring Report and Policy for Superintendent Parameter 13 - Asset Protection and other regular business.
  • Monday, May 12. School Board Special Meeting (view the agenda and draft minutes). The topic was 2025-26 Budget Development.
  • Wednesday, May 14 at 6 p.m. School Board Special Meeting (view the agenda and minutes). Topic: Action taken regarding the selection of Dr. Justin Irish as Northshore’s next superintendent.
  • Tuesday, May 27. School Board Special meeting (view the agenda and draft minutes). The topic was Strategic Goal 4 - Innovative, Creative, Critical Thinkers.
  • Tuesday, May 27. Regular Meeting of the Board (view the agenda and draft minutes). Topics included: Reviewed and accepted the Monitoring Report for Goal 4 - Innovative, Creative, Critical Thinkers, approved resolutions 899 (delegating authority to KingCo Conference for athletics), 900 (KingCo Conference membership renewal for 2025-26), 901 (reduced educational program for 2025-26), and other regular business.
 

Racial and Educational Justice

Pride Month

The Northshore School District is committed to creating a safe, caring, and respectful environment for all students, families, and staff. During the month of June, the District celebrates and recognizes Pride and the global and local impact that the LBGTQIA2S+* community has had within Northshore. While our nation has made meaningful progress toward equality, we recognize that the journey is far from over. There is still important work ahead to achieve full equity for the LGBTQIA2S+ community. This PRIDE Month, we invite you to join us in reaffirming our support for our LGBTQIA2S+ students, families, and community members—and in celebrating their significant contributions to our schools and society.

A colorful flyer announces a June Teenth celebration with the City of Bothell.

Juneteenth Celebration at North Creek High School

North Creek BSU presents the Northshore School District Juneteenth Celebration & Recognition, in partnership with the City of Bothell. The event includes food, fun, and connection, and it kicks off at 12 p.m. on Thursday, June 19 at North Creek High School, 3613 191st PL SE, Bothell. More info: rknox2@nsd.org. We hope to see you there!

 

Bond and Levy Dollars at Work

Image promoting construction in Northshore, with a shovel and hard hat graphic.

Breaking Ground on Construction at Inglemoor and Leota

This summer, celebrate the start of Phase 1 construction on school replacement projects at Inglemoor High School and Leota Middle School, which were funded by the voter-approved 2022 Capital Bond. Join us Tuesday, June 17 at 3:45 p.m. at Inglemoor and/or at 5:30 p.m. at Leota for these celebrations. The 2022 Bond funded the development of the master plan for the replacement of both schools and Phase 1 of construction for each school. Join us on June 17 to learn more about each project or visit our website.

 

Community Partnerships

Both current and new superintendents smiling

A young man in a suit holds a bouquet and an award.

Northshore Council PTSA Spring Recognition Event and Awards

During the Spring Recognition Celebration on June 4, Northshore Council PTSA recognized a few special people who have gone above and beyond in service to our community and promoted the well-being and education of children in our district and beyond. Below are this year's Northshore Council PTSA Recognition Awards Recipients. Congratulations!

 

  • Golden Acorn Awards: Christine Roehnelt and Melissa Bennet
  • Outstanding Educator Awards: Mo Diehl (Innovation Lab High School) and Elliot Gray (Canyon Creek Elementary)
  • Outstanding Advocates: Holly Muenchow and Brenae Brix
  • Outstanding Student Advocate: Ethan Nguyen (Bothell High School)
  • Honorary Lifetime Membership: Jane Chiodo
  • Outstanding Service Award: Robin McKenzie

 

The Northshore Council PTSA also thanked Superintendent Michael Tolley for his leadership and welcomed our new Superintendent, Dr. Justin Irish.

Backpacks for Kids Supply Drive Underway

The Northshore Schools Foundation's 2025 Backpacks for Kids Supply Drive has started. This is the sixth year that the Foundation will be organizing the drive. This program involves community members, organizations, individuals, teams, and local businesses supporting NSD students who need essential school supplies for the 2025-26 school year. For more information about how to get involved in Backpacks for Kids, visit the Foundation’s website.

Northshore Schools Foundation Partners with District for Summer Food Program

The Northshore Schools Foundation will again be supporting the Northshore School District’s 2025 Community-Supported Summer Food Program, an initiative that provides nutritious meals to Northshore students and families throughout the summer months. Learn more about how to support the Summer Food Program on the Foundation’s website.

King County Provides Resources, Guidance Around Water Safety this Summer

As your children get ready for summer break, it’s important to remember that water activities come with risks. Since 2018, King County has seen a rise in preventable drowning fatalities, with preliminary data showing 25 deaths in 2024. Many of these tragedies could have been avoided with proper supervision and life jacket use. This summer, let's make water safety a priority to protect our kids. Visit our website to learn more about the resources available and safety tips to protect our students on the waterways.

 

Important Dates

Calendar

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 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.

 

​​

Additional Religious and Cultural Observances

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 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

 

 

District News

 

 

Superintendent's Blog