Back-to-school information for Lake Stevens School District families

Welcome to the 2022-23 school year!

Hello, Lake Stevens School District families!

I hope you are having an enjoyable summer, and are savoring every last moment.

We are so excited to welcome our students back to school beginning Wednesday, Aug. 31.

Thank you for sharing your children with us. They are our greatest gift. We are grateful for the partnership we have with our families as we all work to support our students' learning and growth.

I am honored to be your superintendent, and I look forward to seeing you in our schools and throughout our community.

Dr. Ken Collins

Superintendent

The first day of school for grades 1-8, 10 and HomeLink is Wednesday, Aug. 31. Students in grades 9, 11 &12 begin on Thursday, Sept. 1. The first day of kindergarten is Tuesday, Sept. 6—the Class of 2035, wow!—and our preschoolers begin Wednesday, Sept. 14. Be sure to check your email for important back-to-school information from your child's school.

The first three days of school, Aug. 31 to Sept. 2, students in grades 1-5 will be released 2.5 hours early. Friday, Sept. 2 is a full-day for students in grades 6-12 with no early release.

Don't forget to share your photos!

We love seeing first day of school photos! Share them via email to tellus@lkstevens.wednet.edu or tag us on social media with #lssdfirstday. Remember that your social media privacy settings must be set to "public" in order for us to see them. Photos may be used in slideshows, publications, on our website and on our social media channels.

Safety & Security in our schools, district

Safety is the number one priority in Lake Stevens School District. We are committed to establishing a learning environment that promotes student and employee safety throughout our district. In partnership with our local police and fire departments, we have a comprehensive safety plan to support our emergency preparedness, response and recovery. Learn more.

COVID-19 updates for this school year

We know that COVID is still very prevalent, and has likely impacted us all in some manner. Earlier this month, new information was released from the State Department of Health about COVID-19 health and safety guidance for schools this fall.

This includes:

Students and staff who show symptoms of COVID-19 are required to stay home , and should get tested for COVID-19.

Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 are required to isolate at home for 5 days. If symptoms improve and they have had no fever for the past 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, students and staff can come back to school on day 6 or later, and may be required to test before returning. We are finalizing this decision, and will share additional information on the COVID-19 page of our district website.

It may be required that students and staff returning to school after their 5 days of isolation wear a well-fitted mask from days 6 to 10, and remain masked for sports and other extracurricular activities on days 6 to 10. We are finalizing this decision, and will share additional information on the COVID-19 page of our district website.

Students and staff who test positive after 5 days of isolation must stay at home for the full 10-day isolation period.

Schools must inform students, families, and staff when there are cases or outbreaks in school. Schools are no longer required to directly notify high risk students or staff. We will communicate cases and outbreaks to families through the COVID-19 dashboard on our district website.

These requirements are in place for all public and private K-12 schools and child care facilities in Washington state. Schools and child care facilities are required by state law to follow these guidelines.

COVID-19 vaccinations remain the best protection for everyone against hospitalization and severe disease from COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccine is now available for children 6 months and older. Booster doses are also available for children 5 years and older. You are encouraged to vaccinate your children if they are eligible, in consultation with your healthcare provider.

We are in the process of updating our district COVID-19 Safety Plan and respective documents.

Teacher placements and class schedules

We know that students and families are excited to see their class schedules and teacher placements. Here’s when that information will be available:

Secondary school schedules for Lake Stevens and North Lake Middle Schools, Cavelero Mid High School, and Lake Stevens High School will be available in Skyward beginning tomorrow, Saturday, Aug. 20.

Elementary school teacher placements will be available in Skyward beginning Friday, Aug. 26.

We understand that this is right before school starts. However, this additional time allows our elementary school principals and office professionals time to finalize student placement following the Ready for Kindergarten event. We don’t want to announce teacher placements too early and then have to make a change, as this is challenging for students and families. We appreciate your understanding and patience!

Elementary Family Connection Meetings: In Lake Stevens we recognize and value the importance of positive relationships and open communication between families and teachers. In order to start the year building these connections, we dismiss all first- through fifth-grade students 2.5 hours early for the first three days of school so that families get the opportunity to meet (virtually) with their child’s teacher. These Family Connection Meetings are an important experience at the beginning of the school year, and we would like all families to participate by scheduling your meeting time through Skyward.

In order to schedule your Family Connection Meeting please follow the guidance below:

On Friday, Aug. 26, Skyward Family Access will be available for you to access your child’s teacher and the Family Connection sign up calendar.
Login to Skyward on or after the 26. (See direction below.)
Click on the “Conferences” tab on the left hand side.
Click on the “All Conferences” link.
Click on the “Select a Time” link. This will open up the conference schedule for your child’s teacher.
Find a slot on the schedule labeled “open,” click on “select”
Your Family Connection meeting will be scheduled at the time you selected. Please make note of the time. The teacher will email you a Google Meet link prior to the meeting.

Accessing Skyward

Follow this link to get started in Skyward Family Access. There is also a free Skyward mobile app for use on mobile devices.

Your login name may contain spaces if your last name is less than five letters long. Your login name contains the first five letters of your last name, with the first three letters of your first name and then three numbers.

If you don't know your login or password, use the "Forgot Login/Password?" link to have the system email your account information. If your email address is not found by the system, please contact your child's school to have it updated.

School supply lists for grades K-7

School supply lists for students in kindergarten through 7th-grade are available on the district website. The lists are standardized by grade level.

Cavelero Mid High School and Lake Stevens High School will notify students of specific supply needs. Students should bring a charged Chromebook (Chromebooks will be issued to new students), paper, pens and pencils to start the year.

The Hungry Hearts Foundation is partnering with the Lake Stevens Community Resource Center and local businesses for a Back to School Event, tomorrow, Saturday, Aug. 20 for qualified families. More information can be found here.

School offices now open to serve families

School offices are now open to serve families and students! Lake Stevens High School and Cavelero Mid High School's offices are open from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 2 p.m. Middle school and elementary school offices are open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.

Calendars and family handbooks mailed

The 2022-23 District Calendar & Family Handbook was mailed in early August to families who had enrolled by the end of June. EngExtra copies will be available at each school and the district office beginning Monday, Aug. 22. PDF copies are also available on the district website.

Bus routes, schedules available on Aug. 24

Information about school bus routes, schedules and stop locations will be available in e-Link beginning Wednesday, Aug. 24. Families with students in the Ready for Kindergarten program can access bus information today.

Updated walking boundaries: After careful review, safe walking boundaries have been expanded throughout the school district to allow more students the opportunity to walk to and from school. This was made possible due to road improvements and the addition of sidewalks throughout our community.

This expansion follows state laws to encompass residences within one mile of a school that have a safe walking path for students. That means that bus service will not be available to general education students who live within one mile of their school, who have a safe walking path to school.

We understand the impact this change has on families. Please know that this decision was made after reviewing the number of available bus drivers, and taking into consideration the rising fuel and maintenance costs associated with student transportation. School districts do not receive state reimbursement for the transportation of students who live within one mile of their school who have a safe walking path.

If you have questions, please contact the Transportation Department at 425-335-1508.

School meals for the 2022-23 school year

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has funded free meals for all students. The USDA free meal waivers expired on June 30, 2022. As a result, the district will once again start charging fees for lunch and breakfast starting this school year.

We strongly encourage all families to apply for school meal benefits in 2022-23 by submitting an application. Applications for the 2022-23 school year are available for download or you may obtain a paper copy from your child's school or the district office. If you qualify, it is recommended that you also complete the “Release of Student Eligibility” form to receive in-district reduced fee benefits.

Learn more about meal options for students on the Nutrition Services Department webpages, including breakfast and lunch menus, school meal prices, free and reduced meals, payment options and notifications, and meal charging guidelines.

Required student immunizations

Each year the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) publishes a list of immunizations required for school-age children. All Washington public schools abide by these requirements. More information about vaccines, including resources for families, can be found on the DOH website.

Avoid the lines! Pay school fees online

Secondary families can pay school fees and fines, purchase ASB cards, yearbooks and more through the online payment system. To get started, login with your Skyward Family Access username and password.

Chromebook Protection Plans available

Accidents happen! Lake Stevens School District offers families the opportunity to purchase a Chromebook Protection Plan for $30/school year ($10 for those qualifying for free/reduced lunch). This plan protects you from accidental damage or theft of your Chromebook.

Purchase the Chromebook Protection Plan online or by cash, check or credit card in the school office.

Learn more about the Protection Plan

We love our volunteers!

Volunteers are valued partners in the education of Lake Stevens' students! Please review our volunteer guidelines and requirements. We look forward to welcoming you into our schools.

Lake Stevens School District

12309 22nd St NE

Lake Stevens, WA 98258

425-335-1500