Dear LC-Bound Eighth Grade Families,
 
WELCOME!
 
These past few weeks have been thrilling as we begin to imagine hallways here once again populated with our Tigers. We are fully aware that school will look very different in this new pandemically-protocoled environment. And we are also fully aware that safety measures are critical, that our families are needing a lot of information about our plans, and that all of us are going to have to lean on each other a LOT to support our students in this new reality.
 
So, let’s start getting you woven into the community here at LC so that you can see for yourselves that we are ready for all of our current students to return AND that we are getting very ready for the arrival of your students next year. 
 
We are excited that your son or daughter will soon be a freshman here. Ninth grade marks the beginning of an important four years for both you and your child. You will have the benefit of an administrator and a counseling team specifically focused on making sure that freshman year is the strong transition year that it needs to be to support critical, advanced learning. You will have the benefit of a teaching team focusing on ninth grade instruction as all about skills building, relationship strengthening, self-awareness, and maturing learning strategies. We feel great about how successful the vast majority of our freshmen are here and are eager to wrap up your child into our Tiger community.
 
According to Spokane Schools, you live in the Lewis and Clark attendance area. If this is incorrect, please contact your current middle school to update your address. If you are considering a transfer to another Spokane Public Schools high school, we recommend you complete the application soon. The online application is open February 8 - March 8 at: https://enroll.spokaneschools.org/enrollment. Students currently in our database will register for classes with Lewis and Clark, and if they transfer schools, we will forward that information to the new school. 
   
Starting this week, you will begin receiving our weekly LC News You Can Use email newsletter so you can start getting connected with the great opportunities and activities we offer at LC.

Our staff is committed to your child's success and sincerely looks forward to welcoming you and your child to the LC Family! If you have any questions regarding class selection and the transition process, please feel free to contact us.
 
Sincerely,
Marybeth Smith, Principal - [email protected]
Theresa Meyer, Assistant Principal - [email protected]
Phil High-Edward, Assistant Principal - [email protected]
Carole Baumgartner, Assistant Principal - [email protected]
Sarah Pooler, 9th Grade Administrator/Principal Assistant - [email protected]
Veronica Steele, Principal Assistant - [email protected]
Dave Hughes, Athletic Director - [email protected]
Tatriana Muravez - 9th Grade Counselor - [email protected]
Charlene Dupper - 9th Grade Counselor - [email protected]
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
9th Grade Registration Information: All of the registration documents and support materials are available online at www.lctigers.com. Scroll down to the Fall Registration icon in the Headlines section.

  • Class Registration Forms - you will find the form and the 9th grade information on our classes. The form lists every class open to 9th graders.

  • Elective Course Information - many elective teachers have created videos or information sheets on their classes for you to explore.

  • Presentations & Resources - Links to the video presentations and district/program resources.

9th Grade Registration Presentations: In lieu of in-person parent meetings, we created videos to walk you through the information we would traditionally cover at our 8th grade parent nights and middle school registration days. We are coordinating with our middle school partners to share this information with students. We understand that the video is not an ideal substitute for face to face meetings, so we are hosting a number of online Q&A sessions (see below). It would be helpful to view the presentation videos before attending the optional Q&A sessions:



9th Grade Drop-In Afternoon Q&A Virtual Meetings: If you have questions about registration and classes - come join us for informal question and answer sessions. We'll have counselors and administrators ready to help. There will not be a formal presentation, so you can come in, ask your question, and leave when you are done. We have specific days for all of our middle schools, but feel free to come on any of the days if it works with your schedule. These meetings will be held on Teams:




9th Grade Drop-In Evening Virtual Meetings: Evening Question and Answer drop-in sessions for students & parents to come ask our counselors, teachers, and administrators questions about registration. These are drop-in meetings - there will not be a presentation, so feel free to pop in at any time to ask questions. We'll be using Zoom for these events with breakout rooms - in order to use the breakout rooms, you'll need to have an updated version of Zoom on your phone or computer. Click here to download Zoom on a computer or go to your phone's app store (Zoom is free to use). If you cannot download/install the app, when you click on Zoom meeting link, look for the "join from your browser" link to join without installing software.



If you need help accessing the meetings, email [email protected]. Depending on the volume of help needed on the night of the event, it may take a few minutes to respond. If you could test it beforehand, that will help you on the meeting night.

9th Grade One-on-One Help: If you cannot attend any of these online events or you did not get a chance to ask your question, please email us. We want to make this process as easy and flexible as we can this year:



PowerSchool: In order to prepare for registration, it will be important for you know your login and password to PowerSchool and you can get into the program because you will be inputting your course requests into PowerSchool directly (the login/password is different from your Clever/MS365 login/password).

  • Directions: Using a computer (not your phone), go to PowerSchool and try log in. Do not try the "forgot password/username" links to reset it yourself, they do not work and be sure to use the link above and not access a Google search for PowerSchool which may take you to a different district's servers - only use the link above for our PowerSchool.

  • If you get in, you're good to register! Please write down the login/password in case you forget it. There is a chance that even if you know your login/password, it might take you to a screen that says "an administrator has changed your password". Just follow the directions - you will need to select a new password, enter your current password, then choose a new one that is 8 characters or more.

  • If you can't get in, your password will need to be reset. Because you are not currently LC students, we cannot reset your password. You will need to contact your middle school office to make the change.


This process is new for all of us and there will be obstacles that we will all need to overcome to get all 2,000 Tigers registered. We have plenty of time to enter the requests and make changes. We work on the schedule all spring and summer long, so do not hesitate to contact us with questions or changes. The goal is to create the best schedules possible to meet everyone's needs, as long as it takes! We are so excited to meet our future Tigers and welcome you to our family!

Mrs. Meyer
WELCOME TO THE LC NEWS YOU CAN USE!
All information below is for current LC students (middle school registration information is above)
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
February 8-12 - Drop-In Registration Q&A meetings w/counselors on Teams - 2-3pm (see below for more info)
February 9 - Evening Drop-In Registration Q&A on Zoom 6:00-7:30pm (see below for more information)
February 9 - SPS Dual Credit Webinar (see below for more information)
February 10 - Registration Q&A Online Drop-In Session 6:00-7:30pm (see below for more information)
February 11 - SPS Dual Credit Webinar (see below for more information)
February 15 - Presidents Day - NO SCHOOL
February 16-19 - Schedule changes due to holiday (see below for more information)
March 1 - Tentative date to move to hybrid learning (more info coming soon)
March 5 - Teacher Professional Learning Day - NO SCHOOL
June 21-22 - Windstorm make up days (school year extended by 2 days)
FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE
So.

We are getting down to brass tacks about now and things are starting to feel very real.

Our staff is beginning to grapple with putting together hybrid instructional processes and, it is coming with no small amount of mixed emotions.

They are thrilled to see students face to face. They are very anxious about seeing students face to face.

They are thrilled to move away from remote learning. They are grieving leaving remote learning after just recently really getting in the groove with it. They are excited to take a step toward “normal” but are both fearful that what we are returning to looks very different from the normal we left in March of 2020, and excited to think that all of the learning we have done this past year will make the new normal we establish better and richer and more fun and engaging for all our students.

That being said, what is our Normal 3.0 going to look like?

Students have been placed into A/B cohorts based on their home addresses even/odd designation. We unfortunately have no capacity whatsoever right now to move students from one cohort to another as the balances and social distancing protocols we need to adhere to preclude us from moving anyone at present. If you want to get on our list for “we want to swap cohorts if we can”, please send an email to Theresa Meyer, AP in charge of this process, and let her know. [email protected] If we have room down the road, we will reach out.

Students and families will be invited into evening webinars, will receive emails and newsletters, will view videos in Advisory/and on our website, and will in some cases even be invited here for orientations, in order to learn “How to LC” in the new reality of pandemic protocols. Please watch next week’s newsletter for a calendar of all of these opportunities.

Students will be informed about which entries they will use to come into the school building, how to grab breakfast, how to walk in the hallways, enter classrooms, use materials, exit classrooms, grab lunch, eat lunch, access restrooms, leave for the day, and ride buses, all while wearing their masks and socially distancing.

We will review cohorts and schedules for Fridays and for each day of the week.

And we will make sure that students and families feel as safe and supported as possible in this return to campus.

There are no silly questions right now. Please email, call or come by to let us know what you need to feel ready to return your child to in-person learning on March 1.

We are eager to make this experience an awesome one for your Tiger.

Marybeth Smith
LC Principal
REGISTRATION!
Registration for Fall 2021: We are excited to begin the journey to register for next year! We are going to use completely new processes this year due to our virtual world. There will be many opportunities to adjust course choices over the next few months, so if you have questions, please contact your counselor and we'll work through this together. We appreciate your flexibility as we explore new ways to register!

February 2-5 - in Advisory this week, we went through Registration Overview, Core Classes, Elective Classes, and PowerSchool Registration (click on each link to watch the video presentations for more details). Students can now log into PowerSchool and select classes!

February 8-12 - counselors will offer afternoon drop-in sessions for students/parents to come ask questions and get help with the process. Each counselor will offer sessions through their Counselor Team:

February 9 & 10 - evening Q&A drop-in sessions for students/parents to come ask our counselors questions about registration. These are drop-in meetings - there will not be a presentation, so feel free to pop in at any time to ask questions between 6:00-7:30pm. We'll be using Zoom for these events with breakout rooms - in order to use the breakout rooms, you'll need to have an updated version of Zoom on your phone or computer. Click here to download Zoom on a computer or go to your phone's app store (Zoom is free to use). If you cannot download/install the app, when you click on Zoom meeting link, look for the "join from your browser" link to join without installing software.

If you are looking to choice transfer to a different SPS school, the Choice Transfer Applications will open February 8 - March 8. To apply, go here and click on Apply.

PowerSchool: In order to prepare for registration, it will be important for you know your login and password to PowerSchool and you can get into the program (the login/password is different from your Clever/MS365 login/password).
  • Directions: Using a computer (not your phone), go to PowerSchool and try log in (do not try the links to reset it yourself, they do not work and be sure to use the link above and not access through Clever or using a Google search for PowerSchool which may take you to a different district's servers).
  • If you get in, you're good to register! Please write down the login/password in case you forget it. There is a chance that even if you know your login/password, it might take you to a screen that says "an administrator has changed your password". You will need to select a new password, so just follow the directions on the screen and enter your current password, then choose a new one that is 8 characters or more.
  • If you can't get in, your password will need to be reset. Click on the link below to send an email to Mrs. Meyer. Provide your name and simply ask for a password reset.

We are posting information on the www.lctigers.com and in the Lewis and Clark HS TEAM to share information. Students can view registration forms for their next grade level and documents from elective teachers that share the highlights of their classes. Students will use the registration forms for planning purposes but will not be submitting hard copies this year. They will enter all of their registration requests into PowerSchool in February. You can access the information and forms below for your planning:
Course Registration Forms: These forms list all of the classes LC offers to students (the district catalog lists all classes that could be offered in the district, rely upon our forms for LC specific classes)

Course and Program Information:

Need help? Email [email protected]!
LEVY IS FOR LEARNING
Levy Facts for the February 9 Special Election: The levy is a way for the Spokane community to provide a well-rounded experience for SPS students by funding extracurricular activities, support for students with special needs, and critical health and wellness services. Learn more at spokaneschools.org/levy
What Is a School Levy? School levies support essential programs, staff and services that provide a quality education for our students. The levy is a way for the Spokane community to provide a well-rounded education for SPS students. The 2021 levy replaces the expiring 2018 levy and is not a new tax. The total estimated tax rate for schools will be less than in 2018 and prior years.

What does a Levy Fund? Levy funding supports essential programs, people and services, such as:
  • Nurses
  • Counselors
  • Behavior specialists
  • Student intervention programs
  • Special education services
  • Technology support
  • Smaller class sizes
  • Advanced Placement courses
  • Athletics
  • Arts, music, and drama

What Will the Levy Cost? The 2021 levy replaces the expiring 2018 levy and is not a new tax. The total estimated tax rate for schools will be less than in 2018 and prior years. Estimated tax rates (per $1,000 of assessed valuation) are:
  • 2022: $2.40
  • 2023: $2.45
  • 2024: $2.50
ACCEPTED
Accepted: The Accepted Wall is filling up with Senior celebrations! Please let Theresa Meyer know when you have been accepted to a post-high school institution (2 year, 4 year, military, tech). Please include scholarship information so we can share the good news! Let's fill up the wall!
Accepted: LC Senior David Dunlap has been accepted to Pacific University (with a football offer and Presidential Scholarship for $84,000 for four years), Lake Forest College (with a Presidential scholarship for $112,000 for four years), San Diego State University, Eastern Washington University, and Western Washington University (with a Presidential Scholarship). Go Boxers, Bears, Aztec Warriors, Eagles, and Vikings!
Accepted: LC Senior Zeke Farrar has been accepted to Neumont College of Computer Science.
Accepted: LC Senior Taryn Hatch has been accepted to the University of Puget Sound (with the Dean's Scholarship Award of $92,000). Go Loggers!
Accepted: LC Senior Nikki Hindman has been accepted to Washington State University as a Distinguished Scholar. Go Cougs!
Accepted: LC Senior Addisen Somes has been accepted to Yakima Valley College with an invitation to play on their soccer team. Go Yaks!
Accepted: LC Senior Diana Stenzel has been accepted to Spokane Falls Community College in the Information Technology Program and Spokane Community College in the Electronics Engineering program. Go Sasquatch!
GOOD NEWS
Good News: If you have good news to share, please send it to Theresa Meyer to be included in the LCNYCU.
Good News: The LC Senior All Nighter Parent Group is holding a Raffle for Valentines Day! Click on the image to see the flyer with the details. Support our Seniors and win a great Valentines prize!

They are also offering an “All-in-One” Valentine package with a dozen red roses, gourmet chocolate caramels and more! Limited quantities, $100, to be picked up Saturday, Feb 13th at 13th and Grand from 12:30-3:00

Please reach out to family and friends of LC Seniors and send them this link to our GoFundMe! We want to send our seniors with something special.
INFORMATION
Monday Holiday Schedule Shifts: Looking ahead on the calendar, there are a number of Monday school holidays coming up that will require us to shift schedules to maximize instructional time. Here are the dates:
  • February 15-19 (15th off for President’s Day)
  • May 31-June 4 (31st off for Memorial Day)
 
And one week with a Friday non-school day:
  • March 1-5 (5th off for Professional Learning Day for Teachers – this is a Friday – keep M-Th with normal schedule and eliminate the Friday schedule that week)
 
The district high schools and middle schools will all be use a consistent schedule for these holiday weeks. This schedule will require students to only use different meeting invites on Friday during those weeks. Teachers will remind students that the Fridays will be 1st-3rd periods.
  • Monday: Holiday
  • Tuesday: 4, 5, 6 (normal schedule)
  • Wednesday: 1, 2, 3 (normal schedule)
  • Thursday: 4, 5, 6 (normal schedule)
  • Friday: 1, 2, 3 - this is the adjusted schedule day
Sports Updates: We are excited to announce that the Greater Spokane League, in collaboration with the WIAA, has approved adjustments for the league to the current WIAA Season #1. Click here for the Greater Spokane League press release. Season #1 sports start dates are as follows:
 
Volleyball will start February 8 and will end March 28. Competitions can begin in Phase 2.
 
Football will start February 15 and end April 11. Competitions can begin in Phase 2.
 
Girls Soccer will start February 22 and end April 11. Competitions can begin in Phase 2.
 
Cross Country will start February 22 and end April 11. Competitions can begin in Phase 1 without spectators.
 
Slow-pitch Softball has been moved to a later season that will be opposite Fast-pitch Softball.
 
Register for Volleyball, Football, Girls Soccer, or Cross Country today at FamilyID.com. A current sports physical and GSL card are required to participate. Purchase GSL cards online or in the LC Business Office.
 
We look forward to a safe and healthy sports season. Go Tigers!
 
LC Athletic Director: Dave Hughes (509) 354-6967 [email protected]
LC Athletic Secretary: Jessica Wahl (509) 354-6903 [email protected]
LC Booster Club: The LC Booster Club has been busy! Read the January Newsletter for information on upcoming meetings, Senior All-Nighter, and Spirit Gear. Click here: LC Booster Club January Newsletter

The Lewis and Clark Booster Club has established an on-line store at https://lcboosterclub.square.site/. This is a great place to do some holiday shopping. We will ship the merchandise to your home or you can come to LC and pick up your items at the book room. Enjoy doing some holiday shopping and support our students at LC. Go Tigers.
Bite2Go Program: Lewis and Clark High School aspires to bring meal security to eliminate the nutritional gap of students. We intend to fulfill this goal with the Bite2Go program, which is a program run by LC DECA members meant to help get food to students for the weekend. Students can sign up here.
COLLEGE & CAREER
FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now OPEN! It is highly recommended that all LC Seniors file the FAFSA. It is the first step in getting financial aid -- including grants, scholarships, work study, and loans - from any college, technical school, or career training program. Go to to www.fafsa.gov. In order to file the FAFSA, both the parent and student must first create FSA IDs. Learn more about FAFSA by reading 101: FAFSA. Do you need help with filing out your FAFSA? We have a great video resource for you from the Washington Student Achievement Council - FAFSA Line by Line - this video will point out common mistakes, tell you the information you will need to complete the FAFSA, and walk you through every single line in the application. You can also reach out to Mr. Norton for help on FAFSA, college apps, and scholarships!
Dual Credit (Running Start, AP, Skills Center): Spokane Public Schools will be hosting a webinar on the Dual Credit opportunities that are available to students in our school district. Our college partners (Community Colleges of Spokane and EWU) as well as NewTech Skills Center will present information on these opportunities, to include Running Start, College in the High School and CTE dual credit options. The presentations will be offered on 2 different evenings, February 9 and 11 starting at 6:00pm. The webinar will be delivered through Zoom and you must register in advance to attend on the specific evening of your choice. Once you register, you will receive an email containing information on how to join the webinar. Here are the registration links:

SPS ZOOM WEBINAR INVITE FOR February 9:
When: February 9 - 6:00pm
Topic: SPS Dual Credit Night: Running Start + CTE Dual Credit
Register in advance for this webinar:
 
SPS ZOOM WEBINAR INVITE FOR February 11:
When: February 11 - 6:00pm
Topic: SPS Dual Credit Night: Running Start + CTE Dual Credit
Register in advance for this webinar:
Senior Remind Group: Seniors are encouraged to join the Senior Remind Text Group to receive updates through out the year on college deadlines, scholarships, college visits, the high school & beyond plan, and more. To receive messages via text, send a new text to the number: 81010 and in the message, enter this as the message: @lchsccr-21
REMINDERS
Booster Club Meetings: All LC parents are invited to attend our Booster Club Meetings. All meetings at 6:30-7:30pm. Visit www.lcboosters.org to learn how to join.
  • February 8 - TBD * this is an allocation meeting
  • March 8 - TBD
  • April 12 - TBD
  • May 10 - TBD * this is an allocation meeting
FamilyID Athletic Clearance/Registration: FamilyID is a secure registration platform that provides an easy, user-friendly way to register for activities, while helping us to be more administratively efficient and environmentally responsible. When you register, the system keeps track of your information, so you only have to enter it once for multiple uses, family members and programs. If you do not have Internet access, you can use a computer at LC. The first time you register, it is recommended that you use a computer. After that, registrations can easily be done on your phone. If needed, paper packets are still available in the Business Office. Register at:
  1. Go to: https://www.familyid.com/organizations/lewis-clark-high-school
  2. Open an account using a valid email and password of your choice
  3. Within minutes, you will be sent a link to begin registration
  4. After selecting your program and completing registration - CONFIRM REGISTRATION
  5. You will see a confirmation page and you are IN!!
Follow Us: Follow us on Facebook and YouTube!
Absences: If your student is going to be absent, please call our attendance hotline to excuse the absence at 354-6968. Please leave a message with your name, your student's name, clearly spelling out the last name, how long your student will be absent, and the reason for the absence. An unexcused absence will generate an automated phone call home. If your child is going to have an extended absence, please have them go to the Student Office to pick up an Extended Absence Sheet to give teacher advanced notice of the absence.
Donate to the Student Assistance Fund: When you come in to pay student fees in the Business Office, please consider donating to the Student Assistance fund. This fund helps needy students pay for the required class fees and athletic fees. Every dollar donated goes directly to LC students.
Administrators:

Counselors: To schedule an appointment with a counselor please contact our Guidance Secretaries: Julie Croteau 354-6966 or [email protected] or Annette Gregory 354-5680 [email protected].
LC Counselor Distribution:


School Support:
  • Absence Hotline: parents can call us at 354-6968
  • Main Office: 354-7000
Non-Discrimination Statement: Spokane Public Schools complies with all federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, race, color, creed, national origin, 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, sexual orientation including gender expression or gender identity, or honorably discharged veteran or military status. This holds true for all students who are interested in participating in educational programs and/or extracurricular school activities, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the school district's Title IX/Staff Civil Rights Officer, ADA Officer, Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying (HIB)/Student Civil Rights Officer and/or 504 Compliance Officer:
o  504 Compliance Officer: Jodi Harmon, 509.354.7269
o  ADA Officer: Stephanie Busch, 509.354.5993
o  Affirmative Action Officer: Nancy Lopez-Williams, 509-354-7285
o  AHERA Officer: Robert Findley, 509.354.7143
o  ALE Officer: Gwen Harris, 509.354.7393
o  Certification Officer: Cindy Coleman, 509.354.7318
o  Claims Agent: Salliejo Evers, 509.354.7250
o  Contract Officer: Cindy Coleman, 509.354.7318
o  Copyright Compliance Officer: Mark Martell, 509.354.7212
o  Equal Opportunity Officer: Nancy Lopez-Williams, 509-354-7285
o  Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying (HIB)/Student Civil Rights Officer: Jodi Harmon, 509.354.7306
o  Personnel Officer: Nancy Lopez-Williams, 509-354-7285
o  Public Records Officer: Terri LeFors, 509.354.7395
o  Safety/OSHA/WISHA Officer: Salliejo Evers, 509.354.7250
o  Secretary, Board of Directors: Dr. Adam Swinyard, 509.354.7268
o  Title IX/Staff Civil Rights Officer: Jodi Harmon, 509.354.7306