Community Forum Event with Superintendent Tow-Yick
“I am honored and humbled that the Issaquah School Board unanimously selected me to be the next Superintendent for Issaquah,” said new Superintendent Heather Tow-Yick.
She has designed an executive leadership plan for the first 100 days on-the-job. The proposal will direct her transition within Issaquah School District (ISD), with scheduled activities including meet and greets, events, activities, and one-on-one conversations.
“It is my intent to listen, learn and engage as much as possible,” she said.
The new superintendent’s plan will primarily concentrate on “creating relationships and learning all facets of ISD programs, operations, and community.” Through those district-wide experiences, Tow-Yick plans to analyze her learnings and work to “comprehensively understand information from stakeholders” within and outside the organization.
All of these action items, set to take place over the course of the next few months, will ultimately enable Tow-Yick to gather information about the school community and its organization; establish a strong community presence; assess the district’s strengths, identify critical issues, address areas of immediate concern; build upon staff strengths; and create a network of contacts and resources that will assist in both maintaining excellence in the ISD, and also improving the school district in areas of needed growth.
Here’s an introductory video of the new superintendent describing #Day One.
ISD’s New Aligned Grading Practices for 2022-23
ISD strives to align grading practices, mirroring the latest research to ensure grades reflect academic learning, with report cards indicating these changes. Academic staff will reexamine grading practices based on course content, testing, supports needed to succeed, and district priorities.
Teachers and staff will continue collaborating to align grading practices, ensuring categories for grading represent the same percentage for final grade calculations, and developing recovery plans for below standard/late work and tests.
Follow Monthly ISD School Board Meetings, Minutes and Documents
The ISD Board of Directors holds monthly meetings that are open to the public, recorded and broadcast live on YouTube. To follow current ISD events and progress as well as read official minutes and documents, visit the Board Meeting Archive.
ISD Family Connections Question and Answer Sessions
New ISD families, especially new to the U.S. school system, are encouraged to join ISD Family Partnerships to meet other families and learn more about navigating through the district. ISD staff will answer questions.
Sessions will be available in the morning and evening on Oct. 20. An in-person session will take place at the ISD Administration Building at 10 a.m., following by another option via Zoom at 7 p.m. Interpretation services will be provided in English, Spanish and Mandarin. Email Lorna Gilmour for additional language services.
Issaquah Middle School Binder Boot Camp
Do you wonder how your child finds anything in their binder? Binder Bootcamp helps students struggling with organization. Parent volunteers work one-on-one with students, organizing paperwork to create systems for success. Volunteers work with students referred by teachers, counselors and parents approximately three times a year. To sign-up or volunteer, email BinderBootCamp@issaquahmiddleptsa.org.
Fall-O-Ween Celebrations
Calling all ghosts, princesses, pirates, and superheroes… All are invited to celebrate Fall-O-Ween at Grand Ridge Elementary on Oct. 26 at 5:30 p.m.
Join the PTSA for a spooky dance party and ghoulish games! Everyone is encouraged to dress-up in school-appropriate, family-friendly costumes. Admission is free.
Parent volunteers as well as middle and high schoolers are needed to ensure everyone has a wonderful time and the event runs smoothly! For more information and volunteer opportunities, visit GrandRidgePTSA.org.
Help ISF Raise a “Monstrous” Amount of Support for Local Students!
Join Issaquah Schools Foundation (ISF) for the Monster Mash 5K at Lake Sammamish State Park Boat Launch and East Lake Sammamish Trail on Oct. 29. Proceeds benefit programs and resources to assist with academic success, mental health, basic student needs, community outreach and enrichment.
All participants that arrive in festive seasonal wear will be entered into gift card raffles. Get creative and dress to impress! Register for the Monster Mash 5K here.
Grand Ridge PTSA GIFT-A-BOOK Program
Grand Ridge PTSA proudly sponsors the school’s GIFT-A-BOOK program, which is designed to expand the library with high-quality materials to promote increased interest in reading.
With each $15-50 donation, our librarian purchases books for students to personally select and “gift” to the library with special recognition (including a personalized bookplate and display in the library or through online posts). Make your online donation by Oct. 28.
Support the Panther Store at Issaquah Middle School
At Issaquah Middle School (IMS), students have an opportunity to earn Panther Bucks for everyday good deeds. On Thursdays, students can use those Panther Bucks to purchase earned rewards.
The store is looking for extra support and donations to continue this program and keep it open. Visit our Panther Store Amazon Wish List!
Show Your Pride with Issaquah Booster Gear!
Gear up for Issaquah events! Issaquah sweats, tees, hats, beanies, stickers, cinch sacks and more is available for purchase. Merchandise is constantly updating and can be found at home football games, Superior Seconds and the IHS Booster Club webpage.
All proceeds benefit IHS sports, clubs, bands and activities! Email Diana Goldberg with questions.
Pass-the-Hat Donations Support School and Student Programs
“Pass-the-Hat” is the most important annual fundraiser for all PTSAs, asking parents to donate directly to student-centered programs. Donations support hundreds of district-wide programs.
Issaquah PTSAs are 501(c)(3) organizations and 100% tax-deductible. To learn more, visit your local PTSA/PTA website.
Volunteer with Issaquah Schools Foundation
Interested in volunteering with the Issaquah Schools Foundation? We currently have several opportunities available: administrative support, special committees and projects, online auction and event planning.
If you’re interested, contact info@isfdn.org.
The Garage is BACK and The Blackthorn Center is OPEN
The Garage, located next to downtown’s Issaquah Community Center, is a safe drop-in place for high school teens to hangout outside of school hours and meet new friends. Teens can study, grab a coffee and snack, watch TV, finish homework, play games or music, chat with a counselor and much more.
The Garage envisions a place where students are not only valued for differences, but cherished for their unique history, beliefs, traditions and perspectives. The Garage community works to connect all populations, so every voice can be heard and appreciated. The Garage strives to make us stronger, together.
This year, The Garage opened The Blackthorn Center, a new student-initiated program dedicated to providing immediate support and services to youths, ages 12-18, experiencing homelessness or at-risk of becoming homeless.
In Issaquah and Eastern King County, no regional agency serves teens experiencing homelessness. Within ISD, approximately 95 youth self-report being homeless each year. Due to lack of services, Issaquah-area youth seeking safe housing are forced to relocate to Kirkland, Bothell, Everett or Auburn. Such disconnections and disruptions from family, community and education have documented adverse mental, social and emotional outcomes for unhoused youth.
Teens can drop-in at the Blackthorn Center to access basic services including food, clothing, showers, phones, storage for belongings, a washing machine and dryer, desks, school supplies and recreation with peers. Most importantly, full-time counselors and full-time case workers are available to assess students’ needs, beginning the process to immediately locate housing and resources for both teens and families.
Contact KayLee Jaech, executive director of The Garage, to get involved or possibly donate. For information regarding counseling and case management services, email Jocelyn and Christine. As always, stop by after school to talk with staff to learn more.
Tracie Jones is a Wisteria Park resident.
