All High School Seniors: Washington State PTA Scholarship Opportunities
Washington State PTA offers four $2,500 scholarships to graduating seniors from Washington public high schools. Applicants must be starting college (either 2 or 4-year) in fall of 2023. Upon receiving proof of acceptance, WSPTA will issue a check to the attending school. The scholarship may be used to offset the cost of tuition, books, supplies, room and/or board. Application and requirement information is available here. The deadline to apply is Feb. 15.
Impact Scholarships for High School Juniors and Seniors
The Issaquah Schools Foundation Impact Scholarships are open to juniors and seniors in the Issaquah School District. The scholarships will be awarded to students who submit essays that describe how programs funded by the Issaquah Schools Foundation have enriched their education. The application deadline is Feb. 27. Click here to learn more and apply.
ISD Family Equity Team Information Session
The ISD Family Equity Team is hosting an information session on WANIC and Running Start on Feb. 15. WANIC information will take place from 6:30-7:30 p.m., followed by Running Start from 7:30-8:30 p.m. The session will be presented on Zoom. For more information, visit the ISD Family Equity Calendar under “February Events.”
- Washington Network for Innovative Careers (WANIC)
- WANIC offers a board range of courses, which can lead to certifications and college credit as well as with tuition-free technical and professional training for high school juniors and seniors. These year-long, advanced-level Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs are based on rigorous academic and industry standards to prepare students for career and college readiness. WANIC programs offer dual credits for high school and college credit and/or lead to industry certifications.
- Running Start
- Running Start is a program that allows 11th and 12th grade students to take college courses at one of Washington’s 34 community and technical colleges. Students earn both high school and college credits for these courses. Families do not pay tuition.
Gibson Ek Events: Join the Graduating Class of 2027
Gibson Ek High School is still accepting applications from current Issaquah School District eighth grade students for the Class of 2027. The application process closes Tuesday, Feb. 28, and the admissions lottery will be held Thursday, March 2. Students will be notified of acceptance or waitlist status by Friday, March 3. For more information, visit the Gibson Ek website.
“Swingin’ in Vienna” with IHS Evergreen Philharmonic and Jazz Band
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, treat your sweetie to an enchanted evening of dancing and live music! “Swingin’ in Vienna” will feature a wonderful evening of dancing at the Issaquah High School Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Feb. 11. The orchestra will play Viennese Waltzes on one side, whereas the jazz band will play swing-era tunes on the other. The Evergreen Philharmonic and IHS Jazz Band will perform for your dancing pleasure! This event attracts serious ballroom dancers as well as high school students learning. At the door, tickets cost $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors. Doors open at 7 p.m., music starts at 7:30 p.m., and the program concludes at 10:30 p.m. Semi-formal to formal dress is encouraged.
The Garage Launches Host Home Program to Support Homeless Teens
More than 95 students in the Issaquah School District are self-reported as homeless, and the number is estimated to be much higher. Join the Garage’s Host Home Program to learn how we can support these students and keep them in our community with built in support systems. An information meeting will be held in The View Room at the Issaquah Community Center on Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. To register for the meeting, visit Eventbrite.
Power Packs and Lunch for the Break from Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank
Family and childhood hunger is a real problem in our community. Over school breaks, students are provided with Power Packs to ensure they will have enough to eat at home. To sign up for the program, contact your local school counselor. Donations make a difference and go a long way to support our community. Lunch for the Break provides a week’s worth of free grocery items for students to be able to prepare breakfast, lunch and snacks for themselves. To sign-up for the program or donate, visit IFCB Lunch for the Break.
Eighth Grade Families: Pacific Cascade Middle School Needs Your Photos
The PCMS graduation committee is looking for baby photos of eighth graders for the yearbook. The photos will be cropped to show the face of the child only, so keep that in mind when selecting a photo. The deadline for photos is Monday, Feb.13. Follow this link to upload photos. Make sure to include the name of your student as well as contact information. Email Heidi Fielden with questions.
Pacific Cascade Middle School Career Fair Returns
The PCMS Career Fair will be held Friday, March 31, starting at 1 p.m. The school is looking for individuals representing careers from all areas, varieties of backgrounds, educational pathways and experiences. Volunteers need to prepare a 25-minite presentation for back-to-back sessions. More information about logistics and what to expect will be provided in March. Complete this form to sign up, and complete the volunteer application here. Contact Laura Meserole with questions.
Pacific Cascade Middle School PTSA Ice Cream Trike Fundraiser for Valentine’s Day
Surprise your kids, spouse, friends and neighbors with a special Valentine’s Frozen Treat delivered right to your door on Feb. 11. Issaquah Ice Cream Trike will generously donate 20% of all orders to the Pacific Cascade Middle School PTSA. Order your frozen treats on the PTSA website until Feb 9. Families will receive an email with a delivery window for drop-off on Feb. 11. (Someone might need to be there to rescue the ice cream.)
ParentWiser: Raising Humans in the Digital World
Do you have questions about online safety? Are you curious how can students build a healthy relationship with technology? Join ParentWiser via Zoom for an educational evening with Diana Graber on Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. She deftly navigates and demystifies the complicated digital landscape facing today’s kids by defining buzzwords and answering crucial questions. She will also provide parents and educators with activities they can teach children to harness technology rather than be harmed by it. Register at Eventbrite. For more information, visit the Parent Wiser website.
Lunchroom Volunteers Needed at Clark Elementary
Calling all volunteers! Clark Elementary is looking for parent/family/caregiver volunteers to help play games and initiate activities with students during recess. The school is also looking for volunteers to help with kindergarten students in the lunchroom—even once a week would be helpful. If interested, you could help in the lunchroom with kindergarten from 12:20-12:40 p.m., followed by recess from 12:40-1:00 p.m. Email Stephanie Wright with questions.
Planning for the Grand Ridge Elementary PTSA 2023 Cultural Fair
Grand Ridge Elementary PTSA is excited to bring back the Cultural Fair this spring. The Cultural Fair is an exciting and educational event designed to celebrate the rich diversity of cultures represented at Grand Ridge. Everyone is encouraged to share their heritage with friends and the community. Volunteers are needed to help the PTSA—as part of the planning group or hosting a country booth or offering a helping hand. Send an email for more information. Reminder: all ISD volunteers are required to complete the ISD Volunteer Registration Form.
Clark Elementary Virtual Family Math Night
Attention Clark Families: Clark Elementary is hosting a Virtual Family Math Night from 6-7 p.m., on Feb. 9. This is an entertaining, self-guided, virtual event for the whole family! Everyone is encouraged to participate. RSVP now for your materials. Thank you to Issaquah Schools Foundation for making this event possible.
Kindergarten Registration Opens Wednesday, Feb. 1
Do you have a child who will be 5 years old by Aug. 31, 2023, and lives within the Issaquah School District? Registration for students entering kindergarten in the fall is open now! To learn more about the registration process, visit the Kindergarten Registration webpage. Information for individual school kindergarten information will be linked on this website.
Parent Power Hours with Issaquah Special Education PTSA
Each month, the Issaquah Special Education PTSA hosts parent connection events. Parent Power Hours provide an opportunity to meet other parents, ask questions, get to know our community and share ideas and resources with each other. The next event will take place at 55 Sunset Coffee on Feb. 17 at 10 a.m. Email your questions to the PTSA.
Tracie Jones is a Wisteria Park resident.
