Issaquah Highlands School Spotlight: November 2025

Counseling Corner: Food Resources and Basic Needs

Issaquah School District (ISD) is sharing resources and information for any families or staff members who may need additional support.

At-School Options:

• Free and Reduced Meals Program: Families can apply at any time during the school year for free or reduced-price meals. You can apply online or ask for a paper application in the office at your student’s school. Applications are available in many languages.
• The Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank provides “Power Packs” to help provide food for students over the weekend. If you need assistance, please reach out to the counselor at your student’s school (or ask your student’s teacher to connect you with the counselor). At the elementary school level, teachers and other staff members can help place a Power Pack in a child’s backpack on Friday afternoons. At middle and high schools, students may self-select and pick up a Power Pack anytime. Learn more on the food bank’s website.

Meals and Basic Needs:

• The City of Issaquah provides resources on their website including meal programs, emergency shelters and more.
• The Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank offers market hours to serve neighbors, as well as special programs such as “Lunch for the Break,” which helps students have more food during school breaks.
• The City of Sammamish also offers a page of resources on their website, including meal programs, shelter information and more.
• Issaquah Community Services is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that helps provide temporary support to neighbors who are having challenges paying rent or utilities.
• The Issaquah Community Clothing Closet organizes “pop-up” free clothing events in our area. Check out their website for more information or follow on social media to find out more.

Limiting Immigration Enforcement in Schools

 As you may be aware, our region and country have seen an increase in actions by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents. ISD is re-sharing its regulations on limiting immigration enforcement for families and staff, as well as resources.

Issaquah School District Regulation 4300, “Limiting Immigration Enforcement in Schools,” is one part of its commitment to creating a safe, welcoming environment where every child, regardless of immigration status, can thrive. ISD wants families to have clear knowledge of their students’ rights, and the assurance that our schools and staff members prioritize the dignity and well-being of every student. The district adheres to all requirements of federal and state law. Regulation 4300 applies to all of our schools and facilities, which include but are not limited to adjacent sidewalks, parking areas, sports facilities, playgrounds and entrances and exits from buildings.

Other facts:

• Every child who lives in ISD has the right to safely access a free public education.
• ISD does not exclude students from receiving an education or unlawfully discriminate against anyone because of their race, color, national origin, age, disability, gender identity, immigration or citizenship status, sex, creed, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, sexual orientation, or on any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law.
• If anyone attempts to engage in immigration enforcement on or near ISD grounds, including requesting access to a student, employee or school property:
  • ISD will immediately alert and direct the person to the school principal or authorized designee, who shall: verify and record the person’s credentials (at least, name, agency, and badge number), record the names of all persons they intend to contact, collect the nature of the person’s business at the school, request a copy of the court order or judicial warrant, log the date and time, and forward the request to the superintendent and/or legal counsel for review.
  • ISD will ask any person who wants to communicate with a student, enter school grounds or conduct an arrest first produce a valid court order or judicial warrant.
• Regulation 4300 contains additional details about what staff will do if contacted by immigration enforcement. Please review the full regulation online.

Community Conversations About Screens, Social Media & Youth Well-Being

How do screens and social media shape our students’ mental health and well-being? Join the Issaquah PTSA Council and Issaquah School District for a virtual community conversation exploring this important topic on Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 6-8 p.m. Families will learn the latest research on youth screen use and social media, connect with other families to share ideas and strengthen the home-to-school connection, and access practical tools and a take-home guide to support healthy screen habits. All families are welcome! Register here.

For translation support, the district will provide Instant Language Assistance (ILA), an AI-based translation service that allows participants to access interpretation in over 200 languages directly on their own devices.

Announcing New ‘ISD Online’ School: Opening Fall of 2026

Issaquah School District is excited to announce the launch of ISD Online, a new full-time online school, which will open in the fall of 2026! This choice high school will serve students in grades 9–12, offering a flexible, personalized learning experience for those who thrive in an online environment. It will operate alongside the existing part-time online learning and re-engagement programs, further expanding the range of options available to support student success.

The new full-time online school will feature high-quality, standards-based instruction delivered by certified teachers. Students will have opportunities to participate in athletics, arts, clubs and other activities, along with access to academic and social-emotional support.

ISD invites all students to participate in the process to select a mascot for the new school.  A virtual open house will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Register for the virtual open house or an in-person tour using this form. Stay tuned for more information, including additional events and the opportunity to meet teachers and staff. Enrollment will open in the spring!

School Board Places Three Renewal Levy Measures on February Ballot 

Last month, Superintendent Heather Tow-Yick recommended the ISD Board consider asking voters to renew three existing local levy measures, which will expire next year.  These levies provide 16.6% of the district’s annual operating funds—about $70 million per year— along with significant technology, critical repairs and transportation dollars. Without this funding, the district would need to make difficult reductions across the district.

Board members voted unanimously to approve placing the levy renewal measures before voters in February. In Washington state, levy measures require a simple majority for approval (50% plus one vote). The measures are designed to cover the gap between the funding provided by the state and federal government, and the true cost of operating the district.

Find more details here.

Toy Adaptation Workshop on Nov. 12

Join an inspiring and hands-on evening of collaboration and creativity hosted by the Issaquah School District Special Education PTSA and the Special Education Department, in partnership with UW HuskyADAPT. The workshop takes place at Gibson Ek High School on Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Participants will work alongside members of the HuskyADAPT team to learn how to adapt toys for accessibility and inclusion. These toys are designed to help students with disabilities engage more independently in play and learning. Space is limited. Register online early to reserve your spot!

Help Influence the Choice Build a Healthier Community

Influence the Choice’s annual Community Survey gathers valuable insights from residents about youth substance use and community perceptions. Your feedback helps guide local prevention efforts and programs that support youth and families. The survey takes just 5-10 minutes to complete, but your input makes a big impact! Take the survey here.

Influence the Choice ‘Action Day’

All ISD middle and high school students are invited to attend Influence the Choice’s Action Day: Letter Writing Workshop. The workshop will take place at Issaquah High School on Thursday, Nov. 13, from 4:30-6 p.m. Students are invited to write letters to Washington State legislators about the importance of youth substance use prevention. With templates and support provided, students will craft meaningful messages to share ahead of the youth advisory board’s (Teens Encouraging Community Health – TECH) in-person capitol visit in January. Register here.

ISD Special Services Hosts Two Events in November

Parents and caregivers are invited to join the ISD Special Services team at two events this November.

Join us for IEP training at the ISD Administration Building (5150 220^th Ave SE, Issaquah) on Nov. 13 from 12:30-2 p.m. This training is designed to support families by providing information about the IEP process at ISD, answering questions, sharing helpful resources and connecting with our community. Whether you’re new to IEPs or looking to expand your understanding, we invite you to join the conversation. An interpreter will be available. Please RSVP here.

Families are invited to connect with the Special Services leadership team for a morning conversation during Donuts with Directors at the ISD Administration Building on Nov. 17 from 10-11:30 a.m. Please RSVP here.

Surplus Sale Scheduled for Nov. 17

ISD will host a public sale of surplus items at the May Valley Service Center (16430 SE May Valley Road, Renton) on Monday, Nov. 17. Available items include computers, furniture, equipment, supplies, and books. Please note that entry is not permitted before 2:45 p.m.

From 3–3:30 p.m., books will be available exclusively to students and their families, followed by a general public sale from 3:30–4:30 p.m. Computers are limited to 10 per person, and any unsold units will be auctioned as a lot at a later date. Cash, credit/debit cards and checks are accepted. All proceeds will benefit the Issaquah School District General Fund.

How to Stay Informed, Up to Date

Are you looking to stay informed about what’s happening at your student’s school or at the district level? Here is ISD’s official means of communications with our families and community members.

• School Bulletins:Each of the ISD school buildings sends out a bulletin between 4-6 p.m. on Thursdays during the school year. Emergency bulletins are sent if something timely happens on campus (bear sighting, police activity near a school, modified lockdown or other emergencies).
• District Weekly Bulletin “The 411:”The district’s weekly bulletin is sent out in the afternoon on Mondays (and some Tuesdays when holidays fall on Mondays).
• Emergency Notifications:During an emergency, ISD will first ensure that students and staff are safe before sending information to staff and families affiliated with that location via email, text (you must opt in for text messages from the mobile phone number that is listed in your guardian Family Access account), and occasionally robocalls.
• Text Messages: If you are not receiving text messages and would like to, send the word “Yes” or the letter “Y” to the number 67587 from the cell phone number that is listed in your Family Access account. If you have already opted in, you do not need to repeat this process. ISD will send a districtwide test of the text message system on Thursday, Oct. 16, and will send multiple reminders before the test.
• Websites: For upcoming events, news, staff directory information, lunch menus, bus routes and much more, visit your school’s website or the district website. To translate the websites, use the drop-down menu in the top right corner of the screen (or on mobile, use the menu indicated by the three horizontal lines in the top right). Select the language you would like.
• Social Media: Social Media: The official district social media platforms include Facebook @IssaquahSchools, Instagram @issaquahschools, YouTube at youtube.com/issaquahschools. Superintendent Heather Tow-Yick is also on Instagram: @suptowyick. In time-sensitive events and for certain other topics, ISD may also post to Twitter @IssaquahSchools, but it is no longer one of its primary platforms.
• FlashAlert Notifications: FlashAlert is the system the district uses to send emergency school closure or delay information to local media (TV, radio). Parents/caregivers, staff and community members may sign up to receive notifications via email, text or push notification to your phone by downloading the FlashAlert Messenger mobile app.
  • Visit the Issaquah School District Flash Alert page to sign up and create an account.
  • Download the FlashAlert mobile app by searching for FlashAlert Messenger on your Android or Apple/iOS phone.