Grand Ridge Elementary Summerfest
With summer fast approaching, Grand Ridge Elementary PTSA will host their annual end-of-year celebration on June 13 at 5:30 p.m. Families can enjoy a fun-filled, hands-on evening at the playground, with activities to get everyone running around, moving ready for summer! For parents, it’s a great time to talk about vacations, connect with old friends, and say good-bye to another school year. To volunteer or donate, visit Grand Ridge PTSA.
Summertime….Reading Time!
Students have access to digital and audio books through Overdrive – Sora all summer long. Log-in through ISD Classlink to receive open access to audio and digital books through the King County Library System and Issaquah School District. The Sora app can be downloaded for reading and listening on the go. KCLS also has booklists on many topics, genres and grade levels. Happy reading!
Issaquah High School Senior Class Graduation
Congratulations to the graduating class of 2023! This year’s Issaquah High School graduation will take place at T-Mobile Park on Monday, June 15, at 1 p.m. Everyone in attendance must have tickets to the ceremony. T-Mobile Park will open doors for graduation guests at 12 p.m., with the processional starting at 12:45 p.m. Additional graduation tickets are $18 each, non-refundable and non-replaceable. Additionally, there will be no student transportation back to IHS, so please plan accordingly. Learn more about IHS graduation FAQs here.
Volunteers Needed for Clark Shark Field Day
On June 15, Clark Elementary is hosting a field day to celebrate all the hard work our children have done this year, and volunteers are needed! Volunteers will need to be at Clark from 1:25 to 3:40 p.m. (including set-up and clean-up) to help run stations outside on the playground. Click here to sign-up. All volunteers need background checks to be cleared before volunteering. If you have not completed the volunteer form, please do so by June 1 for approval. Click here for the volunteer registration form. Email clausens@issaquah.wednet.edu or fratesa@issaquah.wednet.edu with questions.
Volunteer, Donate to PCMS Eighth Grade Promotion
Traditionally, during eighth grade promotion, PCMS sixth and seventh grade parents “pay it forward” to honor those families moving on to high school. This can be as simple as donating cookies or napkins, even volunteering to set up/clean up the cookie reception. Consider volunteering your time or donating a few cookies for good measure. To donate cookies or volunteer, fill out the sign-up form here. Email with questions.
Grand Ridge Elementary Fifth Grade Graduation
Grand Ridge Elementary School proudly announces commencement services for graduating fifth graders on June 16 at 10 a.m. After the ceremonies, a small reception for families and guests will follow, hosted by fourth grade parents. Then, fifth grade students will continue with a celebratory field trip, closing out their years at Grand Ridge. Contact the Grand Ridge office at 425-837-7925 with questions.
Summer Volunteer Hours for High School Students
Summer is the perfect time for all high school students to get a jump-start on community service hours. Students are encouraged to complete over 100 hours of community service throughout their high school years. Community service hours are reported to IH PTSA, then tabulated and documented to IHS for special recognition at graduation. Students receive a certificate and white cord to honor their service. The best time to start for next year is now! Find more IH PTSA community service information here. The deadline for recognition next year is May 1, 2024.
REQUIRED: Back-to-School Immunizations
Before school starts, all students must be current on vaccines. All new and sixth grade students require updated vaccination documentation and must provide forms before the start of school. Click for Washington state and ISD immunization requirements. Immunizations are available at Health Point Centers, located in Redmond and Renton.
REMINDER: School Offices Closed Over Summer
Just a reminder ISD school offices close for the summer and reopen in early August. Please plan appropriately. Contact individual ISD schools for more information about closures, dates and times.
ISD High School Sports: Registration Open to All 2023-24 Sports
To be cleared for the first day of practices/tryouts, students must submit a physical and payment as well as complete all online registration steps through FinalForms by mid-August. Once the online payment system closes, payments can be made by check, cash or card at the bookkeeper’s window during school hours.
- Payments for fall sports will be accepted online starting Aug. 1-25, 2023.
- Football begins mid-August; several sports do not accept late registrations.
- Payments for winter sports will be accepted online starting Oct. 16-Nov. 13, 2023.
- Payments for spring Sports will be accepted online starting Jan. 29-March 1, 2024.
Discussing the School Budget with ISD Director Anne Moore
Anne Moore, Issaquah School District board director, created a video highlighting 2022-23 milestones, key contributors, and the impact school enrollment had on this year’s overall school budget. Watch the video here.
Grand Ridge PTSA Playdates for New Families
Do you have new incoming kindergarteners? Did you recently move to Issaquah Highlands? Grand Ridge PTSA is hosting three summer playdates at Central Park for new families to meet and form PTSA connections. Email Grand Ridge PTSA with questions. Stop by Central Park: July 27, 9-10 a.m.; Aug. 9, 4-5 p.m.; Aug. 20, 9-10 a.m.
SAVE THE DATE: New to Issaquah High School?
New to IHS Night: Mark your calendars for Aug. 28 at 6 p.m. Join other new ninth graders and new IHS students for an annual tradition. This is a great way to start the school year learning about Issaquah Eagles and what’s happening around campus. Tour the school along with IH PTSA members, club representatives and other students to answer questions. Email IH PTSA for more information.
New Family Ambassadors: IH PTSA New Family Ambassadors offer social and educational opportunities, provide connections to established families, answer questions and offer support and resources. We’re scheduling get-togethers, family dinners and events throughout the year! Consider becoming an ambassador! For more information, email IH PTSA new family ambassadors.
ISD Student Medical and Emergency Health Plans
Over the summer, many families plan medical visits for the upcoming school year. REMINDER: Completed forms, medications and essential equipment must be received by attending school during the second week of August. Time is needed to complete nursing plans, forms and staff training before school starts. All paperwork requires healthcare providers’ signatures dated after June 1, 2023. Click here for medical forms.
Summer Advocacy Updates in Education
Interested in what’s happening in education around Washington state? Anyone can sign-up to receive email updates, newsletters, or blog posts from some of the state’s leading organizations. To stay informed and connected with local, county and state educational resources, visit:
- Washington State Legislature
- Washington State PTA Advocacy
- Washington State PTA – Advocacy Blog
- Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
- Network in Excellence for Washington Schools
- Washington’s Paramount Duty
- Washington’s Paramount Duty – Facebook
- League of Education Voters
- Washington Association of School Administrators
Tracie Jones is a Wisteria Park resident.
