The new school year has officially begun!
New Superintendent Heather Tow-Yick First 100 Days Plan
“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.
Updated: 2022-23 ISD Proposed Budget
During the first August school board meeting, ISD representatives provided board members with an updated draft budget in efforts to align spending with district priorities.
The 2022-23 annual draft budget incorporates an estimated $354,044,893 in revenue (16.25% directly from levy dollars) and $371,610,355 in expenses, with 61.4% spent on all-encompassing classroom costs such as teachers, counselors, librarians, principals, educational assistants, teaching supplies, materials, textbooks, extracurricular programs, staff development, curriculum development, and technology support.
ISD’s other major expenditures include basic education (61.4% of budgeted expenditures); classroom support services (12.23% of budgeted expenditures); special education (12.15% of budgeted expenditures); Echo Glen (0.85% of budgeted expenditures); food services (2.12% of budgeted expenditures); transportation (3.64% of budgeted expenditures); other programs such as help for struggling readers, English language learners, ROTC and traffic safety (7.62% of budgeted expenditures).
Last year, ISD’s expenditures surpassed revenues due to various factors: declining enrollment, COVID costs, decreased federal COVID relief dollars, rising inflation, cost of living raises, and nonfunded mandates. While ISD faces fiscal challenges, Superintendent Heather Tow-Yick says there’s an obvious growth opportunity.
“How do we get our budget in line with our revenue, while considering what we need to grow our investments further, to increase and accelerate impact and opportunity for all?” she asked.
Join Issaquah PowerPacks!
The PowerPacks concept is simple: students at-risk for weekend hunger, without school lunch programs, take home a bag of Friday groceries. No forms, no registration.
Issaquah PowerPacks help kids start the school week with enough fuel to learn and grow. Donations support our educational community, through the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank. If you have questions, visit Issaquah Power Packs. All donations are tax deductible.
ISD Canvas Zoom Workshop for Middle and High School Families
Cultural & Family Partnerships will show families how to sign-up, access, and use ISD’s Canvas for Families portal to access information about their child’s classes. Families can learn tips on how to navigate the site, sort multiple children on dashboard, and more.
The session will offer translation services in English, Spanish, and Mandarin. Interpreters in other languages are available by emailing ghangurdei@issaquah.wednet.edu. Register here for the remote Zoom workshop.
NEW: Receive ISD Text Messages via School Messenger
This year, ISD and schools are sending text messages via SchoolMessenger. To receive district text messages, families must “opt-in.” ISD will send families a one-time invitation to opt-in, using parent/guardian mobile numbers listed in Family Access, on Sept. 16, 2022.
SchoolMessenger is one of the district’s main methods of notifying staff and families about time-sensitive changes to the school day, such as cancellations, delays due to weather, or other unforeseen circumstances. Learn more about receiving test messages at ISD.
IHS Offers National Honor Society Peer Tutoring
Northshore Honor Society (NHS) peer tutors offer support for all IHS classes (including AP). To register, submit a request for a matching tutor using this link: Issaquah High School-NHS Peer Tutoring. Upon completion of the form, an NHS tutor will be matched to specific requests, and students will be contacted via email.
IHS Fall College ACT/SAT Prep Practice Tests
Issaquah High PTSA is partnering with Huntington Learning Center to offer college practice exams, held at IHS, to help students study smarter and gain confidence throughout the process. The ACT is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 17, and Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.
All ACT/SAT practice exams are taken in-person, at IHS, with check-in before 8:40 a.m. Students are allowed three hours (with break included) to complete the exam. Register here for fall ACT and SAT practice testing.
Online Learning for High School Credits – Applications Open
Issaquah School District provides students with an opportunity to take high school level courses online. The flexibility allows students to learn asynchronously (self-directed).
If you are a high school or middle school student interested in taking online learning courses, visit ISD online learning programs for more information on course lists and applications. Fall applications accepted through Sept. 19, 2022.
Reflections Art Competition: Get Inspired, Today!
Time to get creative as Reflections is here! This year’s theme “Show Your Voice!” allows budding artists to unleash their imaginative talents. Entries may be submitted in the following categories: dance choreography, film production, lit, music composition, photography, and visual arts. Students may submit three entries. Collection dates start mid-October. Check with individual schools for official forms, details, and dates!
Step Up for Kids and Support Issaquah Schools Foundation
Issaquah Schools Foundation (ISF) is a community-powered nonprofit, providing district-wide funding supporting ALL students. While state funding provides salaries and other classroom basics, many essential programs cannot be funded with tax dollars.
The foundation provides high-quality educational opportunities and essential support. Foundation funded programs include after school academic support, fine arts support, robotics, free backpacks with supplies, and teacher grants. Help by donating today! For more information about Step Up for Kids, visit Issaquah Schools Foundation.
Issaquah Schools Foundation: Dining for Kids is Back…With a Twist!
This year, ISF is partnering with local restaurants who celebrate giving back to our community. Our restaurant partners donate 20-33% of the cost of your meal back to ISF to fund resources and programs such as academic support and enrichment, behavioral and mental health, basic student needs, community outreach and engagement, teacher grants, dedicated fine arts, and more. Click here to see what’s for dinner!
ISD Volunteer Background Check Process
All ISD volunteers are required to complete an online background check and application, and upload a driver’s license and vaccination card. Completing this process once covers all schools, when checking the box for each. At the district level, application processing times take approximately one week for approval. The ISD volunteer application can be found here.
Support our PTA/PTSA’s by Joining Today!
Join your local PTA/PTSA to support students, programs, and school enrichment not currently funded through the state and district. When parents get involved with our children’s education, students are more likely to succeed.
The PTSA entitles families to a voice and a vote. Check each local school’s PTA/PTSA website for more details.
This year, ISD welcomes a new Issaquah Special Education PTSA unit, which represents teachers, students, and families across all district schools. For PTSA Special Education updates: visit Instagram and Facebook.
Gibson Ek High School Looking for Community Mentors
Gibson Ek High School students learn from working professionals. Mentors have an opportunity to teach students about different professions, on-the-job experience, coach soft skills, and make a lifelong impact.
Additionally, students work with a mentor to tackle a personal, year-long project. Interested in learning more? Check out this informational video. More details can be found here as well.
Tracie Jones is a Wisteria Park resident.
