Message from the Superintendent
Issaquah School District (ISD) Superintendent Heather Tow-Yick shares a message for students, staff, families and community members at the start of the 2023-24 school year.
National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and other mental health organizations recognize September as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. We can work together year-round to take care of fellow students, staff, families and community members. Students and families can ask for help for themselves or others from school counselors, trusted adults at school, via the tip line or by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. The district’s Swedish School-Based Mental Health Counselors are contracted through Swedish Hospital and team closely with our school counselors as well.
Elementary Schools Shift to Semester Schedule for 2023-24
All Issaquah School District elementary schools shifted to a semester schedule at the start of the 2023-24 school year. This adjustment will help to improve the timing of report cards for families and teachers. Elementary buildings were previously on a trimester system. Middle schools will remain on a trimester system to provide consistent access for students to explore elective options. High schools will remain on a semester schedule.
ISD Budget Update
Like last year, ISD’s finance team and communications team will share regular updates with students, families, staff and community members about the budget process and district finances. In case you missed it over the summer, the ISD board approved the budget for the 2023-24 school year on Aug. 24. Details about the budget development process for that document are available here. Read the 2023-24 budget here.
Reminder to Apply for Free and Reduced Lunch
Families in need of financial assistance with school meals are reminded to apply for the 2023-24 school year. You must complete a new application each year. If your student(s) qualified for free or reduced lunch at the end of last school year, they remain eligible through Oct. 1. If you are awaiting approval, please send money or lunch for your student until your qualification has been determined. Once your application has been processed, a letter with the results will be sent to your primary address on file. There are two ways to apply: online at the MySchoolApps website for Issaquah School District or with a paper application you can access on the ISD “Lunch” webpage.
IHS Breakfast Available Daily
Last spring, ISD began serving breakfast at Clark Elementary, Issaquah Middle School and Issaquah High School as part of a pilot program that will continue this school year. A student breakfast includes a fruit option, choice of milk and the ability to select up to two items offered daily from the following menu: cereal, whole grain graham crackers, low-fat yogurt, string cheese, SunButter and jelly sandwiches, and blueberry muffins. All students are welcome to participate in the program. Students do not need to sign up in advance to eat breakfast; they can simply go to the cafeteria before their first class starts to pick up breakfast.
Deadline Extended for ISD Online Learning Program
For those who missed the Sept. 4 deadline to apply for the ISD Online Learning Program, the application deadline has been extended to Sept. 18, 2023. The ISD Online Learning Program is for middle and high school students interested in taking an asynchronous (self-directed) high school Online Learning course with/in addition to their school schedule. For more information on this program, including course lists and applications, please visit ISD Online Learning.
Middle, High School Families: Canvas Information Night
The district is hosting a Canvas Information Night from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Sept. 20 via Zoom. Sessions will be offered in English, Chinese, and Spanish. Presentations in other languages are available upon request. Canvas is ISD’s learning management system for students in grades 6-12. Through Canvas, students can access coursework, turn in assignments, and connect with their teacher and classmates. The “observer” role in Canvas provides parents and guardians with an account to monitor their student’s progress in their courses as well as support their students’ learning at home. To protect the privacy of all students, observer accounts can only access their own children’s work in Canvas. Therefore, it’s important for family members to use their own observer account, rather than logging in as their student. Observers can view the class calendar, student grades, assignment due dates, and teacher feedback. Families will learn more about how their student’s teachers use Canvas during curriculum night at individual schools. This information night is designed to help families learn how to use Canvas. Register for the virtual event here.
Stay Informed about District Happenings
Looking to stay informed about what’s happening at your student’s school or the district level? Listed below are the district and schools’ official means of communications with families and community members.
- School Bulletins: Each school building sends out a bulletin between 4-6 p.m. on Thursdays during the school year. Emergency bulletins are sent if something timely is happening 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, the district will first ensure that students and staff are safe, and then send information to staff and families affiliated with that location via email, text (you must opt-in for text messages from a mobile phone number that is listed in your guardian Family Access account), and occasionally robocalls.
- 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).
- Social Media: Our official district social media platforms include Facebook @IssaquahSchools,Twitter @IssaquahSchools, Instagram @issaquahschoolsand YouTube at com/issaquahschools. Superintendent Heather Tow-Yick is also on Instagram: @suptowyick.
