On Thursday, February 28 Liberty High school hosted an informational evening with three speakers who addressed the process of grief and loss, and provided resources to help students and families work through this process. Guest speakers included Dr. Alicia Jorgensen, a Child Psychologist from Swedish Hospital in Issaquah, Mark Niezgoda from Crisis Connections, and Laura Takacs from the Virginia Mason Grief and Loss Program. These professionals brought together their expertise in the field of coping with grief and loss to educate the community on how grief and loss can look in various individuals as well as what strategies individuals can use in their own coping and with helping other.
Thank you to Dr. Alicia Jorgensen, Mark Niezgoda, and Laura Takacs for sharing your knowledge with everyone during this powerful and informative evening!
At the beginning of the school year, Grand Ridge Elementary school counselor Judith Fernstrom, set out to start the school year on a positive note by teaching students the importance of kindness, which she did by visiting each classroom individually and reading a story about kindness. Each grade read a different book, and afterwards students participated in a discussion about why it is so important to be kind at school. Kindness helps people feel safe, included, and happy to be at school. The lesson continued with students brainstorming ideas on how to show kindness not just at school, but also in their everyday lives.
A the close of the lesson students were invited to take a pledge to be kind throughout the school year by signing their name on a paper leaf, all of which now hang outside Fernstrom’s office as the Grand Ridge Kindness Tree. Every time students walk by the tree, they are reminded of their beginning of the year promise. Each leaf color represents a different grade at Grand Ridge.
Fernstrom attributes the tree in helping reinforce the culture of kindness already in place at Grand Ridge, and loves that it provides a nice visual reminder that kindness is something all members of the Grand Ridge community practice.
The Grand Ridge Kindness Tree is part of the ISD’s PBSES program, which is supported by local levy dollars. Thank you to the ISD community for their continual support of these important programs.
In February, 13 seniors at Skyline High School celebrated their athletic achievements by signing National Letters of Intent to continue their athletic careers post-high school as NCAA collegiate athletes. Listed below are the athletes who participated, what sport they will be participating in, and the college that they signed with.
Football
Volleyball - Isabelle Garrido – University of Montana
Girls Soccer - Lucy Artman – Cal State East Bay
Baseball
Girls Swimming
Lacrosse - Kellen Hoke- University of Utah
Boys Soccer - Sebastian Miller - Northwest University
Congratulations to all of the athletes involved, and best of luck in this next chapter of your athletic careers!
Earlier this year Maywood Middle School received a donation in the amount of $555.00 from the East King unit of Washington State School Retirees’ Association to be used for student and staff needs. The unit president, Bill Bergsma, presented Maywood with the check. Crystal Weik, interim Principal, had the pleasure of giving Bergsma a tour of Maywood’s facilities that afternoon.
Thank you to the Washington State School Retirees’ Association for supporting the Maywood community!
Come see us at one of the Issaquah School District job fairs this year!
Visit with members of the ISD recruiting team and allow us to learn more about you. Looking for open jobs? Visit our Career Opportunities page!
Questions? Please contact the ISD Human Resources Department/Bethany Rogers at 425-837-7060