Lake Wilderness Wildcat Word
Welcome Back Wildcats Edition
Welcome Back to School!
Hello Lake Wilderness Families and welcome to our 2021-22 school year!
We have been busy making preparations for a successful start to a wonderful year. Classroom spaces are ready, lunch tables are out, the grounds are beautiful, we are just missing our wildcats! The beginning of year holds many emotions including excitement for what’s ahead, and a bit of anxiety for this rebounding year. Our staff is equipped to welcome each and every wildcat with open hearts. I am excited to begin my second year as principal of Lake Wilderness. I was clearly shown what an incredible staff family and student body we have here with the resiliency of 2020-21. As we navigate our year ahead I know our continued success depends on our partnership together.
Thank you for supporting LW and choosing KIND!
We have expanded our mission of choosing KIND- in our mission and vision we have outlined our commitments above in the picture with the blue background
Please watch for our school goals in relationship to each of these commitments and remember we all choose KIND for student success!
We are welcoming some new staff members to our family- please join me in welcoming:
Certificated Staff
- Keri Heggenes- Instructional Coach
- Analiese Vanderwyk - Resource Room
- Anna Kathman - 1st Grade- Leave Substitute
- Brandi Colella - 2nd Grade- Leave Substitute
- Andrea Pasion - 2nd Grade- Leave Substitute
Student Teachers:
- 4th: Niki Facer with Christel Winkey
- 1st: Marilena Hoskinson with Lindsey Pingeon
- K: Naomi Petersen with Cindy Plett
Classified Staff:
- Barbara Roessler- Welcome Home!
- Shawn Scorup - Nurse
- Alexis Kooyman – BIS Paraeducator
- Reena Prabahkar – ELL Paraeducator
- Keiko Jellings – Resource Room
- Kacey Scott - Q Room support
- Tanilee Matthews – SAIL Paraeducator
- Rebekah Davis - Q Room/Recess Supervisor
- Tanilee Matthews - BIS/SAIL Paraeducator
- Jen Provo – RAP Paraeducator
Important Dates:
Wednesday, 9.1.21 First day for 1st- 5th 8:40-3:10
- (early release Fridays are 8:40-1:40- first early release Friday is September 10)
Monday, 9.6.21- No school- Labor Day
Tuesday, 9.7.21 First day for Kindergarteners
Monday, 9.13.21 First day for Preschool
- Monday - Thursday AM Classes (8:40-11:25)
- Monday - Thursday PM Classes (12:25-3:10)
- Extended Days Classes - please check with your child's teacher for times
- There is no school on Fridays
Link to daily schedule - 21/22 School Recess and Lunch Schedule
Link to TSD 21-22 District Calendar - TSD 21-22 District Calendar
Welcome back video with lots of amazing information regarding school - https://youtu.be/KmVZbnbkDXo
With Gratitude,
Melanie Ready
Principal
Tahoma School District Message
Dear Tahoma Family,
Can you believe that in less than a week, Tahoma School District will have students in our buildings for full days of in-person learning? We’ve waited so long to be back together full-time, and now an awesome school year is just days away! To put your student and family in a position to succeed this school year, please review the items below before Sept. 1, so that your student can be prepared for an amazing first day of school.
⬜ Do you want to purchase injury and accident insurance for your student?
The safety of our students is extremely important to us, and we want to protect them from injury. Even so, accidents do happen and required medical care can be expensive. Please know that Tahoma School District does not assume responsibility for such costs, but does offer you access to several student accident insurance plans for voluntary purchase. For more information about accident insurance options, click here. Details and enrollment forms are available in English and Spanish.
⬜ How do you find your student’s bus route for the school year?
VersaTrans E-Link is your connection to Tahoma School District student transportation schedules. The school district no longer publishes bus schedules in local newspapers or on the Web; E-Link is where you find that information. Click here to access the district’s transportation page and for instructions on how to navigate VersaTrans E-Link.
⬜ Have you requested a district Chromebook for your student?
All students grades 6-12 are required to bring a fully charged computer to school each day. We are providing devices for all students grades 6-12 whose parent/guardian requests one; or, students may bring their own device, if preferred. If you wish to borrow a district device for your secondary student, please request one using the request form found in Skyward. [Instrucciones en español]. Once you’ve filled out the form, the Chromebook will be available for pick up at your school’s Bear Days. If you cannot attend Bear Days, did not request a device before attending Bear Days, or if you are reading this message after your student attended Bear Days, your school will provide other pick-up dates/times.
Please note: Devices will not be checked out to students unless a parent/guardian has filled out the request form. Questions? You’ll find answers in the Supplemented BYOD Overview and FAQ for Families.
⬜ How is COVID-19 impacting your student’s education?
We will be releasing the Return-to-School Guidebook tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 27, which details the COVID-19 prevention strategies to protect your student, their teachers and our community. We also include information on how your student will be supported by their school if they are ill or need to quarantine. Once those resources are sent to families, they will also be available here. These documents are all subject to change as we aim to provide the most up-to-date information to families.
If you have questions about current COVID-19 requirements, please refer to the Washington State Dept. of Health’s K-12 school requirements.
We cannot wait to see students in grades 1-12 next week (with the newest members of our Tahoma family right behind them for kindergarten’s first day on Sept. 7)! As always, our school teams are here to assist you and your student. Our counselors and other supports are listed on the Tahoma Wellness Page.
We are grateful for our partnership with families.
Thank you,
Dawn Wakeley
Executive Director Teaching & Learning
Reopening Protocol Highlights
Please take a moment to review the COVID protocol handbook, here it is for your reference.
- Students will be spaced 3 feet in classroom spaces and further apart when eating in the lunchroom. We will be monitoring seating arrangements in the event of needed contact tracing.
- Students will wear a mask indoors.
- Snacks will be outside during their recess time.
- We have a separate Q room (for COVID symptoms) and health room.
- We do not have an attestation process this year- please keep your student home if they are feeling ill or have been in close contact with a positive COVID case.
- Students will only be able to ride their home bus (they will not be able to ride another bus to a friend’s house)
Show Me The Way Home Family Survey
Dear Wildcat Families,
How your child(ren) get home every day after school is one of the ways we can keep our student safe. If you haven't completed the survey yet, please do so!!!
Here is the link that we need every family for each child to fill out so that we can ensure how your children get home each and every day. It takes a minute, please click on the link and fill out the survey, so we are prepared for the first day of school.
Here is the link to the form: Fill out form
News from Nurse Shawn
News From Nurse Shawn:
Hello families! A friendly reminder from the nurse that per state and district policy, all students must have current immunization records on file for them to be on campus. Students in 1st-5th grade must have records submitted before 9/1 (first day of school) and kindergarten students must have records submitted prior to 9/7. Families will be notified if we do not have updated records for your student(s). You may download and print a blank immunization record here if needed. Additionally, all students who have a health condition such as asthma, diabetes, seizure, or life-threatening allergy must have updated paperwork and medications provided to the health room prior to the first day of school. We cannot for any reason, allow your child on campus without these required forms/meds. If you need to send paperwork to your provider, please visit this link to access the forms.
Please reach out to the nurse: LWnurse@tahomasd.us for any additional questions. Thank you!
Preschool Press Corner
Important dates:
Meet the teacher 9/2
First day of preschool: 9/13
If you have not yet received an email from your preschool teacher, please contact Melissa Horton MHorton@TahomaSD.US so that we can make sure you receive all the information you need to ensure a great first day for your child!
Drop-off/Pick-up:
Please remember that when you are dropping off or picking up your preschooler, you will need to park your car and walk to the plaza area in front of the school. The parent pick up/drop off car line is for kindergarten and above only.
Lake Wilderness Elementary School
School Hours for Early Release Friday are 8:40-1:40
School Hours for Conferences are 8:40-12:40
School Office is open from 8:00-4:00
Email: lwoffice@tahomasd.us
Website: tahomasd.us
Location: 24216 Witte Road SE
Phone: 4254133500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lwptsa.org