SWSD Navigator Newsletter- Next School Board Specia...

South Whidbey Schools Issue #152| May 8, 2026 Welcome to this week's edition of the South Whidbey School District Navigator Newsletter!, Click View entire message to read through the whole message. The Navigator reads best in the ParentSquare program and is packed full of updates, contacts, and information. Important Dates - Please Check ParentSquare for School Updates Falcon & Cougar Athletics Home Games; Band Calendar May 4-8: Teacher Appreciation Week May 7: SWMS Career Day; Last day for NHS Food Drive Donations May 9: SWHS/SWA Prom May 12: ALL BANDS End of the Year Concert May 13: SWHS Passport to Wellness; School Board Workshop & Executive Session; SWES Spring Musical May 21: SWHS Spring Choir Concert May 22: SCHOOL Make-up Day for 12/17/25 Closure May 25: NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day May 26: Kindergarten Information Night May 27: School Board Business Meeting June 2: SWHS Graduates Scholarship Night June 6: SWHS/SWA Graduation 25-26 School Calendar 26-27 School Calendar 27-28 School Calendar   Superintendent Salutations Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! We are incredibly grateful for the care and dedication our teachers show our students every day. They truly represent the hard work and heart of the entire South Whidbey School District team. End-of-Year Schedule Update The next few weeks will be a whirlwind! To keep our calendar on track despite the recent windstorm closures, we’ve requested a state waiver. Our goal is to keep the last student half-day on Thursday, June 11, with the last staff day on Monday, June 15. Student Leadership Spotlight A huge shout-out to our high school student leaders! Over the past two weeks, they facilitated "Speak Up At School" training for the entire student body. I am so proud of their leadership and initiative. Have a wonderful weekend! Dr. Becky   School Updates Teachers Present on National Conference Travel Awards Last week, teachers Haley Gutierrez (ES Kindergarten) and Mark Hodson (HS History/Civics) presented on their National Conference Travel experiences at the April School Board meeting, A video recording of the presentations are linked here. Mrs. Gutierrez, presented on her experience at the January National Kindergarten Conference in Santa Clara, California. She shared the powerful impact of "plearning" (playing as learning!) and the powerful neuro research on early childhood learning.  Check out her slide presentation linked here. Mr. Hodson presented on his experience at the December National Council for the Social Studies in Washington DC. He shared on the values of networking with other teachers and learning diverse methods of teaching history and Civics. Check out his slide presentation linked here. Annually, as part of the South Whidbey Education Association's (SWEA) collective bargaining agreement, a committee consisting of SWEA and district representatives provide an opportunity for one bargaining unit member at K-5 and one at 6-12 to attend an approved national conference. The applications are due by October 1st and selection is made by October 15th. The district reimburses each participant up to $2,500 for registration, travel accommodation, and meals. The attendees are required to provide a written report to the Board within one month of travel, or as arranged. Teacher Appreciation Week - Flowers for teachers! Posted on May 1, 2026 by whidbeyschoolgardens This last week we had a special treat! Langley florist A Special Touch donated a bunch of beautiful flowers to our farm program, and we gave the kindergarten classes a chance to make Beautiful floral bouquets to many of our wonderful teachers and staff! Just look at the joyful faces of staff and students alike and you will understand how good this made everybody feel. It feels good to give! Thanks again, A Special Touch! Week of Gratitude from SWEPTA, PTSA, and SWEA This week is Teacher Appreciation Week! Both at the Elementary and Secondary campuses, South Whidbey Teachers were celebrated. Thanks to the donations of PTSA/SWEPTA members, local businesses, and the SWEA teachers union, every day was filled with food and fun! At the Secondary campus - Flower House Cafe coffee and pastries, lunch provided by Rocket Taco in celebration of Cinco de Mayo, fresh fruit, charcuterie, Starbucks coffee and grab-n-go snacks. At the Elementary Campus - Whidbey Pies, Flashcaf, and Whidbey Coffee, Lunch provided by Fare Market, swag gifts, and flowers. Additionally staff have received continuous donations of coffee beans from Mukilteo Coffee and coffee certificates from Whidbey Coffee. Thank you to our community donors and businesses for all of your support. Thank you to our awesome South Whidbey bus drivers! Last week, to show their appreciation for our South Whidbey school bus drivers, Mr. Broderick’s middle school leadership class had signs and bags of candy for each of the bus drivers when they showed up for their after school pick up. Thank you Bus Drivers! You make a difference! Swing into Spring Big Band Dance On April 25th, the South Whidbey Middle and High School Jazz Bands swung open the doors for another unforgettable Swing into Spring Big Band Dance. This year's event got a welcome upgrade thanks to Trinity Church, whose generous space provided a larger dance floor, giving everyone plenty of room to cut loose and jitterbug the night away. A highlight of the evening was the addition of professional dance lessons led by Jules Lyon, who brought along her talented students from South Whidbey High School to help newcomers find their footing and keep the energy on the floor all night long. All bands in grades 6-12 will be performing at South Whidbey High/Middle School Theater on May 12th. The concert begins at 7pm. The Jazz bands will be performing again at WICA on May 20th starting at 7:30pm. ALE Presentation at School Board Meeting At Wednesday's school board meeting, our ALE staff and students engaged in a presentation to our school board and they knocked it out of the ballpark! If you have a moment and want to learn more about our amazing ALE program - please check out their slide presentation! Congratulations to the team and the 12 students who presented to our board! Here is a link to the presentation: https://go.boarddocs.com/wa/swsd/Board.nsf/files/DTSTD576CE98/$file/ALE%20SWSD%20SCHOOL%20BOARD%20SPRING%202026%20PRESENTATION.pdf Cougar's Career Day SWMS Career Day was a tremendous success, bringing together 15 volunteers across 11 different career sessions for students in grades 6 through 8. The event featured a wonderful mix of parents, community members, and local organizations. The fire department arrived with a fire engine and were joined by a sheriff's deputy, as well as school board members and community volunteers. Sessions took place both inside the classrooms and outside, where students could explore the fire engine, a semi truck, and the sheriff's vehicle up close. All students received printed name stickers listing their three assigned sessions and rotated between them just as they would during a normal school day, with each 30-minute session keeping the energy moving and the learning fresh. Adults stayed in place while students cycled through, ensuring every grade had the chance to engage with each presenter. Adding a special personal touch, the middle school's leadership class crafted the welcome sign, the sign-in briefcase, and the heartfelt thank-you cards for all of the volunteers. Though student feedback is still being collected, one volunteer summed up the day perfectly: the students asked great questions, were well behaved, and were genuinely engaged throughout. It was an outstanding community effort that gave every middle schooler a glimpse into the wide world of careers awaiting them. SWMS Wellness and Nature Trip Twenty-seven middle school "Wellness and Nature" elective class students inventoried equipment and practiced setting up tents in preparation for their 5-day backpacking trip to the Washington Coast later this month.  Their Shipwreck Coast backpacking trip is a living classroom. Students take full ownership of a multi-day wilderness expedition, planning every detail in small departmental teams and then living out the results together, tide to tide. For five days along the rugged Washington coast, students will step away from screens and step into genuine interdependence. Every meal, every campsite, every challenge navigated, the product of their own planning, their own hands, and each other. Way to go Cougars! Celebrating our Spring Students of the Quarter at Sno-Isle TECH! We are proud to announce our South Whidbey Sno-Isle Tech Spring Student of the Quarter recipients: Madison Guzman - Medical Assisting Emma Witte - Dental Assisting Carson Goodman - Fire Service Technology These outstanding students were recognized for demonstrating the qualities that make Sno-Isle TECH special: Showing Honor Taking Responsibility Learning from Mistakes Doing More than Expected Each recipient was announced over the school intercom and celebrated with a group photo, certificates, and a one-of-a-kind key chain/medallion, designed and handcrafted by our own Advanced Manufacturing students. Their photos will be on display in the office window and in their classrooms. Please join us in congratulating these amazing students! Coffee with the Principal Principal Richards and Principal Intern Codda are hosting Coffee with the Principal at the South Whidbey Elementary School every other Friday. The next one is Friday, May 15th 8:30 - 9:30 am / SWES Community Room. This event is open to all parents, guardians, and community members (including ALE, middle, and high school parents/guardians). At each event, guest speakers that support the district. On the 15th, SWMS Principal, Kayla Phillips, Director of Safety and Athletics, John Sommer, and SWMS Counselor, Lindsey Grimm will provide a presentation for incoming 6th grade families regarding transition, technology updates. Parents/guardians of all grades and schools are invited to attend. SWMS Leadership Fills the Halls with Color and Kindness The colorful posters lining our school hallways are more than decoration. They are the vehicle through which students learn to lead. Middle School Leadership is a new course that has quickly become a space where students explore ownership, decision-making, and meaningful contribution to their school community. Each quarter brings a fresh group of students (new ideas, new energy, and new opportunities to grow). While the walls continue to fill with color, the deeper work is happening within the students themselves. Poster-making functions as a "third thing" (a low-stakes, creative task that opens the door to high-value skills and conversations). Students are not told what to make. They must decide what message will resonate with their peers, what tone fits the moment, and how to communicate effectively. Every choice is theirs. Planning is central to the process. Students map out ideas before putting pen to paper, considering how color influences mood, how lettering affects readability, and how small details (straight lines, clean edges, careful cuts) reflect the quality of their effort. The class motto says it best: "How you do anything is how you do everything." These projects also build real project management skills. Whether promoting a talent show, advertising a bake sale, or rallying attendance at a school event, students work within timelines and meet deadlines. They quickly learn that a great idea only matters if it's finished on time and presented well. Equally important are the social dimensions of each task. Students are challenged to think beyond themselves (asking what message will be well received, what will motivate others, and how to strike an inclusive and welcoming tone). These questions build the empathy and awareness that effective leaders need. This program would not exist without the support of Principal Kayla Phillips, whose belief in leadership education at the middle school level has given the course room to grow. By championing student voice and creativity, she has helped build an environment where leadership is not just taught, it is practiced every day. As teacher Chris Broderick reflects: "The posters may brighten our hallways, but more importantly, they reflect something deeper. Students are learning to think critically, act intentionally, and contribute positively to our community." Sometimes, that journey begins with a single sheet of paper. SWHS Passport to Wellness Event Next Wednesday, May 13th, SWHS is dedicating the morning to student wellness. The Wellness Day will have stations for yoga, art, music, therapy dogs, journaling, and more. Students will each have a passport, to collect stamps from each of the stations. This experience is designed to support their mind and body. Wellness is not achieved through a single change or action; it’s built on intentional, consistent practices that can lead to more good days. For us, Hope & Resilience! Join us for a Pre-Summer Blood Drive 5/29 Memorial Day is a time to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. One small and meaningful way you can observe the significance of the day is by taking an hour to donate blood. Your pint of blood will honor fallen heroes and support transfusion-dependent patients at hospitals throughout the Pacific Northwest. These patients rely on blood and platelet donations for cancer treatments, surgeries, and traumas. Sadly, we often see community donations drop off around Memorial Day, which makes the need for your donation even more urgent. Plan to join us and book your appointment for the South Whidbey School District Blood Drive on May 29th. The Bloodworks Northwest bloodmobile will be in the South Campus parking lot for the day. Donors who are 16-17 years old need to bring a Signed Permission Slip     Athletic Acclamations Thank you Falcon Baseball Coach Tom Fallon After 26 remarkable seasons, Coach Tom Fallon is retiring, leaving behind a legacy no one in South Whidbey baseball history can match. More wins than anyone who's ever done it at South Whidbey. Last Spring, Coach Fallon organized an alumni baseball game that brough back Falcons from multiple years. Thank you, Coach Fallon, for every practice, every game, and every player whose life you shaped. Your impact goes far beyond the scoreboard!   Student Supports 2026 South Whidbey Community Survey The SW CARES Youth Coalition is launching a quick community survey to learn how adult community members view youth substance use. Your anonymous responses help us better understand local needs and strengthen prevention programs for youth right here on Whidbey Island. It's super helpful when you fill this out and share your perspective. Feel free to share this with other people you know who might have insight-parents, coaches, mentors, employers of youth, teachers-the more voices the better!  Takes about 2 minutes Completely anonymous Available in English + Spanish 2026 South Whidbey Community Survey English: Survey Link (English) Spanish: Survey Link (Spanish) Healthy Choices Healthy Futures, A FREE, inclusive, and interactive program for middle and high school youth presented by the SW CARES Coalition. Just a one hour session with the amazing Dr. Gwen Sipes, and skills about setting goals and making healthy choices that last a lifetime for your young person! Scan the QR Code in the image or email drgwen@sipestherapy.com to register for an appointment. RTL is a member of the SW CARES Coalition. Are you interested in finding out more? Visit the website: https://www.swcarescoalition.org/ to see how you can be involved. SWPTA, SWEPTA, Boosters, RTL, SW CARES, and Volunteer Opportunities Click Here to join one of the South Whidbey Community Groups that support the schools Performing Arts Booster (PAB), Athletic Booster, 6-12 PTA, SWEPTA (K-5), or the Emergency Notifications Group. South Whidbey Schools Performing Arts Boosters that benefit the bands, choir, and drama programs meet monthly on the first Wednesday at 5:30pm in person and via zoom. Next Meeting is Monday, May 6th at the South Campus Conference Room or via Zoom (click here to connect). All are welcomed to join to learn more about upcoming events and fundraising projects. Join the zoom linked here. Click Here to sign up for the new PAB Newsletter Today. Thank you to 9th grade student, Alex Zielinski, for her work in creating the SWHS Jazz Band's Big Band Dance flyer. Students making a difference everyday! Summer-EBT, “SUN Bucks,” If you think your student qualifies, they must have a qualifying free and reduced meals application for 2025-2026 or have been directly certified. Students and SWA and SWES receive free meals at school, however, they do NOT automatically qualify for SunBucks. If you haven't already for 25-26, please complete the application linked here: https://www.sw.wednet.edu/.../food-services/free-or-reduced Please contact Kristina Macarro at kmacarro@sw.wednet.edu if you have any questions about the school application. Eligibility: 1) Children between ages 8–18 who live in a household that already receives assistance program benefits (SNAP, TANF, FDPIR), OR 2) Children who attend a school that operates the NSLP or SBP, AND are directly certified for free and reduced-price school meals, or 3) Submits a qualifying Child Nutrition Eligibility & Education Benefit (CNEEB) Application, or Submits a qualifying Sun Bucks application (Apply here: https://www.sw.wednet.edu/.../food-services/free-or-reduced) SunBucks Questions? SUN Bucks website or to the call center at 1-833-543-3230. VOLUNTEER APPLICATION SWPTA for Grades 6-12 Newsletter Board Corner At our last meeting, we celebrated teacher appreciation week, heard from two teachers who attended national teacher conferences this year, received wonderful presentations from the ALE students on what they do and what they love about the program, and completed the policy work begun at the past workshop.  At our next meeting, we will get a report on the internal surveys that our building leadership has implemented this year, and we’ll begin another round of policy review based on recommendations from the Washington State School Directors Association and other professional organizations.  On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 6:30pm, the South Whidbey School Board will have a Special Business Meeting to announce an Executive Session to follow the Workshop via ZOOM WEBINAR and IN PERSON at the South Whidbey Elementary School Dr. Julie Hadden Community Board Room at 5380 Maxwelton Road, Langley.  The agenda is linked HERE.  Please click THIS LINK to join the webinar. Passcode: 234129 Webinar ID: 881 5979 3362 Future Meeting/Events: May 27: Business Meeting June 17: Retreat, Workshop, Executive Session (Date Change) June 24: Business Meeting -- Brook WIlleford, Board Chair   Employment Opportunities Open Positions! It's a great time to apply and join our team! Please share the open positions with friends and families. To see the current open positions and apply, visit our website:  https://www.sw.wednet.edu/our-district/district-office/hu Lead Mechanic - Leave Replacement Special Education Teacher - Resource Room Assistant Coach - HS Football Special Education Director - See more in Saturday's South Whidbey Record article linked here: https://www.southwhidbeyrecord.com/.../school-district.../ SUBSTITUTES NEEDED - We are accepting application for substitute teachers, paraeducators, bus drivers, registered nurse, custodian, and food services. South Whidbey School District Comprehensive benefit package for eligible staff, which includes options for health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, long-term disability insurance, and compensated leave. Eligible positions are covered by the Washington State Retirement Plan.  For additional information and to apply, visit Fast Track: https://www.sw.wednet.edu/our-district/district-office/human-resources/open-positions Be Our Next Highlight-Click Here   Operations Update Athletic Access to Fields During Construction This year, spring sports during the construction brings the added challenge of access and parking for practices and games on the different South Whidbey fields. Please take note of the limited access points, the required access routes, and required parking locations. Please stay away from any closed construction zones. January 15, 2026 Press Release Bond Updates Capital Levy Projects Special Education Records Retention In keeping with the Public Schools Records Retention Schedule by the Office of the Secretary of the State of Washington to retain the special education records of students for a minimum of 6 years when the student is no longer eligible for services or has withdrawn from the district.  2019-2020 will be destroyed August 31, 2026 2020-2021 will be destroyed August 31, 2027 2021-2022 will be destroyed August 31, 2028 Contact the special education office at ahudkins@sw.wednet.edu if you would like more information regarding student special education files or to request the file. Records will not be released to parent/guardian if student is age 18+ in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): Once a student reaches 18 years of age or attends a postsecondary institution, he or she becomes an "eligible student," and all rights formerly given to parents under FERPA transfer to the student. Child Find Services: South Whidbey School District is responsible for identifying, locating, and evaluating all students within the district who need special education. See the OSPI How Special Education Works webpage linked here. "Child with a disability or as used in this chapter, a student eligible for special education services means a student who has been evaluated and determined to need special education services because of having a disability in one of the following eligibility categories: Intellectual disability, deafness (including hard of hearing), a speech or language impairment, a visual impairment (including blindness), an emotional/behavioral disability, an orthopedic impairment, autism, traumatic brain injury, an other health impairment, a specific learning disability, deafblindness, multiple disabilities, or for students, three through nine, a developmental delay and who, because of the disability and adverse educational impact, has unique needs that cannot be addressed exclusively through education in general education classes with or without individual accommodations, and needs special education and related services." (WAC 392-172A-01035 (1)(a)). The school district offers free screenings for children ages 3-5 with developmental concerns. The next screening dates are: 26-27 Dates TBD Contact us at ahudkins@sw.wednet.edu or 360-221-6808 x 2206. Information is also available on our website at South Whidbey School District  (linked here). For students in grade kindergarten – grade 12 with concerns of a special education disability, contact the school counselor or principal. Contact STEPS (360) 679-1039 for children ages birth to 3. A child may be referred by any source that has knowledge about the student. South Whidbey School District serves all children (public school, private school, home school) residing within the school district boundaries. If your family is living in a temporary situation, you may contact the district where you are staying to attend a screening.   It Takes A Village! Actions our school community can do to assist in student education: Complete the Free and Reduced Meal Application to assist with school funding. Daily Student Attendance — helps students in their classes and funding for the district Communication – review your ParentSquare messages, communicate with teachers. Share with the Community all of the positive events and achievements in the schools Print and post single page Navigator at local establishments Re-share district social media posts Invite members of the community to school events Talk to other parents/guardians about what is happening Advocate to elected officials the concerns of the district (link to slides from Coffee with the Principal) Respond to misinformation with links to the website or suggestion to contact info@sw.wednet.edu for correct information Connect with Washington advocacy groups: OSPI - Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction WSSDA - Washington State School Directors' Association WASBO - Washington Association of School Business Officials WAMOA - Washington Association of Maintenance and Operations Administrators WEA - Washington Education Association PSE - SEIU - Public School Employees of WAshington Donate money for ES Book Fair for students who don't have funds Volunteer – in schools/classes, SWEPTA, boosters, athletics, etc. Fill out planned absence slips when you know your child is going to be absent ahead of time so we can plan Engage with Q&A and other School Board Forums even if it's sending a question in ahead of time via email Crisis Supports Mental health providers are on staff in our buildings that can help our students in need. Students can request to see a counselor by talking to any staff member in the building. To ensure that everyone has access to the help they may need, we would like to remind you of the following available resources: Employee Assistance Program National Center for Grieving Children & Families Tips for Grieving Teens Tips for Supporting a Grieving Teen NAMI Resources for Kids, Teens and Young Adults Crisis Line - 1.800.584.3578 24 Hour Crisis Line - 1.800.584.3578 McKinney Vento Program McKinney Vento Program is a federally mandated program that supports students who are living in unstable housing situations.  Definition of unstably housed: Lacking a fixed, regular & adequate nighttime residence. Some examples: Shared housing, Trailers/RVs, Transitional housing, Camping, Motels Unstably housed on South Whidbey: The majority of our MV youth are in shared housing with relatives/friends. When people don't have a lease and are at the mercy of others, whether that be family or friends, then it can inhibit their ability to live comfortably. There is often a lack of space/ privacy, no place to be alone and can be noisy/ chaotic. These families are one bad argument from living in their vehicle or on the street.  Another large SW population lives either in a travel trailer/rv or are in substandard housing. Trailers/RVs are not meant to be lived in year round and often do not offer adequate space or privacy for each individual. Substandard housing may have mold, rodent infestation or plumbing/septic issues. Families in trailers or substandard housing are often stuck in this situation as they have no other affordable alternatives so they can not afford to make waves with their landlord and often feel like they are on the verge of eviction.  South Whidbey, like much of the country, has an affordable housing issue of which most of you are aware. If you know of students that may be living in an unstable housing situation, please let us know. Mary Michell is the SWSD McKinney-Vento Liaison and can be reached at 360-221-6808 x 4320 or mmichell@sw.wednet.edu. See more information online linked here. This link is a 2 minute video that shows how the MV program can be helpful and respectful.  Josh's Story: Respect  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-RUNg7OPPI&list=PLh0gvWB_9LuUgAowBUERWfr6iPsPiCPXd&index=6 Contact Us South Whidbey School District 5476 Maxwelton Road, Langley, WA 98260 Tel. 360-221-6100 FAX 360-221-3835 Questions/Concerns/Stories: Email info@sw.wednet.edu SWHS/SWMS Attendance Line 360-221-0937 (email)   6-12 Questions? Email meaton@sw.wednet.edu    SWA Office Attendance Line 360-221-0937 (email)    SWA Questions? Email camundson@sw.wednet.edu    SWES (North and South Campuses)  TK-5 Attendance Line 360-221-0637 (email)   TK-5 Questions Email dhouck@sw.wednet.edu  ALE K-8 Questions? Email jzundel@sw.wednet.edu            Special Education Questions? Email ahudkins@sw.wednet.edu Athletics Questions? Email kyjohnson@sw.wednet.edu HR Questions? Email hsmith@sw.wednet.edu 988 - Suicide and Crisis Lifeline   If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat 988Lifeline.org.  Safety Study Hall Free & Reduced Meal Application Peachjar Digital Flyers ParentSquare Help Videos Struggling with your ParentSquare Messages? Here is a Getting Started Video (7 minutes) with all of the information establishing and maintaining your ParentSquare account, adjusting your settings, and navigating your messages. The help page with written information is linked here. Some common issues: Do you want you POST notifications immediate (instant) or bundled at 6pm (digest)? Parents, staff, and students can change their preferences to receive messages instantly (when they are sent) please click here for the help page to adjust your settings. Spam or Blocked Emails: please check the spam/junk folders and mark as NOT SPAM Update Skyward - Contact your school registrar if your phone number or email changes. On the phone app, toggle between the district and your schools for posts sent from the district verses posts sent from your school Unsubscribed Texts: user texted "STOP" in reply to notifications; user can text "START" to 66458 to restart notifications Add ParentSquare to your contacts: if you don't receive the Robo Call Alerts, please add: the school phone number 360-221-6100 the numbers 60710, 66458, 87366 & 36794 (Add them as additional phone numbers. These are the numbers that ParentSquare texts will come from.) emails from @parentsquare.com, see more specific directions depending on your personal email provider linked here. Please see the training page filled with FAQs, step by step instructions, and training videos linked here: https://parentsquare.zendesk.com/hc/en-us If you are still having issues, please email Kristy Macarro at kmacarro@sw.wednet.edu for additional assistance. Sync School Calendars To Home South Whidbey School Spirit Wear

Friday, May 08 2026

SWSD Navigator Newsletter- Next School Board Busine...

South Whidbey Schools Issue #151| April 24, 2026 Welcome to this week's edition of the South Whidbey School District Navigator Newsletter!, Click View entire message to read through the whole message. The Navigator reads best in the ParentSquare program and is packed full of updates, contacts, and information. Important Dates - Please Check ParentSquare for School Updates Falcon & Cougar Athletics Home Games; Band Calendar April 24: ALE Family Night Event April 25: SWHS/SWMS Jazz Bands Big Band Swing Dance (Public Event - See flyer below) April 29: School Board Business Meeting May 1: SWMS Talent Show May 2: SWSF Gala (See flyer below) May 4-8: Teacher Appreciation Week May 5: Student School Board Application Due May 7: SWMS Career Day May 9: SWHS/SWA Prom May 12: ALL BANDS Concert May 22: SCHOOL Make-up Day for 12/17/25 Closure May 25: NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day May 26: Kindergarten Information Night June 6: SWHS/SWA Graduation 25-26 School Calendar 26-27 School Calendar 27-28 School Calendar   Superintendent Salutations Finishing Strong As we enter the final stretch of the school year, I am incredibly proud of the focus shown by our staff and students. Highlights & Achievements We have much to celebrate, from academic milestones to the outstanding performance of our athletic teams and clubs. A special shout-out goes to our High School Student Leaders for their exceptional work delivering the Speak Up At Schools training this week. Budget & Planning While we prepare for end of the year events and navigate state testing, we are also finalizing enrollment, staffing, and budget plans for next year. Many Washington districts are currently facing major cuts due to funding gaps from the latest legislative session. While South Whidbey remains fiscally stable, we are not immune to these pressures. Our stability is maintained through conservative projections and difficult, proactive decision-making. Stay Connected I encourage you to stay informed by reviewing our District Legislative Priorities and joining us at next week’s Board Meeting to learn about our enrollment projections. I’ll see you at the Big Band Jazz Dance or other school related events in the community! Thank you for your partnership and support. Sincerely, Dr. Becky   School Updates 2026 -2027 Enrollment is Open for All Grades Enroll online today: https://www.sw.wednet.edu/enroll See more information about our kindergarten program on our website linked here: https://swesnorth.sw.wednet.edu/academics/kindergarten Coffee with the Principal Principal Richards and Principal Intern Codda are hosting Coffee with the Principal at the South Whidbey Elementary School every other Friday. The next one is Friday, May 1st 8:30 - 9:30 am / SWES Community Room. This event is open to all parents, guardians, and community members (including ALE, middle, and high school parents/guardians). At each event, guest speakers that support the district. On the 1st, Stacy Schilter Pisano from the Emily Program will come to provide information about Family-Based Therapy (FBT) services. Stacy is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Certified Eating Disorders Specialist (CEDS). Parents/guardians of all grades and schools are invited to attend. Shadow Science Ms. McNaughton's 5th grade has been deep in space science for the past few weeks. They modeled moon phases the week Artemis 2 launched with foam balls, flashlights, and a lot of spinning. Then a spandex sheet showed the class that gravity is the bending of space-time caused by objects with mass, not just a mysterious pulling force. To wrap up the unit, the class mapped the scaled distances between planets onto the playground blacktop. Some great quotes from the last few weeks: "Wow, this is actually so cool." "Oh, I get it now!" "Wait, are we actually supposed to go this far to mark Jupiter?" Summer-EBT, “SUN Bucks,” If you think your student qualifies, they must have a qualifying free and reduced meals application for 2025-2026 or have been directly certified. Students and SWA and SWES receive free meals at school, however, they do NOT automatically qualify for SunBucks. If you haven't already for 25-26, please complete the application linked here: https://www.sw.wednet.edu/.../food-services/free-or-reduced Please contact Kristina Macarro at kmacarro@sw.wednet.edu if you have any questions about the school application. Eligibility: 1) Children between ages 8–18 who live in a household that already receives assistance program benefits (SNAP, TANF, FDPIR), OR 2) Children who attend a school that operates the NSLP or SBP, AND are directly certified for free and reduced-price school meals, or 3) Submits a qualifying Child Nutrition Eligibility & Education Benefit (CNEEB) Application, or Submits a qualifying Sun Bucks application (Apply here: https://www.sw.wednet.edu/.../food-services/free-or-reduced) SunBucks Questions? SUN Bucks website or to the call center at 1-833-543-3230. Join us for a Pre-Summer Blood Drive 5/29 Memorial Day is a time to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. One small and meaningful way you can observe the significance of the day is by taking an hour to donate blood. Your pint of blood will honor fallen heroes and support transfusion-dependent patients at hospitals throughout the Pacific Northwest. These patients rely on blood and platelet donations for cancer treatments, surgeries, and traumas. Sadly, we often see community donations drop off around Memorial Day, which makes the need for your donation even more urgent. Plan to join us and book your appointment for the South Whidbey School District Blood Drive on May 29th. The Bloodworks Northwest bloodmobile will be in the South Campus parking lot for the day. Donors who are 16-17 years old need to bring a Signed Permission Slip     Athletic Acclamations Congratulations to SWHS Senior, Rowan Jung, for being named a WIAA/Gesa Credit Union Athlete of the Week! Some records exist to be broken. Rowan Jung is making a habit of it. This South Whidbey senior has been rewriting the history books this track season, not once, not twice, but three times and counting! On April 11th, at the Birger Solberg Invitational, Rowan first shattered a 30-year-old record in the 3200m by 17 seconds, then turned around and broke his own new record by an additional 21 seconds, crossing the line at a stunning 8:59.16. In March, he also claimed the school record in the 1600m with a time of 4:16.57, taking nearly two full seconds off a mark that had stood since 2001. And he's not done doing it alone. On April 16th, Rowan teamed up with Asher, Drew, and Ash to demolish a 25-year-old South Whidbey Distance Medley Relay record, finishing at 10:35.46. The most remarkable part? The season is only half over. For this extraordinary run of performances, Rowan has been named a WIAA/Gesa Credit Union Athlete of the Week, a statewide recognition honoring Washington student-athletes for both their athletic excellence and positive impact in their schools and communities. As a winner, Rowan receives a Certificate of Achievement, a $25 Foot Locker e-gift card courtesy of Gesa Credit Union, and a feature across WIAA's website, app, and social media. Congratulations, Rowan! Go Falcons! Upcoming Senior Night/Days -Save the Dates Thursday 4/23 Fastpitch Softball Celebrated their seniors before the game 4/28 - Boys Soccer - Before the Match 4/29 - Baseball - Before the Game 4/30 - Track 5/4 - Girls Tennis - After Matches 5/5 - Boys Golf 5/7 - Girls Golf   Student Supports SWPTA, SWEPTA, Boosters, RTL, SW CARES, and Volunteer Opportunities Click Here to join one of the South Whidbey Community Groups that support the schools Performing Arts Booster (PAB), Athletic Booster, 6-12 PTA, SWEPTA (K-5), or the Emergency Notifications Group. South Whidbey Schools Performing Arts Boosters that benefit the bands, choir, and drama programs meet monthly on the first Wednesday at 5:30pm in person and via zoom. Next Meeting is Monday, May 6th at the South Campus Conference Room or via Zoom (click here to connect). All are welcomed to join to learn more about upcoming events and fundraising projects. Join the zoom linked here. Click Here to sign up for the new PAB Newsletter Today. Thank you to 9th grade student, Alex Zielinski, for her work in creating the SWHS Jazz Band's Big Band Dance flyer. Students making a difference everyday! DRUG TAKE BACK-SATURDAY IN LANGLEY If you have unused or expired medications at home, you can dispose of them safely this Saturday at Langley City Hall. The SW CARES Coalition is hosting a prescription drug take-back between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 25th. Disposing of medications at a take-back location helps make sure they aren't mistakenly taken by someone they weren't prescribed to, or eaten by a pet or young child. Flushing or dumping them down the drain is harmful to septic systems and the environment-super easy! They are NOT accepting illicit drugs, needles or non prescription medications. Sharps containers will be available for personal use while supplies last! Finally, critically, we are always trying to exceed the amount of drugs collected from the last take-back. Please help us continue to increase the poundage collected.  VOLUNTEER APPLICATION SWPTA for Grades 6-12 Newsletter Board Corner At our last board workshop, we had an in-depth review of the state and process of curriculum adoption at South Whidbey, a brief discussion on the student election of the next student board representative, and brief discussions of four recommended or critical policy updates, all related to student health and records. Our upcoming board business meeting will include votes on those four policies, on a request to OSPI for a waiver of the 180-day requirement due to losing more days than expected due to power outages, and reports on the district's alternative programs and National Conference experiences by two of our teachers. On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 6:30pm, the South Whidbey School Board will have a Business Meeting via ZOOM WEBINAR and IN PERSON followed by an Executive Session at the South Whidbey Elementary School Dr. Julie Hadden Community Board Room at 5380 Maxwelton Road, Langley.  The agenda is linked HERE.  Please click THIS LINK to join the webinar. Passcode: 234129 Webinar ID: 881 5979 3362 Future Meeting/Events: May 13: Workshop May 27: Business Meeting June 17: Retreat, Workshop, Executive Session (Date Change) June 24: Business Meeting -- Brook WIlleford, Board Chair   Employment Opportunities Open Positions! It's a great time to apply and join our team! Please share the open positions with friends and families. To see the current open positions and apply, visit our website:  https://www.sw.wednet.edu/our-district/district-office/hu School Bus Driver Special Education Director - See more in Saturday's South Whidbey Record article linked here: https://www.southwhidbeyrecord.com/.../school-district.../ SUBSTITUTES NEEDED - We are accepting application for substitute teachers, paraeducators, bus drivers, registered nurse, custodian, and food services. South Whidbey School District Comprehensive benefit package for eligible staff, which includes options for health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, long-term disability insurance, and compensated leave. Eligible positions are covered by the Washington State Retirement Plan.  For additional information and to apply, visit Fast Track: https://www.sw.wednet.edu/our-district/district-office/human-resources/open-positions Be Our Next Highlight-Click Here   Operations Update Athletic Access to Fields During Construction This year, spring sports during the construction brings the added challenge of access and parking for practices and games on the different South Whidbey fields. Please take note of the limited access points, the required access routes, and required parking locations. Please stay away from any closed construction zones. January 15, 2026 Press Release Bond Updates Capital Levy Projects Special Education Records Retention In keeping with the Public Schools Records Retention Schedule by the Office of the Secretary of the State of Washington to retain the special education records of students for a minimum of 6 years when the student is no longer eligible for services or has withdrawn from the district.  2019-2020 will be destroyed August 31, 2026 2020-2021 will be destroyed August 31, 2027 2021-2022 will be destroyed August 31, 2028 Contact the special education office at ahudkins@sw.wednet.edu if you would like more information regarding student special education files or to request the file. Records will not be released to parent/guardian if student is age 18+ in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): Once a student reaches 18 years of age or attends a postsecondary institution, he or she becomes an "eligible student," and all rights formerly given to parents under FERPA transfer to the student. Child Find Services: South Whidbey School District is responsible for identifying, locating, and evaluating all students within the district who need special education. See the OSPI How Special Education Works webpage linked here. "Child with a disability or as used in this chapter, a student eligible for special education services means a student who has been evaluated and determined to need special education services because of having a disability in one of the following eligibility categories: Intellectual disability, deafness (including hard of hearing), a speech or language impairment, a visual impairment (including blindness), an emotional/behavioral disability, an orthopedic impairment, autism, traumatic brain injury, an other health impairment, a specific learning disability, deafblindness, multiple disabilities, or for students, three through nine, a developmental delay and who, because of the disability and adverse educational impact, has unique needs that cannot be addressed exclusively through education in general education classes with or without individual accommodations, and needs special education and related services." (WAC 392-172A-01035 (1)(a)). The school district offers free screenings for children ages 3-5 with developmental concerns. The next screening dates are: 26-27 Dates TBD Contact us at ahudkins@sw.wednet.edu or 360-221-6808 x 2206. Information is also available on our website at South Whidbey School District  (linked here). For students in grade kindergarten – grade 12 with concerns of a special education disability, contact the school counselor or principal. Contact STEPS (360) 679-1039 for children ages birth to 3. A child may be referred by any source that has knowledge about the student. South Whidbey School District serves all children (public school, private school, home school) residing within the school district boundaries. If your family is living in a temporary situation, you may contact the district where you are staying to attend a screening.   It Takes A Village! Actions our school community can do to assist in student education: Complete the Free and Reduced Meal Application to assist with school funding. Daily Student Attendance — helps students in their classes and funding for the district Communication – review your ParentSquare messages, communicate with teachers. Share with the Community all of the positive events and achievements in the schools Print and post single page Navigator at local establishments Re-share district social media posts Invite members of the community to school events Talk to other parents/guardians about what is happening Advocate to elected officials the concerns of the district (link to slides from Coffee with the Principal) Respond to misinformation with links to the website or suggestion to contact info@sw.wednet.edu for correct information Connect with Washington advocacy groups: OSPI - Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction WSSDA - Washington State School Directors' Association WASBO - Washington Association of School Business Officials WAMOA - Washington Association of Maintenance and Operations Administrators WEA - Washington Education Association PSE - SEIU - Public School Employees of WAshington Donate money for ES Book Fair for students who don't have funds Volunteer – in schools/classes, SWEPTA, boosters, athletics, etc. Fill out planned absence slips when you know your child is going to be absent ahead of time so we can plan Engage with Q&A and other School Board Forums even if it's sending a question in ahead of time via email Crisis Supports Mental health providers are on staff in our buildings that can help our students in need. Students can request to see a counselor by talking to any staff member in the building. To ensure that everyone has access to the help they may need, we would like to remind you of the following available resources: Employee Assistance Program National Center for Grieving Children & Families Tips for Grieving Teens Tips for Supporting a Grieving Teen NAMI Resources for Kids, Teens and Young Adults Crisis Line - 1.800.584.3578 24 Hour Crisis Line - 1.800.584.3578 McKinney Vento Program McKinney Vento Program is a federally mandated program that supports students who are living in unstable housing situations.  Definition of unstably housed: Lacking a fixed, regular & adequate nighttime residence. Some examples: Shared housing, Trailers/RVs, Transitional housing, Camping, Motels Unstably housed on South Whidbey: The majority of our MV youth are in shared housing with relatives/friends. When people don't have a lease and are at the mercy of others, whether that be family or friends, then it can inhibit their ability to live comfortably. There is often a lack of space/ privacy, no place to be alone and can be noisy/ chaotic. These families are one bad argument from living in their vehicle or on the street.  Another large SW population lives either in a travel trailer/rv or are in substandard housing. Trailers/RVs are not meant to be lived in year round and often do not offer adequate space or privacy for each individual. Substandard housing may have mold, rodent infestation or plumbing/septic issues. Families in trailers or substandard housing are often stuck in this situation as they have no other affordable alternatives so they can not afford to make waves with their landlord and often feel like they are on the verge of eviction.  South Whidbey, like much of the country, has an affordable housing issue of which most of you are aware. If you know of students that may be living in an unstable housing situation, please let us know. Mary Michell is the SWSD McKinney-Vento Liaison and can be reached at 360-221-6808 x 4320 or mmichell@sw.wednet.edu. See more information online linked here. This link is a 2 minute video that shows how the MV program can be helpful and respectful.  Josh's Story: Respect  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-RUNg7OPPI&list=PLh0gvWB_9LuUgAowBUERWfr6iPsPiCPXd&index=6 Contact Us South Whidbey School District 5476 Maxwelton Road, Langley, WA 98260 Tel. 360-221-6100 FAX 360-221-3835 Questions/Concerns/Stories: Email info@sw.wednet.edu SWHS/SWMS Attendance Line 360-221-0937 (email)   6-12 Questions? Email meaton@sw.wednet.edu    SWA Office Attendance Line 360-221-0937 (email)    SWA Questions? Email camundson@sw.wednet.edu    SWES (North and South Campuses)  TK-5 Attendance Line 360-221-0637 (email)   TK-5 Questions Email dhouck@sw.wednet.edu  ALE K-8 Questions? Email jzundel@sw.wednet.edu            Special Education Questions? Email ahudkins@sw.wednet.edu Athletics Questions? Email kyjohnson@sw.wednet.edu HR Questions? Email hsmith@sw.wednet.edu 988 - Suicide and Crisis Lifeline   If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat 988Lifeline.org.  Safety Study Hall Free & Reduced Meal Application Peachjar Digital Flyers ParentSquare Help Videos Struggling with your ParentSquare Messages? Here is a Getting Started Video (7 minutes) with all of the information establishing and maintaining your ParentSquare account, adjusting your settings, and navigating your messages. The help page with written information is linked here. Some common issues: Do you want you POST notifications immediate (instant) or bundled at 6pm (digest)? Parents, staff, and students can change their preferences to receive messages instantly (when they are sent) please click here for the help page to adjust your settings. Spam or Blocked Emails: please check the spam/junk folders and mark as NOT SPAM Update Skyward - Contact your school registrar if your phone number or email changes. On the phone app, toggle between the district and your schools for posts sent from the district verses posts sent from your school Unsubscribed Texts: user texted "STOP" in reply to notifications; user can text "START" to 66458 to restart notifications Add ParentSquare to your contacts: if you don't receive the Robo Call Alerts, please add: the school phone number 360-221-6100 the numbers 60710, 66458, 87366 & 36794 (Add them as additional phone numbers. These are the numbers that ParentSquare texts will come from.) emails from @parentsquare.com, see more specific directions depending on your personal email provider linked here. Please see the training page filled with FAQs, step by step instructions, and training videos linked here: https://parentsquare.zendesk.com/hc/en-us If you are still having issues, please email Kristy Macarro at kmacarro@sw.wednet.edu for additional assistance. Sync School Calendars To Home South Whidbey School Spirit Wear

Friday, Apr 24 2026

South Whidbey School District Announces Search for D...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4/16/2026 Contact:  Dr, Becky Clifford, Superintendent South Whidbey School District,  info@sw.wednet.edu Posting: https://www2.nwrdc.wa-k12.net/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=wswhidbs71/rapplmnu03.w South Whidbey School District Announces Search for Director of Special Education and Student Services LANGLEY, WA –  Following a comprehensive nine-month evaluation of student needs and community feedback under Superintendent Clifford’s leadership, the South Whidbey School District (SWSD) officially announced the opening for a Director of Special Education and Student Services on Tuesday, April 14. Through the diligent efforts and fiscal responsibility of Paul Field, Executive Director of Business and Operations, the district has creatively reorganized spending to restore this full-time position for the direct benefit of students, staff, and families. Strengthening District Leadership The decision to hire a full-time director marks a significant milestone in the district’s commitment to enhancing its Special Education Services. The need for dedicated support was first identified over 18 months ago during the development of the District Profile for the Superintendent search. Throughout the current academic year, leadership duties were bridged by Principal Phillips, who served as both the Middle School Principal and Director of Curriculum. “The board is grateful for Mrs. Phillips' leadership this year,” stated Board Chair Brook Willeford. “We recognized the need for focused attention on special education during the superintendent hiring process, and we’re excited to bring someone onboard to provide that focused effort on behalf of the students who need it the most and, in doing so, support all of our students.” A Community-Driven Initiative The shift toward a dedicated leadership role follows a period of intense community engagement and transparency. Key milestones leading to this announcement include: Family Engagement : High participation at the inaugural "Coffee with Clifford" and a dedicated Special Education Family Night in November 2025 underscored the community's desire for focused programming support. Board & Strategic Alignment : Following a Special Education Update in November, the School Board formally updated district and superintendent goals in December 2025 to prioritize Special Education. Collaborative Oversight : The newly formed Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) was launched on February 5, 2026, to provide ongoing community perspective. External Program Review:  An external review presented on March 25, 2026, provided a three-year roadmap for improvement, specifically recommending the appointment of a specialized director. Investing in Expertise While the external program review suggested a 0.6 part-time equivalent (FTE) position based on regional comparisons, South Whidbey leadership elected to post the role as a full 1.0 FTE position to ensure the highest quality of support. “We have extremely talented staff, and need a strong, experienced candidate who can provide the necessary support, resources, and the ability to engage and respond to student, staff, and family needs,” said Superintendent Clifford. “Hiring for a 1.0 position will allow us to recruit candidates with the specific experience and expertise our district requires.” Building a Vision for Success Upon reviewing the Program Review Report, members of the Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) confirmed critical areas for improvement within special education delivery and emphasized the vital necessity of this new leadership role. Todd Williams, a parent and SEAC member, likened the appointment to the essential stages of home construction. “Hiring a dedicated special education director is analogous to hiring an architect and construction manager,” said Williams. “The director will establish the mission and vision, much like a drawing you see of someone's new home.They “define the foundation’s requirements; the shape, size, and purpose of each room; and create a plan to retain expertise to maintain the house while acquiring expertise to address unaddressed needs.” This will be an exciting and challenging position laden with rewards.”

Friday, Apr 17 2026

REMINDER: TONIGHT, TUESDAY 4/14 at 6pm, IS SOUP WIT...

TONIGHT (Tuesday, April 14th), join South Whidbey's Student Board Reps, Callahan Dobmeier and Luisa Russo, for Soup with the Sup   from 6:00pm-7:00pm at the South Whidbey Elementary School Community Room. Sign up here:  https://forms.gle/mS4XGH1LkTzydBmJA Your voice matters. We look forward to hearing from you and integrating your feedback into our district work. Thank you to our student reps for launching and hosting this event.

Tuesday, Apr 14 2026

SWSD Navigator Newsletter- Next School Board Worksh...

South Whidbey Schools Issue #150| April 2, 2026 Welcome to this week's edition of the South Whidbey School District Navigator Newsletter!, Click View entire message to read through the whole message. The Navigator reads best in the ParentSquare program and is packed full of updates, contacts, and information. Important Dates - Please Check ParentSquare for School Updates Falcon & Cougar Athletics Home Games; Band Calendar April 2: HS Choir Spring Concert April 6-10: NO SCHOOL SPRING BREAK April 13: MS Track Begins April 14: Soup with Sup April 15: School Board Workshop April 25: SWHS Jazz Band Big Band Swing Dance (Public Event) April 29: School Board Business Meeting May 1: SWMS Talent Show May 2: SWSF Gala May 4-8: Teacher Appreciation Week May 7: SWMS Career Day May 12: ALL BANDS Concert May 22: SCHOOL Make-up Day for 12/17/25 Closure May 25: NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day May 26: Kindergarten Information Night 25-26 School Calendar 26-27 School Calendar 27-28 School Calendar   Superintendent Salutations We’re making this last day before spring break a great one! Spring is definitely in the air, evidenced by the buzz of spring sports, school activities, and students prepping to "show what they know" during state testing season. A few highlights: Student Leadership: Our "Speak Up" leaders are busy finalizing presentations for their peers. Construction Update: We are riding the ebbs and flows of our building projects. A huge thanks to our staff and students for being so resilient despite the noise! Save the Date: Join Student Board Reps Callahan Dobmeier and Luisa Russo for Soup with the Sup on April 14 from 6:00pm-7:00pm at the SWES Community Room. Click here to sign up. I’m so proud of our student reps for launching this initiative. Your voice matters, and we look forward to integrating your feedback into our district work. As we head into the break, please take this time to rest, refresh, and reset so we can return ready to tackle the final leg of this school year together.   School Updates SWMS/HS Library's TBR Newsletter If you haven't opened it yet, the SWHS/MS Librarian TOSA, Amanda Workman, and Clerk, Gabby Guidry, provide a quarterly newsletter called the TBR (To Be Read) to the 6-12th grade students and families. This newsletter is filled with library events, book suggestions and research pathways, and details on digital health. The library would love your donations! Donate to our prize basket or a book for the library! We need stickers, pencils, fidget toys, or visit our Wish List for book ideas or other items our students need. Science on Wheels At South Whidbey Thanks to SWEPTA's incredible generosity, South Whidbey Elementary School had the exciting opportunity to welcome the Pacific Science Center's Science on Wheels program to our campus this week! Science on Wheels travels throughout Washington State, bringing hands-on STEM programming directly to students in grades K-8. Rather than asking kids to come to science, they bring science to the kids and the results are magical. Our students dove into multiple interactive activities, exploring, experimenting, and asking the kinds of big questions that great science inspires. The highlight of the visit was a captivating whole-school demonstration assembly that had students wide-eyed and buzzing with excitement from start to finish. Programs like this remind us that every child has the curiosity of a scientist sometimes they just need the right spark. We're so grateful to SWEPTA for making that spark possible. ALE Students Growing Seedlings South Whidbey ALE 5th and 6th grade students are putting scientific inquiry into a real life situation. ALE math teacher Joy Broughton, community partner Megan Thompson from the Whidbey Compost Collective, and ALE Farm, Forest, & Sea teacher Andrea Mitchell have collaborated on a project with the 5th and 6th graders as the researchers. The students learned about soil composition and amendments and then created five different soil mixes to determine the effect of soil mix on snap pea seedling growth. They needed to learn about how to properly set up a scientific investigation, which variables they could control to provide the desired information, refine their measurement and conversion skills, and determine how to interpret the data.  The seedlings were grown in a controlled environment in the ALE classroom until they were ready to be transplanted. The Organic Farm School has generously provided garden bed space for the students to transplant their snap pea seedlings and continue to monitor their growth. Students dug the beds, created the supports, and made detailed observational drawings of the plants and their root systems. Lastly, they hope to get the final bit of data they are looking for , which soil mix creates the most abundant and best tasting peas! Orcas Measure Shadow Lengths The sun showed up right on time, and Ms. McNaughton's 5th graders made the most of it! Students headed outside to investigate how shadows change throughout the day tracing their chosen object's shadow at different times, measuring the changes, and using that data to map the sun's path across the sky. Science in action! Another 5th grade standard checked off, and we're just getting started. Next up: building a scaled solar system outside. Stay tuned!  4th Grade Outdoor Ed Experiences Keystone Farm and Forest Preserve In partnership with the Whidbey Camano Land Trust (WCLT) all three 4th grade classes joined them for a day of service learning at the Keystone Forest and Farm Preserve on Tuesday, March 17th. This was an incredibly exciting learning opportunity where students were able to both learn in the field with WCLT environmental stewards, as well as give back through different service activities, such as invasive species removal.  Department of Natural Resources, Clare Sobetski Clare Sobetski from the Department of Natural Resources, led lessons with each 4th and 5th grade class on Friday, March 20th in the forest behind South Whidbey Elementary. Students learned how to measure trees, determine the age of a tree looking at the rings of a tree cookie, and take a tiny core of a tree (without damaging it) to assess the age and health of a tree. Students practiced identifying trees within the canopy, such as Douglas Fir and Cedar. They also learned to measure forest density by counting trees in a 20’x20’ space and multiplying it to estimate the number of trees per acre.   Coffee with the Principal Principal Richards and Principal Intern Codda are hosting Coffee with the Principal at the South Whidbey Elementary School every other Friday. The next one is Friday, April 17th 8:30 - 9:30 am / SWES Community Room. This event is open to all parents, guardians, and community members (including ALE, middle, and high school parents/guardians). At each event, guest speakers that support the district. On the 17th, Meredith from HOPE Therapeutic Riding Program will come to provide information about this program. Parents/guardians of all grades and schools are invited to attend. Reptile Man Returns to South Whidbey Elementary South Whidbey Elementary students had exciting visitors today! Thanks to funding from SWEPTA, on Thursday, March 26th, Zoologist, educator, and author Scott Petersen, provided two presentations to students in grades K-5, and a special no-cost evening family performance will be held in the SWES gym. In this assembly, Mr. Peterson brought 12 live reptiles teaching the importance of all animals in nature. He has been featured nationally on Disney's Bill Nye the Science Guy and on PBS' Biz Kids and appeared locally on Northwest Afternoon, Evening Magazine, and NPR Radio. Thank you SWEPTA!!!! Sno-Isle TECH summer school applications opened on April 1st! Sno Isle Tech Summer school will run from June 22-July 9 (July 3rd off) from 7:15 AM-3:00 PM. Students will need to provide their own transportation to and from the Sno-Isle TECH campus located at 9001 Airport Road, Everett, WA 98204. Students can earn .5 high school elective credits by completing one of our summer school courses! These summer school programs are a condensed introductory version of our full year programs. This is a great way for students to preview a program that they might be interested in taking for the full year during their junior or senior year! Admission is based on a first-come first-served basis, don’t miss out! Apply at snoisletech.com under the “Resources” tab then click “Summer School”. South Whidbey High School Reminders: Seniors: Local Scholarships have been open now for over 1 month, if you are continuing your education there is most likely a scholarship for you! https://swhs.sw.wednet.edu/academics/student-services/local-scholarships Day at Everett Community College Career Fair Last week, South Whidbey High School counselor, Trace Prael, and Middle School counselor, Lindsey Grimm, took students to spend the day at Everett Community College for the annual Student Career Conference! It was a full day of connecting with local professionals, hearing inspiring keynote speakers, and exploring what college and career paths could look like for them. Through panel sessions and cultural sharing, our students asked real questions, had open conversations, and started imagining their futures. We love when learning goes beyond the classroom and has students picturing their lives after South Whidbey schools. Indo Boarding / Balance Activities PE South Whidbey Middle School Students take on Indo Boarding / Balance Activities PE. In an effort to ensure students can participate in many lifelong activities such as wakeboarding, snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, etc., PE teacher, Erik Jokinen teaches this unit to get students truly balanced. Students individually and incrementally challenge themselves to devop board skills that can be transferred to other arenas in their lifetime. Having fun, trying new tricks, and developing lateral movement skills are all part of this fun, action packed unit. Next on deck.... slacklining and indoor climbing wall!! Great job Cougars! SWMS 7/8th Grade Band Perform at the Edmonds Performing Arts Center South Whidbey is incredibly proud of our SWMS 7th and 8th grade middle school band students who performed at the SKMEA Band Festival on Wednesday March 25th. Months of hard work, rehearsals, and dedication all came together in the most beautiful way on stage at the Edmonds Performing Arts Center. WIth over fifty students in this class, the students showed up, played their hearts out, and made Ms. B beam with pride. Thank you to our amazing band guardians that chaperoned, GW for the videos and photos, and Ms. B for making it all possible. Way to go Cougars! A video of their performance is available on the the district Facebook/Instagram pages and on the band webpage linked here. Author Eldritch Black Visits South Whidbey Elementary Staff and students were thrilled to have author Eldritch Black visit the elementary school. Fans know him as the writer of the Weirdby Island series, books that are very popular in the elementary library. Mr. Black read from his books and did a Q&A session with the 2nd - 5th graders. 18 students won books and others brought their books from home to be signed by Mr. Black. Ms. Dubendorf's class made maps of Whidbey Island that are highlighted in the books. Mr. Black graciously autographed all their maps. The best part of the visit was when Mr. Black did writing lessons with all the 4th and 5th grade classes.     Athletic Acclamations Falcon Track Athletes Come Out in Full Speed What a way to kick off the season. Our Falcon track athletes came out in full speed and the record books will never be the same. Way to go Falcons! Rowan Jung shattered a record that had stood since 2001, taking nearly two full seconds off the mark. 1600m School Record Rowan Jung 4:16.57! Reed Atwood went even bigger! Erasing a record from 1997 by over eleven seconds to break the 11-minute barrier for the first time in school history. 3200m School Record Reed Atwood 10:58.06! Both performances are a testament to the hard work these athletes have put in this offseason. The boys and girls teams both had strong outings across the board, and this is only the beginning. Next home track meet is Thursday, April 2nd! Come out and cheer on your Falcons! Your support means the world to our athletes. Let's pack the stands and bring on the cheer! Thank you to Brooke Cornwell for the amazing photos. Cougar Spring Sports Start April 13th ATHLETICS REGISTRATION: Families can sign up for all sports on Final Forms: https://swhs.sw.wednet.edu/activities/athletics Sign ups must be complete and sport physicals must be up to date to be eligible to participate. Sign up as soon as possible to start receiving emails/communications for the coaches including practice times and locations. Middle school spring sports include: Boys & Girls Track ATHLETICS FEES: ASB Fee: $25 (just once a year) Sports: $75 per each single sport (Football $90) and the 3rd sport for the year is free. ASB and Athletic fees are not due until the season starts. More information on sports fees can be found on the High School Athletics website. Currently fees can be paid in the 6-12 ASB office at any time or online through the district payment portal after the first week of turnouts. ASB and Athletic fees are not due until the sports start. More information on sports fees can be found on the Middle School Athletics and High School Athletics websites.  If your student receives Free or Reduced lunch, your family can get a fee waiver for ASB & sports fees. Fill out a 2025-26 Consent to Share form and turn it into the ASB office to have a waiver applied to your students account. This form must be completed annually.  If your student needs help with equipment reach out to the ASB office. Many of our coaches keep spare cleats and other gear on hand for students to borrow if needed. SPORTS PHYSICALS: Please check your students Final Forms account to see if they need a new sports physical. It can often take a few months to get an appointment with your family Dr. The local walk in clinics also do sports physicals for a flat fee. If you have any questions about FinalForms and paperwork please contact Kymy Johnson, our athletic secretary, at kyjohnson@sw.wednet.edu or call 360-221-6808 x5423.   Student Supports SWPTA, SWEPTA, Boosters, RTL, SW CARES, and Volunteer Opportunities Click Here to join one of the South Whidbey Community Groups that support the schools Performing Arts Booster (PAB), Athletic Booster, 6-12 PTA, SWEPTA (K-5), or the Emergency Notifications Group. South Whidbey Schools Performing Arts Boosters that benefit the bands, choir, and drama programs meet monthly on the first Wednesday at 5:30pm in person and via zoom. Next Meeting is Monday, March 30th at the South Campus Conference Room or via Zoom (click here to connect). All are welcomed to join to learn more about upcoming events and fundraising projects. Join the zoom linked here. Click Here to sign up for the new PAB Newsletter Today. Thank you to 9th grade student, Alex Zielinski, for her work in creating the SWHS Jazz Band's Big Band Dance flyer. Students making a difference everyday! VOLUNTEER APPLICATION SWPTA for Grades 6-12 Newsletter Board Corner At our last business meeting we celebrated educational support professionals week, highlighting the many and talented folks across the district who are often the first to greet our students and the last to say goodbye to them. We also introduced the leadership team for the elementary school for next year: Principal Jordan Young and Vice Principal Kristin Codda. Whidbey Island Center for the Arts presented on the history of their partnership with the district and everything they do for youth and families on an ongoing basis and there was a report on an outside review of the social education department, including strengths and areas for improvement and growth. Finally, the board approved the annual extension of Dr. Clifford’s contract for the first time, and we approved a smattering of policies.  At our upcoming workshop, we will have a curriculum update from Mrs. Phillips, discuss the upcoming student body election for student board representative if necessary, and take a first look at a number of policies that have had updates by the Washington State School Director’s Association.  On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 6:30pm, the South Whidbey School Board will have a Workshop via ZOOM WEBINAR and IN PERSON at the South Whidbey Elementary School Dr. Julie Hadden Community Board Room at 5380 Maxwelton Road, Langley.  The agenda is linked HERE.  Please click THIS LINK to join the webinar. Passcode: 234129 Webinar ID: 881 5979 3362 Future Meeting/Events: April 29 Business Meeting (5th Wednesday due to Spring Break) May 13: Workshop -- Brook WIlleford, Board Chair   Employment Opportunities Open Positions! It's a great time to apply and join our team! Please share the open positions with friends and families. To see the current open positions and apply, visit our website:  https://www.sw.wednet.edu/our-district/district-office/hu School Bus Driver Leave Replacement Evening Custodian - at HS/MS 2:00-10:00pm. Assignment starts 4/22/26 and goes through 6/5/26 High School SPED Teacher - Resource Room - starting the 26/27 school year Teacher - LAP at the Elementary School - starting the 26/27 school year Head Coach and Assistant Coach for High School Football Evening Custodian SUBSTITUTES NEEDED - We are accepting application for substitute teachers, paraeducators, bus drivers, registered nurse, custodian, and food services. South Whidbey School District Comprehensive benefit package for eligible staff, which includes options for health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, long-term disability insurance, and compensated leave. Eligible positions are covered by the Washington State Retirement Plan.  For additional information and to apply, visit Fast Track: https://www.sw.wednet.edu/our-district/district-office/human-resources/open-positions Be Our Next Highlight-Click Here   Operations Update Athletic Access to Fields During Construction This year, spring sports during the construction brings the added challenge of access and parking for practices and games on the different South Whidbey fields. Please take note of the limited access points, the required access routes, and required parking locations. Please stay away from any closed construction zones. January 15, 2026 Press Release Bond Updates Capital Levy Projects Special Education Records Retention In keeping with the Public Schools Records Retention Schedule by the Office of the Secretary of the State of Washington to retain the special education records of students for a minimum of 6 years when the student is no longer eligible for services or has withdrawn from the district.  2019-2020 will be destroyed August 31, 2026 2020-2021 will be destroyed August 31, 2027 2021-2022 will be destroyed August 31, 2028 Contact the special education office at ahudkins@sw.wednet.edu if you would like more information regarding student special education files or to request the file. Records will not be released to parent/guardian if student is age 18+ in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): Once a student reaches 18 years of age or attends a postsecondary institution, he or she becomes an "eligible student," and all rights formerly given to parents under FERPA transfer to the student. Child Find Services: South Whidbey School District is responsible for locating, evaluating, and serving children in the district boundaries who may have a disability in one of the following eligibility categories: Intellectual disability, a hearing impairment (including deafness), a speech or language impairment, a visual impairment (including blindness), an emotional/behavioral disability, an orthopedic impairment, autism, traumatic brain injury, other health impairment, a specific learning disability, deaf-blindness, multiple disabilities, or for students, three through nine, a developmental delay and who, because of the disability and adverse educational impact, has unique needs that cannot be addressed exclusively through education in general education classes with or without individual accommodations, and needs special education and related services.( WAC 392-172A-01035).   The school district offers free screenings for children ages 3-5 with developmental concerns. The next screening dates are: 26-27 Dates TBD Contact us at ahudkins@sw.wednet.edu or 360-221-6808 x 2206. Information is also available on our website at South Whidbey School District  (linked here). For students in grade kindergarten – grade 12 with concerns of a special education disability, contact the school counselor or principal. Contact STEPS (360) 679-1039 for children ages birth to 3. A child may be referred by any source that has knowledge about the student. South Whidbey School District serves all children (public school, private school, home school) residing within the school district boundaries. If your family is living in a temporary situation, you may contact the district where you are staying to attend a screening.   It Takes A Village! Actions our school community can do to assist in student education: Complete the Free and Reduced Meal Application to assist with school funding. Daily Student Attendance — helps students in their classes and funding for the district Communication – review your ParentSquare messages, communicate with teachers. Share with the Community all of the positive events and achievements in the schools Print and post single page Navigator at local establishments Re-share district social media posts Invite members of the community to school events Talk to other parents/guardians about what is happening Advocate to elected officials the concerns of the district (link to slides from Coffee with the Principal) Respond to misinformation with links to the website or suggestion to contact info@sw.wednet.edu for correct information Connect with Washington advocacy groups: OSPI - Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction WSSDA - Washington State School Directors' Association WASBO - Washington Association of School Business Officials WAMOA - Washington Association of Maintenance and Operations Administrators WEA - Washington Education Association PSE - SEIU - Public School Employees of WAshington Donate money for ES Book Fair for students who don't have funds Volunteer – in schools/classes, SWEPTA, boosters, athletics, etc. Fill out planned absence slips when you know your child is going to be absent ahead of time so we can plan Engage with Q&A and other School Board Forums even if it's sending a question in ahead of time via email Crisis Supports Mental health providers are on staff in our buildings that can help our students in need. Students can request to see a counselor by talking to any staff member in the building. To ensure that everyone has access to the help they may need, we would like to remind you of the following available resources: Employee Assistance Program National Center for Grieving Children & Families Tips for Grieving Teens Tips for Supporting a Grieving Teen NAMI Resources for Kids, Teens and Young Adults Crisis Line - 1.800.584.3578 24 Hour Crisis Line - 1.800.584.3578 McKinney Vento Program McKinney Vento Program is a federally mandated program that supports students who are living in unstable housing situations.  Definition of unstably housed: Lacking a fixed, regular & adequate nighttime residence. Some examples: Shared housing, Trailers/RVs, Transitional housing, Camping, Motels Unstably housed on South Whidbey: The majority of our MV youth are in shared housing with relatives/friends. When people don't have a lease and are at the mercy of others, whether that be family or friends, then it can inhibit their ability to live comfortably. There is often a lack of space/ privacy, no place to be alone and can be noisy/ chaotic. These families are one bad argument from living in their vehicle or on the street.  Another large SW population lives either in a travel trailer/rv or are in substandard housing. Trailers/RVs are not meant to be lived in year round and often do not offer adequate space or privacy for each individual. Substandard housing may have mold, rodent infestation or plumbing/septic issues. Families in trailers or substandard housing are often stuck in this situation as they have no other affordable alternatives so they can not afford to make waves with their landlord and often feel like they are on the verge of eviction.  South Whidbey, like much of the country, has an affordable housing issue of which most of you are aware. If you know of students that may be living in an unstable housing situation, please let us know. Mary Michell is the SWSD McKinney-Vento Liaison and can be reached at 360-221-6808 x 4320 or mmichell@sw.wednet.edu. See more information online linked here. This link is a 2 minute video that shows how the MV program can be helpful and respectful.  Josh's Story: Respect  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-RUNg7OPPI&list=PLh0gvWB_9LuUgAowBUERWfr6iPsPiCPXd&index=6 Contact Us South Whidbey School District 5476 Maxwelton Road, Langley, WA 98260 Tel. 360-221-6100 FAX 360-221-3835 Questions/Concerns/Stories: Email info@sw.wednet.edu SWHS/SWMS Attendance Line 360-221-0937 (email)   6-12 Questions? Email meaton@sw.wednet.edu    SWA Office Attendance Line 360-221-0937 (email)    SWA Questions? Email camundson@sw.wednet.edu    SWES (North and South Campuses)  TK-5 Attendance Line 360-221-0637 (email)   TK-5 Questions Email dhouck@sw.wednet.edu  ALE K-8 Questions? Email jzundel@sw.wednet.edu            Special Education Questions? Email ahudkins@sw.wednet.edu Athletics Questions? Email kyjohnson@sw.wednet.edu HR Questions? Email hsmith@sw.wednet.edu 988 - Suicide and Crisis Lifeline   If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat 988Lifeline.org.  Safety Study Hall Free & Reduced Meal Application Peachjar Digital Flyers ParentSquare Help Videos Struggling with your ParentSquare Messages? Here is a Getting Started Video (7 minutes) with all of the information establishing and maintaining your ParentSquare account, adjusting your settings, and navigating your messages. The help page with written information is linked here. Some common issues: Do you want you POST notifications immediate (instant) or bundled at 6pm (digest)? Parents, staff, and students can change their preferences to receive messages instantly (when they are sent) please click here for the help page to adjust your settings. Spam or Blocked Emails: please check the spam/junk folders and mark as NOT SPAM Update Skyward - Contact your school registrar if your phone number or email changes. On the phone app, toggle between the district and your schools for posts sent from the district verses posts sent from your school Unsubscribed Texts: user texted "STOP" in reply to notifications; user can text "START" to 66458 to restart notifications Add ParentSquare to your contacts: if you don't receive the Robo Call Alerts, please add: the school phone number 360-221-6100 the numbers 60710, 66458, 87366 & 36794 (Add them as additional phone numbers. These are the numbers that ParentSquare texts will come from.) emails from @parentsquare.com, see more specific directions depending on your personal email provider linked here. Please see the training page filled with FAQs, step by step instructions, and training videos linked here: https://parentsquare.zendesk.com/hc/en-us If you are still having issues, please email Kristy Macarro at kmacarro@sw.wednet.edu for additional assistance. Sync School Calendars To Home South Whidbey School Spirit Wear

Thursday, Apr 02 2026