What a Great First Day! Welcome Back to the 2026–202...

Dear South Whidbey Families, The last student has been dropped off, and the last bus has arrived "home" for the night. Welcome back to the 2026–2027 school year! As the sun came up this morning, our entire team was already hard at work preparing for a fantastic first day. From the very start, it was an "all hands on deck" effort to ensure every student felt welcomed, safe, and excited to be back. Our bus drivers set the tone early as they headed out on their routes, ready to greet smiling faces at every stop. Front office staff stepped up with exceptional customer service, warmly answering questions and helping students and families navigate the morning rush and needs throughout the day. Inside the cafeterias, our food and nutrition team was busy serving breakfast and lunch to keep everyone energized. Administrators were visible across all campuses, while our teachers and instructional staff created engaging spaces where every student felt a true sense of belonging. A special point of pride today was seeing how beautiful our campus buildings and spaces are looking. Behind the scenes, our custodial and maintenance crews worked tirelessly to prepare our facilities. Even as we continue navigating ongoing construction, our staff and students showed incredible patience, resilience, and adaptability throughout the day. I also want to extend a sincere thank you to all of our families for following our arrival and dismissal processes, especially while we navigate construction work. Your cooperation ensured smooth, safe transitions for everyone. Your students are in wonderful, dedicated hands with our South Whidbey team. Simply put, I could not be prouder of our staff and students. It was a great start, and I am so excited for the school year ahead. Warm regards, Dr. Becky Clifford Superintendent, South Whidbey School District

Wednesday, Sep 09 2026

SWSD Navigator Newsletter- School Board Study Sessi...

South Whidbey Schools Issue #159| September 4, 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. SWMS/HS Main Entrance Open for Entry For Grades 6-12: School Starts at 8:15am and ends at 2:45pm. On the morning of Sept 8th, students will enter through the SWMS/HS Main Entrance. Please check your School Principal's Parent Square Posts for more detailed updates.  Class schedules have been released and are available on Skyward and Parent Square. DROP AND MOVE:  To help keep traffic moving safely and efficiently, please remember our “Drop and Move” expectation. When dropping off your student: Please have your student ready to exit the vehicle when you reach the drop-off area. Please do not park or get out of your vehicle while in the drop-off line. If your student needs additional time, kindly pull into a visitor parking space. If your student can safely exit earlier in the line, please allow them to do so. You may then carefully pull out of the line and exit through the visitor/staff/student parking lot. This helps reduce congestion for everyone. Important Construction Safety Reminder: The road between the school and the park is currently an active construction zone. Please do not use this road or the park as a student drop-off location. This is an important safety issue, and we appreciate everyone's cooperation. A smooth morning drop-off takes all of us working together: Drop, Move, and Keep the Line Moving! High School Students go straight to their first-period classroom and ready to learn at 8:15, so please plan morning arrival accordingly. Middle school staff and student leaders will be there to welcome students and help them get where they need to go. Look for the teachers in the blue SWMS Staff shirts -we’re here to help!  All middle school students will  go directly to the Main Gym. There will be signs on the ground helping students navigate to the Main Gym as well as staff available to assist students.  During the first week of school, all staff will be focused on helping students become familiar with our campus, learn school procedures, and navigate the changes they may encounter this year. We will focus on the physical and emotional safety of students first and foremost. SWES Drop Off and Pick Up For Grades ITK-5, South Whidbey Elementary School starts at 8:25am and ends at 3:00pm. The first day of Kindergarten, Transitional Kindergarten, and ALE is on Monday, September 14, 2026. Please read your ParentSquare posts from your teachers for their updates. At this time, the personal vehicle drop off and pick up will look like 2025-2026.  The new parking lot area is not ready for parent/staff parking or drop off. This space is needed for construction.  Please follow the same instructions as above. DROP AND MOVE:  To help keep traffic moving, maintain safety and efficiency, please remember the “Drop and Move” expectations. When dropping off your student: Please have your student ready to exit the vehicle when you reach the drop-off area. Please do not park or get out of your vehicle while in the drop-off line. If your student needs additional time, kindly pull into a visitor parking space. A smooth morning drop-off helps create a successful start to the day and takes all of us working together! September Meal Menus Available on Peachjar and Nutrislice South Whidbey Food Service Menus (breakfast and lunch for both the MS/HS and ES) are available on Peachjar in monthly printable PDFs or on the Nutrislice Website linked here. For the 2026–2027 school year, breakfast and lunch will be provided at no cost to all students at South Whidbey Academy and South Whidbey Elementary School. However, we still ask every eligible family to complete the Child Nutrition Eligibility & Education Benefit Application linked here. For SWMS and SWHS students, 2026-2027 meal prices are as follows: Breakfast $2.90 Lunch $4.15 Meals will be served in the Falcons Nest Kitchen. Important Dates - Please Check ParentSquare for School Updates Falcon & Cougar Athletics Home Games; Band Calendar September 4 Class Schedules Released September 8: First day of School for Students in grades 1-12. September 9: School Board Study Session at SWES Board Room September 11: MS/HS 6-12 Photo Day September 21: SWES TK-5 Photo Day September 23: School Board Business Meeting September 24: MS/HS Curriculum NIght (5pm) October 2: Homecoming Court at Volleyball Game October 3: Homecoming Football Game at Oak Harbor 26-27 School Calendar 27-28 School Calendar   Superintendent Salutations Welcome to the New School Year! I am so proud to be part of this amazing community of educators. The South Whidbey School District staff are a cut above the rest. Despite heavy construction leading right up to the start of the year, our team connected, collaborated, and prepared their spaces and classrooms for our students' return this coming Tuesday. This past week, we onboarded our new staff and held our all-staff kick-off. I am deeply grateful for every member of our team, thrilled to have all our returning and new staff back on campus, and eagerly looking forward to seeing our students. Principals will be sending welcome-back letters shortly, and I will follow up with a happy first day message. In addition to preparing our school sites, our school board rolled up their sleeves throughout August. Following a productive board retreat, we are evolving our meeting structure for the upcoming year. The former workshop format is being split into two distinct meeting types (Study Sessions and Community Meetings) : Monthly Business Meetings: We will continue to host our standard monthly business sessions. Study Sessions: Replacing part of our former workshop format, these meetings will allow board members and invited guests to actively engage in discussion, learning, and strategic design while audience members observe the work. Community Meetings: Replacing the remainder of the workshop format, these interactive sessions will allow the community to participate in structured discussions using defined protocols to ensure maximum collaboration. I hope everyone enjoys a restful holiday weekend and comes back ready for a fantastic start on Tuesday. Please reference the Pick-up and Drop-off Maps and Reminders. --Dr. Becky   Board Corner At our last business meeting, we interviewed six strong candidates and selected Jeff Natter to step into the open board position. We’re excited to work with Mr. Natter to provide the best learning environment for students as we begin the 2026-27 school year. Later in the meeting, we summed up the August board retreat, including discussing our new first-meeting-of-the-month formats. The board will be transitioning to a mixture of community meetings and study sessions in place of the board workshops (business meetings will, of course, remain). Community meetings will most closely resemble the old workshops that began in 2017, while study sessions will look more like retreats where the board learns about and discusses items in public. We also approved several items of policy that were discussed in early August, approved two interlocal and intergovernmental  agreements that will allow us to provide better services for our students at a lower cost, and formally approved the name South Whidbey Middle School that has been in use for nearly a decade. Our next meeting will be our first study session, where we will do a study project on board governance, discuss board goals for the upcoming year, and discuss protocols for community meetings. On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, South Whidbey School Board will have a Study Session at 6:30pm in the South Whidbey Elementary School (SWES)  Community Board Room located at 5380 Maxwelton Road, Langley, WA 98260.  The agenda is linked HERE.  Please click THIS LINK to join the webinar. Passcode: 234129 Webinar ID: 881 5979 3362 Future Meeting/Events: September 23: Business Meeting October 14: Community Discussion October 28: Business Meeting -- Brook WIlleford, Board Chair   School Updates School Supplies Lists All supply lists have been updated on our website. Just follow the link and choose your child’s grade level to see what they’ll need for the year. SWES Supply Lists SWMS Supply Lists SWHS/SWA/ALE will provide individual class supply needs on the first day of school. Picture Days Are Coming! For South Whidbey  Middle School and High School, the first week of school on Friday, September 11th, is picture day!  There are no forms to fill out, ordering is all done online.  Here are the ordering links: South Whidbey MS Photo Ordering Link: https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001416473 South Whidbey HS Photo Ordering Link: https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001416466 South Whidbey Elementary and ALE student picture day is scheduled for Monday, September 21, 2026.  To order photos, please visit LeosPhotography.com and enter the school code FP3229838. All students are invited to come dressed in their favorite shirt — and of course, their best smile. Kindergarten Camp Success Kindergarten Camp was a wonderful success! Our newest students had a fantastic opportunity to get comfortable with their new school, meet their teachers and classmates, and begin building the friendships and routines that will help them feel confident as they start kindergarten. We are so excited to welcome this enthusiastic group of young learners to our school community!  PSAT and SAT October Testing If students forgot to sign up at the end of last year for the SAT $60 to ASB Window, PSAT $18 to the ASB Window.  Sign ups will close Friday 9/11.  If you are a student that needs an accommodated test, we have already passed the time frame to request that possibility for this Exam Time.   Both Test will be held at SWHS during the school day in October, more information will be sent directly to all the students signed up for the Exams.  Administrators Working With the Construction Our South Whidbey Administrators and School Principals have spent countless hours in the buildings working with the construction management team to help prepare the buildings for the first day of school on Tuesday, September 8th.  On August 21st, the district released an update on the construction projects. Please click here to read the press release. The schools will look different from June. However, the classrooms are all ready for students to interact and learn.  School Bus Safety! When in doubt, stop! School buses will be back on the road. For everyone's safety, please know when to stop! As students return to school, please remember that school bus safety is everyone’s responsibility. During a 2026 one-day survey, Washington school bus drivers reported 960 illegal passes, a number that could exceed 172,000 violations over a 180-day school year if repeated daily. When a school bus has its flashing red lights and stop sign activated, drivers traveling in the same direction must stop, and on two-lane roads, drivers in both directions must stop. Passing a stopped school bus carries a mandatory $500 fine in Washington. Please slow down, stay alert, and watch carefully for children getting on and off buses. When in doubt, stop! For more transportation information, contact numbers, bus routes, and safety, please click here to be directed to the Transportation website. SWES Popsicles with the Principals South Whidbey Elementary School's annual  Popsicles with the Principal was a sweet success! Students enjoyed a fun afternoon treat while spending time with the principal, building connections, and celebrating the start of a great school year. It was a wonderful opportunity to visit the campus before the start of school, see the new main entrance to the building, see the construction updates, and connect with students outside the classroom. Students and staff shared some smiles, and strengthened their sense of school community, one popsicle at a time! New Staff Orientation We are excited to welcome our newest staff members to the South Whidbey Schools family!  Our New Staff Orientation provided an opportunity for new team members to connect with colleagues, learn more about our schools and community, and gain the tools and resources they need for a successful start to the school year.  Our high student leaders provided an amazing presentation on the Speak Up at School/Stop the Hate training they received last year and will continue educating into 2026-2027. We are thrilled to have these talented educators and staff joining our team and look forward to the energy, experience, and fresh perspectives they bring to our students and schools.  Here is a list of new staff (some may have started mid year in 2025-2026): New Certificated/Teaching Staff Lucy Rock (ES Grade 1) Remi Rajotte (MS Math, Cross Country Coach) Cassidy Jones (HS Resource - Support Lab) Brigit White (ES TOSA/Librarian) Bailey Myers (MS Math Teacher - Leave Replacement, Volleyball Coach) Chelsea Muhs (HS Math) Alaria Eby (MS ELA) Casey Harwood (HS ELA) Amber Stuller (HS Science) Jessie King (ES 3rd Grade) Kerry McNaughton (ES 5th Grade) Cassi Dilley (ES Reading Specialist) Valerie Turner (ES Special Education) James Attwood (District Occupational Therapist) New Classified Staff Michelle Depew (Paraeducator) B Hinesley (Paraeducator) Brittany Winchester (Paraeducator) Anna Jaros (Paraeducator Sydney Bellomy (Paraeducator) Crystal Moss (Paraeducator/bus driver) Rachel Thelen (food service) Suzanne Reynolds (custodial) Eric Lofgren (bus driver) William Brieske (mechanic) Henry Wilson (custodial) Welcome to our South Whidbey Family! Family and Student Handbooks Online HANDBOOKS:  Please connect with the website (click here) to access the district and school handbooks. For all families, there is a SWSD Family Handbook  The SWMS/HS Grades 6–12 Student Handbook answers many common questions for students and families. Some sections are still under review as administration continues collaborating with our interim High School Principal and reviewing current Board Policies. We will update the handbook as needed. Please click here for your reference. The student handbook will be reviewed the first weeks of school in class. Apply for 26-27 Free/Reduced Meals and Services - Complete the application today! Completing the application helps secure important state and federal funding that supports educational programs, staffing, technology, and student services throughout our schools. It may also qualify your family for additional benefits, including reduced fees for school programs and activities and eligibility for 2027 Summer EBT benefits. If your student is directly eligible through programs such as TANF or Medicaid, we still encourage you to complete the Consent to Share form. This allows the district to connect eligible students with additional educational benefits. All applications are kept confidential and can be emailed or dropped off at the district office to Kristy Macarro at kmacarro@sw.wednet.edu. A few minutes can make a significant difference for our students and schools. If you think your family may qualify, please complete the application today. Thank you for helping support South Whidbey students and ensuring our schools receive the resources they need to serve every learner. Athletic Acclamations Cougar Athletics South Whidbey Middle School Athletics Start Dates: Football  (Grades 7-8) started September 2nd. Volleyball (Grades 7-8) start September 8th. Cross Country (Grades 6-8)  start September 8th. It is important to log in to FinalForms and confirm your student is registered for this year's athletics. Fall coaches have already started sending emails. Please sign up as soon as possible to start receiving emails/communications from the coaches. Athletic/ASB Office can be reached via email kyjohnson@sw.wednet.edu or phone 360-221-6808 ext 5423. SWHS Falcon 2026-27 Game Schedules on Arbiter Please check online for the Falcon Fall Sports Schedule linked here: https://www.southwhidbeyfalconsathletics.com/   Student Supports Back to School Supplies - Help from Readiness to Learn If budgets won't allow for the new back to school supplies students needs to feel successful and ready for the first day of School, the Readiness To Learn Back to School program may be able to assist! Now is the time to register for a Back to School appointment with Readiness to Learn for the 2026/27 school year!  Register and find out more at on the Readiness to Learn website: www.readinesstolearn.org  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 via zoom. Next Meeting is Wednesday September 16th  via Zoom ONLY (click here to connect). All are welcomed to join to learn more about upcoming events and fundraising projects. . Click Here to sign up for the new PAB Newsletter Today.  Complete Volunteer Forms Today! Every two (2) years, ALL volunteers with the South Whidbey School District must complete a SWSD volunteer application, Washington State Patrol form and present a current Washington State Driver's License. Click the button above to complete the online Volunteer form. Paper forms are linked here and available at the schools and district office. You may return these printed paper forms IN PERSON WITH YOUR PHOTO ID to any of the building secretaries or to Kristy Macarro at the District Office at 5476 Maxwelton Rd, Langley, WA 98260. Per RCW 43.43.834(4), you are eligible to receive a copy of the Washington State Patrol Response within ten days of submission. Please contact Kristy Macarro at the District Office to have a copy emailed to you.   Please remember to check in at the main office with your photo identification every time you volunteer. We look forward to having you as a volunteer. VOLUNTEER APPLICATION SWPTA for Grades 6-12 Newsletter   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 Custodian - Evenings Head Coach HS Baseball Asst Coach HS Boys Basketball Asst Coach HS Boys Wrestling Asst Coach MS Football Health Services Assistant 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 August 21, 2026 Press Release 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

Saturday, Sep 05 2026

SWSD Navigator Newsletter- School Board Director Int...

South Whidbey Schools Issue #158| August 21, 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 Summer - September 7: SWES and SWMS/HS Campuses Still CLOSED to the Public - Please contact principals and secretaries via email while they are working at the South Campus and moving back into the schools. August 24: Falcon Sports Fall Season Begins August 26: School Board Director Interviews, Executive Session, and Business Meeting at Langley Library September 1: New Staff Orientation September 2: All Staff back to school welcome reception at the South Campus gym. September 3: Blood Drive at South Campus September 4 Class Schedules Released September 8: First day of School for Students in grades 1-12. 26-27 School Calendar 27-28 School Calendar   Superintendent Salutations Dear Families and Community, It is officially the final countdown with just two and a half weeks until the first day of school! Honestly, I can't wait to welcome our staff and students back to campus.  Our district and school leadership teams, custodians, and project partners have worked tirelessly all summer to ensure our campuses are safe, functional, and ready to go. We are deeply grateful to our community for your ongoing support and trust as we deliver on our promise to modernize our facilities. Every update is designed with our students' safety, learning, and future success at heart. Principals will share detailed, campus-specific guidance in their upcoming back-to-school welcome letters. District and school teams remain fully committed to providing a predictable, welcoming, and supportive environment for all K–12 families. As we enter this school year, our primary focus remains on student learning through our Academic Growth Goal 2. One key area supporting this effort is Pillar 3, which centers on gathering an understanding of how both instructional and non-instructional technology are used across our schools. Recently, Washington State Governor Ferguson announced a key legislative priority to ban cellphones in schools statewide, and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) released the "Cell Phone Policy Proposal - Away for the Day" model. Our schools will use this state guidance to review our local cell phone policies. While technology review is just one component of our overall academic strategy, this work helps us maintain a focused, supportive learning environment for every student. You can review additional details in the Mobile Device Bill One-Pager. Thank you for your continued partnership, and we look forward to a great school year ahead. Sincerely, Dr. Becky   Board Corner At our last meeting, the school board had a retreat to discuss the logistics of board member visits to schools, meeting formats, and social media procedures; as well as planning for a more robust board goals and self-evaluation process and the start of preparing for a strategic plan update next year.  At the coming board meeting, we will be interviewing six candidates for the open board position, and then at 7:30, will will begin our business meeting. After voting on the new board member, we will swear them in, organize the board, and move into the meeting proper. On the agenda is the basic board calendar for the upcoming year, a pair of cooperative agreements, formalizing the transition from Langley Middle School to South Whidbey Middle School, and the policies discussed at our last board meeting.  On Wednesday, August 26, 2026, South Whidbey School Board will begin their Business Meeting at 4:15pm (in person only) to have Director Applicant Interviews (first interview starting at 4:30pm), followed by an Executive Session from 6:30pm - 7:30pm, and transitioning back to the Business Meeting at 7:30pm (in person and via Zoom), at the Langley Library located at Second St, Langley, WA 98260.  The agenda is linked HERE.  Please click THIS LINK to join the webinar. Passcode: 234129 Webinar ID: 881 5979 3362 Future Meeting/Events: September 9: Board Study Session September 23: Business Meeting -- Brook WIlleford, Board Chair   School Updates Class Schedules Will Be Released on September 4th Tuesday, September 8th is the first day of classes for grades 1 through 12. Per contracts, most staff return to work on Wednesday, September 2nd. Please do not expect a return email until after this date. Class schedules will not be released till Friday, September 4, 2026. Students can work with their counselors during the first week of school to amend their schedules as needed. Apply for 26-27 Free/Reduced Meals and Services - Complete the application today! For the 2026–2027 school year, breakfast and lunch will be provided at no cost to all students at South Whidbey Academy and South Whidbey Elementary School. However, we still ask every eligible family to complete the Child Nutrition Eligibility & Education Benefit Application linked here. Completing the application helps secure important state and federal funding that supports educational programs, staffing, technology, and student services throughout our schools. It may also qualify your family for additional benefits, including reduced fees for school programs and activities and eligibility for 2027 Summer EBT benefits. If your student is directly eligible through programs such as TANF or Medicaid, we still encourage you to complete the Consent to Share form. This allows the district to connect eligible students with additional educational benefits. All applications are kept confidential and can be emailed or dropped off at the district office to Kristy Macarro at kmacarro@sw.wednet.edu. A few minutes can make a significant difference for our students and schools. If you think your family may qualify, please complete the application today. Thank you for helping support South Whidbey students and ensuring our schools receive the resources they need to serve every learner. School Farm Summer Interns Receive Certificates of Acheivement This summer, South Whidbey Schools' farm interns worked two half days per week for 5 weeks across the high school and elementary school farm gardens. They spent each of those days harvesting, preparing beds, planting and weeding to provide produce for the farm stand and  keep the gardens thriving throughout the summer. At the end of the program each intern earned a $500 educational stipend funded through the farm stand revenue. The internship program provides a great opportunity for students to learn the market-side of agriculture. Additionally, it supports the farm program by maintaining gardens over summer, and providing fresh, healthy and affordable produce to our community. The farm stand is still open through the fall. Our community can support the school farm program by purchasing produce or donating at our cashless farm stand in front of the 6-12 campus on Maxwelton. All proceeds go toward the summer internship program.  School Supplies Lists All supply lists have been updated on our website. Just follow the link and choose your child’s grade level to see what they’ll need for the year. SWES Supply Lists SWMS Supply Lists SWHS/SWA/ALE will provide individual class supply needs on the first day of school. Athletic Acclamations SWHS Falcon 2026-27 Sports Registration - Fall Season Begins 8/24 Log into FinalForms and confirm registeration for 26-27 athletics. Fall coaches have already started sending emails. Please sign up as soon as possible to start receiving emails/communications from the coaches. Click here to see the original Final Forms and ParentSquare Message linked here. The main office is currently still closed because of construction. Starting 8/18, the Athletic/ASB Office can be reached via email kyjohnson@sw.wednet.edu or phone 360-221-6808 ext 5423.   Student Supports Back to School Supplies - Help from Readiness to Learn If budgets won't allow for the new back to school supplies students needs to feel successful and ready for the first day of School, the Readiness To Learn Back to School program may be able to assist! Now is the time to register for a Back to School appointment with Readiness to Learn for the 2026/27 school year!  Register and find out more at on the Readiness to Learn website: www.readinesstolearn.org  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 via zoom. Next Meeting is Wednesday September 16th  via Zoom ONLY (click here to connect). All are welcomed to join to learn more about upcoming events and fundraising projects. . Click Here to sign up for the new PAB Newsletter Today.  Complete Volunteer Forms Today! Every two (2) years, ALL volunteers with the South Whidbey School District must complete a SWSD volunteer application, Washington State Patrol form and present a current Washington State Driver's License. Click the button above to complete the online Volunteer form. Paper forms are linked here and available at the schools and district office. You may return these printed paper forms IN PERSON WITH YOUR PHOTO ID to any of the building secretaries or to Kristy Macarro at the District Office at 5476 Maxwelton Rd, Langley, WA 98260. Per RCW 43.43.834(4), you are eligible to receive a copy of the Washington State Patrol Response within ten days of submission. Please contact Kristy Macarro at the District Office to have a copy emailed to you.   Please remember to check in at the main office with your photo identification every time you volunteer. We look forward to having you as a volunteer. VOLUNTEER APPLICATION SWPTA for Grades 6-12 Newsletter   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 Paraeducator Health Services Assistant 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 August 21, 2026 Press Release Bond Update 🚧 Current Campus Closures Campuses are Closed: To ensure everyone's safety during heavy construction, both school campuses, fields, and grounds are officially closed for the summer. Community Support: We extend a huge thank you to our partners at Parks and Rec, CrossFit, and other key local groups. Thanks to their generosity, our students still have vital access to facilities, fields, and spaces throughout the summer. 📢⁠ Athletics Impact (2026–2027) Field Closure: The Middle and High School track and field will remain closed through the Spring of 2027. Football Schedule: Football will play an away schedule this season, with the exception of our Week 5 game, which will be held right here on the island. Soccer Schedule: Soccer games will be held at an alternate location. Supporting Our Teams, ASB, and Boosters: With our teams on the road, they will miss that familiar home-crowd advantage, and our traditional game-day fundraising will look a little different. We will be looking for creative ways to show our school spirit and support our student programs this fall, so stay tuned for how you can get involved! Looking Ahead to 2027-2028: The following school year, we anticipate a heavy home-game schedule to make up for these shifts. Our athletic department is finalizing the exact details and will share specifics soon. 🏫 Returning in the Fall Layout Changes: Because of the bond work, our school building layouts will look and function a bit differently next year. What to expect: In late August, you will receive specific updates from your school's administration detailing the new building layouts. We will also provide dedicated time and support during the first few days of school to help students get comfortably re-oriented. 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, Aug 21 2026

South Whidbey School District Building Modernization...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 21, 2026 Contact:  Dr. Becky Clifford, Superintendent | info@sw.wednet.edu South Whidbey School District Building Modernization Projects Bring Visible Changes to School Campuses LANGLEY, WA  – The South Whidbey School District is advancing its comprehensive $79.8 million bond project with significant milestones achieved and major improvements underway across district facilities. “It’s wonderful to watch the changes and improvements on the outside of the South Whidbey Middle & High School building unfold through the school year,” says Cailyn Murray, parent and co-executive director of Readiness to Learn. “Having a modern, clean, and renovated building demonstrates that kids, teachers, and staff members are cared for by their community. This is something we can all be proud of!” Solid Progress Across Multiple Campuses Construction accelerated significantly over the summer, keeping major district modernization efforts on schedule as the new school year approaches. Dedicated coordination between district leaders, school administrators, custodial and maintenance staff, and project contractors ensured all campuses will open on time and be fully functional for staff and students. “We are deeply grateful to our community for their support as we de liver on our commitment to modernize these facilities,” said Superintendent Dr. Becky Clifford. “Keeping our students’ safety and learning experience at the center of every step of this construction, our teams have worked hand-in-hand all summer to ensure our campuses are safe, functional, and ready for day one.” While learning will continue alongside active construction throughout the 2026–2027 school year, the district has achieved key milestones that bring us closer to state-of-the-art facilities for our community. CAMPUS CELEBRATIONS, MILESTONES & WHAT TO EXPECT Elementary School Current Work Underway: Safety & Security:  Main office and entryway security improvements; interior front bathroom renovations (phased updates started last February). Infrastructure & Access:  Mechanical and electrical systems upgrades; new extended student drop-off and pick-up loop; pedestrian access improvements. Celebrations, Milestones & Impacts for 2026–2027: Office Access & Entry:  The main office and front entrance will be temporarily relocated while updates to the secure vestibule are completed. Classroom Relocations:  Some classes will be temporarily relocated. Facilities Timeline: Mechanical Systems:  Operational for the start of school, with full completion by October 2026. Extended Drop-Off/Pick-Up Loop:  Expected to open in Spring 2027. Restrooms:  Phased work continues, with one set completing as the next begins. Middle & High School Current Work Underway: Exterior & Structural:  Roofing replacement ongoing across campus; exterior envelope enhancements including new masonry, metal siding preparation, and window installations. Interior Spaces:  Main reception and office, renovation of classrooms, and several restrooms including PE locker rooms. Commons:  Construction on the Cougar Den and primary middle school stairwell, with the main kitchen temporarily displaced. Athletics:  Replacement of the athletic field, track, and press box, along with athletic storage renovations. Celebrations, Milestones & Impacts for 2026–2027: Campus Navigation & Entry: The primary entrance by the main office will be open for regular daily access. The Library will be fully open and operational. The Athletic and Theater entryway will remain closed for the majority of the school year; dedicated courtyard walkways will provide access to indoor athletic events and performing arts (Band, Choir, and Theater). The courtyard will serve as an extension of the hallway and commons, featuring canopy-covered outdoor lunch seating and dedicated walkways guiding students to classes. Food services will operate out of the secondary kitchen. Classroom & Restroom Adjustments: High School north wing classrooms will be fully open. Some classrooms are actively undergoing renovation, and impacted classes have been relocated. The Cougar Den and primary middle school stairwell will remain under construction for most of the academic year. North wing restrooms will reopen in mid-Fall 2026, with temporary portable facilities and alternative indoor restrooms available in the interim. Athletics & Extracurricular Schedule: Football:  The team will utilize practice fields and play all games on the road for the 2026–2027 season, returning home for 2027–2028. Girls Soccer:  Fall home games will be held on the upper field Community Park of the South Whidbey Sports Complex. Cross Country:  Athletes will continue practicing on the South Whidbey trail system. Track & Field:  Barring unforeseen delays, the upgraded track and field will open for the Spring 2027 season. SUPPORTING STUDENTS THROUGH TRANSITION District leaders recognize that navigating active construction can feel like a big shift, especially for incoming students from kindergarten to 6th grade who are stepping onto a new school campus for the very first time. “We know a new school year brings excitement, and seeing construction can naturally raise questions for families and students,” said Middle School Principal Phillips. “Our entire staff is prepared and eager to welcome everyone back. We’ve built intentional time into our first days together to walk hallways, practice new routines, and make sure every student, especially our incoming 6th graders, feels safe, supported, and ready to thrive from day one.” Principals across all schools will share detailed, campus-specific guidance in their upcoming back-to-school welcome letters. District and school teams remain fully committed to providing a predictable, welcoming, and supportive environment for all K–12 families. For complete project timelines, updates, and design plans, visit   www.sw.wednet.edu/our-district/bond-2023 .

Friday, Aug 21 2026

SWSD Navigator Newsletter- Next School Board Retrea...

South Whidbey Schools Issue #157| August 7, 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 August 12: School Board Retreat at SWCC and Workshop at Langley Library August 18: SWCC UpUpUp Circus August 24: Falcon Sports Fall Season Begins August 26: School Board Business Meeting at Langley Library September 1: New Staff Orientation September 2: All Staff back to school welcome reception at the South Campus gym. September 3: Blood Drive at South Campus September 8: First day of School for Students in grades 1-12. 26-27 School Calendar 27-28 School Calendar   Superintendent Salutations Happy August, This summer is flying by! Our principals have returned from vacation and this week we held our district leadership launch, and building tour. Leaders participated in very productive sessions on Tuesday and Thursday. Our team members, including new additions like our Interim Principal who joined us a week and a half ago, are gelling wonderfully and working so well together. As part of our time together, we toured our school buildings to inspect current construction progress and spent significant energy aligning our goals for the upcoming year. Given the scale of construction, planning centered heavily on student and staff well-being as well as facilities logistics.I am happy to report that we are making progress on all projects and the buildings will be ready in time for school to start. We were all in awe of how beautifully everything has come together. See the construction update below. School Climate, Culture, and Behavioral Practices A major focus of our leadership work is aligning our school climate and behavioral practices. The team spent substantial time unpacking our discipline policies, procedures, and response matrices. This deep dive allowed us to collaborate across buildings and establish consistent, aligned practices from Kindergarten through 12th grade which was a major priority heading into the 2026–2027 school year. Alongside discipline alignment, we established our professional development priorities: Staff Focus: In addition to our annual professional development, all staff will participate in comprehensive, in-person boundary training this fall, alongside "Speak Up" training. This directly supports recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Education regarding boundary training in schools. Student Focus: All students in grades 6–12 will participate in age-appropriate learning centered on healthy boundaries with peers and adults, as well as continuation of our Speak Up training. In a close-knit community where familiarity runs deep, actively reinforcing interpersonal boundaries within the school setting is essential. Safety is, and always will be, our top priority. A Culture of Learning and Growing At SWSD, we are committed to creating a district culture that focuses on learning and growing together. We know this work begins at the district level and extends into every school and classroom. We have created district policies that direct staff, students, and parents to report any issue that is contrary to that culture. We adhere strictly to district policy and take every report seriously. Concerns can be reported directly to any school personnel or submitted through our online reporting tool. When an issue is brought forward, we conduct a thorough internal investigation and, as appropriate, partner with independent outside investigators to ensure full objectivity. Similarly, each school has a procedure for reporting issues and communicates it to students and families. It is all of our responsibility to nurture and support a culture of learning and growing.  Community Partnerships Ending the week on a high note, I had the invaluable opportunity to connect with the South Whidbey Rotary to share our district update. We are deeply grateful for their ongoing support and look forward to expanding this partnership. As a reminder, another key partner, Readiness to Learn is helping families get ready for school. Check out the link to register for their Back to School program. Thank you for your continued support as we prepare for a safe, consistent, and inspiring school year ahead! Sincerely, Dr. Becky   Board Corner At our only July meeting, the South Whidbey school board held our annual budget hearing, getting a supplemental presentation from Mr. Field on the proposed budget for 2026-27 (the full presentation was at the end of June), and then opening the meeting up for public comment. After some explanations from the board and Mr. Field in response to community questions, we approved the budget to support and fund the goals that the board has given to Dr. Clifford for the upcoming year. It's a conservative budget, but with room to expand if the increased enrollment becomes a trend. At our first August meeting, we will have a retreat to discuss some board logistics and procedures (for board visits to schools, this year's board goals, how we want to prepare for updating the district's strategic plan next year, and more). It will take place at the Community Center all afternoon, before our board workshop to discuss updates to policies, including a look at the district's Climate Action Committee's review of environmental policies. On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 2026, we will have a Board retreat starting at noon, at the South Whidbey Community Center (SWCC) and a Workshop, starting at 6:30pm, at the Langley Library.  The agenda is linked HERE.  Please click THIS LINK to join the webinar. Passcode: 234129 Webinar ID: 881 5979 3362 Future Meeting/Events: August 26: School Board Director Applicant Interviews and Business Meeting via ZOOM WEBINAR and IN PERSON at the Langley Library, in the Meeting Room 104, located at Second St, Langley, WA 98260 September 9: Workshop September 23: Business Meeting -- Brook WIlleford, Board Chair   School Updates Apply for 26-27 Free/Reduced Meals and Services - Complete the application today! For the 2026–2027 school year, breakfast and lunch will be provided at no cost to all students at South Whidbey Academy and South Whidbey Elementary School. However, we still ask every eligible family to complete the Child Nutrition Eligibility & Education Benefit Application linked here. Completing the application helps secure important state and federal funding that supports educational programs, staffing, technology, and student services throughout our schools. It may also qualify your family for additional benefits, including reduced fees for school programs and activities and eligibility for 2027 Summer EBT benefits. If your student is directly eligible through programs such as TANF or Medicaid, we still encourage you to complete the Consent to Share form. This allows the district to connect eligible students with additional educational benefits. All applications are kept confidential and can be emailed or dropped off at the district office to Kristy Macarro at kmacarro@sw.wednet.edu. A few minutes can make a significant difference for our students and schools. If you think your family may qualify, please complete the application today. Thank you for helping support South Whidbey students and ensuring our schools receive the resources they need to serve every learner. Back to School Supplies - Help from Readiness to Learn If budgets won't allow for the new back to school supplies students needs to feel successful and ready for the first day of School, the Readiness To Learn Back to School program may be able to assist! Now is the time to register for a Back to School appointment with Readiness to Learn for the 2026/27 school year!  Register and find out more at on the Readiness to Learn website: www.readinesstolearn.org  Welcome Interim SWHS/SWA Principal CJ Gray South Whidbey School district welcomes CJ Gray as the interim principal for South Whidbey High School and Academy. Ms. CJ Gray is committed to empowering every student to achieve academic excellence, discover their passions, and graduate prepared for college, careers, and life. She looks forward to building on South Whidbey High School and Academy's proud traditions while fostering innovation, belonging, and a culture where every Falcon is encouraged to soar and where every student matters, every voice is valued, and every Falcon has the opportunity to succeed. She can be contacted at cgray@sw.wednet.edu . Welcome Dr. Becky Bell South Whidbey School District welcomed Dr. Becky Bell as the new Director of Special Education and Student Services. Dr. Bell is a proven educational executive leader with more than two decades of experience spanning district and school administration, special education, alternative learning, and state and federal program management. She brings an extraordinary depth of expertise to this role. Her office is located at the South Campus District office. She can be reached via email at bbell@sw.wednet.edu. Welcome to SWES Principal Jordan Young South Whidbey School District welcomed Ms. Jordan Young as the new Principal of South Whidbey Elementary and the ALE program! Ms. Young joins us from Edmonds School District, where she served as Assistant Principal at Meadowdale High School, bringing over four years of administrative experience and classroom leadership spanning grades 5 through 12. She stood out throughout the selection process for her systems-level thinking, energy, and student- and staff-centered approach. "I am excited to build on the amazing work already happening in our school and to continue expanding opportunities for all students," Young shared. "I am grateful for the opportunity to serve this community and look forward to getting to know our students, staff, and families." South Whidbey students and staff are in exceptional hands. She can be contacted at jyoung@sw.wednet.edu. South Whidbey Schools' Gardens Farm Stand South Whidbey School Farms is educating children and creating community through sustainable school gardening. There is a new harvest every Monday & Thursday! Come get your local produce and flowers. All donations help to sustain the program. There is a QR code in the stand accepting donations. If you have any questions, please contact our Farm Manager, Brian Kenney, at bkenney@sw.wednet.edu. 2026 Island County Fair Parade The South Whidbey School District was proud to be part of the Island County Fair Parade on Saturday morning, celebrating our incredible students, staff, and community! Leading the way were Superintendent Dr. Becky Clifford, Falcon Cheer Coach/SWHS alum Angela Muniz, and our energetic Falcon Cheer team, bringing school spirit to the parade route. Following close behind was our all-electric school bus, carrying student representatives alongside School Board Director Brook Willeford, Special Education Director Dr. Becky Bell, new South Whidbey Elementary Principal Jordan Young, and Assistant Principal Kristin Codda. Thank you to everyone who came out to cheer on the Falcons, Cougars and Orcas. We loved celebrating with our community and are looking forward to another outstanding school year. Go South Whidbey! Thank You to the new Grocery Outlet in Ken's Corner for their Support of South Whidbey Students During July's grand opening celebration, the Clinton Grocery owners, Jonathan Crisp and Marc Pendell, presented School Board Director Brook Willeford with a donation and shared their commitment to partnering with our schools through future fundraising efforts. Director Willeford thanked the local owners for investing in our community, employing South Whidbey students, and even choosing Falcon blue for their staff shirts, a thoughtful nod to Falcon pride! We welcome Grocery Outlet to the South Whidbey community and look forward to working together to support our students and schools. Summer Reading at the Sno-Isle Libraries South Whidbey School District is so thankful to the Langley Library for hosting the summer School Board meetings. Please check out their website: https://www.sno-isle.org/ for multiple library events happening in our community. Get your Library Card Find a Book Visit a Library Keep on reading and writing this summer! Athletic Acclamations SWHS/SWMS 2026-27 Sports Registration is Open ATHLETICS REGISTRATION: Registration is open for all 2026-27 Falcon & Cougar Athletics, this includes high school fall sports that may have summer training sessions. Families can sign up for all sports on FinalForms: 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.  The regular fall season practices start on: High School Football - 8/19 High School - Volleyball, XC, Girls Soccer, Boys Golf, & Boys Tennis - 8/24 Middle School Football & Cross Country - TBA* Middle School Volleyball - TBA* *Official Middle School start dates will be sent out over summer. It is often the first week of school. ATHLETICS FEES: ASB and Athletic fees are not due until the fall when fall sports start. More information on sports fees can be found on the Middle School Athletics and High School Athletics websites. Currently fees can only be paid in the 6-12 ASB office starting in late August. Athletic fees can also be paid online via the district payment portal the first week of September. If your student receives Free or Reduced lunch, your family can get a fee waiver for ASB & sports fees. Fill out a 2026-27 Consent to Share form and turn it into the ASB office in August 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 FinalForms 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. Please reach out to Kymy Johnson in the ASB/Athletics office if you have questions. kyjohnson@sw.wednet.edu or 360.221.6808 ext. 5423. Thank you, Kymy Johnson SWHS/SWMS Athletics & ASB Office Click here to access FinalForms   Student Supports WIN Summer 2026 Meal Program Enrollment WIN is excited to announce their enrollment cycle for the 2026 Summer Weekend Meal Program. Families can sign up using the QR code on the flyer or via the WIN website linked here: https://www.whidbeyislandnourishes.org/weekend-meal-program.html The summer program begins the first Thursday of summer, and ends the last Thursday of summer (June 18-Sep 3, 2026).  Current families are not automatically enrolled for summer, families must re-enroll their children for summer. As a reminder, children ages 18 months - 18 years are eligible (18 year olds who have graduated high school are no longer eligible). Children must reside within the SWSD boundary but there's no requirement that children be current SWSD students.  Weekend Meal Program deliveries occur every Thursday morning to client houses. Families have the option to pick up their delivery from Good Cheer Food Bank if their house is inaccessible.  SWPTA, SWEPTA, Boosters, RTL, SW CARES, and Volunteer Opportunities Band Student Volunteers Needed to help with parking at the Lil' Big Fest on August 14-16. The more hands makes the job light. Please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0444ADAD2AA0F8C25-64619517-2026 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 via zoom. Next Meeting is Wednesday August 5 via Zoom ONLY(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. SWSPAB needs a volunteer to serve as treasurer. Please email swspab@gmail.com if you are interested or have any questions. VOLUNTEER APPLICATION SWPTA for Grades 6-12 Newsletter   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 Paraeducator Teachers (HS Science) Head Coach - HS Boys Golf Asst Coaches (HS Football, HS Volleyball, MS Cross Country, MS Volleyball) Health Services Assistant 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 Bond Update 🚧 Current Campus Closures Campuses are Closed: To ensure everyone's safety during heavy construction, both school campuses, fields, and grounds are officially closed for the summer. Community Support: We extend a huge thank you to our partners at Parks and Rec, CrossFit, and other key local groups. Thanks to their generosity, our students still have vital access to facilities, fields, and spaces throughout the summer. 📢⁠ Athletics Impact (2026–2027) Field Closure: The Middle and High School track and field will remain closed through the Spring of 2027. Football Schedule: Football will play an away schedule this season, with the exception of our Week 5 game, which will be held right here on the island. Soccer Schedule: Soccer games will be held at an alternate location. Supporting Our Teams, ASB, and Boosters: With our teams on the road, they will miss that familiar home-crowd advantage, and our traditional game-day fundraising will look a little different. We will be looking for creative ways to show our school spirit and support our student programs this fall, so stay tuned for how you can get involved! Looking Ahead to 2027-2028: The following school year, we anticipate a heavy home-game schedule to make up for these shifts. Our athletic department is finalizing the exact details and will share specifics soon. 🏫 Returning in the Fall Layout Changes: Because of the bond work, our school building layouts will look and function a bit differently next year. What to expect: In late August, you will receive specific updates from your school's administration detailing the new building layouts. We will also provide dedicated time and support during the first few days of school to help students get comfortably re-oriented. 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

Saturday, Aug 08 2026