The Marysville Globe-The Arlington Times asked 11 local agencies to tell us what they have coming up for 2015. This report is from the Lakewood School District.
As 2014 comes to a close, the Lakewood School District is excited about moving forward with the plans for the new Lakewood High School. Plans were originally to remodel the existing high school. But after an extensive review it was decided that a new high school would be built. The benefits of the all new construction approach include less disruption for students during construction, a more cohesive design for learning and program adjacencies, and a better use of taxpayer dollars.
The new building will have a well-defined and inviting entrance, with a two-story structure that blends natural lighting into the classrooms and community areas. The design includes elements to increase safety in the building and on the school grounds. The building will incorporate energy efficiency throughout the design. The central commons area, gymnasium and theater will provide unique opportunities for 21st century learning and offer space for community use.
The district has reapplied for a conditional-use permit from Snohomish County for construction of the high school. This permit, along with many others, are required prior to the start of construction.
The building of the new high school will be completed in two phases. The design team has been working diligently on the new plans, while maintaining the previous construction schedule. Phase 1 will begin in the spring of 2015, while Phase 2 will begin in the spring of 2016. What you will see next year in Phase 1 includes construction of the lower site parking areas, storm detention facilities, access roads, pedestrian paths, minor demolition, and grading for the new high school building. Also the district is evaluating the possibility of including improvements to the grandstand, football field and new tennis courts in Phase 1. The work to be completed in Phase 1 will occur mainly to the south of the existing high school and the
district only anticipates minor impacts to school operations during that time. With the completion of Phase 1, the district will be well-prepared to start Phase 2 and meet the schedule for opening the new school in August 2017. The building of the high school will provide the community an opportunity to watch the construction progress and see their bond dollars at work.
Emphasis on student success
The Department of Teaching and Learning started working with teacher leaders to identify how our curriculum aligns with the Common Core Standards, and we will continue this work next year. We are excited to implement the new Smarter Balanced State Assessment this spring because it will provide us with baseline data on our students that is also aligned with CCSS. Using this information we will provide more in-depth instruction for our students in the specific areas where they need it. We will also be identifying support materials to help our students be successful at all grade levels. In kindergarten through second grade, our work in reading will continue to ensure that all students are reading by the time they enter third grade.
Using funds from our technology levy we were able to replace almost 200 outdated XP and Windows 2000 machines. Our goal is to replace 20 percent of our aging computers each year. The year 2015 will be the first time all of our schools will have wireless access for computers. Wireless will allow us to enhance learning for student’s districtwide.
Student safety
To ensure that we are providing the most-protection possible for our students, we have asked the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office to partner with us as we take a critical look at our safety procedures.
During 2015 the district’s Safety Committee will conduct a thorough review of our current practices, and then recommend possible changes to our emergency management procedures. We will modify and improve upon current practices as we learn new tactics and lessons from real-life situations. As part of this process the district plans on holding a community forum to discuss the progress of the plan with our community.
Superintendent Advisory Council
This council was recently formed and comprised of district administration, community members, parents and staff. The purpose of this committee is to provide a venue for public involvement in educational decisions under consideration by the district and/or board of directors. One of the first tasks of the council is to work on developing a district Strategic Plan, as the district looks to renew its District Improvement Plan during 2015.
District Open House
The district is planning an Open House/Tech Expo on March 17, 2015. This event will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the high school. Parents and community members will be able to learn about the various programs the district offers and see how technology is used in the classrooms, as well as the many community resources available to them. They will also be able to sample a meal prepared by the district’s Food Services Department. Special events will take place at the Open House, including kindergarten registration, 8th grade Parent Information Night, and entertainment will be
provided by various school groups. Updated information on the district’s emergency management plan and the high school construction project also will be shared. This is a fun-filled, informative community event that we encourage everyone to attend.
