As the final bell for the 2021-22 school year is about to ring, I want to extend my sincere thanks to the families and students of our district for working hard to make this year memorable in so many ways.
The challenges we overcame are the successes we will remember for years to come, and these successes are because our community surrounded the district with support and encouragement.
I want to congratulate our more than 1,600 seniors who crossed the graduation stage as the class of 2022 this month. Hearing the student speakers and watching their family and friends cheer them on from the stands, I am confident their futures are bright.
I also want to send a thank you to all those who support our students’ success. Whether it’s through voting to support construction, education and technology levies, volunteering in the classroom or donating to the Foundation for Edmonds School District, it all makes a difference.
Because of our community’s support, Spruce Elementary students will have a brand new school to attend this fall and design work to replace Oak Heights Elementary with a new school is underway.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve the Edmonds School District. While I prepare for a new path in Oregon, I know I leave you in good hands with Interim Superintendent Dr. Rebecca Miner. Rebecca has the knowledge, experience and passion to continue the work to reach the district’s goals.
Best wishes for a restful and wonderful summer break.
Sincerely,
Dr. Gustavo Balderas
Superintendent
The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control recently recommended Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for children as young as 6 months.
The vaccines use the same technology as adults but this younger group is offered at different dose sizes and the numbers of vaccines needed. Pfizer’s vaccine is for children 6 months to 4 years old. The dose is one-tenth of the adult dose, and three shots are needed. The first two are given three weeks apart, and the last at least two months later. Moderna uses two shots, each a quarter of its adult dose, given about four weeks apart for kids 6 months through 5 years old. The FDA also approved a third dose for immunocompromised children, at least a month after the second shot.
Your health care provider may not have a stock of the vaccine for children under 5 until later this week. Once it is available your child will be able to receive the vaccine at their pediatrician’s office, a vaccine clinic, or a pharmacy. Visit the Washington Vaccine Locator to find a location.
We are unable to store medications over the summer and we request that families pick up any medications stored at schools. All controlled substances must be picked up by an authorized adult. Please note that medication will need to be picked up on or before the last day of school. Please connect with your school nurse for pick-up. All pickups will occur curbside at school following social distancing practices. All medications not picked up by June 24 will be disposed of by the district.
Immunizations
Washington State law requires all school-age children enrolled in a public school to have medically verified immunization records for certain vaccine-preventable diseases in order to attend school or participate in an alternative school program (this includes remote learning). This decision is based on a legal review of RCW 28A.210 and the State Board of Health changes to Chapter 246-105 of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC). Please visit the Immunization section of the Health Services – School Nurses website for further details.
Summer meals are free for all kids, ages 1-18, Monday through Thursday from June 27-Aug. 25, (except the 4th of July).
Distribution locations are listed on our district website.
We hope to see you this summer!
Stay active this summer with Move 60!
Join us Monday through Thursday, June 27-Aug. 25 for free physical activity for students entering kindergarten through 6th grade. Registration is on-site when you drop off your student.
For more information, visit the Move 60 website: bit.ly/ESDMove60
Starting Friday, June 24, YouTube will be blocked on elementary student Chromebooks over the summer. Students will still have access to many other approved educational resources and websites over the summer including:
Clever Resources
Code.org
Epic! (7 a.m.-3 p.m., M-F)
i-Ready
Newsela
RAZ Kids
Scholastic News
Sora
Typing Club (2nd-6th grade)
Other resources
WeVideo – (Google sign-in)
When school begins in the fall, the YouTube policy for elementary students will change so that YouTube is only available when students are accessing it in the classroom at school.
*EHK12 students are unaffected and will retain access to YouTube at home.
Each month, the Rotary Club of Edmonds selects a Meadowdale High School junior to honor as Junior Student of the Month, based upon recommendations from staff.
Here are the two students selected for April and May.
Congratulations to all student athletes!
We are excited to announce our all-conference honors for spring sports. The list includes baseball, fastpitch, boys soccer, boys and girls golf, girls tennis and track and field.
Click here for a full list of student and coach honors.
Help spread the word! We have immediate openings with our maintenance team for general summer work. This is a great opportunity for students or graduates 18 years or older to earn $15/hour.
Work includes:
Weeding
Line-trimming, edging
Spreading of soil, aggregate, play chips and bark
Painting and line striping
HVAC/Mechanical support
Other duties as assigned or needed
Save the Date
See the upcoming events below. You can also view our district’s online calendar for the latest information on our website – bit.ly/ESDcalendar.
Friday, June 24: EARLY RELEASE – Last day of school
Monday, June 27: Summer Break begins :)
Tuesday, June 28: School Board of Directors meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 12: School Board of Directors meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 9: School Board of Directors meeting, 6:30 p.m.
For all the details and to learn more about the foundation’s mission, watch their video.
Art for ALL!
This year, Heidi Brislin and her team of collaborators at Maplewood Elementary received a creative schoolwide grant from the Foundation. Their goal? To create an adaptive art program to allow their students with special needs to authentically participate in and create art.
The 4-week program included an overarching theme accompanied by a relevant book, communication, art and literacy activities, allowing students to learn and improve their communication, literacy, switch skills, academic engagement, creative expression, and sense of self.
The “Art for All!” project proved to be a huge success, seeing every student make improvements in numerous skills, providing confidence and joy to students, and even having an impact on the community. Importantly, this program provides an equitable opportunity for students to discover and create unique pieces of art. Their artwork was on display at the Edmonds Arts Festival and we have a video of the project below.
The Foundation is proud to provide equitable opportunities to students through creative classroom and schoolwide grants and commend the excellent work of all our educators!
Edmonds School District