Leopard Pride Newsletter
January 2023
Lockwood Mission
We provide a learning community that recognizes all students as capable learners. We promote high standards, expect accountability, and celebrate success. Cooperation, responsibility, and confidence promote our goals of life-long learning and responsible citizenship.
School Information
In This Issue
- Principal Message
- School Dates and Information
- PACE and PTA Information
- District News
Principal's Message
Dear Lockwood Families,
Happy New Year and welcome to 2023! As we continue to move through a more normal year, we want to continue to partner with families to ensure that students grow and learn. The partnership between school and home is a crucial one. We want to thank all of you for your support over the years and look forward to continuing our work toward a better Lockwood.
With a new year upon us, there is a change coming to our communication system. NSD is adopting a more robust communication system starting this month. This system is called ParentSquare and will launch on January 23rd. Please keep a close eye on your email, as the District will send out information on how to set up your ParentSquare accounts. Starting in February, the Lockwood Leopard Pride Newsletter will only be viewable through this system. In addition, the newsletter might also change in its formatting to better align with this new system of communication. We will keep you posted and update you as we learn more.
May you fill your New Year with new adventures, accomplishments, and learnings. Make it a great start to the new year!
In partnership,
Tamorah Redshaw
Proud Principal
School Information and Dates
Safety Reminder for Drop-off/Pick-up Line
With safety in mind, another reminder to families is to NOT back-up in the drop-off/pick-up line in the morning/afternoon. We understand that children can sometimes take a little time coming out of or getting into a vehicle. We ask that you remain patient and wait for the cars in front of you to pull away before you also pull away to exit the school property. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
Taking a Vacation on a School Day?
We understand that things come up on occasion (doctor/dental visits, weddings, funerals, birthdays, etc.). However, your child is expected to attend school every school day that school is in session. Some absences are "excused" (such as medical appointments, cultural/religious observances, school events, etc.) and some are "unexcused" (such as family vacations). This doesn’t mean you can’t take a family vacation—just that you should try to avoid taking them during school days.
In addition, your child’s teacher is not obligated to provide advance homework packets, and catching them up with the class can be difficult. That said, if there happens to be some overlap of your vacation and a school day, you’ll just get a letter reminding you that you shouldn’t take unexcused absences. After three unexcused absences, parents/guardians will be asked to meet with the principal to make sure this is not going to become a regular occurrence. If your child continues to have unexcused absences (5+), families will be asked to sign an attendance plan and only after that fails will next steps be taken. For all the NSD requirements, go here (https://go.boarddocs.com/wa/nsd/Board.nsf/files/ALZMGL4E59C5/$file/3122-ExcUnexcAbsences.pdf)
There are a few important dates and events you will want to mark on your calendar in preparation for the upcoming months:
PACE and PTA Information
Parents Active in Cooperative Education (PACE) at Lockwood is an elective program located at Lockwood Elementary that provides an enriched educational experience for students in grades 1-5. PACE students benefit from additional support in the classroom provided by parent volunteers who assist with small group instruction and a variety of enrichment opportunities.
District News
Superintendent Search
The Northshore Board of Directors has launched a formal process to seek the next superintendent of our school district.
The School Board is conducting a national search and is committed to a transparent and thorough process, and invites you to return to this page for updates that will include more details about how community members, families, students, and staff may engage in the process moving forward, the anticipated timeline, and other updates.
The School Board hopes to announce the next Northshore School District superintendent by mid-March 2023.
Town Halls
In addition to the survey, individuals are invited to participate in online and in-person town halls.
Tuesday, January 10, 6-7:30 p.m., Northshore Middle School, Library
The final town hall will be held on January 10. All staff, students, and families are welcome to attend. If interpretation support, including ASL, is needed, please email communications@nsd.org by Tuesday, January 3, 2023.