STANWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
FAMILY UPDATE FOR WEEK OF JANUARY 17TH, 2022
SHS VISION STATEMENT
Stanwood Spartans are united in cultivating character, modeling respect, teaching leadership and connecting to community.
NEW: YEARBOOK PURCHASE DEADINE APPROACHING
Thursday, January 27th, is the final day to purchase a yearbook for this school year. The cost is $70.
SEMESTER ENDS JANUARY 27TH
MASK REQUIREMENT REMINDER
All students, staff, and visitors are required to wear a mask at all times while in the school building. Please refer to the poster below on the approved masks. Masks must be worn above the nose and also cover the mouth.
Wearing a mask is also required at any school athletic event or activity.
REMINDER: NO SCHOOL ON JANUARY 17TH
NEW: ADVISORY, JANUARY 21ST
LEVY INFORMATION
The District is proposing a four-year replacement Capital Projects and Technology Levy on the February 8, 2022 ballot to replace an expiring levy. The proposed local school tax is expected to decrease from current levels. Levies require a simple majority for approval.
The Capital Projects and Technology (Cap/Tech) levy covers two areas:
• Facility improvements and updates that are beyond a general repair or regular maintenance but fall short of bond-level funding needs.
• Instructional technology and related staffing, professional development and technology infrastructure.
Approximately 50 percent of the funds is expected to be used for long-term facility needs, such as:
• New roof at Cedarhome Elementary;
• Replacement fire sprinkler lines at Utsalady and Elger Bay Elementary Schools;
• Portable maintenance at Port Susan, including new roofs, paint and siding repair;
• Upgraded public address systems at Stanwood Middle and Stanwood Elementary Schools;
• Various projects to improve student safety, such as fencing and sidewalks.
Approximately 50 percent of the funds is expected to upgrade technology used for student learning at all schools. Projects include:
• Replacing aging classroom computers, chromebooks and software licenses;
• Maintaining infrastructure that supports technology for student learning, for example, servers, wifi and network;
• Provide for staffing to maintain and operate district technology.
What has SCSD accomplished with local funds?
• Increased the number of computer labs, mobile labs and student-accessible technology at each school;
• Increased the curricular tools and online educational resources;
• Provided professional development and technical support to staff that impacts teaching and learning;
• Replaced fire alarm systems at Cedarhome, Twin City and Stanwood Elementary;
• Playground safety improvements at Cedarhome, Elger Bay and Utsalady Elementary;
• Renovation and roof replacement for the SHS Transition Program facility;
• Seismic upgrades for Stanwood Middle School.
Please remember to vote by February 8
Snohomish and Island Counties conduct all elections through mail-in ballots. The ballots for the February 8, 2022 election must be postmarked (mailing is free) or placed in a ballot drop site by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 8, 2022. Ballot drop boxes are located near the Stanwood Library, 9701 271st St. NW and on Camano Island at 121 N. East Camano Drive.
Please let us know about some of the great deeds our staff are doing! Share personal examples of the dedication, commitment and passion these individuals have portrayed working for the Stanwood-Camano School District. Click on the link below to nominate an individual; give personal examples of why you believe this individual deserves recognition and share how they inspire others.
Heritage Bank sponsors our employee recognition program in partnership with Stanwood and Camano Island area businesses.
REMINDER: SENIORS AND FAMILIES
SCAF SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
Seniors watched a presentation from the Stanwood-Camano Area Foundation on Friday, January 7th, during advisory. Families and seniors can watch the presentation at the link below.
REMINDERS FOR SENIORS FROM THE SHS COUNSELORS
Undocumented Students and Others Can Get State Financial Aid With the WASFA
Application Now in English and Spanish
The state of Washington offers financial aid for people who aren’t eligible for federal aid, including undocumented students. Financial aid is money that can help you pay for more education after high school. Complete the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) to see if you are eligible.
Exciting changes have been happening for the WASFA and its users:
- New website: The WASFA has moved! Learn more and apply online at wsac.wa.gov/WASFA.
- Spanish on application: Instructions and form fields on the WASFA application are now written in both English and Spanish.
- Easier residency: Recent changes in state residency laws have made it easier to get resident tuition and state financial aid, making college or job training cost less. Many people who didn’t qualify before now do.
The WASFA is an application for state financial aid only. The WASFA is for people who are undocumented or who do not qualify for federal aid because of their immigration status, and can be used in limited circumstances by others who cannot or choose not to file a federal FAFSA. You must meet state residency and program requirements to qualify.
Not sure whether you should use the FAFSA or the WASFA? Complete the WASFA questionnaire.
There are affordable college and training options for everyone, including students who are immigrants, are undocumented, or have DACA. The first, best step is to apply for financial aid.
January 14, 2022
Hello Families,
I want to begin this week’s message by expressing my appreciation. I appreciate your patience as we adjust to managing COVID-19 under new requirements. As a school district, we feel a tremendous responsibility to ensure that our students and staff are safe and that the conditions for learning are in place for every student.
As COVID-19 evolves and school requirements evolve, the first few days of implementation can be an adjustment. In addition, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the heroic efforts of our school nurses and health room assistants. This group of heroes work an incredible amount of hours under significant stress. Our health services staff care deeply about your child’s safety, the safety of our staff and regularly take on extra work and additional hours to ensure everyone’s needs are met. If you have the opportunity, please thank our health services staff for their work and sacrifice.
I recently read from a colleague that the school superintendent “works to create the conditions for students to thrive, for educators to teach, for leaders to lead and for parents to feel connected to their students' schools.” As I read this it made me ponder on the concept of “creating conditions.” How can we create the conditions for success when so many things all around us are constantly changing? After some thought, I settled on three ways we can “create conditions” in our homes, in our work and, certainly for me, in schools.
First, kindness. Though this may seem cliche, the effort it takes to pause, consider other’s perspectives and limitations, and respond in a way that engenders support, care and integrity can be difficult. By practicing kindness, we strengthen our ability to be supportive to others and honest in our feedback.
Second, collaboration. When we sit in shared spaces and discuss challenging issues we grow in our capacity to see varying perspectives and find common ground. Sometimes collaboration may include sitting in on a community meeting, it may be a one-on-one conversation or could be in the form of an email. Regardless of the mode, sharing differing perspectives in respectful and constructive ways is healthy and welcomed.
Finally, patience. Several years ago, I sat in a large gathering at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The event was focused on school improvement and how school districts can improve their practices and outcomes for students in an efficient manner. The speaker, a seasoned superintendent, reiterated that change takes time, and for school districts that can be a five to seven year journey. So how do we start? How can we possibly wait five to seven years for change? The answer is knowing the power of our, seemingly small, daily actions.
Change starts with understanding and committing to our shared agreements in our strategic plan and aligning the small things we do to that time. Those small changes “create the conditions” for larger changes over time. This requires patience. I am yet to find an educator that does not feel a sense of urgency for the students they serve along with a desire to be their best and improve their practice day by day. As we embark on a journey together to do our very best for our students, I would ask that we all lean into the need for patience during this journey.
COVID Updates
We have updated requirements for COVID infection rates in groups/cohorts. These new requirements align with the guidance sent out to families and staff Sunday, January 9. When 10% of a group of students (classroom, cohort, team, etc.) tests positive for COVID-19 that group would be a “clustering of cases” and would require that:
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Individuals in this group or cohort that test positive for COVID-19 must isolate for 5 full days. Upon return to school, they must have a negative test (PCR or rapid antigen).
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Individuals in this group or cohort that test negative (or have no COVID symptoms) may either:
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Participate in the Test to Stay Program and remain in school
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Elect to isolate for 5 full days. Upon return to school, they must have a negative test (PCR or rapid antigen).
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Generally speaking, a group or cohort in an elementary setting is defined as a classroom cohort. A group or cohort in a secondary setting is defined as a grade level (all students in grade 6, for example). These situations are investigated by the building nurse in discussion with our greater district COVID team. Often the health district is consulted as well to determine next steps for specific populations.
Replacement Levy ballots to be mailed in the coming week
The Stanwood-Camano School District is proposing a four-year replacement Capital Projects and Technology Levy on the February 8, 2022 ballot to replace an expiring levy.
The Capital Projects and Technology (Cap/Tech) levy covers two areas:
-
Facility improvements and updates that are beyond a general repair or regular maintenance but fall short of bond-level funding needs.
-
Instructional technology and related staffing, professional development and technology infrastructure.
Approximately 50 percent of the funds is expected to be used for long-term facility needs, and 50 percent to upgrade technology used for student learning at all schools.
Please remember to vote by February 8. Snohomish and Island Counties conduct all elections through mail-in ballots. Ballots must be postmarked (mailing is free) or placed in a ballot drop site by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 8, 2022. Ballot drop boxes are located near the Stanwood Library, 9701 271st St. NW and on Camano Island at 121 N. East Camano Drive.
Respectfully,
Deborah Rumbaugh, Ed.D.
Superintendent
LIBRARY INFORMATION
The library hours will open from 7:10 a.m. - 2:40 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can visit the library website for more information or check out the Destiny Discover catalog for the latest books. If you still have any library or textbooks checked out from last school year, please return them to the SHS Library as soon as possible.
Students, please remember to bring your chromebooks and chargers to school each day. If you have an issue with their school-issued chrome book, please return it to the library. We have a form for students to fill out (student name, ID#, and issue). Our building tech coordinator will pick up the chrome books to get them fixed.
If your student needs any tutoring support, please check with Sno-Isle Library. Here is the link to their Brain Fuse site.
NEW: BELL SCHEDULES FOR WEEK OF JANUARY 17TH
Monday - No School
Tuesday - Regular Schedule
Wednesday - Late Start Schedule
Thursday - Regular Schedule
Friday - Advisory Schedule
COUNSELOR/ADMINISTRATOR BREAKDOWN
Do you have questions and are not sure who to contact? Here is the breakdown by counselor and administrator based on student last name.
Counseling:
Paige Watson A – Em
Maren Holzinger En - K
Tricia Tayon L - Rh
Emily Elde Ri - Z
Administrators:
Carolyn Coombs A – I
Tom Wilfong J – R
Denise Eichler S - Z
COVID INFORMATION ON DISTRICT WEBSITE
SCHOOL CALENDAR
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS:
January 17th - No School/Martin Luther King Jr. DayJanuary 18th - School Board Meeting
January 21st - Advisory
January 27th - First Semester ends
January 28th - No School/Teacher grading day
February 1st - School Board Meeting
STANWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
Email: cdelpozo@stanwood.wednet.edu
Website: https://shs.stanwood.wednet.edu/
Location: 7400 272nd Street Northwest, Stanwood, WA, USA
Phone: (360) 629-1300