District Update
June 17, 2022
Superintendent's Message
June 17, 2022
Dear Sedro-Woolley Community,
Wishing you a happy last day of the 2021-2022 school year! Today we will be wrapping up most likely one of the most challenging and yet memorable school years of our lives. Please join me in celebrating this milestone, wishing our graduates well, and looking forward to a wonderful summer for everyone.
I have truly enjoyed the journey this year as I ventured into classrooms and offices, rode school buses, attended school activities, sporting events, and community activities. Joining the Sedro-Woolley Rotary Club as well as the Lion’s Club has given me a chance to get to know more people outside of just the school community, while also giving back.
We passed the replacement levy in February, which demonstrated the community’s support I had heard about when interviewing for the superintendent position.
We went through ups and downs with COVID-19, following state-mandated guidelines for masking, distancing and quarantining. And, we were able to keep schools open, despite spikes in cases and a serious shortage of substitutes.
We were honored to have the US Deputy Secretary of Education visit our district as we were able to highlight our responsible spending of ESSER funds.
Sedro-Woolley was the first district to send an entire class to Camp Orkila, and the sixth-grade students and high school counselors were so thrilled to spend time learning (and playing) in that beautiful outdoor setting.
Every fifth-grade class was able to spend a day at Mountain School this year, even one elementary school that had never had the opportunity. Mountain School and Camp Orkila were both paid for entirely by a grant from the Washington Board of Outdoor Education.
Now, we welcome the end of this strangest of years and look ahead to the success and continued celebration of all our students’ achievements in the years to come, together.
This summer our Facilities Department will be busy and hard at work with various projects funded by the Capital Project Levy. We will share updates on these projects with you along the way.
Back in August, I launched a ThoughtExchange to find out what is important to our community. Bringing music back in our elementary schools was one of the top themes that emerged. I am happy to share that next year, there will be more music and arts instruction in our elementary schools. It is definitely something to look forward to.
Thank you for your support and commitment during these past several months. I am honored every day to lead this great school district and look forward to spending many more years getting to know our incredible Sedro-Woolley families.
I hope you all have a wonderful summer. Take time to rest, relax, recharge and enjoy one another. Let’s make it a great summer.
Sincerely and appreciatively,
Dr. Miriam Miralles Mickelson
Superintendent
Sedro-Woolley School District
Covered Play Area Dedication
Thank you from Central Elementary
A HUGE thank you to our community!
Last week, Central Elementary Students walked 3,143 laps around our school track to raise money for an outdoor classroom. The outdoor classroom is planned to be built next spring in memory of Matt Mihelich. A group of fifth- and sixth-grade students were selected by teachers to plan the event. They created decorations, planned prizes and led an assembly to get the student body excited for the walk-a-thon.
Central students asked friends and family for donations and collected more than $7,500 toward the project. Way to go Cougars! The parent group is well on their way to building the new outdoor classroom space. Thank you to everyone who donated and supported students in this very special fundraiser.
Music in the Parks Music Festival
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
Summer is here and we know parents may still need assistance even when our school buildings are closed! Below you will find answers to Frequently Asked Questions!
• The first day of school for first to 12th graders will be Thursday, Sept. 1.
• Kindergarten students will start on Wednesday, Sept. 7.
• Good Beginnings Preschool will start on Monday, Sept. 19.
*School supply lists will be posted on your child’s school building websites.
Building secretaries’ schedules vary after Monday, June 20. Please email or call them for their office hours if you need assistance after that date.
The district office lobby will be closed the month of July. Regular office hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, will resume on Monday, August 1. Administrative staff are working periodically during July. To reach individual administrative offices, please see the list below:
Superintendent's Office: 360-855-3502
Human Resources: 360-855-3576
Business Office: 360-855-3575
Special Programs: 360-855-3864
ELL/Multilingual Office: 360-855-3772
Maintenance/Facilities: 360-855-3505
Transportation: 360-855-3504
Q: I have a kindergarten student who needs to be enrolled. How do I do that?
A: Kindergarten students should be registered by the end of July so we can plan for classes in September! Online registration is available online: https://www.swsd.k12.wa.us/Page/5227
Q: We just moved to Sedro-Woolley and have a student who needs to be enrolled. How do I do that during summer break?
A: Students should be registered as soon as possible so we can plan for classes in September! Online registration is available online: https://www.swsd.k12.wa.us/domain/904. Families may not be contacted until secretaries are back in the buildings in mid August.
Q: I need to submit Choice Transfer paperwork. How do I do that when the district office lobby is closed?
A: You can go to the Choice Transfer Portal at https://eds.ospi.k12.wa.us/ChoiceTransferRequest and submit the application electronically.
More information about the Choice Transfer process can be found at https://www.swsd.k12.wa.us/Page/4788.
*Please note that while Choice Transfer paperwork can be submitted electronically, it will not be processed until after August 1.
Q: We are new to town and have an elementary school student. How do we know which school they will attend?
A: Go to https://www.swsd.k12.wa.us/Page/4946 and you will find boundary maps for the full district as well as our in-town schools. If those don't help, there are two other options during the summer months. 1) Ask a nearby neighbor which school kiddos in your area attend or 2) email jzimmerman@swsd101.org and she will reply when she’s back in the office in August.
Q: I think I am going to homeschool my children this year. What do I need to do?
A: Fill out the form at https://www.swsd.k12.wa.us/cms/lib/WA01000765/Centricity/Domain/651/Home-Based%20Declaration%20of%20Intent%20Form%20New.pdf and return to the district office (mail to 801 Trail Road, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284). It would also be extremely helpful and appreciated if you send an email to your child’s current building secretary.
Q: What if my child, who I plan on homeschooling, wants to participate in PE, sports or other extracurricular activities?
A: Please complete the ancillary service form at https://www.swsd.k12.wa.us/cms/lib/WA01000765/Centricity/Domain/651/SWSD%20Ancilliary%20Services%20Form%20ADA%20New.pdf and return to the district office (mail to 801 Trail Road, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284).
Q: When will school buildings be open?
A: Typically buildings open in late August. The Good Beginnings Preschool office will open on September 1.
Q: When will the district office lobby be open?
A: August 1
Q: Are summer grab-and-go meals available?
A: No. This summer the meals must be consumed on site at the USDA meal sites.
Q: Where can students access the free meals?
Cascade Middle School
July 6–August 19
Monday–Friday
Breakfast: 9–9:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Sedro-Woolley High School
June 28–June 30
Tuesday–Thursday
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Q: How can I find out what bus route my child will be on in the fall? What if I have other transportation questions?
A: Families can call the transportation department (360-855-3504) after August 2 for 2022-2023 route information. You can also mail one of our transportation department gurus jzimmerman@swsd101.org or pjauron@swsd101.org and one of them will reply while they're in and out of the office in July or when they’re back in the office in August. It is extremely helpful to our transportation and elementary schools to have student bus routes planned prior to the first day of school. It is also much less stressful on younger students when they know their bus number, so please try to plan accordingly.
Q: Is there a calendar available for the 2022-2023 school year?
A: See the school calendar at https://www.swsd.k12.wa.us/cms/lib/WA01000765/Centricity/Domain/1/SWSD%20Calendar%202022%2023%20.pdf
Printed calendars will also be available at orientation days and open house events, as well as at the district office after August 15.
Q. When do high school fall sports start?
Football practice starts on August 17. Cross Country, Girls Soccer, Swim & Dive, Boys Tennis & Volleyball practices begin on August 22.
Important Announcements & Events
Non-District Youth Sports Opportunities
Sedro-Woolley Little League
Registration for spring typically closes in early February. Baseball/softball.
www.sedrowoolleylittleleague.com
Questions: sedrowoolleylittleleague@gmail.com
Sedro-Woolley Youth Soccer Association
Registration for fall season open until May 31.
Sedro-Woolley Youth Football and Cheer
Registration for fall season closes in June.
Practices start in August.
Northwest United Soccer
The club offers year round soccer for ages U9-U19 for both boys and girls, with all levels from recreational, select and premier teams and leagues.
Skagit Valley Flyers Lacrosse
This program offers grades K-12 an opportunity to be introduced to and taught about the amazing sport of lacrosse. The Flyers offer boys, girls and coed programs.
For more information, email svflyers2009@gmail.com.
**Please note that most youth sports are run by volunteer boards of directors. Coaches are most often fellow parents and there is a significant referee shortage amongst almost every sport. Volunteering to coach or training to become a referee is one of the best opportunities a parent or guardian has to stay involved in their child's life through various stages of development!
Northwest Workforce Council can help recent grades
Call WorkSource at 360-416-3508 or visit nwc-connect.org!
Northwest Workforce Council is a partner of WorkSource. Northwest Workforce Council and WorkSource are equal opportunity employer/programs. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Washington Relay Service: 711
Summer Reading Program
Library solicits artwork
Register online for kindergarten
STEM Summer Camps
SWHS, SSHS students can receive medical services at Wellness Center
Parents, did you know your students could get health care at the Woolley Wellness Center during and after school?
The clinic is open Tuesdays 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The center's phone number is 360-856-7995 (no voicemail is available outside of regular clinic hours). Fax number is 360-856-8000.
The Woolley Wellness Center is located in the main hallway at Sedro-Woolley High School, across from the ASB office, and is operated by PeaceHealth.
View the attached Woolley Wellness Center Informational Flier for more information.
Forms to be completed and returned to the Woolley Wellness Center
A VIS or Vaccine Information Statement is a document produced by CDC, that informs vaccine recipients - or their parents or legal representatives - about the benefits and risks of a vaccine they are receiving. Please find the appropriate VIS by visiting the CDC Website: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/current-vis.html
YMCA Flag Football
Boys & Girls Summer at the Club schedule
Click the Cubs Den link below for sports' schedules, rosters and more
Samish Coop Preschool
Samish Coop Preschool seeking teacher for 2022-23
Samish Coop Preschool is seeking an inspiring teacher for the 2022-23 School Year!!
Position Description:
Our ideal candidate has experience creating a safe, nurturing and inclusive learning environment with experiential and hands-on learning experiences. Candidates must be comfortable directing and working with parent members of the cooperative preschool in the classroom. The Lead Teacher also works in partnership with the Skagit Valley College Parent Educator as the program is affiliated with the Skagit Valley College Family Life Program. The teacher will attend a monthly Co-op membership meeting and parent education discussion with the SVC Parent Educator.
Qualifications:
- Strong organizational and communication skills
- Ability to work with a diverse student body
- High level of professionalism and ethics
- Current CPR / First Aid Certification and WA state background check clearance required by start date
- Proof of Covid vaccination
- ECE degree/certification or bachelor’s degree highly preferred
- Experience in a cooperative school environment desired
Start Date: Officially start September 2022, August Orientation TBD
Preschool Program Teacher Schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (teach class from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.)
Additional Planning/Prep Time: 1 hour per week
10 hours total per week
Salary:
20.00 per hour / DOE
Please send resume and letter of interest to: samishcooppreschool@gmail.com
Please include “Preschool Teacher” in the subject.
FAE Summer Academy
Youth sports fee assistance
Apply today for the Every Kid Sports Pass — a youth sports grant to help cover registration fees.
The district is offering new tutoring services for students in grades 7-12. Paper is a secure, online tutoring service that provides students with unlimited, 24/7 academic support. Whether they’re stuck on homework, studying for a test, or need someone to read and make suggestions to their essays, there will always be experts available online to assist students in over 200 subjects and more than 4 languages.
Paper tutors have been specially trained to conduct expert, academic support in a secure, chat-based platform. With a commitment to helping students learn, they’ll never give students answers, but rather interact with them in an encouraging tone to lead them forward.
This is a free service that we’re providing (paid for with ESSER funds), so students are encouraged to use it as much as they need, whenever they need. Our teachers also have accounts and will be able to review all student activity to see what they’re working on and provide more targeted instruction as needed.
If you’d like to learn more about Paper you can sign up for a Paper hosted Parent Info Session, available in both English and Spanish. Or if you’d like to speak to a member of the Paper team directly, you can reach them at parents@paper.co.
To see Paper and the help it offers firsthand, we encourage you to login with your students. To get started, simply visit PAPER’s student login page, type your school’s name, and login via Google using your school credentials
We’re thrilled to offer our students the unlimited, 24/7 support that Paper provides and we can’t wait to see what we’re able to accomplish together.
These Tutorial Videos are also helpful for students and families!
IEP Recovery Services
Box Tops are now digital
Mental Health Resources
HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION AND BULLYING
The district uses a reporting system for harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) through SafeSchools Alert. Students, parents and community members can report HIB and other unsafe behaviors anonymously through phone, text, email or web. Students, parents and community members should utilize SafeSchools Alert as it creates a record of the report, and each incident must be investigated. Visit https://swsd-wa.safeschoolsalert.com/ to report an incident or use the alternative methods below.
App: Search for “SafeSchools Alert” in the App Store to download for free.
Phone or text to: 1-855-764-8877
Email: 1376@alert1.us
District ID Code: 1376