Back to School Essentials
August 17, 2010
- The first day of school is Aug. 31 this year, prior to the Labor Day holiday. To see when your child begins and ends school, refer to the bell-time schedule.
- Basic statistics: The Issaquah School District serves more than 16,000 students in a 110-square mile area. It has 15 elementary schools, five middle schools, three comprehensive high schools, an alternative high school and oversees education at Echo Glen Children’s Center, the state juvenile detention center.
- Family Access is an online tool that allows students and parents to view their educational records, including test scores, attendance records and class schedules. Families with secondary school students also have access to grades. Login or get more information about obtaining your password at www.issaquah.wednet.edu/family. If you don’t already have a password, obtain it from your school secretary or registrar by showing photo identification. Read more
School construction by the numbers
August 17, 2010
Pacific Cascade Middle School
- Construction: June-August 2010
- Approximate cost of conversion and construction: $310,000
- Square footage: 107,557
- Classrooms: 25 regular rooms and four specialized teaching spaces
- Science laboratories: six
- New features: Additional track and field structures, like a long-jump pit, shot put and discus area were added. Former elective classrooms and equipment for them, like the engineering class, were turned into regular classrooms and the equipment was divided between Issaquah and Skyline high schools. All high school textbooks were replaced. Administratively, the school will handle three grades instead of one and there are dozens of new faculty members.
Immunizations: what parents need to know
August 17, 2010
State law requires a variety of immunizations for students prior to them entering school and while they are in the school system. In Issaquah, students may register for class, but may not attend school until all immunization requirements are met.
Students must be immunized against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, poliomyelitis, varicella (chickenpox) measles, rubella, mumps and hepatitis B.
Immunization schedule
- Hepatitis B: Must have had three shots on or after 6 months of age. The series may not be completed in less than four months.
- Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis: Kindergarten requirement is four shots by age 4; first- though fifth-grade and eighth- through 12th-grade requirements are three shots after age 4.
- Diphtheria and tetanus: Sixth- and seventh-grade requirements are students need to get another immunization at age 11 or when it has been five years since their last one.
- Polio: Students must have had at least three doses if the last shot was given after age 4. However, four doses is acceptable for students who had their last dose before age 4.
- Measles, mumps and rubella: Two shots, with the first having been on or after age 1 and the second at least one month after the first.
- Varicella (chickenpox): Your child must be at least 1 to get his or her first shot. The second shot is given between ages 4 and 6.
- A seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for all children 6 months through 18 years.
- Vaccinating children against the H1N1 (swine flu) virus is recommended.
Prior to entering school each year, parents or guardians must present a completed certificate of immunization status form.
Curriculum Nights
August 17, 2010
To view the Curriculum Nights schedule:
Curriculum Nights (635.3 KB)
Final Notes
August 17, 2010
- Paying for other school-related fees, such as yearbooks, parking passes and Associated Student Body cards can be done online during registration and verification processes for secondary students. If elementary schools produce yearbooks or other fee-based items, school officials will alert parents regarding details.
- If you want to know what your student is learning or what expectations they need to meet this year, check with your student’s teachers and principals. For district-level curricula questions, call the Teaching and Learning Services Department at 837-7030.
- If you want your student to attend a different school, open enrollment is in February. Families can request student transfers to schools outside their residential attendance area for the next school year. Whether requests are filled depends on space. Call 837-7010 or go here.
- Stay informed through districtwide and school E-News. You’ll receive information about school and districtwide events, curriculum, schedule changes, emergency updates and great stories from your child’s classroom. You can sign up for the districtwide, and individual school E-news services, here.
- Still have a question? Call the District Administrative Office, 837-7000, or try the website.
- Already looking forward to next summer? The last day of school is June 15. First winter break is from Dec. 20-31; second winter break is from Feb. 21-25; and spring break is April 4-8.
Issaquah School District 2010-11 calendar
August 11, 2010
Aug. 31 — First day of school for students
Sept. 6 — Labor Day (no school)
Nov. 11 — Veterans Day (no school)
Nov. 25-26 — Thanksgiving holiday (no school)
Issaquah School District 2010-11 bell times
August 11, 2010
Elementary schools
Apollo
Regular days
- Start: 8:30 a.m.
- Stop: 2:53 p.m.
Wednesdays
- Start: 8:15 a.m.
- Stop: 12:30 p.m.
Early release
- Start: 8:30 a.m.
- Stop: 11:03 a.m.
Issaquah School District 2010-11 assessment calendar
August 11, 2010
Assessment dates: Sept. 22-Oct. 20
Grade level tested: 2
Test: Developmental Reading Assessment
Required by: state
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Assessment dates: Oct. 13
Grade level tested: 10-11
Test: PSAT
Required by: student
Meet the Issaquah School Board
August 11, 2010
The five-member school board sets district goals, oversees financial affairs and advocates for schools and students. Though residents throughout the district elect the entire board, members must live within the boundaries of their designated district. Members serve four-year terms in the nonpartisan posts.
Board President Suzanne Weaver was appointed to the board to represent District 5 in January 2007 and re-elected to her position in November 2007. She has been involved with the district for the past nine years, mostly as president of various elementary, middle, high school and districtwide PTSA boards. Weaver’s district includes parts of Issaquah and Sammamish. Her term expires in November 2011. Reach her at 313-2494 or weavers@issaquah.wednet.edu.
Jan Woldseth was elected to the board in November 1999. She is a former high school English teacher and has been an active district volunteer and community member for more than 10 years. She is serving her fourth consecutive term as board representative to District 1. Woldseth’s district includes western Issaquah and a sliver of Bellevue. Her term ends in November 2011. Reach her at 641-9941 or woldsethj@issaquah.wednet.edu.
Issaquah School District PTA school contacts 2010-11
August 11, 2010
Issaquah PTSA Council
- President Janine Kotan — 427-9029
Elementary schools
Apollo
- Lauri Mendoza — 271-4997
Briarwood
- Beth Donahoe — 793-7890
Cascade Ridge
- Tina Yerges — 557-0606
Challenger
- Deneall Owens — 369-0380
