Task force recommends no new schools in rural areas
April 17, 2012
A 30-member task force unanimously recommended that new school sitings in King County be done in urban areas and rural towns, not in areas designated as rural.
King County officials announced the decision the afternoon of April 11. Read more
Sammamish students get creative at kid cook-off
April 13, 2012
The Lake Washington School District held its fifth annual “Kids Can Cook” contest on April 11 including three elementary students from Sammamish who rolled up their sleeves to whip up their own culinary creations.
Children from around the district’s 27 elementary schools submitted healthy recipes for after-school snacks to Lake Washington’s Food Services department in February. A panel of judges then whittled it down to 20 finalists to compete in several areas, including healthy ingredients, kid-friendly preparation, taste and satisfaction and table presentation.
Fionna Cissell, a fourth grader at Alcott Elementary, concentrates on cutting the apple slices for her recipe for “Healthy Almond Joy.” Photo by Lillian Tucker
Permit delays mean Eastlake will temporarily house new STEM school students
March 30, 2012
New: March 30, 9:22 a.m.
The Lake Washington School District announced on March 29 that it’s new Science Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) school will open in the fall of 2012 but not in its intended location. Eastlake High School will be its temporary quarters because the permanent building, which is set to be located off state Route 202, near Alcott elementary, will not be ready in time. Read more
Traci Pierce named new Lake Washington School District superintendent
February 28, 2012
New: Feb. 28, 1:02 p.m.
The Lake Washington School Board has named Dr. Traci Pierce as the next superintendent of the school district. Pierce received the unanimous vote at the Monday, Feb. 27 school board meeting.
Currently Pierce is serving as the deputy superintendent of instructional services, a position she has held since 2010. She will replace Dr. Chip Kimball who is departing the Northwest to become superintendent of the Singapore American School July 1.
Traci Pierce
Lake Washington district gets help with new school
February 14, 2012
New: Feb. 14, 2:46 p.m.
The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation has given a $400,000 grant to the Lake Washington School District to help support the district’s new science, technology, engineering and math school.
The money, part of $6.6 million in grants the foundation made Feb. 2, is earmarked to support development of a curriculum for the school.
The foundation was set up by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and Jo Lynn Allen in 1988.
The as-yet unnamed school is set to open next fall. It is located just north of Sammamish City Limits on state Route 202.
Meeting with Lake Washington district superintendent candidate rescheduled
January 26, 2012
New: Jan. 26, 2:56 p.m.
A snowed-out meet-and-greet with the preferred candidate for the Lake Washington School District superintendent position has been rescheduled for Feb. 7.
Dr. Traci Pierce will be at Sammamish City Hall before the Feb. 7 council meeting, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Pierce has worked as a teacher, principal and central administrator for 17 years in Lake Washington schools. The district’s board of directors recommended her as Kimball’s replacement at its Dec. 5 meeting in part because she will bring familiarity with district systems and vision to maintain continuity while executing the district’s numerous current initiatives, the district said.
Pierce is currently the Lake Washington district’s deputy superintendent of instructional services.
Snow falling, storm not as bad as first predicted
January 18, 2012
New: Jan. 18, 11:59 a.m.
Snow continues to fall in the Puget Sound region, but some forecasts expect the majority of the snow to stop by about 1 p.m.
In Sammamish, snow continues to fall and a few inches are on the ground. While snow amounts are enough to be annoying, they are far less than the 6-14 inches predicted a few days ago. Read more
Lake Washington School District choice school application deadline is coming up
January 9, 2012
Lake Washington district parents and students will get a chance to apply to attend the new STEM School (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) at an information night Jan. 19.
Parents of students in Lake Washington schools heading into ninth or 10th grade this coming fall may learn more about the district’s newest choice school at the meeting at 7 p.m., Jan. 19 at the LWSD Resource Center. The meeting gives families the opportunity to learn about the application process for the district’s numerous choice schools, as well as stay up-to-date on deadlines and admissions processes. Read more
Renaissance to stay at Eastlake
January 4, 2012
The 91 students currently attending Renaissance School of Art and Reasoning will get to stay at the Eastlake High School campus in fall of 2012.
As the district reconfigures the grades — bringing in a whole freshman class to Eastlake next fall — administrators had considered moving the choice school for junior high-age students. But instead, Renaissance will move from its roost on the second floor of the high school building outside to a mini-campus of portables. The classrooms, just like those to be used at BEST High School for Northstar Middle School, will have plumbing and water. Renaissance students will continue to use the Eastlake gyms and library, the district said. Read more
Community invited to meet Lake Washington School District superintendent candidate
December 31, 2011
New: Dec. 31, 10:17 a.m.
Residents in north Sammamish will get a chance to meet and chat with the Lake Washington School District’s preferred candidate for district superintendent at two seperate events.
Traci Pierce, of Sammamish, will be introducing herself to the community from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 10 in the Bytes Café in Redmond City Hall and from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at Sammamish City Hall. She is slated to replace outgoing superintendent Chip Kimball, who took a school superintendent job in Singapore. Read more
