Choice school brochure to be sent out soon

In the past, families of fifth and sixth graders came to the Lake Washington School District’s annual Choice Schools Fair to pick up information regarding each Choice school’s information night.

In addition, families applying to a Choice school are required to attend that school’s information night to hear about that school’s programs and pick up applications. Therefore, the fair was an added step in the process of seeking information about school options beginning in sixth or seventh grade. This year, the district examined procedures around Choice school applications and determined that they would streamline the processes for families by eliminating the fair.

In an effort to make the process easier, a brochure will go out in early December to all families with fifth and sixth graders that will include information about all junior highs and middle schools (both Choice and non-Choice). The brochure will contain all of the schools’ information nights’ dates and times. While neighborhood schools do not require parents to come to an information night, parents may want to know about every option available to their student, whether it is their neighborhood school or a Choice school.

This information will also be posted to the district Web site, www.lwsd.org.

Schools shine at Health Bowl

Three Lake Washington schools placed in the top 30 in the Governor’s Health Bowl School Challenge, part of the Healthiest State in the Nation Campaign.

Rose Hill Junior High in Redmond placed eighth in the middle school/junior high category. Rose Hill Elementary in Kirkland tied for 22nd place and Samantha Smith Elementary in Sammamish tied for 28th place in the elementary category.

The School Challenge has Washington citizens, schools and businesses compete to make Washington the healthiest state in the nation.

For six weeks, participants log “miles” for the physical activity and nutrition challenge. Miles can be logged for many things: eating healthy, drinking adequate water, any physical activity, etc. One mile is 20 minutes of activity or task completed.

This year’s goal was to earn 7.5 million miles of health by November 1. Over 25,000 students and 4,000 parents and school staff participated in the School Challenge.

Parenting seminar coming up

The Bear Creek School is hosting a free early childhood education seminar from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6.

The seminar is open to the public and consists of three sessions. During each session, participants attend the topic that is most relevant or interesting to them. Topics include:

• Understanding Personality and Temperament – Instructor Denise Peeler

• How Brain Research Applies to Early Learning – Instructor Tressa Parker

• Developing a Strong Number Concept – Instructor Lena Whitlock

• It Looks Like Play Time – Instructor Renee Matson

• Building Responsibility and Confidence – Instructor Kellie Anderson

• The Five Love Languages of Children – Instructor Jenn McDonough

• An Early Start to Reading Comprehension – Instructor Karen Blankenbeckler Hosted by The Bear Creek School, the seminar will be held at 8905 208th Ave. NE, Redmond. For information and to RSVP, visit www.tbcs.org.