Dear Wonderful Arlington Families, Students, Community, and Staff,

March was a productive and positive month with special celebrations and rich learning. One very important celebration was a week-long tribute to our 329 amazing Educational Support Professionals (classified staff members) who serve in the following areas/positions:

- Apple/ECEAP Staff

- BPAC Stage Manager

- Child Nutrition Staff

- Coaching Staff

- Custodial Staff

- Interpreter/Tutors

- Maintenance & Grounds Staff

- Nursing Staff

- Paraeducators

- School-To-Work Coordinator

- Security Staff

- Secretarial/Clerical Staff & Admin Assistants

- Student Support Advocates

- Technology Staff

- Transportation Staff

We appreciate all they do to support the essentials so students can learn. THANK YOU to our EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS!

During March, we had the Student Advisory Council Mental Health Forum at Haller Middle School. Middle and high school students shared with representatives from Arlington City Council, Stilly Valley Health Connections staff, school counselors and Arlington City administration staff about the mental health issues they are facing and what adults can do to help. Students were transparent and brave and the evening was very informative.

I enjoy meeting individually with staff members to get their feedback about what is working well, what needs improvement and sharing what suggestions and/or ideas we should consider. Thank you, Jonathan Heen at Stillaguamish Valley Learning Center, Christie Britton at Pioneer Elementary, Jessica Vick at Arlington High School, Katy Brown at Weston High School and Tina Odenius at Post Middle School for sharing important feedback this month.

In addition to “Staff Voices,” I meet with students each month to hear their ideas. March “Student Voices” took place at Arlington High School. Students shared several things that support their learning including hands-on learning, project work, visual examples, and when a teacher is excited to teach. For the future, students dream of having a pool and would really like better communication and timely access to counselors.

Visiting Haller this month was so much fun. We saw students practicing their pickleball skills, students coloring salt with chalk in a science class, and seventh and eighth grade band students practicing for their upcoming concert. We enjoyed seeing the "Hawk Family" wall of honored students and saw principal Brooke Howell and assistant principal Joseph Green using "rolling desks" to be out and about and around the school.

During a visit to Pioneer Elementary, we were impressed with the new display system hanging in the entryway. It is being used to celebrate the progress of earning points throughout the day. Principal Sarah Durrant, assistant principal Sue Krause, students, and staff love the new program. We also visited two third grade classrooms where students were engaged in spelling flexible groupings. 

Spring Break for Arlington School District is next week, April 6 – 10. I hope spring brings each of you time to relax and enjoy our beautiful City of Arlington and the Pacific Northwest.

Chrys

Dr. Chrys Sweeting
Superintendent
Arlington Public Schools

Superintendent Sweeting talks with a  student in a Natalie Hollifield's science class at Haller Middle School.

During the March 23 Arlington Public Schools Board of Directors regular meeting, the Arlington Education Foundation (AEF) gave $13,121.25 to educators in the Arlington School District.

“The Foundation has distributed more than $234,000 in grants over the past 15 years,” said AEF President Kim Deisher-Allen. “This spring, we’re excited to support 18 projects, each reflecting incredible creativity and dedication to students. Every grant helps bring ideas to life that inspire learning and create joy in our classrooms. It’s a privilege to support our teachers and be part of the outstanding work happening throughout the Arlington School District.”

See the recipients here.

The Arlington Education Foundation provided spring classroom grants worth more than $13,000 to educators.

Thirty-five students from Arlington and Weston High Schools toured Cascade Valley Hospital on March 11 to learn more about careers in healthcare. This is the first time Arlington students have toured the hospital.

After students toured the hospital, they participated in different stations on blood typing, imaging, respiratory therapy, sterile processing, and Stop the Bleed. Various staff members also talked with the students about their different jobs.

Read more here.

Dr. Ryan Vellinga explains an orthopedic surgery he just completed at Cascade Valley Hospital. Thirty-five students from Arlington and Weston High Schools toured the hospital on March 11 to learn more about careers in healthcare.

Post Middle School hosted mock interviews for eighth graders on March 5 to prepare the students for future jobs. Representatives from Meyers Metal Works, Snohomish PUD, the State Conservation Commission and the city of Arlington asked questions of the students during the interviews.

Student Brooklynn Craig practiced ahead of time which prepared her well for her mock interview.

“They asked about a challenge I had overcome and how to deal with a stressful situation,” said Craig. “I tried to present my answers clearly and not stutter during my interview. Practicing beforehand really helped!”

Learn more here.

Post Middle School hosted mock interviews for eighth graders on March 5 to prepare the students for future jobs.

Have you ever thought about volunteering in one of our
schools? Arlington Public Schools recognizes that
involvement of parents and community members in each
student’s education contributes to a positive and
successful school experience. Parent involvement
continues to have a strong effect on academic
performance, even throughout high school. Volunteers
are valued partners in the education of Arlington
students. We encourage family and community members
to consider serving in our schools.

Visit the district’s volunteer page to learn more:
https://www.asd16.org/page/volunteering

Over the summer, Arlington Public Schools transitioned to a new website, messaging platform and district app. One of the new additions includes a platform for teachers to communicate with families and students called Rooms. Rooms, built right into the Arlington School District app and website, offers secure and safe two-way messaging.

This addition allows Arlington Public Schools to communicate more effectively with families. From messages to educators, to events, to menus, and more - everything can now live in one place.

Why Rooms?

Get one unified hub. All school and district communication, updates, and alerts conveniently located in one single app and web experience, with one single login.

Read updates in your preferred language. All messages, announcements, and updates will be automatically translated to your preferred language.

Message staff in one click. Easily connect with teachers, coaches, counselors, and other staff to see all of your messages in one inbox

Safe and secure. Built-in moderation and other safety tools allow us to ensure safety of all communications, at all times.

Getting Started is as Easy as 1, 2, 3!

1. Watch for messages and announcements from your child’s teacher(s)

2. Click the link in any message to respond or follow up

3. Update your notification settings to choose how and when you’re notified

You’ll be able to view and respond to messages right from your mobile phone - through the Arlington School District app or mobile website.

Community members who don't have children in Arlington Public Schools can also download the district app to receive updates about what's happening in our schools. 

Download for Android: https://aptg.co/RftPCF

Download for iPhone: https://aptg.co/-tSV8_

Rooms will become our primary method for all communication between staff, coaches, families, and teachers. We’re excited to bring our communication into one clear, connected experience for you.

Detailed instructions are available here.

Please contact Gary Sabol at 360-618-6217 or gary.sabol@asd16.org if you have any questions about Rooms.

Did someone forward this Our Schools Community Newsletter to you? If so, please sign up to receive the newsletter in your email inbox by going to the following link.

April 6-10
Spring Break- No School, All Buildings Closed

May 25
Memorial Day- No School, All Buildings Closed

June 9
Weston High School Graduation

June 10
Arlington High School Graduation

June 12
Last Day of School (Tentative)

Arlington Public Schools provides equal educational opportunity and treatment for all students in all aspects of the academic and activities program without discrimination based on race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. The District will provide equal access to school facilities to the Boy Scouts of America and all other designated youth groups listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society. District programs will be free from sexual harassment. Auxiliary aids and services will be provided upon request to individuals with hearing, vision, or speech disabilities.

The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:                            

TITLE IX/SEX EQUITY OFFICER AND CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLIANCE COORDINATOR

Mr. Eric DeJong
Executive Director, Human Resources
315 N French Ave.
Arlington, WA 98223
360.618.6212
Email Eric DeJong

HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION AND BULLYING (HIB) COMPLIANCE OFFICER

Mr. Eric DeJong
Executive Director, Human Resources
315 N French Ave.
Arlington, WA 98223
360.618.6212
Email Eric DeJong

SECTION 504/ADA COMPLIANCE COORDINATOR

Ms. Kerri Helgeson
Director of Special Education (HS+) & Student Support
315 N French Ave.
Arlington, WA 98223
360.618.6228
Email Kerri Helgeson