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

The start of a new semester is welcomed by students, staff, and families. Student Advisory Council (SAC) students shared that they are looking forward to a fresh start. Resets and new beginnings are good for everyone.

Like many across our nation, we've been following the news about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in communities across the country. We understand that news like this may cause fear and uncertainty.

In Arlington School District, we want to be clear: All Belong, Learn and THRIVE in APS! Every student, every staff member, every family, and every community member deserves to feel safe, welcomed, and supported. Our commitment to creating inclusive and caring environments remains unwavering.

Arlington School District’s mission is to educate, prepare and inspire all students. We have district policies and procedures that limit immigration activities on school grounds.

For details, you can access Policy 4300 and Procedure 4300P.

During January “Staff Voices,” the individual staff conversations were informative and full of suggestions and ideas. One staff member shared her gratitude for teachers who wrapped student projects in plastic bags - like gingerbread houses - so they do not get all over the buses. One staff member stated, "It is so important to help students get ready for their future and that 'Attitude, Aptitude, & Attendance' are essential." Another staff member stated that it is important to have field trip volunteers register using the SafeVisitor Online system.

January “Student Voices” took place at Haller Middle School with representatives from sixth, seventh and eighth grades. Students shared several things that help their learning including music playing in the background, teachers giving deadlines, and having a quiet place to work like the library. For the future, students would like more sports options like baseball or football, more electives, and cell phones rules to be less strict.

A school visit to Kent Prairie Elementary this month included meeting Robbie, the school therapy dog. His furry comfort is a joy to all students and staff. We visited an art class where students painted. We also visited a fourth grade classroom where students were organizing their thoughts using various methods such as listing information using bullets and graphic organizers. I love to see students excited about learning. Board Director Erica Knapp joined us for this visit.

Thank you for being partners with us in educating our talented students. We are committed to high levels of learning and helping all students THRIVE in APS.

Chrys

Dr. Chrys Sweeting
Superintendent
Arlington Public Schools

On Jan. 20, Superintendent Dr. Chrys Sweeting and School Board Director Erica Knapp joined Principal Colleen Van Belle for a tour of Kent Prairie Elementary School. In Nikki Brooks' fourth grade class, they met Robbie. Robbie is a therapy dog in Mrs. Brooks' classroom who brings great comfort to the students. 

Four times a year, Arlington High School (AHS) Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (AFJROTC) cadets pick up litter along Highway 9 near the high school to keep the roadway clean. The cadets clean the highway through the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Adopt-A-Highway Program.

“The high school’s AFJROTC program has been cleaning a portion of Highway 9 since around 2007,” said Major Mike Blue, Senior Aerospace Science Instructor. “Along with keeping the highway clean, safety is our main priority. Cadets need to watch a training video, wear safety vests, gloves and hard hats, and have to be at least 15 years old to participate in the litter cleanup.”

Learn more here.

Four times a year, Arlington High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadets pick up litter along Highway 9 near the high school to keep the roadway clean.

A dozen Arlington High School students visited several Arlington manufacturing firms on Jan. 13 as part of the school’s Arlington Manufacturing Tour. The students visited Absolute Manufacturing, B&B Fabrication, Steel Fab, Fluid Motion, and Morel Industries.

AHS students who are part of the Advanced Manufacturing track come in with a good base for entry-level manufacturing jobs.

Beau Pearson, who graduated from AHS last June, was hired by B&B Fabrication three months ago. He really enjoyed welding at AHS and wanted to find a local job where he could put his skills to work.

“I really wanted to work at a local firm and B&B Fabrication is a great fit,” said Pearson. “My advice to students entering this field is take in as much as you can from others, listen to them, and learn from mistakes.”

Read more here.

Anthony VanLeuven, B&B Fabrication Shop Superintendent, talks with a dozen Arlington High School students on Jan. 13 about the wide variety of jobs offered in the manufacturing field during a tour of manufacturing firms in Arlington.

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.

The 2025-26 Student Advisory Council!

Feb. 16
Presidents' Day- No School, All Buildings Closed

March 30- April 3
Elementary Spring Conferences, three hour early dismissal for elementary only

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

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