Dear Caring Arlington Families, Students, Community & Staff,

February seemed very short but sweet. We are ending the month with the opening of the Arlington High School “Guys and Dolls” Production with 40+ students involved. I am so proud of the students and the adults who worked hard to make this happen. I hope you will be able to see the show on one of the dates below. Tickets are available on the district website.

- February 27 at 7 pm
- February 28 at 7 pm
- March 6 at 7 pm
- March 7 at 1 pm and 7 pm

I continue to enjoy the one-on-one conversations with individual staff members. I heard comments about specific strengths such as, “Our staff is well connected and we believe in each other.” I heard comments about areas of improvement, such as discipline and increasing a positive math mindset across the district. Staff also shared some interesting suggestions and ideas for us to consider. Most of all, I love getting to know staff on a more personal level. Thank you to Chris Louzao, teacher at Post Middle School, Angela Rosenstiel, teacher at APPLE Preschool, Ada Evans, teacher at Haller Middle School, and John Pedack, teacher at Weston High School, for providing valuable feedback this month.

February “Student Voices” took place at Post Middle School with representatives from 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Students shared several things that help their learning including teachers starting a lesson with examples or modeling what the students will be learning that day. Students also stated that teachers taking the time to clearly explain when they don’t understand is important for them to learn. For the future, students agreed that most of all Post needs a new building. They would also like to see the addition of more clubs, sports, and a school store.

During a school visit to Weston High School this month, it was great to see the food pantry that Weston started to serve students and families in need. Parents, staff, students, and community organizations have given donations to keep the shelves stocked and ready for families or students to access when needed. We saw Mable, the school therapy dog in a CTE health career class. We also visited the Transitions Program with our 19–22-year-old students who are focused on connecting to job and career opportunities.

During a school visit to Arlington High School, we were impressed with the learning taking place, especially in a chemistry and Spanish classroom. The students in the chemistry class were so quick to answer questions posed by the teacher during the discussion. In the Spanish class, individual students shared their Spanish speaking skills in front of the class. We also saw artistically drawn posters hanging in the hallway which described characteristics of generational names/eras such as "Baby Boomers,” “Gen X,” and “Millennials.”

Board Directors Sheri Kelly and Nicole Watts were able to join us for both school visits.

As we head into March, it means that spring is coming soon, including spring break which is scheduled for April 6-10. Spring sports will be starting soon, and our students are engaged in new and expanded learning opportunities during this second semester of the school year. Thank you for partnering with us in educating our amazing students.

Take care and THRIVE!

Chrys

Dr. Chrys Sweeting
Superintendent
Arlington Public Schools

Superintendent Sweeting talks with a  student in a Spanish I class at Arlington High School.

Do the gray days of winter have you down? Attending Arlington High School Drama’s production of “Guys and Dolls” is sure to cheer you up!

Guys and Dolls is a classic musical and love story set in New York City’s gambling underworld from the 1920s and 1930s. Classic songs include “Luck be a Lady” and “A Bushel and a Peck.”

“It’s really a fun show for all ages,” said sophomore Aly Kleinman. “Families will be entertained with all the dancing and the sets are very colorful and bright. A unique twist this year is that the band is on stage and the actors interact with the band throughout the show.”

Guys and Dolls will be held Feb. 27, Feb. 28, March 6, and March 7 at 7 p.m. There will also be a matinee show on March 7 at 1 p.m.

All showings will be held at the Byrnes Performing Arts Center at AHS, 18821 Crown Ridge Blvd. in Arlington. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and students with an ASB card.

Purchase tickets today at https://gofan.co/app/school/WA23155

Alessandra Selden plays Miss Adelaide and Hunter Fryer plays Nathan Detroit in Arlington High School Drama’s production of “Guys and Dolls.”

Kindergarten registration for families in Arlington Public Schools opens Monday, March 16th for the 2026-27 school year. New Arlington families may go to the district website at www.asd16.org and select the “Kindergarten Registration” under the “Links” section on the home page. Existing Arlington families can register their kindergartner in Family Access.

To be eligible for next year’s kindergarten program, a child must be at least five years old by Aug. 31, 2026.

Learn more here.

Kindergarten registration opens on Monday, March 16!

Nine outstanding middle and high school students from the Arlington, Darrington and Lakewood School Districts were recognized Jan. 29 by the Rotary Club of Arlington for making a difference in their respective schools. The Rotarians wanted to recognize students who stand out in different ways in their schools. The Rotary Club also donated $100 to a charity of the student’s choice.

Read more here.

Nine outstanding middle and high school students from the Arlington, Darrington and Lakewood School Districts were recognized Jan. 29 by the Rotary Club of 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.

Congratulations to AHS athletes Isabel Behrman, Delaney Henry, Camden Knudson and Aiden Jones who signed letters of intent on Feb. 24!

Congratulations to Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center students Mason Parsons, Khenan Spencer, Ryli Marshall and Elizabeth Le from Arlington who received the Winter Student of the Quarter Award. Students are selected based on showing employable skills in the areas of organization, self-motivation and being a team player.

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