October 1 - FAFSA Application Open (Federal College Financial Aid)
October 5-9 - Hello Week dress-up days - see below for more info
October 6 - Mid-Quarter 1 ends - grades are always available on PowerSchool
November 11 - Veterans Day - NO SCHOOL
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE |
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So much happening in our world this morning.
Local news. National news. News from within my own family.
It’s a lot.
But two things stand out from this past week and they are all about the humanity of our community, so I want to focus on those things this morning.
The first:
We are able to begin having pods of five students return to outdoor extracurricular athletics this week. Granted, this is a tiny drop of a thing. But for us, adults who have spent their careers serving families and young people and their healthy development, driving by the fieldhouse and seeing even five cheerleaders and a coach practicing on the back lawn is an absolute balm to the soul – even when they are all wearing masks and standing a good fifteen feet apart from one another.
Baby steps. Well monitored. It’s a start.
The second:
The first week I stepped into the role of principal here, there was already an appointment on my calendar with a parent.
That parent was Leigh Halvorson.
At the time, Leigh was serving as LC’s Volunteer Coordinator, but I soon learned that there were very few hats Leigh hadn’t worn during the time her three children attended LC.
She led the Instrumental Music Parents group, she led Booster Club, PTG, and led numerous fundraising initiatives for the Tigers.
Leigh had booked that appointment with me to find out what she could get to work on to support me and the school, because she was Leigh.
Leigh was also a school nurse and was assigned to LC on occasion.
On those days I could count on her sliding into my office at some point and closing the door behind her. She would squint and give me her best visual medical once-over.
“How are you holding up, Lady?” she’d ask. “You doing okay?”
Somehow I always felt better just knowing that Leigh cared enough to ask, to reassure.
She was funny and devoted and delightful and whip smart.
Less than two weeks ago, Leigh passed away after a short illness and everyone here who knew her and worked with her is stunned and grieving.
She took care of us in ways large and small and we will miss her.
Thank you, Halvorson Family, for the gift of your amazing wife and remarkable mom. LC is better for having known her. Much love to each of you in the days ahead.
Marybeth Smith
LC Principal
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Leigh Halvorson at the 2014 LC Instrumental Music Parents Association car wash fundraiser. |
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AP Test Registration Window Is Open October 5 - October 31: Students enrolled in AP classes have the option of taking AP Exams in May. These are optional exams, but students in the classes are highly encouraged to take the exams to earn college credit and/or college course placement.
Each AP Exam this year costs $95.00 (except AP Capstone is $143). The College Board has set the dates for registration with the window closing on October 31.
At this time, College Board is planning on having in-person exams in May, but that might change as we get closer to the date due to changes with COVID. Last year, College Board created an online system for exams, so if we need to test online, the system exists and College Board will have ample time to get it up and running ahead of testing with fewer glitches than last spring. If the exams are in-person and we are still under COVID restrictions, we will make whatever adjustments are necessary for testing safety. We will provide updates throughout the year as the dates near.
Required Steps: The registration and payment process ends October 31. For students choosing to take the exams, they must commit to their exams in their College Board account AND complete the online registration process for payment at LC. Payments can be made to the Business Office or online through our District payment system. Starting next week, AP students will see this presentation in AP classes.
STEP 1: Students must create a College Board account AND enter the join code (provided by each teacher) to add the class to their account - about 60% of our AP students have done this - this is required even if the student is not taking the exam connected to their AP class. Then, choose to order the exam in each class you want to take. Once in your account, look for the yellow box called "Register for Exam" in each class. Click that button and it will add your test.
If they are signing up for an exam and are not in an LC AP class, contact Theresa Meyer to get the special join code (this is for SVL and self-study students). This required step lets College Board know you are taking AP Exams.
STEP 2: Parents will need to fill out the online AP Registration Form - this form lets LC know you are taking AP Exams. You MUST do both steps in order to ensure that tests are ordered for you!
If your student qualifies for Free/Reduced lunch, the State of Washington will pay 100% of testing fees. We have a small budget set aside to help offset costs for families that do not qualify for Free/Reduced lunch but may still need a little help.
LC must submit our AP order by early November, so payments will need to be made prior to the order. If your family has extenuating circumstances preventing you from paying by the deadline, we will work together to find a solution that ensures your child can take the exams.
If a student registers after the October 31 deadline, a $40 late fee will be assessed. This late fee is set by College Board and is not negotiable.
This year, there are NO fees for students who decide to not take the exams in May after ordering by the October 31 deadline. LC will issue full refunds for any student that does not test in May.
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Accepted: The Accepted Wall is ready to go and we're excited to fill it up with Senior celebrations! Please let Theresa Meyer know when you have been accepted to a post-high school institution. Please include scholarship information so we can share the good news! Please keep the good news coming so we can continue the celebrations - let's fill up the wall!
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Good News: Share your good news with us! We love to feature the incredible things our students are doing inside and outside of school. If you have good news to share, please send it to Theresa Meyer to be included in the LCNYCU.
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New TEAM for All Students: By next week, all LC students will have a new TEAM added into their Microsoft account that will serve as an efficient way for us to send communications to all students through the platform they use every day. The first step was adding a new "class" to PowerSchool called TEAM. This class doesn't have attendance or grades connected to it, but it was necessary to add so that we could create the new Teams channel.
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Senior Yearbook Photos and Senior Ads: The yearbook staff is working hard to prepare for this year’s exciting book!
Senior Pictures and Senior ads will be delivered differently than in years past. We will send out information around this in the next couple of weeks. Likely deadlines will be mid-November.
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Qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch? The free and reduced price meal applications are critically important for our SPS school funding that include state and federal grant programs. Keep in mind that the USDA waiver for free meals expires at the end of December and you will want to have your meal application processed before that time to continue receiving free meals. Free or reduced qualification from the 2019/2020 school year expires October 19. Please fill out the online meal application before that date. Even if you don't plan to take advantage of the school lunch program, if you qualify, the state will pay for your AP Exams ($95 each!) and SAT exams ($65 each!) - if you qualify, please fill it out! The application has to be filled out every year.
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Apply to the Student Advisory Council on Climate Change: Spokane Public Schools is looking for 11 students to join the Student Advisory Council on Climate Change (SAC3). You can read the by-laws of the committee here and you can fill out an application here. Only 11 students will be on the committee, so don't delay in getting your application in, fill it out today!
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Bite2Go Fundraiser: Please support Bite2Go by purchasing pumpkins. Bite2Go provides food to our students once a month and during the spring shutdown, they ensured we had food to deliver every other week to over 50 families!
On October 9-11 they will be selling 4 different varieties of pumpkins, traditional orange, glow in the dark, Frankenstein, and small white ones at the Bellwether Brewery on North Monroe. The pumpkins will range from $5 to $15 depending on size and ALL proceeds will go to support the Bite2Go program - feeding more kids in our community. The remaining pumpkins will be sold on October 17 at Summit Church on 29th Ave. and the Pumpkin Patch on the corner of North Division and Lyons St. 9:00am to 5:30pm.
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ASB Election Results: Congratulations to our 2020-2021 ASB Leadership officers:
Zane Horst - President
Kaitlyn Kim - Vice President
Elena Rawlins - Secretary
Dane Cobb - Treasurer
Anna Wirthlin - Public Relations
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Booster Club Meetings: All LC parents are invited to attend our Booster Club Meetings. All meetings at 6:30-7:30pm. Visit www.lcboosters.org to learn how to join.
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October 12 - Virtual, Zoom link will be sent via email. Also streaming live on LC Booster FB page.
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November 11 - TBD
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December 7 - TBD * this is an allocation meeting
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January 11 - TBD
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February 8 - TBD * this is an allocation meeting
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March 8 - TBD
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April 12 - TBD
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May 10 - TBD * this is an allocation meeting
Spirit Gear: Lewis and Clark Tiger Spirit Gear is currently held in the LC Bookroom. All Spirit Gear will be available for purchase from the LC Bookroom after October 5. A display case in the hallway outside of the Bookroom has samples and prices of all Booster Club merchandise. To purchase Spirit Gear after October 5, visitors must enter the building through the main doors between 8:00am and 3:00pm. Visitors must first check in at the public office before proceeding to the Bookroom, ground floor location. Masks are required. Cash or checks only.
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LCIMPA (Lewis and Clark Instrumental Music Parents Association): IMPA provides support for the music programs at LC, and even though this year looks different, it is as important as ever to stay connected and support our musicians. Our traditional fundraisers for the fall will not be able to happen, but there are still ways you can support your students:
Amazon Smile: Every time you shop online, Amazon will donate to LCIMPA! This does not cost you anything. Go to smile.amazon.com and select LCIMPA before you shop.
PayPal Giving Fund: We accept online donations at any level and appreciate anything you wish to give.
Our board meetings will happen over zoom until we can meet in-person. They will be held the second Monday of the month at 5:45pm. Please email us before noon the day of the meeting at lcimpatigers@gmail.com if you wish to be included in the zoom board meeting.
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LC Knitting Club: All yarn artists, experienced or new, are welcome to join! We meet every Friday during the school year from 12:00-12:30pm starting October 9. Click on the link to Join Microsoft Teams Meeting
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Titanium Tigers: LC Robotics now has a TEAMS portal where you can attend meetings and get the latest info about the team. Contact Lydia Thompson, Caitlyn Perritt, or Coach Megan McLean via email, or use the TEAMS join code (9n0b3wa) to become a member of the team. We will start having team meetings on Wednesdays at 12:00-12:30 and the meeting link can be shared with people who want to just check things out. We will hold elections for officers in October and after that we will hold Monday leadership meetings again.
Because having an actual competition season is unknown, our focus for this year is:
- Team Building
- Fundraising
- Philanthropy
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FamilyID Athletic Clearance/Registration: FamilyID is a secure registration platform that provides an easy, user-friendly way to register for activities, while helping us to be more administratively efficient and environmentally responsible. When you register, the system keeps track of your information, so you only have to enter it once for multiple uses, family members and programs. If you do not have Internet access, you can use a computer at LC. The first time you register, it is recommended that you use a computer. After that, registrations can easily be done on your phone. If needed, paper packets are still available in the Business Office. Register at:
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Go to: https://www.familyid.com/organizations/lewis-clark-high-school
- Open an account using a valid email and password of your choice
- Within minutes, you will be sent a link to begin registration
- After selecting your program and completing registration - CONFIRM REGISTRATION
- You will see a confirmation page and you are IN!!
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Second Harvest Food Distribution: If you need food assistance, Second Harvest has food pick up available around the city throughout the week. Please help us spread the word!
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Free 5-Day Meal Kits: 5 breakfasts and 5 lunches, ready to go! Free for all children 18 and younger. Choose traditional or vegetarian meals.
Any child 18 years and younger (Express and Day Camp students can eat for free at school and should not access 5-day meal kits.) is eligible.
Choose a pick-up time:
Mondays from 11:50am-12:50pm
Tuesdays from 5:00-6:00pm
Wednesdays from 11:50am-12:30pm
Choose a pick-up location (NOT serving at Pratt, Libby, Montessori, Bryant, The Community School, OnTrack Academy, and NEWTech). Please keep the same pick-up place for the whole time we're distance learning. Starting Oct. 6: Mobile meals for families with barriers to accessing meal pickup at schools
Free for all children 18 and younger! USDA has extended the Free Summer Meals Program through Dec. 31, 2020. Families: Remember to turn in your free & reduced-price meals application to help ensure district funding and your qualification for the meal program once the extension ends.
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FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now OPEN! It is highly recommended that all LC Seniors file the FAFSA. It is the first step in getting financial aid -- including grants, scholarships, work study, and loans - from any college, technical school, or career training program. Go to to www.fafsa.gov for more information. In order to file the FAFSA, both the parent and student must first create FSA IDs. We strongly encourage you to create your FSA ID now because it takes approximately 1-3 days for the FSA ID to be verified and ready to be used. Get yours today!!
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Virtual College Fairs: are FREE and open to view for long periods of time. Unlike in-person fairs, you can search colleges by attributes that are important to you, return to watch recorded presentations later, and download materials from colleges…all from the comfort of home! This link will send you to a calendar of virtual college fairs representing colleges from across the nation.
The Pacific NW Assoc for College Admission Counseling (PNACAC) is sponsoring a series of virtual fairs in October highlighting colleges and universities in the PNW. Free and open to the public, PNACAC college fairs connect students, families and counselors from Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington with colleges and universities from all over the PNW in one convenient location. Advance registration is required and can be done using this link for the Oct 5-8 fair that highlights colleges and universities from Oregon.
Additionally, individual schools and scholarships will be hosting virtual events only for Spokane/LC students. Mr. Norton will share the meeting link through REMIND when they become available:
Seattle University: October 5
Act 6 Scholarship: October 6
ROTC Programs: October 6
Grand Canyon University: October 8
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College & Career Videos: Jeff Norton, our College & Career Specialist is creating videos for seniors on how the college application process will work this year. The videos are being shown in English classes and shared on the Senior Remind (see below). Here are the first four videos:
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PSAT: Due to COVID-19 and remote learning, we are postponing the PSAT this year until January 26 (tentatively scheduled - it will depend on whether we have returned to in-person learning). This year, we will only be giving the exam to Juniors. We will have more information closer to the exam date.
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Senior Remind Group: Seniors are encouraged to join the Senior Remind Text Group to receive updates through out the year on college deadlines, scholarships, college visits, the high school & beyond plan, and more. The directions to join are below:
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PowerSchool: Your schedule is available to you in PowerSchool. Please log into your account to ensure you have the correct login/password. If PowerSchool prompts you that your password has been reset, follow the directions on the screen to reset. If you don't remember your login, do NOT try to reset it on the site, it will not work, email Theresa Meyer for help.
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Learning at Home Resources: All classes meet online through Microsoft Teams. Every student has an account in Clever (which is our portal to all district-provided software). Inside of Clever, you can go to Microsoft 365 which is where you will find Teams. If a student gets a schedule change, it may take up to 48 hours to update in the online portal (you can contact the teacher directly for a temporary join code).
To access Clever and MS365, your login is your last name and the last 4 digits of your student ID number with sps81.org (example Tony Smith, ID 123456 = smith3456@sps81.org) and your password is your 8 digit birthday (March 1, 2005 = 03012005). It is highly recommended that you try logging into your accounts before the first day of school to ensure you can get it.
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Face Masks: Per the Washington State Department of Health, all students attending in-person services and any one entering the building must wear a face covering. If your child is unable to wear a face mask due to their disability or medical condition, then you will need to get a note from your child’s medical provider stating they are exempt. The note should be delivered to the school nurse and you will receive confirmation that they are cleared to attend without a face covering. We can provide clear face shields as an alternative to a face mask for those who need it.
Once we return to in-person learning, students will be required to do a health check each day prior to entering the building. Below are training videos on masks, the health check, hygiene practices, and physical distancing for in-person learning.
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Design Contest: LC Junior Sophia Avery is a member of the non-partisan Spokane Youth Votes (working with the League of Women Voters). Their goal is to provide the youth of Spokane with the resources and information to make voting less confusing. The group is launching a logo design contest to encourage other young people to join or participate with a $100 prize. For more information you can email spokaneyouthvotes@gmail.com or head over to @spokaneyouthvotes on Instagram!
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Absences: If your student is going to be absent, please call our attendance hotline to excuse the absence at 354-6968. Please leave a message with your name, your student's name, clearly spelling out the last name, how long your student will be absent, and the reason for the absence. An unexcused absence will generate an automated phone call home. If your child is going to have an extended absence, please have them go to the Student Office to pick up an Extended Absence Sheet to give teacher advanced notice of the absence.
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Donate to the Student Assistance Fund: When you come in to pay student fees in the Business Office, please consider donating to the Student Assistance fund. This fund helps needy students pay for the required class fees and athletic fees. Every dollar donated goes directly to LC students.
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Contact Information: If you have any questions as we begin the year, please feel free to reach out to the administrative and counseling team members, we are all here to help!
Administrators:
Counselors: Lewis and Clark Counselors will continue to provide Academic, Personal/Social and T24 counseling support to all students and families throughout distance learning. Counselors are available 9:00am-3:00pm and can be reached through email, phone, or by appointments through Microsoft Teams. In person appointments can be accommodated in the event a remote appointment is not available to student or family. To schedule an appointment with a counselor please contact our Guidance Secretaries: Julie Croteau 354-6966 or JulieHa@spokaneschools.org or Annette Gregory 354-5680 AnnetteG@spokaneschools.org.
LC Counselor Distribution:
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Kathy Blancher, Counselor A-E (10-12) 354-6893 kathyb@spokaneschools.org
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Lesa Renner, Counselor F-K (10-12) 354-6894 lesar@spokaneschools.org
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Stacey Donahue, Counselor L-R (10-12) 354-5788 staceyd@spokaneschools.org
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Emily Magnuson, Counselor S-T (10-12), ELD 354-6895 (9-12) emilym@spokaneschools.org
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Alana Pazevic, U-Z (10-12), SpEd (9-12) 354-6897 alanap@spokaneschools.org
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Tatriana Muravez, A-Z (9) 354-7002 tatrianam@spokaneschools.org
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Charlene Dupper, A-Z (9, M/W all day, F 12-3pm) 354-6869 charlened@spokaneschools.org
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Jeff Norton, College & Career 345-6912 jeffn@spokaneschools.org
School Support:
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Absence Hotline: parents can call us at 354-6968
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Main Office: 354-7000
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Non-Discrimination Statement: Spokane Public Schools complies with all federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, race, color, creed, national origin, 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, sexual orientation including gender expression or gender identity, or honorably discharged veteran or military status. This holds true for all students who are interested in participating in educational programs and/or extracurricular school activities, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the school district's Title IX/Staff Civil Rights Officer, ADA Officer, Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying (HIB)/Student Civil Rights Officer and/or 504 Compliance Officer:
o 504 Compliance Officer: Jodi Harmon, 509.354.7269
o ADA Officer: Stephanie Busch, 509.354.5993
o Affirmative Action Officer: Nancy Lopez-Williams, 509-354-7285
o AHERA Officer: Robert Findley, 509.354.7143
o ALE Officer: Gwen Harris, 509.354.7393
o Certification Officer: Cindy Coleman, 509.354.7318
o Claims Agent: Salliejo Evers, 509.354.7250
o Contract Officer: Cindy Coleman, 509.354.7318
o Copyright Compliance Officer: Mark Martell, 509.354.7212
o Equal Opportunity Officer: Nancy Lopez-Williams, 509-354-7285
o Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying (HIB)/Student Civil Rights Officer: Jodi Harmon, 509.354.7306
o Personnel Officer: Nancy Lopez-Williams, 509-354-7285
o Public Records Officer: Terri LeFors, 509.354.7395
o Safety/OSHA/WISHA Officer: Salliejo Evers, 509.354.7250
o Secretary, Board of Directors: Dr. Adam Swinyard, 509.354.7268
o Title IX/Staff Civil Rights Officer: Jodi Harmon, 509.354.7306
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