Dear Wolves,

Eastlake High School continues to pride itself on a positive school culture both inside and outside the classroom. Every day staff work to build relationships with students, maintain them over time, and restore them if they hit bumps along the way. Our staff also works to inspire students to take ownership over the culture of their school and empower them to become more purposeful, resourceful, strategic, and goal-orientated learners.

However, we face some significant challenges as a school and community. For example, the only class that has spent a continuous year at Eastlake is our Seniors. The school closure interrupted the organic transmission of culture that’s typically passed down from students. Furthermore, only about half of our students returned to in-person instruction last Spring. That means that about 900 of our 2300 students had never attended school at Eastlake prior to this year. This also means that about half our students were out of in-person school for 18 months. To illustrate this impact, about half of our 9th graders have not been to in-person school since 7th grade.

Eastlake has also grown by approximately 600 students in the last five years. Despite low turnover, this growth, and the advent of the seven-period day, has required us to hire approximately 80 new teachers during that time. One of the most important duties as the Principal is recruiting and hiring the best staff possible, and Eastlake has an amazing staff. We also have systems and structures in place to help guide these efforts. 

And all of this change is occurring amidst an ongoing pandemic and a contentious and fragmented society.

In some ways, schools are a microcosm of our society, but in other ways we can help shape the society we want to become. And we believe it starts with relationships!

 Although I recognize that rebuilding our culture will take both time and intentional effort, I am optimistic that we can build it back better than ever. 

 

Daily Schedule - Week of October 25th - 29th Please view the testing schedule on October 28th & 29th.

To view upcoming weekly schedules visit the Eastlake website here.

Next week, 9th grade and 11th-grade students will take the makeup SBA from last year, and 12th graders will take the WCAS Science test makeup. Please see the key facts below and check the 2.5-hour late start schedule here.

The PTSA application process is closing in one week – Friday, October 29th 5pm. The PTSA is accountable to its membership to allocate their generously donated funds in a way that benefits most students and ideally, in the current school year. Please go to the EHS PTSA Grant Information Page for more information on the process, timing, and eligibility. All staff, teachers, principals, students/parents on behalf of a school-sponsored club are eligible to apply. We encourage all departments and organizations to participate. If you have any questions on the process, the form, the application – please reach out to the PTSA Grants chair, Kristen Schwager (grants@ehsptsa.org).

The Redmond Police Department invites students and parents to an information session about online safety next Thursday, October 28 from 7-8 pm. The Redmond Police has enlisted the help of Seattle-based FBI agents to discuss current trends, apps, parent oversight and safety tips for teens as they navigate online spaces.

This is a timely topic because Redmond PD recently arrested three adults during a recent online investigation. During the cases, detectives posed as 14 & 15 year old students and the adult males attempted to draw the minors into relationships and sexual situations. These adult suspects have all been formally charged and the police see the need to continue education with minors and parents to build awareness.

The session will be on Teams. To get the link, provide them with your email address by sending a message to crimeprevention@redmond.gov  You do not need to live in the city of Redmond so feel free to share with other interested people. The content is for teenagers and not elementary-aged students.

The Art Department is proud to announce the October Rotary Student of the Month – Makenna Sinclair.  Makenna is a junior and brings to class an element that helps enrich the classroom environment. She is always positive and leads by example through her strong work ethic as well as her calm and consistent presence.  Ms. Flagg says: “Observing Makenna’s creativity and skills for 3 years in 3D Art classes has been such a pleasure. Makenna has a passion for creating sculptures using recycled materials and has made many remarkable pieces from cardboard and driftwood. This year her goal is to work with the Art Club to engage students in upcycling and sustainable art projects. Makenna is an awesome part of our Eastlake Art Department, and we are lucky to have her!”

Outside of Eastlake, Makenna volunteers at Farrell McWhirter Park. She enjoys writing, embroidery, reading and singing. An Interesting fact about Makenna is that she always makes a sand sculpture at every beach she visits.

Makenna would like to pursue studies in illustration and animation.

Congratulations Makenna, we are thrilled to have you in the Pack!

Please take a few minutes to visit the Día de los Muertos altar created by Latinos Unidos and the Spanish Department from October 25-29. The altar celebrates and honors the lives of loved ones who have passed. This holiday coincides with the return of the monarch butterflies to Mexico, which are thought to carry the spirits of passed loved ones. If you wish to remember someone special, please stop by to write their name on a butterfly and/or bring a picture to add to our display. Students will be available during lunches all week to facilitate this.

While on campus, change your password on your school issued laptop. Students who use a personal laptop can do this on a computer in the EHS Library. Please do this the first week of November so you don't get locked out of your account.

Students - Free admission with their Eastlake ASB card. All students will enter through the student pass gate. The Student Gate opens at 6:30PM. Bags and Backpacks are strongly discouraged. DRESS FOR THE WEATHER.

Reminder for students - There are NO "in and out" privilege's at paid outdoor stadium events Once you leave the stadium you are out for the night and may not reenter to watch the game, please plan accordingly. No exceptions.

We will be offering pre-sale opportunities to purchase tickets for this game. Cash only

All pre-sales will take place at the Eastlake Student store.

The ticket booth will open at 5:30PM the day of the game.

Game schedule for the week of October 25th here.

You must have a current physical on file to try out or participate. See the Eastlake website - Athletics for registration instructions.

Sports Update Week of October 18th - read all about our Wolves in action here!

Visit the Clubs page on the EHS website for the most current list of Eastlake clubs.

Please be sure to make your AP payments by October 30th if you plan to take any AP test/s this coming spring! Payments can be made online HERE. If you have any payment questions, please contact our bookkeeper, Mrs. Guinasso, at kguinasso@lwsd.org by no later than October 29th, end of lunch. If you need help paying for AP Tests, please email kguinasso@lwsd.org as soon as possible to request a scholarship.

Reminder, if you are submitting a Fitness Plan as an alternate PE option for graduation requirements, the current Fitness Plan closing date is coming up in one week on Wednesday, October 27th. 

Eastlake seniors, Mya Cardwell and Anna Wells are Eastlake’s nominees for the Washington State University Regents Scholar Program. Nominees are recognized for their exceptional academic achievement, and community/civic/co-curricular involvement. Mya and Anna will receive a $4,000 per academic year scholarship and go on to compete for the WSU Distinguished Regents Scholar Award which covers full tuition and fees for four years. Congratulations!

Visit with counselors, admissions team members, and faculty from art and design schools for a review of your portfolio before applying to colleges or universities. This event is free and open to the public. Location: Seattle Center at the Armory Loft, 305 Harrison St, Seattle. Learn more.

Find the latest on events, contests, scholarships, and more on the College and Career Center calendar.