CALENDAR OF EVENTS
December 15 - Earn College Credit in HS Info Meeting (see below for more information)
December 18 - Yearbook Order Deadline / Senior Photo deadline extension (see below for more information)
December 21-January 1 - Winter Break - NO SCHOOL
FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE
Years back, I was watching our middle son run a practice Junior Bloomsday race when he was in third grade.

As per usual, my asthmatic but enthusiastic boy was bringing up the rear, chugging doggedly along, occasionally slurping on his inhaler.

There was another runner I’d been keeping my eye on in the race. Already, at eight years old, this young boy had the grace and stride of a true athlete. His pace and posture were so smooth and elegant. He was well out in front of the pack of kids.

I said something to a woman next to me. “Look at that kiddo out in front. He just glides. So pretty to watch.”

“Oh!” She shared. “That’s my son. He just loves to run so much, we can’t keep him standing still. Which one is yours?”

“Opposite end of the group. My kiddo is the caboose.”

“Oh,” she said. “I’ve been watching him. He is so talented. Look at the economy of motion he’s adopted. He understands just exactly how to get every ounce of oxygen and movement out of his body that he can. It’s incredible to see. You must be so proud of him!”

I was gobsmacked.

Why had I never noticed how very intentional he was being?

I watched him and realized that she was completely correct – our boy was conserving upper body movement to an absolute minimum, he was pacing himself for the long haul, he was focused on the goal line, and was listening intently to the signals his lungs and heart were sending his brain and responding accordingly.

I thanked the woman for reframing for me my son’s particular brand of awesome, and I’ll never forget what she said then:

“He needs to know that his mom sees every bit of incredible that he is.”

Ooof.

She was SO right.

My son needed to revel in my highlighting of his running skills – he wasn’t even aware of how smart he was being, and it was my job to make sure he knew that I noticed.

Right now, our kids need to hear from us that we see them and that we are noticing all the ways that they are “racing” through this pandemic.

Please take time to pay attention to the things they are doing to take care of their hearts, brains, bodies, friends, family, and faiths.

More than likely, you will realize that they are doing an incredible job, and you will be able to compliment them on their survival and even “thrive-al” skills.

It will also humble you to connect with all the “incredible” that they are – and YOU need to sit back and realize that so much of their gifts are in place because of your care and nurturing.

We are all getting through this crazy time together – thanks for your incredible kids.

Marybeth Smith
LC Principal
Levy Facts for the February 9 Special Election: The levy is a way for the Spokane community to provide a well-rounded experience for SPS students by funding extracurricular activities, support for students with special needs, and critical health and wellness services. Learn more at spokaneschools.org/levy
What Is a School Levy? School levies support essential programs, staff and services that provide a quality education for our students. The levy is a way for the Spokane community to provide a well-rounded education for SPS students. The 2021 levy replaces the expiring 2018 levy and is not a new tax. The total estimated tax rate for schools will be less than in 2018 and prior years.

What does a Levy Fund? Levy funding supports essential programs, people and services, such as:
  • Nurses
  • Counselors
  • Behavior specialists
  • Student intervention programs
  • Special education services
  • Technology support
  • Smaller class sizes
  • Advanced Placement courses
  • Athletics
  • Arts, music, and drama

What Will the Levy Cost? The 2021 levy replaces the expiring 2018 levy and is not a new tax. The total estimated tax rate for schools will be less than in 2018 and prior years. Estimated tax rates (per $1,000 of assessed valuation) are:
  • 2022: $2.40
  • 2023: $2.45
  • 2024: $2.50
LC GIVING TREE
The Giving Tree: AVID is doing their annual Giving Tree to benefit students at Grant. For the past 4 years, we have been able to get EVERY STUDENT at Grant a small gift, and this year we know that is a bigger ask than ever. Please consider dropping off a $5-$10 dollar gift, a cash donation, OR a roll of wrapping paper to LC or at one of our Saturday Drive Thru donation events at Hart Field from 11am-4pm on Saturday, December 12. AVID thanks you and your continued generosity, especially this 2020 holiday season.
ACCEPTED
Accepted: The Accepted Wall is starting to fill 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! Let's fill up the wall!
Accepted: LC Senior Adeline Arpin has been accepted to Washington State University. Go Cougs!
Accepted: LC Senior Naomi Brandt has been accepted to Whitworth University. Go Bucs!
Accepted: LC Senior Zoe Brown has been accepted to Whitworth University. Go Bucs!
Accepted: LC Senior Aidan Davis has been accepted to Whitworth University. Go Bucs!
Accepted: LC Senior Cole Gamon has been accepted to Whitworth University. Go Bucs!
Accepted: LC Senior Isaac Hansel has been accepted to Whitworth University. Go Bucs!
Accepted: LC Senior Michelle Hochstetler has been accepted to Whitworth University. Go Bucs!
Accepted: LC Senior Marina Lopez has been accepted to Colorado State University. Go Rams!
Accepted: LC Senior Mayssa Peunemany has been accepted to Seattle Pacific University and has been offered the SPU Merit Award for $10,900. Go Falcons!
Accepted: LC Senior Julia Picanco has been accepted to Whitworth University. Go Bucs!
Accepted: LC Senior Olivia Pirch has been accepted to DePaul University (and has been offered a State Scholar Plus Scholarship for $100,000) and Temple University. Go Blue Demons!
Accepted: LC Senior Keel Potter has been accepted to Whitworth University. Go Bucs!
Accepted: LC Senior Genevieve Schmidt has been accepted to Marquette University. Go Golden Eagles!
Accepted: LC Senior Addison Somes has been accepted to Whitworth University. Go Bucs!
Accepted: LC Senior Emma Stachofsky has been accepted to Whitworth University. Go Bucs!
GOOD NEWS
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.
Good News: Sophomore Emma Daniels and her mother Erin Daniels Bangle (art teacher at On Track Academy) are spending the lock down creating beautiful stained glass and were featured Spokane Living magazine, you can read the story here. Emma has become so good at her craft that she has been commissioned by Wishing Tree Books to create a stained glass window. You can find Erin and Emma’s stained glass gift shop on Facebook at @ErinEmmaSideHustle
INFORMATION
LC Yearbook Senior Photo and Recognition Ad Submission Information: Here all the necessary instructions you need to submit your senior class photo and to place an optional senior ad. We kindly request that all seniors submit a senior portrait. You do not need a professional photographer to do so, please see attachment with directions on how to take your own senior portrait. We offer senior ads that parents may place in the yearbook. The spirit of these ads is to give parents an opportunity to recognize their senior with photos and text.
 
Both senior portraits and senior ads deadlines have been extended. Please carefully read instructions before submitting. Any questions you may contact the LC Yearbook.
PSAT Update: Due to COVID rates and Spokane Regional Health Board guidance Spokane Public Schools has cancelled the PSAT Test for 11th grade students. Historically the test is given in October, but was delayed this 2020-21 school year until January and has now been cancelled with no additional opportunities provided by College Board. For any students who are interested in the National Merit Qualifying portion of the PSAT test there is an alternate qualifying opportunity by taking an SAT test. Here is the guiding document from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
Free Online Tutoring: Gonzaga University and Priority Spokane are partnering together to provide free tutoring and educational support for K-12 students in Spokane County. Gonzaga and Priority Spokane said they have partnered together due to the academic struggles K-12 students face in the pandemic. Parents are asked to sign up for one-hour sessions 24 hours in advance online here.
Virtual Holiday Party for SAGA/Spectrum: Join us next Wednesday (12/16) at 4:00pm for GLSEN Washington’s Virtual GSA Holiday Party! We will be hosting adult and peer lead spaces for you to play games, make art, talk about queer media, get to know other LGBTQ+ youth, and much more! Invite your friends to log on with you and get to know other members of our GSA and celebrate the last month of 2020. Register here.
Student Survey: In support of the Equity Resolution from the School Board we are administering an Equity Survey December 1-16 for students Grades 6-12 and for all staff. To complete the survey students can go to - surveys.panoramaed.com/spokane (or through the Clever Portal under Assessments). Access code for students is your SPS six-digit ID number.
 
Troubleshooting:
  • Go to the survey link above and actually type in the student ID # or the staff email prefix to double-check to see if it works or for completion
  • After the above first step feel free to email Panorama Support support+spokane@panoramaed.com and cc scottke@spokaneschools.org    
Earn College Credit in High School: Are you interested in opportunities to earn college credit while still in high school? LC will provide a student information meeting on the Running Start and Advanced Placement programs, Tuesday, December 15 at 12:00pm. These meetings will be held virtually through Teams and students can access the link to the meeting through their counselor Teams Page. Stay tuned for more information on a district wide Dual Credit Information session for students and parent/guardians hosted by Community Colleges of Spokane, EWU and NEWTECH Skills Center later in February.
Good News: The Lewis and Clark Booster Club has established an on-line store at https://lcboosterclub.square.site/. This is a great place to do some holiday shopping. We will ship the merchandise to your home or you can come to LC and pick up your items at the book room. Enjoy doing some holiday shopping and support our students at LC. Go Tigers.
Future Monday Holiday Schedule Shifts: Looking ahead on the calendar, there are a number of Monday school holidays coming up that will require us to shift schedules to maximize instructional time. Here are the dates:
  • January 18-22 (18th off for Martin Luther King Day)
  • February 1-5 (1st off for Semester Break)
  • February 15-19 (15th off for President’s Day)
  • May 31-June 4 (31st off for Memorial Day)
 
And one week with a Friday non-school day:
  • March 1-5 (5th off for PLID – this is a Friday – keep M-Th with normal schedule and eliminate the Friday schedule that week)
 
The district high schools and middle schools will all be use a consistent schedule for these holiday weeks. This schedule will require students to only use different meeting invites on Friday during those weeks. Teachers will remind students that the Fridays will be 1st-3rd periods.
  • Monday: Holiday
  • Tuesday: 4, 5, 6
  • Wednesday: 1, 2, 3
  • Thursday: 4, 5, 6
  • Friday: 1, 2, 3 - this is the adjusted schedule day
Bite2Go Program: Lewis and Clark High School aspires to bring meal security to eliminate the nutritional gap of students. We intend to fulfill this goal with the Bite2Go program, which is a program run by LC DECA members meant to help get food to students for the weekend. Students can sign up here.
SVL 2nd Semester Registration: SVL Second Semester Registration is now OPEN and fully DIGITAL! Registration will remain open until Friday, February 5, 2021. To access the SVL registration system, visit the SVL Website - Spring Registration. Once students complete the online registration process, they will receive an email with a link to their SVL registration form (accessible for 30 days) and directions for completing the fully digital registration process. Once the link expires, the SVL office is able to resend the form or students can restart the online process. 

Currently enrolled students in YEAR-LONG COURSES:
  • Students do NOT need to register again for second semester. SVL will roll their enrollment into the second semester of the same course they are currently enrolled in.
  • Students in year-long courses that do NOT wish to continue will need to complete a survey that SVL will send and once the survey is completed, will not be enrolled into the second semester of their current course
 
Currently enrolled students in SEMESTER ONLY COURSES will need to register for a second semester SVL course:
  • For your reference, our Semester Only courses are:
  • Any current “B” course (for example, Algebra 2B)
  • AP Comparative Government
  • AP US Government
  • Certified Computer Applications Specialist
  • Civics
  • CWA
  • Health
  • Intro to Health Careers
  • Intro to Fitness/Intro to Fitness Student Athlete
  • Lifetime Fitness B/Lifetime Fitness B Student Athlete
  • Web Design
Spokane Intercollegiate Research Conference: LC students are invited to register to participate in the 18th Annual Spokane Intercollegiate Research Conference (SIRC), being held virtually by the Center for Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry at Gonzaga University on April 24, 2021. Students from regional universities and high schools are invited to present their research. In the past, students presented their research in a wide range of fields from the arts, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and many others. Please register by 12pm February 26, 2021. For more information, please visit www.gonzaga.edu/sirc and watch our informational video.
Order Your Yearbook: The 2020-2021 LC Yearbook is on sale now for only $47! You can order online here by December 18. After December 18, the price increases to $60 (and you won't be able to purchase it until yearbooks arrive in June). Our yearbook staff is working hard to put together a very unique yearbook to represent our unique year, you won't want to miss out, so order now! If you have questions about the LC Yearbook, you can email the Yearbook staff here.
Video Production Club: In a time like this, life is crazy. For a lot of us, it’s one of the strangest that’s happened in our lives so far. Suddenly a huge part of our life is missing. So. Why not tell us about your situation. We are making a documentary about what Is happening in teenager’s lives. We will be interviewing student’s so they can tell us their own experiences and show everyone what is on their minds. We need you to tell us about your emotions, your schoolwork, your social life, or anything else that you have been going through. We want to hear your voice. *This is will require parental permission as we will be doing certain parts in person. (With precautions of course.)" Here is the video link.
Graduation Orders from Jostens: Can you believe it is almost November already? It is time to order your Graduation items: Caps and Gowns, Announcements etc. This Fall is going to be a little different for the ordering process of your Graduation items. Your order will need to be placed online at Jostens.com or mailed directly to Jostens.  Jostens is our official supplier for graduation items. Click here to watch a video from Jostens. Please contact Jostens at 509-468-1608 or email at peter.bauernfeind@jostens.com with any questions.
COLLEGE & CAREER
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! Learn more about FAFSA by reading 101: FAFSA

Do you need help with filing out your FAFSA? We have a great video resource for you from the Washington Student Achievement Council - FAFSA Line by Line - this video will point out common mistakes, tell you the information you will need to complete the FAFSA, and walk you through every single line in the application. You can also reach out to Mr. Norton for help on FAFSA, college apps, and scholarships!
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. To receive messages via text, send a new text to the number: 81010 and in the message, enter this as the message: @lchsccr-21
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:
REMINDERS
PowerSchool: Parents, did you know that you can set up your PowerSchool account to send you updates on student grades, attendance, and more? You can also set up recurring emails with updates on student progress. If you need to set up your account or can't remember your login, contact TheresaM@spokaneschools.org. Here are two quick videos on how to use PowerSchool and how to set up the reminders.

What if I don't have a PowerSchool Parent Portal account?
  • Contact Karen Payne and request the Parent Account Access ID Letter which contains the steps to set up an account, and the access ID and password to add your student to your account.
  • You will need to request the Parent Account Access ID Letter for each student who attends Spokane Public Schools. You will only need to create one account on the PowerSchool Parent Portal and just link all of your students to the one account.
How do I find my student's grades on the PowerSchool Parent Portal?
  • Once you are signed into the PowerSchool Parent Portal, from the left menu choose Grades and Attendance. You will see a column labeled Q1, which shows your student's Quarter 1 grades.
  • You will also see Q2, Q3, etc. These can be used to view grades during the quarter as well as final grades once the quarter and semester end.
What if I want my student's report card mailed to me?
  • Contact Karen Payne to request that your student's report be mailed to you.
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.
  • January 11 - TBD
  • February 8 - TBD * this is an allocation meeting
  • March 8 - TBD
  • April 12 - TBD
  • May 10 - TBD * this is an allocation meeting
Support the Instrumental Music Parents Association While You Shop: The holiday season is just around the corner! Do your shopping AND make a difference to your music programs. Shop for gifts here to generate donations for Lewis & Clark Instrumental Music Parents Association. There is no additional cost to you! For every purchase you make, Amazon Smile will donate 0.5% back to LCIMPA! You must go to smile.amazon.com (rather than amazon.com) in order to generate donations. For more information and to stay connected, please visit our website at https://lcimpatigers.wixsite.com/home. Thank you for your support!
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.
Stay connected and informed by visiting our website at lcimpatigers.wixsite.com/home. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to email us at lcimpatigers@gmail.com.
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.
LC Prayer Club: Join in fellowship to submit praises and prayer for the LC Community and beyond. The Prayer Club meets Mondays 12:00-12:30PM. Contact Janee Ko (k04013@sps81.org) or Advisor Mrs. Muravez (tatrianam@spokaneschools.org) via email, or use the TEAMS join code (8e1l39a) to join the group.
Internet Safety Warning: Families please be aware -- district computers used at home, as with any device, can be vulnerable to inappropriate content such as:
  • Bullying and harassment
  • Pornography
  • Reference to drugs & alcohol
  • Violence
  • Insensitive and racist materials
Please use the following strategies to help protect students:
  • Talk over the types of resources your student accesses online and how they should interact with others online in a kind, respectful, and safe way.
  • Only allow use of electronic devices in common rooms of the home, not in bedrooms (if possible).
  • Show an interest in what your child is doing online.
  • Ask to see their work often, including comments and feedback from teachers and peers.
  • Agree to put all electronic devices to bed on the charger at a designated time each night.
  • Regularly review browsing history.
While the district is actively working to provide services to limit potential student exposure, such as high quality internet filters, that service should never replace other safety practices.
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!
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:
  1. Go to: https://www.familyid.com/organizations/lewis-clark-high-school
  2. Open an account using a valid email and password of your choice
  3. Within minutes, you will be sent a link to begin registration
  4. After selecting your program and completing registration - CONFIRM REGISTRATION
  5. You will see a confirmation page and you are IN!!
Follow Us: Follow us on Facebook and YouTube!
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.
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.
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:


School Support:
  • Absence Hotline: parents can call us at 354-6968
  • Main Office: 354-7000
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