Local schools recognized for achievement award
May 7, 2013
State Superintendent Randy I. Dorn and State Board Chairman Jeff Vincent recognized several Issaquah schools with the Washington Achievement Award at an awards ceremony in Covington on April 30.
A total of 381 schools received awards, including Discovery Elementary School for overall excellence, math and science; Grand Ridge Elementary School for overall excellence; Beaver Lake Middle School for overall excellence; Cascade Ridge Elementary School for math; and Sunset Elementary School for science, according to a press release from the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The Washington Achievement Awards are based on Washington’s School Achievement Index and recognize elementary, middle school, high school and comprehensive schools. Schools are awarded using performance from 2010 to 2012 on statewide assessments in reading, writing, math and science, as well as graduation rates.
Issaquah School District offers free preschool
January 15, 2013
The Issaquah School District invites parents of preschool-aged children to apply for free early childhood education courses.
The district is looking for typically developing youngsters to be a part of early childhood education classrooms that serve children with special needs at Apollo, Discovery and Sunset elementary schools.
Students must be at least 3 years old by April 15 to participate. Interested parents can pick up an application and get more information at the main offices of Apollo, Discovery or Sunset.
Head to Beaver Lake for hatchery rainbow trout
November 6, 2012
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife is planning to release some of those big rainbow trout you may have seen in a rearing pond at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery. In fact, you may have fed them through the fence with fish food provided by the Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery during Salmon Days.
Dallas Cross
Beaver Lake in Sammamish will be the fortunate recipient site. The department announced it will release about 2,000 rainbow trout weighing from 2-3 pounds, and open the lake for fishing at sunrise Nov. 8. The lake was to be closed for fishing Tuesday and Wednesday prior to the reopening.
The daily limit for Beaver Lake is five fish of which only two may exceed 15 inches in length. Two of those big trout should be more than enough to feed most families.
Now, here is an easy-to-access, urban lake that is close by and only 15 minutes from downtown Issaquah. To cast and wade from shore, do so from Beaver Lake Park, maintained by the city of Sammamish. It has a lot of parking and is accessible from Southeast 24th Street that intersects 228th Avenue Southeast at Discovery Elementary School.
Issaquah schools receive $150,085 in donations
October 16, 2012
Programs and classrooms in the Issaquah School District got a $150,000 boost last month in the form of donations.
The various gifts were approved by the school board during its regular meetings Sept. 12 and 26.
The first allotment, $90,750 was approved Sept. 12 and included a $56,250 check from the Issaquah Schools Foundation. The money is set to be divided among four district programs — $12,750 for financial literacy, $18,000 for high school robotics, $7,500 for middle school robotics and $18,000 for pre-K summer school.
Discovery fourth-graders learn to be kind to others, themselves
October 2, 2012
Shri Gaur shares what he wrote about his eyes as Allison Lehr’s fourth-grade class at Discovery Elementary School listens quietly. By Lillian O’Rorke
School has only been in session a few weeks, and already the walls of Allison Lehr’s fourth-grade classroom at Discovery Elementary School are decorated with examples of a happy and helpful classroom community.
Issaquah Schools Foundation awards Kateri Brow enrichment grants
April 10, 2012
Celebrating receiving an Issaquah Schools Foundation Kateri Brow grant at Issaquah Valley Elementary School are (from left) teacher Heidi Jones; Robin Callahan, foundation executive director; Principal Diane Holt; foundation board member Neva Luke; and teacher Julie Ann Enyeart. By Tom Corrigan
Late last month, the Issaquah Schools Foundation awarded $66,505 worth of grants to 17 teachers or groups of teachers at schools throughout the local school district.
Named for a past superintendent of the Issaquah School District, Kateri Brow Big Idea Grants are awarded “for programs that reflect vision and innovation in education,” according to the ISF website.
At Issaquah Valley Elementary School, teachers Julie Ann Enyeart and Heidi Jones received almost $2,000 for their “Buddies, Books and Bags” program. The idea is to increase student access and interest in reading, Enyeart said.
Exploring the wonders of the universe at schools’ science fairs
April 3, 2012
Exploding soda, solar systems and floating eggs add to experience
Aiden Sparks (right) looks over his battery-powered fan and light project at the Endeavour Elementary School science fair with friend Aiden Hong. By Tom Corrigan
Which type of popcorn maker pops the tastiest corn the fastest?
What happens when various items are placed into a microwave?
Will an egg float in salt water or fresh water?
Issaquah PTSA honors outstanding volunteers at Golden Acorn Awards
April 3, 2012
The primary decorations were orange construction cones and yellow caution tape. Winners were described in terms keeping with that theme, such as construction tools or architects. One winner from the Issaquah School District PTSA Council was described as “the construction glue” that holds the council together.
Gathered in the commons of Pacific Cascade Middle School, the Issaquah PTSA Council held its annual Golden Acorn Awards ceremony March 27.
Not counting the several winners from the districtwide PTSA council, the night honored approximately 75 winners from 23 PTSA units, said Becky Lawrence, vice-president of elementary schools for the PTSA council. A committee of PTSA leaders from each school picked the winners from their individual schools, Lawrence added. As you might expect, criteria included what PTSA members have done for their schools, but also the district and their involvement in the community as a whole.
Republicans gather for grassroots caucuses
March 6, 2012
Mitt Romney emerges as top choice among local participants
Republicans clustered at community halls and elementary schools in Issaquah and nearby communities March 3, as a long presidential nominating contest offered local caucusgoers a chance to shape the national contest.
Issaquah caucusgoers headed to Discovery and Issaquah Valley elementary schools, and Colin Hall at Providence Point, to support the GOP candidates vying to face President Barack Obama in November.
Local Republicans gather for caucuses amid strong turnout
March 3, 2012
Terry LaBrue, a precinct committee officer and Issaquah political consultant, announces results for the Brookshire precinct Saturday at Discovery Elementary School. By Warren Kagarise
NEW — 3:15 p.m. March 3, 2012
Republicans clustered at community halls and elementary schools in Issaquah and nearby communities Saturday, as a long presidential nominating contest offered local caucusgoers a chance to shape the national contest.
