Principal Ms. Heather Fakkema held an All School "Welcome Back" assembly for our elementary students and staff this morning to kick off another wonderful year!!

Our Kindergarten class is enjoying our new program, Breakfast after the Bell. Free breakfast is delivered to the classroom where students eat with their peers while their teacher takes attendance, reads, or begins other classroom duties.

Increased breakfast participation is linked to improved academic scores, reduced disruptive behavior, and reduced rates of absence and tardiness. Breakfast After the Bell gives all students the opportunity to eat a nutritious meal at the beginning of the day.

Introduction of new staff – meet Julia Johnson, High School Math Teacher. Ms. Johnson was selected for this role due to her curriculum and content knowledge, calm demeanor, and the mindset that all students can learn.

Julia is a distinguished teacher with 20 years of Math experience. Ms. Julia Johnson grew up in Eastern Washington and moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington. Julia graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering from UW and worked as an engineer before she decided to earn a Master of Education degree from Western Washington University. Julia has a mathematics teaching endorsement and worked as a math teacher in the Kent School District for 16 years before relocating to Skagit County. Ms. Johnson “is excited to continue her teaching journey in such a warm and welcoming community and looking forward to a great school year at La Conner!” We are very delighted to have Ms. Julia Johnson join our LCSD team. Please welcome Julia when you see her around the district! 

The 2023-2024 SY is off to a great start! Our new PE/Health Teacher Aaron Gruber caught the attention of photographer Oliver Hamlin from the Skagit Valley Herald during his campus visit yesterday.

"Students in Aaron Gruber's lifetime fitness class play a juggling icebreaker Wednesday during the first day of instruction at La Conner High School." Go BRAVES!! Photo credit: Oliver Hamlin, Skagit Valley Herald.

Introduction of new staff -- meet Aaron Gruber, Secondary Health/Physical Education Teacher. Mr. Gruber was selected for this role due to his professionalism and passion for PE/Health. Aaron comes to us with seven years of physical education experience.

Introduction of new staff -- meet Aaron Gruber, Secondary Health/Physical Education Teacher. Mr. Gruber was selected for this role because of his professionalism and passion for PE/Health. Aaron comes to us with seven years of physical education experience. He believes and lives what he teaches daily.    Aaron Gruber is originally from Portage, Wisconsin, just north of Madison. He attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse where he received his degree in Physical Education. Aaron taught P.E. at St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and Tucson, Arizona. Most recently, Mr. Gruber taught for six years in the Tanque Verde Unified School District.   Aaron enjoys traveling, being physically active, attending concerts, and playing guitar! Aaron enjoys the small-town feel here, which is similar to his previous district, so he already feels at home in its nature.   We are very enthusiastic about having Mr. Aaron Gruber join our LCSD team. Please welcome Aaron when you see him around the district!

Introduction of new staff -- meet Juliene Wall, HS SPED Teacher. Mrs. Wall was selected for this role due to her energetic positivity, experience in our district, and inclusion mindset with her belief that every child can succeed.

For those of you who haven't had the opportunity to meet Mrs. Wall, she is also known as Juliene, AKA Mrs Wall, AKA Miss Frizzle, and AKA Miss Juju to a select group. :)  Mrs. Wall was a substitute teacher for our District (mostly Elementary) for the 2022-2023 school year and then was the Kindergarten Jumpstart Teacher for La Conner last month. Prior to that, she was a Special Education Preschool Teacher at SPARC for three years and an assistant teacher for the Deaf at the Hearing Speech and Deaf Center of Seattle for a year before that.   Mrs. Wall earned a Bachelor of Science Degree with a minor in American Sign Language from UW in 2018 and a Masters of Education from City University of Seattle in 2022, along with dual certification in Special Education and Elementary Education.   Juliene and her family purchased a home in La Conner just over five years ago and they love our little Town of La Conner. They have met so many wonderful humans, both tiny and grown, that make her very excited to start this new chapter of my career in education at LCSD.   Her favorite hobbies are reading, hiking, and doing anything in the water (kayak, canoe {Journey to Ahousaht 2024! Can't wait!}, swimming, you name it!). We are very thrilled to have Juliene join our LCSD team.  Next time you are in the High School, please be sure to say hello, introduce yourself, and welcome Mrs. Juliene Wall to our district and community.

Introduction of new staff – meet Karen Rentko, Elementary Music Teacher.

Ms. Rentko was selected for this role due to her deep knowledge of music, instruction, standards, and strategies. Karen is highly creative with a passion for student growth. She believes music builds community, and music appreciation benefits all kids. Karen comes to us with over 20 years of experience and a passion for music. Ms. Rentko holds a BAMus in Piano Performance/Accompanying from Pacific Lutheran University, and her teaching certificate from Western Washington University includes endorsements in both K-12 Music and Elementary Education-Primary. She has training in Dalcroze and Orff and has been a member of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and the National Association of Music Educators (NAfME). Karen comes to La Conner from the Marysville School District, where she taught elementary music for the past ten years. In addition to her public school experience, Karen enjoys participating in a wide range of community activities. These include the Skagit Community Band, accompanying choirs, vocalists, musical theater groups, playing the Wurlitzer Organ at the Lincoln Theater, and promoting creative art endeavors. She also enjoys bicycling, hiking, boating, sewing and crafts. Karen was attracted to La Conner Elementary’s warm and friendly atmosphere, its positive energy, and its welcoming community. Ms. Rentko is looking forward to collaborating and connecting with our students, families, and fellow educators, and contributing to the already vibrant and supportive school culture here in La Conner. We are very elated to have Juliene join our LCSD team. Next time you are in the elementary building, introduce yourself and welcome Ms. Karen Rentko to our district.

Introduction of new staff -- meet Eric Crinklaw, Secondary School Counselor.

Mr. Crinklaw was selected for this role due to his experience, strong data analysis skills, and desire to build relationships through creating meaningful connections with a positive growth mindset. Eric joins with 23 years in education and close connections with Concrete and Friday Harbor School Districts.   Eric earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology at CWU, Family Studies at WSU, a Master’s in Education in School Guidance, and Counseling from City University in Seattle, and earned a National Board Certification as a School Counselor.  He is an active member of the Washington School Counseling Association (WSCA), and the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). He taught graduate-level courses as an Adjunct Instructor at the City University of Seattle in the M.Ed. in the School Counseling Program Career Counseling Theories and Counseling Testing and Appraisal courses.   Eric believes in seeking out challenges that provide the opportunity for personal growth. Currently, he’s taking on the challenge of being a "non-traditional" doctoral student as a student at Grand Canyon University, in the Psychology Cognition and Instruction Ph.D. program. His long-term interests include researching effective methods for implementing executive functioning interventions in small group or individual formats for adolescents who have experienced trauma in their lives. In his spare time, he enjoys reconnecting with friends and family, exploring hiking trails in the area, or planning their next family getaway. I would like to thank everyone for the warm welcome.   We are very excited to have Mr. Crinklaw join our team.  Next time you are in the HS, please be sure to say hello and introduce yourself.

We held a warm Welcome Back Assembly for the secondary staff and students. ASB Officers and Leadership greeted everyone and set a positive tone focused on Respect, Kindness, and Effort.

New staff members were introduced and students had the opportunity to connect with one another by greeting each classmate with a fist-bump and sharing a story about their favorite picture from their phone with their neighbor. La Conner is a special place that fosters a sense of community and inclusivity where everyone can get involved. There was a lot of enthusiasm for the upcoming events and the academic year. Go BRAVES!

2023-2024 School Planning Resources for Education Ombuds Awareness (Senate Bill 5376) - The Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) is an independent state agency that helps to reduce educational opportunity gaps.

The Washington State Office of Education Ombuds (OEO) listens, shares information and referrals, and works with families, communities, and schools to address concerns so that every student can fully participate and thrive in our state’s public schools. OEO provides support in multiple languages and has telephone interpretation available. To get help or learn more about what OEO does, please visit our website: https://www.oeo.wa.gov/en; email oeoinfo@gov.wa.gov, or call: 1-866-297-2597 (interpretation available). The Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) is an independent state agency that helps to reduce educational opportunity gaps by supporting families, students, educators, and other stakeholders in communities across WA in understanding the K-12 school system and resolving concerns collaboratively. OEO services are free and confidential. Anyone can contact OEO with a question or concern about K-12 public schools.

2023 La Conner High School Graduation

Congratulations to the La Conner High School Class of 2023!! What a wonderful graduation ceremony Thursday night. We are so proud of you, and we're excited about what each and every one of you will accomplish next! Spread your wings and fly!! Photo Credits to Sarah and Hallie Walls. Thank you for capturing these amazing memories!! See more than 200 photos from the commencement ceremony taken by Sarah and Hallie Walls on our website.

Congratulations to Madison (Maddie) Huscher, our MS Science Teacher, on being named the Regional Teacher of the Year! We are incredibly proud for her recognition as one of the finalists for the Washington State Teacher Teacher of the Year award.

This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to Maddie's dedication and commitment to her students. Maddie's passion for teaching and mentoring is evident in the positive impact she has on the lives of her students. Her efforts to inspire and educate are making a difference, not only in the classroom but also in shaping the future of her students. Maddie's dedication goes beyond the curriculum, as she goes above and beyond to ensure that her students feel supported and empowered. We applaud Maddie for her exceptional work and congratulate her on this prestigious honor. Her recognition as a finalist for the Washington State Teacher of the Year reflects her outstanding contributions to education and the positive influence she has on her students and the community. Way to go, Maddie! Your commitment and passion are an inspiration to us all. https://youtu.be/YJtwthH6jzY

Madison Huscher from La Conner Middle School Named 2024 Teacher of the Year!!

Congratulations Madison (Maddie) Huscher on being selected as the 2024 Regional Teacher of the Year by NWESD! This prestigious award is a testament to your exceptional teaching commitment and remarkable contributions to the education community. Your passion, dedication, and innovation exemplify the qualities of an outstanding teacher. Maddie, being named the 2024 Regional Teacher of the Year, is a well-deserved recognition for your hard work and dedication.

Our Braves' Club needs community input - Please join us in a planning activity that will help shape the proposal of the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant on Monday, June 5, from 6:30-8:00 pm, at the Braves’ Club, 301 N. 6th Street for snacks.

The purpose, if awarded, would provide our capacity to offer a broad array of academic enrichment opportunities that align with K-12 academic programs, prioritize, and implement school-based and community-based activities that lead to measurable student growth in reading and math, increased engagement, increased wellbeing, and stronger family-school partnerships. Snacks and supervised activities for children will be available. We will provide an overview of the 21st Century Community Learning Center program at the meeting. The link to register to attend is fixed https://bit.ly/21stCLC2023

You are invited to an Open House Reception on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, starting at 2:45 pm in the MS gym. The event is a celebration to honor our dedicated retirees, staff, and volunteers. Congratulations to our six retirees and 115 Volunteers!!!!

Congratulations to our six retirees who have served our district for a combined total of 124 years. Susanne Bruland with 33 years of service, Lori Buher with 27 years of service, Jan Auman with 25 years of service, Juli Olson with 20 years of service, Nancy Lomsdalen with 10 years of service, and Andy Wheeler with 9 years of service at La Conner School District will retire at the end of this school year. We wish them the best in their future endeavors. We are grateful to have over 115 amazing volunteers who assist with tutoring, chaperoning, monitoring, speaking, reading, and various activities. These volunteers generously support various projects and share their expertise in the schools. We value their partnership in educating the students of La Conner School District. Without their help, our schools would not be able to execute half of the special activities and field trips.

Rachel Haley was recently awarded the WASA Student Leadership Award at a luncheon hosted by WASA after being nominated by the LCSD staff. Rachel, Congratulations on receiving this well-deserved recognition for your numerous accomplishments.

Your exceptional leadership skills and mentoring abilities have been invaluable. Rachel is the daughter of Bonnie Beddall and John Haley. We are so proud of you!! This award recognizes student leaders who have played a significant role in creating or participating in initiatives or programs that promote inclusivity, access, equity, or social justice in their school and community. The selection criteria include demonstrating leadership and serving as a role model, organizing events that promote respect for diversity, equity, and individual differences, inspiring and motivating others through collaboration and community engagement, exemplifying integrity in all words and actions, maintaining a positive image and presence within the school and greater community, demonstrating initiative by seeking ways to enrich the future and displaying a strong work ethic both inside and outside the classroom.

So many great things are happening in our district as addressed in a thank you note from our Mastery-based Learning coach, Joy Nolan, following her recent visit.

Dear Wonderful La Conner MS/HS team - There's always "a lot" going on, and we know this is especially true for La Conner schools . . . big thank you to you and your colleagues and the students for hosting us, taking time to speak with us, and most of all for the thoughtful, creative, and powerful work you're leading to make school work better and feel better for the young people and families you serve. It was useful and inspiring to see and hear evidence of your CRSE/MBL work in its natural habitat. You're doing beautiful work together and individually, and it's showing up in many ways—here are a few pics from that day, from a fan and supporter of the important work you're doing. I echo Cam in the final pic below in saying: Thank You 4 All You Do. With gratitude, to be in this work with you—Joy

IMPORTANT DATES & REMINDERS CLASS of 2023 STUDENTS & PARENTS

Town of La Conner Needs Public Involvement - Asking Citizens to Complete Survey from the Planning Department for the Comprehensive Plan Update.

La Conner’s Comprehensive Plan is a document required by the State of Washington that guides development and land use in La Conner. It is updated every 10 years to reflect the changing needs of the community and the changing requirements of the state. The Comprehensive Plan includes 11 elements: Introduction, Public Participation, Community Profile, Economic, Land Use, Housing, Transportation, Utilities, Capital Facilities, and Parks and Recreation. La Conner is currently updating this document, and would like community feedback to ensure that La Conner continues to improve in the next 10, 20, and 50 years.

Artwork Unveiling This installation was created by Bellingham artist, Mary Ennes Davis and commissioned by The Tim Bruce family prior to the drama performance Friday, April 28

A legacy of La Conner Schools is the abundance of art integrated into the curriculum, displayed in the hallways and around the campus. The theatre’s stage has been shared by community members and students in musical performances, Broadway hits, and various theatre performances for over a hundred years. The sets were designed by faculty and students, from their inception to the actual construction of the structures and props. Community members have long supported the musical performances, poetry readings, and art shows put on by students of all ages. The campus is a showcase for several Northwest artists and students have had opportunities to experience artist residencies of numerous kinds. This artwork was designed to honor the positive impact of art in the schools and the community.