Cultural Bridges Number 20, English version

Dear Readers,

In this New Year, we are celebrating our Cultural Bridges magazine that was created to meet the needs of our diverse community. The magazine has become equally valuable for families of all backgrounds in the Issaquah School District.

Our publications contain lots of useful school-related information from kindergarten to high school, communityrelated information about resources available to our families, and cultural-related information to help our communities in their process of developing cultural competence.

Our articles are also a good tool that provides educators with resources for building cultural awareness and effectively engaging all families in their classrooms. Students and parents write many of our Cultural Bridges articles. They share their experiences, what worries them, or what they want their community to know about their own cultures. All of this is possible thanks to the hard work of our editors who make sure that the products that we present every quarter are truly a gift to all our families. The support of the Issaquah Schools Foundation donors and sponsors means that we can continue providing Cultural Bridges magazines for the families in our district.

Now, in this commemorative number of our magazine, as we celebrate the effort of our team, we also reflect upon the last year while looking ahead to future possibilities.

Last September, when students went back to the school buildings, they also had to learn many new health and safety guidelines. They were equally excited and anxious. And we understand that after spending a few months in the school buildings, families have a better idea of the harm inflicted by the pandemic in their student’s learning and well-being.

Every child had a different experience, but in general, most of the students had to quickly adjust to school while still dealing with emotional challenges exacerbated by the neverending pandemic.

One of the families we work with shared with us how her kindergarten son was happy to be back playing with kids. Still, his parents were anxious because he was constantly getting into trouble for not following some social rules. It was hard for him to understand that at recess you could only play with some kids and some toys. That same family has a daughter in one of the middle schools that changed boundaries. Their daughter was missing some of her old friends. She was nervous about kids vandalizing bathrooms as a result of a TikTok phenomenon and other discipline problems that did not exist before COVID. And their high school student was struggling academically. It is obvious to the family that she has moved on to the next grade unprepared. She is missing key building blocks of knowledge necessary to succeed this school year.

For this family, their plan to move forward in 2022 looks different for each of their children. But in all cases, finding calm in the chaos left from the pandemic will help move them in the right direction. We invite you to take stock of the impact of the pandemic on your family. And after doing that exercise, we invite you to read about the resources available to all Issaquah School District parents and create a plan with your family.

How are you going to move forward in 2022? Our Cultural Bridges program wants you to know that after all these years and all these issues of our magazine, we are still here to support you and your family in all your endeavors! Happy New Year 2022!

4 The Impact of the Pandemic

8 20 Organizations for ISD Families

11 Dual Language Program

12 Calendar of Events

14 Science Technology Magnet Program

20 Holi

22 Lunar New Year

Cultural Bridges

Issaquah Schools Foundation

Alicia Spinner Cultural Bridges Manager alicia@isfdn.org

ALICIA

SPINNER Program Manager

CHRISTIANA SCHUMANN

English Editor

KELLY BURCH

Cover Designer

LAURA NI

Editorial Assistant

MINAL DESAI-MONGA Cover Photographer

NANA TSUJINO

Japanese Editor

NATALIA ARGUTINA

Russian Editor

NORMA RODRIGUEZ

Spanish Editor

SONG PARK

Korean Editor

TRAM PHAM

Vietnamese Editor

YINGYING CUI

Chinese Editor

Greetings Foundation Family and Friends!

As we welcome the new year, we express our heartfelt thanks to all of you, our readers and supporters of the Issaquah Schools Foundation and our Cultural Bridges program. We are proud to celebrate this issue as our 20th magazine publication! Thank you allowing us the opportunity to provide valuable information that we hope you found helpful.

As we move towards recovery from the pandemic, we find more children in need of help now more than ever. The remote learning experience and the economic challenges has widened the academic and funding gap. As we return to in-person learning, these are targeted areas of focus:

• Mental Health & Social Emotional Support: The pandemic and recent events have created a mental and emotional toll on students and parents. By funding student interventions, speakers and workshops that address stress, anxiety, substance abuse, suicide prevention, and racial trauma, we collaborate with the district and other organizations in a manner that empowers and educates students and parents. Programs include Where Everyone Belongs (WEB), Character Strong and soon, Mental Health First Aid Training.

We must give thanks and recognition to Alicia Spinner, Program Manager, Laura Ni, Assistant Editor, and our seven multilingual editors/translators that have helped to make our magazine a success!

We would be remiss if we did not give thanks to all our contributors including local community partners, the Issaquah School District, the ISD Family Engagement team, and our students and parents who have authored incredible articles and useful information to share with our readers. We are extremely grateful for your impactful stories that you have so graciously written and shared with our community. Thank you!

• Academic Support: Free after school homework help and labs, curriculum training and materials, online resources such as Learning Ally, library and audio books, Student Academic Grants for tutoring or learning services, and Teacher Grants that fund innovation, and summer reading programs.

• Equitable Access to Educational Resources: K-12 online digital resources for reading and writing at all grade levels including Reading A-Z, Newsela, and No Red Ink.

• Basic Student Needs: Tools 4 Schools provides 1,000 backpacks, school supplies, food aid support, funding for the Nurse’s Fund, Cultural Bridges community outreach resources and publications in seven languages.

• Enrichment Programs: STEM, robotics clubs, dedicated fine arts, choir, band, and orchestra support, Great Careers Conference, STEMposium and more!

• Visit www.isfdn.org for more program information and for ways to get involved.

Please consider engaging with the Foundation. There is always work to be done to ensure that every student at every school has access to the best educational opportunities possible. Please consider volunteering or donating to the Issaquah Schools Foundation. Generous people like you possess the attitude of sharing and caring that makes our community strong. Your action today brings comfort, encouragement, and hope for tomorrow.

Thank you for your support. Wishing you all the best for a healthy and safe year ahead!

To every child’s success,

To read/download all Cultural Bridges publications in Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish or Vietnamese, visit: http://isfdn.org/culturalbridges-magazine/

Cornell Atwater Executive Director cornell@isfdn.org

New Year's Reflection Questions

Take stock of the impact of the pandemic in your family. What has happened during the pandemic that you believe will have a lasting effect on your family? What has affected all the members of your family, their relationships, and their mental health? In what ways do you think you have become resilient (or how can you become resilient) in overcoming this trauma or stressor? How can you limit the long-term impact of this stressful event? What resources do you need to help each member of your family? What do you wish for your future selves?

The Impact of the Pandemic

BY KATIE MOELLER Youth Services Manager at Influence the Choice

For most parents, having students back in school was the answer to our deepest desires for our children, a step towards a sense of normalcy. Students, parents, and teachers are feeling both hope and concern about this reentry into school, sports, work, and everyday life, as we know it.

The words “new normal” have been heard so many times over the past 20 months. But what does that phrase truly mean in the eyes of our students? Here are some thoughts from a sampling of middle and high school students:

- Classrooms are much quieter than before the pandemic because people are less willing to speak out, making discussions harder. It creates a less cooperative environment.

- Students are having difficulty sitting and concentrating after a year of having on-screen education. Students are getting out of their seats when the teacher is talking; it is very distracting and disrespectful.

- Total disregard for school property.

- Lunch used to be a time of connecting with friends. Now it is isolating.

- Students are having a more challenging time talking with the teachers and asking for help because of this quiet atmosphere.

- The amount of social interactions and the process of getting ready every day sets me up for more productivity and daily routine.

- Yet, at the same time, there’s social drainage. I am getting extremely tired, almost stressed, from social relationships. Especially because a lot has changed between friendships over quarantine.

- It is very tiring to go to school every day and do extracurricular activities after school after staying at home all the time.

- Sports season is so much fun, and being active is great, but there have been concerns with COVID spreading.

We recommend that parents find time to ask their students about their feelings. Really listen! Try your best not to interrupt or provide solutions. Ask your student how they would like your help. This time allows them to process what they are experiencing and helps them cope.

Everyone’s world has been turned upside down with COVID. Parents have also had to adjust their work life over the past 20 months. First, they had to become accustomed to having students at home and now have to become accustomed to having them back in school. Many parents have found themselves working at odd hours because they have been working from home. Now it is harder to keep a regular schedule with their children going off to school. Just getting a child out the door for an activity or making dinner while juggling work calls can be stressful. Try to set realistic boundaries with your work so you can have more to give your family.

Simple coping strategies for your family:

- Have a daily schedule

- Set realistic expectations of yourself and your children

- Give yourself and others grace

- Speak kindly to yourself

- Humor – a smile goes a long way!

- Make time for self-care

- Try and get enough rest

- Nutrition – healthy food and snacks

- Have family dinners!

These past 20 months have been unprecedented. We are all coping with it in different ways. Your students may be displaying some different behaviors. We encourage you to interact with them with an open mind and heart.

And remember, you are not alone! Reach out to trusted friends who will listen and support you. Join a parent support group if you need extra help. Do not be afraid or ashamed to ask for professional help (counselors, doctors, or spiritual guides) if you are feeling the need. There are people who can help you if you ask.

One of the great resources that our Issaquah School District families have is ParentWiser. This program brings the latest research and educational information into the homes of our students’ families to support parents in raising thriving individuals. This program is made possible by a partnership with the Issaquah PTSA Council and Issaquah Schools Foundation.

Last October, ParentWiser invited Dr. Laura Kastner to discuss strategies to help our children, partners, and ourselves find calm in the chaos. The conversation was titled: “Building Resilience and Positive Coping Skills”.

Self-Care and Self-Regulate Yourself

Most parents are experiencing Pandemic Parental Burnout. They feel exhausted and desire to escape. Some parents are emotionally distancing themselves from family and friends. Therefore, a positive mindset is always optimal for facing any challenge: Be persistent, bounce back, be realistically optimistic, and stay motivated.

Dr. Kastner asked the parents to keep in mind that their stress affects their child’s well-being. And in the same way, if children have depression, anxiety, or behavioral difficulties, this will affect parents’ health. It goes in both directions.

Dr. Kastner emphasized that all parents need to start with self-care and self-regulation. Self-care is childcare! Parents have a responsibility to take breaks and learn to take care of themselves. It is

part of good childcare. Also, the best thing parents can do when they interact with their children is to learn to selfregulate their emotions, practice techniques to calm down, take control of their behavior, have selfawareness, and manage their stress.

Help Your Children to Calm Down

Dr. Kastner explained that the biggest problem parents usually have is trying to control their children when they are having a meltdown. DO NOT argue with somebody who is having a meltdown; just wait and be quiet. Parents need to make sure their kids are safe but should not talk to them when their brain is offline.

Remembering this CALM protocol when a child has a meltdown is helpful:

Cool down and reduce heart rate;

Assess your options and get the brain online;

Listen with empathy and validation;

Map a plan for problem solving.

There are different methods that Dr. Kastner provided during the lecture for both parents and children to calm ourselves and to regulate heart rates:

1.

4-7-8 Breathing: Exhale completely, then inhale through the nose for the count of 4, hold the breath for the count of 7, exhale audibly through the mouth for the count of 8, and repeat the above steps four times.

2.

4 Square Breathing: Breathe in for 4 seconds, Hold the breath for 4 seconds, Breath out for 4 seconds, and hold it for 4 seconds.

3. Activate our diving reflex (a function of our bodies that triggers our nervous system to calm us down immediately) using ice, cold water, or frozen peas.

4. Another method to help self-calm is putting feelings into words. Most people feel better after talking about their feelings. Parents should model to their children or teenagers how to name their feelings. Parents need to talk more about their own feelings. If adults do not have their own vocabulary about feelings, they cannot expect their children to be good at it.

Long-term Relationships

Dr. Kastner gave some suggestions on ways to develop long-term relationships with others: Listening: Show empathy, be responsive, show warmth, create secure attachments, keep conversations open, hang out and enjoy being with them.

Praise: Encourage others and give rewards. Collaboration and problem solving is important.

Routines: Set rules and be consistent following through. Have limits.

Consequences: Establish punishment and negative consequences or penalties. However, this should not be a major part of parenting.

During the pandemic, there are extra goals for parenting:

-Use more positive feedbacks (instead of negative ones or complaining and fighting each other).

-Use more planned ignoring (the opposite of providing your attention) for annoying behaviors. -Spend more positive time together. Have more fun! At the end of the lecture, Dr. Kastner used Alexander Graham Bell’s quote, “When one door closes, another door opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” The pandemic might have changed a lot for parenting and family relationships and has added lots of stress. However, Dr. Kastner invited the families to be resilient. Parents should remember that using positive coping skills and strategies can still help them find calm, manage the pressures, and build healthy family relationships during a crisis.

To watch Dr. Kastner’s fulllength lecture, visit https:// www.parentwiser.org/ or to get more resources, go to her website: https:// laurakastnerphd.com/ lkastner/.

Dr. Laura Kastner is a clinical professor in both the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington. She is the author of numerous academic articles on such topics as adolescent suicide, sexuality, and mental health.

Finding CALM in the Chaos PARENT ED 5

Supporting Whole-Child Development: Getting Kids Ready to Take on the World!

BY JERRY BLACKSBURN M.Ed., SUDP

Historically in education, we have seen support for academic success and social emotional well-being swing between opposing focal points. It is easy to consider that the most productive approach lies somewhere in the middle. That is, it is possible to create an environment where students can succeed in their academic pursuits while having all the necessary social emotional skill to take that success into their futures.

For our youth to succeed in whichever endeavors they pursue, they need to develop social-emotional skills, resilience, and a growth mindset. So how do we support whole-child development?

• Make space for a wide range of emotional expressions. Emotional intelligence, or the identifying and managing of a continuum of emotions, is a characteristic of youth development. Help your student put names to feelings. Ask “How are you?” first, rather than “How did you do?”

• Allow your child to experience what I term constructive adversity. That is to say, let your student manage ageappropriate life difficulties. This will help them become better equipped to successfully do so independently in the future when they encounter more complex situations. Teach the value of a challenge and hard work by identifying it when you see it. “Wow, that must have been hard!”

• Help youth differentiate between pride and arrogance. Be mindful of systems and structures that support the latter. Arrogance is rarely seen as a resume builder! Help students understand success is different than winning.

• Encourage activities that support belonging vs. just participation. Emotional connections and community provide a foundation for compassion and inclusion.

• Normalize the idea of need as a universal experience. This allows youth to more easily ask for help when needed and find empathy for others when they see it.

• Help students develop internal validation systems. Example: “You worked hard on that.” vs. “That is beautiful.” The development of internal worth and esteem will support their success. This is not to say we cannot voice pride in their efforts.

• Practice gratitude as an action. Being of service to others is a profound developmental experience. Support volunteer opportunities to give back to the community.

Creating a young adult is certainly not easy! However, taking a moment to consider what we would like success to look like for our youth can go a long way in providing clarity and focus for our parenting strategies.

Jerry Blackburn is a community educator and consultant around the broad topics of youth behavioral health, wellness, and student emotional success. In addition to this work, Jerry is an adjunct faculty member in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Seattle University.

How to Talk with Kids to Build Motivation, Stress Tolerance, and a Happy Home!

Another ParentWiser event during the fall featured book authors, William Stixrud, PhD, and Ned Johnson. They spoke about how to talk to kids, how to help kids have a healthy sense of control to build motivation, and how to guide them while still giving them room to make their own decisions.

A Healthy Sense of Control

Dr. Stixrud and Mr. Johnson pointed out that one of the most important things parents can do for their kids is to help them develop a healthy sense of control over their own lives. This can help them feel less overwhelmed, anxious, or exhausted and not feel hopeless or helpless.

They recommend letting children develop a sense that they can manage their life and that their decisions matter. A healthy sense of control is greatly related to mental health. It is also crucial for developing internal motivation (self-drive).

The foundation of having a healthy sense of control is the communication used to build connections in their relationships. A close relationship with parents is the key to protecting kids against the harmful effects of stress.

Empathy and validation are the tools that can help build close connections between parents and kids. When parents use these, kids can trust them with their feelings. These are the two most important and effective tools to help handle strong emotions.

All kids have strong emotions. When kids show these strong emotions, the way parents respond can often push kids away from them rather than draw them closer. As humans, we naturally have a tendency to try to help solve problems instead of calming strong emotions.

Dr. Stixrud and Mr. Johnson recommend that parents use empathy to listen without judging when talking to kids. Parents should repeat back the child’s feelings, validate or seek to understand the child’s perspective, and demonstrate that the child can handle these strong feelings. They should hang there with them while the kids are experiencing a strong emotion instead of immediately moving past it onto the solution. During conversations with kids, when parents know to repeat the facts instead of purely agreeing with them, it is a signal to the kids that their parents have listened. Their parents have tried to understand their perspective, which calms strong emotions. It also puts the child in a position of being able to calm themselves so that they can begin to solve problems on their own.

Then, Dr. Stixrud and Mr. Johnson talked about the idea that parents could see themselves more as consultants to the kids rather than as their manager or their boss. Ultimately, the role of a parent is to help kids figure out who they want to be and how to create the life they want. Parents’ goal is for kids to be able to run their own lives before they leave home.

There are three suggestions to help parents be consultants:

1. Offer help/advice/wisdom but do not force it. Repeating the same words or lecturing to kids is not effective communication.

2. Let kids make their own decisions when they are little. Provide them options and let them make a choice. Encourage their decision-making or opinions because it is respectful. The

best message parents can give an adolescent besides “I love you!” is “I have confidence in your ability to make decisions about your own life and to learn from your mistakes. I want you to have a ton of experience doing that before I send you off to college.”

3. Encourage kids to solve their own problems neurologically. When kids feel stress, parents want them to be able to go into coping mode instead of running away or freaking out. Offer suggestions instead of giving solutions to them.

In a consultant role, parents should not use force. Acknowledging that force does not always work is very empowering. By taking away the option of force, parents have to trust that their kids can think on their own and they are trying to move in the right direction.

Dr. Stixrud and Mr. Johnson also mentioned the language of a non-anxious presence. How can parents convey a non-anxious presence? Try to use more positive language. When talking to kids, think about using 5-1 method (5 positive interactions vs. 1 negative interaction) to maintain a positive relationship.

Remember, negative words are more powerful than positive words. As best as they can, parents should try to be really purposeful about the words they use. This can help them move in the direction of being a non-anxious presence. Work on practices that may help children be less anxious.

As a parent, remember to use a collaborative problemsolving method as much as possible, particularly with teens. Be consultative and move from trying to monitor the kids to mentoring them. Change from trying to have power over them, where there are no long-term winners, to influencing them. Talk with kids about the pursuit of happiness. The formula for happiness: PERMA – Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. Discuss with kids what is meaningful to them. Let kids know how important relationships are and how important they are to the parents, not just their achievements, but just in helping.

During the last part of the lecture, Ned talked about consequences and how important it is to support autonomy for kids. When kids sense that this is their life and they have control, it can motivate children. But consequences still exist. Natural consequences are normal. If kids make a decision, and this is how the world responds, let them handle their own problems and find solutions. Discipline is not punishment. Teach kids about life experiences. Share wisdom, values, hopes, and dreams with kids. As a parent, it is important and effective to communicate limits with kids, but also to share values and information.

To watch Dr. Stixrud and Mr. Johnson’s full-length lecture, visit https://www.parentwiser.org/ or to get more resources or join their private Facebook Group, https://www.facebook.com/ groups/selfdrivenchild.

William Stixrud, PhD is a clinical neuropsychologist and founder of the Sixth Food group, a faculty member at the Children's National Medical Center, and an assistant professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at George Washington University, School of Medicine. Ned Johnson is an author, speaker, and founder of Prep Matters, an educational company providing academic tutoring, educational planning, and standardized test preparation.

20 Organizations That Are The Heart of our Community!

Our Issaquah School District community is a very special place. We have many organizations that support our families with services, locations, activities, and things for free or at an affordable price. But it can be hard to know how to get these resources, especially for those who are new in the area or have not needed or heard about them.

1. Issaquah School District is a public school district that serves close to 21,000 students and has 26 schools in the cities of Issaquah as well as portions of Sammamish, Renton, Bellevue, and Newcastle.

FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH PROGRAM

This school year, lunch is free for all kids in the District. It’s still important that you fill out an application, as you may be eligible for additional benefits: https://www.myschoolapps.com

FAMILY LIAISONS

Do you have any questions about your child’s school programs? Do you need help filling out forms or connecting with your child’s teacher(s) or counselor? Feel free to contact them: https://www. issaquah.wednet.edu/family/culturaland-family-partnerships/FPL

FAMILY EDUCATIONAL EVENTS

In these (in-person or Zoom) events, families learn about schools and programs in the District. Parents have an opportunity to ask questions and talk to District staff and other parents. Chinese and Spanish are available, and you can request an interpreter in another language. These events are hosted in partnership with the Cultural Bridges Program. To learn more, go to page 13 or https://www.issaquah. wednet.edu/family/cultural-and-familypartnerships/events

SCHOOL COUNSELORS

Issaquah schools provide counseling services in each school. All students have the right to participate. To get help, contact your student’s teacher or the counselor at your school. To learn more, go to page 17.

PRESCHOOL ACADEMY

A program designed to prepare each student to be ready for kindergarten and beyond. Now they are offering 3 locations for the 2021-2022 school year! To learn more: https://www. isdpreschoolacademy.com/

NURSES' FUND

Each school nurse has access to a fund to help pay for glasses, eye exams, medical needs, and some basic needs. For more information, contact your school nurse.

2. Issaquah Schools Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides:

CULTURAL BRIDGES MAGAZINE

We offer this publication in 7 languages: Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Here you can find lots of useful schoolrelated information from Kindergarten to High School, community-related information about resources and events available to our families, and cultural-related information to help our communities in their process of developing cultural competence. To read or download the magazine: http:// isfdn.org/cultural-bridges-magazine/

COMMUNITY RESOURCES PRESENTATION

During these Zoom events, we present information about resources available to families. The information is shared in English, Spanish and Chinese. Other languages are available if needed. To learn more, go to page 13.

TOOL 4 SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Provides backpack filled with new school supplies for kids who need them. There is an event at the beginning of each school year, and the backpacks are also available at the schools’ offices during the year. To learn more: https://isfdn.org/tools-forschool-registration/

STUDENT ACADEMIC GRANTS

For students who need help paying for tutoring and other academic assistance programs. Grants are awarded up to $500 per student for those most in need of academic support. The family is responsible for setting up the tutor or other academic support they wish to use and will be asked about their choice in the application. Any grant money awarded will be given directly to the service provider. To learn more: https://isfdn.org/academicgrants.

SUMMER PROGRAM

Offered in 4 locations: Talus, Downtown Issaquah, Renton, and Sammamish. Three sessions in August. Students get books, art materials, and snacks. For questions, email culturalbridges@ isfdn.org

GREAT CAREERS CONFERENCE

This event introduces 9-12 grade students to secondary education options outside the typical four-year career path. To learn more, go to pages 18-19 or: https://isfdn.org/ourpurpose/connecting-students-to-theirfuture/great-careers-conference/

3. School PTA/PTSAs are parentteacher non-profit organizations that support their school and offer programs, events, and volunteer opportunities. Every school in the District has a PTSA or PTA. Some examples of the activities that they organize are:

CULTURAL EVENTS

Families participate by hosting a table to represent their culture. They offer activities for kids and traditional food. Everybody in the school is invited. These events are great for families to share a little bit of their culture or to learn about their neighbors’ cultures.

FAMILY FUN EVENTS

Bingo parties, movie nights, talent shows, etc. They are very good opportunities for families to get to know each other.

ANGEL PROGRAM

Anonymous parents (known as “Angels”) donate basic necessities to students who need them. To learn what is offered at your school, check your PTA/PTSA website: https://www. issaquah.wednet.edu/family/PTSA

4. Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank is a non-profit organization that provides:

FOOD

The food bank looks like a small grocery store and it’s open every other week. Families can visit one time each week they are open. They will ask you for an ID, but it’s not required. To register: https://www.issaquahfoodbank.org/

SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM

During the summer (when kids are not receiving free/reduced school lunch), families get a week’s worth of breakfast, lunch, and snack foods. To register: https://www.issaquahfoodbank.org/ special-programs/

POWER PACKS PROGRAM

Provides about a weekend's worth of kid-friendly breakfast, lunch, and snack items to any school-aged child. They are distributed through the school. To receive Power Packs, contact your child’s counselor or teacher.

More information here: https://www. issaquahfoodbank.org/issaquahpower-packs

GROCERIES TO GO PROGRAM

Home delivery service for families facing transportation, health, aging, or other challenges. Clients receive an order based on household size, delivered directly to their door, once every two weeks. To get this service, email or call Jaek 360-525-3619, jaek@issaquahfoodbank.org

SEASONAL CLOTHING EVENTS

Families get new or very gently used clothes. For an update on when the next event is taking place, visit: https:// www.issaquahfoodbank.org/specialprograms/

HOLIDAY GIFT BARN PROGRAM

To make the holidays special, the food bank turns Pickering Barn into a toy store. Parents get what they want for each child. To help keep everyone safe, the last two years they offered instead gift cards. To learn more: https://issaquahfoodbank.org/holidaygift-barn

5. Eastside Baby Corner is a non-profit organization that provides:

KID'S CLOTHES (0-12) They work with different partners. If you are interested in getting their help, contact the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank or a Nurse at your school.

6. ParentWiser is a non-profit organization that provides:

PARENT EDUCATION

In these events, local and nationally known experts share the latest information on effective parenting with caregivers. To learn more, go to page 13 or https://www.parentwiser.org/

7. 424 Tutoring, EmP, and Mission InspirEd are three student led nonprofit organizations that provide:

TUTORING

424 Tutoring [https:// www.425tutoring. org/] provides support for K-5 grade students, EmP [https://www. emeraldparents.org/tutoring-program. html] for K-8 grade students, and Mission InspirEd [https://www. missioninspired.org/] for K-12 grade students.

8. Club Inclusive is a community organization that provides:

MEETINGS FOR KIDS OF ALL ABILITIES

Members hang out and participate in art workshops by Epic Art. These meetings are every 2nd Thursday of every month from 7 to 8:30pm at The Garage in downtown Issaquah.

9. Influence the Choice is a non-profit organization that provides:

COMMUNITY EDUCATION Programs and events to prevent substance use and promote mental, physical, and social wellness of our youth. To learn more: https://www. influencethechoice.org/

10. Friends of Youth is a non-profit organization that provides:

MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE COUNSELING Services are by appointment only. Monday through Friday, from 8:30am to 5pm, virtually and in their offices in Issaquah.

11. Eastside Legal Assistance Program (ELAP) is a non-profit organization that provides:

LEGAL SERVICES

Families can meet one-on-one with a lawyer. Their clinics cover topics that include housing, family law, domestic violence, immigration, debt collection and bankruptcy, and more.

WILLS CLINICS

Qualifying participants will receive a Simple Will, Power of Attorney, and/or an Advance Medical Directive for free during a 2-hour appointment with a professional attorney. Interpretation is available for these events.

LEGAL SERVICES

Families can get individualized legal help, free legal clinics, educational webinars, and access to legal resources. To learn more: https://elap. org/

12. Hopelink is a non-profit organization that provides:

ENGLISH FOR WORK PROGRAM

For adults who would like to improve their English language skills for employment. To learn more: hopelink. com

13. Issaquah Community Services is a non-profit organization that provides:

HELP WITH RENT AND UTILITIES

Funds are sent to landlords or utility companies based on the severity of need. To learn more: https://www. issaquahcommunityservices.org/needhelp/

14. The Ruby Room is a non-profit organization that provides:

FORMAL WEAR

A wide selection of formal dresses in every color and sizes ranging from 0 to 30. Students can choose from brand new and lightly used dresses with a few designer labels throughout their collection! Shoes and jewelry are also available. A limited collection of men’s formal wear includes suits, tuxes, ties, and accessories. To learn more: info@ rubyroomseattle.org

15. Religious organizations in our community support our families with different resources. Some examples are:

DENTAL VAN EVENT

This service is for adults. The Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank Case Manager schedules the dental appointments for the van: rebecca@issaquahfoodbank. org

TURKEY GIVEAWAY EVENT

Eastridge Church gives families a turkey, a bag of groceries, and some winter accessories for children. This event happens every year before Thanksgiving.

RENTAL ASSISTANCE

St. Vincent de Paul volunteers visit the homes of those in need with rental assistance, food, clothing, and furniture. To learn more: https:// sjcissaquah.org/st-vincent-de-paul

ENGLISH CLASSES

Jubilee REACH offers English language classes for adults to improve their communication skills in order to find employment, build relationships, and thrive in our communities. To learn more: https://www.jubileereach.org/esl

16. King County Library is a public organization that provides:

BOOKS, READING PROGRAMS, HOMEWORK HELP, CULTURAL AND FAMILY EVENTS

All the cities of our community have libraries: Issaquah, Sammamish, Renton, Bellevue, and Newcastle. To learn more: https://kcls.org/

17. Community Centers are public organizations that provide:

A SPACE FOR FAMILIES

Some of our cities have community centers: Issaquah [https://www. issaquahwa.gov/768/CommunityCenter] and Renton [https://rentonwa. gov/cms/one.aspx?pageId=8838936]. Some examples of the activities that they offer are exercise classes, open gym, drop-in activities, indoor track, and toddler time. Look for the schedule of their activities on their websites. And note that they offer scholarships for their programs.

18. The Garage – A Teen Café is a nonprofit organization that provides:

A SPACE FOR TEENS

High School teens can drop in to hang out with friends, grab a coffee and a snack, play a game, play music, watch TV, talk over homework, meet with a counselor, and much more! To learn more: https://www.issaquahteencafe. org/

19. Seniors Centers are public organizations that provide:

A SPACE FOR SENIORS

Some of the cities of our community have senior centers: Issaquah [https:// wwwissaquahwa.gov/1744/Seniors], Renton [https://rentonwa.gov/cms/ one.aspx?pageId=8715840], and Bellevue [https://bellevuewa.gov/ city-government/departments/parks/ community-centers/north-bellevuecommunity-center].

Some examples of the activities that they offer are exercise classes, hot lunch, rooms with puzzles, ping-pong, and billiard tables.

20. Eastside Friends of Seniors is a non-profit organization that provides:

HOME VISITS

This service is provided to seniors living independently.

MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION

A door-to-door service from their home to their health care provider’s office, and back.

SHOPPING AND ERRANDS

Not just a ride, but help in the store and putting their groceries away at home, if they need it.

There are many more resources available to all Issaquah School District families. This is just a sample of how these wonderful organizations are helping our families to make a home in our communities.

During the pandemic, we learned that no one is exempt from adversity. If you can help, these organizations are always looking for donations and volunteers. We all are in charge of our community. We all can make a difference in the lives of our children.

To learn more about how to help or how to get any of these or any other resource, send an email to culturalbridges@isfdn.org.

Dual Language Immersion Program

Did you know that the Issaquah School District now has a Dual Language/Spanish Immersion Program? Each year a new group of kindergarten students are added to the program. The previous year’s students move to the next grade level.

The Dual Language Program has been in place for three years. It provides instruction in all subjects to students in two languages: Spanish and English. Over several years, students who participate in this program can become proficient and literate in both languages. The program helps students achieve high academic standards across subjects. Students also develop cross-cultural understanding and skills. The goal is to balance the number of students in each class who are native English speakers with native Spanish speakers and other multilingual learners. This program is made possible because of the strong community support and the approval of the 2018 Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy.

Look for application information for the Dual Language Program as a part of kindergarten registration. To get more details about this program, visit their website: https://www.issaquah.wednet.edu/district/ departments/elementary/DLIP or send an email to: DualLanguage@issaquah.wednet.edu.

Parents Sharing their Experiences

Esperanza Alvarez (mom of a first-grade student) and Sofia Beecorft (mom of a second-grade student) shared their experiences in the Dual Language Program with our readers:

1. Did your child speak or understand Spanish before participating in this program?

SB: My son understood some Spanish before starting the program. I speak it at home since it’s my first language.

EA: My son understood a little bit of Spanish.

2. Why did you choose the Dual Language Program?

SB: The main reason why I chose this program is that I’d

love for him to be able to communicate with his family from Argentina. Also, I think knowing a second language is a great tool to have for his future.

EA: Because I am Mexican, and I want my son to be able to speak two languages.

3. What was your expectation of this program? Do you think it meets your expectation? Why?

SB: I didn’t know what to expect from this program because we applied the first year it opened. As the year went by, I loved it more and more. After a few months of starting school, my son was saying almost complete sentences in Spanish. He was more interested in learning new words.

EA: My expectation is that my son would be around more Spanish-speaking people, and he would be able to understand me better.

4. Does your child like this program? What’s your child’s favorite part of this program?

SB: My son really likes to be part of the Dual Language Program. I think his favorite part is the relationship and connection that he has with his classmates. They all started this program together and will continue through elementary school.

EA: Yes, my son likes this program. His favorite part of the program is math.

5. What are the tips or advice you can give to future Dual Language students?

SB: I’d say not to be afraid and enjoy this opportunity! The teachers are amazing and make it so much fun to learn this beautiful language!

EA: The teachers are doing a great job!

6. Could you list ONE thing that you want to make a change in this program?

SB: The only thing that I’d like to change is their sibling policy. Currently, younger siblings are not automatically accepted into the program, and I feel they should be. One reason is that they could learn and practice at home with each other, and parents are part of it too.

CALENDAR

ALL SCHOOLS

Jan. 17: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, No school for students

Jan. 28: Teacher Work Day, No school for students or staff

Feb. 21 - 25: Second Winter Break, No school for students or staff

Mar. 18: No school for students or staff OR first weather make-up Day

Cougar Ridge

Jan. 4: 4th Grade Student Council Meeting, 8:15 AM

Jan. 5: 5th Grade Student Council Meeting, 8:15 AM

Jan. 18: PTSA General Meeting

Feb. 1: 4th Grade Student Council Meeting, 8:15 AM

Feb. 2: 5th Grade Student Council Meeting, 8:15 AM

Feb. 15: PTSA General Meeting

Mar. 1: 4th Grade Student Council Meeting, 8:15 AM

Mar. 2: 5th Grade Student Council Meeting, 8:15 AM

Mar. 15: PTSA General Meeting

Creekside

Mar. 15: PTSA General Meeting, 7pm

Discovery

Feb. 18: MVP Celebration

Feb. 18: Cocoa with Carrie, 10 AM – 10:45 AM

Feb. 28 – Mar. 4: We Are Silent Week

Feb. 28: 5th Grade Visit

Mar. 1: 5th Grade Parent Night

Mar. 3: Music Open House, 6:30 PM – 8 PM

Mar. 4: PM Assembly Schedule for Registration, 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM

Mar. 8: Chorus Concert, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Mar. 10: Orchestra Concert, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Mar. 15: Band Concert, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Mar. 16: PTSA General Meeting, 6 PM

Mar. 25: Spirit Day

Mar. 25: MVP Celebration

Jan. 20th: Katie Hurley LCSW on Stress and Anxiety, 7pm

Feb. 16th: Dr. Devorah Heitner on Balancing Technology Use, 7pm

ParentWiser events are FREE for PTA or PTSA members of any school in the Issaquah School District, or $10 donations are requested for non-members or guests from other districts. For registration information, visit: https://www. parentwiser.org/events

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Jan. 11-14: Second Grade Highly Capable Testing, CogAT/TTCT

Feb. 1 – Mar. 4: Kindergarten Registration

Feb. 16: ISD 5th Grade Transition to Middle School Information Night for Families New to the U.S., 6:30 PM

Mar. 8-11: 2nd Grade Highly Capable Testing, IOWA

Mar. 16: Elementary Trimester 2 Ends and Report Cards available

Apollo

Jan. 31: Talent Show Video submission OPEN

Feb. 2: PTA General Meeting, 6:30 PM, Zoom

Feb. 11: Read At Home Winter Roadmap

Submission Deadline

Feb. 16: Talent Show Video Submission Deadline

Feb. 18: Read At Home Winter book handout

Mar. 4: Talent Show Virtual Performance

Mar. 30: Multi-Cultural Night, 6 PM

Briarwood

Jan. 10: PTA General Meeting, 6:30 PM

Feb. 1: Digital Talent Show Starts

Mar. 14: PTA General Meeting, 6:30 PM

Mar. 30: Multi-Cultural Night

Cascade Ridge

Jan. 3: New Family Connection

Jan. 10: Eager Reader Begins

Jan. 20: PTSA Membership Meeting, 6:30 PM

Jan. 27: Talent Show

Feb. 3: Spelling Bee

Mar. 1-4: Book Fair/Read Across America

Cedar Trails

Feb. 3: PTSA General Meeting, 6:30 PM

Feb. 5: Fill the Truck Fundraiser

Challenger

Jan. 11: PTA General Meeting, 6:30 PM

Mar. 8: PTA General Meeting, 6:30 PM

Clark

Jan. 19: PTA General Meeting, 6:30 PM

Jan. 25: Coffee with Christy, 9:30 AM

Mar. 15: Coffee with Christy, 9:30 AM

Mar. 16: PTA General Meeting, 6:30 PM

Jan. 9: Last Day of Bellevue Ice Skating fundraiser

Endeavour

Jan. 9: Last Day of Bellevue Ice Skating fundraiser

Grand Ridge

Jan. 25: PTSA General Meeting, 7 PM

Feb. 8-10: Spelling Bee

Mar. 14: PTSA General Meeting, 7 PM

Issaquah Valley

Jan. 9: Last Day of Bellevue Ice Skating fundraiser

Jan. 19: PTA General Meeting 7 PM

Mar. 16: PTA General Meeting

Maple Hills

Jan. 25: PTA General Membership

Meeting, 6:30 PM

Jan. 26: Variety Show Auditions, 1:30 PM

Feb. 2: Variety Show Dress Rehearsal, 1:30 PM

Feb. 2: Kinder Family Orientation, 7 PM

Feb. 4: Variety Show, 6:30 PM

Mar. 9-11: Science Fair

Newcastle

Feb. 7: General Meeting & Principal Chat 7 PM

Sunny Hills

Jan. 5 – Feb. 8: Eager Reader Program

Jan. 20: Winter Family Event, 6 PM – 8 PM

Jan. 27: 5th Grade Musical

Feb. 3: PTA General Meeting, 6:30 PM

Mar. 10: 2nd Grade Music concert

Mar. 20: Fill the Truck Fundraiser, 10 AM – 12 PM

Mar. 24: PTA General Meeting, 6:30 PM

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Jan. 26: ISD 8th Grade Transition NightNew to U.S. Families, 6:30 PM

Mar. 17: Grading Day – Early Dismissal

Cougar Mountain

Jan. 21: PTSA General Meeting, 10AM

Mar. 25: PTSA General Meeting, 10AM

Issaquah

Jan. 9: Last Day of Bellevue Ice Skating fundraiser

Jan. 10-11: Theatre Auditions, 2:45 PM – 4:15 PM

Jan. 12: Theatre Call Backs, 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM

Jan. 13: Theatre Dance Call, 2:45 PM – 4:15 PM

Jan. 14: Temperance and Good Citizenship Day

Jan. 14-28: Clash of Cans

Jan. 18-21: We Rise Above Week

Jan. 18: Theatre Rehearsals Start, 2:45 – 4:15 PM

Jan. 19: PTSA General Meeting, 6 PM

Jan. 21: Spirit Day

Jan. 21: Cocoa with Carrie, 10 AM – 10:45 AM

Jan. 21: PM Assembly – Motivational

Jan. 25: Career Day

Jan. 27: MVP Celebration

Feb. 16: PTSA General Meeting, 6 PM

Feb. 18: Spirit Day

Mar. 25: Cocoa with Carrie, 10 AM – 10:45 AM

Mar. 31: Talent Show Auditions.

Maywood

Jan. 9: Last Day of Bellevue Ice Skating fundraiser

Jan. 20: PTSA General Membership Meeting

Pacific Cascade

Jan. 6: PTSA General Meeting, 1 PM

Jan. 13: Vision and Hearing Screenings

Jan. 19: Java with Jeff, 7 PM

Feb. 10: Java with Jeff, 7 PM

Mar. 3: PTSA General Meeting, 12 PM

Mar. 16: Java with Jeff, 7 PM

Pine Lake

Mar. 4: Hoe Down Event for all the community

HIGH SCHOOLS

Mar. 21: Early Dismissal

Gibson Ek

Jan. 11: PTSA Membership Meeting, 6:30 PM

Mar. 8: PTSA Membership Meeting, 6:30 PM

Issaquah

Jan. 9: Last Day of Bellevue Ice Skating fundraiser

Jan. 10: Senior Yearbook Parent Ads CLOSE

Jan. 12: Staff Appreciation Breakfast

Jan. 14: Grant Applications Due

Jan. 14: PTSA General Meeting, 9:30 AM

Jan. 18: NFA: Capri Cellars Monthly Mixer, 6:30 PM

Jan. 22: Solo Ensemble Festival Performance

Jan. 27: Holocaust Remembrance Day

Jan. 29: ACT Practice Exam

Feb. 5: SAT Practice Exam

Feb. 10: ACT/SAT Score & Feedback Session @ IHS Library, 7 PM

Feb. 11: PTSA General Meeting, 9:30 AM

Feb. 12: Swingin' in Vienna, 7 PM – 9 PM

Feb. 15: NFA: Capri Cellars Monthly Mixer, 6:30 PM

Feb. 16: Staff Appreciation Breakfast

Mar. 1: WA State Game Development

Submissions Due

Mar. 1: WA State PTA Essay Contest Due

Mar. 1: WA State PTA Scholarship Entries Due

Mar. 11: PTSA General Meeting, 9:30 AM

Mar. 15: NFA: Capri Cellars Monthly Mixer, 6:30 PM

Mar. 16: Staff Appreciation Breakfast

Liberty

Jan. 6: Field Trip: DECA

Jan. 18: PTSA Membership Meeting, 6:30 PM

Jan. 22: Field Trip: NJROTC, Kapowsin HS

Mar. 4-6: Field Trip, Robotics team

Mar. 25-27: Field Trip, Robotics team

Skyline

Jan. 27: PTSA General Meeting, 6:30 PM

Mar. 3: Skyline String & Chamber Orchestra

Concert, 7 PM

Mar. 24: PTSA General Meeting, 6:30 PM

Inclement Weather

In our district, it is common that school activities get altered when the weather conditions become extreme. School closures and delays are announced early in the morning, usually between 6:00 and 6:30 a.m. Please check for an announcement on the Issaquah School District website: www.issaquah.wednet.edu or check the recorded messages at (425) 837- 7000.

If you would like to receive information straight from the District:

• Make sure you are receiving District E-News. To sign up: https://issaquah. wednet.edu/news/ENews

• Weather delay notifications will NOT be sent via individual school E-News.

• Subscribe to receive weather delay and closure news from transportation department at www.FlashAlert.net.

The District will announce that the school is 1 hour late, 2 hours late, or closed.

Please check the table below to determine if your student's activity or activities are canceled or delayed.

It is important to remember that students will be returned to the same bus stop where they were picked up in the morning, regardless of afterschool road conditions.

Please note that the final decision on whether or not to send your child to school is yours. If you ever disagree with the District’s decision regarding school delays or closures, please know that it is considered an excused absence if you decide to keep your child home from school. Please inform your school via an email to your attendance line, a call to the attendance office, or a signed note the day your student returns to school.

To see where your snow route bus stops are located and for more information, please visit: https:// www.issaquah.wednet.edu/district/ emergency/closures.

The District's Family Partnership organizes events in collaboration with our program Cultural Bridges. All families with students in the District are welcome to attend. Sessions are in English, Spanish, and Mandarin. Interpreters in other languages available upon request. If you need an interpreter in another language, contact Lorna Gilmour at: gilmourl@issaquah.wednet.edu. For more information, visit: https://www. issaquah.wednet.edu/family/culturaland-family-partnerships/events

JANUARY 19th from 6:30-8pm

8th grade Transition Night for Families

New to High Schools in the U.S. (Zoom) This is a general information event for families new to the U.S. high school system. Check school website for specific high school 8th grade transition event for families familiar with U.S. high school system.

Topics: what high school credits are and how credits are earned each year for graduation requirements and college applications. Other topics include possible high school opportunities, and state and college testing information. District staff will be available to answer questions.

FEBRUARY 16th from 6:30-8pm

5th grade Transition Night for Families

New to Middle Schools in the U.S. Course selection information, elective class options such as orchestra and choir, PE/Health classes, sports, clubs, health/ immunization, costs/fees, and supplies. Check school website for specific school 5th grade transition event for families familiar with U.S. middle school system.

MARCH [TBD]

Welcome to the ISD for Incoming Kindergarten Families

Information will include: kindergarten preparedness, general school day schedule, general classroom information, transportation, immunization, on-site before and afterschool care program, and differences between school systems in U.S. vs. some other countries.

Science Technology Magnet Program

Are you familiar with the Issaquah School District program known as Science Tech? Cultural Bridges invited one Science Tech teacher, Amy Krohn, and three former Science Tech students to share their experiences and knowledge about this program.

What is the same?

• The standard District-adopted curriculum is used. Reading, Writing, Eureka

Mathematics, Social Studies, science kits

• District programs like F.L.A.S.H. and 5th Grade Camp

• SBA testing (+WCAS Science for 5th grade)

• Specialists - P.E., Music, and Library

• Social emotional learning embedded

• Behavior expectations for the classroom & school are the same as any school in the District

• Students encouraged to participate in the school’s activities

BY AMY KROHN

ISD Elementary Teacher, Science Technology

The full name of Science Tech is the Science Technology Magnet Program, which is Issaquah School District’s only elementary school option program. It is located at three elementary schools in the District: Briarwood, Cascade Ridge, and Clark. Students who wish to attend submit an application in the spring of their 3rd-grade school year. Since there are limited spots for the program, the District determines placement in the program through a lottery. Students who are not chosen in the lottery to attend Science Tech are put on a waitlist. Students chosen in the lottery then enroll at the school they are selected for and stay for 4th and 5th grade. All 3rd-grade students are welcome to apply.

Science Tech is a 2-year program where students stay with us for BOTH 4th and 5th grade. We are a multiaged classroom and work collaboratively in all subject areas. We also integrate STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) into everyday learning. Students benefit from a mentor relationship in our classroom, with 5th graders being given leadership opportunities as they move through the program.

Uniqueness

• 4th/5th Grade Multi-Age Classroom: 2 classrooms, 2 teachers

• Two-year program

• Diverse classroom family: 50-51 students!

• A significant amount of collaborative group work

• Leadership and mentoring from older students

• Deeper and extended coverage of science curriculum and additional science units

This magazine is published by Cultural Bridges, an Issaquah Schools Foundation run program that helps build relationships between families, their children, the Issaquah School District, and the broader Issaquah community through outreach, events, mentoring, and translation services. This magazine is published in Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

• Units and projects involving engineering and the Engineering Design Process

• Technology integration across all content subjects and integrated content

• Students with IEPs will have scheduled pull-out times that align with their minutes

• Students in SAGE will continue with SAGE services at the new school site

• Math is taught at grade level

What is different?

The teaching approaches and student learning are different:

• Team teaching approach (2 teachers) in 2 joined classrooms

• Multi-age classroom

• Project Based Learning

• Technology used across all content areas

• Engineering Design Process

• Learning stations

• Large whole group and small group work

• Parent volunteers

• Online Portfolios

• Field trips

• Focus on community, collaboration, creativity & personal connections to real-world applications

• We are currently working on developing more lessons that integrate content

Which group of students will be a good fit for this program?

Students who do well in our program are organized, selfmotivated, and like to work in groups. With 50+ students in the classroom (25/26 in each 4th and 5th grade), there is a lot of movement and discussion. We have an inquiry-based learning model where students need to be comfortable with solving problems and revising constantly. Science Tech is an innovative classroom experience. It moves quickly. Students with intrinsic motivation and determination, who desire to keep digging and learning, do well in our programs.

Through culturally sensitive support offered either in families’ native language or in English, Cultural Bridges helps parents feel more confident becoming involved in school and supporting their students at home.

• Greater access to technology devices and tools, including opportunities to use innovative technology

• Lots of field trips and expert guest speakers from STEAM fields

• Amazing parent volunteers

What are the benefits for the students who participated in this program?

To read/download our publications: http://isfdn.org/cultural-bridges-magazine/

Students leave the Science Tech program prepared to handle middle school successfully. They develop project management and time management skills. They become comfortable with taking risks to explore and be creative. Students learn how to be independent and selfsufficient problem solvers because of the multi-grade collaboration. Being in a large classroom gives students opportunities for independence and leadership.

Students Sharing their Experiences

What did you like the most and the least about this program? Any advice to the families who want to apply to this program or currently have students in this program? How was your transition to middle school?

Nicole Liu, 10th, Former Science Tech Student

The most beneficial experience from this program was probably inspiring young children in different interests before middle school and high school, where your freedom starts. Different topics we covered, whether in science or in technology, introduced me to things that I never would have thought would be interesting.

I enjoyed working with different types of technology such as Spheros, drones, and robots. We learned to code and worked with them to do simple and complex tasks. As someone who did not have any particular interest in technology beforehand, I actually began to take an interest in coding and robotics. Other than working with coding programs, we also did many workshops such as building electrical circuits and other hands-on building projects. These projects brought curiosity to many students making them want to learn more about the different projects. For science, we did different projects that involved labs. Our ecology unit was my favorite because we assembled an aquarium and terrarium in the classroom, and we took care of it. Another fun project we did was a bottle rocket launching competition to see what type of structure for a rocket would make it shoot the highest. We had access to many guest speakers and field trips, which was an informative experience outside the classroom. It’s important to be fully immersed and focused in every experiment or project because all of it is beneficial for not only middle school, but also high school.

I really liked having a class that I would spend two years with, where friendships would really stay strong. In fourth grade, the fifth-grade students were good mentors, and it was nice having older kids to connect with. In fifth grade, being older meant having a chance at leadership within the classroom. The strong friendships help a lot for the transition from Science Tech to middle school and even high school. Usually, you will see the fifth graders that were once in Science Tech when you were in 4th grade. It’s very encouraging to see people you already know and who help you with the transition. In the Issaquah School District, we take Tech Smart, an informative tech class everyone takes in sixth grade. I found that students in Science Tech already knew most of the material. It was an easy class to get an A in.

Noah Ojerio, 9th, Former Science Tech Student

We did a lot of different styles of writing throughout Science Tech. This helped improve my writing skills significantly. The writing assignments were challenging, but they increased my confidence and prepared me for middle school.

I loved all the field trips we did. My favorite was when we went on a boat and explored Puget Sound. We saw a giant octopus that was super cool. We did a bunch of activities on the boat as well. One activity I remember was when we had several tanks filled with sea creatures. We went around to each tank to touch each creature. They were all so interesting! I didn’t like that the classroom was so crowded. Fifty-two kids in one class is a lot! It makes it hard to focus and pay attention when everyone is so compact. I also found it weird to have fourth and fifth graders in the same class. Sometimes, like for math, we would split up the grade levels because we were learning different things.

It’s important to be organized and not procrastinate. Things go by very fast in this class, so don’t fall behind. It is very hard to catch up. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. The teachers promote independence and relying on your classmates and not the teacher.

The transition to middle school was very easy for me. I felt like the workload in middle school was less intense than in Science Tech. Also, the organizational skills and study habits that I gained were very beneficial.

Elina Reevosh, 6th, Former Science Tech Student

The teachers challenge you to get ready for the future, and they encourage you every step of the way. One thing I loved about Science Tech was that it got me ready for middle school. It helped me learn how to transition quickly between classes. Also, I did learn how to organize myself, which is key for middle school. I also loved doing more hands-on projects too! When we transitioned to online school, the teachers still made it fun. I did not enjoy moving schools and having to get driven to school instead of taking the bus. It is a problem for parents because they may have to figure out how to get their kids to school. It may also upset the student because they may have to attend a different school for the Science Tech program. I had personal experience with that and, luckily, it did turn out ok.

Do your best ALWAYS! Don't get too stressed. The teachers are always willing to help. Never be embarrassed about your mistakes. You can always learn from them. Luck has nothing to do with success. You have got to work hard to achieve your success.

After the program, you will be ready to face your challenges and meet your goals in middle school! Just remember to work hard and do your best!

Testing is available at: Bellevue College

Ask your Counselor: High School

The Issaquah High School PTSA, with the help of counselors from their school, hosted an event in late October to talk about the most common questions new families usually have. Marisa García Struck, IHS FACE Coordinador, presents here some of the questions and valuable information for families with students in all high schools of the Issaquah School District.

When to contact a counselor and who are they?

Counselors can help families with:

1. Academic questions: College, Career Exploration, Course Planning, and in navigating academic challenges.

2. Mental health support or referral to Teen Health Counselor

3. Talking through challenges and,

4. Connecting to resources.

Counselors and administrators are assigned by your student’s last name. In the following table you can find the name and email of the counselor for your student according to his or her last name. For example, if you have an Issaquah High School student with the last name Smith, you need to contact Amber OwenClifford. To find a time to talk with your student’s counselor, please email them.

Gibson Ek High School

What is Flex or NEST time?

Issaquah and Skyline High School offer this opportunity to students.

At Issaquah High School, students have NEST time on Tuesdays from 9:20 to 9:55 AM and on Wednesdays from 2:55 to 3:45 PM. During this time, students can ask for academic help from a teacher or have an appointment with his/her counselor. Students must make an appointment with their teachers or counselors to visit them at this time. NEST meets in a specific classroom with an assigned teacher, and attendance is taken. At Skyline, students also can connect with teachers and couselors in Flex time on Tuesdays following 1st period (45 minutes) and Wednesdays following 6th period (50 minutes). What should you do if your student is struggling in class?

1. Please ask your student to get help from his/her teacher directly, during class or agreed upon time. You can also reach your teacher by email or by Canvas message. Now, if your student does not want to ask for help, let them know that teachers really appreciate when students ask for help. And when a student asks for help, it only means that they care

All students Shawn Mulanix mulanixs@issaquah.wednet.edu

Issaquah High School

A-COL Alan Waite waitea@issaquah.wednet.edu

COM -HAM Emily Combellick combellicke@issaquah.wednet.edu

HAN-LA Christian McKone mckonec@issaquah.wednet.edu

LB-OL Jennifer Martinson MartinsonJ@issaquah.wednet.edu

OM -SN Amber Owen-Clifford claussena@issaquah.wednet.edu

SO-Z Jennifer Schwarts schwarzj@issaquah.wednet.edu

Skyline High School

A-COA Kirsi Varsa varsak@issaquah.wednet.edu

COB-HOL Todd Caffey caffeyt@issaquah.wednet.edu

HOM -LOA Megan Laedtke laedtkem@issaquah.wednet.edu

LOB-PAT Stephanie Anderson andersons2@issaquah.wednet.edu

PAU-SPZ Deborah Walters waltersd2@issaquah.wednet.edu

SQA-Z Kristen Flemer flemerk@issaquah.wednet.edu

Liberty High School

A-E Colleen Schiller SchillerC@issaquah.wednet.edu

F-LT Vicki Kenney kenneyv@issaquah.wednet.edu

LU-RI April Flores floresa@issaquah.wednet.edu

RJ-Z Robin Klym klymr@issaquah.wednet.edu

about their studies, and it doesn’t mean that they are not smart.

2. Student can use their NEST Time to meet with a teacher.

3. Student can form a study group with peers.

4. The Issaquah Schools Foundation funds tutoring sessions for students. Currently, these services are offered at Issaquah, Liberty, and Skyline. Ask your child’s teachers for information on how to access this service.

5. Look for a tutoring service; there are a few free options in our community. Mission InspirED is one of them: www.missioninspired.org

6. Apply for a Student Academic Grant. The Foundation is offering grants for students who need help to pay for tutoring and other academic assistance programs: https:// isfdn.org/our-purpose/advancingacademic-achievement5/studentacademic-grants/

7. Credit recovery: to make up a credit, your student can consider Summer School or Guided Studies if multiple credits need to be recovered (ask your counselor about these two options)

How to check your student’s grades or progress?

• Canvas

Canvas is Issaquah School District's Learning Management System for students in grades 6 - 12. Through Canvas, students can access all coursework, turn in assignments, and connect with their teacher and classmates. You can review your student’s progress by logging into Canvas through a Parent account. For more information on how to access Canvas to view your student courses: https://www.issaquah. wednet.edu/district/departments/ Technology/canvas

• Family Access

You can see Attendance, Grades for the end of terms, Mid-Terms, Quarters, and Semesters, and Credits and Milestones earned. For more information on how to log into Family access visit: https:// www.issaquah.wednet.edu/family/ FamilyAccess

RESOURCES Great Careers Conference 2022 Connecting Students to Their Future!

For the past decade, the Issaquah Schools Foundation has partnered with the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce Education Committee and the Issaquah School District to provide a chance for high school students to learn about the opportunities available to them in addition to a four-year college. The goal of the conference is to educate high school students about careers they can pursue through on-the-job training, certification, apprenticeship, or two-year degree programs.

One of the Issaquah School District’s goals for its graduates is stated in the E-2 Academics and Foundation standard –Upon graduation, students will be academically prepared and confident to pursue higher education or specialized career training.

The Foundation and the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce Education Committee agree with the District that every student must pursue schooling beyond high school to earn a living wage. We believe that our community typically defines success as achieving a four-year degree. Unfortunately, a four-year degree may be out of financial reach for many students and may not align with their interests or aptitude. To this end, the Issaquah Schools Foundation, the Issaquah Chamber Education Committee, the Issaquah School District Career & Technical Education, Lake Washington Institute of Technology, Bellevue College, Renton Technical College, City of Issaquah, and the Port of Seattle, and the local business community have come together to rethink this definition of success.

As a result, the Great Careers Conference provides a forum to inform students (and their parents) of other opportunities available to them. These may provide a greater return on their investment or simply allow them to make a more informed decision about their future course of study.

The Great Careers Conference 2022 will be held on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at the Gibson Ek High School located at 379 – 1st Place SE, Issaquah. High school students that are interested will need to pre-register. To learn more, visit https://www. isdstemandcte.com/great-careers or isfdn.org. This opportunity will be open to all Issaquah School District 9th-12th grade high school students. Transportation is provided to and from the conference venue. Permission slips are required and need to be submitted as part of the registration process. All Covid-19 mitigation and protocols will be adhered to as required by King County and the Washington State Department of Health.

This year, the conference format will be in-person and expo style. Students will be free to meet directly with representatives from various schools or specific industries of interest. The day is filled with speakers in student-selected career pathways, soft skills integration, and exhibitors representing apprenticeship programs, military, certificated programs, and colleges with 2-year degrees. Here are some of the areas to explore:

A/V Technology: What does it take to provide entertainment to the end user? Discover what professional opportunities involve the presentation of sound, video, and data.

Business Management & Finance: Support business operations through a variety of office duties; use financial, human, and material resources; or protect individuals and businesses from losses by providing insurance.

Education & Training: If you want to have a lifelong impact on others, then you will want to look closely at the Education and Training Career Cluster.

Entrepreneurship: Learn about the various requirements to become successful as an entrepreneur, including conducting opportunity analysis, developing a business plan, starting a small business, acquiring financing to start the company, and scaling the business.

Health Sciences: Prepare for a career that promotes health, wellness, diagnosis, and/or treats injuries and diseases.

Hospitality, Food & Beverage Services: If you are intrigued by the idea of helping others explore the beauty and culture of cuisine in the world around them, you will want to join this session. Discover the variety of tasks required to maintain operations and promote guest services.

Information Technology Information: Technology careers are available in every sector of the economy. Careers in IT involve designing, developing, supporting, and managing hardware, software, multimedia, and systems integration services.

Public Safety: Guard the public and enforce the law as a police officer, security guard, or more. Come to the rescue and provide fire protection and emergency response services as a firefighter!

Marketing: Be part of the marketing process that seeks to establish and satisfy the needs and wants of individuals who buy goods, services, and ideas.

Transportation & Maritime: Learn about careers and businesses involved in the planning, management and movement of people, materials, and products by road, air, rail, and water. Demand for these jobs is high—even in a pandemic!

The Issaquah Schools Foundation is proud to support programs like this to connect students to their future!

Teen Link

Confidential helpline answered by young people every afternoon from 6pm-10pm. Young volunteers are trained to listen to the concerns of teens and speak with them about whatever is on their mind.No problem is too big or too small. The service is free. https://www.teenlink.org/ (866) 833 6546

Crisis Text Line

In Crisis? Text HELLO to 741741 A trained counselor will respond.

What are School District Levies?

BY DAWN PESCHEK

Volunteers for Issaquah Schools President

A levy is an amount of money (or a tax) that you have to pay to the government. A school district levy is a local property tax only paid by people living in that school district. It is a short-term tax. Voters living in the school district must vote to continue the tax. The money collected goes to the local school district for the benefit of students in that district. It is used for programs and services that the state does not fund. Washington State pays for “basic education” but does not cover all the actual costs of operating a school district. School districts often use the money collected through the levy to hire additional staff or pay for programs and services not funded by the state.

Levy dollars are used directly to support student education. The money is used to enhance programs and supplement the state’s minimum basic education funding. The current Issaquah School District levies expire on December 31, 2022. To continue to fund the programs we now have in our schools the renewal levies will need to be approved by voters sometime in 2022. Levies require a 50% + 1 majority vote to pass. This will not be a new tax.

There are three separate levies that residents in the Issaquah School District will need to vote on:

- The Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy pays for educational programs and supports.

These include mental health counselors, nurses, security staff, social emotional learning supports, academic programs, classroom supports, activities, athletics, clubs, substitute teachers, coaches, career & technical education, early childhood learning, modified high school schedules, and more.

- The Transportation Levy replaces old buses with new, more efficient models. The District makes sure the buses follow the state’s safety standards and replacement cycle. Fuel savings and lower maintenance costs mean more money can be used directly for education.

- The Technology & Critical Repairs Capital Levy provides funding for educational technology and critical repairs for infrastructure not fully funded by the state. For technology, the levy money will fund the replacement of older computers, printers, and servers. The money will also pay for upgrades to district websites, emergency alert systems, and other e-communications. For critical repairs, the capital levy will fund the maintenance of heating and cooling systems and upgrades to safety and security systems. It will also pay for additional portable classroom space when needed.

What is the “Levy Rate”?

A levy rate is the amount of property tax that voters approve to be assessed for every $1,000 of property value. A levy rate of $1.00 means that for every $1,000 of property value, the property owner

will pay $1.00 in taxes. For example, suppose a house is valued at $800,000, and the voters pass a levy at a $1.00 levy rate. In that case, the homeowner will pay $800 each year in property taxes.

Why is it important to approve district school levies?

Since the state does not provide funding to pay for all programs, local school districts must propose levies to ensure that all programs will be funded. If the levy does not pass, then programs paid for by levies will need to be cut. Since a part of staff salaries are funded by the EP&O levy, staffing will have to be reduced if the levy fails.

How can you help?

If you can register to vote, please do so. Every vote counts! Please share levy facts and information with your families, friends, and others who have questions. If you would like to be involved with campaigns to help pass levy measures, please contact Volunteers for Issaquah Schools (VIS). VIS is a non-profit 501(c) (4) citizen committee. It organizes the campaign to reach voters and educate the community about what levies fund in our district. They share why it is so important to our school district to pass these levies.

Questions or need more information? Contact Volunteers for Issaquah Schools at www.visvote.org

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Martin Luther King Memorial Walk

January 12-23, 2022

Beginning Jan. 12, you can be inspired by the words of Martin Luther King Jr. as you take a winter walk at Lake Sammamish State Park. The walk pays tribute to his life and leadership while America celebrates MLK Day on January 17, 2022.

The walk will begin at Tibbetts Beach and takes you along the lakeshore to the Sunset Beach bathhouse. Learn about his life and his dreams with quotes along the pathway. Many of his quotes are as relevant today as they were in the 1960s when he initiated change while speaking out for civil rights.

MLK's most famous speech— "I have a dream..." — is captured in its entirety at the end of the walk.

Holi

BY JAYA SHATI Pacific Cascade Middle School student

Holi is the festival of colors celebrated by millions of Indians and other South Asians who live all over the world. The legend says that Holi originated when one of the principal deities of Hinduism, Lord Vishnu, defeated evil. To honor him, people threw colored powder on each other to represent good over evil.

Each color has its own meaning. Red is the color of love and fertility. Yellow is the color of turmeric, an Indian spice that is used as a natural remedy. Blue is the color of the Hindu God Krishna, and green is the color of new beginnings.

This festival is a joyful day to reflect on and correct previous mistakes, resolve issues by meeting new people, forget, and forgive. Debts are paid or forgiven, and people begin over with others in their life.

We celebrate Holi in our communities, and it’s one of my favorite holidays to celebrate with my family. We like to go to a Holi event with friends and throw colored powder and water balloons at each other. We get soaked as the colors wash away with the water. It’s so much fun!

We also have amazing food. One example is pakora, which is just delicious! Pakora is a fried snack typically featuring cauliflower or potato coated in a light batter. Another delicious food we have is samosa, a small triangular pastry filled with spiced meat or vegetables and fried in ghee or oil.

Holi is about spending time with the people you care about and celebrating with them. It’s not only for the Indian community. I believe that Holi is a great occasion to bring people together from all different cultures and backgrounds. I invite you to come to Lake Sammamish State Park on March 18th to be a part of this incredible event. See you there!

THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS!

THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS!

THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS!

Cultural Bridges serves Issaquah School District families to increase parent engagement and lead to greater student success.

Cultural Bridges serves Issaquah School District families to increase parent engagement and lead to greater student success.

We provide navigation support, host parent/student events and publish quarterly magazines translated in seven languages.

Cultural Bridges serves Issaquah School District families to increase parent engagement and lead to greater student success. We provide navigation support, host parent/student events and publish quarterly magazines translated in seven languages.

We provide navigation support, host parent/student events and publish quarterly magazines translated in seven languages.

A Water Tiger Year OUR CULTURES

China

Sophie Wang: 8th-grade student at Pine Lake Middle School

“The Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year in Mainland China, is the most important holiday in Chinese tradition. On the eve of the Spring Festival, almost every single family in China gathers and eats a feast together. Different families will have their different traditional foods; ours are dumplings and babao (8-treasure) rice. One important tradition of the Spring Festival is fireworks. My first memory of fireworks is when I was really young, maybe 4 or 5, at my grandparents in Yunnan in southwest China. I used a firework in the shape of a stick. If you light the end, it would sizzle, and bright sparks would jump around it. This kind of firework is really fun because you could wave it around in the air and draw shapes with it. Afterward, the smoke it emits would stay in the same shape for quite a while against the dark night. The bigger fireworks are terribly loud. But once they explode, there is no other sight like it: colorful light exploding in circles. Even though I always cover my ears, my heart still thuds with every explosion. The Spring Festival is a time of joy when families come together, and celebrations are thrown.”

Alex Cao: 12th-grade student at Liberty High School

Lunar New Year festivities are always filled with happiness and are celebrated with families and friends. The Lunar New Year begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar. The dates of the holiday change each year based on the moon cycle. In Mainland China, the entire celebration typically starts one day before the actual New Year’s Day. It lasts until the 15th day of the first month in the lunar calendar. Other areas in Asia that celebrate this important holiday are

22

Brunei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Lunar New Year’s Day in 2022 is on Tuesday, February 1.

Issaquah School District families with ties to these cultures have carried this beautiful tradition to our communities. Some of our students have shared with us how they celebrate at home and why this is an important holiday to them.

“The Lunar New Year is one of the most important festivals for Chinese families. We usually clean up the entire household. The meaning of this is to start a brand-new year without bad things. We also hang up Chinese characters and couplets that have good meanings around the house and on the door. Families get together for a big dinner. The adults chat while the children spend time with their cousins and play. Following New Year’s Day, families visit their relatives' houses. Kids usually receive red envelopes with money inside and good wishes from the elders in their families. My favorite part of the Lunar New Year is when all the family gets together because we have some really good food that we only have a chance to eat on that night. There is also one tradition in Canton area where families go to Flower Street. There are many flower shops and flower accessory shops. The reason they do this is to cleanse off the negative things and the worries from last year; and wish for a better incoming year.”

Korean Irene Oh: 6th-grade student at Beaver Lake Middle School

Lunar New Year festivities are always filled with happiness and are celebrated with families and friends. The Lunar New Year begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar. The dates of the holiday change each year based on the moon cycle. In Mainland China, the entire celebration typically starts one day before the actual New Year’s Day. It lasts until the 15th day of the first month in the lunar calendar. Other areas in Asia that celebrate this important holiday are Brunei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Lunar New Year’s Day in 2022 is on Tuesday, February 1.

Taiwan

Chris Yang: 4th-grade student at Cougar Ridges Elementary

Issaquah School District families with ties to these cultures have carried this beautiful tradition to our communities. Some of our students have shared with us how they celebrate at home and why this is an important holiday to them.

Phoebe Hsu: 2-nd grade student and Patty Hsu: 5th-grade student at Apollo Elementary

“Korean Lunar New Year, or Seollal in Korean, is one of the biggest holidays, as well as a very important holiday for Koreans all around the world. It is a traditional holiday where family and friends meet up to celebrate while wearing traditional clothes and sharing delicious Korean foods. An example of a traditional game played on Seollal is called YutNori. It is played using a playing board where we move circular pieces around and use long wooden sticks as dice. The game’s main objective is to be the first to get to the end space on the board. Our family especially enjoys this game because it is fun and easily played by kids of all ages like my little sister. An example of typical traditional food eaten on Seollal is called tteokguk. This food consists of thinly sliced rice cakes inside a delicious beef broth. It is usually garnished with egg, meat, or slender strips of seaweed. Our family purchases rice cakes from the store to make tteokguk, but some families make rice cakes at home from scratch. Examples of traditional clothes are called hanbok. A girl’s hanbok consists of a loose, wrapped dress and a top called jeogori. A boy’s hanbok consists of baggy pants and jeogori. There are also pretty ornamental accessories that can be hung on the tops. Another unique thing on Seollal is that when you eat tteokguk, you are considered one year older, no matter when your birthday is. So Korean kids who live in America have ‘Korean ages’ and regular ages. Last year, we were unable to gather with friends and family due to COVID19. But as our family and friends are vaccinated now, we are all looking forward to this year’s Seollal!”

inside the envelopes to buy things we want and things to eat like snacks, ice cream, and drinks. Our favorite treat to eat during Chinese New Year is milk candy, which is puffy, chewy, and sticky. The milk candy is white and sometimes red and orange color. Our favorite shows are the Dragon Dance and the Lion Dance. During the dragon dance, the dragon sways side-to-side and moves quickly with people holding giant sticks to move and balance it. The Lion Dance is also fantastic because it shows two people in a large lion costume showing tricks and dances. During the Lion Dance, one person even can hold another person up inside the lion costume to show that the lion is standing like a human. We also like to hear Chinese folk tales like ‘Legend of Nian’ because the story is exciting and unbelievable! The story tells that an old woman, who turned out to be a god, defeated the monster Nian by using red sheets and the sound of chopping meat.”

food. I decorate my house with red and gold colors. I receive red envelopes filled with money from Mom and Dad. I also watch the Lion Dance. At night, I pop red balloons to make sounds like fireworks. But what I like best is spending time with my friends and family. Happy Chinese New Year!”

Vietnamese

Jenny Le: 10th-grade student at Liberty High School

China

Dance. At night, I pop red balloons to make sounds like fireworks. But what I like best is spending time with my friends and family. Happy Chinese New Year!”

Vietnamese

Jenny Le: 10th-grade student at Liberty High School

Chris Yang: 4th-grade student at Cougar Ridges Elementary

Taiwan

Phoebe Hsu: 2nd grade student and Patty Hsu: 5th-grade student at Apollo Elementary

“We like to celebrate Chinese New Year because we can eat a lot of unique foods and drink juice. We can also wear traditional clothes, which have unique structures and stripes. My favorite part of Chinese New Year is getting red envelopes from my uncles and aunties, family, and grandmothers. We like it the most because we can use the money inside the envelopes to buy things we want and things to eat like snacks, ice cream, and drinks. Our favorite treat to eat during Chinese New Year is milk candy, which is puffy, chewy, and sticky. The milk candy is white and sometimes red and orange color. Our favorite shows are the Dragon Dance and the Lion Dance. During the dragon dance, the dragon sways side-to-side and moves quickly with people holding giant sticks to move and balance it. The Lion Dance is also fantastic because it shows two people in a large lion costume showing tricks and dances. During the Lion Dance, one person even can hold another person up inside the lion costume to show that the lion is standing like a human. We also like to hear Chinese folk tales like ‘Legend of Nian’ because the story is exciting and unbelievable! The story tells that an old woman, who turned out to be a god, defeated the monster Nian by using red sheets and the sound of chopping meat.”

“The Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year in Mainland China, is the most important holiday in Chinese tradition. On the eve of the Spring Festival, almost every single family in China gathers and eats a feast together. Different families will have their different traditional foods; ours are dumplings and babao (8-treasure) rice. One important tradition of the Spring Festival is fireworks. My first memory of fireworks is when I was really young, maybe 4 or 5, at my grandparents in Yunnan in southwest China. I used a firework in the shape of a stick. If you light the end, it would sizzle, and bright sparks would jump around it. This kind of firework is really fun because you could wave it around in the air and draw shapes with it. Afterward, the smoke it emits would stay in the same shape for quite a while against the dark night. The bigger fireworks are terribly loud. But once they explode, there is no other sight like it: colorful light exploding in circles. Even though I always cover my ears, my heart still thuds with every explosion. The Spring Festival is a time of joy when families come together, and celebrations are thrown.”

“We like to celebrate Chinese New Year because we can eat a lot of unique foods and drink juice. We can also wear traditional clothes, which have unique structures and stripes. My favorite part of Chinese New Year is getting red envelopes from my uncles and aunties, family, and grandmothers. We like it the most because we can use the money

“There are many New Year traditions in Taiwan, which are very interesting and meaningful. On the day before Chinese New Year, I will help my parents clean up the house, hang up the Spring Festival Couplet on the door, and paste the Chinese character“福” (Fu) on the rice bucket inside the house. This means our rice bucket will always be full in the coming year. In the evening, my whole family will have dinner together. Mother will cook a delicious dinner. One of the fish dishes can’t be eaten too much because it means that may you have abundance year after year ( ). We also have to eat dumplings (Yuan Bao), which means money. Almost all the food we eat that night has different good meanings for the next year. After dinner, my parents give me a red envelope, which is called red pocket money. I put it under my pillow so that bad people do not approach me and I will grow up safely. On Chinese New Year’s Eve, we stay up past 12 o’clock. The fireworks and firecrackers will be set off to welcome the New Year when it turns 12 o’clock. It also means that parents can live long lives.”

Malaysia

Elise Low: 2nd-grade student at Apollo Elementary

“There are many New Year traditions in Taiwan, which are very interesting and meaningful. On the day before Chinese New Year, I will help my parents clean up the house, hang up the Spring Festival Couplet on the door, and paste the Chinese character “福” (Fu) on the rice bucket inside the house. This means our rice bucket will always be full in the coming year. In the evening, my whole family will have dinner together. Mother will cook a delicious dinner. One of the fish dishes can’t be eaten too much because it means that may you have abundance year after year (年年有余). We also have to eat dumplings (Yuan Bao), which means money. Almost all the food we eat that night has different good meanings for the next year. After dinner, my parents give me a red envelope, which is called red pocket money. I put it under my pillow so that bad people do not approach me and I will grow up safely. On Chinese New Year’s Eve, we stay up past 12 o’clock. The fireworks and firecrackers will be set off to welcome the New Year when it turns 12 o’clock. It also means that parents can live long lives.”

“Vietnamese Lunar New Year, also known as Tet, is the most important holiday in Vietnamese culture. Tet falls on the first day of the first month in a new year, according to the Lunar Calendar. For as long as I can remember, my family has always celebrated Tet. Before the holiday, we do household preparations, such as cleaning and decorating our house with flowers. Then, on Lunar New Year’s Eve, my parents set up altars with a variety of foods and Vietnamese dishes. We pray to our ancestors for a bright, healthy, and peaceful New Year.

“Vietnamese Lunar New Year, also known as Tet, is the most important holiday in Vietnamese culture. Tet falls on the first day of the first month in a new year, according to the Lunar Calendar. For as long as I can remember, my family has always celebrated Tet. Before the holiday, we do household preparations, such as cleaning and decorating our house with flowers. Then, on Lunar New Year’s Eve, my parents set up altars with a variety of foods and Vietnamese dishes. We pray to our ancestors for a bright, healthy, and peaceful New Year.

On the morning of Tet, my family typically visits a temple to pray. There is also usually a traditional Lion Dance performance with fireworks. This is something that I have always looked forward to since I was young. Then in the evening, we gather at my grandparents’ house to celebrate with all of my relatives. We wish each other a new year filled with good health and prosperity. The kids will receive gifts of red envelopes filled with lucky money from the elders. Afterward, we feast on delicious Vietnamese food prepared over the past few days. With filled stomachs, my family stays up late to determine our new year’s luck with scratch cards and Vietnamese gambling games.

Malaysia

“I wear nice clothes and eat good food. I decorate my house with red and gold colors. I receive red envelopes filled with money from Mom and Dad. I also watch the Lion

Elise Low: 2nd-grade student at Apollo Elementary

On the morning of Tet, my family typically visits a temple to pray. There is also usually a traditional Lion Dance performance with fireworks. This is something that I have always looked forward to since I was young. Then in the evening, we gather at my grandparents’ house to celebrate with all of my relatives. We wish each other a new year filled with good health and prosperity. The kids will receive gifts of red envelopes filled with lucky money from the elders. Afterward, we feast on delicious Vietnamese food prepared over the past few days. With filled stomachs, my family

“I wear nice clothes and eat good

The Tet Festival has been a significant part of my childhood memories, as I will never forget the nights I spend celebrating with my family. The holiday’s importance is not just because of its spiritual reasons but it’s also a way to bring a family together. I cannot wait for this upcoming Tet celebration! With that, I wish everyone a Happy New Year, or how we say it in Vietnamese, “Chúc Mừng Năm Mới!”.”

Fueling Success for Every Student, Every School.

Proud supporter of the 11th Annual Great Careers Conference. IN-PERSON THIS YEAR!

REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 12

We want to see YOU attend the Great Careers Conference! There are limited spots available so register now to secure your spot. Registration closes March 1, 2022. Visit here for the latest information on industry representatives, schools, and employers that will be there:

https://www.isdstemandcte.com/great-careers

The conference will be held at the Gibson Ek High School! Join us for Fun, Friends, Raffle & Prizes! Transportation will be provided to/from the conference. Registered students with completed permission slips will attend at their assigned time:

• Issaquah HS & Gibson Ek HS - 8:45am - 10:15am

• Liberty HS & Gibson Ek HS - 10:30am-12:00pm

• Skyline HS & Gibson Ek HS - 12:45pm - 2:15pm

Organized by The Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, the goal of the event is to educate high school students about careers they can pursue through on-the-job training, certification, apprenticeship, or two-year degree programs.

For more information, or to register, scan this QR code:

To learn more information about Issaquah Schools Foundation, visit our website, or contact us at 425.391.8557

isfdn.org