Sedro-Woolley School District

💜 August 7 is Purple Heart Recipient Day, an observance honoring members of the U.S. Armed Forces who were wounded or killed while serving our nation.

The Sedro-Woolley School District joins our community in recognizing their courage, sacrifice and service.

We are also proud to support our military-connected students and families. We understand that military life can bring frequent moves, school transitions, and deployments, and we are committed to helping students feel welcomed, connected, and supported throughout their educational journey.

Learn more about resources available for military-connected families:
https://sedrowoolleywa.sites.thrillshare.com/page/military-family-support

When temperatures rise, Memorial Park's splash pad is a great way to stay active and cool.

Open daily from 10 a.m. until dusk.

🗳️ August 4 is Primary Election Day. Ballots must be deposited in an official ballot drop box by 8 p.m.

Ask your child to recommend a favorite book to a friend.

Talking about books strengthens comprehension and communication skills.

If your student is new to the Sedro-Woolley School District and may need school bus transportation for the upcoming school year, or if your family has moved since last school year, please complete the form linked below.

Our Transportation Department will begin reviewing submissions and reaching out to families starting in mid-August to confirm bus routes and schedules.

Please be sure to include all pickup and drop-off information (including daycare details if applicable) so we can plan accordingly.

👉Transportation Form: https://forms.gle/yi2s3MSXEmcs4aJq9

Questions? Call the transportation office at 360-855-3504.

Or email: jzimmerman@swsd101.org

🎒 Welcome, Kindergarten Families!

Starting kindergarten is a big milestone, and we're excited to welcome your family to the Sedro-Woolley School District!

Our new Kindergarten Family Guide is your one-stop resource for getting ready for the first day of school. Inside you'll find important dates, kindergarten screenings, WAKIDS Family Connections, transportation information, open houses, school meals, Reading & Resources Night, and much more.

Whether you're new to our district or sending another child to kindergarten, this guide is designed to help make the transition smooth and exciting.

📖 Read the Kindergarten Family Guide:
https://app.smore.com/n/u20ek

We can't wait to welcome our newest students this September! 🍎

Storytelling counts: Reading isn't the only literacy activity.

Tell family stories, discuss favorite memories, and encourage children to retell events from their day.

Strong storytelling skills help build future writing skills.

You're invited!

Join us as we celebrate the dedication of the Robert and Becky Gates Outdoor Learning Center at Big Lake Elementary School.

📅 August 15, 2026
🕚 11 a.m.
📍 Big Lake Elementary School

For decades, Bob and Becky Gates have quietly supported students throughout the Sedro-Woolley School District, helping fund classroom innovation, educational experiences, and opportunities that have enriched the lives of countless children.

This new outdoor learning center honors their extraordinary generosity and the many volunteers, donors and community partners who helped bring this vision to life.

Everyone is welcome to attend this special community celebration. We hope you'll join us as we recognize a legacy of giving that will continue to inspire future generations of students.

Practice listening and following multi-step directions.

Try:
"Please put your shoes away, wash your hands, and bring me your backpack."

Listening skills are important for classroom success.

Children are more likely to become readers when they see adults reading.

Whether it's a newspaper, cookbook, magazine, or novel, let your children see reading as part of everyday life.

Color.
Draw.
Cut with scissors.
Use glue.

These activities strengthen the fine motor skills children will need in kindergarten!

🏀 Elks Hoop Shoot Free Throw Contest 🏀

Do you have a young basketball player who loves shooting hoops? The Mount Vernon Elks Lodge 1604 is hosting the Elks Hoop Shoot Free Throw Contest on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at the Burlington-Edison High School Gymnasium.

The Elks Hoop Shoot, funded by the Elks National Foundation, is a free free-throw competition for children ages 8–13. Participants have the opportunity to advance through the competition and potentially earn a place in the prestigious Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

📅 Saturday, July 18, 2026
⏰ 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
📍 Burlington-Edison High School Gymnasium

Age groups are determined by the contestant's age as of April 1.

For more information, contact Sue Gregg at 360-840-5334 or sue9332000.sg@gmail.com.

Please note: This event is not sponsored by the Sedro-Woolley School District.

Family Fitness Challenge:
Can your family walk one mile together?
Ride bikes together?
Visit a new park?

Physical activity helps children stay healthy and ready to learn.

Library Treasure Hunt

Challenge your child to find:
• A nonfiction book
• A mystery
• A book about animals
• A book set in another country
• A graphic novel

Exploring different genres helps children discover new interests and keeps reading fun.

🏗️ Summer Projects Update: Progress Across the District

While students and staff are enjoying summer break, our maintenance and facilities teams are hard at work preparing our schools for the new school year. Here's a look at what's happening across the Sedro-Woolley School District:

🔧 Evergreen Elementary
• Main water line replacement is complete, and more than one-third of the plumbing project has been finished. Water has been restored to the eastern third of the building, and crews are now working on the western section. The project remains ahead of schedule, barring any unexpected issues.
• The fence extension is expected to be completed by July 10. The new fencing will safely enclose the Nathan Nakis Climbing Boulder for student use during recess while providing gated access for Cascade Middle School students. The boulder honors Nathan Nakis, a 2002 Sedro-Woolley High School graduate who began his education at Evergreen Elementary. Nathan was 19 years old when he was killed during an Army National Guard transport mission in Mosul, Iraq, in 2003.

🏈 Sedro-Woolley High School
• About 80% of the new turf has been installed. Crews are now sewing in the field lines and numbers before adding the infill pellets and beginning work on the track.
• Approximately 25% of the roof has been coated. Crews have repaired damaged areas and seams, reinforced roof drains, and remain on schedule.
• The gym pipe leak has been repaired after crews located the damaged pipe beneath the concrete floor. Water service was restored Tuesday. Concrete repairs will take place next week, with the training room receiving new tile later this summer.
• A new split-system cooling unit has been installed in the culinary classroom to keep temperatures comfortable when the ovens are in use.
• Carpet replacement in the science hallway (Rooms 111–114 and the entryway) is about 50% complete.
• Student Services Office cabinets have been moved, with electrical work coming next.
• The door handle in Room 107 has been repaired.

🏫 Around the District
• Lyman Elementary portable ramp repairs are underway.
• State Street High School continues work to add electrical outlets for small kitchen appliances and replace larger appliances in the culinary classroom.
• Samish Elementary completed exterior painting on Buildings A and C on July 7. Work begins today, July 9, on the new covered courtyard roof.
• New water spigots have been installed for the Cascade Middle School Boys & Girls Club garden.
• The new security gate at Clear Lake Elementary was completed July 8.
• Wall repairs in Rooms 25 and 26 at Mary Purcell Elementary will be completed this week.

🚧 Districtwide Maintenance
• Parking lot striping is about 70% complete. Fire lanes and curb caution areas are next.
• Approximately 70% of scheduled HVAC preventive maintenance has been completed, including filter changes, belt replacements, and equipment lubrication.
• Our paint crew has completed projects at Big Lake, Sedro-Woolley High School, State Street High School, and Clear Lake. They're currently working on Central Elementary's interior stairwells, entry doors, front stoop, and additional touch-up projects. The team has also pressure washed the exteriors at Big Lake and Clear Lake.
• Custodial crews are deep cleaning carpets, waxing hard floors, and giving classrooms and restrooms their annual detailed cleaning.
• Our warehouse team has been moving furniture and equipment, repairing blinds, installing whiteboards, and servicing custodial equipment throughout the district.
• In addition to these larger projects, our maintenance staff continues to complete dozens of smaller repairs and work orders while buildings are empty for the summer.

As you can see, it's been a busy summer! We're grateful for our employees and contractors working behind the scenes to ensure our schools are safe, welcoming, and ready for students this fall.

Practice writing names using crayons, pencils, whiteboards, finger tracing, or even sand.

Recognizing and writing their name helps children start kindergarten confidently.

Take a family walk and identify plants, birds, insects, and trees. Nature provides endless opportunities for science learning.

Heading out on vacation?

Turn your road trip into a literacy adventure. Encourage children to read road signs, restaurant names, maps, billboards, and historical markers.

Reading is everywhere—not just in books.

Encourage children to complete simple jobs on their own. Putting away toys and cleaning up after meals at home all build independence.