Principal Message

It’s almost winter Grizzlies!! 

We are so excited to see you December 19th for our Winter Festival from 5-7 with lots of make and take gifts for you and your family! 

I am so excited to find out what adventures all our elementary Flat Stanleys get to have. I made my Flat Principal, and will be documenting her adventures as well! Elementary is also starting to go full STEAM- STEAM Fair preparations! I can't wait to find out which problems you see in the world you want to solve!  

Students reaching for graduation on January 19th should not be entering Winter Break with more than one course to complete. All Gravelly Lake Families are invited to attend or watch the livestream on the 19th! Lets cheer on our Graduate Grizzlies! 

MESA started up this week and the drones are coming! Students are learning programming, and plan to compete in drone competitions. To Join Mesa, see Mr. Bolster.  

Music Wednesdays are going strong! Join our teachers, Mr. Shimizu, Mr. Keser, and Ms. Smith at 2pm on Wednesdays to sing, learn an instrument, or just listen! 

Important Dates/Events  

Winter Break 

Happy Holidays! Gravelly Lake K-12 Academy will be closed from Dec. 25 to Jan. 5 for winter break. School will resume on Monday, Jan. 8. Enjoy your break!  

Get the Facts on the 2024 Replacement Levy    

Clover Park School District will have a four-year Replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy for voter consideration in the 2024 special election on Feb. 13. The Replacement Levy continues our community’s investment in our students and will continue critical funding beyond state basic education to support student readiness, safety and security, educational technology and extracurricular programs.   

Learn more about what the levy funds:   

Contact community relations at 253-583-5040 if you have questions or need additional information.

Important Forms/Submissions  

Highly Capable Program Nominations  

Clover Park School District is now accepting nominations for its Highly Capable Program until Dec. 15 for the 2024-25 school year. Students may be nominated by a parent, teacher, community member or themselves.   

Electronic forms are available in English and Spanish and may be accessed by clicking the following form, 2023-2024 Highly Capable Nomination Form. To request a blank nomination form, please visit the Gravelly Lake K-12 Academy main office. All forms and supporting documentation must be received by Dec. 15.    

For more information about the Highly Capable Program, student identification, placement and the nomination timeline, please visit the Highly Capable page on the district website.  

Inclement Weather Procedures 

In the event of a school delay or closure, you will be notified via telephone and email using the school district’s notification system. Local television media may also share this information, but it is important to look for Clover Park School District, not Lakewood School District.  

The emergency condition messages most often used by Clover Park School District are as follows:  

  • Two Hours Late: This means buses will begin their first route two hours late but at regularly scheduled stops, and schools will start 2 hours late.  
    • NO half-day kindergarten, preschool, ECEAP or Head Start.   
    • NO early release or transition programs.  
    • NO out-of-district transportation.  
    • Gravelly Lake K-12 Academy will start at 9:30 and follow regular day schedule. Classes before 9:30 are cancelled
       
  • Schools Closed: This means all Clover Park schools are closed for all students.   
    • No transportation will be provided to other schools outside of our district even though they may be open and operating on schedule.   
    • All scheduled activities are also canceled.   
    • District administrative offices will be open and administrators are expected to report to work as soon as safely possible.  
    • Gravelly Lake K-12 Academy will be closed no online.  

What happens if there is a school delay on a late start Wednesday? 

In the event of a two-hour school delay on a scheduled late start Wednesday, there will be no one-hour late start Wednesday. If a two-hour delay falls on a late start Wednesday, your school will start two hours later than a typical non-late start school day (a 2-hour delay is one hour later than a late start Wednesday). Please see the table below for the start time of your student’s school when there is a two-hour delay.  Gravelly Lake K-12 Academy will start at 9:30 and follow regular day schedule. Classes before 9:30 are cancelled 

School Start Times For a 2-Hour Delay  

If a two-hour delay has been announced due to inclement weather and/or road conditions, please review the table below to see when your student’s school will start. Schools will dismiss at regular time unless communicated otherwise:  

Schools   Regular Start Time   (non-late start Wednesday)      2 Hour Delay Start Time   Regardless of Day      
High Schools: Clover Park, Lakes, Harrison Prep   7:25 a.m.  9:25 a.m. 
Middle Schools: Hudtloff, Lochburn, Thomas     9 a.m.  11 a.m. 
Elementary Schools:    Beachwood, Carter Lake, Custer, Dower, Idlewild, Lake Louise, Lakeview and Oakbrook     8:10 a.m.  10:10 a.m. 
Elementary Schools: Evergreen, Hillside, Meriwether, Rainier, Tillicum, Tyee Park     8:30 a.m.  10:30 a.m. 
Elementary Schools: Four Heroes and Park Lodge   9 a.m.  11 a.m. 
Gravelly Lake K-12 Academy will start at 9:30 and follow regular day schedule. Classes before 9:30 are cancelled     

Keep Your Contact Information Updated  

It is important that families and staff members keep their contact information updated in case of inclement weather or emergencies. Families can update their information in Skyward Family Access or contact  their student’s school to verify contact information. Families can sign up for Flash Alerts to receive the most up-to-date closure notifications.   

Safety First 

If you do not feel your student can make it safely to school on an inclement weather day, your student's absence will be excused.  

Get Involved!  

District Joins Social Media Lawsuit 

The ever-present digital age has brought about incredible advancements, but it has also ushered in the influence of social media platforms that significantly impact our students. While these platforms offer some benefits, they are increasingly causing harm to our students, particularly in the areas of mental health, privacy, and safety. 

We are deeply concerned about the negative impacts these platforms have on our students, such as cyberbullying and other related issues. The Clover Park School District Board of Directors recently passed a resolution to participate in a lawsuit against several social media companies. 

The resolution passed by our School Board is grounded in the recognition that excessive social media use is contributing to mental health issues in our community, state and nation. The lawsuit, which is currently taking place, aims to hold social media companies accountable for the harm they have caused. 

As we move forward with this lawsuit, we remain committed to supporting our students in every way possible. We will provide updates on the lawsuit's progress and continue to offer resources to help families navigate the digital landscape. 

Here are some valuable resources to help you navigate your child's online activities and support their safety and well-being:  

  1.  Common Sense Media for expert reviews, age-appropriate recommendations, and advice on media usage.  
  2. Parenting, Media, and Everything In Between (Common Sense Media): Explore this Common Sense Media article to gain insights into the world of social media and how to manage it as a parent.  
  3. CPSD Internet Safety Information Night Video: Watch the CPSD Internet Safety Information Night video to learn more about internet safety and protecting your child online.  
  4. Parents' Ultimate Guide to TikTok (Common Sense Media): TikTok is immensely popular among youth. This guide will help you understand and manage your child's TikTok use.  
  5. TikTok App Safety (internetmatters.org): Discover tips and resources for ensuring your child's safety on TikTok by visiting internetmatters.org.  

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Together, we can ensure a safer and more positive online experience for our children. 

Be a Volunteer

Volunteer at your school today! Gravelly Lake K-12 Academy welcomes parents/guardians and family members to help us reach our goal of academic success for all students through volunteering. CPSD has implemented a new online application that allows you to sign up for volunteer positions with ease. For more information on how to volunteer at Gravelly Lake K-12 Academy view the Volunteers webpage on the district website.

For questions relating to volunteer opportunities, please contact our main office by calling Gravelly Lake K-12 Academy 253-583-5525 or your student’s teacher. If you have any questions about the application or problems with submission, please contact Holly Bocchi; [email protected], the district volunteer coordinator.

Give 6 

Have you heard of Give 6? Give 6 is a district initiative to encourage growth and accomplishment in students with fix meaningful connections each day. Teachers, families and community members are encouraged to participate!   

You can Give 6 by:  

  • Giving students a hug, fist bump or high five.   
  • Affirming their strengths.   
  • Initiating a conversation and asking how students are doing.  
  • Modeling positive behavior and effective communication skills.  
  • Explaining that you acknowledge and value their efforts/positive behavior.  

Participating in Give 6 is simple. When you interact with someone, let them know how their actions make them a valuable part of their surroundings. How will you Give 6 today?  

Learning and Health Resources 

Academic Resources   

In December, many families travel for the holidays and students enjoy their two-week long winter break. With all this time spent outside of the classroom, it’s easy for students to fall behind. Make sure your student continues flexing their brain power with free, easily accessible learning apps they can explore at home. You can find information about these resources and more on the Student Page of the CPSD website.   

Paper - Free Online Tutoring (Secondary students only)  

  • Get extra help on assignments and essays with Paper’s 24/7 FREE tutor access! Paper provides unlimited assistance to secondary students from highly-trained tutors who can provide quick feedback and real-time answers to challenging questions. Access Paper through the Students page on the district website or by downloading the Paper app on the Apple App Store or Google Play.  

Learning Apps (available for all students)  

  • CPSD offers a variety of learning apps to help students learn at their own pace at home. Log into the Clever Portal under the Student Page of the district website to access apps such as Freckle, Zearn and more that can take your student’s learning to the next level. 

Hazel Health  

Is your doctor’s office booked up for months? Can’t get your student an appointment in time? Now you can use Hazel Health!  

Gravelly Lake K-12 Academy offers a FREE physical and mental health service for all students through Hazel Health. The mental health counseling and virtual on-demand doctor visits are available to students at school, meaning they never have to leave school during the day for an appointment. 

It’s important to monitor your physical and mental health this time of year, so use Hazel Health to help your student thrive. To learn more about Hazel Health, watch this series of short videos

COVID-19 Updates 

Families of students who receive a positive COVID-19 test result should submit a Positive Student Report Form. Once a report is submitted, recommendations for your student’s return will be received via email from the district COVID-19 Support Specialist.    

While isolation is no longer required, refraining from sending ill students to school helps keep our school open by reducing the transmission of COVID-19 and other illnesses.   

The onsite COVID-19 test administration services provided at the Harry E. Lang stadium are no longer available. Please contact our health staff by calling _OAKBROOK ELEMENTARY, 253-583-5334_ to receive a free at-home testing kit. Visit the district website’s COVID-19 Testing information page for information on ordering free at home test kits for delivery and testing locations.