Ask SPS

Hi Topher, Each school has its own DECA advisor: *North Central: Dempsey Ortega, DempseyO@spokaneschools.org or 509.354.6225

• Lewis & Clark: Chantal Czarapata, ChantalC@spokaneschools.org or 509.354.7022 *Ferris: Cheryl Gould, CherylG@spokaneschools.org or 509.354.6003 *Shadle Park: Erin Ruehl, ErinR@spokaneschools.org or 509.354.6787 *Rogers: Bryan Venema, BryanV@spokaneschools.org or 509.354.6554 or 509.354.6632 Hope this helps!

Hi Lori, I am sorry for your frustration. I hope that your meeting today provides you the information you are seeking. I did want to also make sure you looked at our Curriculum & Instruction page, which provides state standards and the curriculums being used at each level. Please contact us again if your concerns are not adequately addressed.

Hi Teresa, Currently, we have no schools hosting shot clinics, but many local pharmacies do offer vaccinations on a walk-in basis.

Hi Michelle, Thanks for your question. All north side 6th graders will move into middle schools starting with the 2022-23 school year. South side 6th graders will move to middle schools starting with the 2023-24 school year. This coincides with the building of new middle schools. Read more here.

Hi Tracey, Whatever proof of vaccination compliance you have, please provide that to Westview's main office. You can take it in or scan it and email it. Hope this helps!

Hi Shannon, The makeup day has not yet been determined. We will announce it on our homepage and through social media as soon as we have that information. Thanks for asking!

Hi Robert, Sorry for the delay in responding. The SPS Transportation and Safety departments do review areas that don't qualify for bussing. They look for hazardous walking conditions and adjust boundaries and bus stops accordingly. If you disagree with their determination, please send an email that explains your situation and includes a specific request to Transportation Specialist Michael Warnecke: MichaelW@spokaneschools.org.

Hi Kaden, Minecraft EDU was approved for use within the district by ITSC a few years ago. ITSC’s role in approving software is to ensure that each software is licensed, can be supported, will install and will run properly on our machines and network. There are other groups in the district that make the determination whether an application is appropriate for use as a part of a curriculum in the district. Additionally the district needs to ensure that any software put in front of students will protect student privacy according to state and federal laws. Unfortunately, very recently Microsoft changed its funding model regarding Minecraft EDU and the application is no longer free to us, so we will have to explore another path forward.

Hope that helps. Greg Trepus ITSC Supervisor

Hi and thanks for your question. Please contact Karen Turner at 354.7947 and do what is called a "Child Find." Karen will be able to help you do the intake form and get you started to see if your son qualifies for special education services.

Hi Owen, It is a school-by-school decision for activities that are not under the umbrella of the WIAA or sponsored by the school. Please check with LC's athletic director for more information.

Hi Theresa, You can find information on how to apply to have your student attend a school other than their neighborhood school here. I wonder too if you have had a chance to talk with the Rogers staff and administrators about your dissatisfaction and the incidences that have occurred?

Hi Lynne, Principals must approve, and risk management should be consulted, before anyone brings any animal other than a service animal into a school. Thanks for asking!

Yes, they are! Sometimes playgrounds do need to be closed temporarily due to construction, but that usually happens during the summer.

Hi Kate, Thanks for your question. I just learned the answer and posted it to the district calendar: Elementary schools will have an early-release schedule during conference week, Oct. 14-18. *Grades K-6, and Montessori: 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. *Language Immersion at Libby, and Odyssey: 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Hi Michael, Thanks for your question. From LC's homepage, you can click the Digital Tools button (below the large image), or go to the "Learn" channel and click "Grades." PS. Your opinion has been noted.

Hi Michelle, I'm sorry, but those won't be held this year. Unfortunately, the vendor who did those last year will not be returning.

Hi Connie, Our approach is to focus on student safety and excuse student absences with parent permission.

Hi Rob, Thanks for your question. Our security officers, much like Spokane County sheriffs deputies and the Spokane Police Department's upper administration, are on call after hours. Services they provide after hours include: *Responding to building security alarms if night security staff is not available *Responding to bus incidents that occur nights or weekends *Assisting with weather-related issues such as wind storms or snow events *Assisting the Spokane Police Department in joint security events/concerns.

Hi Kelsey, I'm sorry to hear that. The director of Express is Lisa White: 509.354.7293 or lisawh@spokaneschools.org.

Hi Sarah, Thanks for your question. On the SPS school year calendar you'll find the early release Fridays for middle and high schoolers denoted by a triangle. Hope this helps!

Hi James, Thanks for your question. Board Policy 2030 and Procedure 2030 address Service Animals in Schools. The Policy document in particular helps distinguish between a service animal and an ESA. Since we follow Washington State Law, you can [find more information in this document as well.](https://www.spokaneschools.org/cms/lib/WA50000187/Centricity/Domain/167/Service Animals and the Washington Law Against Discrimination-032019.pdf)

Hi Diana, I am sorry for your frustration, but I'm glad you shared it with us. I have a few ideas for you. You can call John Vansant, Safety & Risk Management specialist, at 509.354.4635. He will call parking enforcement on your behalf, or you can call them directly at 311. If you could share with him which school your student attends, he can also talk with the principal about an education campaign for pickup/dropoff rules and best practices.

Hi Lori, A decision regarding retention should be discussed with the school principal. A school team who works with the student will be helpful in identifying supports for you.

Hi! Thanks for your question. Because each school may handle things a bit differently, it would be best for you to talk about this with the principal at your student's school.

Hi Gary, If you are referring to individual staff webpages, look in the staff directory. If you see a small world icon by their name, that means that staff member has a website and you can click their name to access it.

Hi Ryan, I'm not sure of the particular rules at your child's school, but generally there are expectations for appropriate behavior in hallways and during lunch. The school staff should be able to talk with you more about what those expectations are.

Hi John, NC has a regular schedule today -- not a half day.

Hi Eric, The 25th and Madison stop was accidentally left off the driver's route sheet. It is now corrected and the driver will stop at the scheduled stop at 25th and Madison. We apologize for the inconvenience and frustration this must have caused you.

Hi Heidi, Policy 5201 covers drug-free schools and includes the following language: "To help maintain a drug-free school, community, and workplace, the following behaviors will not be tolerated: A. Reporting to work or the workplace under the influence of alcohol, illegal and/or controlled substances, including marijuana (cannabis). Using, possessing, transmitting alcohol, illegal and/or controlled substances, including marijuana (cannabis) and anabolic steroids in any amount, in any manner, and at any time in the workplace. "

Hi Ian, Thanks for your question. Typically, the schools where we don’t offer Express are serviced primarily by the neighborhood community centers: West Central (Audubon, Holmes), Martin Luther King(Grant), Northeast Youth Center (Cooper, Bemiss, Regal). We used to have a programs at Bemiss, Cooper and Stevens, but had to close them because of lack of enrollment.

Hi Emily, Yes, every Friday is an early release day for elementary schoolers. However, on 20 of those Fridays, students have the option of staying at school until 3 p.m. if they are registered for the SHOP afterschool program. This goes for Camp Wilson as well.

Hi Heidi, Thanks for your questions. There is no district-wide water bottle policy, and I have not heard about an approved snack list. Since these recommendations seem very specific to your class/school, I'd suggest talking with the teacher or principal.

Hi James, Thanks for your question. There are school speed zone cameras at Ridgeview (N. Ash and N. Maple), Longfellow (N. Nevada), Finch (NW Blvd.) and Willard (N. Monroe).

Generally, clothing should be appropriate for all audiences and not distracting to other students. Since schools have their own dress codes, you should ask at your school office.

Hi Joleen, Thanks for your question. The first day of ECEAP preschool is Monday, Sept. 16. Find more contact info here.

Hi Wendi, I believe that will happen through our FamilyID registration system, but I don't see any programs for Garfield currently listed. Please ask at the school for details.

Most elementary schools don't share class lists until right before school starts because of all the changes being made up until the very last minute.

They are updated now!

Hi Steve, Thanks for your message. This year's start date is not going to change, but future calendars are currently being discussed. Please share your thoughts with Communication Director Brian Coddington: briancod@spokaneschools.org.

Hi Ramona, I understand your concerns. Each school handles class changes its own way, so your best course of action will be to check with the principal and/or office manager.

If you continue this year to witness behavior that seems unfair or harassing, please talk with the school principal about it when it happens so that it can be addressed in a timely fashion.

Hi Thomas, Thanks for your question. There will be a community open house for the new Linwood Sept. 14 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Hope you can make it!

Hi! SPS elementary schools will dismiss students at 1:45 p.m. every Friday this year. Secondary schools will have early release Fridays 12 times during the year. Find details on our school year calendar.

Hi Terri, We currently do not have building maps online. Most schools host an orientation or back-to-school event where students are able to get their schedule and walk around to see their classrooms. Check your school's website or give the school a call for details.

Hi Vicki, SPS Policy 3245 deals with students and telecommunication devices. Hope this helps!

Hi Kelsey, On the Garry homepage, scroll down to the Headlines area. You'll see information about school supplies there.

Hi Anne, You can access the staff site by clicking "staff" in the upper right-hand corner of any webpage. From there, you can find Performance Matters under Quick Links, or hover over the Learn channel to find professional development. Hope this helps!

Hi Miranda, High school students can access their class schedules through PowerSchool. Schedule and locker information will also be available at the Freshman Open House Aug. 27 from 3-5 p.m. If you haven't checked out the LC website yet, please do so! Scroll down to the Headlines area and click "Back to School" for lots and lots of information. Go Tigers!