Nine Mile Falls Parents and Community Members,

As we approach the final weeks of the 2023/24 school year, I want to update you on a few important events and changes happening this summer and next school year.

To encourage our elementary students to continue reading over the summer, the Nine Mile Falls School District will open the library at Lake Spokane Elementary School. The library will be available for two hours every other week, and any K-5 student in our district is welcome to visit and check out books. Please see the attached flyer for more details. The library will be open on the following dates and times:

• Wednesday, June 26th: 9am-11am

• Wednesday, July 10th: 9am-11am

• Wednesday, July 24th: 9am-11am

• Wednesday, August 7th: 9am-11am

• Wednesday, August 21st: 9am-11am

During the May school board meeting, the first reading of our new Telecommunication (Cell Phone) Policy was approved. This policy, developed from student, parent, and staff survey data, along with current research on the impact of cell phone use among youth, was designed with input from high school and middle school students. The policy stipulates that students in grades PK-8 will not have access to cell phones during the school day. Students in grades 9-12 will only have access to their cell phones between class periods and during lunch. For more information about the new cell phone policy, please click here.

Next school year, we will introduce "nudge letters" to keep parents and students informed about their monthly attendance. This practice, which we have been implementing for high school students this past year, will now extend to all students in the district. Research consistently shows that regular attendance enhances student connection with peers and teachers, leading to higher academic achievement. Our goal is to motivate students to maintain regular attendance, fostering a strong sense of belonging and academic success.

Finally, I would like to congratulate our Lakeside High School seniors on their outstanding achievements. We will celebrate our seniors during graduation on Friday, June 7th, at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox. Congratulations, seniors…GO EAGLES!

Wishing all of you a safe and healthy summer! Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns at 509.340.4303, 509.714.1970, or jbaerwald@9mile.org.

I am Nine Mile Proud!

Jeff Baerwald
Superintendent