Reminder-MondayisPictureDay!
Ordering School Pictures
WSSB's picture day is September 9th. If you would like to order school pictures, you can find photo package options using the following link to Bell Imaging's site.
Curriculum Night - September 16
We are excited to invite students, families, and Residential Life staff to WSSB's Curriculum Night on September 16 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. You can attend in person or join us via Zoom. During the event, you’ll follow your student’s schedule in a condensed format, meet their teachers, and learn about each class. Additional details and Zoom links will be shared soon via email. We look forward to connecting with you either in-person or online!
Format will be a Monday schedule in a condensed format, including seven periods plus time for additional check-ins with instructors.
School Spirit Week September 16 - 20
Each day during the week of September 16, show your school pride by celebrating each day with a special theme.
Monday: Dress for the Decades, think 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s or another decade!
Tuesday: Silly hair or hat day
Wednesday: Colors or college day. Wear your favorite fun colors, school colors (green or yellow) or college clothing!
Thursday: Dress to impress. Break out those bowties, sequins, prom wear or whatever makes you feel extra special!
Friday: Comfy day: Think pjs or sportswear.
Meet Student Council
President: Gabriel Maduro
Vice President: Sadie Stephens
Secretary: Hayden Stalder
Treasurer: Eric Alaniz
Middle School Member-at-Large: Lee Rivera
Student Advisory Role with WSSB's Board
Student Council President also has the important and special honor of serving as the student advisory representative on the WSSB Board of Directors and Ex-Officio Board for the school year. This position plays an important role with the Board of Directors/Ex-Officio Board representing the student body of WSSB and bringing student perspective into conversations with the board and the superintendent. The student council president attends all but one of the meetings between the board and superintendent during the school year.
More info about Student Council linked here
Writing Contest Seeking Submissions
Literature Across Horizons will be hosting an inaugural creative writing contest. Open to all blind or low vision students ages 14-18.
Creative Writing Contest:
One word prompt: Perspective
The contest is seeking stories not solely about living with blindness and low vision, but multifaceted experiences that are unique to every blind or low individual.
Submission window for creative writing contest closes September 30
Research Writing Contest
Prompt: Write a research essay examining how the medicine and science industries can leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation to expand accessibility and inclusion for individuals who are blind or have low vision.
Submission window for research writing closes October 12
More info and link to submit your work: Literature Across Horizons
Got questions? Ask Ms. Gullickson for more info.
Want to Go to Portugal?!
We are headed to Portugal, Summer 2025. If you are interested, check out our tour page to enroll of to find even more information like our detailed literary, everything that's included, FAQs and more: eftours.com/2736044DJ
School Day Snacks
While students are provided regular meals throughout the day, a light snack can help bridge the gap. The Irwin office will have healthy grab and go snacks available for students. If you're feeling like you need a mid-morning snack, stop by the office between first and second period.
Phone Free WSSB
WSSB is phone-free all day. This means that cell phones, smartwatches, and earbuds are not to be used during the academic school day, except for staff approved activities (O&M, work based learning, etc.). Personal devices need to be stored off (or in airplane mode) and away. Research supports that schools without cell phones demonstrate improvements in focus, academic performance, social interaction, and mental health.
Later this fall, each student will be issued a secure pouch to support this practice so they can keep their devices off and on them without the distraction.
Values and Empower Ups
Our shared values for learners at WSSB include being:
- Kind
- Prepared
- Engaged
- Empowered
We've noticed students being excellent citizens with helping each other out, especially our new students. Starting next week, we'll announce students who were given an Empower Up for demonstrating these values. Students announced will get the opportunity to have a turn with the Empower Up machine and win various prizes that range from school-wide popcorn party to an encouraging message.
Calling in Attendance
Please notify the office if your student is going to be absent. You may contact the office at:
-
Email office@wssb.wa.gov or
-
Call 360-947-3292
OtherResourcesandOpportunities
Irwin Site and Family Resources
Be sure to check out the resources section of the Irwin School website. Some notable links are:
- Student Handbook
- Family Resources Padlet (a resource bulletin board with lots of great links and info)
- Info on Standards Based Grading
- And More!
Visit www.irwin.wssb.wa.gov to learn more and check for updates
EMPOWER VI Student Advisory Board Seeking Participants
EMPOWER VI is seeking students who are blind or low vision to join our Student Advisory Board. Members of the advisory board will meet monthly to provide input and feedback on the direction of our work, and the resources we develop, and share about their lived experiences as they prepare for adulthood.
To participate, students must be enrolled in a high school or transition program during the 2024-2025 school year and have a visual impairment. Board members will be asked to attend a one-hour virtual meeting each month. Students will be compensated for their time and can earn $15 per meeting or up to $180 per year
Paralympic Games Launch
The Paralympics showcase the extraordinary abilities of athletes with disabilities, pushing the boundaries of human potential across a wide range of sports. Among these, goalball stands out as a unique and thrilling event designed specifically for blind athletes. In this fast-paced team sport, players rely on their hearing to track a ball with embedded bells, demonstrating incredible reflexes and spatial awareness as they attempt to score goals while defending their own net.
Check out this NPR interview on Goalball
DSB College Readiness Classes 3T Academy
3T Academy is an eight-month program designed to promote college preparation and success, self-advocacy development and workplace readiness. The program will provide a comprehensive, strengths-based curriculum to increase self-efficacy and confidence as student’s transition into post-secondary programs.
More details and registration info
DSB Vision to Victory Entertainment Camp
If you are currently an active musician or singer, this is the camp for you. You will work with artists who have released music on iTunes and a music producer who can work one on one with you to coach and mentor you and give you an introduction to the music industry.
Youth participants who are interested in acting or DJ’ing can also apply to work in our musical theatre and improv acting classes. This camp is a wonderful opportunity for all performers to grow. This will also enable you to work in these industries and receive future placements to build experience and strengthen your resume.