Evening Update: Schools Open Tuesday November 25

Dear Issaquah School District families and staff, 

All schools will be open tomorrow (Tuesday), November 26, and will begin at their regular start times. At this point, all of our school sites have power. The Holly Street Early Learning Center is the one exception and will remain closed tomorrow. Our facilities team will check on the heating systems districtwide throughout the evening.  

We would like to share four updates: 

• Temperatures: Heating may continue to be inconsistent, but temperatures should be much warmer on Tuesday. However, it would be helpful if students and staff dress in layers to add comfort. 

• Transportation: Adjustments to bus routes are being posted to this page on the website (scroll to “Emergency Routes for November 26 – Windstorm"). Our Transportation team will communicate directly with students on affected bus routes. 

• Food Service: Please continue to expect possible menu changes and options that are different from what our Food Service teams typically provide. There is currently a milk shortage as well. 

• Middle school families: We promised a follow-up to the middle school community message that we sent last week. Tomorrow, November 26 is a full day. We are confirming that the end of the first trimester is December 3, and the first day of second trimester is December 4. Middle school students will have a half-day on December 6 for teachers to do work on grading. Parents and guardians will be able to view grades on December 10. 

 
Lastly, we want to let you know that some of our communication tools have not been performing as usual. Our network is still down, and Comcast is actively working on the problem, but it will not be fixed this week. In particular, we know that staff members are having trouble receiving emails sent via the SchoolMessenger system. We are working with our vendor and our IT team to resolve the issue, but in the meantime, we will continue sending important messages via robocall, text message, SchoolMessenger email and our Finalsite bulletin system. 

In closing, thank you again for your support, patience and understanding. I’d like the community to know about the incredible work of our team members, who had to adjust to the significant impacts of the rare “bomb cyclone” weather storm for our community, and our schools. Our colleagues work tirelessly on behalf of students, and are doing their very best, every day for every student.  

In partnership, 

Heather Tow-Yick 
Superintendent