Soap Lake School District

Welcome Back Eagles!

Dear Students, Families, and Community,

As we begin another exciting school year, I want to extend a warm welcome back to all our returning students and families, and a special welcome to those joining our school community for the first time. The first day of school is Aug 27th. The bell rings at 8:10 and classes start at 8:15.

Return Plan:

Student orientation will be Aug 20th and 21st. Students will meet with their advisors for an hour during their scheduled time period. Schedules, locker combos, and Skyward access will be accomplished during this time. 

• Students in grades 10, 11, and 12 will meet on Wednesday, Aug 20th from 4-7 PM  
• Students in grades 7, 8, and 9 will meet on Thursday, Aug 21st from 4-7 PM

On Thursday, we will be hosting a Community BBQ. Hotdogs, chips, bottled water and a treat will be provided and will be served from the Elementary. Also, members of our FFA will be showing off their grilling/smoking abilities and will be providing some samples. Be sure to get there early and support their efforts. 

Preparing for Excellence: 

I want to start by recognizing our incredible maintenance department, whose hard work throughout the summer has ensured our building is ready to provide the best possible learning environment for our students. Their dedication behind the scenes makes everything we do possible.

Academic Growth and Innovation: 

This year, we're excited to implement new curriculum initiatives designed to enhance student learning and achievement. We've also welcomed several talented new staff members who bring fresh perspectives and expertise to our team. Together, we're committed to supporting every student's academic success.

Student Life and Engagement: 

Our ASB group is energized and ready to make this school year memorable with exciting activities and events. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and we look forward to the school spirit and fun they'll bring to our campus.

Athletic Excellence and School Spirit: 

We're incredibly proud of our athletic teams and the amazing coaches who lead them. Our dedicated athletes have been hard at work throughout the summer, conditioning, strengthening, and participating in tournaments to prepare for what promises to be an outstanding season. Mark your calendars now—Homecoming is scheduled for October 24th when we'll take on Pateros. We encourage the entire school community to come out and support our teams throughout the year.

Building Our School Community: 

One of our primary goals this year is strengthening the bonds that make our school a true community. We believe that meaningful face-to-face interactions, collaborative learning, and genuine connections between students and staff are the foundation of a thriving school environment. However, we recognize that cell phones and the constant distractions they create can undermine these essential connections. When students are focused on their devices rather than engaging with classmates and teachers, it fragments our community and diminishes the rich learning experiences we work so hard to create. We ask for your partnership in helping students understand that putting devices away during instructional time isn't just about following rules—it's about building the strong, supportive community we all want to be part of.

Important Updates and Expectations: 

We’re excited to start the year with a few changes designed to help our students learn, grow, and feel safe every day. These updates are all about giving students the best chance to succeed—academically, socially, and personally—while making our school a place where everyone can focus and thrive.
This year, our new single bell schedule is designed to make each day run more smoothly and give students the most learning time possible. Being present and on time helps set the tone for a successful day—every minute in class is a chance to grow, ask questions, and connect with peers. Arriving on time shows respect for classmates and teachers and helps everyone stay focused. We’re here to encourage and support students as they build these valuable life skills.

To make our school safer and more organized, we’re introducing a required locker use policy. Storing backpacks and personal items in lockers keeps our hallways and classrooms clear, reducing tripping hazards and making it easier for everyone to move safely. To give students more time between classes, we’ve added an extra minute to passing periods so lockers can be accessed without stress.

We’re also embracing the district’s updated cell phone policy to help students stay focused and engaged in learning. Phones will be kept in lockers during class time so everyone can concentrate on instruction, collaborate with classmates, and participate fully. By limiting distractions, we can create a more connected, productive, and supportive classroom environment.

Bus Plan

For everyone’s safety, we are making adjustments to our end-of-day routine. Last year, the parking lot became too congested, and we had several close calls. Starting this year, bus riders will be picked up in front of the building. Buses will load elementary students at 2:55 in front of their building, then move to the front for secondary student pickup. Car riders can still be picked up in the parking lot as usual. These changes will help keep traffic flowing smoothly and ensure that students get home safely.

Together, these updates will help us create a safe, welcoming, and focused learning environment. When we work as a team – students, staff, and familie – we can make this year one of our best yet!

Warm regards,

Will Britt
Principal, Soap Lake Middle High