The Lyle School District is currently seeking applicants and/or nominations to fill a vacancy on our School Board. We invite interested members of our community to apply and/or be nominated for this important role. Applicants/nominees must be a registered voter and reside in Lyle School District, Director District #1, which is the blue section on the map below. Letters of interest and nominations will be accepted until 4:00 PM on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. Please submit letters of interest and nominations to ann.varkados@lyleschools.org.

Public interviews will be held in a Special Board Meeting on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, just prior to the Regular School Board Meeting.

This is a great opportunity to contribute to the future of our students, the Lyle School District, and our community. If you have any questions about the role and/or responsibility of being a school board director, please feel free to contact the district office at (509) 365-2191 or via email at ann.varkados@lyleschools.org.

Thank you for your interest and we look forward to hearing from you!

Dear Students, Families, and Community Members,

We are excited to welcome you to a brand-new school year! Whether you are stepping into your very first day of PreK, returning for your senior year of high school, or supporting our schools as a parent, caregiver, or community partner, this is a fresh beginning filled with possibility. We are so glad you’re part of our school family.

The start of a new school year is always a special time. It brings with it new friendships, opportunities to learn and grow, and experiences that shape who we are and who we will become. Our teachers and staff have been preparing thoughtfully to ensure that every student feels supported, challenged, and inspired.

This year, we remain committed to:

• Providing high-quality learning experiences that meet the needs of every student.
• Building strong partnerships with families and community members, because together we make our schools stronger.
• Creating safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments where every child feels a true sense of belonging.

To our families and community: thank you for the trust and encouragement you place in us. Your support—whether it’s volunteering, cheering from the sidelines, or simply asking about a child’s day—makes all the difference.

And to our students: dream big, be curious, try new things, and remember you are surrounded by caring adults who believe in you. Each of you has unique gifts to share, and we can’t wait to see all that you will accomplish this year.

Here’s to a wonderful school year filled with learning, laughter, and lasting memories. Together, let’s make it our best year yet!

With gratitude and excitement,

Ann Varkados
Superintendent

Lori Smith
Principal

Parents, guardians, and community members are welcome to join us as we introduce a Social Emotional Learning Curriculum (SEL). This curriculum is intended for use in grades K-12 and will be presented to the board for adoption at the 6:00 PM board meeting following this parent review meeting.

Lyle Summer School starts on Monday, June 16th!

Please read through the following notes so you know what to expect:

• Summer School is Mon-Fri (except for Thurs 6/19 in honor of Juneteenth)
  • Starts at 9am & Ends at 1pm (except for 2 field trip days)
• Bus routes & times are posted on Lyle School's website
• Doors open at 8:45am and breakfast starts at 8:50am.
  • If dropping off your student, please plan to do so between 8:45-9am.
  • Light breakfast & full lunch will be provided
• Days END LATER on the following two Field Trip Days:
  • Wed 6/18 - Ends at 2pm
  • Thurs 6/26 - Ends at 4pm
• Field Trip Permission Slips will be sent home on Mon/Tues so your student will need to be present to get them back in time to attend. 
• On Field Trip days, please come prepared with:
  • Backpack
  • Water bottle
  • Closed toed shoes
  • Sun hat, sunglasses & sunscreen
  • Extra layer (optional)
  • Extra Snacks (optional)
• Students are expected to follow school rules and be on their best behavior in order to participate in field trips and other special activities.
• Lyle Summer School is in collaboration with REACH and partnerships with Arts in Ed, Fort Vancouver Regional Library, and The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. 
• See attached Calendar for At-A-Glance look at the schedule

We look forward to sharing these experiences with you students this summer :)

Thank you!

Summer School will run from June 16 through June 27 (no school on June 19), Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Field trip plans are in the works.

If you'd like your current K - 11 student to attend summer school, please fill out the registration form at https://forms.gle/HdQ8fGhFF5N5mzJt7.

Registration Deadline is Friday, June 6, 2025.

Notice - Open School Board Director Seats 2 & 4

The Lyle School District is announcing an exciting opportunity for dedicated and motivated individuals to join our school board as a director. These positions are vital to shaping the educational landscape of our community and ensuring that our students receive the highest quality education possible.

Responsibilities

As a school board director, you will:

• Collaborate with fellow board members to set the strategic direction of the district.
• Help develop and approve policies that govern the district's operations.
• Approve the district's annual operating budget.
• Oversee the district's budget and ensure financial responsibility.
• Place levies and bonds before district voters.
• Monitor and evaluate the superintendent’s performance.
• Ratify contracts negotiated with the local bargaining units.
• Represent the interests of the community, students, and parents.
• Attend regular monthly meetings and participate in committee work as needed.

Qualifications: Candidates must:

• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Be a registered voter in Washington State.
• Reside within the boundaries of the representative District that they are running to represent. Seat #4 is an “at large” seat, which means the candidate can reside anywhere within the Lyle School District boundaries.

How to Run

Candidate filing week is May 5-9, 2025.

• In Person Filing: In person filing opens at 8:00 AM on May 5^th and closes at 5:00 PM on May 9^th. Klickitat County Auditor, 205 S Columbus Ave. Room 203, Goldendale, WA 98620.
• Online Candidate Filing: Online filing opens at 8:00 AM on May 5^th and closes at 5:00 PM on May 9^th at https://voter.votewa.gov/candidatefiling/candidatelogin.aspx.
• Mail In Filing: Declarations may be accepted by mail beginning on April 21^st. They will be processed during filing week. All mail in filings must be received in the auditor’s office by 5:00 PM May 9^th. Send declarations to Klickitat County Auditor, 205 S Columbus Ave. Room 203, Goldendale, WA 98620.

Board Terms and Time Commitments

School board members are elected to four-year terms.

Regular School Board meetings will be held on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. Work study sessions are typically held on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. We do not hold work sessions in July, August, November, or December.

The duties of a School Board member involve preparation, participation, and attendance at meetings and other functions, such as community meetings and graduation exercises. Prospective candidates are encouraged to contact a member of the current Board of Directors to ask what the experience is like and what is involved.

For more information on school boards, visit the Washington State School Directors' Association website.

Related information

• About the Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA)
• WSSDA's webpage "Serving on Your Local School Board"
• WSSDA's Handbook "Serving on Your Local School Board: A Foundation for Success"
• WSSDA - For New School Directors
• WSSDA Onboard

This is a fantastic opportunity to make a positive impact on our schools and the future of our community's children. We encourage all interested individuals to apply and look forward to welcoming a new member to our team. If you have any questions, please contact the Klickitat County Auditor’s Office at 509-773-4001.

Join us for this fun event hosted by the Lyle ASB and REACH Program!

Interested in helping at the carnival? Sign up here https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904054EA9AF28A4FD0-56100962-spring#/

Purchase tickets in advance at https://events.hometownticketing.com/boxoffice/lyleschools/L2VtYmVkL2V2ZW50LzEwMw==

Families,

Throughout the year, we have experienced an increase in issues revolving around backpacks. We have made the decision that backpacks are no longer allowed in grades 6-12 classrooms, in the halls, in the lunchroom, or in the bathrooms. This decision is not made lightly and is in the interest of student safety and, enforcing the No Cell Phone policy. Accommodations will be made for students that may need a small bag or purse to take with them to the restroom as the occasion warrants.

A few things that you could help with:

• If your student does not need a backpack, they are welcome to leave it at home, students do not have large text books that they need to take home or carry around.
• Reinforcing the expectation to keep phones locked in lockers or in a Yondr pouch-we are having great results with classroom engagement without the cellphones being a distraction.
• Binders are completely acceptable. Your student may want to carry a binder with their classwork. If your student needs a binder but you cannot afford one, please call us and let us know
• Locks-some students are hesitant to use their locker because they cannot figure out the lock. If this is the case with your student, we are happy to work with them or send home a lock for them to practice with-Please let the office know.

As always, we appreciate your continued collaboration as we continue working to provide an environment where every student can learn successfully.

Thank You, 

Lori Smith

Principal

Due to inclement weather, Lyle Schools will be closed Friday, February 14th. The high school boys basketball game/senior night will be moved to Saturday,  February 15th at 3:30.

Please remember that Monday, February 17th is a holiday. 

If you ordered a Valentine Bear, it will be delivered Tuesday. 

Have a great four day weekend!