Dear Interagency Families,

I hope this message finds you well. I want to take a moment to share some important updates, as well as my gratitude for the ways you continue to partner with us at Interagency Academy.

💻 Thank You for Attending Family Office Hours
A heartfelt thank you to the families who joined our recent Virtual Family Office Hours! It was truly wonderful to connect with you, hear your questions, and support both you and your students. Your engagement makes a big difference, and we look forward to hosting more opportunities for family connection and partnership in the near future.

📋 Healthy Youth Survey – Monday, October 21
On Monday, October 21st, students at Interagency will take part in the Healthy Youth Survey. This survey gives students the chance to share their voices on important topics such as school climate, friendships, health, safety, and overall well-being. Participation is voluntary and confidential—students may skip questions or stop at any time. The information collected helps schools, communities, and public health organizations improve the programs and services that support our youth.

📝 PSAT & SAT Assessments – October 28 & 30
Later this month, we will be administering important college-readiness assessments at the Columbia Center:

• PSAT for Juniors – Monday, October 28
• SAT for Seniors – Wednesday, October 30

These tests can open doors to scholarships, strengthen college applications, and may help fulfill Washington’s Graduation Pathway Requirement. While the SAT is optional for Washington colleges and universities, we encourage families to talk with their students about whether testing is the right step for their future goals.

❓ A Question for Your Student
As testing season approaches, we also want to recognize that testing anxiety is real for many students. A helpful conversation you can have with your child is:
“What helps you feel calm and confident when you take a test? What supports would make testing less stressful for you?”

Your insight as families helps us better understand how to support our students both on test days and throughout their learning journey.

Thank you for being such an important part of our school community. Together, we are creating a place where every student can thrive.

With appreciation,

Principal Sharonda Willingham
Interagency Academy

Thank you,

Sharonda R. Willingham
Principal
Interagency Academy
Office: 206-743-3935
Cell: 206-496-3693

“We are Equity in Action.”

Principal Willingham Video

Dear Interagency Families,

I want to take a moment to share a few important reminders and updates as we move forward into the school year.

📋 Family Feedback on Student Discipline Matrix
Thank you to those who have already shared your feedback on our Student Discipline Matrix. If you have not yet done so, please take a few minutes to review the matrix (originally sent out in a follow-up email on September 18th) and complete the family survey. Your input is essential, as it will directly shape how we build and refine our student discipline process. The survey will close on Friday, September 26th, so please be sure to complete it this week to ensure your voice is heard.

🍎 Lunch Forms – 100% Completion Goal
We also need your help with student lunch forms. These forms were included in the first day packets and are very important for securing additional LAP funding that directly supports our school and students. Even if you do not believe you qualify, we ask that you still complete and return the form, simply checking the box that indicates the guidelines do not apply. Our goal is 100% family participation, and every form matters—thank you for supporting this effort.

🚶‍♂️ Off-Campus Lunch Permission
This year, students must have a signed off-campus permission slip in order to leave campus during lunch. If you have not yet completed this form for your student, please do so as soon as possible.

💻 Open Office Hours with the Principal
I am excited to invite you to Virtual Office Hours on Monday, September 29th at 6:00 p.m. This is a wonderful opportunity to stop by, say hello, ask questions, or just connect as a community. I look forward to seeing many of your faces there.

❓ A Question for Your Student
Today, I encourage you to ask your student:
“Have you spoken with your advisor, and do you know your graduation date and how many credits you need to graduate?”
This is such an important conversation to have at the start of the year. Advisors are reviewing credits with students now, and we want every student to clearly understand their path to graduation. When families partner with us in asking these questions, students are more likely to stay focused and on track.

Thank you, families, for your continued partnership. Your engagement makes all the difference in helping our students thrive. Please know that we are here to support you and your student in every way we can.  Please see this week’s video, here!

With gratitude,
Principal Willingham
Interagency Academy

Principal Willingham Welcome

Dear Interagency Families,

At Interagency Academy, our number one priority is making sure every student feels safe, supported, and welcomed when they walk through our doors. We know that when students feel cared for, they are more able to focus on learning, earning credits, and graduating Seattle Ready — prepared for the future that lies ahead.

Part of creating this environment includes making sure our approach to discipline is fair, consistent, and restorative. This year, we are inviting families to share their feedback on our Student Discipline Matrix (Restorative Flowchart). This tool is how we respond to behavior challenges while also helping students repair relationships, stay accountable, and stay on track to reach their goals.

We want your voice in this process. Your feedback will help us ensure that our system reflects our shared values:

• Safety first — students know they are cared for and protected.
• Equity and fairness — expectations are applied consistently across campuses.
• Student success — discipline practices support, rather than interrupt, learning and credit earning.

This week, we will also be asking students to engage in this process during their advisory class. They will review the Restorative Flowchart and share their perspectives through a student survey, ensuring that student voice is an important part of the process as well.

Please take a few minutes to complete the Family Feedback Survey. Your partnership is critical as we work together to create a culture of learning that lifts every student.

Thank you for being an essential part of our community and for helping us keep Interagency a place where students thrive.

With gratitude,
Principal Willingham
Interagency Academy