LAKE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS Blog

Dear LCSD Families:

I hope this finds you and your family well and safe. As the Willow Fire has become part of our daily lives, it is tempting to consider it “normal,” however I know that it has been a season of disruption and anxiety. As the start of school approaches, we are ready to welcome you back, and to provide students with a return to routine and learning–not to mention fun! It’s going to be a fantastic year.

Willow Fire Updates

The various first responders and leaders who have been managing the response to the Willow Fire have been doing an amazing job. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL! Through our connections with the Sheriff, County and Office of Emergency Management, we have been able to stay apprised of progress on the fire. 

At this time, we and our partners share optimism that we will be able to start school on time and without major disruptions to our operations. Of course, this could change at any time if there were to be major changes in the fire management conditions.

Even with an on time, “normal” start, there will be things we are attending to, such as mental health needs students might bring, and systems for monitoring and responding to air quality. Please stay tuned for more information on these plans.

Online Registration Help

Thank you to all the families who have already completed online registration. If you have not, and need help, we are hosting a help night on Wednesday, July 29th at both LCHS and LCES from 4:00-7:00 pm. We will provide devices to complete online registration and will have interpretation as needed. 

If you have not received your snapcode (via email) or packet (via mail), please reach out to your school front office for assistance starting Monday, July 27th, as all registrations need to be completed before the first day of school. 

See you on August 5th!

As a reminder, all families are invited to attend Orientation Conferences on Wednesday, August 5th. PreK-8th grade students will use this link to sign up for a conference: https://pickatime.com/client?ven=11618553. 

9th-12 students at LCHS and CCHS, please watch for more information being sent the week of July 27th on how to sign up and specific instructions for your students’ conferences. 

Amidst the distractions of the fire, I have still found time to get very excited about the year ahead. We can’t wait to see you soon!

Cheers,

Kate

Kate Bartlett, Superintendent

kcbartlett@lakecountyschools

Dear LCSD Families and Community:

We understand that recent expansions of evacuation and pre-evacuation zones related to the Willow Fire are causing additional anxiety and worry for our community above what we were already experiencing.

Today’s evacuation order for Lake Fork and other neighborhoods in the western half of the county significantly increased the number of LCSD staff and families who are displaced from their homes, in addition to those who were evacuated early on and have been living with uncertainty ever since. We are so sorry for what these families are going through.

There are obviously many resources available to families in need of help; the Lake County Office of Emergency Management Facebook page is an excellent resource. That said, if you have a need that is not being met by the agencies leading the response, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are here for you!

While we understand that many families have more urgent concerns at the moment, the district is still preparing for the start of school. Online registration for the 2026-27 school year will open this Tuesday, July 7 and you will receive an email with instructions as well as a packet by mail. We are very much looking forward to the new school year and to welcoming students back!

We will be back in touch when and if we have any school-specific updates related to the fire. In the meantime, please know that you are in our thoughts, and as our community continues to come together to support one another, we remain #pantherproud.

LCSD