Dear Readers,
While March signals the arrival of spring, it is also a time to raise awareness of intellectual and developmental disabilities. In this issue of Cultural Bridges, we are honored to share two impactful programs in our school district. Amira Learning (Page 5) is an AI-powered reading tool currently piloted in elementary special education classrooms, offering personalized, real-time feedback to help students build confidence while providing teachers with meaningful insights into reading progress. Misunderstood Moments (Page 7), created by Issaquah School District students, highlights the lived experiences of individuals with IDD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) and their families, using storytelling and art to foster empathy, inclusion, and connection across our community.
March is also a time when many families begin thinking ahead—about course selection, graduation pathways, and college planning (Page 11). In this issue, District parents, students, graduates, and a college counselor share perspectives, feedback, and advice to help families navigate these important decisions. Student voices continues to shine throughout our pages, from Pine Lake Middle School’s Speak Up initiative (Page 10), which empowers students and community members to stand up to discrimination, to My Voice, My Choice, a student reflection on living substance-free with confidence, self-respect, and courage (Page 17).
We are also reminded that we live in a beautifully diverse and caring community. A parent from Pakistan shares how their family celebrates Eid al-Fitr, observed this year from the evening of March 19 through March 20, offering insight into traditions that bring our communities closer together (Page 26). Finally, we extend our gratitude to our valued community partners—including PEPS (Page 19), The Garage, The Circle (Page 24), the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank (Page 25), and the City of Issaquah (Page 22)—whose ongoing support continues to strengthen our schools and families.
Wishing you a joyful spring ahead,
Laura Ni
Cultural Bridges Lead Editor/Program Manager
Issaquah Schools Foundation
laura@isfdn.org
In This Issue
- A letter for Readers
- Issaquah Schools Foundation
- Expanding Access to Literacy through Innovation – Amira
- Misunderstood Moments: When Behavior Is a Story Waiting to Be Heard
- Speak Up: Building a Culture of Courage at Pine Lake Middle School
- College Admissions, Course Selection, and Graduation Pathway
- Calendar and Events
- My Voice, My Choice
- Helping Teens Thrive in a Digital World
- Plan Your Visit to the 2026 Issaquah Sustainability Fair!
- The Circle, Community Navigation
- Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank: Express Shopping
- Eid al-Fitr: A Celebration of Joy, Gratitude, and Togetherness
