Community Update – August 11
As we continue to support one another through the aftermath of the wildfires, I wanted to share some additional information about the Nine Mile Falls Community Kids Camp and several other important community updates.
Nine Mile Falls Community Kids Camp
We are excited to offer a FREE Nine Mile Falls Community Kids Camp for children ages 5–13 at Lake Spokane Elementary School.
📍 Lake Spokane Elementary
📅 Wednesday, August 12 – Friday, August 14
📅 Monday, August 17 – Wednesday, August 19
⏰ 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
In collaboration with Project:Camp, Suncrest Worship, and Journey Four Square Church, we have created a parent registration form for families who would like their children to attend, as well as a volunteer sign-up for community members who are willing to help.
We still need volunteers to make this camp possible. If you have the time and are able to help, please consider volunteering. Your support will make a difference for our kids and families. Here is the link to sign your child up and/or to sign-up to volunteer: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/suncrest-day-camp
Transportation from the Spokane County Side
We are incredibly grateful to First Student, who has graciously offered two buses to provide transportation for students living on the Spokane County side of our district to attend the kids camp.
Bus 1
• Charles Road & West Shore Fire Station: Pick-up at 8:20 a.m., departs at 8:30 a.m.
• Nine Mile Falls Elementary: Pick-up at 8:45 a.m.
• Nine Mile Falls Elementary: Drop-off at 3:20 p.m.
• Charles Road & West Shore Fire Station: Drop-off at 3:35 p.m.
Bus 2
• Johansen & Highway 291: Pick-up at 8:30 a.m., departs at 8:40 a.m.
• Johansen & Highway 291: Drop-off at 3:25 p.m.
Lunch Provided by Mercy Chefs
We are also grateful to Mercy Chefs, who will be providing lunch for our students each day of camp. Mercy Chefs is also looking for volunteers to help serve our students. If you are interested in helping with meal service, please consider volunteering with Mercy Chefs. This link will take you to the Mercy Chefs volunteer page: https://mercychefs.volunteerhub.com/vv2/lp/Washingtonfire/
Community Town Hall
The fire team that responded to the Autumn Lane Fire will be holding a Town Hall Meeting tonight at 6:00 p.m. at Lakeside High School. Additional information about the meeting is available through Watch Duty.
I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has leaned into loving our community. Thank you to the firefighters who have worked tirelessly to protect our community, Project:Camp for partnering with Suncrest Worship and Journey Four Square Church to make the kids camp possible, and Mercy Chefs for making sure our kids are fed. I know there are countless others who have supported our community…THANK YOU!
I am incredibly proud to live and serve in this community. The way people have rallied around one another, especially during this difficult time, truly demonstrates what it means to be 9 Mile Proud.
Thank you for continuing to take care of one another.
Jeff Baerwald
Community Update – August 10
As we continue to support one another through the aftermath of the wildfires, I am excited to share some important information about the upcoming week.
Nine Mile Falls Community Kids Camp
We are excited to offer a FREE Nine Mile Falls Community Kids Camp for children ages 5–13.
📍 Lake Spokane Elementary
📅 Wednesday, August 12 – Friday, August 14
📅 Monday, August 17 – Wednesday, August 19
⏰ 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
In collaboration with Suncrest Worship and Journey Foursquare Church, we have created a parent registration form for families who would like their children to attend, as well as a volunteer sign-up for community members who are willing to help. Click the link to register your child and/or sign up to volunteer: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/suncrest-day-camp
Lunch will be provided each day of camp through Mercy Chefs. We are incredibly grateful to Mercy Chefs for helping us provide this important support to our students and families.
We need volunteers to make this camp possible. If you have the time and are able to help, please consider volunteering. Whether you can help for a full day, a half day, or on a specific date, your support will make a difference for our kids and families. You can use the link above to sign up to volunteer.
We are also working to arrange two pickup locations on the Spokane County side of our district so students can be transported to Lake Spokane Elementary. We expect to have those locations finalized today or tomorrow and will share that information with families as soon as it is available.
School Open Houses
We also want to remind families of our planned school open house dates:
Lakeside Middle School
Tuesday, August 18
Doors open at 5:15 p.m.
All-family meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the gym
Lake Spokane Elementary
Wednesday, August 19
5:00 p.m.
Nine Mile Falls Elementary
Wednesday, August 19
5:00 p.m.
Lakeside High School
Thursday, August 20
6:00–8:00 p.m.
For freshmen and new students
Preparing Our Schools
We are grateful that Level 3 evacuation orders have been lifted for most of our community.
As we prepare to welcome students and families back into our buildings, the district is taking additional steps to ensure our facilities are safe and ready. We have arranged for an environmental hygienist firm to evaluate the indoor air quality in our school buildings. This assessment will help us ensure we are doing everything possible to provide a safe environment for our students, staff, and families.
Thank you for continuing to support our students, families, and one another. The response from the Nine Mile Falls community has been incredible, and we are excited to provide an opportunity for our kids to reconnect, have some fun, and spend time together during a difficult summer.
Thank you for being 9 Mile Proud.
Jeff Baerwald
Community Update – August 7
As we head into the weekend, I want to provide a few quick updates to our Nine Mile Falls community.
We remain hopeful and are continuing to plan for all school open houses and the start of school to occur as scheduled. We know there are still questions and uncertainty, and we will continue to communicate with local leaders and emergency response partners as we work toward the start of the school year.
For families who continue to need supplies, please remember that resources remain available at the Wagon Wheel Event Center, Tum Tum Food Bank, and The Nine Mile Store. We are grateful to the many people who continue to make these resources available to our community.
We also encourage families impacted by the fires to visit the Fire Resources page on the Nine Mile Falls School District website at 9mile.org. We will continue to add information and resources to this page to help families navigate recovery and find available support.
We are also excited to share more information on Monday about our planned Nine Mile Falls Community Kids Camp. Our tentative plan is to provide a free camp for students ages 5–13 at Lake Spokane Elementary, beginning Wednesday, August 12. The current schedule is:
• Wednesday–Friday, August 12–14 (9am-3pm)
• Monday–Wednesday, August 17–19 (9am-3pm)
We are working with Spokane County Fire District 9 to help ensure students who live on the Spokane County side of our community are able to access the camp.
We will provide more information on Monday, including details about registration, transportation, activities, and opportunities for community members to volunteer and help with the camp. Please be watching for that information.
Thank you, once again, for your continued support of the Nine Mile Falls community. The way our community continues to come together and care for one another is truly something special.
Stay 9 Mile proud and have a safe weekend!
Jeff Baerwald
As we head into the weekend, I want to provide a few quick updates to our Nine Mile Falls community.
We remain hopeful and are continuing to plan for all school open houses and the start of school to occur as scheduled. We know there are still questions and uncertainty, and we will continue to communicate with local leaders and emergency response partners as we work toward the start of the school year.
For families who continue to need supplies, please remember that resources remain available at the Wagon Wheel Event Center, Tum Tum Food Bank, and The Nine Mile Store. We are grateful to the many people who continue to make these resources available to our community.
We also encourage families impacted by the fires to visit the Fire Resources page on the Nine Mile Falls School District website at 9mile.org. We will continue to add information and resources to this page to help families navigate recovery and find available support.
We are also excited to share more information on Monday about our planned Nine Mile Falls Community Kids Camp. Our tentative plan is to provide a free camp for students ages 5–13 at Lake Spokane Elementary, beginning Wednesday, August 12. The current schedule is:
• Wednesday–Friday, August 12–14 (9am-3pm)
• Monday–Wednesday, August 17–19 (9am-3pm)
We are working with Spokane County Fire District 9 to help ensure students who live on the Spokane County side of our community are able to access the camp.
We will provide more information on Monday, including details about registration, transportation, activities, and opportunities for community members to volunteer and help with the camp. Please be watching for that information.
Thank you, once again, for your continued support of the Nine Mile Falls community. The way our community continues to come together and care for one another is truly something special.
Stay 9 Mile proud and have a safe weekend!
Jeff Baerwald
Community Update – August 6
As our community continues to recover from the recent wildfires, I want to begin by expressing my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has stepped forward to help.
Thank you to the many community members who have generously donated food, supplies, and financial resources to support families affected by the fires. Your kindness has been nothing short of remarkable. I also want to extend a special thank you to the volunteers who have dedicated countless hours to organizing, sorting, and staffing the donation and distribution sites. Your willingness to serve others is a true reflection of what makes the Nine Mile Falls community so special.
The organizers of our local donation sites have asked me to share their sincere appreciation for the overwhelming support they have received. Thanks to your generosity, they currently have an ample supply of most needed items. At this time, the primary item they would appreciate continuing to receive is bottled water.
Many families have reached out with questions about the start of the school year. Our intent is to begin school as scheduled on Monday, August 24. Like you, however, we still have many unanswered questions. We remain in regular communication with local emergency responders and other decision-makers as recovery efforts continue. When we know more, we will assuredly pass it along.
We ask for your continued patience and understanding as these conversations unfold. Like you, we want all of our schools to be fully accessible, ready to welcome students and families for open houses, and prepared for a successful start to the 2026–2027 school year.
In addition, the Nine Mile Falls School District is partnering with faith leaders in our community to explore the possibility of offering a children's camp beginning next week. We are still in the early stages of planning and working through logistics, but we are excited about the opportunity to provide additional support and connection for our students and families. More information will be shared as plans are finalized.
I would also like to share that the Wagon Wheel is graciously sponsoring a lunch tomorrow beginning at 11:00 a.m. for firefighters and individuals impacted by the fires. We are grateful for their continued support of our community and those who have been working tirelessly throughout this emergency.
As you plan for the upcoming school year, please refer to the 2026–2027 Nine Mile Falls School District Calendar for important dates, including open houses and the first day of school. You can find our calendar on the home page of https://www.9mile.org/
To make it easier for families to access recovery information, the Nine Mile Falls School District has added a "Fire Resources" link to the homepage of our district website. We encourage families impacted by the fires to visit this page, where we will continue to share information, community resources, and recovery support as it becomes available. https://www.9mile.org/o/district/page/fire-relief-resources
While the recovery process will take time, the strength, generosity, and resilience of this community continue to shine through. Every act of kindness, whether through volunteering, donating, supporting a neighbor, or simply offering encouragement, has made a difference. I could not be more proud of how our community has come together to care for one another.
Thank you for your continued support and patience. We will continue to share updates as new information becomes available.
Please stay safe and 9 Mile Proud.
Jeff Baerwald
Community Update - August 5
As our community continues to navigate the challenges brought on by the wildfires, I want to begin by thanking each of you for the compassion, resilience, and generosity you have shown over the past several days. Once again, the people of Nine Mile Falls have demonstrated what it means to come together in support of one another.
I know many of you are asking important questions, including:
Will school start on time?
When will Highway 291 reopen?
At this time, we simply do not have those answers. Please know that district leadership is in regular communication with local emergency responders, county officials, and our public safety partners. As soon as we have confirmed information regarding school operations, transportation, or access into and out of our community, we will communicate it with our families immediately.
Our community donation efforts also continue to make a tremendous difference. Donation sites remain open and are accepting contributions for families impacted by the fires.
The Wagon Wheel Event Center is currently in need of:
Toilet paper
Paper towels
For families on the Charles Road side of the fire, needed supplies are available for pickup at The Nine Mile Store.
If you are looking for additional ways to support our community, I encourage you to continue donating to our local collection sites. You may also make a financial contribution through the Lakeside Boosters Club, which is accepting donations designated for "Community Support." Every act of kindness, whether it is donating supplies, volunteering your time, or supporting financially, helps our neighbors begin the difficult process of recovery.
Please continue to utilize the resources shared in previous updates, including the Spokane Community Resources website, the Fig Tree Community Resource Directory, and the free emergency childcare being provided by Spokane Public Schools for families impacted by the fires.
While there are still many unanswered questions, one thing remains certain: this community continues to show extraordinary strength, compassion, and resilience. I could not be more proud to serve the Nine Mile Falls School District and to witness the way our community cares for one another. Together, we will get through this, and together, we will help our neighbors recover.
Thank you for continuing to look out for one another. We will keep you informed as new information becomes available.
Please stay safe and 9 Mile Proud!
Jeff Baerwald
As our community continues to recover from the devastating wildfires, I want to thank everyone who has reached out to support our neighbors in need.
Today, I had the opportunity to visit the Wagon Wheel Event Center and witness firsthand the incredible generosity of the Nine Mile Falls community. The outpouring of donations and volunteers was truly inspiring. I am so thankful and proud to live in a community where people consistently lean in to support one another. This is what makes Nine Mile Falls such a special place.
This morning, administrators from the district also attended a regional Community Support Meeting in Spokane with organizations from across our area. It was encouraging to see so many agencies working together to provide resources and assistance for families impacted by the fires.
As a result of that collaboration, a new resource website has been created to help individuals and families connect with available services and support. I encourage anyone affected by the fires to visit the Spokane Community Resources website.
I also want to share the Fig Tree Community Resource Directory, which provides a comprehensive listing of community organizations and services available throughout our region. It is another excellent resource for families seeking assistance with housing, food, financial support, counseling, and many other needs. (Fig Tree)
I also encourage everyone to continue referring to yesterday's update for information about the free emergency childcare being offered by Spokane Public Schools and the local donation locations and needed items. Those resources remain available and continue to support families impacted by the fires.
As we receive additional information, new resources, or updates regarding access in and out of our community, we will continue to share them with you.
Thank you for your continued compassion, generosity, and commitment to one another. It is during times like these that the strength of our community shines brightest.
Please continue to stay safe and 9 Mile Proud!
Jeff Baerwald
As our community continues to respond to the ongoing wildfires, I want to share a few important updates and resources.
We are grateful to Spokane Public Schools for extending their free emergency drop-in childcare through the end of this week for families impacted by the wildfires. The program is available for children ages 4 and older, Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at Shadle Park High School. It is open to families from the Nine Mile Falls, Mead, and Spokane Public Schools service areas and provides a safe, supervised environment while parents and caregivers attend to immediate needs. Lunch is provided through the federal Summer Meals Program.
We sincerely appreciate Spokane Public Schools for partnering with neighboring districts to ensure families have access to this important resource during this challenging time.
Our community continues to demonstrate incredible generosity in supporting those affected by the fires. Donation sites are currently accepting:
Non-perishable food
Toiletries
Bottled water and sports drinks
Diapers and infant care items
Please do not donate clothing at this time until organizers have a better assessment of those needs.
Donations may be dropped off daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at:
Style House 291
The Wagon Wheel
291 Brewhouse
The Nine Mile Store
North Wild Coffee
Thank you to everyone who has stepped forward to support our neighbors during this challenging time. We will continue to share updates and resources as they become available.
Please continue to stay safe and follow the guidance of local emergency officials.
Jeff Baerwald
Families, just a friendly reminder that tomorrow, Thursday, June 11, 2026 is NOT a late start Thursday.
Thank you!
Families,
The LHS secure and teach for the student medical emergency has been lifted. The student is recieving care and with her family. Thank you
Lakeside High School is in a secure and teach protocol at this time (4/28/2026 - 11:20am) due to a student health situation. First responders are on site and the students guardians are on site. This is a health emergency, not a threat of any kind. Thank you
Nine Mile Families and staff,
It is Tuesday April 28th at 5:15am - We have been notified by law enforcement that all school bus traffic is to stay at least one half mile away from the corner of Suncrest Drive and Greenfield. Please contact transportation (509)388-0508 to identify an alternative bus stop for your child or please drive your child to school. Thank you.
March Middle/High Lunch Menu! YUM!!
Veterans Day Assembly
Homework Extravaganza Today!
Need a little boost to get those grades up? Come join us after school today from 2:00–3:30 p.m. for our Homework Extravaganza!
Students can get extra help from teachers, catch up on missing assignments, and enjoy free pizza while they work.
Don’t miss this great opportunity to finish the week strong and stay on top of your grades, Lakeside!
Here they are, your 2025 Lakeside Homecoming Royalty!
Congratulations to our amazing students representing this year’s “Around the World” theme. Thank you to everyone who showed your school spirit and made Homecoming week unforgettable!
Nine Mile Families and Community members - We are looking for Nine Mile residents to join our Capital Levy Planning Team.
Your voice matters!
If you are interested, please fill out this short Google Form (https://forms.gle/dRdFzdJJkphmFiec7) and Jeff Baerwald will be reaching out to you.
Our first meeting is Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 6pm in the Lakeside High School Library.
Big shoutout to our ASB for hosting their first schoolwide ASB meeting during lunch, earlier this week!
We brought together club representatives, athletic representatives, and first period representatives to share ideas, collaborate, and kick off the year strong.
Nine Mile Falls SD Athletics Update!
Our Athletic Director, Devin Bauer, has put together a one-page highlight sheet for both Lakeside Middle School and Lakeside High School. These updates showcase the hard work, dedication, and accomplishments of our student-athletes and coaches.
Check out the latest highlights and celebrate the pride of Lakeside!
Our Spanish 1 students took a musical trip to Colombia this week! They learned about the traditional music style of Cumbia, explored its cultural roots, and even listened to a song while picking out familiar vocabulary.
Seniors in Mrs. McAdams’ English class are engaging in rigorous analysis of literary merit across diverse forms of media. From children’s books and animated shorts to Broadway musicals and graphic novels, students presented thoughtful arguments on whether each work demonstrates literary merit, examined awards received, and provided well-chosen examples to support their claims.
We are proud of the critical thinking, depth of analysis, and scholarly discussion happening in our classrooms!
