Moses Lake School District Launches Video Series Focused on Four Strategic Questions

Moses Lake School District is launching a new video series designed to give families and community members a closer look at the work happening inside our schools – and how that work connects to the district’s strategic priorities. The series is built around four guiding questions the district uses to evaluate progress and maintain accountability:

• Are our kids learning?
• Are they safe?
• How are our staff ensuring students are learning and safe?
• How are we spending levy dollars and keeping our promises to our community?

These questions serve as a framework for decision-making, resource allocation, and communication. Each video in the series will highlight real classrooms, real staff, and real examples of how these priorities come to life across Moses Lake schools.

Episode One: Teaching & Learning in Action at Endeavor Middle School

The first video in the series focuses on the Teaching & Learning strategic pillar and features a middle school math classroom at Endeavor Middle School.

Inside Mrs. Higbee’s classroom, students are working through one of the foundational building blocks of algebra: combining like terms.

While the phrase may sound technical, the concept represents a critical step in mathematical development. Combining like terms teaches students how to simplify expressions by grouping similar variables and constants — an essential skill that prepares them for solving equations, working with functions, and advancing into higher-level mathematics.

Mrs. Higbee works intentionally with her students to ensure they not only understand the procedure, but also the why behind it. Through guided instruction, student discussion, and practice opportunities, she helps students recognize patterns, organize their thinking, and build confidence in abstract reasoning.

“Middle school is where students begin to transition from arithmetic to true algebraic thinking,” said Voni Walker, executive director of teaching and learning. “Understanding how to combine like terms is one of the first major steps in that transition.”

Building Foundations for the Future

The work happening in Mrs. Higbee’s classroom reflects a broader instructional focus across the district: ensuring students have strong academic foundations that support long-term success.

Algebra is more than a math requirement. It is a gateway skill that supports problem-solving, logical reasoning, and analytical thinking — competencies that benefit students across subject areas, from science to technology to career pathways beyond high school.

By mastering foundational concepts like combining like terms, students are developing skills that will support them throughout their educational journey — in advanced coursework, in career training programs, and in college-level studies.

Connecting Classroom Learning to Community Trust

The video series is also part of the district’s ongoing effort to provide transparency around how strategic priorities are implemented and how levy-supported resources contribute to student learning environments.

Through real classroom examples, the district aims to show how staff ensure students are engaged, supported, and learning in structured and safe environments.

“This series is about visibility,” said Ryan Shannon, the district’s director of public relations. “Our community deserves to see how students are growing, how staff are supporting them, and how we are aligning our work to the commitments we’ve made.”

More to Come

Future videos in the series will highlight additional classrooms, safety initiatives, staff efforts, and examples of levy-supported programs in action.

By anchoring the series in its four guiding questions, Moses Lake School District is reinforcing its commitment to academic growth, student safety, staff support, and fiscal responsibility.

The first video, featuring Mrs. Higbee’s algebra lesson at Endeavor Middle School, is now available on the district’s website and YouTube channel.