While students enjoy summer break, several Mukilteo School District bus drivers are volunteering their time and putting their wheels in motion for students. They have teamed up with local grocery stores to host Stuff the Bus events throughout the area next week.

For those who haven't been on a school bus in a while, it’s a chance to hop on and check it out, while supporting a great cause.

“Every donation helps ensure kids start the school year with the nourishment and supplies they deserve,” said driver and event organizer Rodney Stults. “The need is great: one in every two students in the district qualifies for free and reduced lunch.”

Drivers will be collecting non-perishable foods and school supplies on their big, yellow Mukilteo School District bus from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., August 11-15.

Stuff the Bus is a community-driven initiative that collects school supplies for students in need, especially those facing economic hardship or housing instability. Supplies will be available to students when school starts this fall.

Thank you for supporting students!

Speaking of school supplies, all Mukilteo School District schools provide basic supplies for students at each grade level, reducing the number of supplies families need to purchase for their students. Elementary school lists now include just six basic items, plus one optional item, depending on the grade. Middle school lists are even shorter, with only three items.

Even better, supply lists have been simplified, so all elementary and middle schools use the same ones.

You can check out the 2025-26 school supply lists here. This is also a great way to gather ideas for donating supplies at Stuff the Bus events.

In the last newsletter, we shared the Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction's concerns about potential cuts to important federal programs funding, such as 2026 multilingual summer school, staff training, and services that support our multilingual learners.

We are pleased to share that the U.S. Department of Education has now announced the release of all federal K–12 funding that had been withheld since June 30. This means that the programs that were at risk of being lost throughout Washington are now protected for the upcoming school year.

This outcome is the result of strong advocacy from state leaders, families, educators, and lawmakers from both parties—working together to prioritize our students’ needs.

Hip hip hooray (x3) for our incredible grounds team, the unsung heroes turning our school grounds into back-to-school masterpieces!

This small but mighty crew of six people maintains over 356 acres of school grounds, including ball fields, planter areas, grassy lawns, parking lots, and much more.

That’s like mowing, trimming and tidying up the equivalent of 270+ football fields (yes, you read that right) nearly every week!

From keeping our campuses looking good to making sure walkways and play areas are safe and ready to welcome staff, students, and visitors, this team is getting it DONE before the first bell even rings.

Give them a wave, a high-five or a “thank you!” when you see them out and about — we appreciate everything they do!

Pictured above: Grounds crew employees finishing up a hard day's work at Patfhinder Kindergarten Center