DISTRICT
Spring break is April 3-7. Classes resume Monday, April 10, at 9:15 a.m. During spring break week, the district office will be open from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (closed from noon-1 p.m.).
GREYWOLF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Maribeth Stewart’s fourth-graders have just finished an English Language Arts unit on geology. A large part of their study focused on tectonic plates, earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis. To culminate this unit, the children participated in The Pillowcase Project led by the American Red Cross.
According to a booklet provided to children: “Through the Pillowcase Project, children learn how to prepare for emergencies, practice what they have learned and share their knowledge with family and friends, so that, when an emergency occurs, everyone in the family knows what to do and how to help each other stay safe.”
The Red Cross provided a pillowcase for each student. The students then personalized their pillowcases by drawing pictures of items to include in their own personal emergency kit such as a first aid kit, blanket, toothbrush, toothpaste, bottled water and a flashlight.
HELEN HALLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Despite the long winter (and crazy weather of late), students are working hard to achieve their best on Smarter Balance Assessments (SBA), the state’s mandatory English Language Arts and math tests.
In preparation for this series of tests, Jaysa Hill’s fourth-grade class has once again created its own list of reminders for testing season, titled “The ABC’s of Testing.” Each student listed their own idea for a word or phrase beginning with each letter of the alphabet. The following day, students enthusiastically shared their ideas with classmates. Final choices will be featured on posters in the classroom as reminders.
This activity provided the students with an opportunity to review helpful test-taking strategies in a fun new way.
Here is the final list:
Answer all parts of the question.
Breakfast is super important on testing days!
Concentrate.
Double check your work.
Elaborate when typing up your responses to a question.
Focus.
Go back to the text!
Highlight important words and information.
Identify the problem or what the directions are telling you to do.
Just do your best work.
Kids that focus score better.
Listen to the directions.
Make every second count!
Never rush through your test.
Optimistic attitudes help us set up for success!
Practice makes perfect.
Quadruple check your work!
R.D.W. and R.A.C.E. (see below)
Slow down and take your time.
Take notes.
Use your brain, not your neighbor’s.
Validate your responses!
Whistling and whispering do not take place in the testing room.
X-ray the question (don’t miss any parts).
You need to know the ABC’s of testing!
Zero questions left unanswered.
For those that are curious about the acronyms R.D.W. and R.A.C.E., two strategies used in math and language arts to help students achieve their best, here are translations:
R.D.W. (Class Math Strategy)
Read (the question)
Draw (show your work)
Write (your answer in a complete statement)
R.A.C.E. (Language Arts Strategy)
Restate the question in your answer.
Answer in complete sentences.
Cite your evidence from other sources.
Explain and answer every part of the question.
SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL
The last computer workshop by Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) students is on Saturday, March 25, at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at the high school in Room A-3. This session is open to the public. There is no admission fee, but donations to help with the team’s travel to state competition are welcome. The basics of the computer will be reviewed. For more information, contact Erin Dwyer at dwyer.erin20@gmail.com.
During March, the track team is selling coffee cards that offer up to $140 in savings! Cards are $20 each and are good at many local coffee spots. If you are interested in supporting the track team, and your coffee habit, contact Erin Dwyer at dwyer.erin20@gmail.com.
Spring performances include a choir concert on Wednesday, March 29, and a band concert on Thursday, March 30. Both concerts begin at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.
Senior Ball tickets are on sale for $50 for seniors and $55 for their non-senior guest, in the main office through March 31. Dance guest requests also are available and must be completed for any guest as well as SHS non-senior students. Guest requests must be completed and returned by March 31.
Sequim High School’s Knowledge Bowl team, with teacher/advisor Laura Gould, earned the Summit Award at a tournament in January. The award goes to the school in each division with the two highest scoring squads. Our top team is made up of Devin Hibler, Liam Stevenson, John Purvis and Addie Berg, and our second-place team is made up of Jack Drennen, Carmen Wilwert, Calvin Hazard and Joe Benjamin. Devin, Liam, John, Addie, Carmen and Joe went on to compete at the state tournament at Arlington High School on March 17-18.
Students interested in running for an ASB office for the 2017-2018 school year must attend a mandatory informational meeting on Monday, March 27, at either 7:30 a.m. or 3 p.m.
