DISTRICT
The Sequim School District is looking for substitute teachers, para-educators, custodial persons, bus drivers and bus aides.
Apply online at www.sequim.k12.wa.us. Questions? Need assistance? Call the Human Resources department at 582-3418.
There is no school on Friday, Feb. 17, or Monday, Feb. 20. The district office will be closed on Feb. 20 as well for Presidents Day.
GREYWOLF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
As part of a shared research study on American Civil Rights leaders in the library, Chris Stevens’ second-graders wrote poems using the facts they learned while reading. They worked on pulling out key ideas in the text and collaborated as a class to create a poem.
They are planning to mail a copy of their poem to Ruby Bridges — an American activist who became a symbol of the civil rights movement and who was at age 6, the youngest of a group of African-American students to integrate schools in the American South.
Hi Ruby!
You were so brave
To go to a “white school”
On your own, alone.
Were you scared Ruby?
Did you get butterflies, like I would?
What made you
Keep going
Day after day, every day,
Knowing a big angry mob waited
For you,
You — a six year old little girl?
Ruby — You showed us courage
When you faced the hateful people.
You made us proud
When you used love to drive out hate.
You fought with words —
Kind words.
Ruby — Your words changed our world.
You made it right
For all of us,
For all kids.
All kids can now learn together.
Thank you for helping our country
Change
From separate to together.
HELEN HALLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Gail Kite’s fifth-grade students are reading contemporary fiction and practicing writing vignettes. Our theme for this writing sample is Identity.
Here are some of the vig-nettes written by students:
“My name is Orin. In Irish it means otters, sick and pale. But I like my name. It is unique. I currently have around thirty to forty chickens, a dog and twenty-two pigs. Nine were born a couple of days ago. A few were black with a pink stripe. Some were pink with black dots. I like to farm. One time I grew a tomato plant in a tree pot and there were tomatoes the size of my hand. They were delicious. It would be hard to explain all my life, but this is a summary.” Orin Ledgerwood
“My personality, like some, is mostly happy. Everyone sees and feels the world differently. I see the world as one big playground. Some see it unlike me. I always have something to do. Everyone is different, even ancestors, brothers or sisters. My hobby is soccer. I played two years of baseball but that’s it. Sometimes my brother coaches me before his practices. He teaches me moves I have not learned yet. I am the best at defense.” Hunter Halverson
“My blue shimmering gaze was fixed on the sea. The chilly breeze ruffled my blonde hair. I was sitting down on the warm sand. My arms stretched out behind me. My legs crossed in front of me. Marli — that is my name. It is a unique and uncommon name. It is special to me. My family is encouraging, loving and trustworthy. I am happy to have them. My home is in the woods. My favorite place to be is in the woods. I’m usually alone, unaccompanied. My friends are caring and kind. They are helpful. They understand me. I am a 10-year-old girl in fifth grade. Sometimes though, I go through hard times. Sometimes I don’t. Either way, this is me, or this is the way I like it.” Marli Gagner
“I consider myself a good person. I play sports, sing and have lots of friends. But that is only what I think. I wonder to myself, is that what other people think? My name is Pearle. It means ‘gem of the sea.’ I like my name and consider it beautiful. I feel the same way about my appearance. But I wonder to myself, is that what other people think? I get deeper into my thought the way a bullet pierces the skin and sinks through, and then suddenly stops moving. I notice after my thought-bullet comes from the other side and I know my answer. I know my identity. I am Pearle. Good hearted and kind. I don’t care what others think. I am what I am. I’m my own person.” Pearle Peterson
“My name is Tenley. I’m eleven years old but my favorite number is ten. My favorite number is part of my name. Three people from my family all have “ey” at the end of their name. My mom didn’t even mean for that to happen. My brother’s name is Ridge but we call him Fridge. We all love our dogs except Ridge. My sister Kyia is a teenager and so is Ridge. We also have two cats and we all love them. Ridge only likes one of them, but I like them all.” Tenley Armstrong
SEQUIM MIDDLE SCHOOL
Joe Landoni would like to showcase the following seventh-grade students as science “Catalysts” for Term 2. Just what is a catalyst, you ask? Catalysts are those students who regularly display an exceptional level of participation in their science class. They are the kings and queens of questioning! They make those thought provoking statements which extend understanding. They are the instigators of inquiry! They are risk takers, not afraid of making mistakes or failing (as they know mistakes and failure lead to new knowledge!) They are the sparks which ignite learning!
Please recognize and celebrate the following fine young scientists: first period’s Henry Hughes, Madelyn Pickens, Lauren Sundin and Jack Van De Wege, third period’s Brandon Charters and Lillian McNair, fourth period’s Liam Kuh and Kathleen Snyder, fifth period’s Jastin Bailey and Danica Pierson, and sixth period’s Connor Bear and Gabby Mattern-Hall.
Students were recognized in their respective classes and each received a certificate suitable for display on any refrigerator. Keep up the fantastic effort, young scientists! You are excellent role models for your peers.
SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL
A fantastic night of basketball — with so much more — took place on Jan. 6. At halftime of the SHS girls’ basketball team’s game against North Mason, staffers and students organized a Unified Basketball game. Similar to the Special Olympics, Unified competitions see students with disabilities, dubbed “athletes” for the game, compete side-by-side with students without disabilities, dubbed “partners.”
Choir teacher John Lorentzen reports that music students did an amazing job at the regional solo and ensemble festival held in Port Angeles. The 16-voice vocal ensemble and the men’s ensemble were selected to represent the North Olympic Peninsula at the state solo and ensemble festival in Ellensburg this April. This means they scored the highest in their respective categories.
The women’s ensemble was selected as the second alternate regional winner and also scored a perfect “1” (superior) rating. Colleen Carpenter was selected for state as the top soprano soloist and Victoria Hall was selected as first alternate in the mezzo-soprano category.
Other participants, including Thomas Arnesen (tenor), Erin Gordon (soprano), Makenna O’Dell (soprano) and Thomas Hughes (baritone), scored either superior (1) or excellent (2) ratings at the Saturday, Jan. 28 event.
Parents, please note on your calendars that Junior Parent Night is at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, in the school cafeteria. For more information, call the counseling office at 582-3613.
