DISTRICT
The next school board meeting is at 6 p.m. Monday, May 15, in the boardroom (within the auditorium building, 503 N. Sequim Ave.). The public is invited to attend and time is set aside for public comment. To view the agenda and minutes of past meetings, click on Board of Directors on the District’s website at www.sequim.k12.wa.us.
The district wishes to express sincere gratitude to local dentists Dr. Kirsti Turella, Dr. Bri Butler and Dr. Travis Johnson for presenting important, fun and informative dental and oral health information to our students. Sonja Bittner, Sequim School District nurse, says, “Thanks, also, to the Jamestown Family Dental Clinic for donating oral care packages to nearly 500 students in the district!”
GREYWOLF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Recently in Alexandra Ogilvie’s first-grade class, students were introduced to the solar system. The students learned how the sun, the stars, the moon and the other planets relate to the Earth. As an extension activity, students were asked what they would like to do if they traveled to the moon. There were a lot of creative and fun answers!
If I went to the moon, I would golf on the moon! Katie Simpler
If I went to the moon, I would plant the American flag on the moon. Maia Brewer
If I went to the moon, I would try to jump in holes. Ashton Litten
If I went to the moon, I would play golf and I would build a restaurant and a home for me. Jerald Stuber
If I went to the moon, I would play catch. Connor Oase
If I went to the moon, I would put up the American flag for the United States. Daniel Alokoa
If I went to the moon, I would open a Costco. Marrielle Hibbard
If I went to the moon, I would jump rope. Kaiya Robinson
If I went to the moon, I would open a Burger King. Kaydhen Reaume
HELEN HALLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The Clallam County School Retirees’ Association awarded our school a generous grant this year of $300 to purchase books for the after-school Star Readers Club. The club is managed by literacy specialist Betsy L. Smith, who is assisted by para-educators Veronica Catelli and Rhonda Cays.
The association funded a huge box of brand new books. The second-graders in the club choose a book every eight times they receive an attendance star. To encourage students to read during the summer recess, each Star Reader will choose two additional books during the last meeting of the club.
“The focus of Star Readers is to develop fluency and accuracy through individualized timed readings, word sorts and silent reading,” Smith said. “Being able to reward students with their very own books motivates them to attend regularly and to work hard. All the Star Readers wish to thank the Clallam County School Retirees’ Association for their generosity.”
“A big shout out goes to Betsy Smith — many thanks for the hard work you have invested in making systemic reading interventions a standard part of services for students,” added Ann Renker, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning. “Good job, Betsy!”
Celine Smith’s third-grade class has been busy learning about nomadic and non-nomadic Native American tribes. Students worked together creating compare and contrast Venn diagrams to illustrate similarities and differences between the groups.
Other activities in language arts include writing informative essays on Native Americans from Arctic and sub-Arctic regions using research articles and developing editing and grammar skills.
OLYMPIC PENINSULA ACADEMY
This year’s drama offering, directed by Dee Nielsen and Michele Canepa, is “Twinderella the Musical” by Charlie Lovett, music and lyrics by Bill Francoeur, with permission from Pioneer Drama Service.
A twist on the Cinderella story, the production includes delightful songs and choreography to be performed by a cast of 35 students in grades 5-12.
Drama students in our first- through fourth-grade classes will perform a short skit called “And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon.” Characters from different nursery rhymes come together to try to find Dish and Spoon, who didn’t come back after the fairy tale was read. If they aren’t found, the nursery rhyme can’t be read again.
The skit will open for “Twinderella” at 7 p.m. Friday, June 2, and at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 3. An evening performance at 7 p.m. Saturday features only the older group and includes some hilarious outtakes.
All performances will be held in the high school auditorium.
“Admission is always free so that everyone in the community will be able to come,” says Nielsen. “We gratefully accept donations to further support our drama programs.”
SEQUIM MIDDLE SCHOOL
From principal Vince Riccobene: A special thanks goes out to Sequim Community Church and its Beautiful Day Project. Along with teacher Paul Pinza, members of SCC completed a wonderful make-over of the Sequim Middle School staff lounge, including painting, hanging framed artwork and gift baskets for staff members. Thank you!
SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL
Vern Fosket, SHS band director and Washington Educators Association Hall-of-Famer, reported that his band students performed well at the state solo &ensemble competition in Ellensburg on April 27-28. The saxophone quartet, comprised of Carmen Wilwert (alto saxophone), Thomas Arnesen (alto saxophone), Astrid Martin (tenor saxophone) and Jordan Hurdlow (baritone saxophone), received a “II” rating. The percussion ensemble, including Kjirsten Foresman, Abe Mitchell, Adam DeFilippo, Hayden Webb, Emily Kline, Jonathan Heintz, Blake Wiker, Tommy Hall, Tim Porter, Flora Walchenbach and Brendan Koenig, received a “I.” Corinne Klinger received a “II” for her saxophone solo.
Congratulations to all these young musicians for qualifying to perform at the state level!
From Erin Dwyer:
Our track team attended a championship track meet at North Kitsap on May 6. These students have shown a high level of dedication and hard work to qualify for state and represent our school and community.
FBLA goes to nationals! Future Business Leaders of America students qualified for national competition during their state conference on April 19-22. Kyah Fukunaga, Sonja Govertsen, Erin Dwyer and Vita Olson found out that they will be representing Washington in Anaheim, Calif., from June 27-July 2. Only the top 4 percent of FBLA members qualify for the national level. Our school hasn’t sent a competitor to nationals in many years and these gals can’t wait to be a part of this amazing experience!
The Sequim High School Operetta Club presents “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” for eight performances in the auditorium. Performances are Thursday, May 11, at 6 p.m., Friday, May 12, at 7 p.m., Saturday, May 13, at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 18, at 6 p.m., Friday, May 19, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 20, at 7 p.m. For more details about pricing and to purchase tickets, go to www.shsoperetta.org.
