Chalk Talk — Dec. 16, 2015
Published 12:06 pm Wednesday, December 16, 2015
DISTRICT
Schools will be closed for winter break from Dec. 21-Jan. 1. School resumes after winter break on Monday, Jan. 4.
The next school board meeting is at 6 p.m. Dec. 21 in the board room. An agenda is available on the district website under Board of Directors. The public is encouraged to attend and time is set aside at each meeting for public comment. For more information, contact Marilyn Walsh at mwalsh@sequim.k12.wa.us or 582-3262.
GREYWOLF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
On Dec. 7-8, Kimberly Knudson, second-grade teacher, introduced the worldwide event of an Hour of Code.
An Hour of Code teaches kids how to program computer games just like professional game-designers. It allows students to make games, create apps and learn how the building blocks used in coding are really computer commands. We are excited this year to use the Minecraft interface.
There is one that was especially created based on the new Star Wars movie. Our three fifth-grade classes have been enrolled, as well as Ms. Knudson’s second-grade class. The students will be able to continue their projects after the Hour of Code initial event is completed through TeacherShare, a shared research management tool that the district employs.
Students will be provided with a link so they can access their work from home. They each will receive certificates for participation in this project. A coding club for fifth-grade students will begin after winter break.
HELEN HALLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Stephanie Grotzke Nash’s kindergarteners have been learning about reindeer. The class focused on reading and writing nonfiction/informational books over the past two weeks.
Their efforts culminated into a reindeer report that shares their knowledge of nonfiction text features. Each report included headers, labels, captions, maps, illustrations and a glossary to help readers better understand reindeers.
Afterward, students embellished their reports with reindeer antlers and feet.
SEQUIM MIDDLE SCHOOL
Rick Miko, seventh-grade math teacher and ASB advisor, reports that the annual holiday door decorating contest was held during the week of Dec. 7-11, as well as Ugly Sweater Day. Look for more details on these event in the following week!
SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL
Steve Mahitka, ag science teacher and FFA advisor, shared that all ag classes had state Future Farmers Association (FFA) officers in the classes on Dec. 7 to perform a green hand ceremony initiation for first-year students being inducted into the FFA organization.
The group has nine new first-year members. The FFA students also are conducting a schoolwide Penny Drive from Dec. 2-16 and have a goal to raise $1,000 for the Salvation Army. As of Dec. 8, they have raised over $500!
Classrooms in the lead are Dana Minard’s ($75.19), Sean O’Mera’s ($67.04) and Nick Parks’ ($61.19). We appreciate everyone who has contributed to the Penny Drive and please keep the pennies coming!
A symposium was held on Dec. 7 for juniors to learn more about college and career readiness. The purpose of the event was to encourage students to envision all opportunities they have available to continue their education and training after high school.
Presenters were Mitzi Sanders from the career center, Erin Fox from the counseling office and Dr. Ann Renker, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning.
Each student attending received a flash drive with materials and information correlating with the presentations for future use.
Jennifer Van De Wege, teacher and leadership advisor, helped organize the first-time event, and said,” With testing requirements for college entrance, students can’t afford to wait until their senior year to begin thinking about these things. The junior year is academically rigorous. We are striving to alleviate some of the anxiety. We want to empower students to think about how to create the future they want.”
An FAFSA workshop for parents and students will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, in the library. The financial aid officer from Peninsula College will be our presenter. FAFSA forms are available online this year. More information is available at: fafsa.ed.gov.
CAUTION: Do not use FAFSA.com — this is not the official website and fees are charged.
Regarding second semester schedule changes: If you desire a schedule change, you will be required to fill out the Course Change Request form completely in order to have your request considered. Forms are available in the counseling office.
Changes will be made according to the following priority: unassigned period, missing graduation requirement, academic placement change (per teacher request). Changes will not be made for lunch or teacher preference.
Requests are due to the counseling office by Friday, Jan. 15. If you have an open period for second semester, stop by the counseling office to fill out a form.
Make a note that scholarship notebooks are due by Jan. 26.
