@SequimSchools — April 4, 2018

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, April 4, 2018

DISTRICT

The next school board meeting is 6 p.m. Monday, April 16, in the district boardroom, 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” and “2017-2018 agendas” on the district’s website at www.sequimschools.org.

GREYWOLF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Sophie Morton and Owen Douglas took first place and best in their respective category at the 2018 Washington State Science and Engineering Fair. They also received a Project of Excellence award from the Pacific Science Center.

Their project focused on using origami folds to design a radiation shield to cover astronaut’s equipment on the Orion mission to Mars. The goal was to create a model that unfolded with 10 times the volume as the folded piece. After testing several models, they were able to design a piece that nearly doubled the required ratio.

It was a lot of hard work, but I’m so happy to win first place and represent Greywolf Elementary, Morton said.

“It was difficult, but the outcome was wonderful!” Douglas said.

HELEN HALLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Thanks to a community education grant from Beta Nu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma entitled “Reading Success with Fluency,” third- and fourth-graders at Helen Haller Elementary School are becoming more proficient readers with fluency.

The grant enabled Betsy Smith, reading specialist at Helen Haller, to purchase Read Naturally Live, an online fluency reading program.

Students access the program while participating in Smith’s before-school reading club, as well as during the school day. The program visually charts a student’s improvement in fluency, which in turn increases the student’s level of motivation and pride.

The grant from Beta Nu also made it possible for Helen Haller to purchase new and sturdier headphones for the computer lab, as well as for every third and fourth grade classroom. The teachers, staff, and students of Helen Haller Elementary School send a great big “thank you” to Beta Nu Chapter.

Helen Haller’s newly formed Student Council hosted a Penny Wars fundraiser last week, working to raise money for Testing Care Packages for when students return from Spring Break in April.

Students representing each fourth- and fifth-grade class were voted by their peers to be participants in the Student Council, led by teacher Toni Vincent.

The Penny Wars is the council’s first event — with more to follow!

Helen Haller’s Parent-Teacher Organization flower sales begin Tuesday, April 10. Sales are due Friday, April 20.

SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL

Attention film makers: The SEF Film Festival entry deadline is 4 p.m. Monday, April 9, in Room A-4. For more information, see teacher Christy Ditlefsen.

The last Running Start Information Night will be held on Wednesday, April 11, at Peninsula College, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd. There is an optional campus tour beginning at 6:30 p.m. The presentation and panel discussion will begin at 7 p.m. in the Little Theater (building J).

Seniors: Tickets for the annual Senior Safe and Sober Party go on sale every Wednesday beginning April 11 during both lunches. Cost is $25.

Also for seniors: Sign up for flamingo flocking in the main office — look for the flamingos! This is a large fundraiser for the Senior Party. Flocking begins April 9 and goes through June 2.

Yearbooks will be on sale starting April 16, through April 27. They will be available for purchase in the main office for $60.

Juniors: Learn about how to receive a full ride college scholarship through the ROTC program at a presentation in the SHS library from 3-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 11. Parents are welcome to attend. See Mitzi Sanders for more information.

SEQUIM MIDDLE SCHOOL

Student-led conferences at Sequim Middle School are set for April 19-20. Families will have the opportunity to review courses selected during student conferences with Wolfpack teacher. Melee Vander Velde (last names A-F), Erin Fox (last names G-N) and Steve Erickson (last names O-Z) from the SHS counseling department will be on hand at the middle school for scheduling questions and concerns.