@SequimSchools — Dec. 11, 2019
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, December 11, 2019
DISTRICT
The next school board meeting is 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 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 “School Board,” “Regular Communication” and “Agendas” on the district’s website at www.sequim schools.org.
The Sequim School District announces an open referral process from Dec. 2, 2019-Jan. 31, 2020 for students in grades kindergarten-12 who may qualify for Highly Capable (Hi-Cap) Program services. Anyone may refer students, including (but not limited to) teachers, parents/guardians, staff, friends, students and members of the community. However, parent/guardian permission will be required for testing. To learn about characteristics of Highly Capable learners, refer to www.nagc.org/resources- publications/resources/my-child-gifted/common-characteristics-gifted-individuals.
If your child is new to the Sequim School District and exhibits gifted characteristics, contact the Highly Capable Program Coordinator. Students who were previously identified by Sequim School District will continue to receive services, however, and do not need to re-apply.
Referral forms are online at the district website (go to www.sequim schools.org, then click on “Instruction” and then “Highly Capable”). Paper referral forms are available at each school, the Sequim School District office (503 N. Sequim Ave.), the Sequim Boys & Girls Club (400 W. Fir St.) and at the Sequim Library (630 N. Sequim Ave.). Referral forms must be fully completed and received by the close of business on Jan. 31, 2020. Because of time constraints, referrals received after Jan. 31, will not be considered.
All referrals must be returned to the Highly Capable Program Coordinator Jodi Olson at Sequim Middle School, school building secretaries or the district office. For more information or to address questions concerning Hi-Cap services in the Sequim School District, contact Olson at 360-775-7083 or jolson@sequimschools.org, or view the Hi-Cap page on the district website.
GREYWOLF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
On Dec. 3, Greywolf students and families attended a special evening event focused on Kids at Hope, a program that helps students plan for their future and set goals that help them make their dreams reality. Parents were invited to a presentation where they learned all about the Kids at Hope activities their children participate in at Greywolf and how they can support them at home. All families enjoyed a free dinner sponsored by the Greywolf Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and complimentary holiday photos provided by local photographer Marilyn Westman and backdrop designer/Greywolf teacher Bethanie Robbins. Students participated in fun activities with Greywolf staff at the event. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to King’s Way Foursquare Church for your generous donation in support of Kids at Hope at Greywolf Elementary!
The next Greywolf Parent Teacher Association meeting is 6:30- 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Greywolf library. Meetings are held the second Thursday of the month. See www.greywolfpta.com for more information.
Greywolf Elementary students are taking part in the 12 Days of Giving in December — a drive to gather and donate items to the Sequim Food Bank. Remaining Days of Giving include: Dec. 11, box of cereal; De. 12, oatmeal; Dec. 13, can of tuna; Dec. 16, pancake mix, Dec. 17, can of soup or chili, and Dec. 18, can of fruit or $1 donation (for buying fresh produce or milk).
Free Family Movie Night is set for 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, in the Greywolf gymnasium, and features “Toy Story 4.”
HELEN HALLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The Haller Turkey Trot, Helen Haller Elementary’s annual Cougar Fun Run fundraiser, took place during school hours on Nov. 27, the day before Thanksgiving. Students ran in two groups; pre-schoolers, kindergartners, first- and second-graders were on the track from 8:30-9:30 a.m., and third-, fourth- and fifth-graders from 9:45- 10:45 a.m. After group photos and some “pumping up” music, participants walked, ran, skipped, jumped, danced or trotted around the track for 30 minutes. Donations brought in for this fundraiser totaled over $16,000. Proceeds go directly to the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) to fund Six Books for Summer, a reading program that benefits all Haller students.
Physical education teacher Joclin Julmist gave the signal for the official start. Parent volunteers manned the water station and helped runners keep track of the number of laps they completed.
Principal Becky Stanton and assistant principal Shelley Jefferson donned turkey costumes to cheer on the student participants and support the cause.
“It’s a very fun event,” declared Stanton. “The kids get so excited! My beak hurt from smiling for two hours!”
“It was an absolute feathery blast!” Jefferson said. “The kids did such a great job and really enjoyed all of the interactions that they had with each other and the adults.”
“The goal of the Six Books for Summer program is to provide all students with six self-selected books to keep and read over the summer, helping to prevent summer slide,” teacher-librarian Sheri Kruckeberg said. “Research shows that reading gains from the school year are often lost when children don’t read over summer vacation. Students in high-poverty homes are at an increased risk for these reading losses.”
“If we can fund this program every year, students at Haller for kindergarten through fifth grade will leave with an accumulated home library of at least 36 books,” Kruckeberg said.
“Reading over the summer is like practicing before a game,” reading specialist Betsy Smith said. “The best athletes are the ones who practice the hardest. The best readers are the ones who read every day, all year long!”
“We are so thankful to have such an amazing Haller community to help us reach for our goals!” PTO parent Tennille Bixby said.
“My sincere thanks go to our Haller PTO. This event would not happen without their genuine hearts, all of their planning, hard work, and, of course, many volunteers,” Stanton said. “A big Helen Haller Heart to students, families, and the Sequim community for all of their support.”
In Success Academy class, all students learn how to improve their social and emotional (SEL) skills. Students are currently focused on how to solve small problems using Kelso’s Choices, part of Haller’s Conflict Management Program.
Small problems are those where a person or situation is annoying, irritating, even maddening. Using these solutions empowers students to learn that they control their response to others and situations. The choices and responses they make contributes to the situation/relationship getting better or worse.
Students also learn that in the face of a big problem, a situation where they feel scared or in danger, they need to seek out a trusted adult. Identifying trusted adults in their life is part of their work.
“In our Success Academy classroom, we practice using Kelso’s Choices,” explains Marie Claire Bernards, Haller’s SEL specialist. “We act out scenarios using verbal and nonverbal strategies for small problems at school or at home.”
Conflict or disagreement is normal and often happens when children get together. However, hurtful words, gestures or physical attack are unacceptable ways to deal with conflict and disagreement at school.
The goal is to teach students several positive ways to deal with these difficult situations.
To do this, students who have minor (small) problems are asked to try at least two of the following ideas:
• Go to another game or activity
• Talk it out: Respectfully talk it over and listen to each other
• Walk away from the problem
• Ignore it: Turn your attention away from the problem behavior
• Tell the person to stop the problem behavior
• Apologize
• Make a deal or compromise
• Wait to cool off
• Share and take turns
Practicing these methods helps students develop effective problem-solving skills they will use again and again. It will help them to deal with conflict in a positive manner and to make appropriate decisions.
In Success Academy, students also learn and practice how to greet people for the first time or in formal situations. This is called the Formal Greeting. Key elements of the greeting are identified, including eye contact, firm/confident handshake, use of the person’s name, pleasant tone, purposeful stance and friendly facial expression. Being polite and respectful towards all people is key to success in life and work.
SEQUIM MIDDLE SCHOOL
The next Sequim Middle School band concert is 7-8:15 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, in the SMS gymnasium, while the next SMS choir concert is scheduled for 7-8:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, in the Sequim High School auditorium.
SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL
Sequim High’s FFA program hosts its annual penny drive. Change will be collected in your fifth period classes through Friday, Dec. 13, and top money-raising classes get hot chocolate and candy canes on Friday, Dec. 20.
Athletes wanted: Coaches are seeking more competitors for both boys swimming and wrestling (boys and girls) teams. Those interested in swimming should contact athletic director/teacher Dave Ditlefsen while those interested in wrestling should contact teacher/coach Erik Wiker.
SHS’s Operetta Club presents more showings of William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night or What You Will.” Directed by Ashley Kramer, remaining performances include 7 p.m. on Dec. 13, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Dec. 14. Tickets can be purchased at the door, cash or check for $6 with ASB card, $8 for the general public.
Sequim High’s S.T.E.M. Club presents a S.T.E.M Night for students in grades 6-12 on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the SHS cafeteria. The featured speaker is aeronautical engineer Duane Jensen and the event includes food and several hands-on stations.
