Chalk Talk May 18, 2016

Published 3:07 pm Tuesday, May 17, 2016

DISTRICT

There is no school on Friday, May 27, and Monday, May 30. The district office will be closed on May 30 in observance of Memorial Day.

The next school board meeting is June 6, with a workshop at 5:30 p.m., followed by a regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the boardroom. The boardroom is within the auditorium building at 601 N. Sequim Ave. 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

Parents, please note that the Drama Club’s performances of “Beauty and the Beast” have been rescheduled and will no longer take place May 19-20.

There will be only one performance, at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, in the multi-purpose room.

Sixteen students and coach/teacher Leah Bauman attended the Washington State Mathematics Council Math Olympiad competition held Saturday, May 7, at Sequim Middle School to represent our school and participate in a day of mathematics. They joined students in grades 5-8 from

across the state to complete one long problem session and five short sessions. Accumulated points earned determined awards given.

Our students returned to school with many accomplishments. Some teams earned ribbons or medals. Others scored among the highest overall or highest score in specific category. They had to manage time constraints, work as part of a team and create strategies to complete certain tasks.

We are proud of their efforts and accomplishments!

HELEN HALLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Sheri Suryan’s fifth-grade class had a unique opportunity to visit with Seattle-based author Karlene Petitt in the classroom. Petitt is an international A330 pilot and flies the A330 Airbus, among many other airplanes. She has written several books and was kind enough to give each student a copy of her book, “Flight to Success,” a motivational book about being the best you can be and finding your own passion to become successful.

Petitt is working on her PhD in aviation and is in demand as a motivational speaker. The author is scheduled to return to the classroom on May 24 for a book talk after the class finishes reading the book.

“This book has truly inspired my class to become successful in all they do, not just in the classroom, but in life. It has been a pleasure reading her book aloud,” said Suryan. “Some students already have read ahead and finished the book! We are very fortunate to have this author visit our class.”

Fifth-grade students in Rachel Oden’s class created giant one-page newspapers based around the time period of a famous explorer. Each student researched a different explorer. They gathered information and then used their notes to write a newspaper article.

In addition to the feature article, students created a labeled map depicting their explorer’s route of travel, an informational article that related to their explorer, a historical fiction article and other additional newspaper features of their choice. Students gave an aged patina to their newspapers by first crumpling, then sponging coffee onto the paper. Tearing and painting or burning the edges of the paper further added to the aging process. Each student dressed as their explorer to present their papers and spoke on what they learned to the class.

SEQUIM MIDDLE SCHOOL

Sixth-grade students in Shannon Paselk’s honors math class showcased their work on May 2 in their classroom for peers, staff members, parents and other family members.

They had just completed a survey project that reinforced recent lessons on statistics and data displays, creating posters or PowerPoint presentations to summarize their findings. Students formulated their own statistical question and surveyed a population of their choosing in order to gather data.

Next, they analyzed the data to determine the most appropriate answer to their question. Finally, they displayed the results using four different data displays. The students were ready and eager to answer questions from visitors taking part in the gallery walk.

SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL

Leadership class, taught by Jennifer Van De Wege, meets at 7 a.m. in the library. For the past few months, administrators and school board directors have made a practice of attending some Leadership class sessions to hear suggestions from students on various school-related subjects. This exercise replaced Student Voice, a once-a-year listening session.

Sequim High School senior Wendall Lorenzen served on the Sequim City Council as youth liaison this year. Lorenzen graduates in June, leaving the position open. Lorenzen says he served on the council because he wanted to make sure the viewpoints of youth were heard. For more information about the youth liaison position, contact principal Shawn Langston.

Sequim High Operetta Club presents Rogers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella,” directed by Robin Hall, musical direction by John Lorentzen and choreographed by Abby Norman.

Remaining performances are May 19-21 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. Ticket prices are: premium seats/$18, adults/$15, senior citizens and children (65+ and under 18)/$12, all balcony seats/$10.

Advanced tickets may be purchased online at www.shsoperetta.org or www.showtix4u.com. Tickets also may be purchased in the high school’s main office. The box office at the Performing Arts Center opens one hour before each performance.

Honor Society is hosting a blood drive from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, at the high school’s auxiliary gym. Visitors should check in at the main building.

There will be DEN class on May 23. Running Start students, please make a note to attend!