Chalk Talk for the Sequim Gazette — Sept. 7, 2016

Published 2:30 am Wednesday, September 7, 2016

DISTRICT

For the most up-to-date information on school events, go to the district website at www.sequim.k12.wa.us and click on the Calendar button.

The next school board meeting is Monday, Sept. 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the board room. To view the agenda for this meeting, go to www.sequim.k12.wa.us and click on Board of Directors. There is time set aside at every board meeting for public comments.

Individuals interested in volunteering in Sequim Schools may fill out an online volunteer application for the 2016-2017 school year at sequimvolunteers.hrmplus.net.

The online application process requires an email address and provides step-by-step assistance.

A current Washington state driver’s license or state ID card is required in order to run a background check. For more information about becoming a registered volunteer, contact volunteer coordinator Patsene Dashiell at mdashiell@sequim.k12.wa.us.

The Washington State Fair once again is providing free tickets for our Sequim students and educators to attend the fair in Puyallup. Tickets may be picked up at your student’s school office. The fair runs from Sept. 2-25.

TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT

For any questions about riding the bus or bus routes, please call the transportation office at 582-3274. Reminder to Greywolf parents to watch out for the ongoing road construction on Carlsborg Road.

OLYMPIC PENINSULA ACADEMY

Picture day for Olympic Peninsula Academy students is Monday, Sept. 12. For more information, contact Terralyn Dokken in the OPA office at 582-3403.

GREYWOLF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

A reading tutor training session is scheduled for folks interested in becoming volunteer reading tutors at Greywolf on Sept. 28 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the library. Contact Krista Chatters, reading specialist teacher, at 582-3300 if you have questions.

The Greywolf Parent-Teacher Association meets at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, in the library.

HELEN HALLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The volunteer reading tutor program plays an important and vital role in helping children become successful readers. Community volunteers bring rich and varied experiences as they work with the children. Retired teachers, engineers, college professors and probation officers are just some of the kinds of people who give their time and energy to our youngest generation of readers.

Teacher and reading specialist Betsy Smith has run the volunteer tutor program at Helen Haller for 17 years. All the tutor volunteers are trained in basic reading strategies and simple ways to help children grow as readers. As they work together throughout the year, volunteers help students become more confident and proficient both in reading and comprehending.

Smith will hold two training sessions, with Part 1 on Sept. 20 and Part 2 on Sept. 27, both sessions from 3:15-4:15 p.m. in the school library. Please plan on attending both sessions. If you have questions about the reading tutor program, please contact Smith at bsmith@sequim.k12.wa.us.

SEQUIM MIDDLE SCHOOL

A special breakfast for Honor Roll students is planned for Tuesday, Sept. 13, for students with a last name beginning with A-K, and Wednesday, Sept. 14, for students with a last name beginning with L-Z. Breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m. and will be served in the cafeteria. Parents are encouraged to attend with their Honor Roll student.

SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL

Steve Mahitka, agricultural sciences teacher and Future Farmers of America (FFA) advisor, reports that two of our Sequim FFA members and Sequim High graduates earned their 2016 American FFA Degree and will receive them at the National Conference in October in Indianapolis. They are Josh Cibene and Becky Schroepfer, both 2015 graduates. “There were only 35 degrees awarded in the state of Washington and we are proud that two of them are from Sequim,” Mahitka said.

The first home varsity football game is at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, in the stadium against the Montesano Bulldogs. Come out and support our Sequim High Wolves! A pep dance follows after the football game for SHS students only.

The Sequim High Band, under the direction of Vern Fosket, and the Color Guard, under direction of Betsy Zumkeller, will travel to Seattle on Saturday, Sept. 10, to participate in the University of Washington’s Husky Band Day.