DISTRICT

Friday, Feb. 4, is an early release day (staff collaboration time).

The next Sequim School Board Directors meeting is set for 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7. See sequimschools.org/School_Board for more information.

Friday, Feb. 18 — a snow day on the district calendar — will be a full school day.

GREYWOLF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Tye dye or favorite color day is set for Friday, Feb. 4.

The Greywolf Family Handbook and weekly family news is available online; go to gwe.sequimschools.org, click on “Our School” and then “News/Family Handbook/Updates.”

HELEN HALLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

To celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, kindergarteners in Lorrie Corder’s class listened to Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. They learned about the Montgomery Bus Boycott. They saw how Dr. King and Rosa Parks and the African American community in Montgomery used peaceful means to change unfair rules and laws. Students also took part in a virtual assembly where they brainstormed ways to be kind and caring in class, at home and in the community. Students then created portraits of Dr. King giving his “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington D.C. on Aug. 28, 1963. Their celebration concluded with singing “Freedom, Freedom, let it Ring”, a song created to honor King and his vision of equality and justice. The children are thinking of ways they can make each other and visitors to class feel welcome and included at school.

Storypath Medieval Castle is a PBL inquiry-approach project that fifth graders are incorporating with a CKLA Don Quixote unit that will take about seven weeks. It includes writing, group work, critical thinking and problem solving along with presentations by the students. Students spent time researching medieval castles and drawing schematics to present to the class for a vote on which castle the class will attempt to live in. Students create characters and have realistic jobs within the castle walls. The project includes episodes where they survive in the castle that they designed while it comes under attack. The culmination will be that just when all hope is lost for the castle, the letter they write to the surrounding landowners arrives in time for reinforcements, and the king’s soldiers are surprised.

SEQUIM MIDDLE SCHOOL

Students were practicing hard/getting ready for Solo & Ensemble last week, music teacher George Rodes notes. “We have an almost 100 percent student participation level for both schools with many solos from piano, marimba to flute and 12 ensembles. This is going to be a great event/experience for our beginner, intermediate and advanced middle school/high school students as well as parents!” Students will not only be performing for university-level adjudicators but will also receive positive critique and motivation, Rhodes said.

One of the students’ main judges from last year — Dr. T. Andre Feagin, Director of Bands at Central Washington University — is back for band, as well as Scott Ketron, Executive Director of Washington Music Educators Association.

“The opportunity for our students to play/perform for these great people are numerous, not to mention making connections with University level professors,” Rhodes said.

SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL

Valentine Rose Grams are available through the Ag-Science department. To send a rose to a student, teacher or staff member, swing by Room E-7 to purchase a white, pink, or red rose for $5. These grams will be delivered the week of Feb. 14-18. You can send one anonymously or with a note attached. For more information, email to cseelye@sequimschools.org.

Submitted photos Above, Zachary Gullick and Jasline Romo, fifth-graders in Saxon Holt’s class at Helen Haller Elementary School, draw schematics on a medieval castle. At left, Kamden Larson and Riley Glen, kindergarteners in Lorrie Corder’s class at Helen Haller Elementary, work on a project as they celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January.

Kindergartener Bard Sweeney, a student in Lorrie Corder’s class at Helen Haller Elementary, shows off some artwork as she and others celebrate and study Martin Luther King Jr. in January. Submitted photo

Ma-Kena’Lei Dickinson, a student in Lorrie Corder’s kindergarten class at Helen Haller Elementary, shows off some artwork as she and others celebrate and study Martin Luther King Jr. in January. Submitted photo