DISTRICT

The next school board meeting is 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, 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.sequimschools.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.sequimschools.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

The National Marine Sanctuaries of the Olympic Coast and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration presented a program to Greywolf fifth-graders called “Meet the Humpback Whale.” Miss Gaby taught the students the importance of the humpback whale in our sanctuary and introduced us to “Big Mama.” After learning about how she returned again and again to the Olympic coast, they got to see first hand just how big she is, througha an inflatable model they could go inside. Thank to NOAA for this incredible experience!

Greywolf students were treated to a special performance by the traveling Book-It Theatre cast of the Seattle Repertory Theatre on Dec. 19. Book-It Repertory Theatre is a nonprofit dedicated to transforming great literature into great theatre through simple and sensitive production and to inspiring its audiences to read. The show format brings a book to life with the actors speaking each line of a book they have turned into a show. Students were tapping their toes and clapping their hands through the production of “My Name is/Me Llamo Celia,” which detailed the life of Salsa queen Celia Cruz. A big thank you to the Greywolf PTA for sponsoring this event!

HELEN HALLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Each Thursday, Meredith Vincent’s fifth-graders visit Pattie Hagan’s classroom to read books with first-graders. An older student chooses a younger student to read with. Along with book reading, small conversations take place, and mentor/mentee relationships are fostered. “My students really enjoy their reading time each week,” Hagan says. “They love interacting with the big kids.”

SEQUIM MIDDLE SCHOOL

Wrestling begins Monday, Jan. 6, from 3-4:30 p.m. at the school gymnasium. Wrestling is open to all grades.

SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL

Seniors Scholarship notebooks are due in the career center by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21; no late books will be accepted. Pick up your scholarship notebook in the main office for 5$. For more infomration regarding scholarship notebooks, email Mitzi Sanders at mitzi@sequimschool.org.

Fifth-grader Noah Andrzejeski, right, reads a book to first-grader Dmarko Green. From left, fifth-graders Leila Sanderson and Lucy Vincent read to first-grader Eulalia Gonzalez. Photos by Patsene Dashiell

From left, fifth-graders Leila Sanderson and Lucy Vincent read to first-grader Eulalia Gonzalez. Photo by Patsene Dashiell

Fifth-grader Elizabeth Howard, right, reads with first-grader Camila Lopez. Photo by Patsene Dashiell

Fifth-grader Clinton Cosio, right, reads with first-grader Dusty Jenkins. Photo by Patsene Dashiell

Ins and outs of whales Above: “Big Mama,” an inflatable humpback whale, gets a visit from Sequim elementary school students in December. Right: Greywolf Elementary School students get a unique lesson … inside an inflatable humpback whale. Photo by Teresa Iversen