DISTRICT

The next school board meeting is 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, in the Olympic Peninsula Academy classrooms. 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.

There is no school on Monday, Jan. 20, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. There is no school for students on Monday, Jan. 27, as it is a professional learning day for certificated staff.

The Sequim School District hosts Dr. Jolene Erlacher for a “Tech-Smart Parenting” presentation from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 27, at the Sequim High School auditorium: 533 N. Sequim Ave. All Sequim School District parents and guardians are encouraged to attend. Erlacher shares that while the impact of technology is seen everywhere in society, its influence is perhaps most significant in our homes and families. As parents, we are navigating new terrain as we seek to guide our children in their use of devices, manage our own screen time, and respond effectively to the prevalence of technology in our workplaces, schools, social circles and beyond. This program will present essential practices for parents in developing a healthy family culture as it relates to technology, managing our own use of devices, and setting effective guidelines to keep our children safe, healthy and connected.

All families within the Sequim School District are encouraged to attend the All District Family Reading Night, scheduled for 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at Sequim Middle School, 301 W. Hendrickson Road. Join teacher-librarians Elizabeth Lawson, Linsay Rapelje, Dena Riccobene and Sheri Kruckeberg for a free, fun-filled evening of games, activities, crafts, door prizes and books for all ages. Meet in the Sequim Middle School gym at 5:30 p.m. for a quick kick-off and introductions. Each attending child receives a free book of their choice at the end of the evening.

The Sequim School District’s open referral process for students in grades kindergarten-12 who may qualify for Highly Capable (Hi-Cap) Program services closes Jan. 31. 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. 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, Sequim Boys & Girls Club (400 W. Fir St.) and the Sequim Library (630 N. Sequim Ave.). Return referrals to Highly Capable Program Coordinator Jodi Olson at Sequim Middle School, to school building secretaries or the district office. For more information, contact Olson at 360-775-7083 or jolson@sequimschools.org, or view the Hi-Cap page on the district website.

HELEN HALLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Kristin Mooney’s second-graders are learning how to write personal narratives. The students returned to school on Jan. 6, excited to talk about what they did over winter break. Their assignment was to write about something they experienced during their winter break. They were encouraged to include details that would express how they felt.

Here are some samples of their writings:

“Me Playing Fortnite”

I was on my iPad. I was playing Pudgy Penguin and Fortnite and got the last skin. It was the Ninja God. I went in and I got a sword. I got a whole squad. But then two of my teammates got eliminated. And then my last teammate got eliminated. There were two more squads left to eliminate. I found a squad. I eliminated the squad. The ring was close. I saw the last squad. I eliminated two guys. I was at 2 Health and … I got them! I won the game. The end.

— Burton Dewey

“My Family”

Guess what I did? I got to see my family! I didn’t know what I would get for Christmas. I love my family, so I was jumping up and down. I got a nice doll. I love the doll. I was playing with my doll. I named the doll Rose.

— Selene Dorkin

I got a Nintendo and I went skating and I got Just Dance and I felt happy because all those great things sound fun and I will jump up and down.

— Emma Edwards

“Me Playing Fortnite”

Over winter break I was playing Fortnite and I got V-bucks. I got to open all my presents in Fortnite and I got to open all my presents on Christmas Eve and I got a lot of Fortnite stuff and I was jumping up and down and I opened all my Fortnite stuff and I got a Fortnite blanket and I got many Fortnite characters. My favorite is a rabbit and its name is Rabbit Raider. And I got a remote-control car and a basketball and a soccer ball.

— Damoni Gonzales

Guess what I did over winter break? I went ice skating. I was happy and smiling. Then there are workers to help you. I fell ten times. It kind of hurt. I was holding on to the edge of the rink as I was skating. I fell down. I skinned my knee, but I was fine. Afterwards I got cocoa! The end.

— Sammy Johnson

One day on winter break I played inside in my room. My brother he is rude. It was my little sister’s birthday and my mom was cooking and my dad likes watching TV and my dogs are sleeping in their bed and my sister is watching TV and my brother is sleeping, and me, too.

— Michelle Marquez

“The Ocean”

I went to the ocean on winter break. There were huge waves! I like to step in the waves. I jumped up and down and yelled ‘Yay’!

— Lillian Nesset

SEQUIM MIDDLE SCHOOL

Girls basketball at Sequim Middle School starts at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28.

SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL

Sequim High hosts a S.T.E.M Night for students in grades 6-12 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Jan. 16 school cafeteria. The featured speaker is aeronautical engineer Duane Jensen. The event includes several hands-on stations and food.

Seniors: Scholarship notebooks are due on Tuesday, Jan. 21.

SHS students seeking a volunteer opportunity and a certificate for one’s scholarship notebook are encouraged to volunteer at Helen Haller Elementary School one afternoon per week after school until 4 p.m. Interested students should email teacher Eric Danielsen at edanielsen@sequimschools.org for more details and to sign up. Contact Mitzi Sanders for more information.

Seniors: The HIV/AIDS graduation requirement DEN class is Monday, Feb. 3.