DISTRICT
Winter vacation is Dec. 20–31. Classes will resume Monday, Jan. 3.
GREYWOLF
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
• The students from Olivia Shea’s kindergarten class wrote a list to Santa, letting him know just what he needs to remember before delivering presents. The following list is in their words:
Santa needs to …
– check hiz list to tims
– Rap the toys
– wsh the RndeeR
– mak sur the randr can fly
– tak a bath
– check the slegh contrls
– check the sla rops
– Get a map
– wash the sled
– get DRessd
– RemBR to Hav BRkfast
– Put on his boots
– Put the prSnts in the bAg
– Trn off the lits
— Abby Hare, secretary
• Recently local artist Carrie Rodlend worked with Monique Brasher’s first-grade class and Pat Quinet’s third-grade class to help them first draw a picture of a poinsettia plant, then paint it to create a keepsake for their parents. The lesson involved instruction in math (proportions) and science (observations), as well as art (creativity and color). The art sessions were paid for with funds raised by the PTA.
— Monique Brasher and Pat Quinet, teachers
HELEN HALLER
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
• A reading tutor training session will be held from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 10, in the library. This training time is open to new and current reading tutors. Not only will this be a training opportunity for new tutors, but there will be time set aside for current tutors to brainstorm about what is working well for them with the students and challenges they face. Volunteers interested in signing up to become a reading tutor should call the school office at 582-3200.
— Andrea Slack, teacher
• The fifth-grade students in Robi Andison’s class helped their reading buddies from Judie Lawson’s class make three-dimensional Christmas trees. Every Tuesday, the fifth- and first-graders get together to practice their reading skills. The fifth-graders work on comprehension strategies and sight word recognition with their first-grade study buddies.
— Judie Lawson, teacher
SEQUIM MIDDLE SCHOOL
Holiday lights twinkle in Town Center and intricately cut snowflakes twirl in the air current throughout the office. It is easy to believe something magical is in the air. Kindness and the spirit of giving are evident everywhere but nowhere more strongly than under the
Salvation Army’s Angel Tree in Student Services.
More than 40 local children’s wishes have been fulfilled so far, and more tags are being claimed each day. The excitement builds as students discuss what they plan to buy for their “adopted” child.
The ASB is especially grateful for the kindness of Pepper, one of the awesome DJs at the KSQM radio station, for donating a beautiful 12-foot fir tree to serve as our holiday tree in Town Center. In keeping with years past, the ASB officers cut out 750 ornaments to be decorated by students and staff during a December Wolf Pack session. This year’s ornaments are snowmen, and students adorned the front and listed their hopes and wishes for the coming year on the back. As always, there is a huge variety of hopes and wishes, everything from iPads to puppies, from snow to trips to warmer locales.
Some of the sentiments shared on the snowmen are more examples of the magic that permeates the school this time of year. They include:
“I’m thankful for a family that takes good care of me and that gives me food, water and shelter.”
“I am thankful for being able to have a good education.”
“I wish for everyone in the world to have a great Christmas!”
“I hope to get into college.”
“I wish for the war to stop in Afghanistan and I am thankful for my family and friends!”
“I wish that people who don’t have much money get presents.”
And my all-time favorite:
” I hope my brother who is in the Navy remembers I love him on Christmas.”
Topping off the holiday activities is the ever-popular door decorating contest. All week long, first-period classes decorated their room doors with spectacular displays in keeping with the holiday theme. Blue Christmas trees, twinkle lights, tons of garlands, ornaments and icicles along with what seem to be miles of colored paper took shape on doors and adjoining walls. Imagination and creativity melded to create some very impressive holiday masterpieces. On Thursday, Dec. 16, four judges, including Superintendent Bill Bentley, Sequim Gazette reporter Matt Nash, KSQM DJ Pepper and district community liaison Patsene Dashiell, viewed all the decorated doors and chose one from each of the four hallways. Winning classes received cinnamon rolls and cocoa Friday morning.
The ASB council hopes everyone has a wonderful winter break, surrounded by family and friends.
— Caity Karapostoles, ASB secretary
SEQUIM COMMUNITY SCHOOL
First Teacher activities:
First Teacher will be closed through Dec. 31 during the Sequim School District winter break.
First Teacher is in classroom 4W in Sequim Community School, 220 W. Alder St., next to the playground. Parents of preschoolers come with your children and enjoy activities, the playroom and the playground. Sign up to receive the monthly newsletter with parenting tips and information about local resources for families.
For more about the First
Teacher program, call 582-3428 or 681-2250.
— Cynthia Martin, director and Chase Hill, VISTA volunteer
SEQUIM
HIGH SCHOOL
• Basketball tickets can be purchased at the high school main office from Jan. 10-13 for the Sequim vs. Port Angeles basketball games on Jan. 13. Prices are as follows: $6 for adult/student without ASB card, $4 for senior citizens/visiting students with ASB card, $16 for a one-time family pass.
— Janet A. Peterson, bookkeeper/secretary
