Chalk Talk

DISTRICT

__All parents: I am pleased to announce the release of the Sequim School District Measure of Academic Progress (MAP assessment) resource Web page.

Here’s how to access this page: Click on the school district home page, click the learning tab, then MAP Measure of Academic Progress. Please make sure to read the welcome page – it provides directions and a link to get the most current version of Adobe Reader, which is required to access the resources provided.

The goal was to create a tool for parents, to provide a central place for them to learn and grow in their understanding of MAP. This selection puts essential MAP tools in the hands of every parent.

– Maria Seabolt, assessment and technology support coordinator

HELEN HALLER ELEMENTARY

_ The Helen Haller library recently sponsored a drive to collect books and puzzles for Camp Kiwanis, a camp for children with special needs. After a recent flood, the camp found its books and puzzles water-damaged. In a thank you letter, camp administrator Sharron Sherfich said, "We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and generosity of your students." Many thanks to the students and their families.

– Marsha Omdal, teacher/librarian

_ Helen Haller winners were announced in the annual third-grade "What My Home Means to Me" essay/poster contest sponsored by the Sequim Association of Realtors. Grand prize winner ($100 savings bond and bicycle) was Sean Weber; first prize ($100 savings bond and scooter) went to Jasmine Itti; second prize winners ($75 bond and razor scooter) were Mariela Luster, Brinlee Luster, Elizabeth Sweet and Kyle Morton; and third prize winners ($75 savings bond); Arlene Law, Caitlin Lowry, Veronica Preciado, Brandon Benson, Alyssa Lowe-Little, Kelly Meyer, David Buckley, Sawyer Nute, Madeline Patterson, Gabby Paulson and Jacob Streck.

– Debbie Buchillo, secretary, and Pat Davis, paraeducator

_ Kindergarten: We are looking for children who will be 5 years old on/before Aug. 31. They are eligible to start school in September. Registration for 2010-2011 kindergarten classes will be held from 4-7 p.m. Monday, May 3, in the Helen Haller Elementary School library.

Spread the word to friends and family who may not have children in the school system yet. It may seem early but we need to register your child now so we can plan appropriately for teaching staff.

You will need to bring your kindergarten students with you. They will go through a brief screening with kindergarten teachers and other staff while you complete the required paperwork. You also will need to bring:

• Original birth certificate or passport

• Immunization records

• Proof of residency – something showing your physical address (lease, PUD bill, etc.)

Questions? Contact our office, 582-3200.

– Debbie Buchillo, secretary

GREYWOLF

ELEMENTARY

_ A big Greywolf howl to all the first-grade students who have completed all their math fact tests. These students have passed 13 addition and subtraction tests by completing 50 problems in just three minutes. Congratulations to Kate Torgersen, (Stacy Hughes’ class), Brandon Barnett and Bailey Gagnon (Shannon Green’s class), Erik Christiansen, Alan Ulin, Walker Ward, Ava Rich and Anthony Cortoni (Monique Brasher’s class) and Kalli Wiker, Jaden Rego, Truman Nestor, Dillon Nucci, Chloe Clemons, Abby Garcia, McKenna Hastings and Samantha Rivers (Emily Ellefson’s class). These students are looking forward to taking on the second-grade math tests next!

– Greywolf first-grade teachers

_ We have another 2009-2010 Music K-8 Magazine cover finalist in the category of honorable mention. Shae Hire, a fifth-grader, also was one of 392 finalists in the 20,000 plus entries for the June 2010 cover of Music K-8 International Music Magazine published for K-8 music teachers. The entries spanned the globe and we at Greywolf are extremely proud to have not one but two finalists. Both of Shae’s parents are artists.

Here is a brief biography of Shae’s background:

"My name is Shae Hire and I would like to say thanks for getting an honorable mention for my artwork. I have been drawing since I was younger than 3. This is my first time entering my artwork in a contest. I love to draw because it’s just something I am good at. My favorite things to draw are cats and bulldogs."

By Shae Hire, age 11

– Gini Wuebold, music specialist

_ Here are two descriptive essays from students in my class. The students’ goal was to use as many of the senses as they could.

My Spring Break

I played Wii with my dad. I beat him on baseball. I got a bike from the B & G Club. It was blue and red and had lightning stickers and flames on it. We went to a Chinese restaurant. Our food was sweet and had chicken in it. It smelled and tasted delicious. My spring break was awesome.

By Tanner Woodin

My Spring Break

My spring break was awesome! I rode a quad. It was a red racing one. I went off a giant rock. I did it six times. It was fun. My friend told me to do it again. I didn’t want to do it. Then I went fishing. I caught 16 fish in a day. The fish were slippery and squishy. We went home to cook it. It smelled good but did not taste good. I had a good spring break.

By John Lentzner

– Chris Stevens, teacher

SEQUIM MIDDLE SCHOOL

_ Middle school student-led conferences are between 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, April 29. Students are calling parents on April 15 to make appointments for April 29. Last year we had 93-percent attendance. Our goal is to have 100 percent of parents/guardians there!

– Gloria Ricketts, counselor

_ At the Sequim Middle School library, we are running a Reading for a Cure event. From April 12-30, many students are participating in a Read-a-thon for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Please support this great organization that raises money for research into the cure for all cancers. We will be asking our friends and family to sponsor us so we can read and raise money. Please support these students and give back to the world community at the same time!

– Elizabeth Lawson, teacher

_ Attention eighth-grade students: If you would like to experience world travel, make new friends and enrich your life, here’s a great opportunity. The Sequim Sister City Association is taking applications from current eighth-grade students who would like to travel to Shiso, Japan, next fall as a Sequim student ambassador. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to home stay with a Japanese family for about five days, see other sights in Japan and learn about their culture. Ask counselor Rob Brooke or teacher Tricia Billes, who have helped chaperone trips in the past. Applications are posted on the Sequim School District Web site under "Links." Complete the application online or send a hard copy to Karen Junell at Sequim Community School. Applications are due by April 28. It’s a "never to be forgotten" trip.

_ See the College Bound scholarship event at Peninsula College on April 24 under the high school section.

SEQUIM COMMUNITY SCHOOL

_ Olympic Peninsula Academy, Sequim School District’s Parent Partnership program, will be having its annual pre-registration potluck luncheon for the 2010-2011 school year from noon-3:30 p.m. Thursday, May 6.

If you are interested in enrolling at OPA next year, plan on attending to sign up for classes. Bring a dish to share and join us for lunch too. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet the other families and staff. You also may come in to OPA anytime prior to May 6 and pick up an application packet. Class sizes/age groups are limited so hurry and get your student on the list. For more information, call OPA at 582-3403.

– Terralyn Dokken, OPA secretary

_ Here’s what’s happening at First Teacher:

Wednesday, April 21 – Kids Craft is at 10:30 a.m. To celebrate Earth Day, we’ll plant seeds to be taken home.

Thursday, April 22 at 10 a.m. – PowerPoint presentation and Q&A of proposed Washington State Early Learning Plan at 10 a.m. Each child receives a free book.

Friday, April 23 at 10 a.m.- Former kindergarten teacher Carol Kruckeberg will lead the children in stories and songs with the help of her autoharp.

Monday, April 26 at 10:30 a.m. – Reading Time with Karla Morgan. Each child attending Reading Time receives a free book.

Tuesday, April 27 – WIC (Women, Infants and Children) is set up in the First Teacher room from 9 a.m.-

4 p.m. For more information about the WIC program, contact Pam Walker at 417-2275.

Wednesday, April 28 – Kids Craft at 10:30 a.m. We’ll create caterpillars out of clay.

The First Teacher Room 4W is in Sequim Community School at 220 W. Alder St., next to the playground. Drop-in times are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. There is no charge to visit the room. Parents can check books out from the parenting library and children can enjoy the playroom and playground.

For more information on the First Teacher program, call 582-3428 or 681-2250.

– Patsene Dashiell, First Teacher events coordinator

SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL

_ Progress reports will be handed out to SHS students during sixth period on Wednesday, April 21.

– Lora Millet, secretary

_ Middle and high school parents take notice – "The Peninsula is College Bound" is set for 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, April 24. Check in begins at 12:30 p.m. in the Pirate Union Building at Peninsula College in Port Angeles.

The event will benefit seventh- through 10th-grade students attending Clallam and Jefferson county middle and high schools. Approximately 900 students will be invited who are eligible to sign up or are signed up for the College Bound Scholarship.

The College Bound Scholarship offers eligible students in Washington the promise of tuition at a university, community college or technical college for up to four years. In addition, the program offers a stipend of $500 per year for books.

Volunteers will be available to help families with the application process. In addition, there will be breakout sessions for families on topics related to preparing for college as well as a fair with youth serving organizations and Washington colleges. Light refreshments will be provided and giveaways for students in attendance.

Families can check family income eligibility requirements and also sign up for the scholarships online at www.hecb.wa.gov/collegebound. "The Peninsula is College Bound" is sponsored by College Success Foundation, Peninsula College and the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board and in partnership with Clallam and Jefferson school districts.

For additional information, call Alyson Rotter, College Bound counselor, at 360-609-3540 or e-mail to: arotter@collegesuccessfoundation.org.

– Alyson Rotter, College Bound counselor