DISTRICT
__The district mailed its Feb. 9 school levy fact sheet on Jan. 15. If you did not receive one at your residence, call us at 582-3264; or you may view it online at www.sequim.k12.wa.us. Click on the Levy Info button in the left margin, then click on School Levy Fact Sheet.
__For the third year in a row, the English as a second language students in our district have met all three growth targets in the annual measurable achievement objectives calculated by the Migrant and Bilingual Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction in Olympia.
The measurements are based on the annual increases in student test scores on the Washington Language Proficiency Test, annual increases in the number of English Language Learners students who exit the ELL program, and the number or percentage of ELL students meeting adequate yearly progress targets in the reading and math cells on the state assessments.
There is an average of 30-32 ESL students in kindergarten through grade 12. They receive supplemental instruction in a variety of ways, but their learning progress is the responsibility of all the staff that supports their instruction every day.
These students and their families work hard to be successful in school. Congratulations to our ELL students, their parents and our school staff.
– Shelley Langston, director of special programs
GREYWOLF
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
__Reminder: Camp iCan! is gearing up at Greywolf Elementary! Camp iCan arose from the need to build confidence and self-esteem in children who have difficulty "showing what they know" on tests.
The camp is being held from 8-8:30 a.m. with breakfast being served, teachers volunteering their classrooms and students forgoing early morning social time.
Targeted students (determined by the teaching staff) in third, fourth and fifth grades will be invited to apply for the camp.
Volunteers are needed as "camp counselors" and will be trained in the projects and math activities that are designed to replicate a camp for kids. One of the major factors for success of the camp will be our parent and community volunteers who will serve as mentors, tutors, squad leaders, game leaders and those who will run the "cookhouse" (breakfast).
Another success factor will be the commitment of the parents to get their children to school as early as possible.
If you would like to be a camp volunteer, please call! We are eager to get our campers excited about their abilities!
– Sue Park, 582-3351; and Susan Heyer, 582-3353, teachers
HELEN HALLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
__Our January poem in Claire Hallinan’s third-grade class is the diamonte poem. The form looks like a diamond. We studied nouns, synonyms, adjectives, -ing ending words to express the winter theme.
Ice
Shiny, slippery
Bobsledding, skating, snowfighting
Making snowforts with friends
Walking, slipping, falling
White, crunchy
Snow
– Melody Workman
Snow
Cold, white
Falling, hibernating, skating
Sunshine, melting, water, wet
Sparkling, sticking, staying
Cool, blue
Crystal
– Caitlin Lowry
Snow
Cold, hard
Playing, sliding, building
Snowman, fort, snowflakes, outside
Throwing, digging, pushing
White, beautiful
Powder
– Veronica Preciado
Snow
White, frosty
Falling, sledding, gliding
Crystals, balls, angels, sky
Snowboarding, sliding, bobsledding
Fun, sparkling
Crystals.
– Josh Sutton
Rain
Water, drops
Pouring, coming freezing
Dripping always dropping down
Melting, falling, freezing
Cold, water
Ice
– Dylann Heritage
Float
Root beer, ice cream
Freezing, drinking, sharing
Celebration, happy family unity
Pouring, adding, alternating
Tasty, delicious
Drinks
– Ashante Woods
Ice
Hard, shiny
Sliding, falling, slipping
Feet, stepping, breaking, pieces
Gliding, skating, sledding,
Frozen, cold
Frost
– Nathalie Mendoza
Olympics
Winter, Fun
Snowboarding, skiing, figure skating
sports, competition, games, festival
bobsledding, half piping, ski jumping
Awesome, serious
Sports
– Dylan Eichaker
Cold
Terrible, windy
Skating, sledding, snowing
Little breeze, planning flowers
Sweating, warm,
Hot
– Mckayla Woodward
Snowflakes
Frosty, white
Floating, gliding, falling
Gently sails to ground
Flying, settling, turning
Delicate, different,
Ice crystals
– Emily Glenn
SEQUIM MIDDLE SCHOOL
__We are very pleased with and proud of our first semester, Sequim Middle School Students of the Month. The following students were nominated and voted on by staff members based on their grades, positive attitude, good attendance, helpful demeanor, and for helping make SMS a great place to go to school. One sixth-grader, one seventh-grader, and one eighth-grader are chosen each month. We would like to give a huge shout out for Karen Chan, Anthony Fudally and Vianey Cadenas (September); Mattie Clark, Victoria Cummins and Riley Hazard (October); Ben Hughes, Maeve Harris and Melissa Lewis (November); and Matthew Schock, Kylie Condosta and Hannah Hudson (December)
__As a part of its Celebrating Diversity Week, the ASB hosted a Travel T-shirt/International Apparel Day. Students and staff donned their favorite travel garb and earned spirit points for their class. The eighth grade had 46 students/staff dress up earning them first place and 10,000 spirit points. The seventh grade had 36 participants earning them third place, and 3,000 spirit points and the sixth grade took second place (5,000 spirit points) with 42 students/staff dressing up. In the tally of spirit points, sixth grade still leads the pack, with eighth grade trailing behind, and seventh grade in third place. Historically, sixth grade usually wins spirit day competition, but our class of 2014 – our current eighth grade – has earned the most spirit points every year they have attended the middle school. The sixth grade is giving them a run for their money this year and the competition is fierce! The coveted ice cream social is the grand prize for the grade with the most spirit points so stay tuned to see who earns this fun activity at the end of the year.
– Caity Karapostoles, ASB advisor and secretary
SEQUIM
COMMUNITY SCHOOL
__From First Teacher:
These children’s Web sites were listed in the USA Weekend magazine in last Sunday’s newspaper. I thought I would pass them along, since I had a few parents asking about good Web sites for children.
Pbskids.org/Arthur/games/crankitup – On Crank It Up!, children can compose and record multilayered rhythms using pots, pans, wooden spoons and even the computer keyboard to create a masterpiece. All ages.
Shidonni.com – Draw & design. Shidonni lets kids draw animals online, give them names and design backgrounds for imaginary worlds. Winner of 2009 Parents’ Choice Gold Award. Ages 5 to 12.
Makebeliefscomix.com – Craft cartoons. Children write, read, and tell stories by creating comic strips online, then printing or e-mailing them to friends or relatives. All ages.
We presently have our Bookworm Reading Contest going on, so as you read with your children, fill out a slip of paper with your name and phone number to be dropped into the Reading Contest box in the First Teacher room. The reading contest will conclude with a drawing for books and prizes on Monday, Feb. 8. This event is sponsored by the Clallam County Literacy Council.
We are signing up parents for the upcoming six-session Parenting Class: "Developing Capable People: Raising Self-Reliant Children in a Self-Indulgent World," taught by Linda and John Benson. Based on Dr. Stephen Glenn’s research on the five skills that determine how effectively children will deal with life’s challenges.
Class sessions will be Wednesdays, Feb. 17, Feb. 24, March 3, March 10, March 17, and March 24 from 6-8 p.m. in the First Teacher Room 4W, at 220 W. Alder St. The class is offered at no cost. Child care is available at $10 per child per session. Call 582-3428 or 681-2250 to sign up for the class and for child care.
The First Teacher room 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 of the parenting library and children can enjoy the playroom and playground.
Sign up to receive the monthly newsletter with parenting tips and information about local resources for families. For more information on the First Teacher program, call 582-3428 or 681-2250.
– Patsene Dashiell, First Teacher events coordinator
SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL
_ Congratulations to the following Washington Scholars finalists: Chase O’Neil, Nicole Masangkay and Kyla Hall. These three fine students will represent SHS in the program with a chance to receive full tuition for a state school in Washington. They were nominated for their outstanding academic, leadership, community, and school involvement during their time here. We’re proud of these three girls as well as the other students who were nominated for the program. Good luck in the next round ladies!!
– Shawn Langston, principal
__A parent preview for the HIV/AIDS presentation is set for 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 27, in the Sequim High School library for parents who wish to preview the material and have their child excused from participation. State law provides that a parent or guardian must have attended such a meeting before they may have their child or legal ward excused from participation in the HIV/AIDS prevention program. On March 4, Sequim High students will receive HIV/AIDS instruction in their DEN groups.
– Lora Millet, secretary
