SEQUIM SCHOOL DISTRICT
• The Read Right program has expanded to the elementary schools. In a unique arrangement between Sequim Middle School, Greywolf and Haller elementary schools, fifth-grade students have the chance to polish their reading skills before they get to middle school. Eight Greywolf students are working in the reading program at the middle school in the morning and eight Haller students are participating in the program in the afternoon.
– Gina Hietpas, Read Right Teacher
• Congratulations go to school board member and Clallam County historian June Robinson. County commissioners recently recognized her contributions to the preservation of the area’s history in a formal proclamation on Sept. 16. For years she’s been involved in collecting, preserving and disseminating the history of Clallam County while serving on many area boards. Those boards include the Heritage Advisory Board, Clallam County Historical Society, Genealogical Society, the Sequim school board, and several others. She also has written or assisted in the creation of many publications including the "Images of Clallam County," "A History of Clallam County," "Washington, Why Do They Call It …," "The Norwegian Memorial," The Chilean Memorial" and the "Wreck of the Austria." Thank you, June, for all you have done for our county and its history.
• Parents: Pink slips are used to notify students, teachers and office staff of changes in plans or routines for individual students. They also double as bus passes and bus drivers will not allow a child to ride any other bus except his own without a pink slip. If a child is doing anything other than what he normally does, he needs a pink slip (Examples: being picked up at school instead of riding the bus home, going home with a friend or leaving for a doctor appointment). Your child will bring home a package of pink slips. More are always available in the office. If a child has a change of plans for the day, please fill out both sides of the pink slip and send it with him in the morning rather than sending a note or calling the school.
• Volunteering: It is school district policy that a volunteer form is required for anyone who works with students. This includes parents and guardians who would like to go on field trips. This form must be filled out and approved at the district office. Because we must allow seven days for approval time, it is best to fill out this form early in the school year. This will help avoid any disappointment if the background check is delayed for any reason. All field trip chaperones must complete this form and have it on file.
GREYWOLF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
We have a Greywolf School Advisory Council that advises the school and principal on all kinds of topics. This council meets eight to 10 times a year right after school in the library. Sometimes they have helped Greywolf by volunteering as safety guards or attending school board meetings. We have seven members and would like to invite parents or community members to join us. You do not need to be voted in to the position, just come to meetings. If you would like to be on the SAC, please call Patty Grenquist at 582-3300 and let her know.
– Patty Grenquist, principal
HELEN HALLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
First-graders in Ione Marcy’s class have focused on building reading stamina during Read-to-Self time. We graphed our reading minutes on a Reading Stamina chart where we are able to see and compare our daily progress. Our best time was 20 minutes of focused reading time! That is fabulous for the beginning of the year. If you walked in, you would see the following: students focused on reading (reading the pictures, the words or retelling the story), sitting in one spot, reading "Good Fit" books that were just right for each child, thinking about reading and using quiet voices or reading silently. These wonderful behaviors indicate a love for and interest in reading that will definitely develop independent readers in no time. Parents and community volunteers are most welcome to come and help in the classroom during reading time to help students make even faster progress. You would need to complete a volunteer form first and have it approved at the district office.
– Ione Marcy, teacher
SEQUIM MIDDLE SCHOOL
Congratulations Jo Chinn, middle school librarian! The Washington Library Media Association recently notified her that she has been awarded the WLMA Outstanding Teacher-Librarian of the Year for 2008. She will be honored for this award at the upcoming annual WLMA conference business lunch on Oct. 10 in Portland, Ore. She will receive a plaque, a $500 gift certificate for her personal use and be recognized at the podium for her achievement. This award speaks to the professionalism that she brings to her work as a teacher-librarian in a Washington school. Letters of support for this award came from a SMS administrator, a student and teachers. A WLMA member for many years, she has worked in schools for more than 30 years and is recognized by her peers and her students as an "awesome," "quintessential" middle school librarian. She believes in the statement of the national school library standards that say a school librarian’s mission is to "ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information." (ALA, 998) Betty Marcoux, Ph.D. and chairwoman of the WLMA Award Committee, said in her letter, "To that end she has worked to develop programs and plans that encompass this mission and include the school’s goals and objectives for learning. Jo collaborates with teachers in her building to make sure the lessons involving the library are connected to the curriculum of the school and to its agenda. She maintains a collection of high quality materials, reflective of what is needed and used for learning in her school. Additionally, she works with staff and students on their research and presentations for History Day and their content based assessments in social studies. This work has led her to be recognized before as the Washington State History Day Teacher of the Year. Jo is a teacher, a catalyst for improved learning and teaching, and a leader in her school. She has built her career around the school library, integrating its vision with the larger mission of the school. She encourages updates that facilitate teaching and learning, including those that factor into how the school library works within the context of the school’s agenda." Way to go, Jo!
SEQUIM COMMUNITY SCHOOL
• The First Teacher program has a wonderful room for you and your children to enjoy together. It has a large library of parenting books and video tapes for you to check out, weekly events, parenting classes, a playground outside, a playroom inside and many other resources available. The following events will take place in First Teacher:
Friday, Sept. 26 – Jody Moss, director of United Way, "What are the Benefits of United Way for Parents of Young Children?"
There are books for parents and children to check out as well. Reading Times at First Teacher in September will take place on:
Sept. 29 – Caitlin Sundin, First Teacher mom
– Patsene Dashiell, secretary
• Sequim’s Head Start preschool program currently has openings. It is free to qualifying families. Children ages 3 to 5 are eligible. Both part-day and full-day services are available. To apply, contact a Head Start office in the Sequim Community School at 683-3117 or on Sequim Avenue at 683-3709.
SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL
The Star Dust and Jazz Band dance is Saturday, Oct. 11, and will showcase the bands in the high school cafeteria at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are for sale at The Buzz and the high school office for $25 per couple and $15 single. A small buffet is included with the price.
– Laurie Campen, band parent
