DISTRICT

Sequim School District runs its annual United Way campaign through Oct. 17. Building representatives are Greg Newton and Monique Brasher, teachers at Greywolf Elementary; Ione Marcy, teacher at Helen Haller Elementary; Connie Stites, secretary at Sequim Middle School; Terralyn Dokken, secretary at Olympic Peninsula Academy; Brian Berg, teacher at Sequim High School; Vienna Barron, bus driver/transportation, and Valorie Knieper and Patsene Dashiell, district support/administrative offices.

The campaign is focused on promoting participation. As an incentive, superintendent Kelly Shea has pledged to cook breakfast for the building with the highest percentage of participation.

“My personal philosophy has never been about how much money we raise. It’s more about how many participate. We did a fantastic job last year and I’m hoping our staff will join me again this year to give a little back to the community we live, work and play in,” Shea said.

Parents and guardians may preview HIV prevention education materials at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 14 in the Greywolf Elementary School library, 171 Carlsborg Road. Grade levels to be presented as follows: fifth grade from 5:30-6 p.m., sixth grade from 6-6:30 p.m., seventh and eighth grades from 6:30-7 p.m., ninth grade from 7-7:30 p.m., and 12th grade from 7:30-8 p.m. For 10th and 11th grades, written information only is available between 5:30-7:30 p.m.

State law says a parent/guardian must attend such a meeting before they can have their child /legal ward excused from participation in the HIV prevention program.

GREYWOLF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

In physical education classes, Greywolf students are working through a Stations Unit. At each station set up in the gym, the student record is posted, as well as P.E. teacher Doug Hastings’ best result. The station activities combine sports skills, fine motor movements, cardio, muscular strength, and muscular endurance.

Some stations are made for just good old fashioned fun. The students need to be good self-managers. It is very apparent if they are not up to this task, and the system is set up to make it easy to self-correct for those that are not making good choices.

This unit allows students to explore different talents they might have in a very safe environment, and to experience new activities.

Stations are: High Jump, Rope Climb Challenge, Cup Stacking Challenge, Birdie in a Basket Challenge, ESPN Sizzling Shot Clock Challenge, Bean Bag Trampoline Target Challenge, Rock-Wall Challenge, Monkey Bars Challenge, Rubik’s Cube Challenge, Rubik’s Revolution Challenge, Hula Hooping Challenge, Bop-It Smash Challenge, Bop-It XT Solo Challenge, Balance Board Challenge, Stilt Walking Challenge, The Screwball Challenge, Omni-Ball Challenge, Scarf Juggling Challenge, Hacky-Sack Challenge, Jump Baton Challenge, Ring Toss Challenge, Pickle-ball Target Challenge, Catch & Ball Challenge, The Wobbler Challenge and Nine Nerf Ball Catching Challenges.

Hastings invited Superintendent Kelly Shea to come to P.E. class and take part in the station activities one day. Shea was able to successfully jump over the bar without touching it at a height of four blue and seven green aerobic steps (about five feet high) to set a new Greywolf record for the High Jump Challenge, with supportive cheering by the students. The student record for the high jump is held by Jacob Lawrence, Cody Richardson, Harrison Bell and Cristian Gonzales, at four blue and six green aerobic steps.

HELEN HALLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

River Festival Education Day at Railroad Bridge Park is an annual event that all fourth grade students look forward to! The students are presented with a fact quest booklet upon arrival at the park.

They can learn new things about their environment and earn stamps for their booklet by visiting information booths set up around the park. Every year students return to school with new facts and big aha’s.

This year is no exception as reported by students in Cheryl Daniels’ class:

The River Fest was awesome. We learned a lot of things. For example, there were geoducks and they live up to 150 years. Another example is that a killer whale’s skull is as big as a walrus. One more example is that the fish swim in the river all year long. An owl’s legs are longer than its body and they can bend backwards like a flamingo. Did you know the railroad bridge was made in 1915? Cody Stephens, Jaelyn Ainsworth, Nia Haley and Josh Ziesemer

We went to the River Fest. Geoducks can live up to 150 years. Geoducks suck in water to get all the particles. Geoducks are slimy. Geoducks live deep in the sand. Geoducks squirt water. Saul Williams, Colton Cosio and Juan Torres

We went to the River Fest. We looked at animals. We saw a stuffed bobcat eating a bird. We painted fish. We saw the Red Tailed Hawk. Kianna Ullman, David Cisneros, Ella Suryan and Maddix Jay

We all kissed a geoduck! Mushrooms clean the oil from the river. You can put trash and leaves in can and start a compost pile at home. Mila Bohling, Alexandra Dominguez and Zach Lamb

The River Fest was amazing! We had so many exciting activities. One was digging into a bucket of seeds and trying to find treasure. Another great activity was the fish print with paint and there were so many pretty designs. There were so many interesting facts too! One was driftwood comes from the water that came from the trees. Another fact is rocks get smooth from tumbling around in water. At the American Red Cross booth they had a mini essay to tell you what you need in case of a situation. It was a great time at the River Fest! Trinity Gaither, Lauren Johnson, Briauna Saghafi and Trista Priest

SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL

Congratulations to 12th-grader Emily Carter, a semi-finalist in the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program. SHS is also proud of the recognition of Ben Heintz and Alexandra Stuart–Lovell, both 12th-graders, as Commended Students.

Of the 1.5 million entrants, some 50,000 with the highest PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index scores (critical reading + mathematics + writing skills scores) qualify for recognition in the National Merit Scholarship Program. In September, these high scorers are notified through their schools that they have qualified as either a Commended Student or Semifinalist.

Principal Shawn Langston said, “We are excited for Emily, who is still in the competition and could emerge as a finalist. These outstanding students exemplify what it means to give your best effort in high school and be rewarded for the hard work. Congrats to all three of them!”

Homecoming week is Oct. 6–10. Wear purple and gold on Friday for the 1:50 p.m. assembly in the gym and the varsity football game at 7 p.m. in the stadium against North Mason High School. The dance is Saturday, Oct. 11, in the cafeteria from 8–11 p.m.