District
Wednesday, June 18, is the last day of school. All schools will release early. Helen Haller, Sequim Middle School and Sequim High School will release at 11 a.m. and Greywolf at 11:15 a.m. We wish all our families a pleasant summer break and will look forward to seeing everyone back for the first day of the 2014-2015 school year on Sept. 3.
Transportation department
Bus driver Marcia Bowden placed second in regional competition at the School Bus Driver Safety Competition Road-e-o held at the Kitsap Fairgrounds in Silverdale on May 31. Bowden competed in a transit-style bus. This program is sponsored by the Washington Association for Pupil Transportation (WAPT). She is the first bus driver from Sequim to go on to state competition, which will be held in Yakima on June 22. Driver trainer John Stevens will accompany her to state.
Greywolf Elementary school
Here are some thoughts from second-graders in Chris Stevens’ class about their school experience this year:
The best part of second grade was that we got to do iPads on Fridays and math. Zoe Brantley
The most important thing in second grade is do your work and have the right attitude. Hannah Albaugh
What I loved most in second grade was when Mr. Stevens played his guitar. Summer Nall
The number one rule in second grade is to do your best. Evan Anderson
The hardest thing about second grade was learning expanded form. Jaden Wixson
The best part of second grade is learning new things, having Mr. Stevens as a teacher and reading, writing and many other things. Auna Rich
The most important thing in second grade is to try before you give up. Riley Tadlock
What I loved most in second grade was that I have the sweetest and nicest friends in the whole world. Weston Opdyke
The number one rule in second grade is being safe and respectful to others. Mia Henson
The hardest thing about second grade was kids distracting me when I am trying to do my math or read. Circe Wilkinson
The best part of second grade is Mr. Stevens reads fun stories and he teaches us to write. Scout Gagnon
The most important thing in second grade is to do your best at everything you do – also be nice to everybody. SaVannah Gragg
What I loved most in second grade was recess because you get to talk with your friends and play. Sam Stewart
The number one rule in second grade is to be respectful. Alexander Kessler
The hardest thing about second grade was having a math packet be your ticket to recess. Alyssa Hayden
The best part of second grade is when we went to the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium as a field trip. Breanna Mollinet
The most important thing in second grade is learning new things every day in class. Keenan Green
What I loved most in second grade was Mr. Stevens reading to the class. Sean Luquette
The number one rule in second grade is to always be a good friend. Ava Welch
The hardest thing about second grade was the story problems were really hard sometimes. Chloe Cox
The best part of second grade is having fun in the best school ever! James Eddy
What I loved most in second grade was playing football with the teacher and other kids at recess. Reed Pehrson
What I loved most in second grade was the math and reading. James Ashbaugh
“I would have to say that my best part of this year would be watching my students grow as learners in all areas especially reading and math,” Stevens said.
Helen Haller Elementary school
On May 13, teachers Lori Berg (developmental preschool), Bill Isenberg (Sequim High School), Jen Krumpe (Sequim High School), Tracy Venegas and Peter Walchenbach (Helen Haller Elementary) took students from the Developmental Preschool, Haller Life Skills and Sequim High School Life Skills classes on an annual field trip to Corey’s Day at the Farm at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds in Silverdale. Coleta and Nick Corey of Silverdale are the founders of Corey’s Day at the Farm, an event during which special-needs children can enjoy a day of horseback riding, petting farm animals, being outside, taking hayrack rides and eating grilled hot dogs.
The annual event takes place on the Monday and Tuesday following Mother’s Day and evolved after Corey’s special-needs son, Danny, participated in a “show-and-tell” at his school in 1968. Our students and their parents thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful day and all the hard work that the hundreds of volunteers do to make this a memorable and special day.
On May 16, these same students went fishing at the Water Reclamation Park. The pond is stocked with fish from the Hurd Creek Hatchery and the Port Angeles Anglers came out and volunteered to be fishing buddies for our Haller Life Skills class and also the high school Life Skills class. They provide the bait, the fishing poles and a great outing for the students!
Olympic Peninsula Academy
The public is invited to come from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. June 16 for our annual Celebration of Learning event to be held at our facility at 221 W. Fir St. The students’ culminating projects will be on display. Sixth-grade presentations are based on a historically related issue with the U.S. Constitution. For this project, each student had to submit a written report, self-published work, an interview, a biography page and, finally, an oral presentation. Seventh- and eighth-graders will exhibit final projects as well. Their subject was to focus on a career they would like to pursue in the future. Some science class students will demonstrate erupting model volcanos.
Enrichment coach Tim Wilkinson says the students are proud to show all they have learned and accomplished throughout the school year. Please join us!
Sequim Middle School
Seven students from the Robotics and Engineering class went to the third annual Kitsap Underwater Vehicle Competition held at Olympic High School Aquatic Center in Bremerton on May 31. Over 30 teams were enrolled in the competition. For the competition, they were evaluated in three areas: technical presentation, exploration skills, and opening of the submerged treasure chest and sea life recovery.
Eighth-grader Max Koonz placed first in the head-to-head competition and earned an award for excellence in the category of “Technical Knowledge” in the ROV (grades 10-12) division.
Koonz also partnered with Devin Hibler to take sixth overall in the same division, with a score of 567.5.
Eighth-graders John Edson and Matt Craig took second overall in the Sea Perch (grades 7–9) division, with a score of 1,275. Cameron Hatt and Logan Clawson took 16th place with a 747.5. Trey Mannor took 17th place with a score of 694.
Robotics teacher Caleb Gentry said, “Trey probably would have been at minimum in the top 10 finishers, but hair in the pool wrapped around one of his motors during an in-water challenge, disabling his steering. Trey finished first in our internal competition held May 1. The teams representing our class were chosen based on their performance at our internal competition held at SARC. We would like to thank SARC for allowing us to use their facility for the competition as well as testing and training.”
Sequim High School
Important dates:
June 11 – Choir concert at 7 p.m. in the auditorium
June 12 – Graduation rehearsal at 11:45 a.m. in the stadium, last day of OTE after school program
June 13 – Graduation rehearsal at 9 a.m. in the stadium, Graduation ceremony at 6 p.m. in the stadium
June 14 – ACT test at 7:45 a.m. in the cafeteria
