DISTRICT

There will be a school board meeting at 6 p.m. March 2 in the board room, at 503 N. Sequim Ave. School board meetings are open to the public. Time is set aside at each meeting for public comment. A mid-year budget review will be presented by Director of Business Services Brian Lewis. The agenda is available online at www.sequim.k12.wa.us. For more information, contact Marilyn Walsh at 582-3262.

GREYWOLF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The 100th day of school was celebrated on Feb. 10. On this day, all first-graders rotated to other first-grade classrooms. In each classroom, the students participated in a different activity. In Monique Brasher’s classroom, students made necklaces from 100 beads. In Cathy Green’s class, they each made a pair of “100” glasses. In Alex Ogilvie’s class, students each completed a 100 chart and in Leigh Ann Koenig’s class they made a “100” crown.

The Family Math Night and Spaghetti Feed, organized by teachers Pat Quinet and Monique Brasher, is Thursday, Feb. 26. Dinner will be served from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and math games and activities will be enjoyed in the gym from 6-7 p.m. For more information, contact the school office at 582-3300.

HELEN HALLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Teachers Ann Riggs, Teresa Thorson and teacher/librarian Sheri Kruckeberg have organized activities for this year’s Cougar Writing Conference. The conference is made possible through the generous support of the Helen Haller PTO and takes place March 2-6. The featured guest will be author Suzanne Selfors, who wrote the acclaimed “Smells Like Dog” series, as well as the award-winning “The Imaginary Veterinary” series. Book-It Repertory Theatre will present “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” to all grades in the high school auditorium on March 5.

Sheri Suryan’s fifth-grade class has been studying about world explorers and the different reasons each explorer had for risking his life to find the Northwest Passage to Asia. Each student has become the explorer and here’s what they wrote:

I am Giovanni da Verrazano. My early years I lived in a family castle. When I was a teen I moved to Dieppe and became a pirate and map maker. I am from Italy and I explored the American Coast from the Carolinas to Maine for the French Crown. I was a pirate so I went to get gold. One time I was responsible for stealing nearly two million dollars. Hailey Thomas

I am Amerigo Vespucci. I was born in Florence, Italy. I was the third son of Ser Nastagio and Lisabetta Mini. I was sponsored by Portugal and I explored the coast of Florida and the northern coast of South America in 1499 and in 1500-1501. I sailed the eastern coast of South America. I sailed to claim land for Portugal. I also went because I was inspired by Christopher Columbus. Logan Phipps

I am Jacques Marquette. I came from France and then I explored the Mississippi River. The purpose was to spread Christianity. Aiden Dannewitz

I am Francisco Vazques de Coronado, a man who found land and failed at looking for the Seven Cities of Gold for the Queen of Spain. I was from Spain, a place that was a big ruler at the time. I wanted to find the Seven Cities of Gold, but instead I found modern day Texas, Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma and the Grand Canyon. The purpose of my exploration was gold because I was born to a noble family, but my brother got all the money. So, that’s why I got jealous and went to discover. Faith Amaya

Hello, my name is Louis Joliet. I came from Quebec, New France. I explored the unsettled territory in North America. I wanted to be rich and claim land for France. Malory Morey

SEQUIM MIDDLE SCHOOL

Debra Beckett’s Science and Engineering class recently studied three different substances they created: Glurch, made from white glue and liquid starch; Goop, made from white glue and borax solution; and Oobleck, made from cornstarch and water.

With protective goggles and gloves on, students worked in groups to test each substance for physical properties including roll, pancake, bounce and stretch. They analyzed the similarities and differences and designed a product that utilized one of the Gunk substances. Some of the designs were for a trampoline, a punching bag, a water bed, tire filling, a stress ball and a flimsy phone.

Honor Roll Dessert Night will be from 7-8 p.m. Feb. 25-26 in the cafeteria. We will honor students who have received a 3.0-4.0 grade-point average for first semester. Students in grades 6-8 with last names beginning with A-K are invited to attend with their parents on Feb. 25. Students with last names beginning with L-Z will attend on Feb. 26. Invitations to the Honor Roll Dessert were given to eligible students in their Wolfpack Advisory class on Feb. 19.

Don’t miss the opportunity to see 60 middle school students perform in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid, Jr.” at 7 p.m. March 5-6 in the Sequim High School auditorium. Admission is free, but donations will be gladly accepted. Proceeds will go toward funding future musical projects. This production is directed by John Lorentzen, choir teacher, and Robin Hall.

SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL

The Teen Outreach Program (TOP) meets every Tuesday during sixth-period study skills in Room 132. TOP provides teens with support and tools to successfully navigate their young adult lives, including healthy behaviors, life skills and a sense of purpose.

An important component of the program is community service learning. Students sold hot chocolate at Walmart on Sunday, Jan. 11, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in order to provide hygiene items for Serenity House.

On Jan. 27, facilitators Briana Galbreath and Nellie Bridge took the TOP students on a field trip to Serenity House in Port Angeles to deliver hygiene items they had gathered and take a tour of the hygiene center, Serenity House offices and overnight “SOS” shelter. Teacher Nellie Bridge noted, “I think it made a big impression on the students. Our group’s program is very student-driven and the students will soon be deciding on their next community service learning project, although they’ll still accept hygiene product donations for Serenity House.”

What knowledge did these students gain from their experience?

Senior Halie Wilson said, “It made me sad to learn that there are homeless teens in our area. It made us feel good to help out. People were impressed that we gave up time on our weekend to raise money for the project.”

Senior Karla Tinoco recounted, “There were small mats for the homeless people to sleep on at the facility. It was eye opening to realize some kids don’t have their own bed to go home to. They have showers for them to use, which was great. They need more supplies and food for the people, though.”

Junior Alyssa Larson said, “Homelessness makes me sad, but I have a good feeling that they have a place like this to help these people.”

Junior Ashlei Cosio, who participated in last year’s project, noted, “It’s cool that TOP students are making a change in the community.”

Choir auditions will be held Feb. 25. Please sign up in the choir room.

There will be an operetta parent meeting on Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.

Spring sports paperwork is due in the school office by Feb. 25. Spring sports turn out is March 2.

A talent show rehearsal will be from 3–9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, in the auditorium.

Talent show performances will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 27-28 in the auditorium. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students with an ASB card and $12 for the family. At Friday night’s performance, the acts will be evaluated by a panel of judges to determine the winner. Saturday night is people’s choice, so audience members will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite act. There are 18 acts in all, including singing, dancing and other musical performances.