It’s that time once again … but are you ready for another school year?
Sequim schools and community partners have a host of back-to-school events to help parents and students gear up for the 2018-2019 school year that for most students starts on Wednesday, Sept. 5; kindergarten students start Monday, Sept. 10.
Here’s a look at upcoming events; check www.sequimschools.org for more events and updates.
• Back to School Fair, Family Day
The sixth-annual Sequim Back to School Fair is set for 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Sequim Boys & Girls Club,, 400 W. Fir St.
This free event features resources and services including books, hair trims, school supplies, child passenger seat checks, school bus route information, activities, information about preschool and early learning offerings, a fun dental booth, vision screenings, free and reduced lunch information, healthcare information, food and more.
The goal, organizers say, is to support Sequim families with children from birth to 18, to help them succeed in school.
The event is presented by Parenting Matters Foundation, Sequim School District, Kiwanis of Sequim, & The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula. Sponsors include Castell Insurance, Sequim Realtors Association, Coastal Farm, Co-Op Farm & Garden, First Federal, Molina Healthcare and Sequim Walmart.
For the younger students, start off the day with some fun at the Kindergarten Family Day set for 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Aug. 25 at the Helen Haller Elementary School playground, 350 W. Fir St.
• Sequim High School
The Sequim High School office re-opens Monday, Aug. 13, and hours are 8 a.m.-noon, closed noon-1 p.m., and re-opening from 1-3 p.m. The office will be closed Aug. 29 and Aug. 31 for TRI Day work.
Wolfpack Days are Thursday, Aug. 16 (sophomores from from 8-11 a.m., seniors and juniors from noon-3 p.m.) and Friday, Aug. 17 (freshmen with last names A-L, 8-11 a.m., and M-Z, noon-3 p.m.) At this event, students can collect class schedules, have school pictures taken and pay for ASB card, yearbook, campus permits and P.E. uniforms.
A new student orientation is set for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21, in the school library.
Sequim High School’s annual Band Camp is Monday, Aug. 20. Band uniforms will be issued during this time.
SHS athletics — Fall sports paperwork was due Aug. 14. The first day of SHS football practice is Wednesday, Aug. 15, with the first day of all other SHS sports — cross country, girls soccer, girls swim-dive, boys tennis and volleyball — beginning Monday, Aug. 20. A current sports physical is required for participation in all sports.
Link Crew/Freshman Orientation for incoming ninth-graders is Tuesday, Sept. 4. Link leaders will lead the students through a series of ice-breaker activities.
Sequim High Band Boosters meet from 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, in the SHS band room, while the Choir Booster group meets from 7-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, in the SHS choir room.
Sequim High picture retakes are Thursday, Sept. 13.
Sequim High Parent Night is on tap for 6:30-8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17, in the Sequim High cafeteria.
For more about Sequim High School, see shs.sequimschools.org or call 360-582-3600.
• Sequim Middle School
Sequim Middle School’s office re-opens Tuesday, Aug. 21, and hours are 8 a.m.-3 p.m., closed from noon-1 p.m.
Timberwolf Days are 2:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23, for students with last name beginning with A-K, and 2:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, for students with last names beginning with L-Z. At that time, students can collect class schedules, pay applicable fees, purchase a Timberwolf sweatshirt, yearbook and ASB card (also available throughout the school year), get a P.E. uniform (not required), receive/turn in sports packs and rent a band instrument, as well as pay money on lunch accounts.
New this year is the “Tour of Instruments”: Students who are interested in joining band or are already in band but want to try a new instrument are invited to try them out from 3-6 p.m. on Aug. 23.
A team from Clallam County Health & Human Services will be on site at Sequim Middle School’s Timberwolf Days on Aug. 23-24 to administer the vaccinations.
A New Family Orientation for families of incoming sixth-graders and those who are new to the district will be held Thursday, Aug. 23, at 6 p.m.
Sequim Middle School’s WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) orientation program for incoming sixth-graders will take place during the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 5, the first day of school. The WEB program is designed to ease the transition from elementary school to middle school. Sixth-graders, who will not need school supplies the first day of class, will be helped by eighth-grade WEB leaders in the morning, have a barbecue lunch and go to elective classes in the afternoon.
The middle school also hosts Pictured day on Tuesday, Sept. 18, and Back to School Night at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20.
See sms.sequimschools.org or call 360-582-3500 for more about Sequim Middle School.
• Greywolf, Helen Haller elementary schools
The Greywolf Elementary School office opens on Monday, Aug. 20 — hours are 8 a.m.-12 noon, closed noon-1 p.m., and re-opening from 1-3 p.m.
Helen Haller Elementary’s office opens on Wednesday, Aug. 22, with the same hours.
Each elementary school will host an Open House on Tuesday, Sept. 4, from 4-6 p.m. Families are strongly encouraged to attend.
Kindergarten parent/teacher conferences will be held at Greywolf Elementary and Helen Haller Elementary on Sept. 5, 6, and 7. The first day of class for kindergartners is Monday, Sept. 10.
Picture day at Helen Haller Elementary is Wednesday, Sept. 19.
For more about Grewywolf, see gwe.sequimschools.org or call 360-582-3300. For more about Helen Haller, call see hhe.sequimschools.org or call 360-582-3200.
• Olympic Peninsula Academy
The Olympic Peninsula Academy, a parent partnership program, sees its office opens Wednesday, Aug. 22, with hours set for 8 a.m.-noon, closed noon-1 p.m., and re-opening from 1-3 p.m.
OPA Otter Day/Picture Day, a required orientation for parents and students, is set for 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30; picture retakes are set for Thursday, Sept. 6.
See sequimschools.org/programs/olympic_penin sula_academy.
• Sequim School District office
Sequim School District’s office, at 503 N. Sequim Avenue, is open year-round to the public during weekdays from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
School supply donations may be dropped off at the district office during business hours. Collected school supplies will be made available to families in need at the annual Back to School Fair (see above). A school supply list is available on each school’s website.
For more information about school events, contact individual school offices, consult the district website’s calendar at www.sequimschools.org or call the district office at 360-582-3260.
