DISTRICT
The Sequim School District would like to acknowledge the contribution of Clallam County Emergency Services for gathering and delivering 800 boxes of crayons and 1,000 pencils to be distributed among students at the elementary schools. Special thanks to Debbie Homan, communications officer/public education coordinator with the Port Angeles Police Department, for coordinating these efforts.
— Patsene Dashiell, community liaison
GREYWOLF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Staff and students would like to thank Hardy’s Market, Starbucks, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Clallam County Emergency Services and anonymous individuals who donated school supplies. Students gratefully use much-needed pencils, pens, erasers, paper and other donated classroom items. We are astounded at the generosity of these contributors. Thank you!
PTA once again is sponsoring the annual Jog-A-Thon. Students can gather pledges from Oct. 1-12. Pledges can be made either for each lap a student runs, or by a flat donation. The running will take place on the school playground Friday, Oct. 7.
— Tricia Stratton, secretary
HELEN HALLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Helen Haller fifth-graders Sean Weber and Caiton Smith this summer experienced a “Scientist for A Day” opportunity at the Bonneville Power Authority in Portland, Ore. They were awarded the trip for their Gold Medal performance for Best Team project at the 2011 Washington State Science Fair, held in Bremerton on April 1. Their project, entitled “Let It Rain,” investigated the effects of temperature on condensation and how the results related to the El Niño and La Niña weather phenomena.
On July 22, Caiton and Sean were given tours of the facilities and labs of meteorologists, power schedulers and other BPA engineers. They learned how energy from water, wind, nuclear and other sources is managed through the coordination of many different BPA resources to provide electric power to its customers. They learned how the meteorologists use measurements of atmospheric and water conditions in the Northwest to forecast the amount of energy that can be produced and the potential demand for electric energy from BPA’s customers.
They also participated in hands-on energy experiments of their own and were treated to lunch with some of the BPA engineers. When asked to summarize his field trip for the day, Sean said, “Caiton and I both had an extraordinary time. I will take this knowledge with me for the rest of my life.”
— Debra Beckett, teacher and Science Fair Club advisor
SEQUIM MIDDLE SCHOOL
Sept. 22 was our first spirit day of the year, with the theme of Nerd Day. Every month, Associated Student Body and class representatives vote on various themes, such as Duct Tape Day, Sports Day and Nerd Day, presenting top ideas to vice principal Scott Harker for final say. Once a theme is chosen, ASB and Leadership class work on posters to promote spirit day and I talk about it in morning announcements.
A tally is taken of the number of students and staff dressing up in each grade level and the winning grade receives 10,000 spirit points. The grade in second place gets 5,000 spirit points and the third-place grade gets 3,000 spirit points. For this particular spirit day, in third place we had the sixth grade, with 39 people dressing up, earning 3,000 spirit points; in second place we had the seventh grade, with 53 people dressing up, earning 5,000 spirit points; and in first place was the eighth grade with 67 people dressing up, earning 10,000 points.
The students have opportunities to earn spirit points not only on spirit days, but also at assemblies, when we have class relays, such as dressing in frozen T-shirt competitions and sponge and water relays.
At the end of each year, the class that has accumulated the most spirit points gets an ice cream party. Last year, the eighth-grade class won the most points and got the ice cream.
This particular spirit day had a great turnout, with a lot of participants. Special thanks go to some of our most “over the top” nerds. From our staff, we had Tracy Barnes, Shannon Paselk and Dave McInnes. Representing eighth grade were special nerds Jackson Oliver, Chris Whittaker and Jack Shea. Top nerds in seventh grade included Cassidy Costello, Sadie Woods and Danica Miller. And our sixth-grade top nerds included Christina Barber, Nathan Allen and Tearria Tveit. Overall, this day was a great success.
— Megan O’Mera, student public relations officer, and Caity Karapostoles, activities coordinator
SEQUIM COMMUNITY SCHOOL
First Teacher activities:
Thursday, Oct. 6 – Bill Marsh talks about Math for Little Ones at 10:30 a.m.
Monday, Oct. 10 – Reading Time with Joy Beaver at 10:30 a.m. Every child attending Reading Time receives a free book. Drop in from 10 a.m.-noon.
Tuesday, Oct. 11– WIC (Women, Infants and Children). For more information about the WIC program, contact Pam Walker at 417-2275.
First Teacher is located in Room 4W in the Sequim Community School at 220 W. Alder Street, next to the playground. Parents of preschoolers, come with your children and enjoy activities, the playroom and the playground. Sign up to receive the monthly newsletter with parenting tips and information about local resources for families. For more about the First Teacher program, call 582-3428 or 681-2250.
— Cynthia Martin, director, and Nicole Brewer, parent leader
SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL
Homecoming will be celebrated Friday, Oct. 7, during a school assembly in the gym at 1:50 p.m. That evening, the Sequim Wolves varsity football team takes on the Kingston Buccaneers at 7 p.m. in the stadium and the royalty court will be presented during halftime. A dance will be held in the cafeteria on Saturday, Oct. 8, from 8-11 p.m. The theme is “Around the World.” Tickets in advance are $15 per person and $20 at the door. Student guest request forms are due by 3 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6. Students and guests are required to bring a picture I.D. to enter the dance.
— Lora Millet, secretary
