DISTRICT

All schools are closed for winter break from Dec. 22-Jan. 2. The district office will be open throughout the winter break, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, except for Dec. 24-26, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

GREYWOLF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Fourth-grade students in Maribeth Stewart’s class performed three Thanksgiving-themed plays for families and third-graders. “A Journey to the New World” told the story of Kevin, who was nervous about his family’s upcoming move to Iowa. Kevin dreams about traveling on the Mayflower and realizes his move is not so bad. “A Native American Welcome” depicted the first Thanksgiving. An audience favorite, “A Turkey Takes a Stand,” is about a turkey who tries to get to the U.S. Congress to make fish the official food of Thanksgiving.

HELEN HALLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The Primary Life Skills class is going to SARC on Tuesdays for water therapy. Our students have been enjoying the sensory experience being in the pool provides. For our students with autism, the sensory input helps with body awareness, increased mobility skills and better sensory integration. All our students are improving their muscle strength, stamina and self-confidence and just are having a good time with their classmates and teachers.

A huge thank you goes to SARC for providing a block of time each week and our Haller PTO for funding this very worthwhile therapy.

— Tracy Venegas, Life Skills Teacher

Tami Wall’s third-graders studied about the Pilgrims coming to America in 1620. They also read about Squanto and how he and the Wampanoag Natives helped the Pilgrims survive the cold winter in the New World. Each child wove a small pocket out of yarn. The class shook cream in two large Mason jars to make butter to spread on cornbread muffins. They learned a song and some of the students performed a reader’s theater about the first Thanksgiving.

Gail Kite’s fifth-grade students wrote about what they are thankful for:

These are the things I am grateful for. I am grateful for my mom because she is always nice to me. Also, I am grateful for my dogs because when I’m sad, my dogs make me happy. I am grateful for the roof over my head and for my toys. I also am grateful for the food that my sister or mom makes and for the clothes my mom buys. I appreciate all of the things my mom does. So what I’m trying to say is I am grateful for my whole family. Kiandrice Ersland

These are a few of my favorite things I am grateful for. My family is first; last week we had some nice quality family time. Next my guinea pig, Beanie; she is really getting used to me more and more. Then, the holidays; my family has big (when I say big, I mean HUGE) parties/get-togethers for every single one. Also I am grateful for life; my life is great! I appreciate my room; it took some time, but my brother finally gave me the biggest one. It’s almost decorated how I want it. I am also grateful for Snowball, my brother’s hamster. Without her, my brother wouldn’t be so nice to me. I am very grateful for lots more things but I did say only a few. Madison McKeown

These are the things I am grateful for. I am thankful for shelter and the hope my family has. Last week my grandma was sad and Bailey, my sister, went over there and cheered her up. I’m also thankful for animals and decomposers. Decomposers … I think a lot about them because without them … Ewwww! I’m also thankful for Miss Kite because she is the sweetest thing on the planet. Kaitlyn Johnson

These are the people and objects I am grateful for. I am grateful for my dad; he has to be the very best dad in the world. I am also grateful for my mom; she cooks some of the best meals in the world. I am grateful for my sister; she is always sticking up for me. I am so grateful for my dog Charlie and my dog Clyde. They are always playing or sleeping. I am also grateful for my room. My dad built a beautiful room for me. Max Gawley

These are the things I am grateful for. One is the law; one of our friends is a policeman. Another thing I am thankful for is freedom. We are in a free country. One of my friends is a veteran that served in a war. Another thing I am thankful for is a house to live in and heat to keep us warm. But most of all I am thankful for my family. Cameron Needham

These are the things I am grateful for. I am grateful for good friends and a wonderful family. They always stick up for me and they treat me good like I am their best friends or family. I am grateful for my education because I learn what I have never known before. I am grateful for all my friends in class. I am grateful for all I have because some people don’t get what I get. I am grateful for where I live because I live in America and Washington, the Evergreen State, where freedom is held. Ethan Hunnicutt

I am thankful for many things. I am thankful for my mom. She is the best because she feeds me and takes care of me and I feel safe. I am also very thankful for my grandparents because every day in Indiana they would take care of me when my mom worked late. I am also thankful for my friends. They helped me fit in when I was new and now I am very happy and comfortable here in Sequim. I am also thankful for Chloe; she helped me in class and we are always going to be best friends. She helped and worked hard to be my friend and that is true friendship. I am also thankful for Miss Kite because she helped me when I was stuck on a problem and she helped me find everything. Hannah Taylor

Sheri Suryan’s fifth-grade students learned all about the brain. They learned what each lobe of the brain is responsible for and how the functions of the brain tie into the PBIS program finding zones of behavior. Students learned how sound waves travel to their ears and then on to the eighth nerve in the brain that interprets hearing. Also, they learned about vision and how images are sent to the occipital lobe of the brain.

They studied the hemispheres of the brain are held together by fibers. They also found that all the nerves travel through the brainstem and are transmitted by neurons through the spinal cord and new information is sent as a synapse. The amygdala is the control center for emotion, so now students have an understanding when they get emotional, such as excited, happy or sad.

The students identified the lobes and the inner parts of the brain and created a model of a brain on a swim cap that they designed. Now, they truly can put on their thinking caps to learn!

SEQUIM MIDDLE SCHOOL

The public is invited to attend a band concert in the gym at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10. The band is under the direction of David Upton. A choir concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, in the cafeteria, is under the direction of John Lorentzen.

SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL

Senior Class Play auditions will be at 3 p.m. on Dec. 10 in the auditorium.

On Dec. 13, the ACT Test will be administered in Room H-111 at 7:45 a.m.

Winter Ball will be in the cafeteria from 8-11 p.m. on Dec. 13. Yearbooks will be on sale for $55 from Dec. 15-19.