GREYWOLF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Robert Withrow’s fifth-grade class has been working on “Genius Hour” projects during Friday afternoons. The idea for Genius Hour comes from the Google Company. The founders at Google allowed their developers to work on “passion projects” one day a week as long as they were caught up on their work and the topic of their project in some way benefitted the company. Google found that not only did production increase, but some of their best ideas were generated from this model.
We have a similar procedure in our class. Students are allowed to work on their projects as long as their regular coursework is caught up for that week. There also are two additional requirements: First, students must talk about their project with the rest of the class, and the bigger the audience, the better! Secondly, the teacher must agree to the topic of the project. This keeps things school-appropriate and also allows the teacher to keep students working toward their final presentation.
Caleb Pozernick started researching if the Civil War was avoidable, and through his studies, ended up focusing on technology that changed the course of the war. Sahmira Servin did a class presentation on the history of Sequim. She visited a museum and interviewed three people during her research. Topics other students are working on range from caribou to American Sign Language, and everything in between!
HELEN HALLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Don’t miss Helen Haller PTO’s production of “The Wizard of Oz,” with performances at 7 p.m. Friday, April 25, and 2 p.m. Saturday, April 26, in the school gym. Admission is free. Director Nikki Sturm still is looking for parent volunteers, so call 808-4855 if you can help out.
A “Cougar Shout Out” is our way of acknowledging those students who demonstrate consistent respectful, responsible and safe behaviors at school. Each month, every teacher names two students from their classroom who they believe deserves a shout out for being awesome Haller citizens. We would like to thank these students for their exemplary behaviors.
April’s “Cougar Shout Outs” go to: Ayla Adams, Aarell Ancheta, Yaya Ayala, Krista Baker, Meghan Barnum, Ivy Barrett, Ian Baylon, River Bess, Blake Blanton–Bacchus, Mila Bohling, Hope Burbank, Kenzie Camp, Kaleb Cassidy, Jesse Chavez, Angelina Cooper, Andrew Crigler, Kate D’Amico, Lilly Despain, Olivia Folstrom, Greg Fowler, Jessica German, Samantha Gonzalez, Willa Gradillas, Emily Green, Nia Haley, Shelby Haskins, Jordan Hegtvedt, Danielle Herman, Julian Holloway, Erik Holtrop, Abby Hopson, Andrew Johnson, Sid Johnston, Mason King, Ava Lawless, Micheala Martini, Curtis McClanahan, Adrian Mendez, Sierra Milles, Brett Mote, Joy Munyagi, Fiona Orloff, Ivy Pettett, Marshall Phipps, Joseph Pinell, Payge Pratt, Hayden Rayburn, Pascual Roybal, Ryan Stites, Charley Sturm, Kaylee Torres, Duke Underwood, Aaron Wallen, Kaitlyn Wandel, Emma Watson, Hadi White, Lars Wiker and Michael Young.
Sequim Middle School
Student-led conferences will be from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, April 24. This is not a regularly scheduled school day. Students will only come to the school during their scheduled conference time. Students will have 20 minutes to share their progress with their parents or guardians and Wolf Pack advisor. They will use the portfolios they have been working on this year to show what they have accomplished in school, what they want to do in the future and to talk about their activities both in and out of school.
As part of their curriculum requirement for history, sixth-graders in Paul Pinza and Allison Hastings’ classes completed a project on geographic and economic reasons why people migrate. They were required to take a position and defend that position. They were instructed to choose two ancient civilizations to study, as well as a modern day civilization. They could write a paper, create a PowerPoint or make a display board for their class presentation. They had to cite three credible sources for information used.
Emerson Wright found it very interesting to learn about the volcano that erupted on the island of Santorini in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Greece some 3,600 years ago. Erin Dwyer learned that people in Mexico immigrate to the United States at great risk for the chance of a better life. Matthew Keeler enjoyed hand drawing maps for his display board. Emily Silva explained that teachers provided helpful handouts with relevant information to aid with the projects. Kianna Miller enjoyed learning about the Punic Wars that were fought from 264 BC to 146 BC and Rome emerged as one of the most powerful cities of its time.
The science department would like to showcase the following students as “Catalysts” for Term 3. Just what is a catalyst, you ask? Well, these are students who consistently display an exceptional level of participation in their science class. They ask those thought-provoking questions that extend understanding. They clearly and accurately share their observations, both verbally and in writing. They are the sparks which ignite learning! So without further ado, let us recognize and celebrate these fine young scientists.
In sixth grade, teacher Isabella Morrison celebrates the accomplishments of Nadia Rayon, Daisy Ryan, Kianna Miller, Zoe Yates, Kjirstin Foresman, Raelee Wessel, Emma Albright and Grace Niemeyer. Teacher Steve Koehler recognizes Chloe Goldate, Alissa Lofstrom, Erin Dwyer, Bridgetmarie Naputi and Seth Johnson.
For seventh-graders, teacher Phil Zarelli gives a standing ovation to Aaron Jackson, Nathalie Torres, Morgana Ferguson, Maddie Howe, Madisyn Pulley, Nick Gaylord, Damon Little and Katie Potter. Teacher Joe Landoni tips his hat to Anthony Thompson–Porrazzo, Madison Green, Madison Murphy, Jazen Bartee, Rudy Franco, Amanda Wiggins, Matthew Dahll, Shelby Wells, Heidi O’Leary and Blake Wiker.
Finally, in eighth grade, teacher Debbie Beckett applauds Audrey Hughes, Adare McMinn, Ted Scheet, Noelle Bittner, John Edson and Caitlyn Turner and in her Science and Engineering Teams Class, Jade Webb.
Keep up the fantastic effort, young scientist! You are excellent role models for your peers.
SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL
Important upcoming dates:
Junior Prom will be held in the cafeteria from 8-11 p.m. April 26.
There will be a track invitational held at Bremerton High School on Saturday, April 26.
On April 28, progress reports will be handed out during sixth period, Senior Ball tickets go on sale through May 9, on-time graduation orders arrive and ASB executive elections for the 2014-2015 school year will be held.
As a writing lesson, students in Bill Isenberg and Jennifer Kumpe’s Life Skills class wrote about what they did over spring break:
My name is Isaiah Spaulding. For my spring break this year, I had one of my friends come over who I had not seen in a long time, his name is Jacob. We played games and Jacob stayed for dinner. It was really nice to see my friend. I enjoyed my spring break.
My name is Eric Larsen. For my spring break this year, I went to Oregon, stayed in a hotel and got to see my dad. We went to the mall and I bought a new wallet. We also went out to dinner at a buffet and I ate a lot. When I got back to Sequim, I went to my grandma’s and helped her shop for groceries.
My name is Ian Jackson. On my spring break, I helped my mother plant flowers at our new house. I had to do a lot of raking to get rid of rocks in my yard. Our family went on a road trip to visit friends. We went to the mall and I got some new T-shirts. I had lots of fun on spring break.
My name is Nick Barrett. During my spring break I went to Disneyland. I flew on an airplane to get there. I went with my sister, Brandy, and my mom. I got to go on Splash Mountain and got a picture of us on the ride. I also got my picture taken with Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Then I rode the Dumbo ride, the teacups and Pirates of the Caribbean. I also road the tower of terror but it was scary.
My name is Tyler Reeves. For spring break this year, my family went to Tennessee. We went there to see my great grandma, great grandpa, Aunt Kimberly and Uncle Mark. We stayed in an old-fashioned cabin. While we were there we watched “Catching Fire” and we went to Ruby Falls in Memphis. On the fourth day of the trip there was a blizzard and we were stuck in the cabin for a whole day. We had a wood stove for heat and enough food for everyone but we had to make sure it lasted.
When we were coming home and landed at the airport in Seattle, we waited until 12:25 in the morning for Seattle transit but they never showed up. A nice person at the airport helped us and gave us a ride to our hotel in Seattle. The next day, my step dad’s mom brought us our van and we came back home to Sequim. My spring break was full of adventures and fun.
All State Choir Solo & Ensemble competition will take place April 25-26 at the Central Washington University campus in Ellensburg. Thirteen choir students will be traveling Ellensburg for the competition. Soloists are Patrick McCarter (tenor), McKayla Neale (soprano) and Lauren Traczyk (soprano). The Sequim Men’s Ensemble going to state is comprised of Zachary Campbell, Mikey Cobb, Nicholas Fazio, Benjamin Heintz, Eric Hermosada, Hayden James, Carlo Juntilla, Brandon Morgan, Daniel Newell and Jackson Oliver.
