GREYWOLF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
This year’s Jog-a-thon raised more than $5,000! Sponsored by the Greywolf PTA, this annual fundraiser encourages youths to engage in physical activity. During May, students had the opportunity to run outside on the playground and record their times on a log sheet. They solicited pledges per lap or a flat donation from parents and others. The goal was to complete 26.2 miles, the distance of a marathon. Runners were encouraged to build up to 25 miles prior to May 31, then run the final 1.2 miles at the NODM Kids’ Marathon at the Port Angeles waterfront.
Pledge proceeds were used to purchase books for the school library and to provide free of charge to every student a memory book of the 2013-2014 school year. The top two students that raised the most in pledges from each grade level got to have a pizza party with Principal Donna Hudson. They were Rilynn Whitehead and Talen Gierth (kindergarten), Jack Crecelius and Abby Henning (first grade), Keenan Green and Kaia Lestage (second grade), Julia Jeffers and Nichole Tiemeyer (third grade), Cassidy Crecelius and Kaiden Jones (fourth grade), and JoNell Hill and Erik Christiansen (fifth grade). The classes that raised the most money belong to Renee Mullikin ($435) and Pat Quinet ($750). For this distinction, these two classes got to have a party of their teacher’s choice.
A tea was held in the school library on June 12 to celebrate volunteers. Students from several different classes stopped in to present handmade cards, flowers and lots of hugs to their classroom helpers. The event and refreshments were organized by teacher Kelli Mishko. Principal Donna Hudson stopped in to express her appreciation for the important work that school volunteers do each year.
HELEN HALLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Gail Kite’s fifth-graders all contributed to a book to be presented to our high school helper senior Michael Gufler. He has helped each afternoon in our classroom all year long. He is headed to Western Washington University in Bellingham for teacher education this fall. Here are some excerpts from our book titled “The Best thing about Michael is …”
The best thing about Michael is he is kind. He is funny. He plays with me at recess. He shows up every day to help Miss Kite. He loves to be here. Sometimes he’ll push you on the swings. Sometimes he plays tag with us kids. He also gives us art lessons. He’ll help us with our math. Thank you Michael! But the best thing about Michael is he is kind. Marissa Ingram
The best thing about Michael is he is very nice to everyone, no matter what. Michael always shows up on time and is barely ever gone. He does a wonderful job at art and writing. Michael always is laughing at people’s jokes and his jokes are really funny. Michael is really smart and he is special because he volunteers to come here and help us. Most people wouldn’t do that. Michael has the best hair EVER. Michael has awesome handwriting. Even though he goes a little fast on the spelling quizzes, he still is a wonderful teacher. But the best thing about Michael is he is nice to everyone, no matter what. Asia Thomas
The best thing about Michael is his artistic vision. Michael is very smart. Michael is also really funny. I am very proud that he is graduating. I am very excited for Michael. But the best thing about Michael is his artistic vision. Nik Andreyka
The best thing about Michael is he is the kindest high schooler I ever met. He is super understanding and he also helps situations that need help (like when people get into arguments; he helps them work it out). Michael is the best drawer ever made in history and the next Albert Einstein. This guy is legendary. But the best thing about Michael is he is the kindest high-schooler I’ve ever met. Kayleb Davis
The best thing about Michael is that he never ignores people. He stands up for them. Like when someone is being rude, he makes them stop. Michael is nice to everyone. He never lets kids feel left out. He never complains about anything. And he pretends he can read my handwriting! But the best thing about Michael is he never ignores anyone. Aleah Chen
SEQUIM MIDDLE SCHOOL
The eighth-grade field trip to Wild Waves was a success! This trip is designed to reward eighth-graders who demonstrated positive school behaviors and academic rigor. There were concerns that the trip may not be possible due to the Parent Teacher Student Association disbanding; however they donated the remaining funds in their account to minimize the amount needing to be raised. Our students worked very hard at fundraising to make the trip a reality. A special thank you goes out to former PTSA members, Sequim Domino’s Pizza and Rainshadow Coffee Roasting Company for participating in our fundraising efforts. The money that was raised paid for transportation costs and scholarships for students who needed financial assistance. There were 133 deserving students who attended the trip. This field trip always has been the highlight of the year for many students and we hope to keep the tradition alive for years to come.
The Science Department would like to showcase the following students as “Catalysts” for Term 4. Just what is a catalyst? 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 Miles Van Sant, Cooper Bryan, Eva Lofstrom, Kylynn Stringer, Kjirstin Foresman and Isaac Schaper. Teacher Steve Koehler recognizes Makenzie Walla, Ayriana Ward, Tane Ridle, Erin Dwyer, Alexis Smith and Summer Jules.
Teacher Joe Landoni tips his hat to seventh-graders Isabelle Dennis, Porter Funston, Nathan Despain, Miranda Williams and Liam Payne. Teacher Phil Zarelli gives a standing ovation to Zach Overby, Asia Sebastian, Flora Walchenbach, Joey Oliver, Alex Blanchard, Dustin Greenspane, Shayli Schuman and Ben Logan.
In eighth grade, teacher Marcia Garrett salutes Weston Mason, Miriel Cawyer and Josiah Carter. Finally, teacher Debra Beckett applauds Sarah Shea, Kiera Phipps, Jeffery Robotkay, Liam Stevenson, Alexis Moore and in her Science and Engineering Teams Class, Porter Funston.
Keep up the fantastic effort, young scientists! You are excellent role models for your peers.
The Science Department also would like to recognize those fine students who find themselves “On-a-Roll.” These students were able to boost their Term 4 grade at least 10 percentage points, sometimes more, over their Term 3 grade.
Congratulations to sixth-graders Michael Cole, Trey Buckla, Mikayla Geniesse, Ben Wright, Emily Conlin, Camryn Wallen and Issac Schaper. Keep on rolling, middle schoolers!
Last week, students in each of Joe Landoni’s seventh-grade science classes took some time to reflect on their year together. After thoughtful consideration, students voted their most deserving colleagues for the following awards: The Catalyst of the Year Award (the person who sparked learning the most in their class), The Team Player Award (that individual who helped them experience the most success in a lab group) and The Most Improved Scientist Award (the person whom they observed made the greatest personal improvement, academic and/or social, over the course of the year).
In recognition of a job well done, and as voted on by their peers, please provide the following students a hearty round of applause for helping each of their classes attain a maximum level of learning: Catalyst of the Year Awards went to Isabelle Dennis, Thomas Hughes, Nathan Despain, Matthew Dahll and Liam Payne. Team Player Awards went to Derek Fili, Obed Lopez, Riley Cowan, Yana Hoesel and Blake Wiker. Most Improved Scientist Awards went to Baylee Rux, Caleb DeMott, JJ Brow, Tommy Hall and Austin Vorhies
If you know any of these fine young scientists, be sure to congratulate them on a tremendous effort. Additionally, all students are to be commended for making this an exceptionally fine year of learning.
SEQUIM ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL
The alternative high school program had over 90 students enrolled and 34 seniors graduated this year. Michelle Mahitka, Kim Minard, Kingsley Fairchild and Nate Davis report that their students together stepped up to the challenge to complete 43 credits in one month! The students were down to the wire on the last day, with minutes to spare and 0.5 credits left to earn a pizza party. With six minutes left on the clock, Serena Hipple completed the work on her Western Civilization course, passed the final exam and earned the final 0.5 credit. The kids were so excited! Mahitka said, “It was such an amazing experience, watching the students encourage each other throughout the entire month, just to have an opportunity to celebrate.” The promised pizza party was held on June 5 during second lunch period.
SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL
We have had another successful year in Engineering Technology. The class received its First Aid, CPR and AED certifications. They, along with some welding students and instructor Bill Seabolt, took a field trip to Praxair in Bremerton to operate some new welding equipment.
Some students won door prizes of welding helmets and welding jackets. Through a Sequim Education Foundation teacher grant, the class purchased a Thermal Arc 211i welder and a JS-100 Jet Spray Torch (that welds cast iron and hardens metal). Students have enjoyed learning to weld cast iron. This new equipment already has been put to good use, as the Engineering Technology class has made community projects and the Intro Auto class has repaired cast iron items for its class.
With a projected increase in enrollment for next year, we are looking forward to another suc
