DISTRICT
Patsene Dashiell, United Way fundraiser coordinator for the Sequim School District, reported that this year’s campaign, which ran during the week of Oct. 19-23, raised $20,745 for folks in need in Clallam County! This is a record amount and is due to the generosity and caring of our staff.
School building representatives for this year’s campaign were Vienna Barron/Transportation, Monique Brasher and Greg Newton/Greywolf Elementary, Ione Marcy/Helen Haller Elementary, Connie Stites/Sequim Middle School, Ned Floeter/Olympic Peninsula Academy, Sean O’Mera/Sequim High School, Valorie Knieper and Patsene Dashiell/District Office and Maintenance. A huge thanks to these individuals for all their energy and efforts!
Thanks also to Superintendent Gary Neal and administrative assistant Marilyn Walsh for their invaluable support, and to Sonja Brown and Kathy Wright in the payroll department for processing the paperwork.
Check out events on the Sequim School District’s website calendar at www.sequim.k12.wa.us/Page/2. “Like” us on Facebook to receive updates.
The next school board meeting is at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7. New school board directors Jim Stoffer, Robin Henrikson and Heather Short are to be installed at this meeting. An agenda is available on the district website at www.sequim.k12.wa.us/domain/7. Board meetings are open to the public and time is set aside for public comment.
GREYWOLF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
At the end of the Veterans Day assembly held on Nov. 10, students had an opportunity to personally thank veterans in attendance for their service. While walking through the receiving line, third-grader Joanna Seelye, from Aaron Reno’s class, handed a card to one of the veterans and it was given to veteran Gerald Rettela. Mr. Rettela was so touched by her gesture that he came to the school to deliver a special thank you letter to Joanna.
To help families in our community this holiday season and to teach students about making a difference, Greywolf is holding a food drive to collect non-perishable food items during the month of December. Each day for 12 school days beginning on Dec. 2, a certain item from the food bank’s wish list will be collected and donated. Mark your calendars for: Dec. 2/canned vegetables, Dec. 3/canned fruit, Dec. 4/jar of pasta sauce, Dec. 7/box or bag of dried pasta, Dec. 8/peanut butter, Dec. 9/boxed cereal, Dec. 10/oatmeal, Dec. 11/canned tuna, Dec. 14/macaroni and cheese, Dec. 15/rice, dried beans or split peas, Dec. 16/pancake mix, Dec. 17/canned soup or chili.
Feel free to substitute another non-perishable item. Each day, the class that brings in the most items will earn a bonus recess!
For more information, contact the school’s office at 582-3300.
HELEN HALLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Sheri Suryan’s fifth-grade class completed a geography unit combined with landforms. The students started by making a key to their maps making symbols for 15 geographic landforms, a capital city, village, major attraction, along with longitude, latitude, scale and compass rose. Then, they put that together in a topographical map and also a relief map showing elevations. They completed the project by writing a myth about how their island came to be. Students presented their work to the class and classmates gave presenters two stars and a wish for feedback. We read several Greek myths and other legends to get ideas. It was a fun project and students were very engaged throughout the process.
Gail Kite’s fifth-graders spent some time writing what they’re thankful for:
• What Thanksgiving means to me is that I have a life. My Thanksgiving is good because I get to stay with my family. I also like the part that you get to eat until you’re full. Last year I ate too much. I also get to go to different places every time on Thanksgiving. Last year we went to my mom’s mom and this year I am going to my dad’s sister. But the main thing about Thanksgiving is that you get to see family. And that is what Thanksgiving means to me. Dylan McKeown
• Hi! My name is Fiona. Today I am going to tell you how my Thanksgiving is. At Thanksgiving all my family is here. My aunts, uncles, my grandma and grandpa, and my mom and dad. When we sit at the table the food smells like the best thing in the world. Oh yeah, we have to give thanks. We hold our hands together and close our eyes and we say our prayers. Then we all talk with each other and that is how my Thanksgiving goes. Fiona Orloff
• I love Thanksgiving. We have a lot of things that other people don’t have. Seriously, some people have to go without food for days, even weeks. So we should be grateful for what we have. I know sometimes people are a little greedy at times (aren’t we all), but if you see someone walking down the street and you have some extra food, why keep it for yourself? Give that person some. We all share this Earth. I mean, we can all be a little more generous. Thanksgiving is a day where people get together, have fun and eat food. But just remember Sequim, we can make a better life with those around us. Even if you see someone sitting on a bench looking glum, give them a high five or even say hello. Alyssa Avery
• Thanksgiving to me means many things. One thing is pie, turkey and ice cream. I’m thankful for my dad, mom, brother, sister, dog, fish, bunny and my family. I love Thanksgiving. Someone travels from California. I hope for the future to be snowy. I’m thankful for everything.
Russell Gaither
• What does Thanksgiving mean to me? Well, it means this. Thanksgiving gives me a chance to spend time with my family. Playing games with my family is my favorite thing to do on this holiday. You can also say jokes and laugh; I feel happy. You can just let go and spend time with your family. My favorite part is the eating part. You get to chill and eat. I’m so happy I live in the United States or I probably wouldn’t eat on Thanksgiving. I especially love Thanksgiving because of making great memories and thanking God for everything I have. Yaya Ayala
Thanksgiving to me is a family dinner with the whole entire family and relatives. I am thankful for my family. My family is my life and my home. My favorite memory is when some of my favorite relatives came and brought a live turkey to eat. It was pretty disgusting to see, but tasted good. I have never traveled anywhere for Thanksgiving. I’m grateful for my mom and dad; they are good parents. I love Thanksgiving because I get to spend time with my family. Hector Morales
SEQUIM MIDDLE SCHOOL
October’s Students of the Month exhibited the character trait of “Caring”. Students were nominated for being kind, compassionate, expressing gratitude, forgiving others and helping people in need. The following students were selected: Duke Underwood, Juniper Fukushima, Hailey Nordlie, Ruby Romano, Maria Asselin Old Chief, Harrison Bell, Angel Williams and Austin Minut.
SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL
Congratulations to the following band students who made All-State Wind Ensemble: Eric Anderson (clarinet), Blake Eriks (clarinet) and All-State Wind Symphony: Auston Spencer (baritone saxophone), Daniel Harker (percussion), Ronnie Stevenson (clarinet) and Elizabeth Rosales (bass clarinet).
