DISTRICT

There is no school on Friday, Feb. 12, and Monday, Feb. 15. The district office is open on Feb. 12 but closed on Feb. 15 for Presidents Day.

The next school board meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 16, with a workshop at 5:30 p.m. and the regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the board room. Please note, these are new times. An agenda is available on the district website under Board of Directors. For more information, contact Marilyn Walsh at mwalsh@sequim.k12.wa.us or 582-3262.

GREYWOLF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Fourth- and fifth-graders took part in a Heart Kids Rag Doll project sponsored by Soroptimists International of Sequim after school during January. Soroptimist members partially constructed the dolls. These were finished by the students, who learned to stuff the dolls, sew on hair, iron on hearts and draw in faces.

As a last touch, students wrote notes to the future recipients of the rag dolls. On behalf of the Boys & Girls Club, Sara Maloney accepted the dolls and explained they will be set aside in a care closet to comfort children who have been through difficult situations.

“We had a fun day making dolls. When asked how the girls liked the project, they replied by asking for more … so it was a hit,” Soroptimist Amanda Beitzel said. “By participating in this fun craft project, the students made a very personal and meaningful gift offering for another child — a heart gift — mirroring the Soroptimist philosophy of improving lives.”

HELEN HALLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The Cougar Conflict Mediator program is designed to help students to be independent problem solvers on the playground. On Jan. 29, students in grades K-2 were assembled in the afternoon to become acquainted with the program and to recognize 21 new Cougar Conflict Mediators. The Conflict Mediation process, named “Build a Bridge and Cross Over It” was demonstrated to the younger students by Principal Russ Lodge, Assistant Principal Becky Stanton and two student Conflict Mediators.

The new mediators, all fourth-grade students, were awarded certificates at the end of the assembly. They are Charley Sturm, Dylan Allen, Terceira Rosa, Taylee Rome, Ernesto Lopez, Emma Sweeny, Alden Smith, Anna Anderson, Kathryn Folstrom, Brian Gallegoes, Ayden Holland, Evan Anderson, Jacob Oliver, Desirea Spalding, Alex Fiamengo, Orin Ledgewood, Mason Eveland, Krista Charters, Sierra Milles, Pearle Peterson and SaVannah Gragg.

Family Bingo Night was held in the gym on Jan. 29. Sponsored by Haller’s Parent-Teacher Organization and organized by PTO parent Tiffany Barnett, Bingo Night offered an opportunity for family fun and games, as well as pizza and prizes. There were about 100-150 people in attendance.

Each person was given six free bingo games and had the opportunity to make a donation to the PTO to get extra cards. Each child got a chance to spin a prize wheel and was guaranteed a prize. For a donation of 50 cents they could spin the wheel again for another prize. This was a huge success, as the kids knew that randomly hidden within the prizes were several “winner’s” necklaces. Finding a winner’s necklace meant that child would be able to spray Silly String at Mr. Lodge near the end of the evening.

For the climax of the event, Principal Russ Lodge — donning protective eyewear and positioned in a special corner of the gym — allowed nearly 30 kids on cue to spray him with Silly String!

Concessions were available for purchase. Thanks the following local businesses: Domino’s Pizza, for donating 10 pizzas; McDonald’s, for 50 free hamburgers and 50 coupons for free French fries; Dairy Queen, for 50 free ice cream tokens. These were all used as prizes on the prize wheel.

Thanks also to Tessa Jackson and Emily Ledger from the Boys & Girls Club for emceeing the event and to nearly 30 volunteers that helped make this event possible.

“The event allowed kids to be kids and families to connect,” said Heidi Krzyworz, who attended with her family. Haller PTO raised $640!

OLYMPIC PENINSULA ACADEMY

For the Future City project, the theme this year was “Waste Not, Want Not.” The student team, comprised of sixth-grader Lily Engeset and eighth-graders Deven Beihler and Melanie Byrne, endeavored to work on a permanent clean solution that would solve the problem with waste overall. They competed against 46 groups, coming in fourth place overall, and earning a first-place in the land survey category.

SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL

Choir instructor John Lorentzen reports students did a great job at Solo and Ensemble competition held in Port Angeles on Jan. 30. The Sequim mixed vocal ensemble, the Sequim men’s vocal ensemble, Silas Baird (bass soloist), Colleen Carpenter (soprano soloist), Eric Hermosada (tenor soloist) and Ian Houghton (baritone soloist) all received superior ratings and were selected to represent the North Olympic Music Educators at state level competition in Ellensburg at the end of April.

The mixed vocal ensemble and Silas Baird received the highest possible score of a 1-plus! (Note: “1” rating is considered superior.)

Other participants in Saturday’s event also did very well: The Sequim women’s vocal ensemble; Jacob Fink, Ryan Macedo and Jared Kneidl (baritone soloists); Thomas Arnesan (state first alternate-tenor soloist); Annabelle Armstrong (alto soloist) and Emily Funston and Dori Williams (soprano soloists).

Band instructor Vern Fosket shared that in woodwind ensembles, the clarinet duet of Eric Anderson and Blake Eriks received a 1 rating and are going to state. A saxophone quartet with Carmen Wilwert, Thomas Arnesen, Alexis Cromer and Auston Spencer received a 1 rating, and are first alternates for state. A saxophone duet with Carmen Wilwert and Alexis Cromer received a rating of 1-minus and are second alternates for state. For solo performances, Eric Anderson earned a 1 rating for his piano solo and is going to state. Elizabeth Sweet, solo clarinetist, earned a 1-minus rating and will go to state.

Congratulations and good luck to these accomplished young musicians who will participate in all state band and choir competition Feb. 12-13 in Yakima.

Mark Knudson, teacher and Future Business Leader Association advisor, would like to congratulate the following winners at FBLA’s Puget Sound Regional Competition held Jan. 30: Morgan Fergusson (freshman), third place in Spreadsheet Applications; Tolin Simpson (junior), first place in Computer Game and Simulation Programming; Kelly Anders (senior), first place in Agribusiness, and Nicole Anders (junior), second place in Accounting.

These students qualified to go to the State Championships in Spokane on April 20-23.