DISTRICT
There is no school on Friday, Feb. 13, and Monday, Feb. 16. The district office will be closed on Monday, Feb. 16, in observance of Presidents Day.
HELEN HALLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Rachel Oden’s fifth-grade class researched four different types of volcanoes and created a brochure to present their research. Then they chose one type of volcano to create as a model out of salt dough. As an extension project, students could elect to create an erupting volcano at home.
Students in Susan Dufner’s second-grade class have been investigating rocks with science specialist Dave Hasenpflug. Here are some of their discoveries.
Rocks are wonderful and amazing because:
Some rocks have dull sides, others are smooth, many have hidden surprises and some are very rough on the outside. Lincoln Liggins
They are awesome to collect and look at. Rocks can be smooth or sparkly. Tannes Carter
They come in any sizes, colors or shapes. Some even come from lava. Mia Sayer
They come in all different sizes, they can be shiny or dull, and sometimes they reflect light. Rocks have many things inside of them. Addison Loewen
They feel good and they come in different shapes and sizes and even colors. Many rocks have hidden surprises inside. Alexys Amaya
They can have holes, they can be gold or crystals, and they come in wonderful colors like brown, blue, black, white, red, green and pink. Sienna Dahlquist
Some are sparkly, some are crystals, some are smooth and some are small. Vanessa Tinoco
They have lots of cool stuff on them and they are different shapes, different weights and different colors. Zoey Smith
GREYWOLF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Kelli Mishko facilitates Spanish Club after school on Thursdays through the end of March. First-, second- and third-graders are learning to pronounce key words, basic phrases and colors in Spanish.
On Feb. 3, participating students watched a short video clip about the Tomatina Festival, where tens of thousands of participants come from all over the world each year on a Wednesday toward the end of August to throw over-ripe tomatoes at each other in the streets of Buñol, Spain. The tomato fight begins only when someone (and several people try) is able to climb to the top of a large, greased pole and pull down a ham that has been placed at the top. After an hour or two, the end of the “food fight” is signaled with a firing of a cannon and fire trucks come in to spray down the streets.
The week-long festival also includes music, parades, dancing and fireworks.
After discussion about the festival, students washed their hands and helped prepare a tomato sauce called tomate rallado, using freshly grated tomatoes, salt and cooking oil, and served on slices of warm French bread.
They pronounced the results as muy bueno!
SEQUIM MIDDLE SCHOOL
Science and Engineering Teams Investigations projects were on display during an open house on Thursday, Jan. 22, in Debra Beckett’s classroom. Students were at their boards presenting their results and eager to answer questions for attending parents, grandparents and faculty members. These young men and women are preparing for the Washington State Science & Engineering Fair to be held at Bremerton High School on March 27-28.
On behalf of the Science Department, Joe Landoni would like to showcase the following students as “Catalysts” for Term 2. A catalyst in a science classroom consistently displays an exceptional level of participation. They are curious and questioning. They ask those thought-provoking inquiries which extend understanding.
They are engrossed and engaged. They clearly and accurately share their observations, both verbally and in writing. They are analytical and articulate.
Catalysts are the sparks which ignite learning!
In sixth grade, teacher Isabella Morrison celebrates the accomplishments of Kristi Anderson, Cole Douglas, Tarrah Stipe, Garret Hoesel, Mitchell Horton, Maya Reiter, Jaden Rego, Amy Nava–Figueroa, Blake Welch, Jaedyn Werts and Kaden Heupel. Steve Koehler recognizes Aleina Mitchell, Kalli Wiker, Baylee Hire and Zachary Budnek.
For seventh-graders, teacher Phil Zarelli gives a standing ovation to Trenton Phipps, Kaylee Dunlap, Isabella Gawley, David Simonson, Ben Wright, Katie Jensen, Virginia Kelvy and Jaren Trujillo. Teacher Joe Landoni tips his hat to Isa Benitez, Jordan Hurdlow, Adrian Funston, Sydney Swanson, Hope Glasser, Shawn Rollness, Kyah Fukunaga, Darren Salazar, Blake Boardman and Braydon Metzger.
For eighth-graders, teacher Marcia Garrett salutes the efforts of Chelsea Nesper, Yana Hoesel, Tanner Robins and Max Dealy. Teacher Debbie Beckett applauds Elizabeth Sweet, Erin Gordon, Sean Weber and Ty Bourm and in her Science and Engineering Teams Class, Nicholas Charters and Ethan Mair.
Keep up the fantastic effort, young scientist! 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 2 grade at least 10 percentage points, sometimes more, over their Term 1 grade.
Congratulations to sixth-graders Jackson Bush, Amy Nava–Figueroa, Trevin Oakes and Haley Reed. Keep on rolling, middle schoolers!
SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL
The Teen Outreach Program (TOP) meets every Tuesday during sixth period study skills in Room 132. TOP provides teens with support and tools to successfully navigate their young adult lives, including healthy behaviors, life skills and a sense of purpose. An important component of the program is community service learning.
Students sold hot chocolate at Walmart on Sunday, Jan. 11, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in order to provide hygiene items for Serenity House.
On Jan. 27, facilitators Briana Galbreath and Nellie Bridge took the TOP students on a field trip to Serenity House in Port Angeles to deliver hygiene items they had gathered and take a tour of the hygiene center, Serenity House offices and overnight “SOS” shelter.
Bridge noted, “I think it made a big impression on the students. Our group’s program is very student-driven and the students will soon be deciding on their next community service learning project, although they’ll still accept hygiene product donations for Serenity House.”
What knowledge did these students gain from their experience?
Senior Halie Wilson said, “It made me sad to learn that there are homeless teens in our area. It made us feel good to help out. People were impressed that we gave up time on our weekend to raise money for the project.”
Senior Karla Tinoco recounted, “There were small mats for the homeless people to sleep on at the facility. It was eye opening to realize some kids don’t have their own bed to go home to. They have showers for them to use, which was great. They need more supplies and food for the people, though.”
Junior Alyssa Larson said, “Homelessness makes me sad, but I have a good feeling that they have a place like this to help these people.”
Junior Ashlei Cosio, who participated in last year’s project, noted, “It’s cool that TOP students are making a change in the community.”
Auditions for the operetta will be held at 6 p.m., Feb. 17-18, in the auditorium. This year’s production will be “Fiddler on the Roof.”
