DISTRICT

A public forum to present information on lead in water is from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, June 2, at the Sequim Middle School, 301 W. Hendrickson Road, in the gymnasium. There will be a presentation on lead concerns, followed by a question and answer period. For more information, contact Patsene Dashiell, communications director, at mdashiell@sequim.k12.wa.us.

Kindergarten registration for fall 2016 is ongoing at both elementary schools. Your child must be 5 years of age on or before Aug. 31 to attend kindergarten in fall 2016. To determine which elementary school your child should attend, go to the district’s website at www.sequim.k12.wa.us, under “Our District.”

Registration packets and enrollment information are available on this webpage as well. Bring your child’s official birth certificate, immunization record and proof of residence (rental agreement, driver’s license, mail with your physical address, etc.) to the school office.

The next school board meeting is Monday, June 6, with a workshop at 5:30 p.m., followed by a regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the boardroom. The boardroom is within the auditorium building at 601 N. Sequim Ave. An agenda is available on the district website under Board of Directors.

The public is encouraged to attend and time is set aside at each meeting for public comment.

For more information, contact Marilyn Walsh at mwalsh@sequim.k12.wa.us or 582-3262.

The last day for OTE (Tuesday and Thursday Opportunity to Excel after school program) for the elementary schools was May 26. The last day for OTE for Sequim Middle School and Sequim High School will be June 9. OTE bus routes 1-4 will continue to run as regularly scheduled for the middle school and the high school through June 9.

Parents, if you are planning to help out at school or on a field trip, make sure you have turned in your volunteer registration form for the 2015-2016 school year. Those interested in volunteering must fill out a volunteer registration form each school year. Call volunteer coordinator Patsene Dashiell if you have questions. Thank you for volunteering!

GREYWOLF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

On May 24, students attended the last session of an after-school book club in the Wolf Den. Sequim Soroptimists arranged for author Gene Bradbury to come and share one of his published works, “Cloud Climber.” The author spent time talking with the students about his writing experiences. For instance, he asked them how long they though it took to write a book. They guessed it had taken several hours. They were flabbergasted to find out that he spent a year on the “Cloud Climber” book!

Mr. Bradbury also read aloud an excerpt from one of his current book projects. He then asked the students to provide him with some popular words and phrases used in their everyday conversations. Among their suggestions were “like,” “OMG,” “yippee,” “yay,” “like a boss,” “awesome sauce” and “whatever!”

Greywolf PTA currently has raised $26,750 of the $35,000 needed for their playground refurbishment project!

Thanks to all the people who supported the cookie dough fundraiser ($5,000), penny drives, Irrigation Festival drink sales and Dungeness Kids Co. takeover (all totally $750). Thanks also to Sequim Lions Club ($7,500 donation), Sequim Family Advocates ($2,500 donation) and donations made by Greywolf parents ($1,000).

Stay tuned to the Greywolf PTA Facebook page for information about upcoming fundraiser events.

PTA parent Rebecca Bratsman said, “We are on track to order the equipment by mid-June and it is our hope it can be installed by the beginning of next school year.”

HELEN HALLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The annual volunteer reception was held after school on May 25 in the library. Organized by Betsy Smith and Debbie Buchillo, this event is a schoolwide way Helen Haller teachers show appreciation to the tremendous support from community volunteers and parents. The Making a Difference Awards went to Heidi Krzyworz for her endless hours spent on the yearbook and to Tiffany Barnett for her endless hours in PTO (Parent Teacher Organization). All volunteers make a difference in the lives of children!

OLYMPIC PENINSULA ACADEMY

Olympic Peninsula Academy presents “Dorothy in Wonderland” at 7 p.m. Friday, June 3, and 1:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday, June 4, in the Sequim High School Auditorium. There is no admission charge, but donations will gratefully be accepted. Proceeds go toward OPA’s drama program. Directors are Michele Canepa and Deedee Nielson, with vocals coached by Jeanny Holtkamp. Come see the “mash-up” of Alice and Dorothy, and how their adventure goes, featuring 60 students!

SEQUIM MIDDLE SCHOOL

Volunteer math and language arts tutors, made up of members from St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, St. Joseph’s Parish and Trinity United Methodist Church congregations, held a celebration in the cafeteria after school for the sixth-grade students they’ve worked with throughout the year, under the direction of teacher Shannon Paselk.

Students received certificates, as well as cheers and cake, for their diligence and hard work! Sherry Niermann, one of the volunteers, asked students during their last session, “What did you get out of your OTE time?”

Responses included:

I learned my math facts. Ashley Lines, sixth-grade student

I learned how to write an essay. Cameron Needham, sixth-grade student

I was impressed they (students) came every week for help. Ray Braun, volunteer OTE tutor

These young people were so kind and understanding. Mickey

Hodis, volunteer OTE tutor

The students took responsibility for themselves. Mary Frye, volunteer OTE tutor

What do you envision for a Parent Teacher Organization at the middle school level? Middle Matters, a newly formed PTO group at the middle school, is looking for participation from all middle school parents. Parents, we want to hear from you! Feel free to share your thoughts here or email us at sequimmiddlematters@gmail.com.

Families are invited to attend this year’s seventh-grade Honors College Fair on Tuesday, June 7, in Town Center. The event runs from 12:45-3:30 p.m. Melissa Withrow’s first-period and Vickie Helwick’s fourth-period classes will set up during fourth period, and the fair will run during fifth and sixth periods, and continue during the OTE after school program.

SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL

Librarian Linsay Rapelje would like to remind students that all library books need to be returned by June 1.

The annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, in the auditorium. Parents and community members are encouraged to attend. Students who have received scholarships will be recognized during this ceremony. A brief reception will follow in the cafeteria.

Future ASB publicity chair Annabelle Armstrong is getting the word out about an upcoming fundraiser: The Sophomore Class (Class of 2018) will hold a Dog Wash from 3-5 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, just outside the high school cafeteria. By donation, proceeds will fund various projects put on by the Class of 2018 (Haunted Hallways, etc.). Dogs should be people-friendly and accompanied by their owners.

End of the year concert performances are coming up! A band concert will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, in the auditorium, conducted by Vern Fosket. A choir concert will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, in the auditorium, conducted by John Lorentzen.

Graduation ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, June 10, in the high school stadium.

The last day of school is June 15. Students will be released at 11 a.m.

High school summer office hours begin June 16 and are 8 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. The office will be closed for the summer from Thursday, June 23, through Tuesday, Aug. 9.

Sequim Options School received a grant from the Sequim Education Foundation to take students on college tours. On May 18, teachers Michelle Mahitka and Kim Minard took six students to Seattle to tour Seattle Art Institute and Seattle Vocational Institute.

Additionally, students toured the Space Needle and visited Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum. They had the opportunity to visit Pike’s Place Market and explore all that the city life brings along with opportunities after high school.

Here are reflections from some of the students on their college tour experience:

It was a good experience to know what vocational colleges are out there and the programs they offer. The Glass Garden was my favorite part because it was amazing the skills people have. Every room I walked in got better and better. Kassie Stoddard

I learned that there are more options for me to pursue a career in art. My favorite part was hanging out with other people outside of school. Aubree Young

I learned that I could do Audio Tech at the Art Institute. My favorite part was the Space Needle because I have never been on it. Matthew Sierra