by M. Patsene Dashiell
Communications Director, Sequim School District
Sequim schools have a host of events planned to help families prepare for the new school year.
The district office is open throughout summer break from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (closed noon-1 p.m.) Monday-Friday. New students may register at the district office up until school offices re-open.
Stuff the Bus
Stuff the Bus, a kick-off event for collecting donated school supplies, is 2-6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, at the Sequim Walmart.
Donations of school supplies also can be dropped off at the district office during business hours. Donated supplies will be made available to families in need at the Aug. 29 Back to School fair.
High school happenings
Sequim High School’s office re-opens Aug. 10 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (closed noon-1 p.m.). New Student Orientation, provided for students new to the area, is 9-11 a.m. Aug. 18 in the high school library.
Sequim High School Wolfpack Days are Aug. 20-21 at the high school campus. Aug. 20, juniors and seniors can drop in anytime between 8-11 a.m. and sophomores from noon-3 p.m.
On Aug. 21, freshmen with a last name beginning with the letters A-K can drop in anytime between 8-11 a.m. and L-Z between noon-3 p.m. At this event, students can collect class schedules and have school pictures taken, as well as pay for their ASB card, yearbook, P.E. uniform and campus permits.
Other high school activities include Band Camp and Color Guard auditions from 9 a.m.-noon Aug. 24-25 in the high school band room. Freshmen and new students should arrive at 8:30 a.m. on Aug, 24 only.
Link Crew Orientation for incoming ninth-graders is from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Aug. 31. in the gym.
Aug. 18 is the deadline for fall sports forms to be turned in at the high school office. Football begins on Aug. 19, while all other fall sports begin Aug. 24. A current sports physical is required for participation in all sports. Sports physicals are good for 24 months. Fall sports include volleyball, boys tennis, cross country, girls soccer, swimming/diving and cheerleading.
The first varsity football home game is Sept. 11 when the Sequim High Wolves host Coupeville in the stadium. A pep dance for Sequim High School students follows in the cafeteria.
SMS stuff
Sequim Middle School’s office re-opens Aug. 17 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (closed noon-1 p.m.).
A New Family Orientation for families of incoming sixth-graders and those who are new to the district will be held from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the gym on Aug. 17.
Sequim Middle School Timberwolf Days are Aug. 18-19 at the middle school campus. On Aug. 18, students with a last name beginning with the letters A-K can drop in anytime between 2:30-6:30 p.m.
On Aug. 19, students with a last name beginning with the letters L-Z can drop in anytime between 2:30-6:30 p.m. At that time, students can collect their class schedules, pay applicable fees, purchase an ASB card, yearbook, and P.E. uniform, pay money on lunch accounts and have individual school pictures taken.
Immunizations
Clallam County Public Health offers immunization services to children and adolescents at a walk-in clinic in Port Angeles every Wednesday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tdap vaccine for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis is required for all incoming sixth-graders through 11th grade.
The meningococcal vaccine is recommended, but not required.
A team from Health & Human Services will be on site at Sequim Middle School’s Timberwolf Day event from 2:30-6:30 p.m. Aug. 18 to administer the following vaccines to those in need: Tdap, Varicella, MMR, MMRV. There is no charge for the vaccine itself, but there will be an administration fee charge of $23 per vaccine. For those on Medicaid, Medicaid can be billed directly.
For those with other sources of health insurance, payment will be needed upfront, either cash or a personal check. A receipt will be provided for submittal to insurance for reimbursement.
“Back to School” vouchers to those present at the event who are not prepared to pay for the vaccines that day, need catch-up vaccines other than those listed, or who will need a booster dose for the ones listed. These vouchers will allow the holder to come to the health department and get the needed vaccine within a certain period of time without incurring an office charge.
SMS’s WEB, band info
On Aug. 28, Sequim Middle School will host its annual WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) event for incoming sixth-graders from 8:30 a.m.-noon.
Principal Vince Riccobene says, “The WEB program is designed to ease the transition from elementary school to middle school. It’s a wonderful event for kids and led by kids.”
Parents of middle school band students can arrange to rent band instruments from 3:30-7 p.m. Sept. 2.
At Helen Haller, Greywolf …
Helen Haller Elementary School’s office re-opens Aug. 18 from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (closed noon-1 p.m.).
Greywolf Elementary School’s office re-opens Aug. 19 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Greywolf Elementary and Helen Haller Elementary will each host an open house event on Aug. 31 from 4-6 p.m.
Says Sheri Burke, third-grade teacher at Greywolf Elementary, “The start of every new school year gives us the opportunity to meet our students and their parents sometimes for the first time. Parents are given a glimpse of their child’s day at school, a feel for their classroom and an opportunity to learn about the curriculum.
“Children are busy finding their table/desk and where to store supplies, lunch boxes and jackets. They also are looking forward to making new friends and seeing their old friends. Parents also can sign up for the PTA, which is a great way to have a voice in school issues and decisions.”
Starting off
The first day of school for all schools grades 1-12 is Tuesday, Sept. 1. Helen Haller Elementary, Sequim Middle School and Sequim High School begin school at 8:15 a.m. and Greywolf Elementary at 8:30 a.m.
Late start Mondays have been reinstated and consequently each Monday school will begin one hour later, consistent with last year’s academic schedule.
Kindergarten conferences will be held at Greywolf Elementary and Helen Haller Elementary on Sept. 1-3. The first day of kindergarten will be Sept. 4. The schools will send a letter to families by mail with more details.
And at OPA …
Olympic Peninsula Academy’s office re-opens Aug. 26. Otter Day, a required orientation for parents and students, is Sept. 2.
OPA families will receive a postcard by mail with assigned times and more details. The first day of class for OPA is Sept. 8 at 8:15 a.m.
At the fair
The district again will host a booth at the Clallam County Fair on Aug. 20-23. Registration packets and other district information will be available. A Sequim School District bus will be displayed at the booth.
Back to School Fair
The third annual Back to School Fair is from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Boys & Girls Club, 400 W. Fir St., in Sequim.
Information about family resources and children’s activities will be available.
There will be car seat checks, fire trucks, face painting, free food, free books and other activities. School supplies and backpacks will be available for Sequim families in need. There will be a school bus, a fire truck and a police car for children to explore.
Run for it
The fourth annual Back-2-School 2-Mile Family Fun Run/Walk is planned for Saturday, Sept. 12, on the track in the stadium on Fir Street. The race course includes fun obstacles and prizes. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the race starts at 9 a.m.
This event is sponsored by the Sequim School District, Sequim Education Foundation, Sequim Boys & Girls Club and Anytime Fitness.
Ione Marcy, fun run organizer and first-grade teacher at Helen Haller Elementary, says, “Our group of teachers and community members have put a lot of planning and effort into creating a fun, family event that embraces physical fitness and celebrates the beginning of a new school year.”
For volunteers
A new volunteer registration form must be submitted every school year.
Parents interested in volunteering in the classroom or chaperoning a field trip should pick up a volunteer registration form at their child’s school office or at the district office.
Forms also are available on the district website.
Guide, calendar coming
School families can expect to receive the Sequim School District Parent Guide and Annual Calendar in the mail by the end of August, as well as Kids Today Back to School Guide.
For more information about school events, contact your child’s school or consult the district website at www.sequim.k12.wa.us. “Like” our Sequim School District Facebook page to receive updates on your Facebook page.
