☕ Would you like a hug with your coffee? ☕ The crew from Bulldog Java, some of them Sand Hill alums, arrived with their mobile coffee service to make and deliver coffees to the teaching staff as part of Teacher Appreciation Week. It was a "well-oiled machine," to borrow a phrase from Rick Robbers, who came in for his coffee order and left with a side of hugs and high-fives from the students. It was a variation of that scene at each delivery. A perfect start to the day: coffee, smiles, and hugs. Thank you to the Bulldog Java students, Mrs. Hackett, Ms. Ashley, Ms. Chelsea and Ms. Lelaine for bringing all that joy to our teachers' classrooms today at Sand Hill Elementary, and earlier in the week doing the same for the teachers at Belfair Elementary. What a treat!
🦸♀️ Is that an apron, or a CAPE? Happy School Lunch Hero Day to all of our amazing HEROES! Today, Mackenna Long, Child Nutrition Director and Dan King, Assistant Superintendent, toured each building to personally thank each of our lunch staff for all they do to sustain our students. We appreciate all of you!
Want to learn more about North Mason's amazing team of Food Service professionals? Visit the website https://www.northmasonschools.org/page/food-service-menus-information to learn more about the people behind the program.
🍎 It's National Teacher Day today, which is the precursor to a big event at NMSD...Teacher Appreciation Week May 6-10th! Check back as we will be sharing your teacher appreciation comments from the recent POSSIP survey, along with pictures of all the fun events happening around the District to celebrate our SUPERSTARS! We L❤️VE our TEACHERS!
Sand Hill Elementary Kinder student "bought" AM announcements with Principal Swaser using her PAWSitives, and is seen here announcing the four pillars: I am strong! I am in control of myself! I can do hard things! I am responsible!
👨🚒👮♀️What do you want to be when you grow up?👨⚕️👩⚕️ Students at NMHS had a great opportunity to speak directly with employers yesterday at the annual career fair. Interacting at the booths to learn more about potential careers, they asked questions and practiced "active listening," then moved on to mock interviews to prepare them for life after high school. One representative from Olympic College commented, "Super impressive. The kids are really engaged." Well done, Bulldogs! Thank you to all the companies who participated in this event, and a special thank you to the North Mason Chamber for organizing this opportunity for our students to explore future career paths.
Officers from North Mason Fire Department visited James A. Taylor today to provide students hands-on training in first aid and CPR. The interactive session provided students a chance to learn life-saving techniques through role-playing of various scenarios and instruction on how to use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). The students asked thoughtful questions and participated in engaging discussions that demonstrated their increasing knowledge or what they were learning. Thank you, North Mason Fire, for sharing your expertise with our students!
🏃♀️🏃♂️ It was a perfect afternoon for NMSD to host the middle school cross-country meet yesterday. Beautiful sunshine highlighted the campus, where teams from Curtis Junior High, Ridgetop MS, and Poulsbo MS, faced off against the Hawkins MS boys and girls teams. Athletes raced on a mile-long course around the campus and through the forest, cheered on by family members (and pets!), friends and teachers who lined the course. Great job to all who competed, and a big thank you to all who came out to support our athletes.
🟣 Find a purple shirt North Mason! 🟣 Purple Up! Day is tomorrow, and is celebrated each year on April 15th during 'Month of the Military Child.' People can show their support and honor military children for their strength and sacrifices by wearing purple; the color that represents all of the military branches when combined.
⚾Beautiful day for a ballgame...⚾
#gobulldogs
🎵Congratulations Ava Longmate!🎵
Over the break, Ava Longmate qualified for the WIAA State Solo/Ensemble Contest. Back in March, the NMHS junior received a 1st alternate placing at the regional Solo/ Ensemble contest, earning her a spot to advance in the competition. The WIIA State Solo and Ensemble Contest is held Friday and Saturday April 26 & 27th on the campus of Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA, Ava will compete against other bass clarinets from all regions of our state with scores announced at the evening awards ceremony on the 27th.
Congratulations, Ava, and best of luck in the finals!
#GoBulldogs
(Thank you, Chris Drewry, for sharing this student achievement!)
💜April is "Month of the Military Child." 💜 The symbol used is a dandelion, representing the resilience and tenacity of the children with military parents. Purple symbolizes military children from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. For resources to help support military children and families, please visit our website https://www.northmasonschools.org/page/military-families
Thank you to the children for your service. We salute you!
***********
💜Abril es el "Mes del Niño Militar". 💜 El símbolo utilizado es un diente de león, que representa la resistencia y tenacidad de los niños con padres que sirven en el ejército. El morado simboliza a los niños militares de todas las ramas de las Fuerzas Armadas de los EE. UU. Para obtener recursos que ayuden a apoyar a los niños y familias de militares, visite nuestro sitio web https://www.northmasonschools.org/page/military-families
Gracias a todos los niños por su servicio. ¡Nosotros te saludamos!
📚 Celebrating the Love of Reading at Belfair Elementary 📚
Walking into the gym at Belfair Elementary, the Mallet Masters set a festive tone for the wrap-up of Reading Olympics. Teacher after teacher introduced their classes, announced the total minutes read (one class was over 28,000 minutes!) and the number of books completed. Principal Collins presented students with their participant ribbons and medals, then together with Assistant Principal Mart, proudly posed on the podium with the teacher and their students. Parents and families were also present to celebrate, their faces beaming with the same pride on the faces of the administration and staff, weaving the event together and underscoring what Principal Collins said a number of times during the assembly (and what her shirt happened to say), "At Belfair Elementary, we are family."
After every student was recognized, it was time for the finale. All of the students' names were put into a bucket for a chance to win a brand new bike (2 from each group, K-2 and 3-5) courtesy of the Members of the Free Masons of Hood Canal Lodge #288. Principal Collins thanked the Free Masons for their continual support over the years, the crowd and students joining in with silent, rapid hand waving to show their thanks.
When it was time to leave, many students missed their cue and needed a nudge from their teacher or classmate because they were so busy inspecting their ribbons and medals. It was evident from the careful way they held their prize that it was a well earned accomplishment. And, whether they read 250 minutes, or 2,500, every student's achievement was recognized, their contribution appreciated and, by the smiles on all of their faces, they left knowing they belonged. ❤️That's a family.❤️
Ready to Recruit! Principals, Chad Collins and Robert Kalahan, along with Amber Nygard, Director of Inclusive Education, are at the WA Educator Career Fair today in Tacoma representing North Mason. Visit https://www.northmasonschools.org/page/job-openings to see open positions.
⭐NMHS Talent Show⭐
Join us for a special night of student talent, Friday, March 29th! Audience vote determines winner so come out and support your favorite act. Show starts at 6:30 pm & doors open at 6:00 pm. Admission: $5 with ASB, $8 for adults. 200 E. Campus Drive.
🎶🎷🎵 School Board Meeting, The Musical 🎶🎷🎵 Board members, administration and a large audience were entertained at last night's board meeting by the Hawkins MS Jazz Band. Principal Kalahan proudly introduced the students, who he enjoys hearing practice three mornings a week before school starts. Band director, Matt Frost, also took a moment to speak about the commitment of the students in the jazz band, which includes 5th to 8th graders. A few students shared, very eloquently, their love of music and what they gain from being part of the program. To see the full performances and heartfelt statements from our student musicians, please visit https://youtu.be/6HPzf2S93ho?si=2yyw1-tQtQCqG9qo&t=840 🎵❤️ Definitely worth watching! 🎵❤️
📊 Numbers Don't Lie 📊
From August 2023 to February 2024, our students have eaten 26,594 more meals than in the same timespan last year. This 12% increase represents breakfast and lunch meals, with all students able to eat for free in the district.
🍕🌮 Though pizza and nachos still top the list as favorites, the monthly menus at each building offer students a variety of choices that exceed the state nutritional requirements, often including items made from scratch. Mackenna Long, Child Nutrition Director, is proud of this, adding, "It's easier to control sodium levels if you make things from scratch, is usually tastier, and can be significantly less expensive." On top of the main menu items provided to students, between $1,800-2,000 a week is spent on fresh produce that is thoughtfully selected to incorporate a variety of choices. 🥝🍇🍎🍊🍉
Over at Hawkins MS, students form a line, waiting to customize their nachos, or pick up their corndogs or salads. They are greeted with big smiles on the opposite side of the counter, which they return without hesitation, obviously happy to be seeing the person who feeds them breakfast and lunch, every day. It is a small glimpse into "food being the love language of lunch ladies" that Mackenna spoke about last week. Mentioning this observation to her, she adds, nodding," ..and our buckets are FULL!" ❤️
Thank you to Bobbie, Cindy, and Lawanna at Hawkins Middle School, for taking good care of the students and providing them with the nutrition they need to thrive! Next week we round out Food Nutrition Month with a visit to NMHS.
⭐ Evolution of Excellence ⭐ Students from Hawkins Middle School and NMHS represented North Mason at the Technology Student Association state competition this past weekend. The students have been hard at work preparing for this huge competition since last October! Hawkins students participated in the VEX IQ Robotics competition and NMHS students took part in the Fashion Design competition. Congratulations to: middle school students: Alan Strange, Trevor Strange, Esteban Ponce Rodirguez, Fred Gaither, Aurora Martinez, Blake McDevitt, Gideon Partyka, Henry Griffin and high school students: Yadira Solis, Elizabeth Ordway and Ariyah Kluski. The Technology Student Association (TSA) is the only student organization in Washington devoted exclusively to the needs of students interested in STEM and technology. Members learn through exciting competitive events, leadership opportunities and much more. ⭐ Thank you to Mrs. Landers and Principal Kalahan for sharing this information!⭐
🥇🥈🥉The Reading Olympics concluded this week at Sand Hill when students were celebrated for their extraordinary achievement in logging a tremendous amount of reading minutes. Watching the young children waiting expectantly, one of the paraeducators, himself a former Cougar, shared, "This was always the most exciting event for me as a kid!" He walked off, the light of his smile bookending the moment and reflecting the excitement on the students' faces around the gymnasium. Teachers took great pride in announcing individual and classroom achievements. After receiving their certificates and bronze, silver or gold medals, students also received generous praise from Principal Swaser and Assistant Principal Lampano. Members of the Free Masons of Hood Canal Lodge #288 were on hand to award two bikes for each group, K-2 and 3-5. Speaking with one of the members and thanking them for the donation, his response was enthusiastic, "We've been doing this for YEARS!" The smiles on all of their faces said they'd be doing it for many more. The excitement of reading. 📚❤️
The Way You Look Tonight...
The NM Timberland Library came alive last night after hours, when the Jazz Band students performed a selection of classics to a huge audience of ALL ages. Speaking to one of the musicians today, he raved about the turnout from the community and how great it was to perform at the library. What a memory...for all of us! Thank you to North Mason Timberland Library for hosting, and to everyone who showed up to enjoy the show and support our students. Belfair...YOU LOOK MAH-VELOUS!❤️
#nmhsband #gobulldogs #belfair #communitysupport #bestcommunityever
🍎🥝🥦National Nutrition Month🥕🥣🥪
Have you heard the term, "food insecurity?" Research shows an association between food insecurity and delayed development, risk of chronic illness and behavior problems in children. Students in our district receive free meals and snacks because of the Community Eligibility Provision grant. Knowing everyone is getting the nutrition they need while they are in school means so much to our food services team. As Mackenna Long, Director of Child Nutrition, explains, "Food is a lunch lady's love language...and that's how we show our love for the kids." Thank you to the team from Sand Hill Elementary, Shelby, Michelle, and Traci (not shown), for making sure our students have healthy meals...served with a smile, and a side of love. ❤️
