September 4 Employee Newsletter

Special Issue: First Day of the 2013-14 School Year!
September 4, 2013
Sequim School District No. 323
503 N. Sequim Avenue
Sequim, WA 98382
Phone (360)582-3260
Fax (360)683-6303
www.sequim.k12.wa.us
“Like” our Facebook page!
Mr. Kelly Shea, Superintendent
Inspire and Achieve!
Our Mission:
On behalf of the
Sequim Community,
the School District
shall inspire and
achieve excellence in
the academic, creative,
and physical potential
of each student.
Inside This Issue:

New Staff/ Staff in New Positions

Brian on 2013-14 District Budget

Brian on Facilities Committee

Vince on Summer School

September 2013 Events Calendar

School Board Highlights

Scene Around

How I Spent My Summer
Vacation
SMS teacher Shannon
Paselk, as part of the
District summer paint
crew, helped paint
outside trim on the old
high school, where
administrative offices
are newly located.
(photo by Patsene Dashiell)
Employee
Newsletter
When I was a kid my father would take his ten days of vacation every
summer so we could pile into the car and make the trip from Spokane to
Oklahoma to visit his side of the family. We didn’t make many stops along
the way. We never stayed in a hotel or motel. We’d just stop for gas, grab a
bite, and occasionally he’d pull into a rest area to grab a quick nap before we
hit the road again. Once we got there, the family would pretty much sit
around and talk while we kids played outside, catching crawdads in the creek
and turtles and frogs in the pond. At first these trips were pretty cool, but
after a few years they were starting to get boring, and I was becoming a bit
resentful at what I was missing back home.
Now, for as long as I can remember, I’ve always looked at the start of the
new school year like it is the beginning of a new journey. However, as I
look back, it seems like my destination has been the same; get to the end of
the year taking basically the same route as before with the expectation that
my students will be successful and hopefully enjoy the trip. This reflection
causes me to think, “Can we go somewhere different? Can we take a
different route? Can we visit new and unusual places along the way? Can we
get kids excited about where we’re going? Can we inspire our students to
take their own journey?”
My hope is that our answer is, “Yes!”, but the question is, “How?”. I’m not
sure I have all the answers, but I do know how fortunate I am to work with
a group of very dedicated and talented people here in the Sequim School
District, and I believe the answers lie within us. We just have to pile into the
car, together.
Let’s have a wonderful year!
What: Back-2-School 2-Mile Family Fun
Run/Walk
Who: School-aged Children & Adults
When: Saturday, September 7, 2013
(Registration @ 10 a.m., Run @ 11 a.m.)
Where: Sequim High School Stadium
(parking available in Fir Street Stadium
parking lot)
Why: Fun & Fitness for the Family!!
Sponsored by:
Sequim School District,
Sequim Education Foundation
& Anytime Fitness
At left, Superintendent
Kelly Shea and SHS
teacher Jon Eekhoff,
current SEA president,
discuss upcoming
changes to benefits and
other subjects during
the summer break.
(photo by Patsene Dashiell)
Sept. 4, 2013
SSD Employee Newsletter
Page 2
Welcome to New Staffers in 2013-14
Justine Wagner, Sequim High School P.E. & Health Teacher
Justine has come full circle; graduated from Sequim High School in 2007 and now returning to
teach at the high school. She earned her degree at University of Idaho. Justine is the daughter of
Mark Textor, P.E. teacher and athletic director at Sequim Middle School who is on a one-year
leave to teach in Paraguay. Says Justine, "I love Sequim and the schools. I’m so excited to come
back to the place I was born and raised.”
Anthony Gowdy, Sequim Middle School P.E. Teacher
I’m from Sequim and am a proud graduate of Sequim High School Class of 2007. I earned my B.S.Ed. Physical
Education at University of Idaho in 2011. In 2012 I was a part-time K-12 Physical Education Teacher for the
Bainbridge Island School District. I wanted to work in Sequim to be closer to my family and have the chance to
teach some of my younger siblings. I recently got engaged and am excited to begin my new teaching career and
new life in Sequim.
Mark Sabo, Sequim High School Business Education Teacher
I'm excited to be here and to get started teaching. I’m from Renton, WA and have an Accounting Degree
from Western Washington University and a Business Education Degree from Central Washington University.
My previous experience includes fifteen years in the Renton School District where I taught AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics, AP Computer Science, Accounting, Business Law and Computer Applications. I wanted to work here because I love Sequim and my grandchildren happen to live here!
Melissa Withrow, SMS Seventh Grade Language Arts/History Teacher
I have lived in Port Angeles and Kennewick, WA. Previously I taught at Pasco High School in Pasco, WA and
Stevens Middle School in Port Angeles, WA. Some of my dearest friends teach in Sequim and I've always
heard that it is a great place to work! Luckily, the timing was right this year to make a change. Our whole
family is very excited. However, I don't know if my checkbook will like being so close to Costco.
Holden Basch, Helen Haller Elementary SpEd Resource Teacher
I just finished up my Special Education Endorsement at UW. Before I came to Sequim, I taught English Language Arts for five years in Brooklyn, NY a long time ago. I took a long break from teaching to work overseas
on various projects in conflict countries for 11-years. Now returning to teaching and really happy about it.
I own property in Quilcene, where I now live. I love the peninsula, the independent lifestyle many adhere to and
the opportunities for hiking or just walking along the shore and finding something good to eat. I like to break
oysters with a rock and slurp them down--must be part otter. Sequim offered a life on the peninsula and to be a
part of a first-rate education team. It's also a great ride from Quilcene on my motorcycle each morning.
Sept. 4, 2013
SSD Employee Newsletter
Page 3
New Staff Members 2013-14 (cont.)
Betsy Zumkeller/District Fiscal Specialist
Betsy takes the place of Ruth Judd in the District Office, who retired in August 2013.
Betsy and her family moved to Sequim from Fresno, California. Her family includes husband Darren, sons Chad
(entering sixth grade) and Dustin (age 19), and daughter Sierra (entering eighth grade). I am looking forward to
being involved in my kids’ school activities that they will want to be in and just getting to know about Sequim
Middle School.
My hobby is walking. I love to walk. I like how friendly everyone is (here in Sequim). You could be walking
down the street and people will say "hi".
Stephanie Lancaster/Helen Haller Fourth Grade Elementary Teacher
I’m originally from Anderson, SC. From Anderson University, I have a Bachelors of Science in
Early Childhood and Elementary Education. I am currently pursuing my Masters in Literacy from
Concordia University in Oregon. Previously I taught Kindergarten, second grade, fifth grade and
am excited to be teaching 4th this year. Why did I want to work in Sequim? I wanted to work for a
district that treats each student as an individual, not a number. Also, I wanted to contribute to the
community in which I live.
On a more personal note, I love traveling, learning new things and coffee. I also like doing crafty
projects.
Bob Withrow/ Greywolf Elementary Fifth Grade Teacher
I am originally from Puyallup, WA from birth through high school, then I lived in Tri-Cities for eleven
years, and most recently have lived the last twelve years in Port Angeles. I have a B.S. in Psychology from
WSU, a B.A. in Education from EWU and a M.Ed. In Elementary Education from Heritage University Previous teaching experience includes eleven years in the Pasco School District and twelve years in the
Port Angeles School District. Sequim has a reputation for being a great place to work. When I was thinking about pursuing a job in Sequim I asked several employees and they all raved about how great a district
and community it is! I considered other areas and districts, but Sequim stood out. Plus, it's sunnier. I
have a son who is a senior at Port Angeles High School and is involved in sports, so I need a "free pass" for
supporting PAHS! After this year, I will be purging my closet of all green and white and replacing it with
Sequim purple and gold! My daughter will be attending Sequim Middle School as a seventh grader. My
wife also accepted a position in Sequim and will be teaching Language Arts. We are all very excited to
become part of the team!
Kelly Miller/ Helen Haller Elementary First Grade Teacher
I’m from Spokane and I hold a degree from WSU and got my Master’s at Old Dominion University.
I am a new teacher. I have my family here and my kids belong to the Sequim School District.
Debbie Clymer/ Helen Haller Elementary Speech/Language Pathologist
Debbie is from Port Angeles, WA and has twelve years of experience in her field. We welcome her
to our Sequim team!
Sept. 4, 2013
SSD Employee Newsletter
Page 4
New Staff Members 2013-14 (cont.)
Nicki Sturm/ District Technology Administrative Assistant
I was born in Roseville, CA and raised in Sequim. I want to make a difference in my community and a big
part of that is being involved with the school district my children are enrolled in. I married my
“Sequim” high school sweetheart and we have two daughters, Payton and Charley. I love the theatre and
acting. Both my girls are involved in theatre and that is the reason I began teaching Drama Club at Helen
Haller Elementary last year. I am the director of the Crazy Daze Breakfast as well as the Kids Parade for the
Sequim Irrigation Festival. Festival time is my favorite time of year. I also coach baseball and serve on the
Sequim Little League Board.
Tom Anderson/Sequim Middle School Interim Principal
Tom is from Port Angeles. He was educated at Western Washington University and Central Washington
University. Tom’s previous teaching experience: Six years of teaching experience at the high school and
junior high school levels in the Eastmont School District, twenty-seven years as an administrator in the Port
Angeles District (plus three years as a “non employee” contracted administrator, one semester as a student
teacher advisor for Western Washington University, and six years as an administrator in the Crescent School
District.
Sequim has always had a very good reputation as an excellent school district for students and a staff. A great
opportunity to work in another quality school district at the end of my administrative career. Several of the
teachers I hired in Port Angeles now teach in Sequim.
Marcia Garrett/Sequim Middle School Eighth Grade Science/Math Teacher
Marcia formerly taught in the Shoreline School District. She has twenty-one years’ experience in teaching. She is taking Brian Smelcer’s place at the Middle School. We welcome Marcia to Sequim!
Melody Schneider/Sequim Middle School ASB Secretary
I moved to Port Angeles in 2006 from Southern California. I have Bachelors of Applied Science and Business Management. I’ve always wanted to work in a school setting where I can help make a difference in the
lives of kids. I think this was a perfect opportunity for me to put my business skills to work while working in
a setting I love. My husband and I have three great kids, two boys and a girl. All three go to school in Port
Angeles. We have one in elementary, one in middle school and the other in high school. Our weekends are
filled with traveling to soccer games to watch our two sons who both play for Storm King Soccer Club. Our
daughter is the youngest and plays rec soccer. I truly am a Soccer Mom!
Debbie Quinnell/Sequim Middle School Sixth and Seventh Grade Language Arts Teacher
Debbie is from California, and has six years of teaching experience. We welcome her to
Sequim!
Sept. 4, 2013
SSD Employee Newsletter
New Staff Members 2013-14 (cont.)
Sean O’Mera/Sequim High School Language Arts Teacher /2005 Sequim High School grad
I was born in Carson City, NV; grew up in Ferndale and Sequim, WA! I will be teaching Freshman and Sopho
-more English at the High School. For the past two years, I taught seventh and eighth grade English/Language
Arts and Journalism at a small charter middle school in Tucson, AZ.
My wife, Stephanie O'Mera (formerly Gardner), happens to be a Sequim native and 05 grad, as well. The more
we moved around the state and country after graduating high school, the better Sequim began to seem in our
eyes. We couldn't think of a better place to start our family, and we are really happy to be back!
My favorite author of all-time is John Steinbeck, and, accordingly, my favorite book of all time is "The Grapes
of Wrath". My hobbies include reading, drinking coffee, and taking the money of the other golfers in my foursome. Cheers!
Jennifer Krumpe/ Sequim High School Life Skills Teacher
Jennifer takes the place of Wendy Turner during her Leave. Jennifer is a new teacher, and we welcome
her to Sequim!
Kathy Troglia/ Sequim High School .4 FTE Math Teacher (for Brian Berg), .6 FTE SpEd Math Teacher
I’m from East Wenatchee, WA. I attended Wenatchee Valley College 1982-84, attended Vernon College in
Texas from 1992-1994, and graduated from Peninsula College with an AA in 2011. I graduated from City
University of Seattle in 2013. I am a new teacher. I worked as a para educator for Sequim School District
from 2008-2012 and did my student teaching at Sequim Middle School and Sequim High School. I have lived
in Sequim for seven years. I have volunteered and worked as a para educator professional since 2007. I have
developed good working relationships with many, many people in this district and especially at Sequim High
School. It was my greatest desire to be able to work in this district.
Nellie Bridge/ Sequim High School English/Language Arts Teacher
Nellie has her degrees from Evergreen State College, BA; and New York University, MFA
(Poetry). Nellie’s previous teaching experience includes: Poet in residence at JHS104 in Manhattan for one year through Teachers and Writers Collaborative; intermediate poetry workshop
instructor at NYU; and student teaching at Sequim High School. Nellie is a 1992 graduate of
Sequim High School. She is daughter of Kris Bridge, retired registrar for Sequim High School.
Clara Wyckoff/ Greywolf Elementary Fifth Grade Teacher
Clara was a long-term substitute for Sue Gellor last year at Greywolf. Clara was previously
with the Olympia School District.
Page 5
Sept. 4, 2013
SSD Employee Newsletter
Page 6
New Staff Members 2013-14 (cont.)
Emily Breithaupt/ Sequim High School .6 FTE Ag Science Teacher
Emily is from Port Angeles, WA. She is a new teacher, and we welcome her!
Carolyn Luengen/ Helen Haller Elementary Third Grade Teacher
Carolyn takes the place of Claire Hallinan. Carolyn is from Federal Way and has thirteen
years’ teaching experience. Welcome, Carolyn!
Brittany Murdach/ Sequim High School Science Teacher
Brittany is from Crescent School District where she has two years’ teaching experience.
Brittany takes the place of Dave Ketter at the High School.
Ashley Ecklund/ Helen Haller Elementary P.E. Teacher
Ashley comes from Port Orchard and is a new teacher. Welcome, Ashley!
Erica Quesnel/ Helen Haller Elementary SLP Speech Language Pathologist
Note: We apologize for not
having photographs of all our
new staff. Some new hires are
so new that we didn’t yet have
the opportunity to photograph
them or get more information for
the newsletter! We
will look forward to
featuring them at a
later date!
Erica is from Port Angeles and has seventeen years of experience. Welcome, Erica!
Kerri Wyman-Webb/ Greywolf Elementary Para Educator
Kerri is from Sequim and takes the place of Crystal Smith, who moved over to Helen Haller.
Welcome, Kerri!
Sept. 4, 2013
SSD Employee Newsletter
Staff Members in New Positions 2013-14
Caity Karapostoles/ District Facilities & Travel Coordinator/Receptionist
Caity was a fixture at Sequim Middle School as ASB Secretary for nine years before becoming the new
greeting face of the district office. Caity takes the place of Valorie Thornock, who moved to Human
Resources. As well as answering the phone and greeting people as they enter the district office, Caity
coordinates travel for district personnel. She also coordinates usage of school facilities for district and
community events.
Valorie Thornock/ District Personnel Specialist
Valorie was formerly the District Office/Receptionist/Substitute and Facilities Coordinator.
What do I like about working and living in Sequim? I work with the most amazing people! Whether it’s
with my coworkers or the public, every day is a pleasure and a little bit adventuress. I enjoy the small town
living, the friendly people, and the great weather…especially when it snows! And the beauty of the area…
need I say more? Did you know I live with Toto? Yep, she keeps the lions and tigers and bears at bay.
I’m also the proud mother of a daughter who lives in Indiana with her husband.
Brian Berg/Secondary Math Professional Development Coordinator
This is my thirtieth year teaching in Sequim! I will still teach two classes at the High
School. I have a Bachelor degree and Master’s from UW and a teaching certificate from
WWU. What I like about working and living in Sequim is a supportive community and
great colleagues. I like the climate and year-round access to the mountains.
Crystal Smith/Helen Haller Elementary Office Aide
I was formerly a SpEd Para educator and Health Room Clerk at Greywolf Elementary for the last six
years. I have an AA Honors degree from Peninsula College. What I like about working and living in
Sequim is that it is beautiful...from the mountains to the water. What more could you ask for? Okay,
maybe warmer weather! (lol) I love seafood and could not imagine living somewhere where you could
not get fresh seafood. I have one son, Tyler, who is starting eighth grade, and a stepson, Dalton, starting
seventh grade.
Nick Parks/ Sequim High School Social Studies Teacher
Nick taught for a number of years in the Quilcene District and most recently taught at the Middle School last year. He will be teaching a full load of Social Studies classes at the High School.
Tricia Billes/Sequim Middle School Eighth Grade Language Arts
Teacher
Tricia returns to the classroom after two years as secondary professional
development coordinator. Before her stint with the District Office, Tricia
taught at Sequim Middle School.
Page 7
Sept. 4, 2013
SSD Employee Newsletter
Page 8
Brian on Business
Board Adopts 2013-2014 District Budget
Brian Lewis
Dir. Business Services
Ext. 266
On August 19, the Sequim School District Board of Directors adopted the district’s 20132014 operating budget. What does the school district budget mean to your household?
Those that pay property taxes (including renters too!) will see a small decline in the tax
rate per thousand dollars of assessed valuation they pay. The table below shows estimated tax rates from 2013 to 2014.
District administrators and the School Board continually review requests we make of the taxpayers to ensure that we
are providing value for taxes paid and are not asking for more than what is needed to operate an educational program
that benefits students and the community.
How do we compare to other districts in Clallam County? The table below shows our tax rate per $1,000 is one of the
lowest in the county.
What does this budget mean for students and their families? Throughout the entire grade span, the district has taken
steps to lower families out of pocket costs to go to school. Elementary school budgets were increased by $5,000 to
purchase supplies that parents were previously asked to supply. In the Middle and High School, student fees to participate in required curricular classes were suspended for 2013-2014. If your student is a struggling reader in 1st to 4th
grade, this budget provides additional staff to help your student become a better reader.
(2013-14 District Budget continued on page 9)
Sept. 4, 2013
SSD Employee Newsletter
Page 9
(2013-14 District Budget continued from page 8)
The budget is separated in to 5 different funds, each with a distinct purpose:

General Fund: provides for regular operation of the school district’s educational program. 2013-2014 Budget
Amount is $26,728,436. Highlights of this budget include maintenance of the current educational program in
the face of ongoing cost increases for utilities, insurance and staffing and the suspension of all curricular related fees paid by students’ families.

Associated Student Body Fund: provides for operation of much of the district’s extracurricular programs (after
school clubs, marching band, yearbook, part of athletic programs). Funded entirely from fees voluntarily paid
by students. 2013-2014 budget amount is $605,950.

Debt Service Fund: provides for repayment of voter approved bonded indebtedness. When voters approve
the issuance of voted debt by the district to construct new educational facilities, they essentially approve levying a tax upon themselves to pay for the new buildings. Taxes collected under these levies are kept in the Debt
Service Fund and payments on the debt are made from the Debt Service Fund. As the chart of Debt Service
Fund levy rates below shows, the end of payments on the current bonded indebtedness results in a decrease in
taxes paid to support those payments. We estimate the 2014 tax levy rate to be around $0.10 per thousand of
Assessed Value, down from $0.73 per thousand of Assessed Value in 2013. The district’s current bonded indebtedness will be entirely paid off in December 2014. 2013-2014 budgeted expenses are $2,944,338.

Capital Projects Fund: provides for capital construction, i.e. remodel of existing buildings or construction of
new. 2013-2014 budgeted expenses are $165,000 for installation of an elevator in the district office building to
provide access to second floor for all regardless of physical ability.

Transportation Vehicle Fund: provides for acquisition of pupil transportation vehicles (yellow school buses).
2013-2014 budgeted expenses are $1,211,118. In February, 2013, the district’s voters approved the collection
of a Transportation Vehicle Fund levy in 2014 to finance the purchase of new school buses. Those buses will be
purchased in two batches and we expect to take delivery of the first batch by August 2014. These new buses
will generate state reimbursement payments that will sustain the bus fleet into the future and minimize or
eliminate further local support (note: this won’t cover periods of time of rising enrollment, call me if you have
questions about this).
Sept. 4, 2013
SSD Employee Newsletter
Page 10
(2013-14 District Budget continued from page 8)
So while the budget may appear to be endless pages of numbers, it’s really an abstract expression of what our district
plans to do in 2013-2014. Each year we carefully consider that plan to make sure that your community’s students are
getting the services they need to succeed and that we are wise stewards of the public’s investment in education.
Community Facilities Committee
The Community Facilities Committee continued its work throughout the summer, analyzing the district’s buildings and
evaluating their adequacy to provide educational services over the course of the next 50 years. The Committee’s work
has included:

Walking tours of all our buildings to provide background on their levels of safety, security, and ability to provide a modern learning environment.

Discussions with principals, teachers, and students about how our buildings are or are not meeting their needs.

Presentations from BLRB architects on their survey of our buildings’ physical conditions.

Presentations from City of Sequim planning staff regarding population growth within Sequim’s urban growth
area.

Presentations from DA Davidson, a municipal bond underwriter, regarding property taxes and estimated future
bond market conditions.

Lively debate about future steps, including whether or not a new elementary school should be built in the eastern part of the School District and the need for a new high school on the main campus or another location.
The Committee, comprised primarily of community members, is considering these factors as it crafts a recommendation for Superintendent Kelly Shea to take to the school district Board of Directors for their consideration in the fall of
2013. The school district will provide opportunities for wider public engagement and give the community at large a
chance to give feedback on the Committee’s recommendation and what they think the future of our facilities should be
as well. Watch our District website, District Facebook page, and local news sources for these opportunities.
At left, members of the Community Facilities Committee consider reconfiguration of the Sequim High
School campus.
Seated at table, from left: Bill Seabolt, Giles MacMurchie
Standing, from left: Lee Fenton, Joe Holtrop, Bob
Lindstrom, Janet Gray, Phil Castell, Jack Walsh,
Marilyn Walsh.
Standing in foreground: Carl Peecher
Not shown: Sue Ellen Riesau, Jim Stoffer, Christie
Rookard, Cathie Osbourne, Steve Gale, Paul
Haines, David Mattingly, Dave Blake, John
McAndie, Kelly Shea, Brian Lewis
(photo by Brian Lewis)
Sept. 4, 2013
SSD Employee Newsletter
Page 11
Summer School
Summer school took on a new twist at Sequim High School. We offered a
Geometry acceleration course and an Algebra retrieval course this summer.
Joe Van De Weghe was the creative mind and teacher of both courses.
Vince Riccobene
Exec. Director of Teaching &
Learning
Ext. 269
Unlike other summer school programs, these classes took place over the entire
summer. Students met every week day from June 26 through August 23. They had
two days off the entire summer and each class met for about two hours.
The program was self-paced and competency-based. In other words, once proficiency was met on a particular skill, students were able to move onto the next one.
The proficiency model, coupled with about twelve students in each class, led to
greater student success.
For those students in the Geometry acceleration course, this opportunity created
more flexibility in their schedules as well as a chance to access Calculus at Sequim
High School. Students in the Algebra retrieval course will also experience greater
course flexibility as they progress through their high school years. But more importantly, getting credit in this Algebra course marks a significant achievement in
seeking their diploma.
Joe Van De Weghe
SHS Math Teacher
At right, Geometry Acceleration
course class consisted of:
Front Row: (from left) Sean Tuttle, Bryce Dryke, Sierra Pick,
Emily Enges
Back Row: (from left) Jonatan
Gonzalez, Ronnie Stevenson,
Heidi Powell, Cole Wall, Joe Van
De Weghe (teacher), McKenzie
Pick and Addie Enges.
(Not pictured: Alexis Haman)
Above, SHS teacher Joe Younger gets his daily
required helpings of fruit and Shell products at professional training held in the library. Leadership
students prepared breakfast for staff prior to the
meeting.
At right, SpEd staffers were introduced to this year’s
themed program: Love Your People! This group
was practicing the talking stick principle—-when you
hold the talking stick (or, in this case, the cell phone),
you have the floor to talk. From left: Holden
Basch (holding the “talking stick”), Becky Stanton,
Jen Jurgensen, Jada Jack, Louise Chitwood,
Catharine Bento-Foxlee, Debbie Clymer, Judith
Nix, Polly Willis, Laura Hernandez, and Cheryl
McAliley.
Sept. 4 2013
Payroll/Benefits Reminder for
All Staff: If you had any changes
over the summer in your phone
number, address, dependents status,
W-4 form, etc.,
please let Sonja
Brown at ext.
267 know ASAP.
Thank you!!
September 2013 Events:
Sept. 2—Labor Day
Sept. 3 - GWE Open House 4 –6
p.m.
HHE Open House 4 – 6 p.m.
SMS WEB (Where Everybody
Belongs) for incoming 6th
graders @ 7:50 a.m. -12 noon
SHS Freshmen Orientation
8 a.m.—1 p.m.
Sept. 4- First Day of School for
GWE, HHE, SMS & SHS, SHS B-T-S
assembly
Sept. 5– OPA Otter Day
SMS band rentals 3 – 6 p.m.
Sept. 6 – SMS Welcome back
assembly @ 8:20 a.m.
SHS Varsity Football vs. New
Westminster HS @ 7 p.m.
Sept. 7– Back 2 School 2 Mile
Family Fun Run/Walk @ 11
a.m. in stadium (registration
@ 10 a.m.)
Sept. 9– OPA First Day of School
School Board mtg. @ 7 p.m. in the
board room
HHE PTO meeting @ 7 p.m.
Sept. 10—First Day of School for
Developmental Preschool
Sept. 11—SHS 9th Graders’
Commitment to Graduation @
6 p.m. in the auditorium
Sept. 13—SHS Varsity Football
Game vs. River Ridge HS @ 7 p.m.
Sept. 16 – SHS Senior Parent
Night @ 6:30 p.m. in the library
Sept. 17 – SMS Honor Roll
Breakfast (A – K) @ 8:25 a.m.
Sept. 18 – SMS Honor Roll
Breakfast (L- Z) 8:25 a.m.
Sept. 20— SHS Varsity Football
game vs. N. Kitsap @ 7 p.m.
Salute to the Military
Sept. 21– SHS Husky Band Day,
SHS X-Country team to Seaside,
OR Invitational
Sept. 23– School Board mtg. @
7 p.m. in the board room
Sept. 27—Dungeness River
Festival Educational Day
Sept. 30—Pay Day, SHS Open House
@ 6 p.m. in the cafeteria
SSD Employee Newsletter
Summer School Board Activity:
The School Board held meetings on July 25,
August 5 and August 19 at which they:
 Accepted letter of resignation from Pat
Davis, HHE Para educator, effective
immediately, for the purposes of retirement.
 Approved a request for Leave of Absence for
HHE teacher Sarah Castell from Sept.
2013—mid-Jan. 2014.
 Accepted letters of resignation from Andrew
Smith, GWE Behavior Specialist Para
educator, and Bryan Smelcer, SMS Science
teacher, effective at the end of the 2012-13
school year.
 Offered cert. high school P.E. teaching
position to Justine Wagner, cert. elementary
teaching position to Stephanie Lancaster,
cert. SMS P.E. teaching position to Anthony
Gowdy, cert. SMS Language Arts/History
teaching position to Melissa Withrow and
certificated SpEd Resource teaching position
to Holden Basch for the 2013-14 school
year.
 Out of state travel request for SHS Select
Choir to travel to New York to perform at
Carnegie Hall in March 2014 by John
Lorentzen, SHS choir director.
 New Staff Assignments include: Valorie
Thornock/Personnel Specialist, Caity
Karapostoles/District Office Facilities
Coordinator & Receptionist, and Brian
Berg/Secondary Math Professional
Development Coordinator.
 Offered cert. interim SMS Principal position
to Tom Anderson for 2013-14 school year.
 Offered cert. SMS Science/Math teaching
position to Marcia Garrett, classified SMS
ASB Secretary position to Melody
Schneider, cert. SMS Language Arts teaching
position to Debbie Quinnell, cert. SHS
Language Arts teaching position to Sean
O’Mera, cert. .6 SHS Language Arts teaching
position to Nellie Bridge for the 2013-14
school year.
 Accepted a request for Leave of Absence for
Page 12
 Accepted a letter of resignation from
Chelsea Hasenpflug, HHE teacher,
effective at the end of the 2012-2013 school
year, as presented.
 Offered certificated .6 FTE High School
Ag Science/Floriculture position to Emily
Breithaupt, for the 2013-2014 school year,
as presented.
 Offered Certificated .4 FTE SHS Algebra
and .6 FTE SpEd position to Kathy
Troglia, for the 2013-2014 school year, as
presented.
 Offered classified IT Secretary position to
Nikki Sturm, for the 2013-2014 school
year, as presented.
 Accepted a request for Maternity Leave
from Diana Piersoll, SMS teacher, as
presented.
 Accepted a Letter of Resignation from
John Colbert, Alt. HS teacher, effective
immediately, as presented.
 Dave Ditlefsen, SHS Athletic Director,
reported that all high school football
players were being baseline tested to
compare with further testing that would be
done following a suspected concussion.
 Approved No. 06-2012/2013 Budget
Adoption Resolution, which provides for
the adoption of the 2013-2014 Sequim
School District Operating Budget, as
presented.
 Heard a report from Supt. Kelly Shea that
the Skills Center budget for 2013-14
requires 125 FTE to break even. In order to
do this, classes must have twelve students
by the eleventh day of the semester or they
will be cancelled. The Building Trades class
should meet the enrollment threshold, at
least for the upcoming school year.
 Heard a report from Human Resources
Director Karen Sande on an update of
new hires for the district for the upcoming
school year. Currently we have 17
certificated new employees and three
classified new employees.
Wendy Turner, SHS SpEd teacher.
 Accepted a letter of resignation from David
Ketter, SHS Biology teacher, effective
immediately, as presented.
Complete minutes are online at
www.sequim.k12.wa.us.
At left, the school board met
in the SHS library for the
Aug. 19 meeting. From left:
Student Rep. Joseph Landoni, Directors Bev Horan,
Virginia O’Neil (board
president), John Bridge,
Sarah Bedinger and Walt
Johnson, Administrative
assistant Marilyn Walsh and
Supt. Kelly Shea.
Sept. 4, 2013
SSD Employee Newsletter
Page 13
Scene Around...
At left, Tharon Iverson, followed by Dale Jung, deep
clean the carpets in the auditorium. At right and below, the paint crew worked hard to make many areas of
our campus look fresher with new paint. Paint crew
included Josh Daker, Shannon Paselk, Therese Coleman and Tammy Dale.
SHS Wolf Pack Days on August 15 &
16. Clockwise, starting at left: Lora
Millet at her computer, Ann
Tjemsland helping students out, Dave
Toman handing out parking permits,
and Kayana Harrison headed up a
team of smiling student helpers with
handing out schedules.
Professional Development Coordinator Pam Landoni welcomes new teaching staff to the New Teacher Orientation held
in the district board room August 19—21.
Supt. Kelly Shea with GWE Principal Donna Hudson
and Exec. Dir. Learning Support Services Shelley
Langston get pumped up and ready to attend an admin meeting.
(photos by Patsene Dashiell)
Sept. 4, 2013
SSD Employee Newsletter
Page 14
How I Spent My Summer Vacation...
Above: Jon Eekhoff kept us entertained and enlightened with his travel blog entitled “The Summer of Jon”.
He visited many museums, some more unusual than
others. Read more about his adventures and the museums he visited at http://joneekhoff.wordpress.com/.
Above: (From left) John Bridge, Matt Duchow, Bill Shaw
(retired teacher) and Brian Berg spent four days and three nights
around Upper Lake Lena doing a marmot survey for the Olympic
National Park.
Below, the group cools their heels in Upper Lake Lena.
(photos taken by an obliging marmot)
Below are the shoes Jon was forced to buy in Berlin.
Apparently, these were the only option available in his
size! Extra bonus: the shoes glow in the dark!
At left, a group photo on the auditorium steps of newly
hired teachers present at the New Teacher Orientation on
August 21. Front row (from left): Nellie Bridge, Stephanie Lancaster, Clara Wyckoff, Justine Wagner, Emily
Breithaupt
Second row: Debbie Clymer, Kelly Miller Debbie Quinnell, Kathy Troglia
Third row: Melissa Withrow, Marcia Garrett, Mark Sabo
Back row: Bob Withrow, Holden Basch, Anthony Gowdy, Sean O’Mera