Your Sequim Schools - Sequim School District

December 2014
Sequim School District No. 323
Your Sequim Schools
Inspire and Achieve!
Student Nick Howe dons protective gear in preparation
for a welding project during Sequim High School's
after school Robotics Club. Photo by Patsene Dashiell
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.
NOV. 2014
ENROLLMENT
2,713
503 North Sequim Avenue
Sequim, WA 98382
Phone: (360) 582-3260
Fax: (360) 683-6303
For school information, dates,
events, forms and photos,
check out our website at
www.sequim.k12.wa.us
"Like" our Sequim School District
Facebook page to receive our
latest updates on your Facebook page.
NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT: The Sequim School
District complies with all federal and state rules and
regulations and does not discriminate on the basis
o f r a c e , c r e e d , a g e , c o l o r, n a t i o n a l o r i g i n , g e n d e r,
marital status, sexual orientation or the presence of
any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use
of a trained guide dog or service animal by a disabled
person. This holds true for all students who are
interested in participating in educational programs and/
or extracurricular school activities. Inquiries regarding
compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed
to the school district’s Title IX/RCW 28A.640 officer
and/or Section 504/ADA Coordinator - Randy Hill,
601 North Sequim Avenue, 360-582-3609.
Coffee chats provide an opportunity for Supt. Shea to dialogue with community members. In attendance at the
November chat are (from left ) Frank Pickering, Mel White, Kirsti Turella, Sonu Deol and Supt. Kelly Shea. To find out
more about coffee chats, call Patsene Dashiell at (360)582-3264. Photo by Patsene Dashiell
What WE Learned
In February 2015, the Sequim School District
will ask voters to make a significant investment in
our schools. This request is not something we take
lightly, but is something we believe to be vital to
our district, to our community, and especially to
our students.
Last spring, voters rejected the $154 million
dollar school construction bond placed before
them. Though defeat was disappointing, the whole
campaign served as an opportunity to really engage
with people and gain a clear understanding of what
is important to our community.
Since then, I have visited with a number of
citizens through coffee chats, community forums,
and numerous one-on-one conversations, and from
these dialogues I have learned some important lessons. First, the bond proposal was too much to ask
for at one time. Second, the proposal had too many
projects for us to manage. Third, we did not prioritize our needs.
With these three core themes in mind, the
Sequim Board of Directors have approved my
recommendation to place a $49.264 million dollar school construction bond on the February ballot. This proposal is significantly less than before,
has reduced the number of projects, and is prioritized by focusing on creating additional space
for the children we currently have; improving the
instructional environment in which our students
learn; and improving the safety and security of our
schools and campuses.
A great deal of time and effort has been put
forth to listen to our community, and it is with
thoughtful consideration we propose this school
construction bond to our community to make a
collective decision. I strongly encourage you to participate in the process, become well informed, and
make sure you cast your ballot come February. The
future of the Sequim School District depends on it.
For more information, click on February 2015
Bond Proposal on the district website. A link to
five informational videos is provided as well.
Superintendent
Sequim School District No. 323
503 North Sequim Avenue
Sequim,WA 98382
Board of Directors
John Bridge
Beverly Horan, President
Michael Howe
Heather Jeffers
Walter Johnson
Superintendent
Kelly Shea
Inside This Issue
McCleary Supreme Court Decision,
Initiative I-1351����������������������������������������� 2
Sequim School District
Local Schools Tax Rates........................... 2
Property Taxes if the
February 2015 Bond Passes�������������������� 3
New Elementary School and
Additional Classrooms at Greywolf���������� 3
New Science Classrooms
at Sequim High School.............................. 3
New Band and Choir Rooms
at Sequim High School����������������������������� 3
Helen Haller Elementary
Cougar Call Out......................................... 3
Olympic Peninsula Academy: Creating
Opportunities for More Students............... 4
Sequim High School
Career Technical Education (CTE)............ 4
Important Dates......................................... 4
Return of the River.................................... 4
Non Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Olympic Mailing
Services
SEQUIM SCHOOL DISTRICT CITIZENS
McCleary Supreme Court Decision
&
Initiative
1351
What do these two things
mean for public school funding?
Brian Lewis, Director of Business Services • (360)582-3266 • [email protected]
In 2009, the Washington State Legislature passed Engrossed Substitute
House Bill (ESHB) 2261 establishing
funding levels for K-12 public schools
and requiring school districts to offer All
Day Kindergarten. Before the passage of
ESHB 2261, the McCleary plaintiffs had
filed their lawsuit in Thurston County Superior Court. They said that Washington
State was not meeting its paramount constitutional duty of providing a free and appropriate public education. Ultimately, the
State Supreme Court agreed and ordered
the State of Washington to fully fund public education as defined in ESHB 2261.
After that funding levels for public schools
increased under ESHB 2261, but not fast
enough for the Supreme Court, and with
the passage of Initiative 1351 (I-1351) this
November, the State Legislature was not
moving fast enough for the voters either.
I-1351, like ESHB 2261, provides funding
for staff who work directly with students.
The table at right shows similarities and
differences between funding provided under the McCleary Decision/ESHB 2261
and I-1351.
I-1351 provides for lower class
sizes than McCleary/ESHB 2261.
I-1351 requires class size funding be
provided by the legislature by 2017,
while ESHB 2261 sets 2017 as a tar-
get. Both fund All Day Kindergarten.
Neither provide funding for school
buildings and neither require schools
to staff based on the funded class sizes.
That’s an important distinction for
SEQUIM SCHOOL DISTRICT LOCAL SCHOOLS TAX RATES
In Washington State, property taxes provide funding for a large part of local governmental operations like counties,
cities, fire and hospital districts and school districts. In 2014, property within Sequim School District but outside Sequim
city limits is taxed a maximum of $10.71 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Property within Sequim city limits is taxed
at a maximum of $10.89 per $1,000 of assessed property value. A portion of those taxes goes to Sequim School District as
shown in the table below.
Sequim’s local schools tax rate
will fall to an estimated $1.61 in
2015, placing Sequim in the lowest 5% of all school districts in
Washington State for local taxes.
The rate of $2.30 assessed in 2013
placed Sequim in the lowest 20%
of all school districts in Washington for local taxes. We appreciate
and thank you for your support of
.
our recent Educational Programs
and Operations (EP&O) Levy and Transportation Vehicle Fund (TVF) Levy, both passed by district voters at 67% and 65%
respectively in February 2013. The EP&O levy expires at the end of 2017 and district voters will be asked to renew it during that year. The TVF levy expires at the end of 2015 and the district does not plan to ask for renewal. The TVF levy was
collected for only one year and has met its purpose of allowing the district to replace half of our aging bus fleet. The Debt
Service Fund (DSF) Levy was approved by voters in 1996 so the district could issue bonds to pay for additions to Sequim
High School. The DSF Levy ends in December of this year; the district will have paid off its bonded debt three years early
and at a savings of over $200,000 in interest.
Sequim Schools; without necessary
classrooms, schools cannot take advantage of additional staffing provided
by the legislature by either McCleary/
ESHB 2261 or I-1351. This is one rea-
LEWIS
son the Sequim School District has proposed bond issues in the past to provide
an adequate number of classrooms and
meet the class sizes funded by McCleary/
ESHB 2261 and I-1351.
Why Does the
February 2015 School
Construction Bond
Proposal Include a New
Elementary School and
Additional Classrooms at
Greywolf Elementary?
The district’s February 2015 School Bond Proposal includes a new elementary
school. The district’s elementary student population is growing and is expected to
continue doing so for the next five years. The most reliable predictor of Kindergarten
enrollment in our district is births of children to families who live within the district
boundaries. Beginning in 2008, birth rates in our district began increasing. Combined with the implementation of All Day Kindergarten in 2015-2016, the population of our elementary grades is expected to peak in 2019 near 1,400 students and
then begin a gradual decline to a little under 1,300 students in 2024. If we balanced
the student population between our two elementary schools, this would mean a peak
student count near 700 students in our already crowded buildings.
Adding a new elementary school and more classrooms at Greywolf provides adequate space for our current and future students, but it also helps the district plan for
the future. Our facilities plan includes retaining the Haller Elementary buildings.
WHAT HAPPENS TO PROPERTY TAXES
IF THE FEBRUARY 2015 SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION BOND PASSES?
In February 2015, voters within Sequim School District will be asked to approve $49.265 million in construction
bonds to build and improve school buildings.
The bonds would be repaid over a 20 year period
with property tax collection beginning in 2016.
The table at left shows
an estimate of how prop.
erty taxes would change
.
if the bond proposal is
approved.
Current estimates are that the total tax rate would remain at $2.23 for the 20 year repayment period unless voters
approve other local school tax issues.
Greywolf Elementary P.E. Teacher Doug Hastings selects volunteers to help with clean up. P.E.
classes are conducted in the carpeted multi-purpose room, which is the same space where
students eat lunch each day. Photo by Patsene Dashiell
Helen Haller
Elementary Cougar
Call Out Program
Buildings D and A at Haller would be renovated to house
Olympic Peninsula Academy. Buildings B and C at Haller
would be kept and held for future use. Those two buildings
have 20 classrooms. If student populations do rise to 700
students per elementary, Buildings B and C at Haller could
provide classroom space for fifth grade students from Greywolf and the new elementary. This would help the district
reduce class sizes at the two elementary schools. This would
also help the district to delay the construction of a third elementary school until necessary. While this is only one scenario, it provides an illustration of how Haller Elementary
could still be useful in the future and how a new elementary
will alleviate overcrowded classrooms as our elementary student population grows.
WHY DOES THE FEBRUARY 2015
SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION BOND
PROPOSAL INCLUDE NEW SCIENCE
CLASSROOMS AT SEQUIM
HIGH SCHOOL?
The district’s February 2015 School Construction
bond proposal includes the addition of six science classrooms to Sequim High School’s H Building. Currently,
the high school has four science classrooms located in
the B Building. The classrooms were built in 1966, and
provide minimal facilities for science education. We currently have five science classes operating from the four
classrooms, so one period a day, two teachers rotate so
that all students enrolled in science classes can be taught
in a science classroom. So the district already does not
have enough science classrooms. In addition, the State of
Washington’s graduation requirements change beginning
At left, Jett Gagnon (sophomore) records the data as Adrian
Gonzalez (sophomore) and Kyla Armstrong (freshman) study
the biological effects of varying temperatures on goldfish in
Laura Gould’s Honors Biology class. Photo by Patsene Dashiell
with students who become high school freshmen after
June 30, 2015. Those students will be required to earn an
additional science credit. Sequim School District is planning to meet that requirement, but needs more science
classroom space to educate students under both current
and new standards. Adding six science classrooms helps
the district meet that goal.
Director Vern Fosket rehearses the woodwind ensemble class in the
high school band room located in the Community School gym on
the south side of Fir Street. The band and choir rooms in this facility,
constructed in 1979, were originally built to house junior high students.
WHY DOES THE FEBRUARY
2015 SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION
BOND PROPOSAL INCLUDE NEW
BAND AND CHOIR ROOMS AT
SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL?
The February 2015 School Bond Proposal includes the
addition of Band and Choir Rooms to the current Performing Arts Center. Band and Choir rooms are classrooms
where music instruction occurs. The Band and Choir Rooms
are currently located across Fir Street in the Sequim Community School Gym. The location of the rooms requires additional time for students to walk from the High School.
This additional time reduces music instruction by 15 hours
per year. Students transiting to or from the High School
are exposed to safety hazards as they cross Fir Street and
leave the school campus. Band and Choir performances
happen in the Performing Arts Center, but expensive and
large musical equipment is stored in the only space available, which is in the Community School Gym. To prepare
for performances students must move large, expensive musical equipment in all weather conditions for long distances.
Band and Choir room additions will increase student safety
and security, allow for additional musical instruction time,
and ease preparation and breakdown for band and choir performances in the Performing Arts Center.
Kindergartener Rhyen Bidasha with dad Harry Bidasha at the November 13 Cougar Shout
Out breakfast. Photo by Patsene Dashiell
There is a concept that states, “What you praise, stays.” In other words, what
we give attention to is strengthened. To acknowledge and strengthen appropriate
behaviors at Helen Haller Elementary, a Cougar Call-Out card is given to a student
when s/he is noticed using words, actions and attitudes which support our COUGAR BIG THREE expectations of behavior: Respectful, Responsible, and Safe. To
celebrate these behaviors we have a drawing at the end of each month for students to
attend a special event of their choosing. Each month we have new events.
A COUGAR SHOUT OUT is a really loud COUGAR CALL-OUT. It is our
way of acknowledging those students who demonstrate consistent respectful, responsible, and safe behaviors at school. Every month, all teachers name two students from
their classroom who they believe deserve a loud SHOUT OUT for being awesome
Haller citizens. Our first Cougar Shout-Out Breakfast was held on November 13.
We honored students by having them invite their favorite adult to breakfast in the
multi-purpose room. Principal Russ Lodge individually honored each student by
reading the wonderful words their teachers wrote about them. We had over 125
people that attended and honored 62 students! We will hold this breakfast again later
in the school year and we hope to see you there!
The most important message behind this program is to let students know that
their responsible, respectful, and safe behaviors are appreciated.
Second grader Max Ryan from Kaylee Kinsey’s class stands under where his name is
posted on Cougar Call Out wall in Haller’s multi-purpose room. Max received a Cougar
Call Out for being responsible with his homework, safe with his friends and respectful of
everyone. Photo by Patsene Dashiell
Olympic Peninsula Academy: Creating
Opportunities for More Students
Sequim High School’s ASB will sponsor a showing
of the film “Return of the River” in the auditorium on
Tuesday, January 13 at 6 p.m. The 71-minute film, codirected by local filmmakers John Gussman and Jessica
Plumb, tells the story of a remarkable campaign to set
the Elwha River free, culminating in the largest dam
removal in history. Filmed over four years, the film
was completed in February 2014. Admission is $8 per
person and $6 for senior citizens and students with
an ASB card. Advanced ticket sales begin January
5 and may be purchased during the school week at
Sequim High School’s main office from 7:30 a.m.
to 2:30 p.m. or at the district office from 7:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased at the door on January 13
beginning at 5:30 p.m. The film showing will be followed by Q & A time with
filmmaker John Gussman. For more information about the film project and to
view a trailer of the film, go online to www.elwhafilm.com.
important Dates
NOTICE: All schools are closed for winter break from December 22, 2014
to January 2, 2015. The district office will be open throughout the winter
break, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., except for
December 24, 25, 26 and 31, 2014, and January 1, 2015.
OPA student Lily Taylor from Tim Wilkinson’s seventh and eighth grade Language Arts/Social Studies class reads aloud a letter she composed
from a young soldier’s perspective during the Civil War. Photo by Patsene Dashiell
Olympic Peninsula Academy (OPA) is an Alternative
Learning Experience Program authorized by Washington State. There are a variety of such programs throughout
Washington, including programs that are exclusively online.
OPA is different from online programs; it’s a Parent Partnership Course of Study. Parents and students both work with
an OPA teacher to create a Student Learning Plan. Each
Student Learning Plan is different and tailored to the needs of
the student. OPA students meet their academic goals through
a combination of in-class instruction by certificated staff and
instructional coaches, as well as home based study. In addition,
parents must meet with their student’s teacher periodically to
review progress on the Student’s Learning Plan. In all respects
OPA students are considered public school students; they must
meet the same high school graduation requirements and participate in the same state mandated assessment tests as other
students.
The Olympic Peninsula Academy is housed in the 1979
addition of the Sequim Community School building. Sequim
School District remodeled the 1979 addition in 2012 to provide a home for OPA. Currently OPA has 90 students with
a waiting list of students hoping to be part of the program.
Space limitations require a cap on enrollment in the school at
this time.
Dear Community member,
One of the perks of my position is
the opportunity to go out and meet with
extremely talented people from around
Clallam County. Recently I met with the
Sequim Career Technical
Education (CTE) Advisory committee, comprised of experts in the
fields of automotive, health care, engineering, journalism, trades, architecture,
agriculture, photography, and information
technology.
The group met with our CTE program instructors in a large group for a
short welcome and then broke into respective program areas. The breakout
session is where the real work took place
with two main objectives: instructors presented current programs, as well as future
goals and budget overviews, and the advisory team provided review and recommendations.
The strength of having an advisory
group comes from the wealth of information presented to us by practitioners
and well as retired experts who understand and forecast the needs of industry.
This direction provided to our instructors
Volunteer and retired engineer Pat Volk mentors Robotics Club members Pearl Barry and Ryan
Nestor after school in the woodshop. The students are practicing for upcoming competition by
dismantling last year’s robot and reassembling it. The Robotics Club, under faculty advisor Brad
Moore, is an extension of the CTE program at Sequim High School, and receives the benefit of
several experienced volunteer mentors and community sponsorship. photo by Patsene Dashiell
helps them plan current instruction while
prompting the program areas to keep up
with industry standards.
We, I truly appreciate the time, effort,
and resources that these experts bring to
our schools while providing our students
the best opportunity to compete and succeed with future career choices. For those
interested in learning more about the CTE
program, feel free to contact me at (360)
582-3268 or [email protected].
Gary Neal, Assistant Superintendent
Dec. 15: GWE PTA meeting @ 3:30 p.m. in the library, GWE Family Movie Night @ 5:30 p.m., School Board meeting @ 6 p.m.
Dec. 16: SMS Choir Concert @ 7 p.m. in the cafeteria
Dec. 17: HHE Winter Concert TBD in the multi-purpose room,
SHS Choir Concert @ 7 p.m. in the auditorium
Dec. 18: SHS Winter Wishes Assembly @ 9:55 a.m. in the gym,
SHS Band Concert @ 7 p.m. in the auditorium
Dec. 19: OPA Winter Festival from 12 noon – 4 p.m. in the Commons,
HHE PTO stockings delivered
Dec. 22 – Jan. 2: Winter Break/No School
Jan. 5: School Board meeting @ 6 p.m. in the board room
Jan. 7: SHS FAFSA Workshop @ 6:30 in the library
Jan. 9: SHS ASB Pep Dance in the cafeteria (following the basketball game until 11 p.m.)
Jan. 12: HHE PTO meeting @ 6 p.m. in the library
Jan. 13: Return of the River at SHS Auditorium @ 6 p.m.
Jan. 19: No School in observance of MLK Day
Jan. 20: School Board meeting @ 6 p.m. in the board room
Jan. 23: SMS Minute to Win It assembly @ 1:45 p.m.
Jan. 26: No School. Teacher Inservice Day.
Jan. 27: SHS Scholarship Notebooks due
Jan. 28: All District Family Reading Night @ 6 p.m. at SMS campus
Jan 30: SHS Senior Class Play @ 7 p.m. in the auditorium
Jan 31: SHS Senior Class Play @ 7 p.m. in the auditorium,
SHS Solo & Ensemble Contest
Feb. 6: SHS Senior Class Play @ 7 p.m. in the auditorium
Feb. 7: SHS Senior Class Play @ 2 p.m. in the auditorium
Feb. 10: Bond Election Day ­— Please Vote!
Sequim Middle School’s after
school program is getting
a boost this year from a
local group of volunteers.
Calling themselves the St.
Luke’s Tutoring Team, under
supervision of sixth grade
teacher Shannon Paselk, they
offer math tutoring during
OTE each Tuesday. Here,
volunteer math tutor Jerry
Oden and sixth grader
Aiyana Dennis work together in the cafeteria. Principal Vince Riccobene said, “The math
tutors are a tremendous asset to our students. Anytime kids make meaningful connections
with educators, or, as in this case, community volunteers, it has the potential to impact
a child’s life trajectory in a positive way.” Teacher Shannon Paselk added, “The tutors
from St. Luke’s are the epitome of citizenship and an absolute joy to work with. They are
making wonderful connections with kids and helping them with much more than their math
homework.” Contact Volunteer Coordinator Patsene Dashiell at (360)582-3264 to learn
more about volunteering. Photo by Patsene Dashiell