Hey Trojans,
Fife is runnin'! I am so proud of our staff and students for overcoming so many obstacles with remote learning. We will continue to improve each day as we go! Phase 3 began last week, and we saw an increase in student engagement, that is good news. It is critically important that students are checking emails, attending their zoom classes, and completing their assignments. Students, be sure when you log into your zoom classes that you are logged into your Fife account so you are recognizable by your teacher!
Grades?
We have begun entering grading for assignments with Phase 3 so you might see a change in your grade. The district will be producing the Fife Schools Policy for End of Term Grading soon, which I will be sure to communicate and explain. Stay tuned for more detailed information soon!
Note to seniors:
As I mentioned last week, we are currently working on a re-do for the May and June calendar with our senior activities and end of the year events. Our plan is to produce this calendar on May 6th. We are planning a lot of great moments!
On a personal level:
I again want to thank everyone in our community for being so supportive during this unprecedented event. What I have appreciated is our Fife people (staff, students, families, and community) have really showed empathy for each other... putting yourself in others shoes. We all are going through this in our own way, some much worse and scary than others. If you need to be reminded what empathy is, check out this video, it is by far the best tool I've seen on explaining the difference between empathy and sympathy.
The Fife Staff has felt your empathy... thank you!
We have received notes from people who recognize the challenge for teachers. Our staff is very thankful that we get to continue teaching during this time, but just like our students, there is a real challenge we face doing this in a remote fashion, while also doing home school for our own children, learning new technology, many of us like perhaps your family are taking care of our extended family members while worrying about our many students who are struggling. Thank you for the understanding you have shown as we work to make the most out of remote learning.
To our Senior Parents... I'm with you
I feel your pain right now, I too am going through this as a 2020 father. I've shared briefly in the past about my kids...well, my son is following a call to serve, and he leaves tomorrow (Sunday) for the Marines. Due to the the COVID crisis I will not be allowed to attend his swearing in or graduation ceremonies, which is really disappointing. My daughter is in New York where she was supposed to be experiencing the city while studying and interning before heading back for her now cancelled graduation ceremony. Instead she is holed up alone across the country; here is a link to a news story about her experience in NY ...
I'm sharing this not to gain sympathy. I am opening up about my family because I think it is healthy for all of us to share our stories to help us continue to be a school filled with understanding and appreciation for each other's journeys through the disappointments and heartaches that come as parents right now, and I also want our senior parents to continue to know that I'm living this out emotionally with you in so many ways.
My heart is with you Fife.
Get 'em-
Mr. Bakke
How are Fife Students Helping the Community? Check out Karah Ritter!
Karah Ritter and her family have made it a goal to help the community. Each week they do something new. For example, junior Karah and her sister Katie--SLMS 7th grader, created messages on our fence for people to see as they drive by. (Pictured)
They have spent free time making masks for family and friends, and even dressed up in a bunny costume and drove around the neighborhood to bring smiles to children. They are proud to be to be Fife for Life, thank you for inspiring us to be goal oriented and for focusing on what we can control!
Seniors interested in being a graduation speaker?
Last year we debuted our Heart of the Trojan Awards. We are excited to continue this powerful tradition. Five Awards, presented in front of the entire school, given to people who exemplified aspects of the Heart of the Trojan. The Awards:
1. Community Support (given to a community member)
2. Staff (FHS staff member)
3. Commitment (given to a senior)
4. Courage (given to a senior)
5. Kindness (given to a senior)
Students and Staff, we need your nominations! Please include first and last name of individual nominated (who you want to win the award) and why you've nominated them. You do not need to nominate someone for every award. Please submit your nominations by Tuesday May 5th
The cancellation of the Puyallup Spring Fair has added to the difficulties caused by COVID-19. For our Fife FFA members that have been working hard since November, raising a pig, this outbreak could not arrive at a more difficult time.
Selling animals for profit becomes very difficult when there is no livestock show, no livestock judging competition, no interaction with the public, and no livestock auction at the Spring Fair. Members are now relying on you to help! Feel free to take a look at our STUDENT PROJECTS page to see what students have been working on all year.
To learn how you can help, Click Here!
Help scholarship a student using this link: https://wa-fife-lite.intouchreceipting.com/FFAPigSponsorship
In case you missed it... a letter to our students from Mr. Bakke
3/13/20
Dear Fife Students,
You are facing truly unprecedented events, and this will be something you will never forget for the rest of your life. I am so sorry you are going through it. I’m sorry that for so many of you, the rewards from the hard work you have put into your sports, concerts, and productions is being taken from you. I’m sorry that your education is getting temporarily compromised. I’m sorry for all the special events that were scheduled that have been canceled. These are memories you won’t get back. I am sorry if you are feeling fear. I know these events are going to impact us all in a lot of scary ways.
But to our beloved FHS students, do not lose hope! My grandparents generation was called, “the greatest generation.” A lot of people think this is simply because of the extreme sacrifice they made during World War II fighting for the freedom of the world, but that is only part of the story. This was the same generation that grew up in the depression, during the worst economic times in our history. They suffered tremendous loss and faced incredible adversity, when terms like “rationing” were everyday vocabulary. They never lost hope, and in spite of those hard times they went through, they went on to save the world.
Fife students, this is your time to show that you have the makings of also being a “great generation.” You are going through historic adversity, which means it's your opportunity to shine bright. Shine by showing others how you care, by your resilience, by being extra helpful with your family, and by showing empathy and encouragement with your peers, and community. Even yesterday you put together a rush food drive and collected hundreds of items in just one day. We continue to be so proud of you!
.
I want you to again be reminded why we say “Get ‘Em Trojans.” In Fife it means that we will not back down, that there isn’t a challenge, adversity, competition, or tough test that will sway us...there is no such thing as insurmountable odds; in Fife we do not lose hope, and we do not quit. We Get ‘em Trojans!
I can’t wait to see you in a few weeks, when we finish the school year the way we are supposed to... together. Make good decisions today and in the few weeks ahead. And Get ‘Em Trojans.
Sincerely,
Mr. Bakke
Fife High School
Email: tgieck@fifeschools.com
Website: https://fhs.fifeschools.com/
Location: 5616 20th St E, Fife, WA, USA
Phone: 253-891-5500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fifehigh/
Twitter: @fifeHSTrojans