Mission (our purpose):
Our Mission is to ensure that all students have the knowledge, skills, motivation, and confidence to be successful citizens.

Vision (who we must become):
We are a community of learners and leaders united to enrich the lives of all our students.

Dear Mary M. Knight Families and Community Members,

The holiday spirit is alive and well at MMK as we enter our final week before winter break! Our hallways are filled with excitement as we celebrate with our Winter Spirit Week, featuring a different festive theme each day - from cozy pajamas on Monday to ugly sweaters on Friday.

I'm particularly excited to invite all our families to join us for our Elementary Winter Concert on Thursday evening at 5:30 PM in the gymnasium. Our students and Ms. Chambless have been working diligently to prepare a magical "Polar Express" themed performance. Each grade level will showcase their own special holiday song, and we'll celebrate afterward with cookies and hot cocoa in the cafeteria. Doors will open at 5:00 PM, so come early to get your seat for this cherished holiday tradition.

This week is also special for our athletes. We'll be celebrating our 8th-grade basketball players during Monday's game against Wishkah, and our high school teams will face tough competition with games against Ocosta, Tenino, and Lake Quinault. Your support in the stands means so much to our student-athletes.

I want to congratulate our latest GRIT award recipients and our staff members - Mr. Larson, Ms. Bell, Ms. Kemp, and Mrs. Oien - who exemplify the Growth, Resilience, Intensity, and Tenacity we strive to instill in our students. Your dedication continues to inspire our school community.

As we approach winter break, please note that Friday, December 20th, will be an early release day with dismissal at 12:25 PM. Looking ahead, our secondary tutoring program will resume after the break, continuing to provide academic support Tuesday through Thursday from 3:00-4:30 PM.

Thank you for your continued partnership in making Mary M. Knight a vibrant and joyful learning community. I hope to see many of you at this week's events as we celebrate the season together.

Go OWLS!

Mr. Stoney

K-12 Principal

Mary M. Knight School District

Monday 12/16

• Spirit Week: Pajama Day
• MS basketball vs. Wishkah: 8th grade night 5:30 PM

Tuesday 12/17

• Spirit Week: Favorite Holiday Character Day
• HS basketball vs. Ocosta 5:30 PM

Wednesday 12/18

• Spirit Week: Deck the Halls day
• HS basketball vs. Tenino 5:30 PM

Thursday 12/19

• Spirit Week: Under the Tree
• Elementary Winter Concert: 5:30 PM

Friday 12/20

• Early release: 12:25 PM
• Spirit Week: Ugly Sweater Day
• HS basketball @ Lake Quinault 5:30 PM

Saturday 12/21

This year, the school menu is online at My School Menus. Click the link bellow to search for breakfast and lunch menu and nutritional information bellow.

This week will be our annual Elementary Winter Concert. We would love to invite you to watch your child or children perform for the community. Our elementary students have been busy practicing their songs and dances with their teachers and Ms. Chambless in music with hopes of putting on a fantastic performance and experience for the Mary M. Knight Community.

We will have cookies and hot cocoa to share afterword's in the cafeteria. Please mark your calendars and join us Thursday evening at 5:30 PM in the high school gymnasium.

Logisitics

• Theme: The Polar Express
• Time: Doors open at 5:00 PM and the performance begins at 5:30 PM
• Logistics: Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided afterword's

Songs

• Pre school: Jingle Bells
• Kindergarten: Hippopotamus
• 1st grade: Up On The House Top
• 2nd grade: Reindeer Hip Hop
• 3rd grade: Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer
• 4th grade: Jingle Bell Rock
• 5th grade: Must Be Santa
• 6th grade: Let It Snow

This week, the elementary and secondary will be holding a winter spirit week. We are excited to see our kids show their school spirit.

• Monday: Holiday Pajama Day - Dress up in your pajamas, blankets, and stuffed animals.
• Tuesday: Favorite Holiday Character - Dress up as your favorite holiday character.
• Wednesday: Deck the Halls - Dress up in your best Christmas bling!
• Thursday: Under the tree - Dress up as something you would find under the Christmas tree.
• Friday: Ugly Sweater Day - Sport your best ugly Christmas sweater.

As we continue with tutoring opportunities, please make sure you review and understand some expectations around tutoring for our secondary students.

• Students must have parental permission to patriciate in tutoring.
• Students must remain in tutoring for the entire period of time from 3:00 pm to 4:30 PM permission granted by administration.
• Students must have transportation available after tutoring at 4:30 PM and not remain on school ground for sporting events or activities. unless in attendance with a parent or guardian.
• Students are to be actively engaged in tutoring or will be asked to leave.
• Dates: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
• Time: 3:00 - 4:30 PM
• Teachers: Ms. Barratt, Ms. Bingham, Mr. Plaisance, Ms. Kemp.
• Transportation: Students must be able to transport self or have pick up ability by 4:30 PM
• Questions: If you have more questions please contact Sarah Bell sbell@mmk.wednet.edu or Josh Stoney jstoney@mmk.wednet.edu by email or phone at 360-426-6767.

For any questions, please contact Athletic Director, Tom Kerr at (360)426-6767 or tkerr@mmk.wednet.edu

Find updates at the Mary M. Knight Athletic Web-Page

Last year, we had a theme of Above-The-Line and recognized student that were that demonstrated characteristics or actions of being Above-The-Line. This year we will continue our student recognition program as part of our PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) program with our positive referrals and weekly GRIT awards.

GRIT Awards - In the 2024-25 academic year, we're all about embracing 'Nurturing Resilience, Inspiring Excellence' as our guiding principle. We believe that having GRIT – Growth, Resilience, Intensity, and Tenacity – is key to creating a culture where challenges are seen as stepping stones to greatness. We want to foster a growth mindset in our students and ourselves, understanding that hard work and dedication can help us develop our abilities and intelligence. Student will be nominated weekly if they are demonstrating characteristics of GRIT. Student will receive a certificate and shared out.

Weekly Grit Students for the Week of 12/9/24:

• Elementary: Matthew Hett, Xavier Lingnau, Tristen Ushman, Kaison Gonzales, Elsie Richards
• Secondary: Colton Gage-Brix, Lana Riggs, Maelynn Nygaard, Layla Thomas, Katelynn Blanchard, Hunter Hulford

If you are interested in helping us with the Mary M. Knight PTO, don't hesitate to get in touch with pto@mmk.wednet.edu or Josh Stoney at jstoney@mmk.wednet.edu

PTO updates and information will be posted on the district website at https://www.marymknight.com/domain/25

• Next Meeting: January 8, 2025 at 3:30 pm in the elementary library

Email: jstoney@mmk.wednet.edu
Website: https://www.marymknight.com/
Location: 2987 Matlock-Brady Road, Elma, WA, USA
Phone: (360) 426-6767
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MMKOwls