Did you know that The Evergreen State College offers FREE TUITION to 2025 and 2026 Shelton graduates?

Here's the offer:

• Admission to Evergreen (Regardless of residency status. No application fee!)
• 100% paid-for tuition and fees
• Housing/living allowance
• Advising and targeted support (from application to graduation, we have your back)

What can you study?

The Evergreen State College offers courses in more than 40 fields of study, including: Biology, Government, Education Latinx & Latin American Studies, Native American & Indigenous Studies.

Why Evergreen?

The Evergreen State College is removing financial barriers to college by allowing Shelton High School students to pursue their academic and career goals with guaranteed free tuition.

We offer:

• Hands-on learning experiences
• World-class education
• Small class sizes
• Personalized support (every step of the way)
• Opportunity to build a career, and strengthen your community (with a degree from your LOCAL four-year college)
• Oh, and did we mention IT'S FREE!

Learn more by clicking on the link below!

About 70 students represented Shelton School District at the 23rd Annual Latinx Youth Summit held at Grays Harbor College this year! Students had the unique opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired through listening to guest speakers and attending workshops.

Thank you to Hispanic Roundtable of South Sound and Grays Harbor College for making this event possible for our students!

At Bordeaux Elementary, a handful of 4th grade students were selected for showing BDX's core values of being a Safe, Respectful, and Responsible Bulldogs. The team has been involved in different responsibilities throughout the school day to help our school run smoothly and to be role models for our students. Leadership meets once or twice a week to decide on school wide celebrations or learn ways they can help set up events. A lot of days they all end up in Mr. Myer’s room during their lunch time to share their own ideas of ways they can spread our values across the school to make it a safer, and a more respectful, responsible place to be! Way to go Bulldogs!

As we enter the 3rd year of our strategic plan, Shelton Success, we want to follow up with those most closely tied to the Shelton School District and invite you to participate in an important survey regarding our schools and education programs.

In November 2021, 570 Shelton families and community members responded to an online survey in regards to what they thought was important for the district to prioritize. Using the survey results, along with focus group feedback, and hundreds of hours of research and conferring, SSD developed its 5-year strategic plan, Shelton Success.

We are incredibly proud to celebrate the remarkable progress we have made since kicking off Shelton Success! The increase in 3rd grade reading scores showcases our commitment to fostering foundational literacy skills. It's also encouraging to see the number of 9th graders on track to graduate continuing to grow, reflecting our dedication to academic success and support. Additionally, the decrease in suspension rates highlights our positive school environment and effective behavior management strategies.

Below are the four areas that the district is focusing on along with a few key moves we have made over the first couple years implementing the strategic plan.

High-Quality Literacy Instruction

• 2022-23 SY: We established K-6 classroom libraries with over 100,000 books!
• 2023-24 SY: Classroom libraries expanded to 7th – 12th-grade classrooms! We also focused on every student reading more minutes and pages every day.

College & Career Readiness

• 2022-23 SY: The Shelton Academies model grew stronger with focused pathways and participation from all SHS students, including the Freshman Academy.
• 2023-24 SY: We increased our efforts to engage all incoming freshmen through orientation courses, support in their High School and Beyond Plan, and obtaining at least 6 credits.

Invest in Effective Educators and Leaders

• 2022-23 SY: The hiring process began earlier allowing us to hire dozens of highly qualified staff well before the end of the school year.
• 2023-24 SY: We began providing over 40 additional hours of training for all educators and 1:1 coaching for novice teachers. We also implemented a new hiring platform which resulted in a 50% increase in elementary teacher applications. These changes have increased the retention rates of highly qualified teachers.

Safe and Welcoming

• 2022-23 SY: Schools improved understanding and training in crucial safety practices and de-escalation of students.
• 2023-24 SY: We implemented new procedures and practices focused on knowing and educating to each student’s story, strengths, and needs.

To learn more about Shelton Success and how it is helping shape the Shelton School District, please visit www.sheltonschools.org/district/strategic_plan/shelton_success

This survey is open to all Shelton residents, regardless if you have a student attending a school in the district. Your answers are anonymous and confidential.

The Student & Family Resource Center is open and now located at Choice School. Are you in need of something? We can probably help! Our resource center has a clothing bank with clothing for all ages. All of the clothing is either new or laundered before entering the bank. A household item bank may also have what you need: bedding, small kitchen appliances, and more! The newest addition to the SFRC is the food bank and hygiene bank. If you are looking for a community connection, the SFRC can help you connect with the right resource. Don't hesitate to contact your school's family liaison to schedule a visit to the SFRC!

• Bordeaux Elementary | Wendy Lankelis | (360) 426-3253 ext. 11002 | Cell (360) 545-7310 WLankelis@sheltonschools.org
• Evergreen Elementary | Lucrecia Hernandez | (360) 426-8281 ext. 12129 | Cell ( 360) 463-4393 LHernandez@sheltonschools.org
• Mt. View Elementary | Ivette Salamanca | (360) 426-8564 ext. 13102 | Cell (360) 545-7136 ISalamanca@sheltonschools.org
• Olympic Middle School | Cleyri Zacarias | (360) 462-6671 ext. 14105 | Cell (360) 280-3539 CZacarias@sheltonschools.org
• Oakland Bay Jr. High | Isabel Castaneda | (360) 426-7991 ext. 15008 | Cell (360) 545-2189 icastaneda@sheltonschools.org
• Shelton High School | Veronica Lawrence | (360) 426-4471 ext. 16169 | Cell (360) 968-9553 Vlawrence@sheltonschools.org
• Choice High School/Cedar High School | Betty Uriostegui | 360-426-7664 ext. 17009 | Cell (360) 490-1235 BUriostegui@sheltonschools.org

Highly capable students generally possess the following learning characteristics [WAC 392-170-036]:

• Capacity to learn with unusual depth of understanding, to retain what has been learned, and to transfer learning to new situations;
• Capacity and willingness to deal with increasing levels of abstraction and complexity earlier than their chronological peers;
• Ability to make unusual connections among ideas and concepts;
• Ability to learn quickly in their area(s) of intellectual strength; and
• Capacity for intense concentration and/or focus.

Students identified as highly capable qualify for receiving services designed to meet their unique needs as a learner. These services might include:

• Grade Content Acceleration and/or Compacting
• Cluster Grouping
• Academic Enrichment
• Advanced/AP courses

Parents, teachers or other community members may nominate students. If you are interested, please follow these steps:

• Fill out the Parent Permission and Referral Form* and the Teacher Nomination Form.*
• Return ALL completed forms to your child’s school office by December 13th, 2024.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact:

Adrienne Minnery

Director of Curriculum & Instruction, K-6

Shelton School District is looking for people who are fluent in Q’anjob’al and English. Paid hourly, as needed. If this is you, please contact Betty Uriostegui at (360) 490-1235; BUriostegui@sheltonschools.org or Krystal Moore at (360) 426-1687; KMoore@SheltonSchools.org.

You may be eligible for services if you or your family live in any of the following situations:

• In a shelter, transitional housing, motel, vehicle, campground, or on the street
• In an abandoned building, trailer, or other inadequate accommodations
• Temporarily doubled-up with friends or relatives because you lost your home, or cannot afford housing
• Living as an unaccompanied youth without your parent or guardian
• In the process of eviction or foreclosure

Some services offered to those in the program are immunization assistance, enrollment assistance, free meal registration, school supplies/backpacks, PE uniforms, clothing support, hygiene supplies, school fees, field trip or camp expenses, laundry support, transportation to and from the school of origin, access to rental and utility assistance, referrals to basic services (food, shelter, medical assistance, etc.), bilingual support for Spanish speakers, and more!

Please contact the district’s McKinney-Vento Liaison, Amanda Gonzales, if you believe you qualify: (360) 426-7664 | AGonzales@sheltonschools.org

Did you know that you could receive school notifications as text messages? This includes messages about school closures, delays, low or negative meal balances, and more! Opt-in today by texting “Y” or “Yes” to 67587.

The State & Federal Programs Department offers services and resources to eligible students to eliminate the achievement gap between student subgroups. We are committed to connecting with students, families, and the community to provide the education needed to achieve academic and personal success. The Federal Programs complaints process may be found on our website.

Shelton School District is not a sponsor of any of the events or resources under the "Community" section of the E-Community Link and assumes no responsibility for them.

Where: Shelton High School's Performing Arts Center

Saturday, December 7 at 1:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 8 at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Tickets are general admission

$17 in advanced, or $19 at the door

Tickets can be purchased by calling (360) 623-9010 or clicking on the link below.

Escape to a Winter Wonderland with the Y at Winter Day Camp! Have fun alongside peers with winter-themed arts & crafts, games, activities, and more FUN! Spots are limited - register today and secure your ticket to the BEST WINTER BREAK EVER!

Details:

• Kindergarten - 6th grade
• 7am-6pm at all locations Monday, Thursday, Friday
• Week 1: December 23-27
• Week 2: December 30 - January 3
• Location: Oakland Bay Jr. High - 3301 N Shelton Springs Rd Shelton, WA 98584

Cost:

• $150 - program members
• $140 - facility members
• $20 non-refundable deposit State subsidy accepted Financial assistance available

Questions? Contact Us! 360.918.0400 childcare@ssymca.net

South Sound Reading Foundation is giving away free books!

Love reading? Want free books? Order a free Bag O' Books once a month for your child ages 0-18! Click on the link below to place an order.

Bringing the joy and promise of books and reading to all South Sound children since 2001.

• December 14, 2024, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
• The Salmon Center: 600 NE Roessel Rd., Belfair, Washington 98528
• Ages 8 - 12

What lies beneath the deep blue sea? Covering 70% of the earth’s surface, the ocean is essential to all life on Earth. Its ecosystems are crucial to providing us the oxygen we breathe, and the foods many animals, including humans, eat. This workshop will feature activities relating to ocean conservation and topics will include ocean food webs, marine currents, and resource management, with a special focus on the local creatures and conditions of our own Puget Sound and Pacific Ocean!

• Please have your child dress according to the weather. Close toed shoes are required. Come prepared so that we can have fun outside (rain gear, hat, etc).
• Please plan on dropping off your child a few minutes prior to the beginning of the workshop and arriving at 4:00pm for pick-up.

Where: Shelton Church of Christ - 740 W Dayton Airport Rd

When: Sundays, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

December 14, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Church of Nazarene

Information: (360) 426-1298

Free for ages 3-12 years

Paper registration forms need to be sent with child or emailed to church contact susie1739@gmail.com.

December 16, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Mt. View Elementary School

Information: (360) 426-1298

Free for ages 5-12 years

FREE snack and crafts in the Evergreen Elementary Cafeteria!

When: Thursday, December 12, 2024, 5 - 6 p.m.

Get to know Girl Scouts, plan your next adventure, while we help families register and find or form new troops.

Ready to join? Visit www.girlscoutsww.org/join

Questions? Contact Elaine at eramsey@girlscoutsww.org

Youth Bowling: Saturday morning youth leagues are a great place for kids to start their bowling journey, have fun, and learn new skills! Programs provided both at Aztec and Westside Lanes.

Sound Scholars is a fun, daily, online class for kids ages 3-5 that uses music to build kindergarten readiness and prosocial learning skills in English, Spanish, Mam and Q'anjob'al at no cost to participating families.

School board meetings are held every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Please check the district calendar for meeting dates and locations.

• 12/11/24: 1.5 Hour Early Release
  
• 12/20/24: 3 Hour Early Release
• 12/23/24 - 1/3/25: No School - Winter Break

Right to Translation and Interpretation Services: All parents have the right to information about their child’s education in a language they understand. We can provide an interpreter or translated documents, free of charge when you need them. For assistance, please contact: Betty Uriostegui; 360-426-1687 ext. 10541

Derecho a Servicios de Traducción e Interpretación: Todos los padres tienen derecho a la información acerca de la educación de sus hijos en el lenguaje que ellos entienden. Podemos proveer con un intérprete o documentos traducidos de manera gratuita cuando los necesite. Para ayuda, por favor comuníquese con: Betty Uriostegui; 360-426-1687 ext. 10541

Ayon ti chi ko kamik’olne ko jatnene eloq yul ko q’anej chi jala yulaq ko na’: Ka axka tu chi ko sayek maktxel chi alon ko q’anej yin janoq ab’ix bay sanail kuyuj o ma b’ay eb’ mamej o ma janoq xa tx’oq ab’ixal. Chi huj e yalon bay Betty Uriostegui ta hay junoq che yoche chi ko jatne ek toq yul junoq xa txoq tiejal. 360-426-1687 ext. 10541