Dear Redhawk Community,
As we’ve shared throughout the year, student engagement is one of our highest priorities. As part of this, we’re excited to announce new activities aimed at keeping the positive momentum going throughout the school year. Together with our Student Voice Team—a diverse group bringing in fresh ideas from all corners of campus—we’ve crafted an activities calendar centered on building school spirit and celebrating student involvement.
To keep the energy going, this will include monthly pep assemblies and other activities throughout the year. From an intramural kickball competition the Friday before the Winter Dance to a school movie night in March and the inaugural PTHS Olympics in June, we’re planning a range of events to encourage students to connect, participate, and create lasting memories.
This Thursday at 11:15 am, students and staff will be leaving for lunch early to meet in the courtyard to send off our cross country runners in style, who will be heading to state with all the support and pride the Redhawk community has to offer. Included in this sendoff will be loud music, cheering, and plenty of PT pride! Parents and supporters are welcome (and greatly encouraged) to attend this event. Once we know the details of our swimmers who will be heading to state the following weekend, we'll send out the details of a similar celebration.
To honor all our fall athletes, we have planned an important assembly for next Thursday afternoon, during which there will be a very special unveiling of a new banner commemorating last year’s State Knowledge Bowl Championship.
Another event we're encouraging participation in is tomorrow's Veterans Day Assembly. For this, we're inviting all veterans to arrive at the school at 11:30 am for a coffee and cookies meet and greet in the library before moving to the gym at 12:05 pm as our guests of honor for the annual assembly.
Looking ahead to fall conferences, we welcome parents and guardians to join us in the gym on Thursday, November 21st, from 1:10 pm to 4:00 pm and again from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. To ensure adequate conversation time, we're asking that families arrive by either 3:30 pm or 6:30 pm. Your involvement and connection with us are instrumental in supporting each student’s growth.
Thank you for your continued support as we create opportunities for all students to feel engaged and celebrated here at PTHS.
Go Redhawks!!!
Mr. Moss
Last week, a diverse group from Port Townsend High School—including students, parents, teachers, classified staff, administrators, and architects from TCF Architecture—embarked on a daylong trip to explore several recently renovated or newly built schools in the region. The purpose of this visit was to begin envisioning possibilities for upgrades to PTHS facilities, drawing inspiration from schools that have successfully merged functionality with modern design while honoring their histories. The team visited Olympic High School in Silverdale, Highline High School in Seatac, and Stewart Middle School in Tacoma, each selected for its unique approach to educational space design.
These schools were chosen for various reasons. Each has creatively maintained its architectural legacy while prioritizing modern learning environments. Highlights included impressive common learning spaces outside classrooms, abundant natural lighting, and state-of-the-art Career and Technical Education (CTE) facilities designed to help students prepare for post-secondary opportunities. The visiting team was accompanied by two PTHS students, Omri Alley and Sienna Wind, who offered thoughtful reflections on the experience.
Omri shared that he found the tour deeply insightful, allowing him to see these spaces through the lens of future students. "The size of the schools and how open things felt really stood out to me," he commented, adding that he appreciated the overall flow and consistency of each building. “Each school seemed to have classes grouped together thoughtfully, with one area leading seamlessly into the next, creating a planned and cohesive environment.”
Sienna echoed these thoughts, noting that seeing how other schools transformed their interiors while preserving their historic exteriors was something she could truly appreciate only by visiting in person. She found that while each school had a unique architectural style, the design choices felt intentional, making the spaces seem as if they naturally coexisted. “It was clear that each building’s design was not just about function but also about creating an environment where everything fit together,” she said.
Both students were particularly struck by the use of stairwells in each school. These spaces were designed not only for moving between floors but also as social areas where students could sit, gather, and interact. Sienna observed that each school had purposeful areas outside classrooms where students could meet and study—an asset currently lacking at PTHS. Reflecting on their own campus after the tour, Sienna shared her appreciation for the welcoming atmosphere at PTHS, especially the open courtyard, which she noted is a unique feature that gives the campus a sense of warmth and community.
This trip was an invaluable first step in exploring the possibilities for enhancing PTHS facilities, with a focus on creating functional, welcoming spaces that will support student success for years to come. The experience sparked exciting conversations about the future of PTHS and has inspired the school community to think creatively about what’s possible for our own campus.
To continue this vision-building process, we invite the public to tour the PTHS campus on Wednesday, November 20th, from 5:30 - 7:00 pm. This tour will serve multiple purposes:
- Building awareness of the programs at PTHS & OCEAN Campuses
- Creating understanding of the current campus conditions
- Gathering community feedback to share with the Design Advisory Committees
For more information, please email Sean Moss at smoss@ptschools.org or Kai Wallin at kwallin@ptschools.org
Get ready, Port Townsend! The highly anticipated production of Little Shop of Horrors by the Port Townsend High School Players is opening this Friday, November 8th, at 7:00 pm in the PTHS Auditorium. With additional performances scheduled for November 9, 15, and 16 at 7:00 pm, and matinees on November 10 and 17 at 2:00 pm, there are plenty of chances to experience this dynamic show.
The student actors have been hard at work for weeks, rehearsing and perfecting every scene to ensure this production is one to remember. Directed by Chris Pierson, the show features a unique double cast, allowing more students to take part in the performance. At the heart of the production are senior cast members and artistic leaders: Zoe Pruden, Isabella Nunn, Grey Kingfisher, Haley Anzick, Zen Cook, Char Santerre, along with Arrow Kempthorne as stage manager and Morgan Hanson on drums. Their dedication and talent have helped shape a production full of energy and charm.
Set in a world inspired by 1960s pulp science fiction and classic “B movies,” Little Shop of Horrors cleverly combines humor with thought-provoking themes, offering a satirical look at pop culture stereotypes. Pianist Liz Hopkins describes the score as “fun,” and the entire team is confident it will be a crowd-pleaser.
Tickets are available at the door for $15 general admission, $10 for students, and $5 for ASB cardholders and seniors. This is a fantastic opportunity to support our PTHS students and enjoy an evening of live theater that promises laughter, music, and a unique look at classic Americana.
Come out and cheer on the Port Townsend High School Players—this show is one you won’t want to miss!
This weekend, several members of the Port Townsend High School Cross Country Team, led by Coach Alice Frasier, will represent our community at the State Championships in Pasco. This season has been marked by growth, dedication, and teamwork, with every team member contributing to a supportive and competitive environment that has helped propel these athletes to state.
This year’s group is young, with only one senior, Alex Lott, making it a true “building year.” Coach Frasier noted that while the boys’ team initially faced challenges with cohesion, the group quickly adopted a team-first mindset that fueled their progress. “The team attitude has grown significantly throughout the season,” she shared. “I see support and camaraderie every day now, and I know they appreciate that the hard work they’ve put in together has paid off.”
The athletes who qualified for state include three individual qualifiers from the girls’ team and the full boys’ team, each recognized for their achievements and dedication:
Boys Team Qualifiers:
- Joshua Yearian
- Noah Isenberg
- Dustin Hines
- Nico Errichetti
- Rainier Smith-Williams
- Zeke Banks
- Atom Barrett
- Kepler Edmundson
Girls Individual Qualifiers:
- Hilina Taylor-Lenz
- Michael Gregg
- Leah Ferland
Additionally, Clara Camp will join the team as a photographer, capturing moments of this memorable experience for her teammates.
To show our support, the entire school will gather in the courtyard this Thursday at 11:15 am for a spirited send-off to cheer on our cross country runners as they head to Pasco. This event is a wonderful opportunity for the Redhawk community to celebrate the team’s accomplishments and wish them well.
As they prepare for the State Championships, these athletes carry the pride and encouragement of their school and community. We know they’ll make Port Townsend proud—best of luck to our Redhawks!
- Wednesday, 11.6 at 12:05: Veterans Day Assembly in the Gym
- Wednesday, 11.6 from 1:30 - 3:15 pm: Facilitated Collaboration in the Library
- Wednesday, 11.6 from 5:30 - 6:30 pm: Parent Financial Aid Advising Night in the PTHS Library and via Zoom
- Thursday, 11.7 at 11:15: Cross Country State Send-Off in the Courtyard
- Friday, 11.8: Swimming Districts at Mt. Tahoma
- Friday, 11.8 at 7:00 pm: Little Shop of Horrors Performance (Cast A)
- Saturday, 11.9: Varsity Cross Country Districts in Pasco
- Saturday, 11.9 at 7:00 pm: Little Shop of Horrors Performance (Cast A)
- Wednesday, 11.13 from 1:30 - 3:15 pm: Staff UDL Strategy Groups at BH
- Thursday, 11.14 from 2:42 - 3:10 pm: Pep Assembly in the Gym
- Wednesday, 11.20 from 5:30 - 7:00 pm: PTHS Family & Community Campus Tour
About Port Townsend High School
Website: https://highschool.ptschools.org/
Location: 1500 Van Ness Street, Port Townsend, WA, USA
Phone: 360.379.4520
Non-discrimination statement
Port Townsend School District No. 50 does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, immigration status, national origin, age, honorably-discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. The district provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and all other designated youth groups listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator
Carrie Ehrhardt
1610 Blaine Street
(360) 680-5756
Title IX Officer:
Carrie Ehrhardt
1610 Blaine Street
(360) 680-5756
Section 504/ADA Coordinator
Shelby Macmeekin
1610 Blaine Street
(360) 379-4501
Title IX inquiries may also be directed toward the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR):https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html
