Stanwood High School
Family Newsletter — Sunday, September 24, 2023
Week three is complete!
Staff continue to provide outstanding support to all students. As I walk through classrooms, I am impressed with their classroom management and instructional practices.
Stanwood HS will continue being intentional with our commitments to standing by the door greeting students (students love this), phone policy, and other staff-identified instructional practices to increase student achievement.
Below are three pictures I took of all three floors around 8:05 a.m. on Friday, September 22nd. Many may look at this and say, "I do not see anything." That is correct because all the students are in class learning! This is because of our outstanding Staff!!
Have a great week!
Sincerely,
Mike Washington
Principal
Stanwood High School
7400 272nd St. NW
Stanwood, WA 98292
mwashington@stanwood.wednet.edu
Office: 360-629-1300
District Promise
Every student in the Stanwood-Camano School District is empowered to learn in an inclusive setting and is prepared for the future of their choice.
Stanwood High School Vision Statement
Stanwood Spartans are united in cultivating character, modeling respect, teaching leadership and connecting to community.
Contact an Administrator or Counselor
Administrators
Tom Wilfong, Assistant Principal: A-K: twilfong@stanwood.wednet.edu
Corie Gudgeon, Assistant Principal: L-Z: cgudgeon@stanwood.wednet.edu
Ross Short, CTE Director: rshort@stanwood.wednet.edu
Lauren Amundson, Activities/Athletic Director: lamundson@stanwood.wednet.edu
Counselors
Paige Watson: A-Em: pwatsonschornack@stanwood.wednet.edu
Maren Holzinger: En-K: mholzinger@stanwood.wednet.edu
Tricia Tayon: L-Rh: ttayon@stanwood.wednet.edu
Emily Elde: Ri-Z: eelde@stanwood.wednet.edu
We Will Teach Our Students The Hazards of E-Cigarettes
Many teens are curious about e-cigarettes. In 2022, about 14.1% of high school students and 3.3% of middle school students reported using e-cigarettes. Nearly half of high school students have tried an e-cigarette in some areas.
Many teens believe that e-cigarettes are safe. In reality, e-cigarettes contain nicotine and toxins, some known to cause cancer. Nicotine is highly addictive, especially to a developing teen brain.
What begins as experimentation can easily lead to a lifetime of nicotine addiction.
It does not take that long for young people to become addicted to nicotine because:
E-cigarettes provide nicotine in doses as large as, or larger than, regular cigarettes.
Children and youth become addicted to nicotine much faster than adults.
Nicotine has more harmful effects on the developing adolescent brain, making it worse for kids than adults.
Nicotine use as a teen raises the risk of using other substances and experiencing addiction later in life.
To help our students make better choices, SHS is training students by using a resource called CATCH My Breath over several advisory lessons starting October 19th. More information is forthcoming.
Reminder - FERPA Forms are due to the Counseling Office Sept 29th
Restriction of Release of Directory Information (FERPA)
An IMPORTANT update! The FERPA form has been updated. Due to its effect on the SHS yearbook, ALL families need to resubmit the form.
The form designates privacy preferences in regard to the Military, Higher Education, and all Public/District/Local publications. Please read the form carefully.
Please return the completed form to Christy Headrick in the Counseling Office by Friday, September 29th, 2023.
BE ADVISED: If any boxes labeled Public, District, or Local are selected, the student will NOT be included in the annual yearbook.
Important Dates
October 9th-14th: Spirit Week
October 13th: Senior Photos Due for the SHS Yearbook
October 17th: Picture Re-Takes and Senior Class Photo and Jostens Visit (5th and 6th periods)
October 19th: Great Washington Shakeout- Earthquake Drill @ 10:19 am
October 20th: No School - Staff Professional Development Day
Bell Schedules for the Week of Sept 25th
Monday, Sept 25th - Regular Bell Schedule
Tuesday, Sept 26th - Regular Bell Schedule
Wednesday, Sept 27th - Late Start Wednesday
Thursday, Sept 28th - Regular Bell Schedule
Friday, Sept 29th - Advisory
A Few Reminders
SHS Homecoming Information
Students: Mark Your Calendars!
We will celebrate our Spartan spirit throughout the Homecoming week, October 9-14!
Mon - Thu: school spirit days, themes to be released
FRIDAY, October 13:
Homecoming Assembly, 9:30 am
Homecoming Parade, 4 pm
Homecoming Football Game, 7 pm
SATURDAY, October 14:
Homecoming Dance, 7:00 - 10:00 pm (Theme is "A Step Through Time")
* Ticket sales will begin in October - more information to come.
Parents & Guardians: Volunteers Needed!
If you'd like to be a chaperone for the Homecoming Dance, please email Lauren Amundson at lamundson@stanwood.wednet.edu.
You must have a current background check & volunteer clearance to be eligible. CLICK HERE to complete the application online.
ASVAB Sign-Ups
The ASVAB test will be administered on November 7, 2023 in the library at SHS. Students need to be in the library by 7:40 a.m. The test is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Students can leave after they have finished. All students need to bring their Chromebook (fully charged) to take the test.
The interpretation is scheduled for December 14, 2023 also in the library
Please contact Renee Herigstad for sign-ups at rherigstad@stanwood.wednet.edu or call 360-629-1300 x. 5222
AP Testing Information
For information regarding AP testing, schedules and payment - please go HERE.
Class OF 2024 Information
Senior Assassin - Important Safety Concern
The Stanwood-Camano School District and local law enforcement are urging high school seniors and their families to be cautious about students participating in an off-campus game known as “Senior Assassin.”
The game is not sponsored or condoned by the school district.
Typically, all participants in the game are assigned another participant as a “target” who they must “eliminate” with a toy gun. The game is not permitted on school district property and often involves participants trying to eliminate their targets throughout the Stanwood-Camano community.
The school district and law enforcement personnel ask that parents discuss the activity with their children because it could cause public alarm, injury, citizen intervention, and 911 calls generating a police response. The Stanwood-Camano community is not alone. School districts across the country are increasingly grappling with the dangers associated with this game.
We are concerned about student safety each and every day, and we believe students who participate in this activity expose themselves and others to unnecessary risk of harm.
FAFSA/WASFA 2024-25
Big changes are coming to financial aid applications this year. The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) would like to help students and families navigate these changes.
The 2024-25 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will not be available until December 2023. The WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) will also be delayed until the FAFSA opens. Applications usually open October 1st of a student’s senior year, so this is a major shift in the college planning process.
The good news is that this delay is due to positive changes in the financial aid application process:
The FAFSA form will be shorter and less complex.
More students will be eligible for federal Pell Grants, and the average Pell award will be larger.
More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Athletic Department Update
SHS Athletics Helpful Links
Please visit our Linktree for access to a variety of Spartan information! Rosters, schedules, tickets and more: https://linktr.ee/go_shsspartans
Spartan Sports Report
Keep up with all things Stanwood Athletics by subscribing to the Spartan Sports Report!
Click Here to sign up to receive weekly scores, news, photos and more.
Admission / Home Events
WESCO charges $7/$5 admission fall football, soccer, and volleyball. for home events in these fall sports: Football, Soccer, Volleyball. Entry is FREE for SHS students with their ASB card (must show at the gate)! Spectators can now purchase tickets in advance through GoFan or use a card at the gate; more information about our online ticketing can be found here.
WESCO Spectator Guidelines & Sportsmanship Code
The essential elements of character-building and ethics in interscholastic athletics are embodied in the concept of seven core principles: sportsmanship, discipline, leadership, teamwork, responsibility, dedication, and respect. In an effort to demonstrate sportsmanship in the stands we ask all spectators to adhere to these 5 basic guidelines:
- I will appreciate all good plays and players whether they compete for my team or my opponent.
- I will remember that school athletics are an extension of the classroom, and that learning is taking place.
- I will be positive and use respectful language towards players, coaches, officials, and other spectators.
- I will respect the abilities and sensitivities of our opponents and officials, regardless of the outcome of the contest.
- I will remember that my actions reflect on others, including students, school, and the community.
Spartan Sports Report
Don't miss our weekly Spartan Sports Report newsletter. Sign up HERE to get it emailed to you each week!
Join the Student-Superintendent Leadership team
The Student-Superintendent Leadership Team (SSLT) is a group of students from Stanwood High and Lincoln Hill High to provide important input, advice, and perspective on how well the district is serving students at the secondary level.
For the 2023-2024 school year, the SSLT will be focusing on three topics:
- Safety: physical, social, and emotional
- Trusting Adult Relationships: building trust with staff in service of student well-being and achievement
- Inclusion: establishing no tolerance for bullying, discrimination, racism, or other harmful practices
Those interested can use this link to apply.
Sign up for emergency text alerts
Please take a moment to follow this link or scan this QR code with your phone to complete the quick form to receive emergency alerts on your phone from the school district.
You'll then receive a text next week asking you to reply "Y" to opt-in to receive all future text alerts from the district.
When to stay home?
The Stanwood-Camano School District follows the COVID-19 guidance for schools and child care from the Washington Department of Health.
We adhere to infectious disease prevention strategies as part of everyday operations, and we are prepared to implement additional disease prevention strategies if there is an outbreak of any respiratory illnesses, including flu and RSV.
The current emphasis is on students or staff staying home when sick. Please view our When to Stay Home webpage for more details about what symptoms to monitor. The webpage also includes the state Department of Health’s updated guidance on making decisions around COVID exposure and symptoms.
Friday Family Message
Find the most recent Friday Family Message from the Stanwood-Camano School District online HERE
DISTRICT NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
The Stanwood-Camano School District does not discriminate in employment, programs, or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the District's Title IX/Affirmative Action Officer and Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, Christine Del Pozo (cdelpozo@stanwood.wednet.edu), or the Section 504/American Disabilities Act Coordinator, Robert Hascall (rhascall@stanwood.wednet.edu) Stanwood-Camano School District, 26920 Pioneer Hwy, Stanwood, WA 98292. Telephone: (360) 629-1200.
Parents/Guardians have the right to request their students' teachers' professional qualifications. For this specific information, please contact Mrs. Christine Del Pozo at cdelpozo@stanwood.wednet.edu or call 360-629-1200
7400 272nd Street Northwest
Stanwood, WA 98292
Main Office: (360) 629-1300