Please consider this an open invitation to any of our students' family members who have served in the military to join us for our Vets Day Observation on Wednesday, 11/6, from 8:55am-9:35. Please RSVP if you would like to attend and be seated with other local vets to andreahillman@sjisd.org or call the office at 360-370-7110.
This fall, our STEM and life sciences teacher Sam Garson spent 20 days on a research vessel through the NOAA Teacher at Sea program. Garson played an active role in their bottom trawl efforts to document species off the eastern seaboard. He had the chance to zoom back with our FHHS classrooms and kept a blog, which you can find here.
In other science news, Mr. Dwyer recently applied for and received a grant to do a field project to support preservation of the Island Marble Butterflies in cooperation with the National Park Service. AP Environmental Science (APES) and Biology students will have the chance to spend the day making a big impact in terms of protecting endangered species, and will do it right here! This trip will take place on Thursday 11/7.
Ms. Varvaro has had a busy fall exposing students in her Career Prep class to the world of work and job preparedness. Students in her classes have been to or been visited by: New Hannah Farm, the Town of Friday Harbor Water Works, the local office of the US Customs & Border Patrol, the WSF and Friday Harbor Port Staff, and the UNOLS (University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System).
Meanwhile, Ms. Turnbow is now teaching Community Projects, and as she is getting her juniors ready to take on their projects, which are a graduation requirement, she has had multiple guests from local nonprofits and agencies, like SJISD Band Families and Friends, Friends of the San Juan Island Library, Wolf Hollow, San Juan Preservation Trust, KWIAHT, FOLKS, and more.
Thanks to these teachers for bringing our community to life through school.
We have several teams competing in district finals this week and next. XC is competing at Ft. Steilacoom on Wednesday 10/30, boys soccer will have a playoff game in the next week or so, and our last home football game of the year is Thursday, 10/31. Come join us! Purple & Gold are having a special tailgate (chili and mac-n-cheese) and, if we win, we will compete again with Coupeville on Monday for the league championship, which may launch the FB team into the playoffs as well.
Winter sports start 11/18. If your student is considering basketball, cheer, or wrestling, please find athletic packet information here. Students need to get their pink slips during lunches on November 12-15. No student can practice without a pink slip for this season.
All athletic schedules, rosters, and links for spirit wear can be found at www.fhwolverines.com.
September 15-October 15 Was Hispanic Heritage Month
(content adapted from The Smithsonian at latino.si.edu)
What Is Hispanic Heritage Month?"Hispanic Heritage Month is a month-long celebration of Hispanic and Latino history and culture. While we celebrate Hispanic and Latino communities beyond this month, from September 15 to October 15 we give extra recognition to the many contributions made to the history and culture of the United States, including important advocacy work, vibrant art, popular and traditional foods, and much more.
"Hispanic Heritage Month provides an additional opportunity to explore the incredible impact Latinas and Latinos have had on the United States for generations. The Latino presence in America spans centuries, predating Spain’s colonization of what is now part of the United States, and they have been an integral part of shaping our nation since the Revolutionary War. Through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the Treaty of Paris that followed the Mexican-American and Spanish-American wars, the United States gained territories in the Southwest and Puerto Rico. This incorporated the people of this area into the United States and further expanded the presence of Hispanic Americans.
"Today, the Latino population in the United States today is over 60 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This makes up 18.9% of the total population and is the largest racial or ethnic group. Latinos continue to help fuel our economy and enrich our nation as entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, entertainers, scientists, public servants, and much more."
What is the difference between Hispanic and Latino?
"Hispanic and Latino are the two most used terms to describe Americans with Latin American and Caribbean ancestry. You may often see these terms used interchangeably, but different people understand and use these terms differently. The National Museum of the American Latino uses the term “Latino” to describe the diverse residents of the United States with cultural or ancestral ties to Latin America or the Caribbean. For many, the term "Latino" also creates room for acknowledging Black, Indigenous, Asian, and other heritages on equal terms with European ancestry. The term “Hispanic” is used to signal a connection to Spain or the Spanish language."
Please find many more resources here.
October Recognizes Disability History and Awareness
In October, we take time to recognize the valued contributions made by people with disabilities to our work, school, and community. One in five people in the US has a disability. At SJISD, we are committed to creating a community that is accessible, welcoming, and inclusive.
Attendance Counts!
Please call the attendance office at 360-370-7110 or email FHHS-attendance@sjisd.org to excuse your student's absence.
Substitutes Needed!
Paraeducators, teachers, custodians, bus drivers, lunch servers, office support; we need backup from the community in all areas! Take a look at the district website for more information on becoming a substitute for the San Juan Island School District.
