The excitement and festivities of the start of school year, Cabbage Patch, Unified ESPN Day, and Homecoming... its been quite a first 5 weeks of school. All of these powerful moments have been major investments in our culture, relationships, and school climate, and will be a month none of us will forget! Its also time to slow things down a bit and allow us all to breath and focus. One way to focus.. . is simply being here! 267 students had perfect attendance thus far, that's almost a 1/3 of the school, well done. Keep making the choice to get here, and on time, every day!

Coming soon, FAFSA Night (so important for all senior families to attend), Fall Conferences (Parent/Student/Teacher), and the Fall Music production. Please see below for information about all these events.

The National Banner Unified ESPN Assembly on October 2nd was an amazing day in Fife History, so we are dedicating some of this edition of Fife High News to share some of the highlights (scroll down). We will be sure to let everyone know when Fife High will be featured on ESPN's platform.

Finally, many people got to see and "feel" Fife High's energy for the first time (a sampling of some of those people's responses are below), but I wanted everyone to see what our presenter Ray Roberts had to say:

“As I told some of you yesterday, this was my first banner presentation and let me tell you! The look and feel and flow of the entire day was absolutely amazing and on point. From the students that guided me to parking, to the greeters who were dancing at the entrance then stopped when I approached then started again when I started dancing with them, to the young lady (Emma) that walked me to the press room and gave me a walk-through of the event space, to the creativity and execution of the press conference and ultimately to the energy and buy-in of the entire student body, staff and parents ...awesome! Like I said in my talk, this did not happen by accident. This banner presentation communicated fully how and why Fife HS is a top 5 banner school. Well done!"

-Former Seahawk and our Presenter, Ray Roberts

Great turnout at the game, and one of the most attended homecoming dances we've ever had. Lots of school pride on display, we welcomed home close to two hundred alumni Friday night! Congrats to Dom Hernandez and Ana Trinidad were named homecoming King and Queen!

Note: only home athletic events listed

10/14- Monday - PLC Late Start Schedule A

• Tennis vs Riverridge @3:30

10/15- Tuesday- Schedule B

• Flex

• FAFSA/WASFA Night FHS Library @6:00pm

• NHS to UW Seattle field trip

• G Soccer JV vs FP @5pm

• G Soccer V vs Foss @7pm

10/16- Wednesday- Schedule B

• Flex

• Picture retakes during flex & lunches

• Fall Music Performance in PAC @7pm

10/17- Thursday-Schedule B

• Flex

• Great Shake Out Earthquake Drill

• Swim vs Steilacoom @3pm

• Tennis vs FP @3:30pm

• Volleyball vs Foss @5:45pm & 7:15pm

10/18- Friday-Schedule B

• Flex

• Football vs White River @7pm

10/19- Saturday

• PSAT test 8am - noon

• Unified Special Olympics Day of Inclusion in Seattle

10/21- Monday-Late Start Schedule A

• G Soccer JV vs Sequim @5pm

10/22- Tuesday-Schedule B

• Family

• Debt Slapped @FSD Noon-2:30pm (Some students involved with this)

10/23- Wednesday-Schedule B

• Flex

• AVID Site Team meeting 2:30pm

• Fall Conferences 6-8pm

• G Soccer vs Clover Park @5 & 7 pm

10/24- Thursday-Schedule B

• Flex

• Swim vs Foss @3pm

10/25- Friday-Schedule B

• Flex

Please make note, Graduation for the class of 2020 has a date change. This was a decision made by our venue, the Showare Center in Kent. So mark your calendars, 7PM Friday June 12th, 2020!

To give our readers a snap shot of the day, here is a sampling of quotes from different people about Fife! Scroll down to see Video's and links to different videos.

“This was one of the greatest events I’ve ever been a part of. You should be very proud of the school, the amount of community and kindness on display blew my mind.”

-PJ Carlesimo, ESPN (former Sonics Head Coach)

“What a way to kick off the new cycle of banner presentations – with a major celebration at Fife High School! The vision of the Unified students hugging and cheering as their banner was hung up for all to see is something I’ll never forget. That, and the sound of the whole Fife community with ESPN thunder sticks!”

- Leigh Bannon Special Olympics North America

“Yesterday was probably the highlight of my time working with SOWA so far! There were a couple of times my eyes got watery and I just sat in awe. I know we are changing lives and making an impact through UCS, but yesterday I truly felt that. It was evident that FHS breathes and lives unified, not just because we were there, but it’s because they truly believe that this is how life and school should be. This school is a prime example of what happens when we give youth voice, listen and follow their lead! Thank you to Brandon, Brian, and the FHS Admin Team and Staff for all your work! Also, special thanks to SONA and ESPN for bringing this type of recognition to our schools- this was huge for Fife HS, the community, and SOWA.

-Morgan Larche Director, Unified Schools Washington

“I am so proud of Fife HS for being recognized as one of only 5 schools in the NATION recognized by ESPN and Special Olympics Unified Sports for being a national leader in inclusionary practices. Washington State is so grateful for your leadership!

-Chris Reykdal State Superintendent

Fife High School is 1 of only 5 schools in the nation recognized for creating a culture of inclusion for students with disabilities. They’re leading more in their younger years than some adults do in their older years, and I was glad to celebrate with them today.

-Jay Inslee, Governor, State of Washington

“I continue to be impressed by the students and staff at Fife High School. It is alive. It feels like family.”

- Chris Egan, King 5

“Today’s celebration was absolute affirmation of the work we are pursuing in all of our schools across the district. Relationships matter. Kindness matters. Inclusion matters. The national Unified Champion Schools banner is symbolic of Fife Public Schools and something we all celebrate! Thank you goes to all FHS students for their commitment to making FHS a nationally recognized school!”

-Kevin Alfano, Superintendent

“Fife is electric, a special special place. It was such an honor to be here today! “

-Nate Silverman, Seattle Storm executive

“I’ve been walking the halls for a few days now at Fife as part of the film crew. What the world saw today, is what I’ve been seeing everywhere I go on campus. I’ve seen love, acceptance, and kindness. This school is unlike any I’ve been in.”

-Jilayne Lovejoy, Clickon Video Productions

“I have been a high School Administrator now for 17 years...I’ve worked in 6 different high schools, in 4 different districts, in two different states. I've seen some incredible events, and am fortunate to have a long list of highlights that I've been a part of... especially in my time here at Fife. That said, yesterday was the single greatest day of my professional life. Thank you Special Olympics and ESPN for believing in us, for empowering our students, and for validating the hard work of our students and staff. Thank you all for your mission, you are changing lives... you have changed mine! It is hard to go from good to great, and you have fanned the flame that is lit in us and encouraged us to continue to improve Fife High School for every student who calls it home.”

-Brandon Bakke, Fife Principal

Here are some different video's that might interest you...

Fife High School is a community built on the shoulders of Alumni, staff, coaches, and community leaders. Each year we induct members of our community into the Fife High School Hall of Fame, which is proudly displayed in the front office lobby. Here is are 2019 Inductees: Linda Dorris, Donna Murray, Sheri Cail, Arnaldo Arostegui, and Travis Olde!

by Brandon Bakke

As most have heard, in the coming days Special Olympics and ESPN, along with a host of special guests and dignitaries, will be converging on Fife High School to celebrate us being recognized as a Top 5 National Banner Unified Champion School. We, essentially, are being recognized for being an inclusive school. I believe wholeheartedly that we are a great choice for this award. In my opinion, FHS can indeed be characterized as an inclusive school. It makes me so proud of our staff and students to see daily expressions of kindness, acceptance, respect, and empathy. The Fife community truly should be proud.

Make no mistake about it, however, we are not perfect. It's humbling to be recognized for inclusiveness because we know that some students are still struggling to feel included. In fact, as soon as this award was announced, I received a few emails saying just that. This was not a surprise to me, and I was glad some students reached out. Making friends can be hard, and it truly saddens me when I see people struggle to connect.

I’ve been stressing to our students these past weeks that we are not being recognized for being perfect, but as Special Olympics puts it, “for being on the right track.” What a great way of putting it! We HAVE to be on that mission to try and reach every student-- to never be satisfied. Simply put, we have to earn this “Top 5” award every day by our never-ceasing pursuit of inclusiveness. When we do that, we will continue to “earn it” every day. We will be able to look at the banner hanging on the wall and know it’s not something we did once.

The challenge being offered to our staff and students is don’t underestimate the impact you can have. I am a firm believer in the amazing law of influence; you might have heard me talk about it before: One life touches another, potentially both lives are changed. One life touches another, potentially the whole world can change. It starts with one hand shake, one time moving to a different table at lunch to sit with someone who is alone, one time going out of your way to start up a conversation, one time making yourself vulnerable… that one time can change a life.

Get ‘em Fife. Let’s earn this!

Want to catch up on some past Principal's Messages from Mr. Bakke? Follow this Link...

Unfortunately Fife HS has a limited amount of parking passes available for students. They go on sale during Trojan Days, and once they sell out we can no longer offer parking. This is not a unique problem to Fife, but one that is frustrating for sure. This year we will be able to create some additional spots in February. In an effort to provide students with equal opportunity to get a parking spots, we will be implementing a raffle drawing for anyone who submits their request for a spot. Eligible students must have a drivers licence or have obtained a drivers licence before May. We will begin taking names of interested students in January with the drawing to be held soon after... so be listening for updates on this as the new year approaches.

Be sure to be checking our social media platforms Monday to hear Zoie talk about Fife high school and the unified culture we are working hard to create. You can hear her on the Character Strong podcast available on Monday!

Finally our online Webstore is available! You can make purchases and pay fees/fines for your student at your convenience. Click the link below to access the Webstore.

https://wa-fife.intouchreceipting.com/

Click here to learn more about how you can get involved with the Fife High School Booster Club!

Our Mission: To be a school that prepares all students for life beyond high school by developing their mind, body, and character

Email: tgieck@fifeschools.com
Website: https://fhs.fifeschools.com/
Location: 5616 20th St E, Fife, WA, USA
Phone: 253-891-5500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fifehigh/
Twitter: @fifeHSTrojans