3/8/24

Thank you to all classified staff! Every day, classified school employees are building connections and inspiring lives at our schools and in our community. From the time students board a school bus to the time they head home at the end of the day, every aspect of their educational experience is impacted by a classified school employee.

Classified school employees in the Port Angeles School District are involved in nearly every aspect of education, including maintaining school buildings, grounds, providing secretarial/clerical assistance, preparing/serving meals, providing safe transportation, keeping school facilities clean, assisting in the classroom, providing a secure environment, and many other specialized services. Thank you for your dedication and support for the staff, students, and families of the Port Angeles School District. Happy Classified School Employees Week!

Where are you from?

My husband, my three kids and I are all from Port Angeles, Washington.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

I have always enjoyed working with challenging people whether that be behaviors, disabilities, or abilities. I like that every day with special education is always a new day. It’s never the same. What works one day very well might not work the next day it forces you to get creative and think out of the box and keeps you on your toes! I love helping and I also have two nephews who are special needs and one who

Anything you'd like to share about your family?

I am 33 years old, born and raised in Port Angeles, Washington. I am married to Michael Jones, who was also born and raised here as well. His parents own and operate Lee Shore Aluminum Boats here in town. Together we have three kids ages 7,9,and 11 who all currently attend Franklin Elementary School. We have two mixed breed Chihuahuas, and two cats and love the outdoors!

Do you have any hobbies?

I love camping and spending time out at our family's lake house during the warmer months and having fun out in the water. I am an avid cyclist and yogi enthusiast. When I’m not at work, you can find me pretty much doing all things movement or outdoors with family. We have a big one we enjoy spending lots of time together. Calligraphy and creating are a pastime of mine!

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?

I would be on the boat pulling my kids around on the inner tube, exploring the outdoors with my family, or at a BUTi Yoga convention!!

What is your goal for this year?

I will be riding the Seattle to Portland bicycle ride with my two daughters and my sister-in-law this summer!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Still in Port Angeles in a house that we own with less debt and more money in savings!

What is a fun fact that most people don’t know about you?

I also am a certified yoga instructor and have completed a 200hr YTT, I am a certified BUTi yoga, instructor, and pound pro! I do not currently teach anywhere here yet since moving back from Tacoma WA. I also at one time owned over 40pet rats! 🐀

Anything else you'd like to share with your co-workers?

This is my 3rd year working as a Para for a school district! Prior to that I had worked as a Head Start Teacher for Tacoma Public Schools, a Two’s Teacher at a Childcare Center, a Certified Nursing Assistant at various Nursing homes and privately for clients as well, a Barista, Waitress, and Preschool teacher. I have always worked with young children, special needs, or elderly. I got my associate degree in early childhood education from peninsula college in 2015 with plans to open my own preschool one day. It is still a “One Day” dream!

The College Success Foundation recently began hosting an awesome event for students interested in learning more about possible career choices after high school. Pizza with the Pros is an event designed to help students explore and be exposed to all the careers they could follow once they leave Port Angeles High School.

Thank you CSF for continuing to support our students post-graduation success!

The WSU Clallam County Extension and the Port Angeles Farmers Market are partnering on this year's Farmers Market Sticker Design contest. Youth aged 4-17 in the Joyce and Port Angeles areas are encouraged to submit sticker designs that celebrate our local food system. Youth can submit designs for any of three sticker shapes. Artists of winning designs for each sticker shape will have their designs printed on stickers and will win $20 in Farmers Market tokens. Stickers will be sold during the 2024 season and proceeds will support the Port Angeles Farmers Market.

Submission deadline is March 21st, 2024. All submitted sticker designs will be displayed at the Earth Day farmers market on April 20th, 2024.

Click here to learn more.

Please see the below message from Peninsula Credit Union President: Jim Morrell

We are pleased to announce the 2024 Peninsula Education Grant (P.E.G.) program. P E G

was developed to provide charitable grants to fund programs, materials, and related financial

resources for educators to assist in delivering learning and growing opportunities for their

students. This is one way Peninsula Credit Union gives back to our communities.

The grants are available to educators in all primary or secondary classes for both public and

accredited private schools within the above-listed counties. Please share this information with

the schools in your District and, in turn, with teachers and staff.

Grants will be awarded up to $500.00 to implement new programs and continue

existing programs, materials, equipment, or supplies. Enclosed is information about

the Grant Program and how to apply.

Please read the grant application materials thoroughly and submit all requested items

postmarked by April 26, 2024. All applicants are encouraged to be individual members of

Peninsula Credit Union (with their member number), but it is NOT a requirement. Please

see our website (www.pcfcg-gIg) for more details about the Credit Union and the advantages of

becoming a member/ Grant recipient. You will be notified by June 1,2Q24, and funds will be distributed to the respective School Districts for allocation to the educator. incomplete or late applications will be disqualified.

If you have any questions about Peninsula Credit Union or the education grant program, stop by

your nearest Peninsula Credit Union branch, call 800-426-1601, or visit us online at

www.pcfcu.org.

Sincerely,

Jim Morrell

President & CEO

Peninsula Credit Union

The Port Angeles Education Foundation (PAEF) will award a total of $4,000 to Port Angeles School District educators as reimbursement for classroom items purchased using personal funds. Awards are limited to $250 per person.

A Google application will be available from February 1 through March 31, 2024. Receipts for purchased items must be included with the application. Receipts may be dated from September 1, 2023, to the date of application. http://tinyurl.com/PAEF-reimbursement2024

Reimbursements are for basic classroom materials that are depleted during the school year. Items that last more than one school year will also be considered, but permanent items are not likely to be reimbursed.

Applicants will be notified after April 17 whether or not they will receive reimbursement. Successful applicants will receive checks by the end of April.

PAEF and the Welcker family appreciate your extra efforts to ensure students have basic materials for education and fun in the classroom.

Contact AdminDirector@PA-EF.org for questions or more information.

Calling all Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, and School Psychologists! Our school district is hiring passionate professionals to make a difference in students' lives.

Do you have a fun event, classroom activity, or want to share a success story from your school building?

If so, fill out this communications request form ahead of time, and let's celebrate!

• March 27-- All-City Choir Concert
• April 1-5: Spring Break - No School
• May 5 - PAHS Spring Choir Concert
• May 21- SMS Orchestra Concert
• May 29 & 30 - PAHS Spring Concerts
• June 6 - All-City Strings
• June 7 - Seaview Graduation
• June 10 - LHS Graduation
• June 14 - PAHS Graduation & Last School Day (1/2 Day)

Port Angeles School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Port Angeles School District does not discriminate in any 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. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Title IX Coordinators, Civil Rights Compliance Coordinators: Scott Harker, 905 W. 9th Street Port Angeles, WA 98363, (360) 457-8575, sharker@portangelesschools.org, for Section 504/ADA Coordinator, Dr. Rachel Summers, 905 W. 9th Street Port Angeles, WA 98363, (360) 457-8575, rsummers@portangelesschools.org.