Principal's Message
Dear Mary M. Knight Families,
I hope this message finds you well and enjoying the summer break. As we approach the new school year, I wanted to take a moment to share some exciting updates and important information with you.
I'm thrilled to report that our summer improvement projects are in full swing, and the transformations are truly impressive. Our dedicated team has been working tirelessly to enhance our school facilities for the benefit of our students, staff, and community. Here are some of the improvements we've been focusing on:
- Upgrading the lighting in both buildings to create a brighter, more energizing learning environment
- Replacing and improving windows to enhance natural light and energy efficiency
- Giving our buildings a fresh look with new paint, including the transportation garage
- Expanding paved areas to provide more functional outdoor spaces for our students
- Adding more classroom and support spaces to accommodate our growing educational needs
- Repainting and refinishing the school gym floor to ensure a top-notch facility for physical education and school events
These improvements, along with many others, demonstrate our commitment to providing the best possible learning environment for our students. We're excited for you to see these changes when school resumes!
As we look ahead to the coming week, I want to draw your attention to an important event:
**7th through 12th Grade Registration**
- Dates: August 12th and 13th
- More details can be found in the newsletter below
We're eagerly anticipating the start of another great school year at Mary M. Knight. Your continued support and engagement are vital to our success, and we're grateful for your partnership in education.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to our office. We're here to support you and your children every step of the way.
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!
Josh Stoney
Principal, Mary M. Knight School District
Sarah Bell - New Assistant Principal
Hello OWL Families!
I am thrilled to join you as your new Assistant Principal here at MMK. Just like many of our students, I experienced those familiar first-day jitters. My initial days during the summer school session were met with the excitement of some incoming 5th grade boys. They were eager to welcome a “girl principal” and promptly invited me to play four-square. I must admit, they won two out of the three rounds! They kindly reassured me that I did just fine and extended an invitation for future games. Their warmth and the way they took the time to explain the rules and offer positive feedback confirmed for me that MMK is indeed a wonderful place to be.
A bit about me: I grew up in the Tumwater area and pursued a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Saint Martin’s University. My career began in the genetics lab at Fish and Wildlife, where I focused on salmon conservation. While my work primarily took place in the lab, I relished the opportunities to get into the field and experience the hands-on aspects of the job. Driven by a passion for the environment, I later earned a Master’s in Environmental Studies from The Evergreen State College.
After graduation, I faced the question of “now what?” on my own journey. On a bit of a whim, I moved to a small, rural town in southwest Arizona. It was a drastic change: a place with no stoplights, mostly unpaved roads, and more cows than people. My arrival in this small town eventually led me to a local school where I started my career as a middle school science teacher. Teaching was both the hardest and most rewarding experience of my life.
After three years of living in the desert, I missed the Pacific Northwest’s rain and greenery, so I moved to Oregon to work at a community college in 2019. As many of you know, the arrival of Covid threw many plans into disarray, including mine. This time gave me a chance to reflect, and I realized how much I missed being in the classroom. So, back to Arizona I went to continue teaching and begin my leadership journey with Northern Arizona University. A few more years and another degree later, I discovered my passion for educational leadership.
Outside of work, I enjoy being outdoors and attempting to learn pickleball, which I find is a great way to unwind and stay inspired. I’m also excited about our new GRIT theme and implementing a growth mindset for myself, our teachers, and students.
Now, I’m delighted to be back in my home state of Washington in this new role, eager to inspire both teachers and students to reach their personal best. I look forward to getting to know each of you and being part of our vibrant MMK community!
Warm regards,
Ms. Sarah Bell
Weekly above the line students
Positive Referrals - These are referrals that any staff member can fill out on a student who they feel are consistently demonstrating actions or behaviors related to our OWLS behavior expectations of Ownership, Willingness, Leadership, and Success. When a student received a positive referral, they are give a certificate, contacted home on what they did to earn it, and are posted in the school.
GRIT Awards - In the 2024-25 academic year, we're all about embracing 'Nurturing Resilience, Inspiring Excellence' as our guiding principle. We believe that having GRIT – Growth, Resilience, Intensity, and Tenacity – is key to creating a culture where challenges are seen as stepping stones to greatness. We want to foster a growth mindset in our students and ourselves, understanding that hard work and dedication can help us develop our abilities and intelligence. Student will be nominated weekly if they are demonstrating characteristics of GRIT. Student will receive a certificate and shared out.
Mary M. Knight
Email: jstoney@mmk.wednet.edu
Website: https://www.marymknight.com/
Location: 2987 Matlock-Brady Road, Elma, WA, USA
Phone: (360) 426-6767
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MMKOwls
