2/23/24

I'm excited to share some fantastic news! At our school board meeting last night, we recognized three outstanding educators who have achieved National Board recertification:

• Krista Winn, Hamilton Elementary School
• Shanna Coleman, Port Angeles High School
• Daniel Lieberman, Stevens Middle School

Earning and renewing National Board Certification is an arduous process that demands unparalleled dedication and commitment. These educators exemplify excellence in education. We are immensely proud of our National Board Recertified Teachers and their dedication to their profession and students. Their commitment to rigor and high-quality instruction sets a powerful example.

Please join me in congratulating these exceptional educators and celebrating their achievements!

Say hi to Diane! Diane has worked as a secretary for PASD since 1980. She is a secretary at Stevens Middle School, and she will be retiring next month after working for PASD for 44 years!

CONGRATULATIONS DIANE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR FOUR DECADES OF SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY'S CHILDREN!!!

Diane and her adorable grandson Warren!

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Port Angeles, and lived here my entire life, until I moved to Sequim in 2017.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

My favorite thing about being a school secretary is the variety that each day brings. Middle School can be challenging, so there is never a dull moment!! The pace is fast and makes each day go by quickly.

Anything you’d like to share about your family?

My family means everything to me! My son, Matt, and his wife, Brittany, moved to Riverside, CA, in November, where my son is the manager at the local Les Schwab store. My daughter, Alicia, her husband, Justin, and their son, Warren, live in PA on a piece of his family’s property near the Elwha River. My grandson is a lot of fun and brings me great joy! He will turn 3 at the end of April, and is named after my dear Dad, Warren Keller. My sweet dog, Ellie, passed away in September at age 13.

Do you have any hobbies?

I like to be outside puttering in my yard, going for a walk, or taking a swim. I enjoy going to the park or beach, and I’m always up for an adventure with family or friends. I love to travel and try new things while on vacation – ziplining, river rafting, hot potting, etc. I want to learn more about my family genealogy when I retire, as my paternal grandfather was a German immigrant, with an interesting journey to this country.

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

An ideal day for me is being with my family, or close friends . . . . it doesn’t matter what we’re doing, as long as we’re together.

What is your goal for this year?

My goal for this year is to retire . . . . . I will achieve that very soon!!! My last day is March 8, 2024!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years, I hope to still be healthy and enjoying life to the fullest! That could be in Sequim, PA, or someplace new . . . . . wherever the road takes me!

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

In my younger years, I loved to play softball, ride motorcycles, and waterski on Lake Sutherland, even doing so on New Year's Day a few times (wearing a wetsuit, of course). I’ve worked for PASD for almost 44 years! I began my career at PAHS on August 15, 1980, just a year after I graduated with highest academic honors. My first year I was a secretary at PAHS, then ASB Bookkeeper for 8 years – that was my favorite position of all. I went onto Franklin for 5 years, Special Services for 15, Skills Center for 6, Accounts Payable for a year, back to PAHS for 2 more years, and lastly Stevens as registrar for 6 years.

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

I want to say thank you to everyone that I've worked with thru the years . . . . . it's been a great ride!!! A special thank you to Stevens staff for all your support and friendship - you're the best, and I'll miss you all, but now it’s time for me to say Goodbye Tension, Hello Pension! J

On February 21st, you received an online, multiple-choice survey from research.net on behalf of CEEsurveys@effectiveness.org . The survey will have the subject line: EES Staff Survey – Port Angeles SD/ “Your Building” and will include instructions and your unique survey link. We ask that you please complete and submit the survey by March 8th.

The survey questions were developed by the Center for Educational Effectiveness, a Bellevue, Washington-based educational research firm, in collaboration with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for Washington State. This survey will provide our staff and leadership valuable information and feedback.

This survey has been used with over 750,000 educational stakeholders in the Western U.S. Based on these experiences, here are some notes / details:

• Your email invitation is unique to you – please do not share or forward your email to other staff.
• This survey is formative, not evaluative. There is no “final score” that indicates “good” or “bad.” The data from the survey will be used to stimulate improvement conversations with staff and leadership.
• The context of this survey is primarily the individual school building. There are some “district” level items and these will specifically reference “In this district...”. Each building will receive their building-level reports and the district leadership team will receive district-level summary views (if multiple buildings in the district administer the survey).
• The survey is confidential and anonymous. Once the users submit their feedback, they will no longer be able to login to the survey. Emails are not attached to the responses. CEE protects the confidentiality of each respondent and does not disaggregate into groups smaller than 10.

Please contact your supervisor if you have any questions or need assistance.

Thank you for your help and participation!

The PAHS All-State Choir students had a wonderful weekend in Yakima at the WMEA conference. The culminating concerts were incredible, and the students had a wonderful musical experience alongside fellow music students from across the state.

Pictured from L to R: Molly Beeman, Laurel Williams, Sara Munoz, Katie Sperr-Crane, Izzie Temres, Taylor Smith, Mia Neff, Luke Ruddell, Sean McDaniel, Abby Cuellar, and Rhiley Pavlak. Please give them a round of applause when you see them!

We're thrilled to announce that Wildcat Café, our very own LHS student-run venture, is gearing up for its Grand Opening on Friday, March 1st!

Join us as we celebrate the culmination of months of hard work, dedication, and collaboration. From crafting the perfect cup of coffee and snack, to designing an inviting space for you to unwind, everything about Wildcat Café has been driven by the LHS staff and students' passion for real-world learning and sustainability.

Here's what you can expect at the Grand Opening:

• Open mic performances
• Try out their amazing drinks and snacks
• Meet the incredible student team behind the Wildcat Café
• Check out the beautifully student-designed interior

We can't wait to share this special moment with you and the entire community! Please mark your calendars and join us for a day filled with great vibes and even greater coffee.

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.

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 5 - 7 Spring PAHS Concerts
• March 8 - Snow Makeup Day - School in Session
• April 1-5: Spring Break - No School

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.