10/20/23

I hope you all are doing well. I am thrilled to announce that the Monroe Playfield will be opening on Saturday, October 28th. We have planned a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 AM with a full day of community events. This new field will be a welcomed addition to our community, especially residents of east Port Angeles, who will now have access to an artificial turf playfield and walking paths year round.

I would like to thank the countless district staff and community members who have invested countless hours, going back to 2007, to complete this project. This project is a testament to the community-minded spirit of Port Angeles and I am proud that our district is part of that legacy.

Take care and I hope to see you all on Opening Day, October 28th.

Say hello to Sage!!!! Sage is joining the PASD team as a music teacher at Jefferson Elementary.

Sage (in yellow) with their partner Lou.

Where are you from?

I'm from Snoqualmie, Washington. I was raised there, and just moved to Port Angeles this summer.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

I love the completely random things I hear kids say in music class. Keeps life interesting!

Anything you'd like to share about your family?

I'm the second of five siblings, so family gatherings are always a lot of fun.

Do you have any hobbies?

I love crochet, swimming, and making music!

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

I would lay in a hammock by an alpine lake with a book and some chocolate.

What is your goal for this year?

To survive my first year of teaching!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I'd like to be still teaching music, but beyond that, I have no idea :)

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

I really love doing puzzles and my dream is to build myself a custom puzzle table.

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

I'm very excited to have moved to a place where I can see the sea every day.

Last week we celebrated National School Bus Safety Week. Thank you to all our bus drivers and transportation staff who work hard to keep our students safe. Thank you to our community for always stopping when you see the flashing red lights of a bus.

The centerpiece of National School Bus Safety Week is the Poster Contest. Thousands of school districts in over 40 states participate in local and state-level competitions to select artwork that depicts school bus safety-related themes and encourages and promotes school bus safety. The winning posters are used to promote safer school transportation for everyone.

Information for the 2023-24 Poster Contest is now available! Click the image below to learn how your students can participate.

In Partnership with PASD, Field Arts & Events Hall is very happy to announce that Peninsula Performs! has been fully funded for the 23-24 school year through grant support and individual donations. Heading into our second year, we are expanding our reach to include even more grade levels and program offerings. Attached is a one-pager with a full description and more information on the program.

The most important details are bulleted below:

• Arts-integrated learning opportunities are provided during the school day.
• Taught by professional teaching artists living & working on the North Olympic Peninsula.
• Includes a variety of art forms: visual art, fiber art, theater, music, and dance.
• No cost to schools, teachers, students, or families.
• Available to Grades K-6 (check individual artist profiles to find your match)
• Open to all PASD Elementary Schools (Roosevelt, Franklin, Jefferson, Hamilton, Dry Creek & Seaview)
• Runs October 2023 - May 2024
• Explore our teaching artist roster here: (New artists & programs may be added throughout the year and I will send out a notification with new opportunities as they develop.)
• Request a program by emailing Kayla Oakes, Director of Education & Artistic Engagement, at kayla@fieldhallevents.com and providing the following information:

1. Teacher Name
2. School
3. Grade Level
4. Date/Time for Program
5. Desired Teaching Artist/Program
6. Class Size
7. Room #

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!

• October 31 - November 3: Parent-Teacher Conferences (1/2 day for students)
• November 10: Veterans Day Observed (No School)
• November 22: 1/2 day for students - NO LATE START. Regular work day for staff.
• November 23 & 24: Thanksgiving Holiday
• December 18 - January 2: Winter Break

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.