9/29/23

Fall has fallen. The leaves are changing, but our dedication to providing high-quality education to our students has not changed.

October is a busy time, full of celebrations and hard work. Indigenous People’s Day, National Principals Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, School Bus Safety Week, fall concerts, recognition assemblies, fall athletics, and PAHS Homecoming—the list goes on and on.

While there is always so much occurring within our schools, I am proud of our staff for balancing these celebrations with consistent daily routines and structure for our students. Our students rely on us to provide a safe and inclusive school community. Thank you for ensuring that every PASD student feels seen, welcomed, and celebrated every day they come to school.

Say hello to Madelene, the new principal of Roosevelt Elementary.

Madelene with her husband Charles and their alpacas Ben Kenobi and Kuiil.

Where are you from?

East Texas, little town called Kaufman.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

Helping staff and students.

Anything you'd like to share about your family?

My husband and I don’t have any kids, but we do have 4 alpacas, 2 dogs, 2 cats and 4 chickens.

Do you have any hobbies?

Reading, hiking and cross stitch…I dabble in gardening.

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

Backpack in Iceland.

What is your goal for this year?

Read more indigenous authors, especially poetry.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Living in Port Angeles, with a garden, wearing an alpaca sweater I’ve made myself.

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

I was a nanny in Japan before I became a teacher.

October marks the celebrations of a special group of leaders in our community – our school principals. These dedicated individuals play a pivotal role in shaping our students’ futures and the trajectory of our education system.

Let’s come together to celebrate the extraordinary individuals at the helm of our schools and the difference they make every day in transforming our communities. Click this link to send a Thankyou Note to a PASD principal you appreciate.

Retirement questions? We have answers!!! Click on the image below to register for one of these upcoming DRS webinars.

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 #

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! The Port Angeles School District embraces inclusion and recognizes the incredible contributions of individuals with disabilities to our team. 🤝

Please join us in promoting accessible and inclusive workplaces for all. Together, we can celebrate abilities and make a more diverse and equitable workforce!

PASD is currently facing a shortage of school instruments due to increased interest levels and student needs.

Contact our orchestra directors if you or someone you know has an instrument (violin, viola, or cello) they can donate to the Port Angeles School District:

aroskamp@portangelesschools.org

ttyson@portangelesschools.org

ckoenig@portangelesschools.org

nrodahl@portangelesschools.org

Please spread the word. We appreciate your help!

PASD will participate in the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill on Thursday, October 19th. Click the image below for resources to help you prepare.

With the hard work of WSU Clallam County Extension SNAP-Ed staff (a local Farm to School Consultant) and PASD, we have been awarded a $109,000 Healthy Meals Incentives grant to make lasting, student-led change to school nutrition between September 2023 and September 2025.

The Healthy Meals Incentives Grant is made possible through a partnership between the United States Department of Agriculture Food, Nutrition Service, and Action for Healthy Kids. The grant aims to help rural and high-need school districts change school meals to better align with the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

We want students, teachers, and parents to LOVE our school meals. Please complete this short survey so we can make sure school meals are healthy and delicious.

Peninsula College urgently needs Homestay Hosts for international students. Click the image below to learn more.

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
• 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.