9/15/23

Welcome back everyone. I hope the last two weeks of school have gone smoothly. As I visited schools on the first day, I witnessed staff welcoming students with smiles and making it all look so easy. However, I know this work is challenging and rarely easy. You have spent countless hours preparing for our students to ensure high-quality instruction and a positive school culture.

Thank you again for all your hard work. Your efforts make a difference for countless students and families. Have a great weekend and a great school year.

Gina is joining the PASD team this year as a paraeducator at Dry Creek Elementary. Welcome aboard Gina!

Gina and husband Zac with their two children, Westin and Millie.

What is your favorite thing about your job? Every day is brand new! You never know what's going to happen in Transitional Kindergarten! Four year olds are so curious and can be so hilarious.

Anything you'd like to share about your family? I've been married for 16 years to my husband Zac, and together we have two kids, Westin and Millie! Our home is a mad house with two cats, a senior dog, and a puppy! On the weekends you can either find us on the soccer field or at the drag strip. I'll be the one holding the dog leash with a coffee in hand!

Do you have any hobbies? My hobby is coordinating the hobbies of my family members. Mom life!

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? Impossible, but you did say "anything"... I'd travel back in time and spend the day with my Dad. We'd be on a dream trip in Italy tasting all the gelato and pasta we can!

What is your goal for this year? My goal this year is to be a part of Team TK that helps make these kiddos' first introduction to school a great one so that they are excited to come back to school year after year!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Oh my gosh. I think ten years in the future, and I just think... wow my kids will be 17 and 23!

What is a fun fact that most people don’t know about you? When I was a kid, I wanted to be just like Bob Vila when I grew up.

Anything else you'd like to share with your co-workers? I'm excited to be with PASD at Dry Creek! Everyone has been so friendly, which helps make the transition from stay-at-home mom (for 13 years!) to a working mom a great one!

Don't miss out on these opportunities for your classroom and school buildings. The applications can be found here: Check it out!

Clallam County School Retirees Association - Due December 1st

1. CTE Science Equipment Grant
2. Teacher/Classroom Mini-Grants

Port Angeles Education Foundation Grants - Due October 5th

The Monroe Playfield is nearing completion!! The synthetic turf is being installed and we hope to open the field to the public in the coming weeks. The new synthetic playfield will provide a new facility for student-athletes and the public to utilize year-round, rain or shine. Learn more about the Monroe Playfield and all of our other upcoming PASD Capital Projects here.

Help support the Friday Food Bag program by coming out to the PA Foodbank this weekend.

Enjoy soup made with food bank ingredients, enter to win raffle items from local businesses like Olympic Hiking Co, Silver Lining Cafe, Discover E-Bikes and More! Handmade bowls have been created and donated by students of ceramics classes in Quilcene, Sequim, and Peninsula College. Funds raised during the event will support our Friday Food Bag Program! More info available here.

Time: Sat, Sep 16th 2023 at 5:00 PM

Location: 632 N. Oakridge Dr.

Cost: $35 : soup + take home a handmade bowl!

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

To learn more and incorporate this month-long celebration in your classroom, visit www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/for-teachers/

If you have any lesson plans or fun happenings to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, please share them here.

A Roth option for the state’s Deferred Compensation Program (DCP - a 457 plan) will be available October 1, 2023. If you missed the educational DCP Roth webinars that were provided from August 1 – September 7, check it out here.

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!

• September 21: School Board Meeting, 6 pm, Lincoln Center
• September 30: Orange Shirt Day
• October 9th: Indigenous Peoples' Day
• October 31 - November 1: Parent-Teacher Conferences (1/2 day for students)
• November 10: Veterans Day (No School)
• November 23 & 24: Thanksgiving Holiday

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.