North Mason School District

💙 Recognizing Responsibility 💙 Congratulations to bus driver Fred Makowskil for being recognized by district administration as part of our ongoing staff appreciation series. Maurine Simons, Director of Transportation, shares that, "Fred is a dedicated driver who exemplifies the great responsibility inherent in his role. He maintains open lines of communication with students and their families regarding any changes or behavioral concerns, all while approaching his work with a positive attitude and a warm smile. His commitment to fostering a supportive and safe environment reflects his professionalism and dedication to the well-being of those he serves." Thank you, Fred, for all you do for our students!

Last week, three of our students who have signed up to join the marines after high school, Precious Huff, Dalton Urick, and Jackson Huffman, experienced Combat Fitness Training conducted by actual Marines, right here on the NMHS practice field. Each student had to create a team of one male and one female, and then compete in a series of challenges. The winning team was Dalton Urick, Emmalie Bybee and Charles Broughton. What a great (and exhausting) experience for our students and future marines (seen in red shirts)! * Photos by Aaron Marecki

💙 Recognizing Responsibility 💙 Congratulations to Melinda Miller for being recognized by building admin for her commitment to North Mason high school students. Steve Hackett, assistant principal of NMHS, shared, "Melinda does a great job working with her case loads. She holds additional check-ins if her students need it. She has been a great addition to NM and truly cares for the whole child."

🎭 24 Hour Theater Project 🎭 This Saturday, November 16th @ 6:30 pm, NMHS theater students write, act, and build sets for an entirely original production created in one day. Always a fun evening! Only $5 at the door.

The theme for National School Psychology Week is, Spark Discovery,” recognizing the work that school psychologists do to help their communities seek out new ideas, effect change, and expand horizons for children and youth. One of our school psychologists, Chasity Johnson, shares what sparks her to do this important work. “I am driven by a passion for helping others, embracing teamwork, and honoring every person’s unique worth. I believe that joy is found in the little moments, and each day is a chance to make a positive impact.” Thank you to all of our school psychologists, Chasity Johnson, Maria Gent, Annie Kuznik, and Anthony Wilborn, for supporting our students through your commitment to this important work. Not pictured - Anthony Wilborn

NMHS students visited UW Tacoma today learn more about admission requirements and experience the campus first-hand. The 23 students were given an inside look at college life through the lens of three UW students who led the tour. UW Tacoma is a part of the Washington Guaranteed Admission Program. To learn more, visit https://councilofpresidents.org/_admissions/guaranteed-admissions-program-gap/ Thank you, Deb Swaser, for sharing this information!

💙 Recognizing Responsibility 💙 Congratulations, Dan Inch, on being recognized by building administration for your contribution to the district. You make a difference to all of us, but especially to our students!

🎵 Congratulations to the marching band for finishing AA 2nd place in both the parade AND field show competitions at the 59th Auburn Veterans Day Parade earlier today. The band also won AA Best Music for their "Heart of the Gladiator" show. Congratulations to Band Director, Chris Drewry and all his band students for this amazing outcome. To watch the parade portion, please click on this link from KOMO4 news: https://youtu.be/jrzLCNnQMlE?t=3690 Thank you SO much to proud Bulldog parents, Trina and Joel Galbraith, for sending us the news and pictures so we could share this great result with our community. #GoBulldogs

A huge thank you to Staff Sergeant Travis Griffith and the US Army National Guard for donating a dozen brand new camo coveralls for Gavin Forseth's woodshop/core plus maritime students. Travis Griffith is highly involved in our school with volunteering when asked and spending every other Thursday in our lunch room with the students. Thank you, Staff Sergeant Griffith, for making a difference to our students through volunteering, and, to all of us, through your service. (Thank you, Autumn Perry, for highlighting this to share with our community.)

💙Recognizing Responsibility💙 As part of our ongoing series of nominations by building administrators, Rene Winn is being recognized for RESPONSIBILITY. Congratulations, Rene, and a big thank you for your tremendous commitment to North Mason students!

“We would like to enthusiastically nominate Irina Bailey for Staff Member of the Month! Irina truly goes above and beyond. Despite the whirlwind of changes that come with new administration, she has embraced every new task with grace, humor, and unwavering diligence. Not only is she incredibly hardworking but Irina also brings a joyful and positive attitude to everything she does. Whether she’s handling new challenges or simply sending out one of her famously fantastic emails, she does it all with a smile and a sense of humor that brightens everyone’s day. Her commitment and energy are nothing short of inspiring, and we couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of this recognition.” Jessica Collins, Principal, Sand Hill Elementary

NMHS students had the chance to tour the campus of Pacific Lutheran University on Thursday. Students heard about the admissions requirements and process, programs of study and student life as a Lute. PLU is a Guaranteed Admission University for our students. Learn more here: https://www.plu.edu/admission-first-year/apply/aap-info/

🎃The Fall Festival at Belfair Elementary was the place to be last night! Our North Mason community brought next-level Halloween spirit, showing up for the highly-anticipated event decked out in super creative costumes. Families and friends enjoyed food, fun, and games against a backdrop of the most amazing Halloween decor. Thank you, Belfair Elementary PTA for putting on this jam-packed night of fun for our community. Thank you to all the teachers and volunteers who made it possible. And, a big thank you to the businesses who sponsored the event: Shumaker Chiropractic, Gutter Boss, Scott McLendon's Hardware, Valley Feed, Watts Family Insurance, Watson Fitness, Rick Biehl Law, The Shumaker Real Estate Group.

Try-A-Trade Day North Mason students from boat building, wood working, and other CTE courses joined in exploring career and apprenticeship opportunities from numerous trades at the "Try-A-Trade Day" yesterday. The interactive fair, sponsored, by Core Plus Maritime, gave students an incredible experience to meet with knowledgeable industry professionals in their field of interest. Thank you, Autumn Perry and Deb Swaser for sharing these field trip photos! (If you have questions about CTE pathways available to our students, please visit our counselors at tonight's "Beyond Bulldog Night." See poster attached for details.)

Beyond Bulldog Night! Please join the NMHS Counseling team TODAY for informative sessions on graduation pathways and post-secondary planning! Details on the sessions, with time and location, can be found on the attached poster. Still have questions? Email Deb Swaser, dswaser@northmasonschools.org, or Autumn Perry, aperry@northmasonschools.org

📅 Please note the following schedule for this week: Elementary Schools - October 21st-25th - 1/2 day schedule. Early dismissal 12:50 PM each day. Secondary Schools - October 24th/25th - 1/2 day schedule. Early dismissal - 11:25 AM both days.

📅 Please note the following schedule for next week: Elementary Schools - October 21st-25th - 1/2 day schedule. Early dismissal 12:50 PM each day. Secondary Schools - October 24th/25th - 1/2 day schedule. Early dismissal - 11:25 AM both days.

🎺🥁 Good luck to the NMHS Marching Band and Color Guard as they travel to Kelso, WA tomorrow for the Northwest Youth Music Games Competition. They will compete against eight different bands from across SW Washington and Oregon. Performances begin Saturday, October 19th at 11 am and tickets can be purchased at the gate. For the full program, with performance times, visit https://contestdynamics.com/printschedule.php?EventID=154 Thank you, Chris Drewry, for sharing this information. Good luck to all!

💙 Recognizing Respect 💙 Naree Crabb, Office Coordinator for JTHS, has been nominated by administration for always demonstrating respect. Principal Alexia Hadfield shares, "Naree always treats every individual with respect no matter the circumstances. She is a positive presence in our building." Congratulations, Naree, on this recognition, and thank you for all you do for staff and students!

The Community Bond Advisory Committee rounded out the site visit portion of their work last week by visiting the bus garage, James A. Taylor, North Mason High School, Hawkins Middle School and Phil Pugh Stadium. Principals Chad Collins, Alexia Hadfield, Robert Kalahan, assistant principal Kevin Pattison and Director of Transportation, Maurine Simons, led the informative tours and answered the committee's questions. Members of district leadership and the school board were also part of the tours and conversation. This special committee was formed to assess the needs of our district and provide recommendations to the board. Their focus is on the bond proposition, which will address the current state of our facilities and necessary improvements required to ensure the students of North Mason receive every opportunity. Next CBAC meeting is scheduled for November 13th. For those interested in being part of one of two advisory committees underway, please visit the district website for more information: Bond - https://www.northmasonschools.org/page/cbac Tonight at 6 pm, the Replacement Levy Advisory Committee will meet via zoom. Please contact Jackie Young, jyoung@northmasonschools.org, for the link. The committee is still looking for members and is actively discussing district needs, so join now to have your voice heard. Visit Replacement Levy - https://www.northmasonschools.org/page/rlac for more information and past meeting notes.