NMHS students from the CTE Health classes visited Belfair Elementary to deliver healthy tips in a variety of fun ways to our younger students. The health class students created posters and presentations on healthy habits related to hand washing, teeth brushing, overall hygiene (showering and wearing deodorant), good sleep, and stress management (for the older elementary classes).
Thank you Principal Chad Collins and Teacher Heather Brase for sharing these photos and materials highlighting your students in action!
Happy Indigenous Peoples' Day! In Observance at North Mason School District, there are no classes for students. NMSD Staff will have a Professional Development Day.
We are celebrating National Principals Month with an inside look at our schools' leadership. Our principals are answering the question, "What makes you proud to be a principal for NMSD?" First up we are hearing from Mr. Chad Collins.
"I am the proud principal of North Mason High School in Belfair, Washington. This is my 13th year as principal at NMHS. Both of my kids have graduated from here – proud of that. My daughter is a 1st year teacher in this district – proud of that. My son is at WSU and also wants to be a teacher, proud of that. And my wife is a second-year principal at BES, proud of that too. My family and I have lived in this community since 1996. My goal was always to be a principal in the community that I live in. It was my privilege to begin this journey in the North Mason SD in 2010. Prior to that, I worked at Maple Lane HS (WA state school for incarcerated boys, state has since shut it down), Gig Harbor HS as Dean of Students, and North Kitsap HS as Assistant principal from 2005-2010.
North Mason High School’s student body is something that I brag about to others all the time. It is the most accepting student body I have ever worked with. Our students accept all, and I love that. That is the piece that I am most thankful for. Love the community, great staff – but the kids are what makes it fun for me."
To our North Mason community,
This morning at Mary E. Theler Early Learning Center a parent pedestrian was struck by a car exiting the parking lot. Officers and paramedics responded immediately to the scene. Fortunately, the parent involved was not seriously injured, however, it could have been much worse. He was protecting his child from being hit by the car.
We have asked repeatedly for our community to follow the school zone speed limit signs and be vigilant while in and around our schools. This is a reminder of the consequences that can result unless we take extra precautions to ensure the safety of our students and families. Everyone must do their part, and a heightened awareness when in parking lots, near schools and around buses will make situations like this preventable.
Thank you to our first responders for attending to the scene so quickly, and for their ongoing support enforcing speed limits in our school zones.
Superintendent Rosenbach
Celebrating World Teachers Day. We are grateful for our teachers at North Mason!
National Principals Month is a tribute to the pivotal role principals play in leading our schools and shaping the future of our nation’s students. Join us this October as we extend our gratitude to these transformative figures. Visit principalsmonth.org to #ThankAPrincipal!
Thank you to our amazing principals, pictured left to right: Robert Kalahan, Hawkins MS, Alexia Hadfield, James A. Taylor/Homelink, Chad Collins, NMHS, Jason Swaser, Sand Hill Elementary, Jessica Collins, Belfair Elementary
SAVE THE DATE!
Bulldog Boosters are hosting the 4th Annual NMHS Soccer Footgolf Tournament & Dinner Auction Fundraiser, Sunday, October 22, 2023, from 3-8 pm at Gold Mountain Golf Course. Tickets: $50 per adult; $25 for children under 12
Thank you for supporting North Mason Girls Soccer!
District-wide bus safety drills were conducted this morning so the transportation team could review safety protocols and instruct students on proper evacuation procedures in the case of an emergency. With the help of staff and volunteers, students practiced exiting through doors on the side and rear of the buses. This valuable refresher happens three times per year.
The week ended right at Sand Hill Elementary when students gathered in the gymnasium to review the expectations of the PBIS system (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports). The students showed great examples of RESPECT, the featured Character Strong trait for September. Mr. Dimmens' class took top prize – having Crissa the baby Cougar in their classroom for the month of October. Congratulations 2nd grade! Coming up in October the students will be working on Responsibility.
National Custodians Day! Thank you to all our amazing North Mason Custodians!
International Translation Day - September 30, 2023
Language rights are human rights – everyone has the right to use their language of proficiency. For many, this is only possible with the assistance of a translator or interpreter. Leaving no one behind means speaking to everyone, especially in times of hardship and crisis, where the need to understand what is going on around you, and be understood, can be a matter of survival. Translators and interpreters make this possible. (taken from the International Federation of Translators website https://en.fit-ift.org/)
FOOTBALL GAMEDAY!
North Mason hosts #3 Bremerton at 7pm in Phil Pugh Stadium! It is Hero Night! Show up in Uniform Military & First Responders for free entrance! Halftime Highlights: Mini Cheer, Marching Band, and a Jersey Retirement.
For more info: follow NMBulldogs on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CxyB5XVMMmF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Orange Shirt Day is September 30th
North Mason School District honors the experiences of the Native American children who were victims of residential schools. We join with the Indigenous Peoples to celebrate resilience and affirm the commitment that Every Child Matters.
Celebrations were underway in the Life Skills classroom this morning when the students threw a baby shower for Mrs. Ashley. Not only did they have fun, the students also learned valuable skills in event planning. They were involved in every detail including what food would be served, the theme, decorations and the games that would be played. As part of their planning, students earned "money" and "shopped" to select the perfect baby gifts for Mrs. Ashley, who was visibly moved by the students' thoughtfulness. Great job by all our Life Skills students!
Congratulations, Mrs. Ashley!
Celebrating our MLL staff during Hispanic Latino Heritage Month!
Come support the Bulldog Marching Band & Color Guard this SATURDAY as they compete against Bainbridge and six other Northwest high schools at the Peninsula Classic Marching Band Festival. General admission is $12, with reserved seating at $15. Performances start at 11:20 A.M and continue until 6pm. This is the first competition of the season, so join us at Peninsula High School (Gig Harbor) as we root on our marching bulldogs.
Athletics around the District are ramping up, with many season openers happening in recent days. Hawkins' girls fastpitch has their season opener this afternoon at Klahowya Secondary, while boys baseball and co-ed track are both hosting events at home.
For the schedule of events for HMS: https://www.northmasonschools.org/o/hawkins/events
NMHS cross-country athletes are on the road at Sequim this evening. Girls volleyball plays at Home. Tomorrow, girls volleyball and soccer play at home. For a full schedule of NMHS sporting events: https://www.northmasonschools.org/o/nmhs/events or https://northmasonbulldogs.com/ Updates can be found on https://www.instagram.com/northmasonbulldogs/
Good luck to all of our student athletes!
Celebrating our MLL teachers and staff during Hispanic Heritage Month! First up, meet Yesenia Nunez, MLL teacher at Sand Hill Elementary, answering the question, "Why did you become a teacher?"
Thank you for sharing your story, Yesenia!
My decision to become a teacher was to help kids that were like me feel confident in their ability to become whatever they want to be. I had an ELA teacher that was always there to help in my learning needs. Mrs. Suarez is a one of the biggest reasons I became a teacher. She always told me to be proud of my culture.
I am a Mexican American, first in my family to receive a master's degree and second after my mother to receive a bachelor's degree. My mother is another reason teaching is a passion of mine. I come from a family of farm workers. My father worked hard to put my sisters and I through school and teach us what hard work was. One thing that makes me who I am is being Mexican; my culture and upbringing are why I am the way I am. It is also one of the main reasons I became a teacher.
On IT Professionals day, we would like to thank our amazing technology team. Thank you for all you do to keep things running smoothly at NMSD!
North Mason School District is committed to offering a variety of opportunities to highly capable/gifted students.
The referral window for the NMSD Highly Capable/Gifted program is now open.
Referrals will be accepted until November 24th, 2023.
Some characteristics of gifted students include:
• Ability to comprehend material several grade levels above their age peers
• Surprising emotional depth and sensitivity at a young age
• Strong sense of curiosity
• Enthusiastic about unique interests and topics
• Quirky or mature sense of humor
• Creative problem solving and imaginative expression
• Absorbs information quickly with few repetitions needed
• Self-aware, socially aware, and aware of global issues
Have questions?
Savannah Elliott, Coordinator of Highly Capable Programs, 360-277-2110, smelliott@northmasonschools.org
