Sedro-Woolley School District

Congratulations to Sedro-Woolley High School math teacher, Bret Turner, who was nominated by a KAPS 660 AM/ 102.1 FM listener as their favorite local teacher who has made a profound impact in their life or their lives of their student! KAPS Morning Radio Host Mike Yeoman (aka, Mike in the Morning) paid a visit to SWHS on Thursday to announce that Mr. Turner was the WINNER! In the nomination, the listener had the following to say: Mr. Turner is just an overall great teacher and individual. He is passionate about math, encouraging and supporting his students in his classes. Many times, he stays after school to give additional help with math. He goes above and beyond to ensure that students are successful and is there for extra help if they're struggling. Mr. Turner's help isn't limited to his own math classes. He helps any students who need it. Mr. Turner doesn't just provide instruction, but encouragement and positive words to motivate his students to do well. Not only does he academically support students, but he is also caring and empathetic. Beyond the classroom, Mr. Turner is passionate about nature and the outdoors. He is involved in Skagit Trail Builders as their youth coordinator. He works to encourage high schoolers to help keep hiking areas maintained for safety and beauty.

🌟 During Public School Volunteer Appreciation Week, we're thrilled to shine a spotlight on Kathy Howell from Central Elementary School! 🌟 Kathy has been an invaluable part of Central's community for the past two years, bringing her warmth, dedication and expertise to our students and staff. Whether it's supporting kindergarteners or second graders, Kathy's reliability and capability shine through every interaction. She's not just a volunteer; she's a mentor and a friend to our students. Her years of experience and compassionate nature make her a perfect fit for our elementary school environment. Kathy has a special knack for fostering a sense of belonging and support within our classrooms, always ready to lend an ear or a helping hand. Thank you, Kathy, for all you do to make Central Elementary a better place for everyone. Your impact on student learning, engagement, and community building is truly remarkable! 🏫💖 #VolunteerAppreciationWeek #CentralElementary #SedroWoolleySchoolDistrict #CommunityHeroes

🌟 Join us in celebrating Mr. Bill Sparks during Public School Volunteer Appreciation Week! 🌟 Mr. Sparks is an invaluable member of our Central Elementary School community, dedicating his time and energy every week to support our students in countless ways. His kindness and thoughtfulness shine through, making him a cherished role model for all. From assisting with classroom routines to helping students master essential skills like letters, numbers, and art, Mr. Sparks goes above and beyond to ensure every child's success. His individualized attention and engaging presence during brain breaks uplift our students and enhance their learning experiences. But Mr. Sparks doesn't stop there! His dedication to preparing art projects doubles our creative opportunities, enriching our curriculum and sparking joy in every child's heart. Beyond the classroom, Mr. Sparks embodies the spirit of community and support. His consistent presence sends a powerful message to our students: that we care, and we're here to help each other thrive. Through his actions, he teaches valuable lessons of kindness and compassion that resonate with our students long after they leave our doors. Thank you, Mr. Sparks, for your unwavering commitment to Central Elementary School. Your impact on our students' lives is immeasurable, and we are truly grateful for everything you do! You are our hero! 🎨📚 #VolunteerAppreciationWeek #CentralElementary #CommunitySupport #KindnessMatters

SHYANNE SHANES has been named the March Soroptimist CTE Student of the month. Shyanne is a senior at Sedro-Woolley High School. She enjoys hanging out with her family and friends and exploring the Pacific Northwest. She has participated in SWHS Varsity Cheer all four years and also spends her free time volunteering at church, helping with Awannas. CTE classes here at SWHS have helped shape her future goals by helping her to be more communicative, and allowing herself to voice an opinion when working with others. Collaborating with her peers on welding projects has been very rewarding and has helped Shyanne with her social skills. After high school, Shyanne plans to obtain her real estate license, with hopes of selling many houses in the future. Congratulations Shyanne!

ALYX WAITE has been named March Student of the Month for the Rotary Club of Sedro-Woolley. Alyx is the daughter of Tracy Waite of Sedro-Woolley and Colby Waite of Clear Lake. Alyx maintains a 3.99 GPA while being actively involved in Sedro-Woolley High School. She has participated on our Varsity Volleyball team all 4 years of high school, as well as managing our Varsity Boys Wrestling team. Alyx is a member of the National Honor Society and has received many awards including an English Department Award, Physical Education Department Award, Social Students Department Award and an English Faculty Award. Alyx is also attending Skagit Valley College, full time, as a running start student. Outside of school, Alyx enjoys spending time with her friends and family, snowboarding, hunting, hiking, and enjoying the Pacific Northwest. She has previously worked at the Mount Vernon Round Table and currently works at Bielas Orthodontics. After graduation, Alyx plans on finishing her prerequisites at Skagit Valley College. After, she will start schooling to become a Labor and Delivery Nurse. Congratulations Alyx!

LANDON FRIEDRICHS has been named March Student of the Month for the Rotary Club of Sedro-Woolley. Landon is the son of Wendy and John Friedrichs of Sedro-Woolley. Landon maintains a 4.0 GPA while being actively involved in Sedro-Woolley High School. He has participated in Varsity Baseball all 4 years of high school, earning 4 letters. Landon has been on Honor Roll all 4 years, and has been a member of the National Honor Society for 3 years. Outside of school, Landon enjoys spending time with his family and friends, camping, playing guitar, listening and writing music, and being outside when the weather is nice. He currently works at Cascade Pizza. After graduation, Landon accepted an offer to play baseball for Skagit Valley College. He will earn his transfer degree while at SVC, and then later will start classes to become a Physical Education teacher. Congratulations Landon!

VICTORIA MARTINEZ has been named the March Soroptimist CTE Student of the month. Victoria is a senior at Sedro-Woolley High School. She enjoys hanging out with her family and friends, training animals, and loves to help others in any way she can. CTE classes here at SWHS have helped her realize how much more she can step into different career interests, and careers that she’s never pictured herself doing. She is a shy person, but taking our CTE class has helped her come out of that shell. After high school, Victoria would like to further her education in animal care, and eventually become a veterinarian. Congratulations Victoria!

Attention Sixth-Grade Families (and Evergreen/CMS families): Students will be back from Camp Orkila at around 2:45 p.m. Friday, April 19. Students and their gear bags will be dropped off at Evergreen Elementary School, 1007 McGarigle Rd. Students not picked up at Evergreen will ride a bus back to their home school. Remember, this needed to be pre-arranged by last Friday, so transportation from Evergreen must be provided by families if it was not pre-arranged. Gear bags may be transported on the bus from Evergreen back to your child's home school on Friday, but students will not be able to take the bags on their usual bus home. Luggage can be retrieved from the student's home school on Monday, April 22 instead. NO PARKING IN EVERGREEN'S PARKING LOT. Please note, there is not enough capacity for parking in Evergreen's parking lot. Park in the LDS Church parking lot off McGarigle or in CMS's parking lot AFTER 2:35 p.m. Please wait until CMS parents have a chance to exit the parking lot (generally AFTER 2:35 p.m.). PLEASE DO NOT ENTER CMS's parking from 2:15 to 2:35 for Camp Orkila pick-up. Please remember, the more people who arrive early (before 2:30), the worse traffic is on McGarigle. Please be patient and kind to others as they are entering and exiting the parking lots. Carpooling Camp Orkila families is highly encouraged to reduce congestion. Please DO NOT park on people's grass on Cascade Vista Drive (these neighbors extend much grace on this day, please remember to respect their property and driveways). When leaving Evergreen, please take McGarigle Road toward Fruitdale Road and not Township/State Route 9 (it may be out of the way, but trust us, the stop sign at Highway 9 is not where you want to try to exit to on Camp Orkila drop-off day). Thanks so much for your patience and understanding during this short time period of high traffic volume on Friday afternoon. Those who can avoid the area, please do!

🌟✨ During Public School Volunteer Appreciation Week, we're thrilled to spotlight Brandi Knapp, an amazing parent volunteer at Lyman Elementary School! 🏫 Brandi's tireless efforts have positively impacted our school community for the past 6 years. Brandi's role as Vice President of the Lyman Parent Group has seen her spearhead numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing the educational experience for students and fostering a sense of community among parents, teachers and staff. Her most notable contribution lies in the creation and implementation of an art docent program, a venture that has enriched student learning experiences across all grade levels. Brandi's meticulous research, coupled with her organizational prowess, ensured the program's success, from recruiting and training parent volunteers to sourcing materials and engaging art experts from the community. Brandi played a pivotal role in orchestrating the acquisition and installation of new playground equipment, transforming Lyman’s outdoor space into a vibrant hub for physical activity and social interaction. Brandi has cultivated a culture of collaboration and support within the Lyman community. By championing ideas and rolling up her sleeves to execute them, she has inspired others to join in the collective mission of nurturing young minds. As we celebrate Brandi Knapp's dedication during Volunteer Appreciation Week, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for her boundless energy, vision and compassion. Brandi, your contributions are a testament to the transformative power of volunteerism, and we are immensely grateful for the profound impact you've made on the lives of our students and the fabric of our school community. #VolunteerAppreciation #CommunitySupport #LymanWildcats

👏 Let's give a round of applause to Gerson Henriquez, a phenomenal volunteer at Samish Elementary! During National Volunteer Week, we want to shine a spotlight on his contributions! ✈️ As a former Air Force member and now a teacher at Verbal Dojo, Gerson brings a wealth of experience and dedication to Samish. From fixing things around the school to training other dads and granddads to be Watch D.O.G.S (Dads of Great Students), Gerson's impact goes beyond the classroom. He's been instrumental in fostering a sense of safety and community within our school walls. 📚 Gerson's involvement hasn't stopped at maintenance tasks. He's stepped up as a long-term substitute, created clubs for Samish students and even assisted in one-on-one teaching roles. His dedication to student learning and engagement is truly amazing. 💖 The positive energy Gerson brings to Samish is infectious. Staff and students alike are thrilled whenever he's around, showcasing the strong sense of community he helps cultivate. 🌟 Gerson embodies the values of honesty, integrity, and hard work, teaching our students the importance of giving back and making their community a better place. 🤝 During a long-term leave replacement, Gerson seamlessly filled in, ensuring no gap in services for the student he supported. His willingness to step in wherever needed is invaluable to our school's success. 🙌 Join us in thanking Gerson Henriquez for his support and commitment to making Samish Elementary a better place for all. We're incredibly grateful for everything he does! #VolunteerSpotlight #SamishStrong 💪🍎

🌟 Join us in honoring Cristina Equihua during Public School Volunteer Appreciation Week at Good Beginnings Preschool! 🌟 Cristina has been an absolute blessing to Good Beginning's toddler class morning routines, bringing warmth and positivity to students' days. Every morning, Cristina helps settle students during circle time and assists in preparing them for breakfast. Her presence has had a huge impact on student learning and engagement, with all the toddlers adoring her as a positive and friendly face in the classroom. Beyond her practical contributions, Cristina embodies the values of community and support in everything she does. Quietly directing and assisting students through morning routines, she participates wholeheartedly in songs and activities, serving as a positive role model for all. Through her interactions with our students, Cristina has demonstrated the value of helping others and making each individual feel important. Her willingness to lend a hand have addressed specific challenges and resource gaps in our classroom, providing an extra set of eyes and hands to ensure our classes start smoothly. Thank you, Cristina, for your commitment and dedication to Good Beginnings Preschool. Your impact on our students' lives is immeasurable, and we're incredibly grateful for everything you do! 👧🧒 #VolunteerAppreciationWeek #GoodBeginningsPreschool #CommunitySupport #PositiveRoleModel

🌟 Join us in celebrating Ricky Smith, a volunteer at Good Beginnings Preschool, during Public School Volunteer Appreciation Week! 🌟 Ricky's dedication and enthusiasm have made a tremendous impact on our preschool community. From engaging young students in play to lending a helping hand wherever needed, Ricky's contributions are truly invaluable. His willingness to step in and assist teachers with various tasks, whether it's setting up for parent night or becoming an extra adult in the toddler class, demonstrates his commitment. Through his playful interactions with students, Ricky fosters social interactions and communication skills, creating a positive and engaging learning environment for all. His presence not only brightens our classrooms but also strengthens our sense of community and support. The joy and excitement Ricky brings to our students are palpable. They eagerly look forward to his visits and cherish the time they spend playing and learning alongside him. Thank you, Ricky, for your endless dedication and for reminding us that every child is important. Your support and presence have made a world of difference at Good Beginnings Preschool! 🎨🧸 #VolunteerAppreciationWeek #GoodBeginningsPreschool #CommunitySupport #PlayfulLearning

Join us in celebrating Debbie French during Public School Volunteer Appreciation Week! Debbie's positivity and can-do spirit have lit up Mary Purcell Elementary School for six incredible years. One of Debbie's most notable achievements is the introduction of the Mary Purcell Book Vending Machine. This innovative addition sparked excitement among students and staff. Beyond the Book Vending Machine, Debbie's impact extends to the very heart of Mary Purcell — the library. Despite budget constraints, she has worked tirelessly to enrich the school’s library with a selection of quality literature. Her contributions to Mary Purcell's Parent Group have been instrumental in making the school community thrive. From her infectious smile to her sense of humor, Debbie brings joy to all she does. Thank you, Debbie, for your commitment to enriching the lives of Mary Purcell's students and staff. Your impact is truly immeasurable! 📚🎉 #VolunteerAppreciation #MaryPurcellElementary #Gratitude

Want to see how the Camp Orkila crew is holding up? Staff are sharing some great photos and we're posting them to the Camp Orkila web page: https://www.swsd.k12.wa.us/page/camp-orkila-information

Don't forget, all schools will start one hour late tomorrow so staff can participate in professional development! CMS: 8:40 a.m. SWHS: 8:55 a.m. SSHS: 9:00 a.m. Elementary: 10:25 a.m.

🌟 We're thrilled to shine a spotlight on Mr. Gerry Balam during Public School Volunteer Appreciation Week at Evergreen Elementary School! 🌟 Mr. Balam is not just a volunteer; he's a pillar of support for our students as our top Watch D.O.G. (Dads of Great Students). Every morning, he's there, greeting our students with a smile and a high five or fist bump as they arrive at school. His consistent presence is a source of comfort and reassurance for many of our students, who have come to rely on his warm greetings and friendly demeanor over the years. Thank you, Mr. Balam, for your unwavering dedication to our school community. Your impact is immeasurable, and we're incredibly grateful for all that you do! 🏫👨‍👧‍👦 #VolunteerAppreciationWeek #EvergreenElementary #WatchDOGS #CommunitySupport

🌟✨ We're thrilled to highlight Christina Martin during Public School Volunteer Appreciation Week! 🌟✨ Christina serves as the co-chair of the Clear Lake Parent Group and is actively involved as a Visions Parent. One of Christina's significant contributions has been in her role as the facilitator of the Clear Lake Covered Play Area Committee. Through her tireless efforts, she has applied for grants and successfully secured funding, as the group attempts to raise an impressive $150,000 for the project. This project addresses a crucial need for Clear Lake students and underscores Christina's dedication to our school's well-being. Christina's impact extends to fostering a sense of community and support within our Clear Lake classrooms. Christina's volunteerism serves as a powerful example for Clear Lake students, teaching them the values of generosity, dedication and community engagement. Through her actions, students learn the importance of giving back and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. We recognize Christina as a true champion for our school and community. Her willingness to address challenges and fill gaps in resources exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism at its finest. We extend our gratitude for her unwavering support and dedication to Clear Lake’s success. Christina's dedication and hard work make our school a vibrant and engaging place to learn. Thank you, Christina, for being a rockstar volunteer! 👏🎉 #VolunteerAppreciation #CommunitySupport #ClearLakeHeroes

🌲 Camp Orkila awaits our sixth-grade students this week! Get ready for outdoor adventures and unforgettable learning experiences. We hope you make amazing memories and strengthen your bond as a class! 🏕️ #CampOrkila #OutdoorLearning

Attention Sixth-Grade Families: Camp Orkila Drop Off Options Option 1: Students may be dropped off from 8:15–8:45 a.m. Tuesday, April 16 at the bus lane behind Cascade Middle School. Drivers should slowly enter from N. Township Street/Highway 9 and exit out the automatic gate to Highway 20/Moore Street. Please exit safely onto Highway 20 as there is a high volume of traffic during this time of day. Option 2: Busing from Clear Lake, Big Lake, Samish and Lyman To reduce the volume of traffic, we would highly encourage families from outlying schools have their students ride special Camp Orkila buses on Tuesday morning! Camp Orkila buses will be leaving schools at the following times: 8 a.m. - Big Lake 8:10 a.m. - Lyman/Samish 8:15 a.m. Clear Lake Mary Purcell, Central and Evergreen families should drop off in the CMS bus lanes. ***Please drive cautiously as there will be around 300 students in the area. Please have student ready to exit the vehicle quickly to keep the line of traffic moving safely.

Reminder sixth-grade families: Camp Orkila gear bags must be dropped off between 5 and 7:30 p.m. TONIGHT (April 15) at the Cascade Middle School parking lot.