North Mason School District

📊 Numbers Don't Lie 📊 From August 2023 to February 2024, our students have eaten 26,594 more meals than in the same timespan last year. This 12% increase represents breakfast and lunch meals, with all students able to eat for free in the district. 🍕🌮 Though pizza and nachos still top the list as favorites, the monthly menus at each building offer students a variety of choices that exceed the state nutritional requirements, often including items made from scratch. Mackenna Long, Child Nutrition Director, is proud of this, adding, "It's easier to control sodium levels if you make things from scratch, is usually tastier, and can be significantly less expensive." On top of the main menu items provided to students, between $1,800-2,000 a week is spent on fresh produce that is thoughtfully selected to incorporate a variety of choices. 🥝🍇🍎🍊🍉 Over at Hawkins MS, students form a line, waiting to customize their nachos, or pick up their corndogs or salads. They are greeted with big smiles on the opposite side of the counter, which they return without hesitation, obviously happy to be seeing the person who feeds them breakfast and lunch, every day. It is a small glimpse into "food being the love language of lunch ladies" that Mackenna spoke about last week. Mentioning this observation to her, she adds, nodding," ..and our buckets are FULL!" ❤️ Thank you to Bobbie, Cindy, and Lawanna at Hawkins Middle School, for taking good care of the students and providing them with the nutrition they need to thrive! Next week we round out Food Nutrition Month with a visit to NMHS.

⭐ Evolution of Excellence ⭐ Students from Hawkins Middle School and NMHS represented North Mason at the Technology Student Association state competition this past weekend. The students have been hard at work preparing for this huge competition since last October! Hawkins students participated in the VEX IQ Robotics competition and NMHS students took part in the Fashion Design competition. Congratulations to: middle school students: Alan Strange, Trevor Strange, Esteban Ponce Rodirguez, Fred Gaither, Aurora Martinez, Blake McDevitt, Gideon Partyka, Henry Griffin and high school students: Yadira Solis, Elizabeth Ordway and Ariyah Kluski. The Technology Student Association (TSA) is the only student organization in Washington devoted exclusively to the needs of students interested in STEM and technology. Members learn through exciting competitive events, leadership opportunities and much more. ⭐ Thank you to Mrs. Landers and Principal Kalahan for sharing this information!⭐

🥇🥈🥉The Reading Olympics concluded this week at Sand Hill when students were celebrated for their extraordinary achievement in logging a tremendous amount of reading minutes. Watching the young children waiting expectantly, one of the paraeducators, himself a former Cougar, shared, "This was always the most exciting event for me as a kid!" He walked off, the light of his smile bookending the moment and reflecting the excitement on the students' faces around the gymnasium. Teachers took great pride in announcing individual and classroom achievements. After receiving their certificates and bronze, silver or gold medals, students also received generous praise from Principal Swaser and Assistant Principal Lampano. Members of the Free Masons of Hood Canal Lodge #288 were on hand to award two bikes for each group, K-2 and 3-5. Speaking with one of the members and thanking them for the donation, his response was enthusiastic, "We've been doing this for YEARS!" The smiles on all of their faces said they'd be doing it for many more. The excitement of reading. 📚❤️

The Way You Look Tonight... The NM Timberland Library came alive last night after hours, when the Jazz Band students performed a selection of classics to a huge audience of ALL ages. Speaking to one of the musicians today, he raved about the turnout from the community and how great it was to perform at the library. What a memory...for all of us! Thank you to North Mason Timberland Library for hosting, and to everyone who showed up to enjoy the show and support our students. Belfair...YOU LOOK MAH-VELOUS!❤️ #nmhsband #gobulldogs #belfair #communitysupport #bestcommunityever

🍎🥝🥦National Nutrition Month🥕🥣🥪 Have you heard the term, "food insecurity?" Research shows an association between food insecurity and delayed development, risk of chronic illness and behavior problems in children. Students in our district receive free meals and snacks because of the Community Eligibility Provision grant. Knowing everyone is getting the nutrition they need while they are in school means so much to our food services team. As Mackenna Long, Director of Child Nutrition, explains, "Food is a lunch lady's love language...and that's how we show our love for the kids." Thank you to the team from Sand Hill Elementary, Shelby, Michelle, and Traci (not shown), for making sure our students have healthy meals...served with a smile, and a side of love. ❤️

Have you seen the awesome new logo for James A. Taylor High School? Get your school gear at the online shop until March 21st! https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/RPJJCHNQgn

🖌️ Youth Art Month - Art Show Winners Advance to State Level🎨 We recently announced our two high school student artists being featured in the 2024 Olympic ESD 114 Regional High School Art Show. Congratulations to both of these amazing artists who were named winners in the art show! Congratulations Emerson Lyons and Elizabeth Schacherl and good luck at the state level! Follow this link to view the entire OESD114 High School Art Show Gallery: https://padlet.com/OlympicESD114/2024-olympic-esd-114-regional-high-school-art-show-gallery-d4fv7se2m3khfmxv

🍎🥝🥦National Nutrition Month🥕🥣🥪 Did you know that all students eat free at NMSD? Our Food Services team prepares breakfasts, lunches and snacks, delivering meals that exceed the recommended nutritional standards. Have a look at the delicious soup and sandwich combo the students at Belfair Elementary were enjoying the other day. Recipe card included...to feed 725! 😀 Thank you to the team for all you do to keep our students healthy!

Today is Maintenance Workers Appreciation Day! Thank you to our Maintenance Team for all you do. You are the unsung heroes of the district. We appreciate you!

👩💪👩‍🎓 March is Women's History Month and the theme for 2024 is "Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion." The theme recognizes "women throughout the country who understand that, for a positive future, we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our lives and institutions." WOW! Here at NMSD we have so many women doing this, and look forward to highlighting them throughout the month. Stay tuned! To learn more about this year's theme, visit https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/2024-whm-theme/

🖌️ March is Youth Art Month! 🎨 This annual observance emphasizes the value of art, and art education, for all children and encourages support for quality school art programs. During the month we will be featuring student art work, the students who create them, as well as the art teachers that guide them. This inside look at our students' art education will be a chance to celebrate their creativity. First up, we are proud to share that two of our students were featured in the 2024 Olympic ESD 114 Regional High School Art Show. Emerson Lyons is featured for a graphite creation named, "A Shut-in-World," and Elizabeth Schacherts is featured for her oil painting, "Candle Fairy." Results of the show will be announced March 4th. Congratulations to both of these students for inclusion in this regional showcase. Follow this link to view the entire OESD114 High School Art Show Gallery: https://padlet.com/OlympicESD114/2024-olympic-esd-114-regional-high-school-art-show-gallery-d4fv7se2m3khfmxv

🚌 Love the Bus Month ends today But appreciation will continue to stay As we've heard all the reasons They drive through the seasons "The students," is what they all say 💛 Thank you to the entire transportation team (not all were featured in this segment)! We appreciate all you do for our students: your reliability, your focus on safety, and your commitment to forming strong bonds that grow, year after year. We "L❤️VE THE BUS!"

☃️Snow Day Make Up March 15th / Recuperación por el día de nieve 15 de marzo See you at school! ¡Nos vemos en la escuela! ❄️since we had a snow day on February 15th, students must attend school on March 15th ❄️dado que tuvimos un día de nieve el 15 de febrero, necesitamos que los estudiantes asistan a la escuela el 15 de marzo.

❤️📘💚📕💙📒❤️ Kindergarten students at Sand Hill Elementary gave a warm welcome to members of the district administration team, who joined Principal Swaser as guest readers for the kindergarten classes yesterday. Students were animated, enjoying the fun selections of books the guests brought to share. It was heartwarming to see the kindness the students exhibited to the guests, a couple of students even taking the time to compliment Superintendent Rosenbach's shoes and blouse! But the best part was seeing the pure JOY they exuded being read to and how they were completely engaged in the stories. In the hallway there is a sign that says, "Reading is Food for the Brain." Watching students embark on a lifelong love of reading was definitely "food for the soul."

❤️🚌 Love the Bus Month is wrapping up but we are still celebrating by showcasing the faces behind our amazing Transportation Department. Today we feature Ted Sabanal, Kayla Swanstrom, and John Crawford. Thank you for the roles you play in keeping our students safe!

📢 SAVE THE DATE! 📢 North Mason Drama Club is putting on an evening of one-act plays, "The Still Alarm" and "Sorry, Wrong Number" March 7, 8 and 9 at 7:00 pm in the auditorium. This is the Drama Club's main fundraiser for the year and everyone is invited! Hilary Gennaro is proud of the hard work her students have put in, preparing for these performances. "These winter plays are unique because they are tied to our advanced acting class. We do not get to do them every year. These plays are excellent as the students hone their acting skills and work all trimester on the production, similar to our spring musical." Shout-out to student, Emerson Lyons, who hand drew and painted the captivating poster. Cost: $8 - Adults, $5 - ASB & kids under 12

❤️ These are the faces...that hold the smiles...that give our students a welcome to the day or an encouraging word to carry on for the next. These are the people your student starts...and ends...their day with. These are the faces...of people that care about your student. YOUR student is THEIR inspiration, day after day. Think about that. Thank you, NMSD Transportation Team! ❤️ ********************************** ❤️ Estos son los rostros... que mantienen las sonrisas... que dan a nuestros estudiantes una bienvenida al comenzar el día o una palabra de aliento para continuar el día siguiente. Estas son las personas con las que su estudiante comienza... y termina... su día. Estos son los rostros... de personas que se preocupan por su estudiante. SU estudiante es SU inspiración, día tras día. Piénsalo ¡Gracias, Equipo de Transporte de NMSD! ❤️

Congratulations to Sadie Evans for becoming a Washington State Champion, winning the wrestling title at the Mat Classic XXXV. What an accomplishment! Well done, Sadie!

February is L❤️VE the Bus Month and we are taking this opportunity to feature our Transportation Team and learn more about the people who hold the important job of transporting your student safely to and from school. It is more than just a job to them...the students become like family. Enjoy these first few features and watch for more to come through the remainder of February. Thank you, NMSD Transportation, for all you do!

❤️Friend-Ship❤️ Sand Hill Elementary was a sea of hearts on Valentine's Day, students and teachers dressed in red and pink. It was a fitting backdrop for Taproot Theatre Company who came to perform 'The Friend Ship,' an educational, age-appropriate, play addressing issues surrounding bullying. The engaging performers introduced students to the 3 R's: Recognize, Report, and Refuse, along with the importance of being an 'Upstander' vs. a 'Bystander.' Afterwards, the actors posed questions to the students, which they answered based on lessons learned from the scenarios in the play. Students were captivated from beginning to end, and left with the message, "Bullying is something you do, not who you ARE. You can always make a different choice." Thank you, Taproot Theatre Company, for visiting Sand Hill Elementary and presenting these powerful messages in such an entertaining way!