This quarter, Mr. Max’s art students have been immersed in the rich traditions of Indigenous mask carvers, studying the techniques and stories behind their incredible artistry. In a special project that ties learning to local culture, students have been working on panels of Western Red Cedar generously donated by one of our beloved community members.
As we look ahead to the next quarter, we’re excited to invite talented community carvers to join us as volunteers! If you or someone you know has experience with wood carving and would love to inspire the next generation of artists, please reach out—we’d love to have you be part of this creative journey!
We are grateful for the ongoing support of our arts program, made possible by funding from the local levy. Our new levies include funding to expand the arts and build a new art room. Learn more here: https://www.hoodcanal.wednet.edu/page/2025-levies 🪵✨
#ArtsEducation #CommunitySupport #LevyFunded #StudentCreativity
🐟🌊 Our 3rd and 7th graders came together today for a hands-on science experience focused on the incredible life cycle of salmon! 🥚➡️🐟 In the classroom, students observed salmon eggs in our tank, eagerly awaiting their hatching. As they worked together, they shared observations, asked thoughtful questions, and deepened their understanding of this remarkable journey.
In a few weeks, once the salmon develop into fry, students will release them into the wild—a meaningful way to support the environment and connect learning to our local ecosystem. 🌲💧
Check out these photos of collaboration and curiosity in action! 📸 #LearningTogether #SalmonLifeCycle #OrcasInAction #HoodCanalPride
Join us at Potlatch Brewing on Fri. Jan. 17 at 5:30PM for an evening of great conversations and community connection! This is your opportunity to meet the Hood Canal School Board and Superintendent Dr. Lance Gibbon, get your questions answered, and learn about the two important levies on the February 11 ballot.
📝 What You’ll Learn:
- EP&O Levy Renewal: A continuation of the expiring levy that supports essential school programs, staff, and services.
- Capital Levy Proposal: A focused, cost-effective plan to address critical safety upgrades, facility improvements, and technology enhancements. This levy offers a shorter and more affordable option compared to previous bond proposals.
You can also learn more about the levies here: https://www.hoodcanal.wednet.edu/page/2025-levies
Your participation matters! Whether you’re new to levy discussions or have questions about the upcoming ballot measures, we’re here to provide the information you need.
Come enjoy a casual evening at Potlatch Brewing and learn how these levies impact the future of Hood Canal School. Let’s navigate success together!
National math trainer Rob Nickerson has been working with our K-2 teachers to support the use of our updated Stepping Stones curriculum by ORIGO Education. During his recent visit, he observed our classrooms and was impressed by the high-quality math instruction happening at Hood Canal using the new materials!
Check out these snapshots from our kindergarten classrooms, where students were hard at work on addition, story problems, writing equations, and using manipulatives to deepen their understanding. Their focus and engagement were truly inspiring!
We’re proud of our amazing students and teachers who are making math meaningful and fun every day! 🌟
#HoodCanalOrcas #SteppingStonesMath #LearningInAction #OrcasNavigateSuccess
🏆 Champions! 🏀 Congratulations to the Hood Canal Boys Basketball Team for taking FIRST PLACE at the 4th Annual Evergreen Classic Tournament on Friday! 🥇 These athletes gave it their all, playing with heart, teamwork, and determination, and they never lost a single game!
A special shoutout to Tommy for earning Tournament MVP honors for his outstanding performance and leadership on the court! 🌟 And big applause to Tiger for receiving the Sportsmanship Award for his incredible character and respect both on and off the court! 👏
Check out these awesome photos of our champions in action—from big plays to proud moments during and after receiving their awards!
Thanks to our community for local levy dollars that fund all of our athletics, activities and clubs!
#OrcaPride #GoOrcas #EvergreenClassicChampions #MVP #Sportsmanship #SmallSchoolBigImpact
Check out this uplifting Letter to Editor in the Shelton-Mason County Journal written by Hood Canal School Board Chair Edie Reclusado. It appears under the heading, “Recognition.” We have lots to celebrate and to be thankful for at Hood Canal School!
https://www.masoncounty.com/story/2024/12/19/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/4820.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1-qbPILWS4n4urcRFW4yWK2UB6o5EWgHzUsrAjNpGY_F_DNsessCmhvjQ_aem_64vOsZ-0ye_I8GVkXgWArg
🎶✨ Hood Canal School Holiday Magic! ✨🎭 What a wonderful day at the HCS Sing-a-Long and Drama Club performance of “Bob the Reindeer”! Our talented students and staff brought joy and holiday cheer to everyone with their incredible singing and acting.
A huge thank you to our students, staff, and families for making the event so special. Wishing you all a season filled with warmth and happiness! 🌟🎄
#SchoolPride #HolidayJoy #schoolmusic
🎄✨ Holiday Door Decorating Contest at HCS! ✨🎄 A big shoutout to all our students and staff for the amazing creativity in this annual event! Every hallway sparkled with holiday spirit.
Congratulations to our winners:
⭐ Ms. Andi (Specialist)
⭐ Mr. Brian (K-2 Hall)
⭐ Ms. Johnson (PK/3-4 Hall)
⭐ Ms. Cindy (5-6 Hall)
⭐ Mr. Syrette (7-8 Hall)
Thank you for spreading so much joy this season! 🌟 #HCSHolidaySpirit #CreativeCommunity #TeamHCS
❄️ Here are just a few photos from our incredible Holiday Family Luncheon led by our amazing child nutrition team under the leadership of Kitchen Manager Becky Purvis. You can find more than 100 more photos online at:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15JqqqPgtD/?mibextid=wwXIfr
And
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CXUyT5ddg/?mibextid=wwXIfr
In addition to delicious meals made from scratch for our students, they served over 160 family members - all free for the children and their families.
What a wonderful way to kick off the holidays!! 🎄
#HoodCanalSchool #holidayseason #holidayluncheon #CommunitySupport
Students in Mary Williams’s 5th-period class have been busy spreading holiday cheer by wrapping gifts as a thoughtful service for our families and community. Their kindness and generosity truly shine this season—thank you for your big hearts and dedication to making a difference! #CommunityMatters #HeartOfTheSeason
☕❄️ Warm Wishes from Hood Canal School and the FTO! ❄️☕
This chilly morning before break, our amazing FTO (Family Teacher Organization) and students came together to spread holiday cheer by handing out hot chocolate to families during morning drop off.
From all of us at Hood Canal School and the FTO, we wish you a joyful holiday season filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments. Stay warm and have a wonderful break! 🎄✨
#HoodCanalSchool #HolidayCheer #FTO #CommunityMatters #WarmWishes
The weather outside is frightful! Here are the latest road closures as of 12:08PM on Dec. 18:
- Skokomish Valley Road is closed until further notice due to flooding.
- West Bourgault Road is closed until further notice due to flooding.
- Purdy Cutoff Road is Closed until further notice due to multiple down trees.
- Arcadia Road at the 4000 block is closed until further notice due to down trees and power lines.
- Belfair Tahuya Road at MP 11.4 is closed until further notice.
- State Route 3 from Vic King Road to Craig Road is closed until further notice due to down power lines.
- State Route 106 is closed at milepost 1.31 near Skokomish River Road is closed in both directions until further notice due to water over roadway.
- State Route 106 is closed at milepost 13.15 near E Twanoh Tides Drive until further notice due to trees down.
Please drive safe! If you have any further questions, please feel free to call Public Works at (360) 427-9670 ext. 450
Our Transitional Kindergarten (TK) students got creative and festive while decorating their gingerbread houses today! From colorful candies to icing details, their imaginations shined bright. Take a look at these proud decorators showing off their sweet masterpieces – their smiles say it all!
#TKMagic #GingerbreadFun #HoodCanalOrcas #SweetSuccess
Holiday Fun in Kindergarten PE!
Here are some action shots from our holiday-themed stations today! 🎉
• ❄️ Snowball Fight with the Grinch – A flurry of fun and teamwork!
• 🏠 Gingerbread House Building (or snowman crafting) – Imagination and movement combined!
• 🌳 Gumdrop Rainforest Relay – Navigating through challenges with energy to spare!
• 🧝♂️ Elf Fitness Stations – Staying active with some holiday cheer!
It was a festive, fun-filled day of movement and laughter! Great job, kinders!
Congratulations to our amazing Orcabots Robotics advisors, Gina Grubb and Jen Bly, for receiving the prestigious Volunteer Award from the Hood Canal Education Foundation! 🎉 Their dedication and hard work have been instrumental in inspiring our students through robotics.
As part of the award, the foundation presented a special gift to each advisor and generously donated $1,000 to the Orcabots Robotics Club! This funding will help expand our program, including the potential launch of a robotics team for younger grades this spring. Thank you, Gina and Jen, for making such a meaningful impact, and to the Hood Canal Education Foundation for your incredible support! #robotics
#orcabots #firstrobotics
Mrs. Jackson’s 4th-grade class has been busy spreading winter cheer with their incredible crafting skills! Using multiple paper bags, they created these impressive snowflakes to help decorate our commons for the season. Each one is as unique and beautiful as the students who made them!
Be sure to stop by and check out their amazing work—they will have truly transformed our school into a winter wonderland. Great job, 4th graders! 🌟
#WinterCrafts #CreativeKids #HoodCanalSchool
Beautiful morning on Bus 204 today! We are so blessed to live in such a wonderful place! #canallife #hoodcanal #sunrise
🎨🎭🚍 It’s been all hands on deck in the art room this week! Our students have been hard at work creating props for our upcoming play and crafting decorations for the school bus in the Christmas parade. Middle schoolers, 5th graders, and 3rd graders teamed up under the creative direction of Mr. Max to bring these projects to life. The teamwork, creativity, and energy have been amazing—can’t wait to see it all come together! Stay tuned for the big reveals! 🎨🎄✨
🎨❄️ Our Transitional Kindergarten (TK) students are getting into the holiday and winter spirit! They practiced their cutting and shape identification skills while making these adorable penguins. Great job, TK! 🐧✨ #WinterFun #TKCreativity #HoodCanalSchool
Today, we were thrilled to receive 436 fleece beanies lovingly made by the talented members of the local Hood Canal Kiwanis sewing club, the Thread Slingers! These beanies will keep our Hood Canal students warm this winter and are a beautiful reminder of the power of community care. Thank you, Kiwanis!
A heartfelt thank you also to the Shelton Senior Activity Center for donating enough fleece to sew 40 beanies, a generous Thread Slingers member who donated the remaining fleece to complete the project, and Saint Germain’s for providing the space for the club’s weekly sewing sessions.
Thank you all for making a difference for our students! 💙
#HoodCanalCommunity #ThankYou #WarmHeartsWarmHeads
