⭐ Congratulations to our superintendent Dr. Lance Gibbon, on being named WASBO’s 2025 Leader of Distinction! This statewide honor recognizes superintendents who create positive, collaborative environments that empower school finance and operations teams. Dr. Gibbon’s servant leadership has strengthened trust, innovation, and teamwork across the district—ensuring every voice is valued and every effort centers on student success. Dr. Gibbon credits this award to the dedicated Hood Canal staff and school board who share his vision and commitment to serving students.
🎃 Halloween Costume Fun at HCS! 👻
Our students showed amazing creativity with their Halloween costumes and spirit week participation this year! From spooky to silly, every outfit brought smiles throughout the halls. Thank you to everyone who joined in the fun and helped make Halloween such a memorable celebration! 💜🧡🖤
More pics here on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BTA3dxD81/?mibextid=wwXIfr
And even more pics here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16jcR2ziib/?mibextid=wwXIfr
#HoodCanalSchool #OrcaPride #HalloweenSpirit #CreativityInAction
🎃🕸️ Spooky & Delicious Fun in Ms. Cindy’s Class! 👻🍪
Our students had a blast getting creative this week! Ms. Cindy’s class whipped up some frightfully fun Halloween treats — equal parts spooky and delicious! 🧙♀️🩸🕷️
Great job showing your Halloween spirit (and sweet tooth!)! 💀🍬🧡
#HoodCanalSchool #HalloweenSpirit #SpookyTreats #CreativeKids
🌟 Acts of Kindness in 6th Grade! 🌟 We’re so proud of our 6th graders for showing kindness and integrity in everyday ways. A big shoutout to Izzy Womac, Alexus Semmens, and Chris Balcom for their thoughtful leadership!
These three students consistently volunteer to hold doors for their classmates as they head to and from break—no one asked them to, they just saw a need and stepped up. Their small acts of kindness make a big difference and show what it means to “Be Respectful” and “Be Accountable.” 💙🐋
Way to go, Orcas! Keep spreading that kindness!
🎃 Our Kinder Pumpkins Are the Cutest! 🎃
Our kindergarteners got hands-on with pumpkins this week—cutting, gluing, painting, and creating the most adorable fall masterpieces! 🍂✨
Their smiles say it all… these little Orcas are having a “gourd” time learning and creating together. 🧡
🎃 Middle school creativity in full swing!
Our artists had a blast carving and decorating pumpkins in Mr. Max’s art class today. From spooky to silly, the designs were incredible—and the teamwork was even better.
Huge thanks to Mr. Max for sparking the creativity!
Good morning, Hood Canal! #fallvibes
🎉 Congratulations to Hood Canal alum Cedar Wily! 🎉 Cedar was crowned Shelton High School’s Homecoming Queen last week! 👑
We’re so proud of you, Cedar—once an Orca, always an Orca! 💙🐋❤️
📸 Photo by Shawna Whelan Photography - Thank you, Shawna!
We’re so proud of Jeanie and lucky to have her at Hood Canal. She truly is the best!
🎃 STEM Pumpkin Towers! 🧱🍬
Our first graders had a sweet time today building pumpkin candy towers! Students worked together to design and build the tallest tower they could—without it toppling over! 🙌
It was a fun challenge in creativity, collaboration, and engineering—and the results were as impressive as they were delicious! 😄
Some of them also started paining actual pumpkins. We can’t wait to see the results! 🎃
#HoodCanalSchool #STEM #HandsOnLearning #PumpkinFun #OrcaPride
🎃 Spirit Week & Halloween Costume Guidelines! 🎃
Get ready for a fun week leading up to Halloween! Here’s what’s happening each day:
🛌 Monday: Pajama Day – Wear your comfy pajamas to school!
🏈 Tuesday: Sports/Jersey Day – Show off your favorite team or sports shirt!
🎨 Wednesday: Elementary – Favorite Cartoon Character | Middle School – Favorite “Brainrot” Character
🌈 Thursday: Grade Level Colors
Pre: Red
K: Orange
1st: Yellow
2nd: Green
3rd: Blue
4th: Purple
5th: Pink
6th–8th: Black & White
👻 Friday: Halloween Costumes!
As Halloween approaches, we want everyone to have a fun and safe day at school. October 31 is a regular school day, and costumes are optional — but if your student chooses to dress up, please follow these guidelines:
✅ Regular school shoes only (no heels)
🚫 No blood, gore, or weapons (toy swords, guns, daggers, etc.)
🎭 No masks or inflatables — faces must be visible (makeup is fine)
🚻 Costumes should allow students to use the restroom independently
🎒 Must follow the district dress code
🦸 Capes are okay but should not be so long they cause tripping
Thank you for helping make Spirit Week and Halloween safe and enjoyable for everyone at Hood Canal!
🧦🥫 Help Local Families in Need!
Our Builder’s Club is hosting the Good Eats & Warm Feet Drive this week!
Please bring canned food and new socks to support community members in need.
Every donation makes a difference — thank you for showing your Orca kindness! 💙🐋
#GoOrcas #GoodEatsWarmFeet #HoodCanalSchool #foodbank
🎃 Pumpkin Week in First Grade! 🌱 This week, Hood Canal’s first graders explored the life cycle of a pumpkin from seed to sprout!
Students began by learning about the pumpkins their teacher grew in her garden through a slideshow and each took home their own mini pumpkin. 🎃 They also dissected a pumpkin to explore its inside parts, collected seeds to plant at home, created pumpkin art crafts, and enjoyed a pumpkin spice cupcake! 🧁🍂
They wrapped up with a Pumpkin Stem Candy Challenge and a Pumpkin Math Fact Family activity using real seeds. It was a fun, hands-on week of learning and fall discovery! 🌻✨
#PumpkinLifeCycle #HoodCanalSchool #HandsOnLearning #FirstGradeFun #FallLear
6th Grade Science + Math + Farm to School 🍎🔬📏Our 6th graders put their math and science skills to work in the kitchen today—measuring, mixing, and learning as they made fresh homemade applesauce! A great example of hands-on learning through our Farm to School program and delicious results too!
#FarmToSchool #HoodCanalOrcas #HandsOnLearning #STEM #MiddleSchoolScience #HealthyEating
🎁 Holiday Support for Hood Canal Families 🎄
Thanks to the generous donations from our amazing local businesses, churches, and community members, we’re able to help Hood Canal School families with meals and gifts this holiday season. ❤️
If your family could use a little extra support this year, please complete the form below to let us know what you need:
👉 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1umtP5K1H2Ve37Dc3L13z6E2KI-xoJgzBRxpL9wgo4yU/viewform?edit_requested=true
🌟 We’re Hiring: Special Education Teacher 🌟
Join our amazing team at Hood Canal School District, a small K–8 school nestled between the forest and the shore in the beautiful Skokomish Valley!
We’re looking for a compassionate and dedicated Special Education Teacher who wants to make a big impact in a small school community.
✅ Competitive Salary: $63,221 – $119,407 per year
✅ Additional days and opportunities for professional growth
✅ Beautiful rural location with supportive staff and families
✅ Close-knit environment where relationships and student success come first
If you’re ready to make a difference and enjoy working in a supportive, student-centered setting, apply today!
👉 Apply here: https://jobs.redroverk12.com/org/2513/opening/141684
🍎 It’s Apple Crunch Time! 🍎 Today, Hood Canal students joined schools across the state for the Great Washington Apple Crunch! At the count of three, everyone took a big, juicy bite into local apples—celebrating National Farm to School Month and the bounty of Washington’s incredible apples, including favorites like Cosmic Crisp®.
Students loved the fresh, delicious taste and learning about where their food comes from. A big thank-you to our local farmers and food service team for making this healthy, crunchy celebration possible! 🍏👏
Sign up online for teacher conferences being held Tues-Thurs, Oct. 21-23. Evening conferences are available on Thurs, Oct. 23. Choose your times here: https://www.myconferencetime.com/hcs/
As a reminder, students will be released at noon next Tuesday through Friday.
Questions? Call our office at 360-877-5463.
As a reminder, students will be released at noon next Tuesday through Friday.
Questions? Call our office at 360-877-5463.
Good news! 💧 Our water pump system has been successfully repaired. The parts damaged by the power surge have been replaced, and everything is back up and running.
School will resume on our normal schedule starting Friday, October 17.
We truly appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during the disruption — thank you for your support!
School will resume on our normal schedule starting Friday, October 17.
We truly appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during the disruption — thank you for your support!
School is canceled today, Oct. 16. Our water pump was damaged as a result of a power outage. Repair crews cannot be here in time to make the repair for the start of school. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. We will provide an update later today. Thank you for your understanding.
