📈🍌🎉 Celebrating Growth in 6th Grade Math! 🎉🍌📈 Yesterday, Ms. Padgett held a Term 2 STAR Math Diagnostic Rewards Party, and her 6th graders had a “sweet” time celebrating their hard work! 🍨✨ Every student who increased their STAR Math score earned an invite to enjoy banana splits—a well-deserved treat for their dedication and progress!
We love seeing our students challenge themselves and grow as learners. Keep up the great work, Orcas! 🐋💙
🚀🤖 Exciting News! Hood Canal Robotics Club is Launching! 🤖🚀
We’re kicking off our Lego Spike Prime Robotics Junior Team on Tuesday, February 11, in the Library! 🎉 This club is open to twelve 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students who are ready to build, create, and compete using Lego Spike Prime robots! 🏗️⚙️
Students will work in teams to design, program, and test their robots, engage in friendly skirmishes, and explore the world of STEM and engineering in a fun and hands-on way.
📄 Permission slips are available now! Find them in:
📌 4th-5th-6th grade backpacks on Thursday
📌 Our front office
📌 Our Library
📌 Our school foyer (entry)
Spots are limited—so grab a permission slip and sign up soon! We can't wait to see our future engineers in action! 🚀
✨ Did you know? All of our clubs, including Robotics, are supported by our local levy! Your support makes these amazing opportunities possible for our students. 💙
🏀 Tournament Schedule Update! 🏀 Orcas fans, the wait is over! Here’s the official game schedule for this weekend’s state qualifier tournament. Let’s pack the stands and cheer on our Hood Canal boys basketball team as they battle for a spot in the WA Middle School Championships! 🐋💙
🏆 Orcas' Tournament Schedule
📅 Saturday, February 1, 2025:
9:00 AM – 🏀 Orcas vs. TSD Yelm (NW Sports Hub - Court 06);
11:00 AM – 🏀 Orcas vs. Olympia White (NW Sports Hub - Court 11);
📅 Sunday, February 2, 2025:
4:00 PM – 🏀 Orcas vs. Seahawks (NW Sports Hub - Court 09);
6:00 PM – 🏆 Finals (TBD);
📍 Location: NW Sports Hub, Centralia, WA
💵 Gate Entry Fee: $5 per person (Kids 5 and under are free)
🚗 Perks: Free parking, on-site restaurant, and concessions!
Top 2 teams in each division move on to the WA Middle School Championships in Spokane this March—let’s get loud and help our Orcas take the next step!
Check out our transitional kindergarten students bringing the energy for Spirit Week with their awesome Pom Poms! 🎉 Their school spirit is shining bright, and we couldn’t be prouder of our youngest Orcas showing off their love for learning and community. Let’s keep the Spirit Week excitement going! #OrcaPride #SpiritWeek #HoodCanalStrong
🌲❄️ Our BOOTS outdoor education program recently took a trip to the Cispus Learning Center, nestled in the beautiful Gifford Pinchot National Forest- U.S. Forest Service. ❄️🌲 Despite the chilly weather, our students had an unforgettable experience! From environmental learning to leadership challenges, they explored, discovered, and grew together in this unique outdoor classroom.
By the end of the trip, they were tired but full of new knowledge, memories, and accomplishments. Thank you, Cispus, for providing such an amazing space for hands-on learning and growth!
🏀 Mark Your Calendars, Orcas Fans! 🏀 Our Hood Canal boys basketball team is making a run for the state tournament and competing in a state qualifier tournament this weekend!
📍 Location: NW Sports Hub, Centralia, WA
📅 Dates: Saturday & Sunday, February 1-2, 2025
💵 Gate Entry Fee: $5 per person (Kids 5 and under are free)
🚗 Perks: Free parking, on-site restaurant, and concessions!
Let’s fill the stands with Orca pride as we cheer on our team! 🐋💙 The tournament schedule will be posted soon, so stay tuned for game times.
Top 2 teams in each division will advance to the WA Middle School Championships in Spokane this March—let’s help our Orcas take the next step!
#GoOrcas #OrcaPride #HoodCanalStrong
🎉 We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our Co-Ed Pep Squad to bring even more school spirit to Hood Canal School! This is a great opportunity for students to show their Orca pride, cheer on their classmates, and make lasting memories.
🗓 Sign-ups are open now!
📍 See Ms. Cathy this week to join the squad!
Let’s come together and make this the best year yet. Go Orcas! 🐟 #OrcaPride #HoodCanalSpirit #PepSquad
It's Spirit Week! Show your school spirit with these FUN dress up days!
Monday – Pajama Day! Wear your coziest pajamas to school.
Tuesday – Favorite Team Day! Wear gear from your favorite sports team; Grades 6-8: Holiday Dress-Up
Wednesday – Camouflage Day! Blend in with some camo gear.
Thursday – Wacky Hair Day! Get creative with your hairstyle; Grades 6-8: 90’s Day
Friday – Favorite T-Shirt Day! Wear a t-shirt that represents something you love.
🌟 Science in action! 🌿 Mrs. Gouley’s 5th graders dove into the fascinating world of food webs, exploring how energy flows between organisms in nature. From producers to consumers to decomposers, these budding scientists are connecting the dots of our ecosystem. 🌎 Great job, 5th grade! #HoodCanalOrcas #ScienceRocks #FoodWebFun
🎨🌲 Hood Canal students in grades 3-8 submitted over 100 designs to this year’s Mason County Forest Festival Button Design Contest! 🖌️✨
The students spent the past few weeks in art class creating designs inspired by the theme: “Rooted in Wood. Strength in Water.” Along the way, they learned about native trees of the Skokomish watershed and the beautiful waterways within our county.
Huge thanks to Mr. Max for guiding their creative journey and to our community for supporting the arts through our levy! Your contributions make opportunities like this possible for our students.
The designs are now with the Forest Festival Committee for judging, and we’ll find out the results in the coming weeks.
Amazing work, Orcas! 🐋 Fingers crossed 🤞 that one of our talented students will take home the prize! Here are just a few of the amazing entries.
Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of students? Hood Canal School District is hiring Paraeducators to join our supportive and dedicated team!
As a paraeducator, you’ll play a vital role in helping students succeed, working closely with teachers and staff to create a positive and inclusive learning environment.
What We Offer:
✅ Competitive wages
✅ A welcoming, family-like school community
✅ Opportunities to grow and make a meaningful impact
✅ The chance to work with an amazing group of students
What We're Looking For:
✨ Caring and enthusiastic individuals
✨ A desire to support student learning and development
✨ Team players who love working in a collaborative setting
No prior experience? No problem! We provide training and support to help you succeed in this rewarding role.
📅 Apply today and be part of a school that values your contribution and celebrates student success!
👉 Visit https://jobs.redroverk12.com/org/2513 for more details and to apply.
Join us tonight (Tue, Jan. 21) at 5PM for presentation on our two important school levies on the Feb. 11 ballot. The presentation will held at the beginning of the Hood Canal Lions Club meeting, but is open to the public. We hope to see you there!
⚠️ Safety Notice: Black Ice on Roads ⚠️
Our bus drivers have reported slick spots on the roads this morning due to black ice. To ensure everyone’s safety, buses are taking it slow, which may result in slight delays.
We encourage all drivers to take extra care, allow for more travel time, and drive cautiously. Your safety and the safety of our students is our top priority.
Thank you for your understanding and for helping keep our community safe!
After being selected as “Best in the State” by WSPRA, Hood Canal’s website was recently highlighted by Apptegy as one of the top 10 school websites in America for 2024: https://www.apptegy.com/guides/best-school-website-designs-in-2024
“Hood Canal takes showcasing their students and staff seriously, and is always ready to tell the stories of what’s happening in their district…from outdoor education initiatives, clubs and activities all while engaging with their community and beyond. Their school website design is a testament to their community and a visible showcase of their district’s unique story.”
We do love sharing the stories of the amazing things happening at Hood Canal. Thank you, Apptegy for his recognition!
Middle school students in Ms. Akiyama’s terrific science classes are diving into exciting experiments that spark curiosity and build critical thinking skills. These hands-on experiences are a big part of why Hood Canal students excel in science, with some of the highest test scores in the region—above the state average!
Both of the upcoming levies will provide opportunities for all students, at all learning levels, ensuring every learner can thrive in science and beyond. With community support, we can open even more doors to exploration, innovation, and success for our students.
Learn more about how the levies will benefit our students: https://www.hoodcanal.wednet.edu/page/2025-levies
#HoodCanalStrong #ScienceForAll #LearningInAction #ThrivingTogether
Students in our BYRDS outdoor education program had an incredible day trip exploring Bayshore Preserve and Jarrell Cove State Park! 🐦🌲
They had the chance to:
🔍 Observe native plant restoration, spot multiple bird species, and watch squirrels and harbor seals in their natural habitats.
🔥 Hone their fire-building and wilderness cooking skills—perfect for budding outdoor enthusiasts!
It was a day full of hands-on learning, connecting with nature, and building valuable outdoor skills. Thank you for supporting the levy that made this adventure possible! 🌟
📸 Take a look at these highlights from the day!
#HoodCanalBYRDS #OutdoorLearning #ExploreNature
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
