North Mason School District

📱📵TONIGHT! Community Conversation: Cell Phone Policies Cell phones in the classroom is a big topic in our state and has resulted in many changes to policies in surrounding districts. Join Superintendent Rosenbach, building administrators, staff, and school board members, to learn more about what's happening around the state, and to participate in an interactive discussion about cell phone use in our district. When: 6:00 pm, March 19, 2025 Where: Hawkins MS Commons

🎭 4th Annual Talent Show -- Vote for your Favorite Act! 🎭 Friday, March 21st @ 6:00 pm NMHS Auditorium Admission: $5 *all funds support the NMHS theater program

💙 Recognizing Honesty & Integrity 💙 As part of the Building Administrator Awards series, Assistant Principal Steve Hackett would like to highlight NMHS' college and career counselor, Deb Swaser. He captures the incredible impact she makes every day, sharing that, “Deb Swaser is an incredible high school career counselor who goes above and beyond to prepare students for life after NM. She works tirelessly to ensure they have the skills, confidence, and opportunities to succeed. Her ability to build strong, trusting relationships with students makes a lasting impact on their futures. The dedication and heart she puts into her work every day truly set her apart.” Congratulations, Deb, on this recognition. We so appreciate you and your commitment to our students!

SAVE THE DATE! Hawkins Middle School is hosting an International Festival on Wednesday, March 26th from 5:30 pm-7:00 pm. Come experience the variety of cultures that make up our school community, through dance, costumes, music, and food! Also featured will be presentations of 7th grade WA state history projects. Please join us for an evening to remember...ALL ARE WELCOME!

💙 Recognizing Honesty & Integrity 💙 Today we highlight Leah Knapp who was nominated as part of the 'Building Administrator Awards' series for displaying the traits of honesty and integrity in her role as teacher at Belfair Elementary. Assistant Principal Christie Dalby made the nomination, sharing that, "Leah is a pillar of integrity. She always strives to do the best for her students and other staff members and delivers difficult messages to parents with care and compassion." Congratulations on this recognition, Leah!

🔴 SAVE THE DATE! This week is the Cell Phone Policy discussion that had originally been scheduled for February but was re-scheduled due to inclement weather. We hope you can join us Wednesday, March 19th at 6:00 pm in the Hawkins Middle School Commons.

Hawkins Middle School wrestling @ West Sound Middle School Wrestling Championship. Thank you, Coach Harmon for sharing these results: Hawkins had eight wrestlers compete at the end of the year tournament with five of them making their way into the finals. The team placed 3rd just 2.5 points behind 2nd place! 🥇Emanuel Salvador! Hawkins Middle School champion at 170lbs 🤼‍♂️At 78lbs Aaron Jimenez bringing home 2nd place 🤼‍♀️At 85lbs Loralye Talbot bringing home 3rd place 🤼‍♂️At 106lbs Milo Dela-Cruz bringing 2nd place Also at 106lbs Basilio López with 6th place 🤼‍♂️At 138lbs Robert Blackwell-Vandling bringing home 2nd place 🤼‍♂️At 145lbs Gino Calafiore bringing home 3rd place 🤼‍♂️At 155lbs Nolan Shumaker bringing home 2nd place 🤼‍♂️At 195lbs Richard Jennings bringing home 4th place Coach Harmon was extremely appreciative of his coaching staff and so proud of the team, sharing, "Thank you to my assistant coaches and volunteer coaches! I'm beyond ecstatic with how the team performed this year and am looking forward to doing it all over next year! Aiming to bring home a trophy!! Go Huskies!"

Reminder that Monday, March 17th, is a regular school day due to inclement weather closures earlier this winter.

🎂 Mr. Shounder's culinary students had a special guest the other day. Our very own Mackenna Long, Child Nutrition Director, stepped back into her 'Cake Boss' apron to give a class on decorating techniques. Back in the day, Mackenna was so famous for her cake creations that she was featured on television shows and hired to make cakes for many local celebrities. Students learned tips for the basics of a good crumb coat, the difference between modeling chocolate and fondant, and how to incorporate "mistakes" into your end design. Thank you, Mackenna, for sharing this glimpse into your cake world!

💙 Recognizing Honesty & Integrity 💙 Congratulations to Ashley Lyon, on being recognized for the traits of honesty and integrity as part of the Building Administration Awards. Principal Alexia Hadfield shared the following about our James A. Taylor school counselor, "Ashley is always acting with integrity. Her honesty is apparent as she communicates clearly and outlines expectations for students and parents.” Thank you for all you do to support JAT students, Ashley. Congratulations on this recognition!

North Mason High School rolled out the "blue" carpet last week, welcoming incoming freshmen at the Future Bulldog Night. School and Career Counselors presented information on high school requirements, understanding the importance of high school in developing healthy and successful adults, and the 8th grade registration timeline. The evening ended with a school tour led by Principal Collins and Assistant Principal Hackett, where they had the opportunity to highlight what it means to be a Bulldog. Thank you, Mrs. Swaser, for sharing details and photos from this successful event!

💙 Recognizing Honesty & Integrity 💙 Honesty and integrity are the two traits being celebrated this month through a series of nominations by building administrators. Assistant Principal Kevin Pattison has nominated Megan Beisley, counselor for Hawkins Middle School, recognizing her as, "...a cornerstone of our counseling department. She is always willing to talk with students and staff regarding tough issues, and isn’t afraid to tell it like it is...in a nice way. She holds herself to the highest standards of Honesty and Integrity." Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, Megan!

💙 Recognizing Honesty & Integrity 💙 It's time to celebrate the nominees in our Building Administrator Awards series! First up, for the traits of 'Honesty & Integrity,' is Nicole Ellis, discipline and finance secretary for NMHS. Principal Chad Collins submitted this nomination, sharing that, "As our Discipline/Finance Secretary, Nicole meets regularly with students where she has to provide them with honest feedback. Nicole does this very well and is highly respected at NMHS." Congratulations, Nicole, on being recognized for your contribution to the success of our students and district. We appreciate you!

Leadership students in Ms. Reichstein's class received a visitor yesterday with a special delivery. Don LaPere, representing the Kiwanis Club of North Mason, delivered an $1,800 check to contribute to the ASB fund. Contributions like this have been a regular occurrence since 1983 when the Kiwanis Club first began managing the school concessions. Can you believe they have donated over $32,000? This, in addition to all the other support offered to students in the way of scholarships. Thank you, NM Kiwanis, for supporting our students in so many ways!

☀️ Beautiful Day to go to State ☀️ Wishing our girls basketball team all the best as they compete in the round of 12 tonight. The District send off was phenomenal with a huge crowd gathered to cheer for the girls, including first responders, staff, teachers, administration, parents, siblings, and boosters. The band played, the pompoms waved, everyone happy to celebrate the return to state tournament play after 36 years. Apparently the celebration was through the whole town as the girls drove by. Share your videos/pictures here! #GoBulldogs

🏀 Streaming Link for tonight's Girls Basketball game is available at NFHS network https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/wiaa-wa/gam9ceeae4004 (this is a subscription service). DO NOT CLICK on any others that pop up. NFHS is the only legitimate source to view this game.

Re-post from NM Bulldogs Instagram page: 🏀🚨 GAME DAY ALERT! HISTORY IN THE MAKING! 🚨🏀 For the first time in 36 YEARS, our amazing North Mason Bulldogs girls’ basketball team is heading to the Yakima Valley Sundome for the Round of 12 in the State Basketball Tournament! 📍 Opponent: W.F. West Bearcats ⏰ Tip-off: Tonight at 7:15 PM 🔥 SEND-OFF ALERT! 🔥 Come show your Bulldog pride and give these incredible athletes the support they deserve! 📍 Send-off: 11:30 AM in front of the high school 📍 Should be going through town: Around 11:40 AM – Line the streets and cheer them on! Let’s pack the Sundome and bring the energy! 🏆💙 GO BULLDOGS! 💪 LET'S GOOOOOO!!!

March 4th is National Maintenance Workers Appreciation Day! Thank you to Joan Moore, Ron Greene, Mark McCuen, and Ricardo Ramos Sierra, for keeping the District well maintained for students and staff. We appreciate all you do!

💲 NMHS students were served up a 'Bite of Reality' this morning. The North Mason Chamber Education Committee, in partnership with Kitsap Credit Union, Our Community Credit Union, and Peninsula Credit Union, presented the Annual Financial Reality Fair. Business and community members man various stations at the event to help students get a 'Bite of Reality,' using an app-based activity where students get to make financial and budgetary decisions. One student was overheard saying to a friend, "Uh-oh. I have to go back to the Credit Union," when he realized he couldn't meet his budget with his current expenses. Thank you to all of the community businesses and volunteers, as well as the group of teachers and staff, that put this event together for our students. This interactive experience, using actual examples about finances and budgeting, provided them all a great glimpse into some of the challenges that come with the being in the real-world.

🏞️🐍🥙🍰 8th Grade Tours CTE at NMHS 🌱🧑‍⚕️🩺 Our HMS 8th grade students had the chance to step inside NMHS Career & Technical Education classes Friday and explore the many options available to them next year. Thank you to Mr. Ottenbacher who teaches Health Careers, Mr. Sounders who teaches Culinary, Mr. Forseth who teaches Boat Building and Woodworking, and Ms. Landers who teaches Agriculture for welcoming students to their classrooms. BIG shout out to our student presenters on FCCLA and Applied Geometry.  Thank you, Deb Swaser, Career & College Counselor, for sharing how our middle schoolers are preparing for their next big step into high school!