North Mason School District

Good luck to the NMHS Marching Band competing at the 35th Annual Puget Sound Festival of Bands in Everett tomorrow. Each year 1000's of high school students, support staff, and enthusiastic spectators take part in this exciting event. Marching bands from all around the Pacific Northwest converge on Everett Memorial Stadium to compete for awards and recognition. Typically, more than 20 bands participate in 4 divisions based on size, from the smallest Division A bands with as few 10 tenacious members, to the massive Open Division bands hosting more than 100 members creating an unforgettable sound. During the preliminaries competition, all bands compete within their division for the top 3 positions, then, these 12 top bands go head to head in the finals competition to take first, second, and third place overall. The stadium provides sheltered seating for spectators to enjoy this day-long event, and there are plenty of food and souvenir concessions to enjoy.

We are celebrating National Principals Month with an inside look at our schools' leadership. Our principals are answering the question, "What makes you proud to be a principal for NMSD?" This week we hear from Jason Swaser. "I’m a proud principal of Sand Hill Elementary in Belfair WA. I love being a principal because I get to positively interact and teach the youth in our community."

Spirited Send-off for North Mason Seniors! Seniors from football, band and cheer were celebrated Friday night, surrounded by proud parents, families, friends, coaches and staff. Phil Pugh Stadium was decked out with balloons and posters lining the walkway, each senior captured doing an activity they love. Once on the field, the procession of families stretched out as they waited with their senior to go through the long walkway formed by fellow students. The announcer introduced the seniors one by one, sharing their highlights and future plans, while families and friends surrounded them. There were a lot of bouquets, many leis and baskets of goodies that the seniors carried off. Everywhere you looked people were hugging and laughing, some crying, but what shone brighter than the stadium lights was the pride on all of the faces. Congratulations Bulldogs!

RELEASE TIMES FOR CONFERENCE WEEK OCTOBER 23 - 27 Elementary has half days all week release 12:50 PM Secondary has a full day Wednesday - no early release Secondary has early release Thursday and Friday - release time is 11:25 AM

Have you filled out your Impact Aid forms? Impact Aid is a federal grant program designed to assist school districts who have experienced increased expenditures due to the enrollment of federally connected children. The program supports districts with concentrations of children whose parents work on military bases and other federal properties, and Indian lands. Filling out this survey gives us the information we need to verify our qualifications to participate in this program. Even if you do not work on federal property, we still need you to fill out the form. The Impact Aid forms are now available online through Skyward Family Access and ParentSquare. If you have not signed up yet, please follow the link below. Once signed up you can complete the very short survey for each one of your children enrolled in North Mason. Links available here: https://www.nmsd.wednet.edu/article/1290685 Thank you for taking the time to complete this very short survey!

Celebrating the "seniors" yesterday at Hawkins MS last home fastpitch game. Players were given flowers and goodies to honor their contribution to the team through the years. Can't wait to see what these players do when they continue on as NMHS Bulldogs! Pictured, left to right, Addyson Roy, Sydnnie Imlay, Elizabeth Henningsen, Aubrey Dunham, Madeline Smith, Elyssia Copeland

Deadline to register is November 1st! Need assistance during the holiday season? This amazing North Mason Lions Club initiative helps families by providing gifts for children. To register, or to help fulfill donations, please visit the North Mason Giving Tree website https://northmasonlions.org/giving-tree.

This week's feature for National Principals Month is Robert Kalahan, answering the question, "What makes you proud to be a principal at NMSD?" "I am the proud principal of Hawkins Middle School in the North Mason School District. I have worked in middle schools my entire career and love the kids at this age. I know that every day will be an adventure as you can really never predict where the social and emotional rollercoaster that is middle school will take you. I am proud of my amazing staff that I get to work with every day. I have been a leader in four different districts over my 20 years as a principal and have never had a staff that is as much fun as my crew is at Hawkins. Our Hawkins teachers, counselors, paraeducators, custodians, lunch ladies, and secretaries love our students and are always willing to go the extra mile for them. Their dedication to the community is inspiring to me." #thankaprincipal

As we finish up School Bus Safety Week, please remember to pay extra attention while in our school zones. Thank you for doing your part to keep our students safe! #schoolbussafetyweek

When it comes to bus safety, teach students to play it SAFE: Stay at least ten feet — five giant steps — away from the curb. Always wait until the bus comes to a complete stop and the bus driver signals for you to board. Face forward after finding a seat on the bus. Exit the bus after it stops and look left-right-left for cars before crossing a street. (tips courtesy of nhtsa.gov)

North Mason students are not having a video game day...it's actually the "Air Rescue" simulator, giving our students the opportunity to virtually fly helicopters and put out fires. Here today until 1 pm, in front of the high school. You can't miss the giant semi. Thank you to the U.S. Army for this experience!

School Bus Safety Week Quiz: (4 guesses and the first three don't count!) When is it okay to pass a school bus when the safety arm is out? A. Never B. Never C. Never D. All of the above

IMPORTANT RELEASE TIMES FOR CONFERENCE WEEK OCTOBER 23 - 27 Half days for Elementary all week release 12:50 PM Secondary is no early release on Wednesday-it's a full normal day Secondary has early release Thursday and Friday release time is 11:25 AM

School Bus Safety Week Tip: Illegal school bus passing poses a significant threat to children and others on the road. In every state, it is illegal for you to pass a school bus while the stop-arm is extended and the red lights are flashing. Thank you, Belfair, for stopping for our buses and keeping our children safe!

Chamber's Choice Award Recipient On National Boss' Day NMSD would like to acknowledge our Superintendent, Dana Rosenbach by sharing the award she received at the Chamber Gala this past weekend, and the speech given by Rebecca Bonneville, Senior Loan Officer, Olympia Federal Savings, Belfair Branch: "Each year the Chamber Chairman has the privilege of choosing a community member extraordinaire that leads the way, volunteering their time, talents and contributing to the vitality of the chamber and the community. For this year’s Chairman Choice Award, I would like to take a moment to celebrate the extraordinary efforts of this year’s winner, please enjoy the photos on the screen as we celebrate, Dana Rosenbach our Superintendent of the North Mason School District. Dana Rosenbach began as our Superintendent of the North Mason School District in 2014. As a Graduate of California State University, Northridge and Washington State University – Go Cougs! Dana has brought a unique approach to the North Mason schools with how she envisioned the success of our students, teachers, and community. I recently heard a statement given by our local Congressman Derek Kilmer. Congressman Kilmer stated, “Children are 1/3 of our population and 100% of our Future”. As a parent of a recent student that graduated from North Mason, I can say without a doubt Dana’s leadership with both the district staff and students alike has allowed our future leaders and community members to excel, if not far exceed expectations. With her guidance and genuine care and concern for our students, Superintendent Rosenbach has given North Mason students the encouragement to reach for the stars, especially during multiple times of uncertainty. Superintendent Rosenbach has made such an impact on so many students over the years, undoubtedly, she will continue to do so even without knowing. Thank you for being a leader, an advocate, a mentor, and an amazing individual. (gift presented) This “Tree of Life” represents growth, strength, family, energy, purpose, and good health. All of which you have brought to our community. Thank you!" Congratulations on this recognition and thank you for all you do as Superintendent of North Mason schools!

School Bus Safety Week runs from October 16-20, 2023 We will be sharing helpful tips throughout the week. Check back daily!

We are celebrating National Principals Month with an inside look at our schools' leadership. Our principals are answering the question, "What makes you proud to be a principal for NMSD?" This week we hear about Jessica Collins' journey with North Mason School District. "Hi, my name is Jessica Collins and I’m the Proud Principal of Belfair Elementary! I love being a principal because of all the wonderful humans I get to work with every day. North Mason has been home to me in all kinds of ways for almost 20 years. I have had the privilege of working in many roles in this district from PTA Volunteer, Para Educator, Teacher, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, and now Principal. I have been inspired by so many amazing NM educators along the way and the relationships I have built are so fulfilling and special to me. North Mason is a unique place to work because everyone has a way of nurturing the nature of belonging, family, and personal growth. My two children were fortunate enough to learn from, be inspired by, and love so many amazing teachers through their educational journey in North Mason. Both my husband and I have been able to watch our community of students grow and become amazing humans. As the principal of Belfair Elementary, I grow prouder and prouder every day of the staff, students, and families that I have the privilege to serve!" #ThankAPrincipal

Sharing photos from last week... Congratulations to North Mason Homecoming Court 2023 Freshmen: Reid Shumaker and Sophia Sparks Sophomores: Owen Oblizalo and Mattie Huckaby Juniors: Ray Corley and Marriah Fortin Senior Court: Nathan Keller and Leah Hahn Leland Lopes and Abigail Butler Aaron Kilbury and Jesslynn Thomas Woody Tupolo and Madison Butler King: Woody Tupolo Queen: Madison Butler #gobulldogs

Students at Hawkins Middle School got an inside look at the career of an underground miner, thanks to parent Jon Hobson who works at Hecla Green Creek in Juneau, Alaska. Ms. Kidd's 6th grade science class were super engaged, asking tons of questions about what the job entails. Students were able to inspect rock samples, 1 oz pure silver and gold coins and they also received a bunch of prizes from the Hecla Mining Company. Thank you so much to parents Jon and Rebecca Hobson for organizing this very interesting career presentation for our students!

NMHS students from the CTE Health classes visited Belfair Elementary to deliver healthy tips in a variety of fun ways to our younger students. The health class students created posters and presentations on healthy habits related to hand washing, teeth brushing, overall hygiene (showering and wearing deodorant), good sleep, and stress management (for the older elementary classes). Thank you Principal Chad Collins and Teacher Heather Brase for sharing these photos and materials highlighting your students in action!