💙 Recognizing Empathy 💙
Another one of our amazing staff members being celebrated as part of the administration appreciation award series for the trait of empathy is Cathy Hadley, Office Coordinator for the Inclusive Education department. Amber Nygard shared the following insight as part of her nomination, "Cathy is always checking with all team members to ensure they are doing okay and how she can help them. She puts others’ needs above her own and is great at noticing if someone is ‘off.’ You will often find a subtle note, gift, or kind word from her when you need it. She pulls a team together to take care of many from the District. She continues to be one of the best additions over the last few years to the Inclusive Education office.”
Congratulations on this recognition, Cathy. Your kind heart and empathetic nature has touched so many of us, district-wide, and we are very grateful for you.
🎭 4th Annual Talent Show 🎭
Come vote for your favorite act!
Date: Friday, Feb. 7, 2025
Time: 6:00pm
Location: NMHS Auditorium
Admission: $5.00
Funds support the theater program.
💙 Recognizing Empathy 💙
As part of the building administration appreciation series, Assistant Principal Tyler Lunde from Sand Hill Elementary has nominated 3rd grade teacher Maria Sweet for consistently demonstrating the trait of 'Empathy.' He shares, "Maria continually models showing empathy to her students and colleagues. She lends an ear when needed and gives endless warm smiles and encouragement to everyone."
Congratulations on this recognition, Maria. We appreciate you for creating an environment of empathy for students AND staff.
❄️Behind the Scenes❄️
It was an early start for our facilities team as they implemented safety measures around the district for this change in weather. Sand trucks were filled and deployed, and sidewalks at each building were shoveled. Thank you to the entire team (not all shown in these photos) for making sure our roadways and walkways are safe for when students arrive later this morning, and for your continuous monitoring of our facilities.
Stay Safe, North Mason!
🏛️ Yesterday, our Child Nutrition Director, Mackenna Long traveled to Olympia as part of her mission to advocate for universal free meals for Washington students. She met with legislators and senator assistants to share data, and your feedback, about the impact free meals have made to our students and families.
Thank you, Mackenna, for all your hard work and outreach toward this important cause.
💙 Recognizing Empathy 💙
No surprise to see this face pop up in the building administration series nominating employees who exemplify the trait of 'Empathy' -- it very well could be Sarah Stuart's middle name! As the office coordinator for Belfair Elementary, she impacts so many people, leading with this trait. Principal Klusman, in her nomination, highlights that, "Sarah consistently listens and supports staff and students with authenticity and compassion." Congratulations on this fitting recognition!
🏀 Alumni Basketball Game 🏀 Always a fun evening, seeing past and present battle it out on the court. Come out and support this fundraiser for the girls and boys basketball teams. Adults $10, Students/Seniors/Military $5, Family Pack (2 adults, 2 kids) $25. Friday, February 21st. The fun starts at 6:00 pm in the NMHS gymnasium.
Staffing Update: We would like to inform you that Alexia Hadfield, Principal of James A. Taylor and ALE/CTE Director, has accepted a position as CTE Director for Central Kitsap School District. Alexia has greatly contributed to the advancement of North Mason's CTE and ALE programs, positioning us well for continued success and growth in these areas. Students will benefit from these robust programs for many years to come.
We wish Lexi the best as she embarks on her new position at Central Kitsap. The District will evaluate next steps needed to support the continued growth of our programs.
Dana Rosenbach
Superintendent
💙 Recognizing Empathy 💙
Today, as part of the building administration appreciation series, we highlight Katie Sprague, our nurse at Hawkins Middle School. Assistant Principal Kevin Pattison made the nomination, sharing that, "Katie has a passion for our students and is always going above and beyond to understand a student's background and creative ways that she can help, whether this be outside agencies, meetings with admin, or anything else that will help students."
Congratulations on this nomination, Katie! We appreciate all you do!
At the NMSD School Board meeting last night, the board and student board members were recognized as part of school board recognition month. Superintendent Rosenbach read the governor's proclamation and thanked the board members for their service to the students and district. This has been a particularly busy time for our school board members as they have been working long hours as part of the search process to finalize the selection of North Mason's next superintendent.
Thank you to our board members Leanna Krotzer, Nicholas Thomas, Erik Youngberg, Nicole Timmons Gonzalez, and Arla Shephard Bull, and our student representatives Emmalei Bybee and Sophia Mairs. We appreciate all you do!
(To watch the recognition ceremony, please watch the broadcast of last night's meeting at the 54:20 mark https://www.youtube.com/live/PogaDJGox1c?si=k22tDT4mX2ykVWPP&t=3260)
2nd CHANCE MEETING! Please join Superintendent Rosenbach, district administration, and school board members, to learn more about the replacement levy that is on the ballot for February 11th. Meeting will be held at the Toni M. Smith Auditorium at NMHS, Tuesday, January 28th @ 6:30 pm. All are welcome!
Please join us to meet our three finalists for the position of Superintendent of North Mason School District.
Dates: January 29th, 30th & 31st, 2025
Time: 6:45 pm-8:00 pm
Location: Toni M. Smith Auditorium at NMHS
These final candidates will individually tour the District and participate in a series of meetings with staff and final interview with the board January 29-31. Additionally, there will be a portion of the tour that all of the staff and community are invited to meet the candidates at a community forum that will take place each evening, from 6:45 to 8 p.m. at the North Mason High School Auditorium (Location might change if A/V is not fixed in time). At the end of the forum there will be a candidate impression survey that will share input to the board that will assist the board in its selection. These forums will also be available to view via ZOOM. Details will be posted on the District Website.
This is the culmination of a comprehensive search conducted by the board with the assistance of the search firm, Ray and Associates, Inc. The search process included many hours of reviewing application materials, interviewing semi-finalist candidates, and carefully assessing the qualifications of the candidates in relation to the candidate profiles determined by the board, district employees and community members. The board evaluated a pool of 24 applicants and last evening finished the 7 semi-finalist interviews narrowing the search down to the 3 finalists. We are looking forward to these final steps towards the selection of our new superintendent, and look forward to hearing input from our community.
Thank you for your support of this important process.
💙 Recognizing Empathy 💙
Today, as part of our series of nominations from building administrators, we recognize Victoria Edwards, counselor at NMHS. Assistant Principal Steve Hackett nominated her and shared this insight into our new employee, "Victoria has jumped into her first year absolutely running. She is a born leader and is doing an amazing job for our students and staff."
Thank you for all you do, Victoria, and a warm welcome from all of us here at NMSD!
💙 Recognizing Empathy 💙
Katelin Lacoste, counselor at Hawkins Middle School, is being nominated by Principal Kalahan for this month's trait of 'Empathy.' He shares, " Katelin's nature is to be empathetic with others and it shows in the way she works with staff and students."
Congratulations on this acknowledgement Katelin! We all thank you for the support you provide our students.
💙Recognizing Empathy💙 First up in our series of staff being nominated by the building administration for the trait of 'Empathy' is Deb Swaser, Career & College Counselor for our high school students. Principal Alexia Hadfield nominated Deb, sharing, "Deb takes the time to ensure everyone she works with feels supported. She is genuine when asking about staff and their families and listens with an empathetic heart.”
Congratulations, Deb, on this recognition, and a big THANK YOU for all you do for our students as they prepare to go out and make their mark on the world!
💙 Before we dive into celebrating our employees who have been nominated by admin for the trait of 'Empathy,' we have one more employee to highlight for the trait of 'Gratitude.' Apologies to Michele Peterson for not sharing this recognition prior to the break.
Assistant Principal Kevin Pattison, Hawkins Middle School, shared this: “Michele exudes gratitude every day in her role running our Huskies Solution Project (HSP) room and she always works hard to do what is best for students.”
Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, Michele!
Next up we will be highlighting staff members nominated by administration for bringing the trait of empathy to their role with the district. Stay tuned!
💙"I practice my gratitude every day, being in this position, because I know it's an extra. Today we're doing the Pawsitive Shop and every student participates. Then in a few minutes, I get the privilege of opening the doors and saying hello to everyone." This is how Andrew Shifrin, Library Tech at Sand Hill Elementary, starts his day. He beams with pride, knowing he is impacting the students each day and recalls when he was that student, going to Sand Hill as a young boy. "Every day I remind myself I'm in the most beautiful room in the school." He motions to the ceiling where the light is flowing in, "Look at that. They don't build schools like this anymore." After a few moments of being lost in his memories, he adds, " I remember the wonder I felt as a student coming to the library. And now I feel that every day."
🧟 The REAL Zombie 🧟
The invasion of the zombies is coming next week to our elementary schools. No, not THAT kind of zombie but rather the gooey, delectable, cheesy goodness kind. So when you hear your student talking about the zombies at school, now you know, it's a GOOD thing!
Thank you to our Child Nutrition Director Mackenna Long for this public service announcement!
DECA students competed at the competition at the Washington state fairgrounds in Puyallup yesterday. Graduation specialist Autumn Perry shared, "It was truly amazing to see this group DECA students in their element at the competition. A few of our students will be moving forward to the DECA state competition."
We will keep you posted on their progress as they advance! Thank you, Autumn, for sharing this wonderful student accomplishment!
👋Greetings & Goodbyes 👋
Administrators and teachers make connections with students each day, by standing at the doors, or by the buses, saying good morning or goodbye. Principal Collins explains how they use ‘optimistic greetings and goodbyes’ at the high school to encourage. “If a student is late, they are welcomed with, we’re glad you’re here.” One student standing nearby interjected, “it’s reverse psychology!” Though he was teasing his principal, the student admitted it’s an effective approach. This is just one of the many ways administrators and teachers strive to connect positively with their students and create a culture of optimism.
To learn more about district discipline policies, please visit https://app.eduportal.com/share/e867dae595551bb8
