Tornado Warning
November 2, 2021
Principal's Message
Hello Students and Families,
While “normal” is a thing of the past, YHS is seeing glimpses of what we have all been missing; and we all look forward to creating our new normal. Here are some highlights of the types of things students have had a chance to engage in, that are a cause for celebration! We have more than 245 students participating in 12 different CWU and SPSCC College in the High School courses. FFA students competing at the National Level - the Poultry Team earned the bronze and Harley Jo Holman placed third in Employment Skills Leadership. The Boys Cross Country Team is going to State. Our Boys Football Team earned the SSC League Champs and will continue on in the state playoffs with their first game at home Saturday at 2:00 P.M. Our Volleyball girls showed significant growth this season as they competed in a tough SSC league. The next two games will determine their path to District Playoffs. The Boys Tennis team are also continuing on to state as the West Central District/Southwest District Tennis champs. Not only do we have students and programs giving us reason to celebrate, but as a staff, we also enjoy seeing the interactions, relationships being made, and engagement in building capacity with our academics.
Having said that, creating a new normal doesn’t come without challenges. We are reaching out to you, families, to keep the lines of communication open and request your support as we help guide our students to more healthy and productive choices. A few things we have been experiencing, at the forefront, are vandalism in the bathrooms, physical altercations, and excessive vulgar language in and outside of classrooms. While it may not be the majority of students who partake in this behavior, it sure does impact our school culture and who we are as a school community.
Some of the things we are doing at the school level are:
Hiring a Restorative Specialist ~ Specializing in re-engagement and truancy monitoring
Focusing on reinforcing classroom procedures and instruction to keep students in class and engaged
Launching initiatives in regards to attendance and tardiness
Incentivising positive behavior in following routines and expectations
YHS Clubs and individual students assisting with lunch clean-up
Looking for opportunities for additional supervision around the campus. *
*I will be following up with communication to families with more specific information on what each of these will entail.
Here are some things you can do at home to support your students at school…
Please reiterate with your student(s) the importance of picking up after themselves, respecting school property and staff (custodial, grounds, maintenance, cafeteria)
Encourage your students to download the app “Stop!t Solutions” to learn how to identify and report misconduct and other issues that occur at school. As well as Crimestoppers to report crimes or dangerous situations anonymously.
Have discussions around appropriate language in shared spaces and be mindful of others
Remind students that teachers are working hard to create a space where they feel safe and belong….. so please help them by being a good example.
If you would like to volunteer, in any capacity, to support what we are doing at school, please sign up to volunteer by clicking on this link.
Principal
Yelm High School
Staff Spotlight for November
Please meet:
My name is Tabatha George and I am so excited to be teaching at Yelm High School! I absolutely love science and am teaching biology. I studied at the University of Oregon (Go Ducks!) and taught here in Yelm. I spent the last two years working in Maine while my husband finished his graduate degree and we are so thankful to be back in the Pacific Northwest! I love all things sports and hiking. When I am not teaching, you more than likely will find me out on a trail enjoying all of the beautiful nature, even in the rain.
Bryant Mettler:
Third decade and first year in education with the Yelm community. Over the timeline of my career I have had the honor to serve in education as an administrator and teacher, at all grade levels allowing me to experience the joys of student growth and working with families in each of the phases of the kids' development.Having moved to Yelm this past spring I knew I wanted to also work in the community where I lived. The opportunity at Yelm High School excited me. From my previous work at the high school level, I recognize that this phase of students launching into their (adult) futures is both awesome and frightening. It is an important time of life for students and families.
What drives my work with students today is:
"I want for you what you want for yourself."
We both, educators and families, have dreams and hopes for our students (your children). The most important dreams and hopes are the ones the students have. The partnership we forge for our future through the lives of our youth is incomparable.
When I am not serving at the high school, I enjoy being the parent of 5 and grandparent of 7! I love being outdoors and the activities many enjoy, hiking, camping, paddleboarding, boating, snow-shoeing (hold the rain though). And I savor the stillness of evenings with my family.
Picture Make-up and Retakes
Any student who has not had their picture taken this year will receive a pass from one of their teachers with the time they should go to the PAC for their picture.
Please order online through Josie Photography and use the Order code 59343JB.
Multilingual Family Resource Night
Yelm Community Schools is hosting a resource night for multilingual families on November 8, 2021, at Yelm High School. Families are welcome to attend any time between 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Spanish translation will also be available!
At this event, families will have access to the following supports:
- Setting up family access within Skyward
- Scheduling parent/teacher conferences
- Access to important community events happening within the district
- Meet some district staff members and be able to ask questions
Masks will be required while attending along with practicing social distancing.
We look forward to seeing you all!
Parent Teacher Conferences
Back to School Health and Safety Videos
PARENTS: Opt in for Text Messages - Text YES to 67587
Calendar of Events
11/3/2021 Picture make-up and retakes
11/4/2021 Financial Aid Night for Seniors 6:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. Please register
11/6/2021 Football vs Mead playoff at YHS Saturday
11/6/2021 Cross Country State at Pasco, WA Time TBD
11/7/2021 Fall Back! Move Clocks back one hour
11/8/2021 Multilingual Family Resource Night 6:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M.
11/11/2021 No School Veterans Day observed
11/19/2021 1/2 Day Records Day
11/22, 23 and 24 Parent/Teacher conferences
11/22, 23 and 24 1/2 Day schedule
11/26/2021 No school Thanksgiving holiday
11/27/2021 No School
(Please visit Yelm High School sports schedules for all of your team scheduling information. Sports schedules do change so please refer to the website for current scheduling.)