Kamiak Weekly Update
From the Principal’s Office
This is a special year here at Kamiak. For the first time in a few years, we aren’t ‘reinventing’ school in a global pandemic. So, for staff and students, the first two weeks of school have felt a bit more familiar, a bit more like we remember.
This year is special for another reason. It’s the beginning of Kamiak’s thirtieth year. Kamiak opened in September 1993 with Sophomores and Juniors. It was a time of substantial growth and change in Mukilteo and the surrounding communities. New neighborhoods and homes were being built all the time. And, that brought families and children to our district. We needed another high school, two more middle schools, and a handful more elementary schools. From the groundbreaking ceremony to the first community open house, Kamiak High School was our community’s treasure.
And that makes the anniversary gift for a thirtieth year especially appropriate: the pearl. A pearl starts just like Kamiak. It starts as a grain of sand. Kamiak’s longest neighbors know that, before there was a high school here, there was a tall pile of sand. And, like a pearl, we have been shaping and forming for a generation – getting better and more valuable with each passing year. Academics, athletes, musicians, artists, and entrepreneurs have all walked our halls and gone to great things. There is a tradition of excellence at Kamiak handed down to each new class of students. Our school history is vibrant and, if our current students are any indication, our future is bright.
Throughout this year, I hope you will join me in celebrating Kamiak’s thirtieth anniversary. Look for celebrations and special events for alumni and all who call Kamiak theirs – past and present.
Kamiak Families and Students,
As we begin this new year together, school staff are working to teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. We are using a program called SOS Signs of Suicide. The program teaches students about this difficult topic and encourages them to seek help.
SOS has been used by thousands of schools for over 20 years. At Kamiak, we have been using this program for six years. Studies have shown that it effectively teaches students about depression and suicide while reducing the number of students’ self-reported suicide attempts.
Through the program, students learn:
- that depression is treatable, so they are encouraged to seek help
- how to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend
- to ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) if concerned about themselves or a friend
- who they can turn to at school for help, if they need it
Students will watch an age-appropriate video clip and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend. Following the video, students will complete a brief depression screening tool. This tool cannot provide a diagnosis of depression but does indicate whether a young person should be referred for evaluation by a mental health professional.
At the end of class, students will complete an exit slip which asks whether they would like to talk to an adult about any concerns. School staff will conduct brief meetings with any student asking to talk.
We encourage parents and guardians to visit www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s participation in this program please contact their school counselor through the Counseling Office (425-366-5446).
Students and families,
This year we are using ParentSquare to communicate with families AND high school students! Students can receive messages through their school emails, but they can also opt in to receive text messages and app notifications from their school and teachers. High school students will hear more about how to sign up when school begins and receive an invitation to activate their accounts in their school email in the first days of school.
Free Revolution Now Homework Help tutoring services for middle and high school students are available now!
Watch the five-minute instructional video below to get started, or simply go to the orange Revolution Prep icon in the student portal.
Homework Help Tutoring Overview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcLViv1FrYg&t=1s
Yearbook Club at district on East Coast
https://drive.google.com/file/d/133LRWaatzFo6pDWnczrz_KyGVxHiOTHj/view?usp=sharing
Revolution Now Tutoring - just log in with your MSD student login
New meal prices for 2022-23
Dear families,
During the pandemic, the federal government helped public schools provide free meals to all students. Unfortunately, those federal and state waivers have ended, and we must charge for meals once again. After not raising prices for about five years, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction requires us to increase meal prices to help offset supply chain and food prices nationwide. Meal prices will increase by $.25 per meal this fall. Please see below for a summary of the new meal prices.
Your child’s school offers free- and reduced-meal prices to students of qualifying families. If you think your family might qualify, please complete the online application on the Nutrition Services website. You’ll be notified of your status within 5 days of receipt. While you wait to hear about your status, please continue to get lunches. No student will be denied a lunch. If you’ve previously qualified for free- or reduced-price meals, your status continues until mid-October.
New meal prices for 2022-23:
Got a Car? Need a Parking Pass
To obtain a parking pass the following conditions must be met:
Complete Parking Permit form
Valid Washington driver's license
Current school year ASB card*
Proof of insurance - showing current vehicle insured and student listed as an insured driver.
$45 payment
All information can be found on the Kamiak website.
Here are some key Kamiak Athletic Department event rules to ensure a safe and secure Athletic Event:
- No Backpacks
- Large bags are subject to search
- No Open Containers
- No Re-Entry
- No Artificial Noisemakers
- No Signs allowed without prior administrative approval
- No admission after half time
We work really hard with our coaches and our student-athletes to demonstrate great sportsmanship during our home and away contests. We expect the same from our student body when they attend home/away contests. Please help us achieve and maintain a high level of sportsmanship for our entire school community throughout the school year by adhering to the following Mukilteo School District Spectator guidelines:
Financial Aid Advisement Day Webinar Sept. 21 @ 6:30PM
Come to the Financial Aid Advisement Day live webinar on Sept. 21st @ 6:30PM--This informational webinar is presented by Kamiak's Career and College Readiness Center. You will learn about Financial Aid and how to apply for it. This is especially geared toward Seniors and their families. Q & A will be available on the Zoom.
Senior Portraits for Yearbook 2022-2023
Senior portraits are due December 1st 2022--follow these guidelines: Label as Senior Photo 23 First and Last Name. Please submit as a portrait. Be sure to set the resolution to 300 DPI for best results.
- Overall size: 1.5” X 1.75”
- Head size: 1”
- Darker backgrounds preferred
- No special effect backgrounds (i.e. hazy, fuzzy, etc.)
- NO HATS, bandanas, hand gestures, etc. (we reserve the right to reject inappropriate photos)
- HEAD AND SHOULDER SHOTS ONLY.
Seniors! Do you plan on attending WSU in the fall?
WSU has a Regents Scholarship that you may be eligible to receive. If you are interested in being nominated for this, you must contact your counselor to let them know of your interest. Please visit the WSU website for more information on the process. Nominations open Sept. 19th.
Are you interested in attending a college fair?
There are three in the near future to choose from. The Pacific Northwest Association for College Admission Counseling (PNACAC) is hosting two fairs in the Tacoma area on Sept 27 & 28th. The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) is hosting one in Seattle on Nov. 4th. Check the CCRC News webpage for more information.
ROTC Scholarship Application Portals are now open
If you are interested in applying for an ROTC Scholarship, you will want to begin the application process now. These scholarships offer full tuition for colleges associated with the branch you are interested in. Check the CCRC webpage for more information.
The 2022 Heisman Scholarship is now open.
Visit the link provided to find out more about the Heisman Scholarship and make sure to apply by the October 18th deadline
First Drama Club Meeting and Dramafest Auditions!
Don't miss the first Drama Club meeting of the year, this Friday, afterschool on the Kamiak Stage. Meet an accepting and creative group of students and learn about upcoming acting and back stage opportunities! Dramafest Auditions are on Monday, September 19th from 2pm-5pm with callbacks on Tuesday from 2pm-4pm. Dramafest is a festival of student written plays. Comedy, tragedy, mystery, chaos, musicals, punk rock and so much more. This is a great way to give acting a try. If acting isn't your thing come to the Backstage and Tech interest meeting on September 22nd. Audition forms and more information can be found outside the Drama Room, PAC 116.
Let's Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!
10801 Harbour Pointe Blvd, Mukilteo, WA 98275, USA
At Kamiak High School, we value the involvement of our whole school community at various activities and events. In this ongoing Covid pandemic, we recognize that some may want to be involved even if attending in-person is not in their own best interests.
Kamiak High School may choose to live stream activities and events to our social media and/or YouTube channel. This notification serves as official notice to all parents and guardians that your student’s participation in activities outside the regular school day may be identified and published and/or live streamed.
If you have concerns related to your child about the live streaming of activities or events, please contact your child’s principal.
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Mukilteo School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator Simone Neal (425-356-1319), nealsr@mukilteo.wednet.edu, Section 504 Coordinator Lisa Pitsch (425-356-1277), pitschla@mukilteo.wednet.edu, and the ADA/Access Coordinator Karen Mooseker (425-356-1330), moosekerkw@mukilteo.wednet.edu. Address: 9401 Sharon Drive in Everett, WA. Inquiries regarding ADA/Access issues at Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center should be directed to Wes Allen, Director (425-348-2220) allenwr@mukilteo.wednet.edu. Address: 9001 Airport Road in Everett, WA 98204.