Yelm Community Schools
December 2020
MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
In our district we spend time learning and applying the science of hope. The science of hope is not a pollyanna set of wishes of things that might or might not come true. The research behind hope science starts with three incredible tenets:
The future will always be better.
We have the power to make it so.
While there will be barriers to our goals, there are always pathways to success.
In his book Making Hope Happen, Dr. Shane Lopez writes about investing in the future. Hope science differs from optimism in that high hope people directly couple a positive set of future goals with their own role in making it happen. The optimist can become frustrated with obstacles, but high hope people navigate around those barriers successfully.
So what does it mean to invest hope into our future? First, it means keeping a strong focus that what we do today is an investment in the future. Even when it is hard, participating in Zoom lessons will have a direct correlation to the future. Having strong goals for the near and distant future doesn’t just make us feel better, it gives us strong energy to meet the goals in both the short and long term.
We know that we are closer to a return to school than we were back in March, or even this fall. Until that time, we will continue to work to meet our educational goals. Our teachers will work to strengthen our instruction, even if that means remote delivery for now. We will continue to work on structures and systems that will transition us out of remote learning and back into in-person instruction. We will continue to find new and different ways to support families who might need help with food, winter items and connection to area services. We will continue to lead, counsel and teach better each day. Then, when the conditions allow, we will return to in-person learning. We will continue to teach, learn, achieve and grow.
The future will be better, and we have the power to make it so. Have a wonderful holiday season, and thank you for being a part of Yelm Community Schools.
Special Thank You to Our Community
Meal Service Reminders
Meals distribution will resume on Monday, January 4, following Winter Break.
Federal Impact Aid Forms
We will be sending you the form through email to complete using Adobe e-sign. You may also download the form and fax to (360) 458-2469 or drop off at any school location or the district office.
Pulse Survey Starts Friday
On Friday, families will receive the first "Pulse Survey." The survey asks about your experiences with our district and our schools this fall. The responses to the surveys will only come to the district. Our intent is to use your feedback to improve.
In future weeks these surveys will go out to random samplings of parents/guardians. Again, our purpose in sending the surveys is to listen and respond wherever we can. We thank you for your participation!
College Bound Scholarship Application
- Graduate from a Washington State high school with a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher.
- Have no felony convictions.
- Apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) beginning their senior year.
Talk to your counselor if you have addition questions about financial planning for education and training after high school.
SNOW-CIAL DISTANCING WINTER WONDERLAND
The City of Yelm, in partnership with local businesses and community groups, has launched a month of winter activities for the community to enjoy. Below are a few events that are both online and in-person that the whole family can enjoy. Visit the City of Yelm website for a full calendar of events or follow Yelm Christmas in the Park on Facebook page for details on each event.
Dec 5 Virtual Tree Lighting
Dec 12 Meet the Marshalls of Merriment
Dec 15 Essay Contest Winners
Dec 16 Christmas Stories with Santa
Dec 17 Polar Express Mayor Reading
Dec 19 Night Market
Dec 20 Christmas Stories with Santa
Dec 21 Mayor Foster Christmas Song
Dec 23 Gingerbread House Winners
Dec 24 ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Santa Reading
Dec 28 Mayor Foster Winter Song
Dec 29 Youth of the Year Announcement
School Messenger App
Calendar Highlights
Dec 17: School Board Meeting @ 6pm
Dec 21-Jan 1: No School - Winter Break
Jan 4: Return to School
Jan 14: School Board Meeting @ 6pm
Jan 18: No School - Martin Luther King Jr Holiday
Stay Connected
Email: communications@ycs.wednet.edu
Website: www.ycs.wednet.edu
Location: 107 North 1st Street, Yelm, Washington, USA
Phone: (360) 458-1900
Facebook: facebook.com/ycsnews
Twitter: @YCSNews
Yelm Community Schools does not discriminate in any programs, activities or employment opportunities 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 a 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: Greg Davis, 360-458-1900, gregory_davis@ycs.wednet.edu; Title IX Coordinator: Lisa Cadero-Smith, 360-458-6120, lisa_cadero-smith@ycs.wednet.edu; and 504 Coordinator: Shannon Powell, 360-458-6124, shannon_powell@ycs.wednet.edu. Address: 107 First St N, PO Box 476, Yelm, WA 98597.