Port Susan Middle School
Family & Student Update 03/05/2023
Best Version of Yourself
I wanted to take some time this week to reflect on our advisory lesson that we went over with students on Monday. The impact we as adults (parents and educators) have on students daily and our encouragement for them to reflect on the choices they make daily to continue to be lifelong learners has so much impact.
What do I love about my life?
Where do I want to be in 5 years?
What do I love doing?
What am I afraid to do?
What steps am I taking to reach my goals?
Am I doing all that I can to reach my goals?
What areas of my life can I improve in?
What are 3 negative mindsets I need to let go of?
What will I accomplish next year?
How can I improve my daily routines & habits?
Cell Phone Use
If your student brings a cell phone to school, please take a look at the pictures they have on their camera roll (they should not have any from school), the usage time during the school day, their social media accounts, and thank you for your support in this effort. If you feel your student uses their phone constantly, there are parental controls that can be set by working with your cell phone provider. We always want students to come to school ready to learn and to understand what it means to make positive choices to be successful. As students move through the educational system and into the greater community after graduation, they will need to understand time and place for technology use and the habits start now. We couldn't do this work without our partnership and support from our parents/guardians. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns with this expectation.
According to a 2018 report by the Pew Research Center, 45 percent of teenagers are online "almost constantly" and U.S. high school seniors spend about six hours a day texting, on social media sites, or surfing the Internet. Research conducted by Jean Twenge, a professor at San Diego State University, shows that more hours of screen time are associated with lower well-being in children and adolescents; the higher users show less curiosity, self-control, and emotional stability; and that twice as many high versus low users of screens are diagnosed with anxiety or depression. -Marc Brackett, Ph.D. (Permission to Feel)
Girls & Boys Track/Boys Soccer
Boys and Girls Track (7th & 8th grade) will begin on Monday March 27th from 2:30-4pm at PSMS. Boys Soccer (7th & 8th grade) will begin on Monday April 10th from 2:30-4pm at Port Susan Middle School (depending on numbers this may be combined with SMS). If you intend to play a spring sport please sign up so we can get teams and coaches established accordingly.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS:
Athletic Registration: An Athletic Registration Form must be completed either online or by hard copy prior to turning out for practice. This includes emergency contact information, insurance and the Athletic Code.
Sports Physical: All athletes must have a current sports physical (good for 2yrs) turned into the office BEFORE turning out.
ASB Card/Pay to Participate: Each participant must purchase an Associated Student Body card and Pay to Participate fee before the first contest. The ASB card is $20, Pay to Participate is $50 per sport ($100 maximum per year; Free/Reduced options for those who qualify).
Student Opportunities
Registration & Testing
Upcoming dates for student registration (current 5th grade)
March 9th: EBE & SES
March 13th: UES & TCE
March 16th: CES
AimsWeb Testing Schedule:
March 27th & 28th through ELA/Math (finish up during ½ days)
Tentative SBA Testing Schedule:
8th Grade Science *May 1st - 2nd
Math CAT *May 8th - 12th
ELA CAT *May 8th - 12th
Math PT *May 15th - 19th
ELA PT *May 15th - 19th
Make up testing
Science by June 2nd
ELA/Math June 9th/6th
Week of March 6th through March 10th
Monday 03/06
Regular Schedule
Lesson Advisory
Wrestling @ SMS
Tuesday 03/07
Regular Schedule
Spelling Bee (Cafeteria)
Academic Support Advisory
Girls Basketball vs Cascade
Wednesday 03/08
Red Schedule
Basketball vs SMS
Thursday 03/09
Regular Schedule
Academic Support Advisory
Wrestling @ Anacortes
Friday 03/10
Regular Schedule
Academic Support Advisory
Linked below are previous communications. Please continue to reach out with any questions you have. You can email me directly (calmanza@stanwood.wednet.edu) or call our office at 360.629.1360
District Information
Stay safe on the bus
To keep everyone safe on school buses and to abide by state law, please follow these guidelines while on a bus:
All items — such as sports equipment, instruments, and metal water bottles — must be completely secured inside of a closed bag or instrument case.
The bus is considered an extension of the school day, and students are expected to behave in a way that is consistent with school/classroom expectations.
There are no exceptions to these rules, per WAC 392-145-021 (Washington Administrative Code) and school board policy.
We appreciate your help in making sure that our students continue to stay safe on the bus and following state law so our school buses remain in service.
Please contact us with any questions.Help us plan for the future
The school district has launched a brief survey to gather as many voices, opinions, and thoughts from throughout the community that will help plan the district’s future. In addition to sparing a few moments to take the survey, please share the link widely throughout the community. The more responses, the better!
This district is asking the community to share feedback about the local school system that will help guide ongoing work and plan next steps. The survey should take about 10 minutes, and all results will be anonymous.
Again, please share the link with your friends and neighbors who may not receive communication from us.
Help us honor a staff member
To show our appreciation for certificated and classified employees, we are proud to accept nominations for a Certificated or Classified Employee of the Month award September through March.
One certificated and one classified employee are selected monthly. All award recipients will be considered for the Certificated and Classified Employee of the Year awards presented in May. Nominations are welcome from parents, community members, peers, administrators, and students.
Please let us know about some of the great deeds our staff are doing! Share personal examples of the dedication, commitment and passion these individuals have portrayed working for the Stanwood-Camano School District.
Nominate someone today! Please use this form.
We appreciate your support!
Cherae Almanza, Principal calmanza@stanwood.wednet.edu
Crysty Auckland, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director cauckland@stanwood.wednet.edu
Teacher Emails
Dave Austin (6-8 Fitness & 6 Leadership) daustin@stanwood.wednet.edu
Jonathan Bletscher (6-8 Band) jbletscher@stanwood.wednet.edu
Joan Campbell (6-7 Math) jcampbell@stanwood.wednet.edu
Tamara Pedersen (6-7 Math) tpedersen@stanwood.wednet.edu
Lori Stunz (7 ELA & 6-8 Art) lstunz@stanwood.wednet.edu
Grace Gale (6 Science & 6-8 STEM/Robotics) GGale@stanwood.wednet.edu
Chelsea Hanson (6-8 ELA/Humanities) CHanson@stanwood.wednet.edu
Nate Hanson (6-8 Computers/Digital Effects) nhanson@stanwood.wednet.edu
Audrie Harrington (6/7 ELA & 7/8 Leadership) aharrington@stanwood.wednet.edu
Joshua Keaton (7/8 History) jkeaton@stanwood.wednet.edu
Seth Hills (6 Social Studies) shills@stanwood.wednet.edu
Lori Johnson (6-8 Assist) ljohnson@stanwood.wednet.edu
Wade Johnson (7/8 Science) wjohnson@stanwood.wednet.edu
Rebecca Klein (6/7 Science) rklein@stanwood.wednet.edu
Meghan Lawrence (6-8 PBS) mlawrence@stanwood.wednet.edu
Ellianna Martin (6-8 Math) emartin@stanwood.wednet.edu>,
Daniel Mccrumb (6 Math/Science & 7/8 Outdoor Ed) DMccrumb@stanwood.wednet.edu
Sarah Oldow (6 ELA/Social Studies) soldow@stanwood.wednet.edu
Catherine Perry (6-8 EL) cperry@stanwood.wednet.edu
Tracy Riley (6-8 ELA) TRiley@stanwood.wednet.edu
Kelcie Rocha (7/8 Math) krocha@stanwood.wednet.edu
Brad Rochon (7/8 Science) brochon@stanwood.wednet.edu
Connie Schmidt (6-8 Health) cschmidt@stanwood.wednet.edu
Sheri Schroeder (8 History & ELA) sleeschroeder@stanwood.wednet.edu
Kym Shoemaker (7/8 Math) kshoemaker@stanwood.wednet.edu
Crystal Titus (6-8 Fitness) ctitus@stanwood.wednet.edu
Kayte White (8 ELA & 6 Cultures) kwhite@stanwood.wednet.edu
Julia Zurcher (7 History & 7/8 Home Ec) jzurcher@stanwood.wednet.edu
Office Support
Jayde Piggot (6 Counselor) jpiggott@stanwood.wednet.edu
Keli Niegemann (7/8 Counselor) kniegemann@stanwood.wednet.edu
Emily Bowne (School Psychologist) ebowne@stanwood.wednet.edu
Kandyce Hansen (Speech Language Pathologist) khansen@stanwood.wednet.edu
Sara Harlan (Librarian) sharlan@stanwood.wednet.edu
Amy Hart (Student Support Advocate) ahart@stanwood.wednet.edu
Tia Wheatley (Mental Health Therapist) twheatley@stanwood.wednet.edu
The Stanwood-Camano School District does not discriminate in employment, 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 a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the District's Title IX/Affirmative Action Officer and Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, Maurene Stanton (mstanton@stanwood.wednet.edu), or the Section 504/American Disabilities Act Coordinator, Robert Hascall (rhascall@stanwood.wednet.edu) Stanwood-Camano School District, 26920 Pioneer Hwy, Stanwood, WA 98292. Telephone: (360) 629-1200.