Be Positive, Be Grateful, Be Involved

1. Count your blessings. You can’t be stressed and thankful at the same time.

2. See your challenges as opportunities for growth.

3. Don’t listen to your negative thoughts.

4. Feed yourself with positive encouragement.

5. Choose faith instead of fear.

The first phase of our HVAC upgrade is mostly complete. We are now in the testing phase to make sure all systems are working to specifications. The next two projects that are in the planning stage are the entry-way security upgrades and shop expansion.

Motivational speaker Ron James was in the district on Wednesday where he spoke to students in age-appropriate assemblies throughout the district about making choices. Parents were welcome to attend. Ron James was here last year when he came and presented to our MS & HS students about the power of choices and later that same evening he played the movie based on his life for our community.

The topics this year were:

• Understanding the "bully"
• What to do when bullied
• Prevention of bullying
• Choices associated with helping the bully and the victim
  
  

Ron is passionate about helping others to see that they can avoid making the same mistakes he made. As a result, he now shares his message all over the country as a keynote speaker. His message on CHOICES has influenced and inspired students and professionals to “make their next choice their best choice.”

• On Thursday, I had six HS students come and have lunch with me in my office. We had a great conversation around what good things are happening in the HS, challenges they face, and how can the school offer more support to students both academically and socially/emotionally.
  
  
• Last Friday I traveled to Representative Joel Kretz’s ranch in Wauconda to discuss education policy issues as they relate to Tonasket. It was a great visit and a beautiful location!
  
  

• Ballots are out for the November election. It’s our civic duty to vote in elections, so please send in your ballots. Voters have until October 28 to submit new voter registrations and voter updates online and by mail for the November General Election which will be held on November 5.

• Our FFA Parli Pro team leaves for Nationals this weekend. Congratulations to: Emma Alexander, Solomon Brown, Lyndzi Scott, Cheyenne Stirek, Angelina Wilson, Jamie Wilson, and advisor Matt Deebach. Enjoy your time in Indianapolis, we are proud of your accomplishments!
  
  
• HS student Diego Maldonado is participating in the Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS) program. The program is a free, online, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education program for high school juniors affiliated with NASA Johnson Space Center’s National High School Aerospace Scholars program and has partner programs in Texas, Virginia, and Idaho. Their primary goal is to get students excited and prepared to pursue career pathways in STEM fields using a distance learning curriculum developed in partnership with NASA and the University of Washington.

John Glenewinkel met with staff in each building this week to have conversations about where we are as a district in terms of social, emotional learning. The next step will be to look at this data to build a plan to help us move forward in this area. This is funded by a grant via The Rural Alliance.

• HS girls soccer is currently 11-0 in league games. Their last home game and senior night is Oct. 29 vs Manson.
  
  
• Two of our staff members have each been awarded a $200.00 grant from the Okanogan County Retirees Association organization. They are Jackie Gliddon at the Middle School and Gail Morris at the Elementary School. Congratulations!