Friday Family Message
Hello Families
I simply couldn’t begin this week’s message without acknowledging the passage of our Replacement Levy. The collaboration between the school district and our community allowed for clearer communication, better understanding, and specific next steps for how we will continue to serve our students and families. Specifically, this levy will allow us to deliver on our district promise in these ways:
Appropriate levels of support for students and staff in our classrooms
Adequate nursing staff at our schools
Essential levels of safety personnel throughout the district
Continuation of our athletic programs and afterschool activities
Supports for transportation to and from activities and events
Appropriate staffing to allow for students to be fed twice per day
Not only will these funds be used wisely and within the bounds set by state and federal law, but we will also be communicating how this money is being used over the next four years. It is important that we are clear on the promises made about the levy and how those promises will be kept.
Heading into this four-day weekend, we hope families are able to enjoy time together; we look forward to warmer weather, spring sports, and longer days.
A standing ovation for our musicians!
Several Stanwood High School students earned stellar marks during performances last weekend at the Mount Pilchuck Music Educator's Association Solo and Ensemble Festival.
The MPMEA comprises 14 high schools as well as some middle schools and elementary schools. This year it was hosted at Lake Stevens High School. This event has solo and ensemble performance categories for band, orchestral, vocal, and related categories.
Scores are determined by musical merit on a scale from 1-5. One is classified as Superior and the rankings proceed to five which is classified as Below Average.
Among the Spartans receiving high marks:
- 1 — Stanwood Saxophone Quartet (Luna McNyset, Ramona Reed, Melaina Sicotte, and Gracie Surdyk)
- 1 — Tuesday Passarelli and Avery Johnsnon, Flute Solo and Piano Accompanist
- 2 — Karina Prakash, Soprano Voice
- 3 — Stanwood Brass Quintet (Izzy Avelenda, Sean Edenso, Ian Hall, Henry Schraan, and Lucas Stiers)
- 1 — Faith Dilworth and Sarah Goshorn, Flute Solo and Piano Accompanist
- 2 — Silverwinds Flute Duet, Chloe Shane and Delaney McDowell
- 2 — Thomas Whitaker, Snare Drum
- 2 — Ashton Guilliaume, Multiple Percussion
- 1 — Torunn Stangeland, Snare Drum
Most of those with top scores advance to represent the region in state competition in April at Central Washington University.
More Spartans shining in extracurricular activities!
- Knowledge Bowl — Congratulations to Stanwood High’s Knowledge Bowl team for advancing to the state competition March 23 in Wenatchee. Team members include: Matthew Mendez, Blake Almanza, Logan Connolly, Aiden Hagglund, Asher Pederson, and Colin Manzuk.
- Culinary competition — Stanwood High culinary students recently participated in the SkillUSA Baking and Pastry Arts Competition at Arlington High School. Competitors had to create five different items within a four-hour window and complete a written test. Kyla Nekuda first place to advance to the state competition March 21-22 in Tacoma. She'll face off against 12 other competitors for a chance to move on to the national competition in Atlanta.
Sign up soon for preschool in the fall
There are many preschool options throughout the Stanwood-Camano area.
The school district is now accepting students for our inclusive preschool programs at Stanwood Elementary or Utsalady Elementary for next school year. To be considered, students must be 4 years old by the start of the 2024-25 school year. Contact Janette Marx at jmarx@stanwood.wednet.edu or 360-629-1250 for further information.
There are many more area preschools accepting new students and hosting open house events! Visit www.StanCamPreschools.com — created by the Community Resource Center of Stanwood-Camano — to find information about all the childcare and preschool programs within the Stanwood-Camano School District.
This website — sponsored by the Making Life Work community collaboration Kindergarten Readiness Initiative — has contact information, ages of children accepted, and days and times of operation.
Snow Goose & Birding Festival
Swoop into downtown Stanwood from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 24 for the Stanwood-Camano Snow Goose & Birding Festival!
Experience the annual gathering of thousands of Snow Geese and Trumpeter Swans. Experts wil be on hand to educate visitors about why the shores and waters of Puget Sound surrounding our community are internationally recognized as important habitat.
Visit the event's Facebook page for more information.
See us at the Volunteer Fair!
We are one of the many community groups participating in the Volunteer Fair from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 17, at The Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center in Stanwood.
Come discover a bunch of local volunteering opportunities throughout our amazing community!
To learn more about volunteering in our schools — or to apply! — visit www.stanwood.wednet.edu/volunteer
Don’t miss this timeless classic
Circle your calendar now! You'll want to join us for the Stanwood High spring musical, Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella."
The play will be presented at 7 p.m. on March 8, 9, 15, and 16. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students — can be purchased at the box office or online via GoFan. Don't miss this play for the whole family.
This is your opportunity to witness our vibrant student talent as they bring “Cinderella” to life with flair and finesse.
Local nonprofits offer clubs and programs for students
Did you know that several area nonprofit organizations offer clubs, programs, classes, and events for local students?
Learn more on our Community e-Fliers webpage or by checking out a few of the current programs here: