Aberdeen Schools
Keeping you informed about our schools -- March 19, 2024
Exploring new things at Miller
The bell schedule was a little different on a recent Friday at Miller Junior High School when a new slate of classes gave students a chance to explore different hobbies and activities. The classes were developed by teachers and staff, and the final offerings were decided based on student interest.
It's an eclectic mix of interests that includes:
- Single serve cooking
- No Bake Cookies
- Shaken Food
- Instapot Cooking
- Introduction to Crochet
- Art Journaling and Bookbinding
- Tie Dye
- Graphic Novel Writing
- Board Games
- Cellphone Photography
- Hair Braiding and Heat Tools
- Strength Training
- CO2 Race Cars
- Cake Decorating
- Learning Japanese
- Origami
- Basic Drawing
- Beginner (no contact) Boxing
- Knot tying and Rop Splicing
- 3 on 3 Bracket Basketball
- Yoga
- Intro to Card Games
- Zumba/Dance Aerobics
- Miller Improvement Team. (In this class, students have taken on the project of beautifying the rear of the building.)
"The feedback from students and staff was very positive," Principal John Meers said. "This was a pilot, and we will be holding two more sessions of Explorer Class this year. We are studying feedback from staff and students to improve our classes, and we hope to make this a regular part of our student experience in the future."
He said enthusiasm was high throughout the school. "Staff put a lot of work into preparing for this, and I think the payoff was very much worth it."
Geared up at Robert Gray Elementary
The Pacific Science Center visited Robert Gray Elementary School recently to share the "Get in Gear" lesson. The students in Melissa Fritts' 3rd Grade class were among those learning
about mechanical engineering using gears.
"The students were super engaged and excited," Mrs. Fritts said.
SCHOOL BOARD
Next meeting is Tuesday, March 19
Agenda for March 19 (pdf)
The next regular meeting of the Board is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, in the Community Room at Aberdeen High School.
Those who attend regular meetings are welcome to sign up at the meeting to provide public comment on agenda items. Written public comment for the record can also be submitted up to noon the day of the meeting by writing to schoolboard@asd5.org. Comments or concerns not on the agenda can be brought to the attention of the district by contacting the Superintendent's Office or by contacting individual board members.
Summary of the March 5 meeting
President Jennifer Durney convened the regular meeting of the Aberdeen School District Board of Directors at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in the Community Room at Aberdeen High School. In attendance were Jessica Jurasin, Annica Mizin, Suzy Ritter and Jeremy Wright, along with student representatives Harnoor Jandu and Mikyla Gunter, Superintendent Jeffrey Thake and 12 patrons and staff.
The meeting began with the flag salute.
Consent Agenda
The Board approved the Consent Agenda, which included:
- The minutes from the regular meeting on Feb. 20, 2024,
- An overnight trip for the varsity baseball team at Aberdeen High School to travel to Richland for exhibition games and team activities on March 31 to April 2 during Spring Break,
- A trip for the Cats Cave team at Aberdeen High School to travel to Astoria, Ore., on
- May 23,
- A gift to the District from the Weatherwax Family Grants Fund at the Grays Harbor Community Foundation in the amount of $13,260 to support student participation in the UW Summer STEM Camp, and
- A gift to the District from the Weatherwax Family Grants Fund at the Grays Harbor Community Foundation in the amount of $35,000 from the for Twin Harbors Skills Center Support Expansion.
Comments from the Board
President Durney and Director Wright shared information from a meeting with a parent that touched on numerous topics, including discussion about communication and transparency when incidents take place at school, the need for updated first aid kits at the junior high and a request for upgrades to sports uniforms.
The Board discussed the dress codes at the secondary level and asked the administration to review alignment between schools and enforcement.
The Board discussed making sure signs from the recent special levy campaign are collected.
Comments from Student Representatives
Representative Mikyla Gunter reported that the Harbor Learning Center is trying to organize a dance for April and that students are working on a St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser. She also reported that the Harbor Learning Center has dual credit opportunities with Snug Harbor, which is enabling her to work at Snug Harbor while also taking an early childcare basic course.
Representative Harnoor Jandu said Aberdeen High School recently held its Tolo dance and that Spring sports have begun. She also shared information students are getting from teachers that appears to be discouraging them from attempting Running Start. President Durney advised that the high school is working to offer some college courses at the high school.
Superintendent’s Report
District Mission, Vision and Values
Superintendent Thake discussed the work that has taken place developing mission, vision and values statements for the District and shared a one-page document launching the vision and goals for 2030.
Miller Exploratory Classes
Superintendent Thake shared information about exploratory classes that teachers have developed at Miller to encourage engagement and experiencing new activities. The exploratory classes include fun activities and crafts that are aligned to the curriculum such as board games, tie dye T-shirts, baking, crochet, graphic novel writing, strength training, coding, foreign languages, and intro to sports injury and first aid. He said students and staff seemed to truly enjoy the first session on March 1. Board members are invited to attend the next Exploratory day.
Survey
Superintendent Thake reported that a community survey is being prepared that will seek information and feedback about Aberdeen schools. The survey is scheduled to begin March 25.
Seismic Safety Phase 1 Planning
Superintendent Thake reported that consultants from ESD 112 will provide an update on the geology and engineering work taking place to assess the seismic safety needs at the Harbor Learning Center, A.J. West, Stevens elementary school and Miller Junior High. Seismic safety options will include assessing the pros and cons of retrofitting, evacuation towers or relocation from the tsunami zone. He said a steering committee of community members and staff from each school is being formed that will help formulate recommendations to the Board. In addition, he recommended a workshop on Tuesday, May 7, where more detail will be shared, which the Board approved.
New Business
Ednetics
A proposal to purchase equipment to upgrade the District’s technology infrastructure was approved. E-rate funds are expected to cover 85 percent of the cost.
New Market Agreement
Renewal of the inter-district cooperative agreement with the New Market Skills Center in Tumwater allowing Aberdeen students to enroll in New Market courses was approved.
Bus Purchase
The purchase of two, 78-passenger Thomas Built diesel buses from Schetky of Lakewood at a cost of $193,253.85 each was approved.
Personnel Report
Following an executive session, the Board approved the Personnel Report.
Community Survey opens next week
The School Board and superintendent are eager to hear from the community about our schools -- what's good, what's excellent and what needs improvement. To that end, a survey will open next Thursday, March 21, and will remain open until April 19.
"The feedback from the greater Aberdeen community will be used in a cycle of continuous improvement," Superintendent Jeffrey Thake said.
The link will be posted and shared on various websites, shared with local media and will appear in this newsletter starting next week until the survey closes.
Hopkins Preschool celebrates Dr. Seuss
The Cat in the Hat visited every classroom at Hopkins Preschool earlier this month for reading in celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday.
Principal Darby Carroll said that in addition to hearing the Cat read aloud, "Students all had an adventure bite with green eggs and ham along with strawberries and banana Kabobs."
Reminder: Conferences take place before Spring Break
Stay in touch
- Superintendent Jeffrey Thake, jthake@asd5.org
- Business Office, Elyssa Louderback, elouderback@asd5.org
- Human Resources, Christi Sayres, csayres@asd5.org
- Special Education, Rick Bates, rbates@asd5.org
- Career & Technical Education, Lynn Green, lgreen@asd5.org
- Teaching, Learning & Technology, Traci Sandstrom, tsandstrom@asd5.org
- Food Services, Jaime Matisons, jmatisons@asd5.org
School Office Hours
- Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- (360) 538-2130 / Principal Nani Villarreal
Central Park Elementary School
- Office Hours: 8:15 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- (360) 538-2170 / Principal Ruth Erwin-Svoboda
McDermoth Elementary School
- Office Hours: 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- (360) 538-2120 / Principal Mindi Hammill
Robert Gray Elementary School
- Office Hours: 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- (360) 538-2140 / Principal Sherri Northington
Stevens Elementary School
- Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- (360) 538-2150 / Principal Jamie Stotler
Harbor Learning Center
- Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- (360) 538-2180 / Principal Lisa Griebel
Hopkins Preschool
- Office Hours: 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- (360) 538-2190 / Principal Darby Carroll
Miller Junior High School
- Office Hours: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- (360) 538-2100 / Principal John Meers
Aberdeen High School
- Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- (360) 538-2040 General / Principal Aaron Roiko
- (360) 538-2060 Attendance Line
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The Aberdeen 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 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: Christi Sayres, Title IX Coordinator and Civil rights Compliance Coordinator, 216 North G St., Aberdeen, WA 98520; (360) 538-2222; csayres@asd5.org; Dr. Richard Bates, Section 504/ADA Coordinator, 216 North G St., Aberdeen, WA 98520; (360) 538-2017; rbates@asd5.org.