Port Susan Middle School
Family & Student Update 03.17.24
Principal Message
Spring Conferences
Spring conferences are next week (March 27-28). If you have concerns about the academic progress of your student, teacher conferences are available by request to discuss your student’s academic progress, performance at school, and goals for improvement.
Please reach out to the teacher by email or call our office at Port Susan Middle School (360.629.1360) to get connected to the teacher to set up a conference time. Thanks for your support.
Classified Appreciation
We celebrated our classified staff this week and they could not be more deserving of this recognition. The support they offer our students daily and care they have for the success of our learning community is truly amazing. We hope you understand the impact you have on the success of Port Susan. Thank you!
- Mrs. Almanza, Principal
Spelling Bee
Health Class
This past week, Bobby Guadamuz with Tulalip Bay, volunteered his time to share the experience with our students. He was joined by Camano Fire Josh Tcheng, Chris Easter, and both Junior and Senior Cadets from Stanwood High School. What a great experience!
Spring Play
Practices for all cast are Tuesdays and Thursdays this month from 2:30-4. The practice schedule can be found here.
PSMS Clubs
D&D Club Flyer: Mondays with Mr. McCrumb 2:20pm-3:50
Music Club Fridays 2:30-3:30 with Mr. Bletscher
Sewing Club Thursdays 2:20-3:30 with Mrs. Zurcher (more kids are welcome: Sign up here)
Chess Club 2: Wednesdays/ every other Fridays 2:20-3:30 with Mrs. Shoemaker
Photography Club Tuesdays 2:20-3:50 with Mr. McCrumb and Mr. Rochon Sign Up Here
Soap Box Derby Club: Thursdays 2:30-4 with Mr. Rochon (starts March 14) Sign Up Here
Final Sports Season: Boys Soccer & Boys/Girls Track (7th & 8th Grade)
Spring Sports are just around the corner! Practices for 7th/8th grade Boys and Girls Track will start on Monday March 25th. 7th/8th Boys Soccer will start on April 8th. In order to sign up, the Final Forms sign up is found here. Athletes will need a physical on file (good for two years) prior to the first practice. If you have any questions, or need help signing up, please reach out to Crysty Auckland at: cauckland@stanwood.wednet.edu
Girls Basketball
Congratulations! Eighth grade girls demonstrated excellent composure. Joy was given the honor of the game for her patience and fierce energy on the court. She consistently snatched the ball from her opponent with each encounter. The Knights have an unwavering attitude enhancing the enjoyment of watching them play. On Tuesday, the honor of the game for the 8th grade team goes to Bella for raising her game to new heights, displaying strong characteristics across the board. Her remarkable offensive performance helped pave the way for a successful game. The Knights gameplay was incredibly smooth and cohesive as they worked seamlessly together. They dominated the boards, securing a 30-24 victory against north whidbey.
On Tuesday, the 7th grade varsity team beat the North Whidbey Cougars by a score of 27-18. The Knights used an aggressive defense to help them get the win. The honor of the game bracelet goes to Sophie M for her great attitude and always giving her best effort. Way to go Knights! On Wednesday, they also beat the Cascade Kodiaks by a score of 24-7. The Knights played lockdown defense and held the Kodiaks scoreless in the 2nd half. The Honor of the game bracelet goes to Emi for the awesome effort that she gives every time she is on the floor.
Boys and Girls Wrestling
Lots of great matches this week, as we are at the end of our season so there is tough competition. Some of the wins this week are from Alex, Gabe, Zoey, Claire, Nathan, Tyrus, John, Bjorn, Bellah, Dawson, and Paul. Great job everyone!
Spring Boys Soccer and Boys/Girls Track
Spring Sports are just around the corner! Practices for 7th/8th grade Boys and Girls Track will start on Monday March 25th. 7th/8th Boys Soccer will start on April 8th. In order to sign up, the Final Forms sign up is found here. Athletes will need a physical on file (good for two years) prior to the first practice. If you have any questions, or need help signing up, please reach out to Crysty Auckland at: cauckland@stanwood.wednet.edu
What’s New in the PSMS Library?
Staff Shout Out: Mrs. Riley
1. How long have you taught at PSMS?: This is my fifth year at PSMS as a 6th, 7th, and 8th grade language arts teacher.
2. What is your favorite thing about PSMS? I enjoy working with the staff and watching the students grow, change, and mature during their time here.
3. What do you do when you are not at PSMS (hobbies/fun)?: In my free time, I do arts and crafts on my Cricut machine.
Week of 03/18 through 03/22
- Regular Schedule
Tuesday, March 19th
- Regular Schedule
- Girls basketball vs SMS
- PSMS Band Concert (@ Stanwood High School)
Wednesday, March 20th
- Wednesday Schedule
Thursday, March 21st
- Regular Schedule
Friday, March 22nd
- Regular Schedule
Upcoming Dates
Spring Conferences
Wednesday 03/27: NO LATE START (1/2 day 7:40 -10:40am)
Thursday 03/28: 1/2 Day 7:40 - 10:40am
Friday 03/29: 1/2 Day 7:40 - 10:40am
***Spring Break: NO SCHOOL April 1st through 5th
State Testing
Science: May 6th-10th
ELA/Math CAT: May 13th - 17th
ELA/Math PT: May 20th - 24th
District news
Be aware of fentanyl
We wanted to share that our Fentanyl and Opioid Awareness Night on Tuesday was attended by about 60 individuals. If you missed it, you can watch a recording of the presentation on our YouTube site.
A common theme throughout the night was the importance of having conversations early and often with our children and students about the dangers of taking pills and drugs from unknown sources. Law enforcement experts are finding more and more substances laced with potentially lethal amounts of fentanyl, many times unbeknownst to the buyer and seller of the pill or drug.
It was compelling to hear our presenters and audience members affirm that talking with our youth about these dangers once or twice is simply not enough. Regular conversations are needed to help protect our children.
You can learn more about fentanyl at www.dea.gov/onepill
Help us address attendance issues
Research shows that missing as little as two days of school every month, or 10% of the school year, can significantly impact students' learning ability and test scores.
Chronic absenteeism is trending down in our district in most categories — such as illness, family business, and appointments. However, absence rates still remain higher than in pre-COVID years, and the total number of “unexcused absences” so far this school year is trending higher than last year — particularly among our high schoolers. “Unexcused absences” are days a student misses class and the school is not notified as to the reason.
Reducing the number of days students are absent is a key component of improving graduation rates, increasing academic achievement, and giving students the best chance at success in the workplace. We want all of these things for our students!
Together, we can ensure our scholars arrive at school on time every day when they are well.
Let's do this! Find information and tips on our Attendance webpage.
Still time to take and share the annual community survey!
We're still hoping more community members take our annual Community Survey.
Your voice truly helps us plan for and prioritize for the years ahead as we adjust our practices in several ways to meet the needs of our students, staff, families, and community!
Local nonprofits offer clubs and programs for students
Several area nonprofit organizations — such as the Stanwood-Camano YMCA and the Stanwood Camano Arts Advocacy Commission — offer clubs, programs, classes, and events for local students, including:
- Inclusive Egg Hunt
- Spring Sports (YMCA)
- 2024 Sports Offerings (YMCA)
- Youth & Government program (YMCA)
- Leaders Club (YMCA)
- Freeform Line Drawing (SCAAC)
- Spring Rowing (Everett Rowing)
- Youth Dynamics (Stilly Valley)
View even more local programming on our Community e-Fliers webpage!
Youth sports equipment drive at the Y!
The Stanwood-Camano YMCA is collecting gently used and new youth sports equipment for a free Sport Equipment Swap.
If you’d like to donate new or used youth sports equipment, please drop it off at the YMCA now through March 20.
Then, the YMCA will host the free Community Youth Sport Equipment Swap from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 23. Everyone is invited to shop or swap.
Friday Family Message
Find the most recent Friday Family Message from the Stanwood-Camano School District online HERE
Thank you for your support!
Cherae Almanza, Principal
Crysty Auckland, Assistant Principal
Teacher Emails
Dave Austin (6-8 Fitness & Social Studies 6) daustin@stanwood.wednet.edu
Jonathan Bletscher (6-8 Band & 6 Choir) 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 & 7/8 Art) lstunz@stanwood.wednet.edu
Grace Gale (6 Science & 8 STEM/Robotics) GGale@stanwood.wednet.edu
Chelsea Hanson (6-8 ELA/Humanities) CHanson@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 (6/7 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 (6/7 Science) DMccrumb@stanwood.wednet.edu
Sarah Oldow (6-8 Health & 6 Art) soldow@stanwood.wednet.edu
Tracy Riley (6-8 ELA) TRiley@stanwood.wednet.edu
Kelcie Rocha (7/8 Math) krocha@stanwood.wednet.edu
Brad Rochon (6-8 Computers & 6 Leadership) brochon@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 & 7/8 Lifetime 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
Christy Thompson (8 Counselor) cthompson2@stanwood.wednet.edu
Keli Niegemann (6-8 Counselor) kniegemann@stanwood.wednet.edu
Emily Bowne (School Psychologist) ebowne@stanwood.wednet.edu
Kandyce Hansen (Speech Language Pathologist) khansen@stanwood.wednet.edu
Debbie Byrum (Librarian) dbyrum@stanwood.wednet.edu
Amy Hart (Student Support Advocate) ahart@stanwood.wednet.edu