SCHOOL NEWS SUMMARY FOURTH QUARTER SUCCESS IN EDUCATION AWARDS

May 28, 2015
SUMMARY
Success in Ed.
Graduation
WASA Luncheon
& Awards
Employment
Softball/Track-State Bound!
SCHOOL NEWS
“Every Student, Every Day, Every Classroom”
FOURTH QUARTER SUCCESS IN EDUCATION AWARDS
The District announced its last ‘Success in Education’ award winners of the 14-15
school year!
Congratulations to Student Winners:
The only place
HS-Hailey Murphy, Tyler Arp, Maia Whitley, Josef Kohout
MS-Sierra Tossberg-Nash, Morgan Maier, Elsa Mastrude
MWE-Ryan Baron, Molly Amundsen
New Principals
MCE-Maddi Morehouse, Kiana Marchman-Ronne
Fire Department
Courses
Congratulations to Staff Winners:
15-16 Calendar
Message Board
Summer Lunch
OneDay CleanUp Event!
Superintendent
Message
Granite Falls School District
HS-Larry Lawlis
where SUCCESS
comes before WORK
is in the dictionary.
-Donald Kendall
MWE-Patti Skurski
The award represents students and staff that show an understanding of the
importance of education and provide a committed, excellent service to other
students, staff members or the community. Students are recognized
quarterly. Staff are recognized bi-annually. Candidates were nominated by staff
and then selected by an Administrative team. The Granite Falls School District
enjoys celebrating successes and civic progress. The School Board recognized
the staff and student winners at the May 20, 2015 board meeting.
GRADUATION/END-OF-THE-YEAR CELEBRATIONS
We have so many events planned between now and the end of school. We invite you to attend events at other
schools across the district. Between band performances, art shows and informational nights, we welcome your
participation!

Middle School Eighth Grade Graduation will be held in the MS Gym located at 405 N. Alder Ave. Granite
Falls, WA 98252 on June 11 at 6 p.m.

Crossroads High School Graduation will be held in the CR Gym located at 205 North Alder Ave. Granite
Falls, WA,98252 on June 4 at 7p.m.

Granite Falls High School Graduation will be held in the HS Gym located at 1401 100th St. NE, Granite Falls,
WA, 98252 on June 5 at 7 p.m.
Our students have worked extremely hard, and we look forward to honoring them all!
Last Day of School— June 12, Half-Day Release Schedule
Granite Falls School District
May 28, 2015
2015 WASA LUNCHEON HONOREES
On Thursday May 7th, the Washington Association of School Administrators
(WASA) Region 109 hosted an awards ceremony luncheon for all of Snohomish
County School Districts at the Everett Golf and Country Club.
As Student Achievement Leaders, the Middle School Science Department was
honored and as a Community Volunteer, Barbara Belshee was honored. Thank
you for providing exceptional service at our schools and for joining our district,
among other Snohomish County School Districts to the WASA Luncheon on May
7. For community information about the ceremony and awarded individuals,
visit here (.pdf).
EMPLOYMENT & SCHOOL COMMUNITY SLIDE SHOW
The District welcomes new applicants for substitute staff and other
positions as posted online. For more information, please contact Susan
King in Human Resources at [email protected] or 360-283-4309.
We are proud of our school community! We invite you to check out a
brief slideshow including pictures from our district and community!
Last Day of School— June 12, Half-Day Release Schedule
Granite Falls School District
May 28, 2015
SOFTBALL & TRACK — STATEBOUND!
The Lady Tigers
Softball team clinched
their spot in the 2A
State tournament held
in Selah, WA from May
29-30. Also, four fierce
track competitors
advanced individually
to the 2A state
competition at Mt.
Tahoma High School from May 29-30. Ryley Repenn (senior) and
Brenden Sanders (senior) will compete in the High Jump; Dante
Gadbois (junior) will compete in the 400 meters; and Dayana Diaz
(freshman) will compete in the 300 hurdles.
On Thursday, May 28, the
High School students rallied
together to cheer on both
teams in a school wide
send-off!
Best of luck
TIGERS!!!!!
Last Day of School— June 12, Half-Day Release Schedule
1
Granite Falls School District
May 28, 2015
WELCOME NEW HIGH SCHOOL & MONTE CRISTO ELEMENTARY PRINCIPALS
We are very pleased to welcome Kevin Davis as Principal of the High School and Heidi Thaut as
Principal of Monte Cristo Elementary, effective July 1. Candidates were selected by a
committee of administrators, board members, teachers, students and community members.
The Board approved the hiring of Davis and Thaut at its regular meetings in May. In addition,
the hiring committee is recommending Joey Johnson to the Board for the position of the
High School Assistant Principal/Athletic Director at the next regular meeting on June 3.
“I have had the pleasure of teaching Math, English
and Speech and Theater at the high school level
for 11 years prior to my work in Administration. I
am an active member in several professional organizations such as; National Association of Secondary School Principals, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and I have represented high school conferences at the state education level. I am married and have two children, a
son and a daughter. Both children are enrolled in
college and my wife has been teaching at the elementary-level for the last 15 years. We look forward to moving to the Granite Falls area and integrating ourselves into this amazing community. I
am very eager to start my work as principal of the
high school!” -Davis
“I have enjoyed working as an elementary
principal for nine years and as a program director for nine years. Most recently, I moved
back to Washington from Arizona where I
worked as Director of seventeen childcare
and preschool programs. My husband, Joel
Thaut (former Superintendent of Granite
Falls), speaks highly of his experiences with
the great staff, kids, families and community
of Granite Falls. I too am thrilled to join the
Granite Falls team and can’t wait to become
a part of the Monte Cristo family.” -Thaut
Last Day of School— June 12, Half-Day Release Schedule
May 28, 2015
Granite Falls School District
GFFD HOSTS SUMMER CAMPS/SAFETY COURSES
- GFFD Day Camp (1 or 4 day camp) in August--Learn about fire safety, bike
safety, staying active & healthy, and participate in team-building activities
alongside local Firefighters. Click here for an informational flyer.
- Bike Safety Rodeo (June 15, 10am-1pm)—Youngsters (and their parents) will
learn how to be safe while riding bikes through a 6 station safety course which
includes safety checkpoints & helmet fitting. Also, families will get to meet & talk
w/ local Firefighters
- SafeSitter 2-Day course from June 29-30--Young teens need training in first
aid, indoor and outdoor safety, and how to handle household emergencies before
they are adequately prepared to stay home alone or watch younger siblings. Click
here for an informational flyer or visit the national non-profit SafeSitter website.
Last Day of School— June 12, Half-Day Release Schedule
May 28, 2015
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE BOARD
The electronic message board,
installed on SR92 near the entrance to
Granite Falls, is meant to provide our
community with an efficient means of
notifying citizens about upcoming
events and emergency notifications.
The City and District are in partnership
with the Fire Department to create
messages. Citizens with inquiries
about the sign should continue to
contact City Hall for more
information.
SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM
Granite Falls School District
NEXT YEAR’S CALENDAR
The calendar for next school year is
part of the negotiations process
with the teachers’ bargaining unit.
During negotiations, the school
calendar will be established. The
District will use the website, email,
as well as media to announce the
calendar when contract
negotiations are complete. The
TENTATIVE 2015-2016 Important
Calendar Dates (NOTE: subject to
change by the teacher’s union and
school district) are:
• Start Day: September 2, 2015
• Winter Break: December 21,
2015- January 1, 2016
• Spring Break: April 4-8, 2016
The District is excited to qualify for the Federal Summer Lunch program this
year! As many of you recall, we were not eligible to apply for it last year. We
were very fortunate that members of the community stepped-up to take on a
similar program providing kids with lunch last summer. We thank the
Community Coalition and many volunteers! Since the District is able to provide
the Federal Lunch Program again this year, we will serve ages 1-18 and the meals
will be preplanned to provide optimal nourishment for our children. The
program will be held at the Middle School Multi-Purpose Room as it has been in
years past. It will be open from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. starting June 15 and run
through August 21. Although we qualify this year for the program, we continue
to welcome your partnerships. More information about volunteer opportunities
will be provided soon in order to best serve our kids.
Last Day of School— June 12, Half-Day Release Schedule
Granite Falls School District
May 28, 2015
The annual
One Day
community
clean-up event
will be held on
June 20 from
8am - noon. For
MORE INFO./To
SIGN-UP, VISIT The
Chamber’s
website>
District Office/Admin. Bldg.
205 North Alder Ave
Granite Falls, WA 98252
Phone: 360.691.7717
Fax: 360.691.4459
Website: www.gfalls.wednet.edu
A Message from the Superintendent...
“Please continue to contact our local legislatures
and stress the importance of a fully funded
public education system. Even with the passing of
Initiative 1351 and the State Supreme Court
order to fully fund education, the Legislature’s
current proposals fall short. Nationally, the state
of Washington ranks 40th in regards to ‘perpupil’ funding. We believe in every student,
every day, every classroom. Thank you for your
continued support of our schools.”
SUPERINTENDENT
LINDA HALL
Last Day of School— June 12, Half-Day Release Schedule