May & June Newsletter - Orcas Island School District

May/June Newsletter
Orcas Island School District News
Dates
Wednesday, May 11 th Dance Showcase for Kindergarten, 2nd & 3 rd Grade @ 5:00 at
Orcas Center. Students should arrive @ 4:30 at the Black Box
Wednesday, May 18 th MS Group Pictures
Thursday, May 19 th 6:00 pm – Rosario Discovery House
Saturday, June 4 th 2:00 pm – Emmanuel Episcopal Parish Hall
May 2 nd – May 13 th AP Testing Weeks
May 2 nd – May 20 th MSP State Testing
Thursday, May 12 th * PTSA Meeting
* Waldron Site Council
Thursday, May 19 th OIEF Food for Thought
May 24 th & May 25 th Oasis HS Senior Projects
Sunday, May 29 th HS Prom
Monday, May 30 th Memorial Day Holiday
Wednesday, June 1 st Senior Dinner
Thursday, June 2 nd MS/HS Music Concert
Saturday, June 4 th Oasis HS Commencement – 2 PM Episcopal Parish Hall
Tuesday, June 7 th Orcas HS Senior Project Presentations
Wednesday, June 8 th School Board Budget Work Session
Thursday, June 9 th Elementary Music Concert
Friday, June 10 th * K-12 Noon Dismissal
* Celebration of Success – 10 AM in the HS gym
* Middle School Dance
Saturday, June 11 th Orcas HS Graduation Ceremony – 2 PM in the HS gym
Monday, June 13 th HS State Math Tests (Algebra & Geometry)
June 14 th & 15 th HS Final Exams
Wednesday, June 15 th MS Water Slides Trip
Thursday, June 16 th * HS Class Registration
* Final day of school
* 8 th Grade Promotion Ceremony – 11 AM – school cafeteria
* Noon Dismissal
Thursday, June 23 rd School Board Meeting
Wednesday, July 13 th School Board Budget Workshop
Thursday, July 28 th School Board Meeting

Superintendent/Principal Information
Thank you all for the support and encouragement and advice that I have received this year from
parents and community members. Your input and support are much appreciated and recognized.
There is a great deal of information in this newsletter about events and activities happening as we
close out this school year. Please be aware that sometimes dates or times change. You may want to
check with your student or the office about times or dates of events that you wish to attend. Please
know that parents are welcome to attend all activities despite what you may hear from your student.
If you want confirmation of that or more information, please call the school offices 376-2286 for
elementary or 376-2287 for middle and high school.
Budget
We are continuing to work out the school budget for next year. As you know, the state is in great
financial trouble and must find ways to balance the budget. When the state budget is announced, I
expect that that there will be cuts in financing for our district. While we wait to see exactly what the
state budget will be, we are studying our budget from this year and projecting expenses for next year.
In addition, with the help of OIEF and OICF, we are looking for donations and grants to support bring
in more funds to support our work.
We also have a May 15 th deadline by which we are required to notify certificated (teaching) staff of
any possible teaching staff cuts for next year. These cuts do not have to be made, but we are
required to notify teachers if there is any possibility that they may be cut. Even when it is clear that
the cuts will not allow us to provide the education our students need, we must notify the teachers of
possible job loss and then move on to find the funding to support the teachers we need.
The Orcas Island School Board and the volunteer Budget Advisory Committee will be meeting over
the next few months to determine the best possible budget for the next school year. The budget for
the school year 2011-12 must be completed by July. In July, we will have two budget hearings and
two board meetings. We have also planned a budget workshop for Wednesday, June 8 th at 5:30pm.
We will have other meetings on the budget and the public is always welcome all meetings of the
School Board.
While we have a right to expect that education is “fully funded” by the state, we also know that this is
just not going to happen this year. We, as a staff and a community, need to look at all of the

possibilities and options for funding our schools and keeping our teaching staff. What we do here is
teach; teachers are the most important staff members we have. Somehow we will figure out a way
to keep what we need and what we want for our students.
Thank you to all for your generous support of our students throughout the year.
Facilities Update
The workshop, on A Way Forward for the school facilities, organized and facilitated by Fred Klein has
presented a statement of consensus to the public and to the school board. I have attached this
document to this newsletter for your reference. One of the agreed upon action items is to address the
1980’s buildings through the formation of a study group. The recommendations of this group will assist
us in determining what we need to do to improve the safety and overall condition of these buildings:
“The “1980 Buildings” (cafeteria, library, and middle school) are unsafe and in need of either repair or
replacement. We request that a team of island professionals – contractors, architects, engineers –
review and assess the existing studies / plans related to the “1980 buildings.” This qualified, local team
of professionals will be asked to evaluate the available studies and cost estimates, identify what is
missing or outdated, examine the facilities in their current state, and provide recommendations to our
community and to the school board.”
The elementary school will undergo major repairs this summer as crews work to replace the plumbing
and the HVAC (heating and ventilation system). With the support and encouragement of the
community and the Way Forward group, the school board has agreed to assume debt in the amount
of $1,000,000 to use with the available $900,000 grant to make these elementary school repairs. In
preparation for the work, all staff will be moving out of their elementary rooms. The old gym will be
used to store all of the items boxed up and removed from the elementary. This is a major
undertaking and a lot of work to be completed over the summer.
In addition to providing our students with a better environment, this is a state energy project with
guaranteed energy savings in electrical expenses. The work that we did last summer in the high
school to upgrade the HVAC system and lighting was also a state energy project that has resulted in
energy savings. Those energy cost savings will provide a source of funds to help pay for the debt
incurred for this project until we have a vote to payoff the total. The school board is discussing
possible dates at which we will ask the voters to fund the payback of the loan though a capital levy
or bond. Your feedback is welcome to me or to any of the board members.
Enjoy the rest of this year with your student. Please call if we can help in any way.

Advanced Placement Class/Tests
Our high school students are taking Advanced Placement tests in May. These tests are scored on a 5
point scale with 5 being the highest grade. Students can earn college credit from most colleges with a
score of 3 or better. Some colleges increase the number of credits as the score increases toward 5.
Even students who do not do well enough on the tests to earn the college credit and have to take the
class in college report that they feel better prepared because of their work in AP classes.
This May, students are taking tests in AP European History, AP English, AP US History, AP Biology, AP
Physics, AP Human Geography, and AP Calculus. Good luck to those hard working students and to
their teachers and parents who have suffered right along with them.
Explore Tests for 8 TH
We are planning to give the Explore tests to 8 th grade students to provide information to our students,
parents and staff about the performance of our students as compared to students across the US. We
are using the Explore Test because it has good information about student performance in different
subject areas and it contains a student interest inventory to help students “explore” possible career
interests. The test results will be sent home to parents and shared with students as soon as they
become available to us.
8 th grade students will be taking the Explore tests later in May. The testing will take a few hours and
it will be timed. This will give the students a testing experience more like the PLAN, PSAT or SAT or
ACT which students will take later in high school. The Explore test is created by the same company
that produces the PLAN test and the ACT college entrance exam. We offer our 10 th graders the
PLAN test which is the pre-ACT test and which gives our students good information about their
possible career interests and their performance with students across the country.
For more information about the tests, please go to http://www.actstudent.org/explore/
Or call Barbara Kline or Nancy Wrightsman at 376-2287.

End of Course Math Tests
Students taking algebra or geometry are required to take the state end of course test which we will
be giving in June. Students who are in geometry will only have to take the geometry test; the state
legislature has changed the law to allow students in the classes of 2013 and 2014 to take only the test
for the class that they are currently in.
These tests will be the final exam for the algebra and geometry classes as well as a requirement for
graduation from high school. The tests are untimed and therefore we want to allow some extra time
for taking the tests in case the students need it.
We are planning to give these tests on Monday, June 13 th . In order to give the students extra time and
a clear focus on these tests, we are going to use the same schedule that we have used for the other
state tests.
For Monday, June 13 th we will start school late for students who are not taking the math tests.
Testing and Work Time 8:30 – 10:30
Break 10:30 – 10:45
Students are welcome to come to school at the regular time on Monday. Since the rest of the high
school finals will be on Tuesday and Wednesday of that week, students will have work to do and can
meet with teachers at that time. Students who wish to volunteer, may also be able to help
elementary staff members move boxes out of the elementary and into the old gym.
Orcas Island High School Upcoming Senior
Events
Senior Dinner Wednesday, June 1 st
Senior Project Presentations Tuesday, June 7 th
Senior Finals Wednesday and Thursday June 8 th and 9 th (unless the
student has taken these earlier)
First Graduation Practice Friday, June 10 th at 8:30AM
Celebration of Success Friday, June 10 th at 10:00AM
Baccalaureate Thursday, June 9 th
Graduation Seat Selection and Practice Saturday, June 11 th at 10:30AM
Seniors will mark seats for their families beginning at
10:30AM
Practice begins at 11AM and is over by 12:30PM
Orcas Island HS Graduation June 11 th at 2PM
Grad Night At the Funhouse Saturday, June 11 th

Oasis High School Senior Events
Senior Project Presentations Tuesday and Wednesday, May 24 th and 25 th
Senior Dinner Wednesday, June 1 st
Commencement Ceremony Saturday, June 4 th - 2PM
Celebration of Success Friday, June 10 th at 10AM
Grad Night At the Funhouse, Saturday, June 11 th
Local Scholarships
Senior parents should also be aware that the local scholarship book has been offered to all seniors and
we have spent time in their advisory classes to review the contents and to help students identify the
scholarships that they are most interested in. The scholarships have various due dates, so it is
important to check the book and your senior to get all paperwork in on time. There are scholarships
for students who are going to four year and two year colleges and vocational schools and training. If
your senior needs money to further his/her education, be sure to take a look at the scholarship book.
The majority of these scholarships and other awards will be given to students on Friday, June 10 th at
the Celebration of Success at 10AM. Parents, friends and students are invited to this celebration for
our students.
Senior Project Presentation Panel Members
Needed!
Orcas Island High School seniors will be presenting their senior projects to the student body and senior
panels on Tuesday, June 7 th . OASIS High School Seniors will be presenting their projects to students
and a panel on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 24 th and 25 th . Senior panels are made up of
community members and faculty.

Senior projects consist of a research paper, a project that requires students to apply knowledge in
some tangible way, and a presentation before a panel of judges. All seniors must complete the Senior
Project in order to graduate.
If you are interested in learning more about the project or would like to be considered as a member
of the panel, please contact Val Hellar or Kathleen Collister at 376-2287. To volunteer for the OASIS
High School panel, please call Marta Branch at 376-2287.
Parents and community members are welcome to attend their own or other student’s presentations.
The schedule for presentation times and places will be available in the first week of June. If you are
interested in attending, please ask your senior student or call the office during the first week in June to
find out the exact time and place.
Celebration of Success
The Celebration of Success will be held on Friday, June 10 th at 10AM in the high school gym. At this
assembly, we will recognize students who have earned special awards for outstanding achievement
during this school year. All of the high school students will attend the Celebration of Success, although
most of the awards will go to the graduating seniors. Members of the community will be present to
give awards and scholarships to graduating seniors.
This ceremony provides an opportunity for all students to see the recognition, awards and community
scholarships that may be available to them when they graduate. Parents and community members
are all invited to attend this assembly. Seniors will be dressed in their graduation gowns and neck
stoles but not their caps.
After the Celebration of Success, all attendees are invited to join the students and staff in the annual
high school barbecue which takes place in the front of the high school.
Orcas Island High School Graduation
Ceremony
The graduation ceremony for Orcas Island High School will take place on Saturday, June 11 th at 2PM
in the high school gym. All are invited to this ceremony. While it sometimes gets both crowded and
hot, there always seem to be spaces for everyone who wants to attend.
This is a good opportunity for younger students to see the culminating ceremony they are most likely

to experience at the end of their high school years. Seniors who receive community scholarships at
the Celebration of Success will be recognized at the graduation ceremony.
Oasis High School Commencement Ceremony
The Commencement Ceremony for students graduating from or completing a GED through OASIS
High School will be held on Saturday, June 4 th at 2PM in the Parish Hall of the Emmanuel Episcopal
Church on the water in Eastsound.
This is a wonderful and very personal ceremony. All are invited to come celebrate with our students.
After the ceremony, there is a social gathering with lots of good food to which all attendees are
invited.
High School Class Registration
The class selection book has been given to students and all students should now have completed and
returned their class selection form. 8 th graders will complete and return their class selection form after
creating their 5 year plans with Nancy Wrightsman.
The information from the class selection forms will be entered into the computer system. It is
important that these forms are correct because that is the information that is used to create the
schedule of classes.
The information that students provide on the class request forms, will be used to create the best class
schedule possible. Despite the uncertainty in the budget, we are hoping to have students register for
classes on the final day of school this year.
Current 8 th graders (next year’s 9 th graders) will complete their Class Request Form with the help of
counselor, Nancy Wrightsman. These students will be assigned to classes based on their Class Selection
Forms. Once their classes are assigned, 9 th graders will be able to see their schedules online; they will
also receive a schedule in the mail. 8 th graders will not register for classes on the final day of school.
Before the end of the school year, all students must complete the Student Check Out Form which
requires that all books be returned or paid for, all bills or fees paid and all detention served.

Please Bring Back School Stuff
As households do spring organizing and cleanup after a long and wet winter, please look around for
school items that may have migrated to your house. Such migrating items might include books or
calculators or anything that a student may have borrowed to use at home and have forgotten to
return. Particularly in this time of budget concerns, we would like to retrieve all of our materials so
that we do not have replacement costs.
Yearbooks
The last chance to buy a yearbook for the school year 2010-11 is here. We have a limited number of
books still available. Books are currently $70 and the price will rise as we get closer to the end of the
year.
High School Officer Elections
Elections for high school ASB (Associated Student Body) officers will be held in May.
Students running for office will campaign the week of the elections by putting up posters and
speaking to individual students in high school and in the 8 th grade. The candidates will speak at an
assembly that includes students in grades 8-11 and the voting will be held shortly after the assembly.
ASB officers include President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Public Relations Officer. All
officers must be students who will be in grades 10-12 in the next school year. The President must be a
12 th grader; all other offices are open to any student in 10-12. If your student is interested in running
for ASB office, please have him/her pick up a form from Kathleen Collister, ASB advisor.
Elections for high school class officers will be held on the first Thursday in June at high school class
meetings. Class offices for each class are President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Often
students who are not elected to ASB offices become officers of their classes at the June elections.

From the desk of the K-8 Principal
May is a month that I always find myself saying thank you (especially for the return of the sun); we
are very fortunate to live in such a supportive and caring community that shares it’s gifts so
generously with our schools. The first week in May is National Teacher and School Staff Appreciation
Week, and a time that I find is so important to remind everyone that works with our students how
much we appreciate the role they play in the lives of our children. I hope you will join me in thanking
the people who work with your children on a daily basis; every kind word and smile really does make
a difference.
I also want to thank the numerous organizations and individuals in the community who provide
support to our schools with their time, resources, and expertise. The list of supporters of our schools is
too long to print here, but I would like to acknowledge all who have given so generously. The children
and schools of Orcas Island are lucky to have your support. We, of course, will continue to work to
build even stronger relationships with our supporters in the coming year and hope that you will all
join us at the Orcas Island Education Foundation Dinner and Auction on May 19 th to celebrate and
support our community and our schools.
As we head quickly into summer I am sure I join all of you in hoping for sunnier days and the return of
lots of summer visitors. Our schools are not immune from the current economic situation in our nation,
state, and community. As we plan for the next school year we are working hard to continue to
provide the small class size, personal connection and unique education that is a hallmark of our
schools. Thanks to generous community support we will continue to offer a wide variety of art
programs, including visual art, music, theater, and dance instruction. We are excited that, thanks to
the support of a generous community member, we will be piloting the addition of Spanish language
instruction into elementary and middle school for next school year. Along with the addition of
Spanish we are also in the process of completing the evaluation and adoption of a new math
curriculum and the continued strengthening of our science program to ensure that our curriculum
aligns with state and national standards and that teachers have the resources and training needed to
provide high quality instruction.
After evaluating our staffing and student needs in the primary grades we have concluded that the
best model for reaching the needs of all of our students will be the creation of two 1 st and 2 nd grade
multi-age classrooms for next year. This will provide us with a cohesive teaching team that will be
able to work together to meet the needs of all of our students. This team of teachers will be working
to ensure a fluid curriculum and to ensure that we take maximum advantage of this opportunity. We
are excited about this change and think it will be a positive decision for our students and our school.
Although we have not finalized our staffing plan for next year, we are always happy to receive input
from parents regarding the placement of their children for the coming school year. A letter and form
are available in the elementary school office for parents who would like to share information about
their child to assist us in placing them in the best learning environment. For many reasons, including
the possibility of changing staff plans we do request that you focus on your child’s educational needs

and not focus on requesting a specific teacher. It is always our goal to place students in the best
learning environment for their needs.
For the parents of our current 6 th and 8 th grade classes I am sure that you are very aware that your
child will be moving into a new school (middle or high school) next year. Parent and student
information meetings will be scheduled in the coming month to answer questions for both students
and parents as they transition from one part of our school community to the next.
It appears that our Middle School will be growing in numbers with the arrival of our new 7 th grade
class and we are excited by the challenges and opportunities that a bigger school will afford us. We
are currently working on a staffing plan for the coming school year. Your questions and feedback are
always welcome as we continue to plan for the coming year.
Over the summer you might notice a lot of activity around the elementary school. In June work will
begin on a project to upgrade and replace the air handling, heating, and water delivery systems in
the elementary school building. These repairs and upgrades along with other energy efficiency
projects to be completed over the summer will welcome us back to a safer and healthier school
building next year. As we prepare for the construction teachers will be packing their rooms and we
will be emptying the school. Anyone who would like to volunteer to help will be welcome to
participate in the “Big Move”.
Please don’t forget that we have lots of exciting events taking place in the coming months before the
school year ends. Our 7 th and 8 th grade classes will be celebrating the end of the year with a dance on
the 10 th of June, a trip to Wild Waves on June 15 th and our promotion ceremony on June 16 th . The
elementary school will celebrate the end of the year with Field Day on June 15 th ; parent volunteers are
always welcome to join us. These events along with our upcoming concerts, theater and dance
performances, field trips, class parties and of course Graduation will make the coming month an
exciting celebration of our community and our children.
Counselor Information
There are still six weeks of school left, but it is that time of year when all students should be
considering the classes they hope to take next year and the requirements they have yet to meet in
order to graduate. All students met in their advisories to plan their next year’s schedules and update
their Five Year Plans. I will meet with students who have special concerns so they are ready to
register once the schedule is finalized. If you have concerns about your student’s progress or overall
plans, please make an appointment with me to discuss them. Students will actually sign-up for their
classes the last day of school.
I help eighth graders make a Five-Year Plan during Life Skills, and, at this point, half of the class has
made one. The other half will work on this during May. If you have an eighth grader, I hope you
review his/her preliminary five-year plan carefully. We plan to keep you well informed about the
class choices available and possible recommendations, but it will be helpful for you to discuss some of

these ideas with your son or daughter. Both students and parents often find the idea of high school
overwhelming.
Seniors should have the packet listing all the local scholarships as of this mailing. Most of these
deadlines are in May. Please encourage your student to fill these out neatly, thoroughly, and
accurately. Remind them of the deadlines. With the amount of people applying, applications will
not be considered after the deadlines. Scholarship winners will be announced at Celebration of
Success, a school assembly on June 10th.
Graduating seniors will have final transcripts sent to the institutions of their choice only if they leave us
one of the forms indicating where they are to be sent. These forms are located in the boxes next to
Georgia’s desk. Please remind your son or daughter to do this. Transcripts should be available by the
end of June and will be sent at that time.
Finally, as this is the last newsletter, have a fine summer break. As always, encourage your students
to read. There are recommended book lists in the office if you would like some guidelines. Also, if
traveling, try to plan visits to the colleges/universities your son or daughter is considering attending.
An actual visit really helps the decision process. You might encourage your soon-to-be senior son
/daughter to start those college essays this summer. That certainly makes the fall less stressful as they
begin their senior year.
ORCAS ISLAND SCHOOLS
HIGH HONOR ROLL
3.50-4.00 GPA
April 2011
7 th GRADE 8 TH GRADE 9 TH GRADE
Wylie Kau Taj Howe Brigid Ehrmantraut
Julianna Rose Hannah Brunner-Gaydos Emily Jackson
Dana Sabine Mikaela Hansen Bailey Johnson
Jo Gudgell William Coe Aidan Anderson
Kahana Pietsch Felicia Gossett Chris Babcock
Kara Veldman Arianna Dean Jack Russillo
Zach Waage Hailey Crowe
Lily Ater Braeden Smith
Lilly Miller
Anthony Kaskurs
Gwydion Marreth
Jeshurun Roach
Liam Paige
Michael Harlow
Jasmin Otto
Claire Bishop-Martin

10 TH GRADE 11 TH GRADE 12 TH GRADE
Max Blackadar Sofie Thixton Halley McCormick
Ana Ledgerwood Huxley Smart Serena Sanders
Annie Ryder Di Mowrey Jacqlynn Zier
Jules Mann Claire O’Neill Makenna Thomas
Garett Pietsch Makala Forster
Zackary Wolford Piper Hayworth
Lana Bronn Alex Zderic
Jessica Gudgell Lindsay Anderson
Aidan McCormick Sabina Smith-Moreland
Tika Zbornik Iris Parker-Pavitt
Ruby Adrian
Josh Bronn
Kirsten Fowler
Morgan Sabine
Adelaine Newcombe
Freeda Crow
Juan Diaz-Alvarez
Ursula Pamatian
HONOR ROLL
3.25–3.49 GPA
7 th GRADE 8 th GRADE 9 th GRADE
Emily Nichols Madeline White Caleb Dean
Holden Griskey-Watson Melanie Flint Zach Kostechko
Simone Hansen Kyle Zbornik
Javier Orantes Jay Zier
Cedar Pavitt Kilee Rogers
Mackey Cardinell Keenan O’Brien
Pasha Bullock Angel Kaltenbach
Reid Ledgerwood Ariahna Tidrington
Kaya Osborn
10 th GRADE 11 th GRADE 12 th GRADE
Kathryn Tidwell Annalies Schuh
Leah Cardinell
Jessica Edwards
Kailley Grantham

CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS OASIS OASIS GRADUATES GRADUATES AND AND G.E.D.
G.E.D.
COMPLETERS!
COMPLETERS!
OUR COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY WILL
BE Saturday JUNE 4th AT 2:00 PM
EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL PARISH HALL
WE WE INVITE INVITE YOU YOU TO TO JOIN JOIN US US IN IN CELEBRATING CELEBRATING OUR OUR STUDENTS’ STUDENTS’ SUCCESS SUCCESS AND
AND
AFTERWARDS AFTERWARDS FOR FOR REFRESHMENTS.
REFRESHMENTS.
WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR FINGER FOOD DONATIONS AND
VOLUNTEERS FOR THIS GRAND EVENT!
Please Please conta contact conta contact
ct Jill Sherman 360 360-376 360
376 376-1524 376 1524 or jsherman@orcas.k12.wa.us
jsherman@orcas.k12.wa.us
Letter of Thanks
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people who have come to my classes or added to
the quality of the class. Dr. Bailey comes to my health class each semester giving the students an
excellent presentation on oral health, especially covering the affects of smokeless tobacco. Each
semester Island Market has allowed me to bring my class to the market during our nutrition unit
expanding student’s knowledge of reading labels and comparison hopping.
Paige McCormick has generously led my Fitness for Life class in three weeks of Jazzercise. Paige’s
enthusiasm ensures that the students will have a productive and fun three weeks. I would also like to
thank Kari Shah and Nancy Wrightsman who will be driving the Fitness for Life class to the lakes so

we might use the tails to run. Through the generosity of these people my classes are able to have an
increased experience in class.
Happy May Day from the Library!
We have had a successful year in the library, with new books, award winners, contests, and sharing of
much creativity. We have been very fortunate to receive a generous grant from the Sir Francis Bacon
Foundation, as facilitated by Richard Fadem, for new computers, a Smart Board and Smart Response
System that will benefit all classes on our campus. Additionally we have been the recipient of many
hours of volunteer time to keep our library running. Thank you Perri Gibbons, Ann Lister, Kiki Coe,
Michelle Kostchecko, Liam Paige, Esther Doss, Alexa Cuthbert, and the PTSA for hosting the bookfair,
which provides numerous books for the library. Please consider volunteering in the library next year as
a way to contribute to our school.
Please remember, as the year comes to a close, that our library books are precious for all students and
find books that are missing or pay for the replacement cost of books that are lost.
The last day to check out books will be Friday, June 3 and all books are due back to the library by
Friday, June 10. Students who have outstanding books or fines will not receive their report cards until
the account is cleared. Notices will be sent home during the last weeks of the school year.
Have a wonderful summer of reading and relaxing, talking about books, and enjoying our wonderful
place.
Mrs. Doss X1565
mdoss@orcas.k12.wa.us
Orcas Island Cider and Mead Festival
Saturday, May 14
10 a.m.
(under the big tent on the Eastsound Village Green stage area)
Up to ten Northwest cider and mead producers including Finnriver, Wescott Bay, Red Barn, Sky River,
Alpenfire, Adytum. Crispin and Tieton Cider Works will be gathering together at the first Orcas Island
Cider and Mead Festival at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday, May 14. Also, several Orcas homebrews
will be judged by the professionals and crowned “Orcas Best of the Fest,” perhaps the first of its kind.
The event will be held under a large tent near the stage area. Island musicians, Bruce Harvey and the

Calvados Brothers, Gene Nery and Martin Lund, and “This is Lizzard” with Lizanne Hennessey and
Roland Stolk will be entertaining the throng all day long. Anyone over 21 will be able to taste the
ciders and meads for a $5 to $15 donation benefiting our Farm to Cafeteria Program.
More information will be posted on the Farm to Cafeteria web site at www.orcasislandf2c.org as the
event continues to develop. Mark your calendar for May 14 and bring friends to spend a perfect day
at the Farmers Market and our first great cider and mead festival!
Eighth Annual OIEF Food For Thought Benefit
An Egg-ceptional Event!
Thursday, May 19
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Discovery House at Rosario Resort
Island artists and several public school classrooms quickly picked up their choice of the two different
egg shapes OIEF provided - one of solid wood, the other of maché which opened to a hollow inside. If
their creations are as clever, beautiful, unusual and creative as the box and fish shapes they
transformed for the past two Food for Thought Benefits, those who come this year will have trouble
deciding which one they want to grace their home as each will go home with the highest bidder.
Eggs will be in various businesses on the Island for all to see as of May 9.
For eats, professional chefs and winners of the Student Chef Competition will be there to providing a
“moveable feast” for the guests.
Mark your calendar for May 19 to attend the OIEF Food for Thought Dinner and Auction fundraiser
benefiting our public schools. Tickets are $65 per person and will be on sale May 1 at the Elementary
School office, Darvill’s and the Chamber Office. Free childcare will be provided. For more
information, or to reserve for childcare, call Janet at 376-4376.
An Evening with Robert Egger – Connecting
Food and Community
Monday, June 6
6:30 p.m.

Odd Fellows Hall
Robert Egger, Founder and President of the DC Central Kitchen, the country’s first “community
kitchen” where food donated by hospitality businesses and farms is used to fuel a nationally
recognized culinary arts job training program and unemployed men and women learn marketable
skills while donations are converted into balanced meals, is coming to Orcas Island!
Robert was included in the Non Profit Times list of the “50 Most Powerful and Influential” nonprofit
leaders from 2006-2009. He was the recipient of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan
Washington’s 2007 “Lifetime Achievement” award and the 2004 James Beard Foundation
“Humanitarian of the Year” award. He has been named an Oprah Angel, a Washingtonian of the
Year, a Point of Light and one of the Ten Most Caring People in America, by the Caring Institute.
Hosted by the Orcas Island Community Foundation, Orcas Island Farm to Cafeteria and the Orcas
Island Food Bank, everyone is welcome to attend at no charge. Donation will be accepted.
Kid-Sized Scarecrows Can Be Yours!
Mandy Randolph’s Farm to Classroom kids are having an incredible amount of fun making
scarecrows that will be silent auction items on the Farm to Cafeteria table at the annual OIEF Food
for Thought Benefit on May 19. For particulars on the Benefit go to www.oief.org and click on
“events.” Photo: Back L to R: Kai Ross, L’il Mikey the Scarecrow, Myla Ross, Miss Mandy, Trinity
Kraayeveld, Christopher Mullan ((front) Diego Lago

Third Annual Fifth Season in August!
The Farm to Cafeteria Program is looking for volunteers to help slice, dice, peel, package, label and
freeze bountiful summer produce from our local farms that will be used during the coming new school
year in cafeteria lunches. This will occur on August 8 and 9 in the Home Ec Room at the school. If you
wish to help, call Madie Murray at 3064 or email gomadie@gmail.com.
News from the School Nurse
Summer Health Reminders
Summer vacation is a good time for parents to schedule health check-ups and immunizations. Most
students entering sixth grade will be due for a tetanus booster. Many students are not up-to-date
with other vaccines, especially chickenpox (varicella) and MMR (measles, mumps, rubella). For all
grades, please check your children’s immunizations and schedule appointments this summer; then
notify the appropriate office with updated information. State funding makes the vaccines available
at low cost through the Health Dept. and local health care providers. Questions about
immunizations can be directed to school nurse, Iris Graville, at 376-1592 or igraville@orcas.k12.wa.us.
OICMF Festival Time
OICMF Festival Time is for Young People, too! TAA DAA!
The Children’s Concert at this summer’s Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival is Monday, August 15th
at 1PM. It is designed especially for our youngest audience members by Teaching Artist Rachel
Buchman, the Children’s Concert will feature musical storytelling, songs, and Festival music. Perfect for
ages 3-7 or so, the concert is 45 minutes in length. All of our island pre-schools and youngsters are
invited. A (free) courtesy ticket is required so be sure to call the Box Office and reserve yours and your
youngster’s after May 25th. 376-2281.

The 2nd Annual Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival Tune-Up Session this summer is designed for
young musicians ages 8-high school and who play at advanced beginner and up levels. Music students
will attend a rehearsal, meet with Festival Musicians over lunch, and receive coaching from OICMF
Teaching Artists. Day One, on Tuesday August 16 th , welcomes student musicians (any and all
instrument background) to work with Teaching Artist Rachel Buchman. Day Two, during the second
week of the Festival (and after the County Fair), will be with members of The Gryphon Trio focusing
on violin, cello and piano. (Viola may be added) Dates for Day Two depend on instrument of interest.
To take full advantage of Day Two with The Gryphon Trio, students need to be able to read music
and be able to play at an advanced beginner or above level. Small ensembles may register as a
group. Call 376-6636 to register.
Musician-in-Residence Monique Mead not only gave us the gift of her time and talent during the
week of April 25th, she has also given a gift of concert tickets for the young musicians she cares so
much about! Monique has purchased two tickets for every concert during the upcoming Festival
August 12-27 and reserved them for young musicians. Our plan is to award the tickets to students who
sign up for the Tune-Up Session first. We will ask a parent or guardian to attend with each student
and purchase or contribute toward the price of their ticket, creating a family evening. What a
wonderful gift from our highly esteemed Musician-in-Residence, Monique Mead. If you want to say
thanks to Monique directly write to her at: moniquemead@aol.com. Call Victoria if interested. 376-
6636.
For more information about the Children’s Concert, the Tune-Up Session or the Festival concerts, call
the Festival Office at 376-6636. Or visit www.oicmf.org.
Funhouse News
The Funhouse’s 10 th Annual Science Fair was a huge success!
This year we had a lot of amazing entries utilizing the “How It Works” theme. We also had
entertaining science demonstrations including a bed of nails, a Roman wheel and an imploding 50
gallon drum.
Seattle performer Doktor Kaboom came and participated in our award ceremony.
The Richie Moore Rocketship of Wonder Award winners were Aiden and Kai McGregor, Cody
Johnston, and Gwydion Marreth. They built a full size trebuchet and described its mechanism. Check
out the video of their amazing project.
1 st Prize was awarded to Christopher Ghazel for his project describing noise canceling headphones
($1,000 scholarship). 2 nd Prize went to Brigid Ehrmantraut for her entry about The Prisoner’s
Dilemma ($650 scholarship). 3 rd Prize was awarded to Aiden Anderson for his project on pocket
warmers ($350 scholarship).

Check out the video recorded by Orcas Island TV. Also check out our YouTube channel that shows lots
of our great science fair demos.
Spring Soccer
Join us for spring soccer camp on the fields at the school. Skill building and scrimmage, ages 7 thru 14!
Rec Team Age 7-11 and Teen Teams Age 12-14
Registration April 29 th on the Orcas School upper fields.
Adults and teens welcome to come and assist.
Call soccer coordinator, Elmo Paige at 298-2361, or contact The Funhouse.
Sail Orcas
Don’t miss one of Orcas Island’s most unique programs, Sail Orcas! An incredible, affordable learning
experience for kids and adults. Here’s one of the many reasons it’s great to live here—you won’t find a
program like this on the mainland.
Youth Lessons – Weekly courses will be offered Mon-Thurs from June 27-Aug 19. Morning sessions for
beginner and afternoon sessions for more advanced sailors. Ages 8-15. Program fills up fast. Register
today.
Adult Lessons – You’re never too old to learn to sail! Sail Orcas’ 12 hour USA Sailing Course will
teach you the basics. Instructors are all experienced local sailors that provide personalized instruction
to just 2 students per class.
Summer Memberships – Adult Sail Orcas members have access to the Cal 20’s for day use in
Westsound. Even one outing this summer is worth the cost of membership. Check it out!
Cruising Course – Expand your sailing skills. Our new “Cruising Course” aboard our 25’ Laguna will
qualify graduates to be able to hire this boat for their own overnight San Juan adventures.
For pricing and online registration go to www.sailorcas.org, or contact The Funhouse.
Spring Soccer Camp and Sail Orcas thank The Funhouse for providing temporary administrative
services for these important programs during the 2011 season.
Free Lattes at The Funhouse!
Can you afford to give The Funhouse the price of a one coffee per month? How about an hour a
month as a volunteer? Stop by The Funhouse May 21, before the Saturday Market for a FREE Local
Goods Espresso, a tour, and an opportunity to learn about the myriad ways YOU can help us help
the kids of Orcas Island! Stop in Saturday, May 21st 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Funhouse Activities Network
The Funhouse Activities Network (FAN) is a volunteer group open to anyone interested in
contributing their time, talents, or treasure to benefit the children of Orcas Island.

Anyone who cares about Orcas kids are welcome—and parents are especially vital—we want your
help designing programs, mitigating problems, and providing direction to Funhouse management.
Help shape The Funhouse into the best possible place for YOUR kids—we are here for you and your
family after all!!! Be a part of the fun and be a part of FAN! Our next meeting is May 12th at 5:30
p.m. at The Funhouse.
Natural Helpers
Calling all students who will be entering 6-8th grade next year - Come join us for a
NATURAL HELPERS OPEN HOUSE on Friday, May 13th - 5 - 7 pm at the Eastsound Fire Hall. We
will be sharing pizza and giving you a taste of the NATURAL HELPERS training activities. Parents
are also welcome - but not necessary.
Please email ajohnson@orcasfamilyhealthcenter.org if you plan to come - so we order enough pizza!
If you are interested in the program, there will be an overnight training retreat at Camp Orkila on
Saturday June 4th. A future parent's meeting for youth interested in taking the full training will be
held prior to June 4th.
From the PIP Corner……
As we say goodbye to another year here at Orcas Elementary, I would like to recognize and thank all
the volunteers and staff committed to the Primary Intervention Program (PIP). Our volunteers
dedicated over 318 hours this year to make the program successful.
Our volunteers this year included:
Joe Ciskowski
Lynda Johnson
Kathi Ciskowski
Ann Waltersdorph
Sandra Burt M.S.W., our Mental Health Specialist.
This year, PIP volunteers provided 24 children in grades Kindergarten – 3 rd the opportunity to have
their special time in a beautiful and inviting playroom. Children were given 35 – 40 minutes each

week with the undivided attention of a kind and caring trained adult volunteer. This was their time
to shine in someone’s eyes. The playroom gave those children an opportunity to discover their
strengths, identify feelings and try new things while building self-esteem and confidence. If you are
interested in having your child participate in PIP next year, please contact Margie Sabine at the
elementary school 376-1593.
Here’s wishing everyone a safe and relaxing summer!
Margie Sabine
PIP Coordinator, OISD
Come to the All Parents Koffee Klatch!
(Tea and Donuts Too!!)
Wednesday Morning May 11
Come together for a casual chat
from 8 to 9 a.m.
after bringing your kids to school.
Under the Maple Tree
or in the Elementary Building if it rains.
Sponsored by the Readiness to Learn Program (RTL)
& the Orcas Schools Parent –Teacher–Student Association (PTSA)

A Way Forward for Orcas Schools
In recognition of the physical and economic realities of Orcas Schools, 43 citizens gathered to
reach a consensus on a way forward to meet our collective responsibility for the education of our
community’s children.
We affirm that our schools will be appropriately designed and maintained to:
• be safe and healthy for all educational and community activities;
• ensure long, productive, and comprehensive service to minimize overall costs; and
• maximize the value of our community’s investment in our children's futures.
We acknowledge that there has been a generalized failure within the entire community to ensure
it has sufficient knowledge of the physical conditions of our schools. Moving forward requires
broad and shared community agreement on the physical condition of our schools and a
willingness to provide the financial resources required to address their deficiencies.
We reached consensus on the following recommended Actions:
1. Encourage the school board to accept the elementary school grant
Immediate repairs are needed to make the elementary school a safe and healthy facility. The
school district has been awarded a $900,000 grant, contingent upon the school board’s
commitment to secure an additional $800,000. Securing the additional funds to complete the 1.7
million dollar project is a responsible way to leverage our tax dollars. The group felt so strongly
about this issue and its urgency, it issued a separate consensus statement on the matter; see Note
1 for exact text.
2. Immediate Actions
We urge that life safety, seismic, disability access (ADA), electrical/plumbing, and critical
maintenance issues at the elementary, high school, old gym, and Waldron School be dealt with in
an urgent and fiscally responsible manner. While we believe that the middle school’s seismic
issues must also be addressed in an urgent and fiscally responsible manner, our recommendation
regarding all of the “1980 buildings” has been addressed separately, below.
3. Assess and Address the “1980 Buildings”
The “1980 Buildings” (cafeteria, library, and middle school) are unsafe and in need of either
repair or replacement. We request that a team of island professionals – contractors, architects,
engineers – review and assess the existing studies / plans related to the “1980 buildings.” This
qualified, local team of professionals will be asked to evaluate the available studies and cost
estimates, identify what is missing or outdated, examine the facilities in their current state, and
provide recommendations to our community and to the school board. See also Note 2.
4. Engage Community Expertise re: Construction, Engineering, & Design
Additionally, reach out to island professionals--contractors, architects, engineers—to review and
assess the existing data relating to deficiencies in the high school and to examine the facilities in
their current state. Provide recommendations to our community and the school board.
5. Engage Community Expertise re: Financial Options

Using a scope of work based on the recommendations from the team of local construction
professionals, we would like a committee of local citizens to work with professional public
finance advisers to develop a clear and simple description of the levy and bond options available
to fund the identified work. This information will be presented to the public with opportunity for
public input, resulting in a recommendation to our community and to the school board. For this
task, time is of the essence as we are in a period of historically low interest rates with
opportunities to secure favorable financing terms before rates are predicted to rise significantly, a
change which will have a huge impact on costs over the long term.
In Closing,
Some members of this group have committed to participate in ongoing, open forum meetings to
stay informed about Orcas Island School District facilities, with a further commitment to
communicate this information to the larger Orcas community.
As our group struggled to reach consensus, our process demonstrated integrity, inclusion,
openness, and dedication to exploring and developing a plan to resolve a thorny community
problem. The participants represented a diversity of experience and opinion, but were mindful of
those opinions not in the room as well. Through patient listening and the expression of mutual
respect, participants freely spoke their truth and built collective trust.
Notes
Note 1; related to Item #1, Text of Statement Encouraging Acceptance of the Elementary
School Grant:
“We 41 citizens of Orcas Island, dedicated to building a consensus to assure appropriate
educational facilities, do collectively encourage the Orcas Island School Board to accept the
$900,000.00 grant and acquire the funds necessary to match this grant and make the immediate
repairs to the Elementary School essential for the health and safety of our community’s public
school children.”
Note 2; list of school services and activities provided in the "1980 Buildings": (kitchen,
cafeteria/assembly, music rooms, library/High School OASIS room, Middle School Rooms, 2
offices + Home Economics Room, Wood Shop/and Career and Tech Ed Office, and High School
rooms 105, 301 and 302)
Background
This Statement of Consensus was created by Orcas Islanders who responded to an island-wide
invitation to gather and "reach a consensus on a way forward to ensure that the facilities of the
OISD are adequate to meet our collective responsibility for the education of our community’s
children; and to draft a statement of the consensus to be published and shared with the
community at large."
Participants committed to attending twelve hours of deliberations spread over four meetings.
These gatherings took place April 2 thru 9, 2011.
List of Participants:

Rachel Adams Kyle Freeman Ruthie Newman Joe Symons
Marilyn Anderson Wally Gudgell Marian O Brien Tom Tillman
Libby Blackwell Andrea Hendrick Bruce Orchid Linda Trethaway
Marta Branch Rick Hughes Mark Padbury Judy Turksel
Phil Branch Deborah Jones Justin Paulson Audrey Wells
Janet Brownell David Kau George Post Bea vonTobel
Joyce Burghardt Barbara Kline Kari Schuh Patricia Slabaugh
Hilary Canty Morgan Meadows Cristine Chandler Tom Meadows
Samara Shaw Clyde Duke Pete Moe Andrew Stephens
Martha Farish Madie Murray Chris Sutton Cathy Ferran
Barry Neville Ed Sutton
Facilitators:
Fred Klein
J.Marie Riche
Special Education
The Orcas Island School District's DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION serves people with
disabilities from birth to age 21. If you suspect that you or your child may have a disability, please call
the District Office at 376-2284.
Annual School Report Card
The Annual School Report Card for the Orcas Island School District and its individual schools as
required by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act can be found at www.k12.wa.us
(Click on ESEA Report Card link, select Orcas Island School District, and click
on ESEA Report Card for the district or an individual school.) If you do not have Internet access,
copies of the Annual Report Card are available at the District Office."

This is the banner that we received at the award ceremony to recognize Orcas Island High School for
receiving an award of excellence. That puts our school in the top 5% of all schools in the state of
Washington

Dear Parents/Guardians,
Weekend Backpack for Kids
Orcas Island School District will begin participating in a program called “Weekend Backpacks for
Kids”. The school district is partnering with PTSA, the Orcas Island Food Bank, and individual donors
to provide this service. We need help in identifying students who would like to have the opportunity
to take home a bag filled with easy-to-prepare foods and snacks. This program is available to ALL
students K-12 and will occur on a continuing weekly basis.
Please let us know if you would be interested in having your child participate in the program by
signing the form below and returning it to the school. Your child’s name will be held in strictest
confidence so that other students will not be aware of his/her involvement in the Weekend Backpacks
for Kids program. Bags will be delivered each Friday afternoon, and your child may pick them up
before leaving school.
Thank you in advance for allowing your child the chance to participate in Weekend Backpacks for
Kids. We hope this is helpful service to our community and to your family.
WEEKEND BACKPACKS FOR KIDS
Orcas Island School District 2010-2011
Child’s Name____________________________________________________________ Grade ________
_____Yes, I would like for my child to participate in this program.
_____No, I am not interested in my child participating at this time.
Parent Signature________________________________________________________
Do you have the cooking arrangements to use the meal items (such as mac and cheese, pancakes
and tuna helpers)?
____ Yes
____ No, but I have access to a microwave
____ No, and I do not have access to a microwave
FOOD ALLERGIES
If your child is participating in the Weekend Backpacks for Kids program, this form needs to be filled
out and signed by parent/guardian.
Does your child/family have any food allergies? _____YES _____NO
If yes, please list all:______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
**Please return to one of the school offices.
Elementary Students--Attention Moriah Armstrong
Middle/High and OASIS School Students--Attention Kari Schuh