North Mason School District

Good luck to Jackson Bergdahl, our sole cross country runner competing at the state championship in Pasco, WA this weekend. Administration, teachers, staff, students and teammates gathered around the flagpole this morning for a classic bulldog send off, everyone cheering encouragement. The van drove away to the sounds of the band playing the fight song and Jackson beamed and waved to the crowd, clearly excited about the competition ahead. Congratulations on making it to state, Jackson! #gobulldogs Follow https://www.instagram.com/northmasonbulldogs/ for updates.

Register by midnight! Need assistance during the holiday season? This amazing North Mason Lions Club initiative helps families by providing gifts for children/teens. To register, or to help fulfill donations, please visit https://northmasonlions.org/giving-tree.

Happy Halloween, North Mason! Have fun and be safe!

Our last featured principal in the National Principals Month series is Alexia Hadfield, principal of James A. Taylor and Homelink, along with being the ALE/CTE Director. "I am proud to be a principal in the NMSD because I get the privilege of working with a great team to implement new and creative teaching methods, technologies, and programs to enhance the academic and 21st century learning of our students. Seeing the growth and accomplishments of our staff and students is amazing and I am excited to see what the future holds for them." Thank you to all our principals for everything you do for North Mason students. WE are proud to have you as a principal for NMSD!

Looking for something fun to do tonight? Check out the Belfair Haunted Barn Experience from 6-9 pm. Tickets only $8. No parking at event facility but there is a shuttle from Scott McLendon's Hardware. This North Mason Rotary Club fundraiser is put on with the help of our NMHS Drama Club. Come out and support this creative fundraiser!

Happy First Responders Day! A special thank you to our local departments who support and enrich our schools!

Good luck to the NMHS Marching Band competing at the 35th Annual Puget Sound Festival of Bands in Everett tomorrow. Each year 1000's of high school students, support staff, and enthusiastic spectators take part in this exciting event. Marching bands from all around the Pacific Northwest converge on Everett Memorial Stadium to compete for awards and recognition. Typically, more than 20 bands participate in 4 divisions based on size, from the smallest Division A bands with as few 10 tenacious members, to the massive Open Division bands hosting more than 100 members creating an unforgettable sound. During the preliminaries competition, all bands compete within their division for the top 3 positions, then, these 12 top bands go head to head in the finals competition to take first, second, and third place overall. The stadium provides sheltered seating for spectators to enjoy this day-long event, and there are plenty of food and souvenir concessions to enjoy.

We are celebrating National Principals Month with an inside look at our schools' leadership. Our principals are answering the question, "What makes you proud to be a principal for NMSD?" This week we hear from Jason Swaser. "I’m a proud principal of Sand Hill Elementary in Belfair WA. I love being a principal because I get to positively interact and teach the youth in our community."

Spirited Send-off for North Mason Seniors! Seniors from football, band and cheer were celebrated Friday night, surrounded by proud parents, families, friends, coaches and staff. Phil Pugh Stadium was decked out with balloons and posters lining the walkway, each senior captured doing an activity they love. Once on the field, the procession of families stretched out as they waited with their senior to go through the long walkway formed by fellow students. The announcer introduced the seniors one by one, sharing their highlights and future plans, while families and friends surrounded them. There were a lot of bouquets, many leis and baskets of goodies that the seniors carried off. Everywhere you looked people were hugging and laughing, some crying, but what shone brighter than the stadium lights was the pride on all of the faces. Congratulations Bulldogs!

RELEASE TIMES FOR CONFERENCE WEEK OCTOBER 23 - 27 Elementary has half days all week release 12:50 PM Secondary has a full day Wednesday - no early release Secondary has early release Thursday and Friday - release time is 11:25 AM

Have you filled out your Impact Aid forms? Impact Aid is a federal grant program designed to assist school districts who have experienced increased expenditures due to the enrollment of federally connected children. The program supports districts with concentrations of children whose parents work on military bases and other federal properties, and Indian lands. Filling out this survey gives us the information we need to verify our qualifications to participate in this program. Even if you do not work on federal property, we still need you to fill out the form. The Impact Aid forms are now available online through Skyward Family Access and ParentSquare. If you have not signed up yet, please follow the link below. Once signed up you can complete the very short survey for each one of your children enrolled in North Mason. Links available here: https://www.nmsd.wednet.edu/article/1290685 Thank you for taking the time to complete this very short survey!

As we finish up School Bus Safety Week, please remember to pay extra attention while in our school zones. Thank you for doing your part to keep our students safe! #schoolbussafetyweek

Celebrating the "seniors" yesterday at Hawkins MS last home fastpitch game. Players were given flowers and goodies to honor their contribution to the team through the years. Can't wait to see what these players do when they continue on as NMHS Bulldogs! Pictured, left to right, Addyson Roy, Sydnnie Imlay, Elizabeth Henningsen, Aubrey Dunham, Madeline Smith, Elyssia Copeland

This week's feature for National Principals Month is Robert Kalahan, answering the question, "What makes you proud to be a principal at NMSD?" "I am the proud principal of Hawkins Middle School in the North Mason School District. I have worked in middle schools my entire career and love the kids at this age. I know that every day will be an adventure as you can really never predict where the social and emotional rollercoaster that is middle school will take you. I am proud of my amazing staff that I get to work with every day. I have been a leader in four different districts over my 20 years as a principal and have never had a staff that is as much fun as my crew is at Hawkins. Our Hawkins teachers, counselors, paraeducators, custodians, lunch ladies, and secretaries love our students and are always willing to go the extra mile for them. Their dedication to the community is inspiring to me." #thankaprincipal

Deadline to register is November 1st! Need assistance during the holiday season? This amazing North Mason Lions Club initiative helps families by providing gifts for children. To register, or to help fulfill donations, please visit the North Mason Giving Tree website https://northmasonlions.org/giving-tree.

When it comes to bus safety, teach students to play it SAFE: Stay at least ten feet — five giant steps — away from the curb. Always wait until the bus comes to a complete stop and the bus driver signals for you to board. Face forward after finding a seat on the bus. Exit the bus after it stops and look left-right-left for cars before crossing a street. (tips courtesy of nhtsa.gov)

North Mason students are not having a video game day...it's actually the "Air Rescue" simulator, giving our students the opportunity to virtually fly helicopters and put out fires. Here today until 1 pm, in front of the high school. You can't miss the giant semi. Thank you to the U.S. Army for this experience!

School Bus Safety Week Quiz: (4 guesses and the first three don't count!) When is it okay to pass a school bus when the safety arm is out? A. Never B. Never C. Never D. All of the above

IMPORTANT RELEASE TIMES FOR CONFERENCE WEEK OCTOBER 23 - 27 Half days for Elementary all week release 12:50 PM Secondary is no early release on Wednesday-it's a full normal day Secondary has early release Thursday and Friday release time is 11:25 AM

School Bus Safety Week Tip: Illegal school bus passing poses a significant threat to children and others on the road. In every state, it is illegal for you to pass a school bus while the stop-arm is extended and the red lights are flashing. Thank you, Belfair, for stopping for our buses and keeping our children safe!