๐ Science in action! ๐ฟ Mrs. Gouleyโs 5th graders dove into the fascinating world of food webs, exploring how energy flows between organisms in nature. From producers to consumers to decomposers, these budding scientists are connecting the dots of our ecosystem. ๐ Great job, 5th grade! #HoodCanalOrcas #ScienceRocks #FoodWebFun



๐จ๐ฒ Hood Canal students in grades 3-8 submitted over 100 designs to this yearโs Mason County Forest Festival Button Design Contest! ๐๏ธโจ
The students spent the past few weeks in art class creating designs inspired by the theme: โRooted in Wood. Strength in Water.โ Along the way, they learned about native trees of the Skokomish watershed and the beautiful waterways within our county.
Huge thanks to Mr. Max for guiding their creative journey and to our community for supporting the arts through our levy! Your contributions make opportunities like this possible for our students.
The designs are now with the Forest Festival Committee for judging, and weโll find out the results in the coming weeks.
Amazing work, Orcas! ๐ Fingers crossed ๐ค that one of our talented students will take home the prize! Here are just a few of the amazing entries.










Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of students? Hood Canal School District is hiring Paraeducators to join our supportive and dedicated team!
As a paraeducator, youโll play a vital role in helping students succeed, working closely with teachers and staff to create a positive and inclusive learning environment.
What We Offer:
โ
Competitive wages
โ
A welcoming, family-like school community
โ
Opportunities to grow and make a meaningful impact
โ
The chance to work with an amazing group of students
What We're Looking For:
โจ Caring and enthusiastic individuals
โจ A desire to support student learning and development
โจ Team players who love working in a collaborative setting
No prior experience? No problem! We provide training and support to help you succeed in this rewarding role.
๐
Apply today and be part of a school that values your contribution and celebrates student success!
๐ Visit https://jobs.redroverk12.com/org/2513 for more details and to apply.

Join us tonight (Tue, Jan. 21) at 5PM for presentation on our two important school levies on the Feb. 11 ballot. The presentation will held at the beginning of the Hood Canal Lions Club meeting, but is open to the public. We hope to see you there!

โ ๏ธ Safety Notice: Black Ice on Roads โ ๏ธ
Our bus drivers have reported slick spots on the roads this morning due to black ice. To ensure everyoneโs safety, buses are taking it slow, which may result in slight delays.
We encourage all drivers to take extra care, allow for more travel time, and drive cautiously. Your safety and the safety of our students is our top priority.
Thank you for your understanding and for helping keep our community safe!

After being selected as โBest in the Stateโ by WSPRA, Hood Canalโs website was recently highlighted by Apptegy as one of the top 10 school websites in America for 2024: https://www.apptegy.com/guides/best-school-website-designs-in-2024
โHood Canal takes showcasing their students and staff seriously, and is always ready to tell the stories of whatโs happening in their districtโฆfrom outdoor education initiatives, clubs and activities all while engaging with their community and beyond. Their school website design is a testament to their community and a visible showcase of their districtโs unique story.โ
We do love sharing the stories of the amazing things happening at Hood Canal. Thank you, Apptegy for his recognition!

Middle school students in Ms. Akiyamaโs terrific science classes are diving into exciting experiments that spark curiosity and build critical thinking skills. These hands-on experiences are a big part of why Hood Canal students excel in science, with some of the highest test scores in the regionโabove the state average!
Both of the upcoming levies will provide opportunities for all students, at all learning levels, ensuring every learner can thrive in science and beyond. With community support, we can open even more doors to exploration, innovation, and success for our students.
Learn more about how the levies will benefit our students: https://www.hoodcanal.wednet.edu/page/2025-levies
#HoodCanalStrong #ScienceForAll #LearningInAction #ThrivingTogether

Students in our BYRDS outdoor education program had an incredible day trip exploring Bayshore Preserve and Jarrell Cove State Park! ๐ฆ๐ฒ
They had the chance to:
๐ Observe native plant restoration, spot multiple bird species, and watch squirrels and harbor seals in their natural habitats.
๐ฅ Hone their fire-building and wilderness cooking skillsโperfect for budding outdoor enthusiasts!
It was a day full of hands-on learning, connecting with nature, and building valuable outdoor skills. Thank you for supporting the levy that made this adventure possible! ๐
๐ธ Take a look at these highlights from the day!
#HoodCanalBYRDS #OutdoorLearning #ExploreNature









This quarter, Mr. Maxโs art students have been immersed in the rich traditions of Indigenous mask carvers, studying the techniques and stories behind their incredible artistry. In a special project that ties learning to local culture, students have been working on panels of Western Red Cedar generously donated by one of our beloved community members.
As we look ahead to the next quarter, weโre excited to invite talented community carvers to join us as volunteers! If you or someone you know has experience with wood carving and would love to inspire the next generation of artists, please reach outโweโd love to have you be part of this creative journey!
We are grateful for the ongoing support of our arts program, made possible by funding from the local levy. Our new levies include funding to expand the arts and build a new art room. Learn more here: https://www.hoodcanal.wednet.edu/page/2025-levies ๐ชตโจ
#ArtsEducation #CommunitySupport #LevyFunded #StudentCreativity










๐๐ Our 3rd and 7th graders came together today for a hands-on science experience focused on the incredible life cycle of salmon! ๐ฅโก๏ธ๐ In the classroom, students observed salmon eggs in our tank, eagerly awaiting their hatching. As they worked together, they shared observations, asked thoughtful questions, and deepened their understanding of this remarkable journey.
In a few weeks, once the salmon develop into fry, students will release them into the wildโa meaningful way to support the environment and connect learning to our local ecosystem. ๐ฒ๐ง
Check out these photos of collaboration and curiosity in action! ๐ธ #LearningTogether #SalmonLifeCycle #OrcasInAction #HoodCanalPride








Join us at Potlatch Brewing on Fri. Jan. 17 at 5:30PM for an evening of great conversations and community connection! This is your opportunity to meet the Hood Canal School Board and Superintendent Dr. Lance Gibbon, get your questions answered, and learn about the two important levies on the February 11 ballot.
๐ What Youโll Learn:
- EP&O Levy Renewal: A continuation of the expiring levy that supports essential school programs, staff, and services.
- Capital Levy Proposal: A focused, cost-effective plan to address critical safety upgrades, facility improvements, and technology enhancements. This levy offers a shorter and more affordable option compared to previous bond proposals.
You can also learn more about the levies here: https://www.hoodcanal.wednet.edu/page/2025-levies
Your participation matters! Whether youโre new to levy discussions or have questions about the upcoming ballot measures, weโre here to provide the information you need.
Come enjoy a casual evening at Potlatch Brewing and learn how these levies impact the future of Hood Canal School. Letโs navigate success together!

National math trainer Rob Nickerson has been working with our K-2 teachers to support the use of our updated Stepping Stones curriculum by ORIGO Education. During his recent visit, he observed our classrooms and was impressed by the high-quality math instruction happening at Hood Canal using the new materials!
Check out these snapshots from our kindergarten classrooms, where students were hard at work on addition, story problems, writing equations, and using manipulatives to deepen their understanding. Their focus and engagement were truly inspiring!
Weโre proud of our amazing students and teachers who are making math meaningful and fun every day! ๐
#HoodCanalOrcas #SteppingStonesMath #LearningInAction #OrcasNavigateSuccess










๐ Champions! ๐ Congratulations to the Hood Canal Boys Basketball Team for taking FIRST PLACE at the 4th Annual Evergreen Classic Tournament on Friday! ๐ฅ These athletes gave it their all, playing with heart, teamwork, and determination, and they never lost a single game!
A special shoutout to Tommy for earning Tournament MVP honors for his outstanding performance and leadership on the court! ๐ And big applause to Tiger for receiving the Sportsmanship Award for his incredible character and respect both on and off the court! ๐
Check out these awesome photos of our champions in actionโfrom big plays to proud moments during and after receiving their awards!
Thanks to our community for local levy dollars that fund all of our athletics, activities and clubs!
#OrcaPride #GoOrcas #EvergreenClassicChampions #MVP #Sportsmanship #SmallSchoolBigImpact










Check out this uplifting Letter to Editor in the Shelton-Mason County Journal written by Hood Canal School Board Chair Edie Reclusado. It appears under the heading, โRecognition.โ We have lots to celebrate and to be thankful for at Hood Canal School!
https://www.masoncounty.com/story/2024/12/19/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/4820.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1-qbPILWS4n4urcRFW4yWK2UB6o5EWgHzUsrAjNpGY_F_DNsessCmhvjQ_aem_64vOsZ-0ye_I8GVkXgWArg
๐ถโจ Hood Canal School Holiday Magic! โจ๐ญ What a wonderful day at the HCS Sing-a-Long and Drama Club performance of โBob the Reindeerโ! Our talented students and staff brought joy and holiday cheer to everyone with their incredible singing and acting.
A huge thank you to our students, staff, and families for making the event so special. Wishing you all a season filled with warmth and happiness! ๐๐
#SchoolPride #HolidayJoy #schoolmusic










๐โจ Holiday Door Decorating Contest at HCS! โจ๐ A big shoutout to all our students and staff for the amazing creativity in this annual event! Every hallway sparkled with holiday spirit.
Congratulations to our winners:
โญ Ms. Andi (Specialist)
โญ Mr. Brian (K-2 Hall)
โญ Ms. Johnson (PK/3-4 Hall)
โญ Ms. Cindy (5-6 Hall)
โญ Mr. Syrette (7-8 Hall)
Thank you for spreading so much joy this season! ๐ #HCSHolidaySpirit #CreativeCommunity #TeamHCS






โ๏ธ Here are just a few photos from our incredible Holiday Family Luncheon led by our amazing child nutrition team under the leadership of Kitchen Manager Becky Purvis. You can find more than 100 more photos online at:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15JqqqPgtD/?mibextid=wwXIfr
And
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CXUyT5ddg/?mibextid=wwXIfr
In addition to delicious meals made from scratch for our students, they served over 160 family members - all free for the children and their families.
What a wonderful way to kick off the holidays!! ๐
#HoodCanalSchool #holidayseason #holidayluncheon #CommunitySupport










Students in Mary Williamsโs 5th-period class have been busy spreading holiday cheer by wrapping gifts as a thoughtful service for our families and community. Their kindness and generosity truly shine this seasonโthank you for your big hearts and dedication to making a difference! #CommunityMatters #HeartOfTheSeason



โโ๏ธ Warm Wishes from Hood Canal School and the FTO! โ๏ธโ
This chilly morning before break, our amazing FTO (Family Teacher Organization) and students came together to spread holiday cheer by handing out hot chocolate to families during morning drop off.
From all of us at Hood Canal School and the FTO, we wish you a joyful holiday season filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments. Stay warm and have a wonderful break! ๐โจ
#HoodCanalSchool #HolidayCheer #FTO #CommunityMatters #WarmWishes



The weather outside is frightful! Here are the latest road closures as of 12:08PM on Dec. 18:
- Skokomish Valley Road is closed until further notice due to flooding.
- West Bourgault Road is closed until further notice due to flooding.
- Purdy Cutoff Road is Closed until further notice due to multiple down trees.
- Arcadia Road at the 4000 block is closed until further notice due to down trees and power lines.
- Belfair Tahuya Road at MP 11.4 is closed until further notice.
- State Route 3 from Vic King Road to Craig Road is closed until further notice due to down power lines.
- State Route 106 is closed at milepost 1.31 near Skokomish River Road is closed in both directions until further notice due to water over roadway.
- State Route 106 is closed at milepost 13.15 near E Twanoh Tides Drive until further notice due to trees down.
Please drive safe! If you have any further questions, please feel free to call Public Works at (360) 427-9670 ext. 450

